Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 

 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) 
x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20182019
 
or
 
o    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                              to                             
 
Commission File Number: 1-13991
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________________ 
Maryland
13-3974868
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
13-3974868
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
350 Park Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York
10022
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
10022
(Zip Code)
 
(212) 207-6400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Not Applicable 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last period)

_____________________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
  
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x
398,488,368
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareMFANew York Stock Exchange
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
MFA/PBNew York Stock Exchange
8.00% Senior Notes due 2042MFONew York Stock Exchange

450,555,570 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding as of May 3, 2018.2, 2019.
 

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 Page
  
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 


MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET




MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  
Assets:  
  
  
  
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:  
  
Agency MBS, at fair value ($2,547,350 and $2,727,510 pledged as collateral, respectively) $2,647,148
 $2,824,681
Non-Agency MBS, at fair value ($2,630,425 and $2,379,523 pledged as collateral, respectively) 3,398,254
 3,533,966
CRT securities, at fair value ($590,551 and $595,900 pledged as collateral, respectively) 679,491
 664,403
Mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) related assets ($432,468 and $482,158 pledged as collateral, respectively) 455,124
 492,080
Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($438,202 and $448,689 pledged as collateral, respectively) (1)
 1,099,876
 908,516
Residential whole loans, at fair value ($1,238,016 and $996,226 pledged as collateral, respectively) (1)
 1,555,620
 1,325,115
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value 253,993
 504,062
Residential mortgage securities:  
  
Agency MBS, at fair value ($2,524,612 and $2,575,331 pledged as collateral, respectively) $2,546,597
 $2,698,213
Non-Agency MBS, at fair value ($3,068,294 and $3,248,900 pledged as collateral, respectively) 3,099,272
 3,318,299
Credit Risk Transfer (“CRT”) securities, at fair value ($419,877 and $480,315 pledged as collateral, respectively) 423,702
 492,821
Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($2,441,975 and $1,645,372 pledged as collateral, respectively) (1)
 3,724,146
 3,016,715
Residential whole loans, at fair value ($822,235 and $738,638 pledged as collateral, respectively) (1)
 1,512,337
 1,665,978
Mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) related assets ($825,363 and $611,807 pledged as collateral, respectively) 825,363
 611,807
Cash and cash equivalents 214,686
 449,757
 76,579
 51,965
Restricted cash 7,100
 13,307
 41,999
 36,744
Other assets 303,920
 238,847
 551,618
 527,785
Total Assets $10,615,212
 $10,954,734
 $12,801,613
 $12,420,327
        
Liabilities:        
Repurchase agreements and other advances $6,558,860
 $6,614,701
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value 253,993
 504,062
Payable for unsettled residential whole loans purchases 13,525
 
Repurchase agreements $8,509,713
 $7,879,087
Other liabilities 553,403
 574,335
 887,369
 1,125,139
Total Liabilities $7,379,781
 $7,693,098
 $9,397,082
 $9,004,226
        
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10) 

 

 

 

        
Stockholders’ Equity:        
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable; 8,050 shares authorized;
8,000 shares issued and outstanding ($200,000 aggregate liquidation preference)
 $80
 $80
 $80
 $80
Common stock, $.01 par value; 886,950 shares authorized; 398,429 and 397,831 shares issued
and outstanding, respectively
 3,984
 3,978
Common stock, $.01 par value; 886,950 shares authorized; 450,483 and 449,787 shares issued
and outstanding, respectively
 4,505
 4,498
Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par 3,227,550
 3,227,304
 3,622,636
 3,623,275
Accumulated deficit (578,913) (578,950) (637,286) (632,040)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 582,730
 609,224
 414,596
 420,288
Total Stockholders’ Equity $3,235,431
 $3,261,636
 $3,404,531
 $3,416,101
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $10,615,212
 $10,954,734
 $12,801,613
 $12,420,327
 

(1)Includes approximately $180.0$202.7 million and $183.2$209.4 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $275.6$647.0 million and $289.3$694.7 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of the VIEs.each respective VIE.


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

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Interest Income:  
  
    
Agency MBS $15,293
 $17,894
 $18,441
 $15,293
Non-Agency MBS 56,102
 79,208
 54,001
 56,102
CRT securities 9,496
 6,376
 6,200
 9,496
MSR related assets 7,623
 4,734
Residential whole loans held at carrying value 14,329
 8,690
 49,620
 14,329
MSR-related assets 10,620
 7,623
Cash and cash equivalent investments 909
 355
 764
 909
Other interest-earning assets 1,306
 
Interest Income $103,752
 $117,257
 $140,952
 $103,752
        
Interest Expense:        
Repurchase agreements and other advances $45,717
 $48,339
Repurchase agreements $70,809
 $45,717
Other interest expense 4,837
 2,010
 8,217
 4,837
Interest Expense $50,554
 $50,349
 $79,026
 $50,554
        
Net Interest Income $53,198
 $66,908
 $61,926
 $53,198
        
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:    
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses $
 $(63)
Portion of loss reclassed from other comprehensive income 
 (351)
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings $
 $(414)
    
Other Income, net:        
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value $38,498
 $13,773
Net gain on sales of investment securities 8,817
 9,708
Net gain on residential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings $25,267
 $38,498
Net realized gain on sales of residential mortgage securities 24,609
 8,817
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on residential mortgage securities measured at fair value through earnings 8,672
 (880)
Net loss on Swaps not designated as hedges for accounting purposes (8,944) 
Other, net 345
 4,512
 1,565
 1,225
Other Income, net $47,660
 $27,993
 $51,169
 $47,660
        
Operating and Other Expense:        
Compensation and benefits $6,748
 $7,793
 $8,554
 $6,748
Other general and administrative expense 3,832
 4,225
 4,645
 3,832
Loan servicing and other related operating expenses 6,883
 4,409
 11,039
 6,883
Operating and Other Expense $17,463
 $16,427
 $24,238
 $17,463
        
Net Income $83,395
 $78,060
 $88,857
 $83,395
Less Preferred Stock Dividends 3,750
 3,750
 3,750
 3,750
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities $79,645
 $74,310
 $85,107
 $79,645
        
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted $0.20
 $0.20
 $0.19
 $0.20
    
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock $0.20
 $0.20

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

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)

 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Net income $83,395
 $78,060
 $88,857
 $83,395
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss):        
Unrealized loss on Agency MBS, net
 (10,052) (8,052)
Unrealized (loss)/gain on Non-Agency MBS, net (27,488) 27,521
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Agency MBS, net 9,315
 (10,052)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Non-Agency MBS, CRT securities and MSR term notes, net 12,788
 (27,488)
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income (8,623) (9,971) (17,009) (8,623)
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income 
 (414)
Derivative hedging instrument fair value changes, net 19,669
 11,897
 (10,445) 19,669
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income (26,494) 20,981
Amortization of de-designated hedging instruments, net (341) 
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (5,692) (26,494)
Comprehensive income before preferred stock dividends $56,901
 $99,041
 $83,165
 $56,901
Dividends declared on preferred stock (3,750) (3,750) (3,750) (3,750)
Comprehensive Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities $53,151
 $95,291
 $79,415
 $53,151
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(In Thousands,
Except Per Share Amounts)
 Preferred Stock
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference td5.00 per Share
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total Preferred Stock
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference td5.00 per Share
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total
Shares Amount Shares Amount  Shares Amount Shares Amount 
Balance at December 31, 2017 8,000
 $80
 397,831
 $3,978
 $3,227,304
 $(578,950) $609,224
 $3,261,636
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of new accounting standard for revenue recognition 
 
 
 
 
 295
 
 295
Balance at December 31, 2018 8,000
 $80
 449,787
 $4,498
 $3,623,275
 $(632,040) $420,288
 $3,416,101
Net income 
 
 
 
 
 83,395
 
 83,395
 
 
 
 
 
 88,857
 
 88,857
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)
 
 
 849
 6
 1,224
 
 
 1,230
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses 
 
 1,066
 7
 544
 
 
 551
Repurchase of shares of common stock (1)
 
 
 (251) 
 (1,957) 
 
 (1,957) 
 
 (370) 
 (2,610) 
 
 (2,610)
Equity based compensation expense 
 
 
 
 549
 
 
 549
 
 
 
 
 992
 
 
 992
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards 
 
 
 
 430
 
 
 430
 
 
 
 
 435
 
 
 435
Dividends declared on common stock 
 
 
 
 
 (79,686) 
 (79,686)
Dividends declared on preferred stock 
 
 
 
 
 (3,750) 
 (3,750)
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.20 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 (90,097) 
 (90,097)
Dividends declared on preferred stock ($0.46875 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 (3,750) 
 (3,750)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents 
 
 
 
 
 (217) 
 (217) 
 
 
 
 
 (256) 
 (256)
Change in unrealized gains on MBS, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 (46,163) (46,163) 
 
 
 
 
 
 5,094
 5,094
Derivative hedging instrument fair value changes, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 19,669
 19,669
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (10,786) (10,786)
Balance at March 31, 2018 8,000
 $80
 398,429
 $3,984
 $3,227,550
 $(578,913) $582,730
 $3,235,431
Balance at March 31, 2019 8,000
 $80
 450,483
 $4,505
 $3,622,636
 $(637,286) $414,596
 $3,404,531

 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(In Thousands,
Except Per Share Amounts)
 Preferred Stock
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference td5.00 per Share
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total Preferred Stock
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference td5.00 per Share
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated
Deficit
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total
Shares Amount Shares Amount  Shares Amount Shares Amount 
Balance at December 31, 2016 8,000
 $80
 371,854
 $3,719
 $3,029,062
 $(572,641) $573,682
 $3,033,902
Balance at December 31, 2017 8,000
 $80
 397,831
 $3,978
 $3,227,304
 $(578,950) $609,224
 $3,261,636
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of new accounting standard for revenue recognition 
 
 
 
 
 295
 
 295
Net income 
 
 
 
 
 78,060
 
 78,060
 
 
 
 
 
 83,395
 
 83,395
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)
 
 
 1,457
 9
 3,947
 
 
 3,956
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses 
 
 849
 6
 1,224
 
 
 1,230
Repurchase of shares of common stock (1)
 
 
 (492) 
 (3,859) 
 
 (3,859) 
 
 (251) 
 (1,957) 
 
 (1,957)
Equity based compensation expense 
 
 
 
 1,024
 
 
 1,024
 
 
 
 
 549
 
 
 549
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards 
 
 
 
 429
 
 
 429
 
 
 
 
 430
 
 
 430
Dividends declared on common stock 
 
 
 
 
 (74,569) 
 (74,569)
Dividends declared on preferred stock 
 
 
 
 
 (3,750) 
 (3,750)
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.20 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 (79,686) 
 (79,686)
Dividends declared on preferred stock ($0.46875 per share) 
 
 
 
 
 (3,750) 
 (3,750)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents 
 
 
 
 
 (227) 
 (227) 
 
 
 
 
 (217) 
 (217)
Change in unrealized gains on MBS, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 9,084
 9,084
Change in unrealized losses on MBS, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 (46,163) (46,163)
Derivative hedging instruments fair value changes, net 
 
 
 
 
 
 11,897
 11,897
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19,669
 19,669
Balance at March 31, 2017 8,000
 $80
 372,819
 $3,728
 $3,030,603
 $(573,127) $594,663
 $3,055,947
Balance at March 31, 2018 8,000
 $80
 398,429
 $3,984
 $3,227,550
 $(578,913) $582,730
 $3,235,431

(1)  For the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, includes approximately $2.6 million (370,244 shares) and $2.0 million (250,946 shares) and $3.9 million (492,447 shares), respectively surrendered for tax purposes related to equity-based compensation awards.

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:  
  
  
  
Net income $83,395
 $78,060
 $88,857
 $83,395
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
    
  
Gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities (8,817) (9,708)
Gain on sales of residential mortgage securities (24,609) (8,817)
Gain on sales of real estate owned (1,993) (875) (1,398) (1,993)
Gain on liquidation of residential whole loans (5,279) (868) (4,684) (5,279)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges 
 414
Accretion of purchase discounts on MBS and CRT securities, residential whole loans and MSR related assets (19,793) (23,682)
Amortization of purchase premiums on MBS and CRT securities 5,392
 8,029
Accretion of purchase discounts on residential mortgage securities, residential whole loans and
MSR-related assets
 (15,915) (19,793)
Amortization of purchase premiums on residential mortgage securities and residential whole loans 7,620
 5,392
Depreciation and amortization on real estate, fixed assets and other assets 423
 210
 432
 423
Equity-based compensation expense 553
 1,106
 998
 553
Unrealized gain on residential whole loans at fair value (13,747) (2,948)
(Increase)/decrease in other assets and other (22,010) 7,013
Unrealized losses/(gains) on residential whole loans at fair value 1,060
 (13,747)
Unrealized losses/(gains) on residential mortgage securities and interest rate swap agreements ("Swaps") and other 200
 (2,020)
Increase in other assets (8,770) (19,990)
Decrease in other liabilities (12,228) (12,392) (6,709) (12,228)
Net cash provided by operating activities $5,896
 $44,359
 $37,082
 $5,896
        
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:  
  
  
  
Principal payments on MBS, CRT securities and MSR related assets $484,334
 $762,747
Proceeds from sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities 19,362
 160,697
Purchases of MBS, CRT securities, MSR related assets and U.S. Treasury securities (194,328) (244,582)
Purchases of residential whole loans and capitalized advances (513,851) (5,027)
Principal payments on residential mortgage securities and MSR-related assets $391,641
 $484,334
Proceeds from sales of residential mortgage securities 208,306
 19,362
Purchases of residential mortgage securities and MSR-related assets (327,221) (194,328)
Purchases of residential whole loans, loan related investments and capitalized advances (1,021,557) (513,851)
Principal payments on residential whole loans 71,865
 35,453
 233,724
 71,865
Proceeds from sales of real estate owned 19,307
 10,438
 23,963
 19,307
Purchases of real estate owned and capital improvements (2,678) (774) (5,923) (2,678)
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock 
 10,422
Additions to leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures (171) (133) (391) (171)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities $(116,160) $729,241
Net cash used in investing activities $(497,458) $(116,160)
        
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:  
  
  
  
Principal payments on repurchase agreements and other advances $(16,609,092) $(20,513,712)
Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances 16,553,139
 19,963,451
Principal payments on repurchase agreements $(18,879,173) $(16,609,092)
Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements 19,509,794
 16,553,139
Principal payments on securitized debt (12,817) 
 (25,501) (12,817)
Payments made for settlements on interest rate swap agreements (“Swaps”) (10,666) (34,942)
Payments made for settlements on Swaps (21,478) (10,666)
Proceeds from settlements on Swaps 30,711
 
 
 30,711
Proceeds from issuances of common stock 1,230
 3,952
 551
 1,230
Dividends paid on preferred stock (3,750) (3,750) (3,750) (3,750)
Dividends paid on common stock and dividend equivalents (79,769) (74,622) (90,198) (79,769)
Net cash used in financing activities $(131,014) $(659,623)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $(241,278) $113,977
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period $463,064
 $318,575
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $221,786
 $432,552
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities $490,245
 $(131,014)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $29,869
 $(241,278)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period $88,709
 $463,743
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $118,578
 $222,465
    
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information    
Interest Paid $81,435
 $51,334
        
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:        
Net (decrease)/increase in securities obtained as collateral/obligation to return securities obtained as collateral $(248,650) $4,155
Net decrease in securities obtained as collateral/obligation to return securities obtained as collateral $
 $(248,650)
Transfer from residential whole loans to real estate owned $54,822
 $31,098
 $65,160
 $54,822
Dividends and dividend equivalents declared and unpaid $79,905
 $74,830
 $90,353
 $79,905
Payable for unsettled residential whole loans purchases $
 $13,525

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

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

 
1.   Organization
 
MFA Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on July 24, 1997 and began operations on April 10, 1998.  The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must comply with a number of requirements under federal tax law, including that it must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders.  The Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. (See Note 2(po))
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
(a)  Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
 
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted according to these SEC rules and regulations.  Management believes that the disclosures included in these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172018.  In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at March 31, 20182019 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.  Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on MBSmortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) (See Note 3), valuation of MBS, CRT securities and MSR relatedMSR-related assets (See Notes 3 and 14), income recognition and valuation of residential whole loans (See Notes 4 and 14), valuation of derivative instruments (See Notes 5(b) and 14) and income recognition on certain Non-Agency MBS (defined below) purchased at a discount. (See Note 3)  In addition, estimates are used in the determination of taxable income used in the assessment of REIT compliance and contingent liabilities for related taxes, penalties and interest. (See Note 2(po))  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company has one reportable segment as it manages its business and analyzes and reports its results of operations on the basis of one operating segment; investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets.
 
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In addition, the Company consolidates entities established to facilitate transactions related to the acquisition and securitization of residential whole loans as well as MBS resecuritization transactions completed in prior years. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

(b)  MBS and CRTResidential Mortgage Securities
 
The Company has investments in residential MBS that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) (collectively, “Agency MBS”), and residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation (“Non-Agency MBS”). In addition, the Company has investments in CRT securities that are issued or sponsored by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The coupon payments on CRT securities are paid by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the principal payments received are baseddependent on the performance of loans in either a reference pool or an actual pool of previously securitized MBS.loans. As the loans in the underlying reference pool are paid, the principal balance of the CRT securities is paid. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a principal loss if certain defined credit events occur, including, for certain CRT securities, if the loans inperformance of the actual or reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds.loans results in either an actual or calculated loss that exceeds the credit enhancement of the security owned by the Company.
 
Designation
 
TheMBS that the Company generally intends to hold its MBS until maturity; however,maturity, but that it may sell from time to time it may sell any of its securities as part of the overall management of its business.  As a result, all of the Company’s MBSbusiness, are designated as “available-for-sale” (“AFS”) and, accordingly,. Such MBS are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings (except when an OTTI is recognized, as discussed below) and reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“AOCI”), a component of Stockholders’ Equity.
 
Upon the sale of an AFS security, any unrealized gain or loss is reclassified out of AOCI to earnings as a realized gain or loss using the specific identification method.

The Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its Agency MBS that it does not intend to hold to maturity. These securities are carried at their fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings for the period and reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its CRT securities as it considers this method of accounting to more appropriately reflect the risk sharing structure of these securities. Such securities are carried at their fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings for the period and reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization and Discount Accretion
 
Interest income on securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS assessed as high credit quality at the time of purchase are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity.
 
Interest income on the Non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount to par value and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate which is the security’s internal rate of return (“IRR”). The IRR is determined using management’s estimate of the projected cash flows for each security, which are based on the Company’s observation of current information and events and include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, makes adjustments to its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the IRR/ interest income recognized on these securities or in the recognition of OTTIs.  (See Note 3)
 
Based on the projected cash flows from the Company’s Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par value, a portion of the purchase discount may be designated as non-accretable purchase discount (“Credit Reserve”), which effectively mitigates the Company’s risk of loss on the mortgages collateralizing such MBS and is not expected to be accreted into interest income.  The amount designated as Credit Reserve may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors.  If the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be reallocated to accretable discount and recognized into interest income over time.  Conversely, if the performance of a security with

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

a Credit Reserve is less favorable than forecasted, the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be increased, or impairment charges and write-downs of such securities to a new cost basis could result.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

Determination of Fair Value for MBS and CRTResidential Mortgage Securities
 
In determining the fair value of the Company’s MBS and CRTresidential mortgage securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services, brokers and repurchase agreement counterparties, dialogue with market participants, as well as management’s observations of market activity.  (See Note 14)
 
Impairments/OTTI

When the fair value of an AFS security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired.  The Company assesses its impaired securities on at least a quarterly basis and designates such impairments as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”  If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired security before its anticipated recovery, then the Company must recognize an OTTI through charges to earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not expect to sell an other-than-temporarily impaired security, only the portion of the OTTIimpairment related to credit losses is recognized through charges to earnings with the remainder recognized through AOCI on the consolidated balance sheets.  Impairments recognized through other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”) do not impact earnings.  Following the recognition of an OTTI through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the security, andwhich may not be adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value through earnings.  However, OTTIs recognized through charges to earnings may, upon recovery, be accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security on a prospective basis through interest income.  The determination as to whether an OTTI exists and, if so, the amount of credit impairment recognized in earnings is subjective, as such determinations are based on factual information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimates of the future performance and cash flow projections.  As a result, the timing and amount of OTTIs constitute material estimates that are susceptible to significant change.  (See Note 3)

Non-Agency MBS that are assessed to be of less than high credit quality and on which impairments are recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes.  The Company’s estimate of cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing the MBS.  The Company considers information available about the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, year of origination, loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”), geographic concentrations as well as reports by credit rating agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (collectively “Rating Agencies”), general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants.  As a result, significant judgment is used in the Company’s analysis to determine the expected cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS.  In determining the OTTI related to credit losses for securities that were purchased at significant discounts to par and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected at the purchase date (or last date previously revised) against the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected at the current financial reporting date.  The discount rate used to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows is the current yield used for income recognition purposes.  Impairment assessment for Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities that were purchased at prices close to par and/or are otherwise considered to be of high credit quality involves comparing the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected against the amortized cost of the security at the assessment date.  The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows is based on the instrument’s IRR.
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
 
The Company’s MBS and CRT Securitiesresidential mortgage securities pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements and Swaps are included on the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the securities pledged disclosed parenthetically.  Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade date. 

(c) MSR Related Assets

The Company has investments in financial instruments whose cash flows are considered to be largely dependent on underlying MSRs that either directly or indirectly act as collateral for the investment. These financial instruments, which are referred to as MSR related assets, are discussed in more detail below. The Company’s MSR related assets pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with the amounts pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of MSR related assets are recorded on the trade date. (See Notes 3, 6, 7 and 14)


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral

The Company has invested in term notes that are issued by special purpose vehicles (“SPV”) that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. The Company considers payment of principal and interest on these term notes to be largely dependent on the cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes. Credit risk borne by the holders of the term notes is also mitigated by structural credit support in the form of over-collateralization. Credit support is also provided by a corporate guarantee from the ultimate parent or sponsor of the SPV that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs be insufficient.

The Company’s term notes backed by MSR related collateral are reported at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in AOCI. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s valuation process for such notes considers a number of factors, including a comparable bond analysis performed by a third-party pricing service which involves determining a pricing spread at issuance of the term note. The pricing spread is used at each subsequent valuation date to determine an implied yield to maturity of the term note, which is then used to derive an indicative market value for the security. This indicative market value is further reviewed by the Company and may be adjusted to ensure it reflects a realistic exit price at the valuation date given the structural features of these securities. Other factors taken into consideration include indicative values provided by repurchase agreement counterparties, estimated changes in fair value of the related underlying MSR collateral and the financial performance of the ultimate parent or sponsoring entity of the issuer, which has provided a guarantee that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the related underlying MSR collateral be insufficient.

Corporate Loan

The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entity that originates loans and owns the related MSRs. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company has committed to lend $130.0 million of which approximately $124.2 million was drawn at March 31, 2018. The loan is secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. The term loan is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the drawn amount, on which interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Commitment fees received on the undrawn amount are deferred and recognized as interest income over the remaining loan term at the time of draw. At the end of the commitment period, any remaining deferred commitment fees will be recorded as Other Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates the recoverability of the loan on a quarterly basis by considering various factors, including the current status of the loan, changes in fair value of the MSRs that secure the loan and the recent financial performance of the borrower.

(d)(c)  Residential Whole Loans (including Residential Whole Loans transferred to consolidated VIEs)

Residential whole loans included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are primarily comprised of pools of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans acquired through consolidated trusts in secondary market transactions, with the majority at discounted purchase prices.transactions. The accounting model utilized by the Company is determined at the time each loan package is initially acquired and is generally based on the delinquency status of the majority of the underlying borrowers in the package at acquisition. The accounting model described below under “Residential Wholefor Purchased Credit Impaired Loans that are held at Carrying Value”carrying value is typically utilized by the Company for loansPurchased Credit Impaired Loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of less than 60 days at the acquisition date. The Company also acquires Purchased Performing Loans that are typically held at carrying value, but the accounting methods for income recognition and determination and measurement of any required loan loss reserves (as discussed below) differ from those used for Purchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loansfor residential whole loans held at Fair Value”fair value is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of 60 days or more at the acquisition date. The accounting model initially applied is not subsequently changed.

The Company’s residential whole loans pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with amounts pledged disclosed parenthetically.  Purchases and sales of residential whole loans are recorded on the trade date, with amounts recorded reflecting management’s current estimate of assets that will be acquired or disposed at the closing of the transaction. This estimate is subject to revision at the closing of the transaction, pending the outcome of due diligence performed prior to closing. Recorded amounts of residential whole loans for which the closing of the purchase transaction is yet to occur are not eligible to be pledged as collateral against any repurchase agreement financing until the closing of the purchase transaction. (See Notes 4, 6, 7, 14 and 15)

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value

Purchased Performing Loans

Acquisitions of Purchased Performing Loans to date have been primarily comprised of: (i) loans to finance (or refinance) one-to-four family residential properties that are not considered to meet the definition of a “Qualified Mortgage” in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“Non-QM loans”), (ii) short-term business purpose loans collateralized by residential properties made to non-occupant borrowers who intend to rehabilitate and sell the property for a profit (“Rehabilitation loans” or “Fix and Flip loans”), (iii) loans to finance (or refinance) non-owner occupied one-to four-family residential properties that are rented to one or more tenants (“Single-family rental loans”), and (iv) previously originated loans secured by residential real estate that is generally owner occupied (“Seasoned performing loans”). Purchased Performing Loans are initially recorded at their purchase price. Interest income on Purchased Performing Loans acquired at par is accrued based on each loan’s current interest bearing balance and current interest rate, net of related servicing costs. Interest income on such loans purchased at a premium/discount to par is recorded each period based on the contractual coupon net of any amortization of premium or accretion of discount, adjusted for actual prepayment activity. For loans acquired with related servicing rights retained by the seller, interest income is reported net of related serving costs.

An allowance for loan losses is recorded when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms of the loan agreement. Any required loan loss allowance would typically be measured based on the fair value of the collateral securing the loan and would reduce the carrying value of the loan with a corresponding charge to earnings. Significant judgments are required in determining any allowance for loan loss, including assumptions regarding the loan cash flows expected to be collected, the value of the underlying collateral and the ability of the Company to collect on any other forms of security, such as a personal guaranty provided either by the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. Income recognition is suspended for loans at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90 days past due or when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is in doubt, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt, interest income is recorded under the cash basis method as interest payments are received. Interest accruals are resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. A loan is written off when it is no longer realizable and/or it is legally discharged.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Residential WholePurchased Credit Impaired Loans at Carrying Value

The Company has generally elected to account for these loans as credit impaired as they were acquired at discounted prices that reflect, in part, the impaired credit history of the borrower. Substantially all of the borrowersthese loans have previously experienced payment delinquencies and the amount owed on the mortgage loan may exceed the value of the property pledged as collateral. Consequently, these loans generally have a higher likelihood of default than newly originated mortgage loans with LTVs of 80% or less to creditworthy borrowers. The Company believes that amounts paid to acquire these loans represent fair market value at the date of acquisition. Loans considered credit impaired are initially recorded at the purchase price with no allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to acquisition, the recorded amount for these loans reflects the original investment amount, plus accretion of interest income, less principal and interest cash flows received. These loans are presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at carrying value, which reflects the recorded amount reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition.

Under the application of the accounting model for credit impaired loans,Purchased Credit Impaired Loans, the Company may aggregate into pools loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter that are assessed as having similar risk characteristics. For each pool established, or on an individual loansloan basis for loans not aggregated into pools, the Company estimates at acquisition and periodically on at least a quarterly basis, the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected. The difference between the cash flows expected to be collected and the carrying amount of the loans is referred to as the “accretable yield.” This amount is accreted as interest income over the life of the loans using an effective interest rate (level yield) methodology. Interest income recorded each period reflects the amount of accretable yield recognized and not the coupon interest payments received on the underlying loans. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the “non-accretable difference,” and includes estimates of both the effect of prepayments and expected credit losses over the life of the underlying loans.

A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate impairment at the pool and/or individual loan level, thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses generally represents the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition, adjusted for any increases due to changes in estimated cash flows, that are subsequently no longer expected to be received at the relevant measurement date. Under the accounting model applied to credit impaired loans,Purchased Credit Impaired Loans, a significant increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods first reduces any previously recognized allowance for loan losses and then will result in a recalculation in the amount of accretable yield. The adjustment of accretable yield due to a significant increase in expected cash flows is accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate and results in reclassification from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield.

Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value

Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at the time of acquisition. For the majority of these loans, there is significant uncertainty associated with estimating the timing of and amount of cash flows that will be collected. Further, the cash flows ultimately collected may be dependent on the value of the property securing the loan. Consequently, the Company considers that accounting for these loans at fair value should result in a better reflection over time of the economic returns for the majority of these loans. The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans heldmeasured at fair value through earnings on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Cash received reflectingrepresenting coupon payments on residential whole loans held at fair value is not included in Interest Income, but rather is presentedincluded in Net gain on residential whole loans heldmeasured at fair value through earnings on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Cash outflows associated with loan-related advances made by the Company on behalf of the borrower are included in the basis of the loan and are reflected in Net gainunrealized gains or losses reported each period.

(d) MSR-Related Assets

The Company has investments in financial instruments whose cash flows are considered to be largely dependent on residential whole loans held at fair value.

underlying MSRs that either directly or indirectly act as collateral for the investment. These financial instruments, which are referred to as MSR-related assets are discussed in more detail below. The Company’s MSR-related assets pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with the amounts pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of MSR-related assets are recorded on the trade date. (See Notes 3, 6, 7 and 14)

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

(e)  Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as
Term Notes Backed by MSR-Related Collateral
 
The Company has obtainedinvested in term notes that are issued by special purpose vehicles (“SPV”) that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. The Company considers payment of principal and interest on these term notes to be largely dependent on the cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes. Credit risk borne by the holders of the term notes is also mitigated by structural credit support in the form of over-collateralization. Credit support is also provided by a corporate guarantee from the ultimate parent or sponsor of the SPV that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs be insufficient.

The Company’s term notes backed by MSR-related collateral are treated as AFS securities and reported at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in AOCI. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s valuation process for such notes considers a number of factors, including a comparable bond analysis performed by a third-party pricing service which involves determining a pricing spread at issuance of the term note. The pricing spread is used at each subsequent valuation date to determine an implied yield to maturity of the term note, which is then used to derive an indicative market value for the security. This indicative market value is further reviewed by the Company and may be adjusted to ensure it reflects a realistic exit price at the valuation date given the structural features of these securities. Other factors taken into consideration include indicative values provided by repurchase agreement counterparties, estimated changes in fair value of the related underlying MSR collateral and the financial performance of the ultimate parent or sponsoring entity of the issuer, which has provided a guarantee that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the related underlying MSR collateral be insufficient.

Corporate Loans
The Company has made or participated in loans to provide financing to entities that originate residential mortgage loans and own the related MSRs. These corporate loans are generally secured by certain MSRs, as collateral under collateralized financing arrangements in connection with its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS.  Securities obtainedwell as collateral in connection with these transactionscertain other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower.

Corporate loans are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the drawn amount, on which interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Commitment fees received on the undrawn amount are deferred and recognized as an asset along withinterest income over the remaining loan term at the time of draw. At the end of the commitment period, any remaining deferred commitment fees are recorded as Other Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its corporate loans on a liability representingquarterly basis considering various factors, including the obligation to returncurrent status of the collateral obtained, atloan, changes in the fair value.  While beneficial ownershipvalue of securities obtained remains with the counterparty,MSRs that secure the Company hasloan and the right to transferrecent financial performance of the collateral obtained or to pledge it as part of a subsequent collateralized financing transaction.  (See Note 2(l) for Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements)borrower.

(f)(e)  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in money market funds, all of which have original maturities of three months or less.  Cash and cash equivalents may also include cash pledged as collateral to the Company by its repurchase agreement counterparties as a result of reverse margin calls (i.e., margin calls made by the Company).  At The Company did not hold any cash pledged by its counterparties at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $214.7$76.6 million and $449.8$52.0 million, respectively. The Company’s investments in overnight money market funds, which are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency, were $164.0$57.0 million and $354.0$30.0 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.  In addition, deposits in FDIC insured accounts generally exceed insured limits. (See Notes 7 and 14)
 
(g)(f) Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by its counterparties in connection with certain of the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements that is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be applied against amounts due to repurchase agreement and/or Swap counterparties, or may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the Swaps and/or repurchase agreement.  The Company had aggregate

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

restricted cash held as collateral or otherwise in connection with its repurchase agreements and/or Swaps of $7.1$42.0 million and $13.3$36.7 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018, respectively.  (See Notes 5(b), 6, 7 and 14)
 
(h)(g)  Goodwill
 
At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018, the Company had goodwill of $7.2 million, which represents the unamortized portion of the excess of the fair value of its common stock issued over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with its formation in 1998.  Goodwill, which is no longer subject to amortization, is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently under certain circumstances, at the entity level.  Through March 31, 20182019, the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill. Goodwill is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

(i)(h) Real Estate Owned (“REO”)
 
REO represents real estate acquired by the Company, including through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or purchased in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans. REO acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. REO acquired in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans is initially recorded at its purchase price. Subsequent to acquisition, REO is reported, at each reporting date, at the lower of the current carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs and for presentation purposes is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value that result in an adjustment to the reported amount of an REO property that has a fair value at or below its carrying amount are reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 5(a))

(j)(i)  Depreciation
 
Leasehold Improvements and Other Depreciable Assets
 
Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related assets or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term.  Furniture, fixtures, computers and related hardware have estimated useful lives ranging from five to eight years at the time of purchase.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

(k)(j)  Loan Securitization and Other Debt Issuance Costs
 
Loan securitization related costs are costs associated with the issuance of beneficial interests by consolidated VIEs and incurred by the Company in connection with various financing transactions completed by the Company.  Other debt issuance and related costs include costs incurred by the Company in connection with issuing 8% Senior Notes due 2042 (“Senior Notes”) and certain other repurchase agreement financings. These costs may include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting and other fees.  Such costs, which reflect deferred charges, are included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the corresponding debt liability. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method. For Senior Notes and other repurchase agreement financings, such costs are amortized over the shorter of the period to the expected or stated legal maturity of the debt instruments. The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of these deferred costs and in the event an impairment charge is required, such amount will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

(l)(k)  Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances
Repurchase Agreements

The Company finances the holdings of a significant portion of its residential mortgage assets with repurchase agreements.  Under repurchase agreements, the Company sells securities to a lender and agrees to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sale price.  The difference between the sale price that the Company receives and the repurchase price that the Company pays represents interest paid to the lender.  Although legally structured as sale and repurchase transactions, the Company accounts for repurchase agreements as secured borrowings. Under its repurchase agreements, the Company pledges its securities as collateral to secure the borrowing, in an amount which is equal in value to a specified percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral, while the Company retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral.  At the maturity of a repurchase financing, unless the repurchase financing is renewed with the same counterparty, the Company is required to repay the loan including any accrued interest and concurrently receives back its pledged collateral from the lender.  With the consent of the lender, the Company may renew a repurchase financing at the then prevailing financing terms.  Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securitiesassets or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase financing with

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

such lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBSassets pledged as collateral declines as a result of principal amortization and prepayments or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions.  The Company also may make margin calls on counterparties when collateral values increase.
 
The Company’s repurchase financings typically have terms ranging from one month to six months at inception, but may also have longer or shorter terms.  Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase financing at maturity, the Company must either refinance elsewhere or be in a position to satisfy the obligation.  If, during the term of a repurchase financing, a lender should default on its obligation, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by the Company to such lender, including accrued interest receivable oron such collateral.  (See Notes 6, 7 and 14)
 
In addition to the repurchase agreement financing arrangements discussed above, as part of its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS, the Company hasin prior periods entered into contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with a single counterparty.  Under a typical reverse repurchase agreement, the Company buys securities from a borrower for cash and agrees to sell the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original purchase price.  The difference between the purchase price the Company originally paid and the sale price represents interest received from the borrower.  In contrast, the contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions effectively resulted in the Company pledging Non-Agency MBS as collateral to the counterparty in connection with the repurchase agreement financing and obtaining U.S. Treasury securities as collateral from the same counterparty in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement.  No net cash was exchanged between the Company and counterparty at the inception of the transactions. Securities obtained and pledged as collateral are recorded as an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  Interest income is recorded on the reverse repurchase agreement and interest expense is recorded on the repurchase agreement on an accrual basis.  Both the Company and the counterparty have the right to make daily margin calls based on changes in the value of the collateral obtained and/or pledged.  The Company’s liability to the counterparty in connection with this financing arrangement is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value.”  (See Note 2(e))

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018


Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances

In January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”) released its final rule amending its regulation on FHLB membership, which, among other things, provided termination rules for then current captive insurance members. As a result of such regulation, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance, Inc. (“MFA Insurance”) was required to repay all of its outstanding FHLB advances by February 19, 2017 and its FHLB membership was terminated on such date. FHLB advances were secured financing transactions and were carried at their contractual amounts. (See Note 6)
 
(m)(l)  Equity-Based Compensation
 
Compensation expense for equity-based awards that are subject to vesting conditions, is recognized ratably over the vesting period of such awards, based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date.  For certain awards granted prior to January 1, 2017, compensation expense recognized included the impact of estimated forfeitures, with any changes in estimated forfeiture rates accounted for as a change in estimate. Upon adoption of new accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, the Company made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.
 
From 2011 through 2013, the Company granted certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vested annually over a one or three-year period, provided that certain criteria were met, which were based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three-year period.  StartingBeginning in 2014, the Company has made annual grants of RSUsrestricted stock units (“RSUs”) certain of which cliff vest after a three-year period, subject only to continued employment, and others of which cliff vest after a three-year period, subject to both continued employment and the achievement of certain performance criteria based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholdershareholder return during that three-year period.period, as well as the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company relative to the TSR of a group of peer companies (over the three-year period) selected by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) at the date of grant. The features in these awards related to the attainment of total stockholdershareholder return over a specified period constitute a “market condition” which impacts the amount of compensation expense recognized for these awards.  Specifically, the uncertainty regarding the achievement of the market condition was reflected in the grant date fair valuation of the RSUs, which is recognized as compensation expense over the relevant vesting period.  The amount of compensation expense recognized is not dependent on whether the market condition was or will be achieved.
 
The Company makes dividend equivalent payments in connection with certain of its equity-based awards.   A dividend equivalent is a right to receive a distribution equal to the dividend distributions that would be paid on a share of the Company’s common stock.  Dividend equivalents may be granted as a separate instrument or may be a right associated with the grant of another award (e.g., an RSU) under the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”), and they are paid in cash or other consideration at such times and in accordance with such rules, terms and conditions, as the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) may determine in its discretion.  Payments pursuant to dividend equivalents are generally charged to Stockholders’ Equity to the extent that the attached equity awards are expected to vest.  Compensation expense is recognized for payments made for dividend equivalents to the extent that the attached equity awards (i) do not or are not expected to vest and (ii) grantees are not required to return payments of dividends or dividend equivalents to the Company.  (See Notes 2(nm) and 13)
 
(n)(m)  Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”)
 
Basic EPS is computed using the two-class method, which includes the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and an estimate of other securities that participate in dividends, such as the Company’s unvested restricted stock and RSUs that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends and dividend equivalents attached to/associated with RSUs

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

and vested stock options to arrive at total common equivalent shares.  In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both shares of common stock and estimated securities that participate in dividends based on their respective weighted-average shares outstanding for the period.  For the diluted EPS calculation, common equivalent shares are further adjusted for the effect of dilutive unexercised stock options and RSUs outstanding that are unvested and have dividends that are subject to forfeiture using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, common equivalent shares are calculated assuming that all dilutive common stock equivalents are exercised and the proceeds, along with future compensation expenses associated with such instruments, are used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the average market price during the reported period.  (See Note 12)
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

(o)(n)  Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
The Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) available to common stock and participating securities includes net income, the change in net unrealized gains/(losses) on its AFS securities and derivative hedging instruments, (to the extent that such changes are not recorded in earnings), adjusted by realized net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI for sold AFS securities and is reduced by dividends declared on the Company’s preferred stock and issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.
 
(p)(o)  U.S. Federal Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) and the corresponding provisions of state law.  The Company expects to operate in a manner that will enable it to satisfy the various requirements to maintain its status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In order to maintain its status as a REIT, the Company must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (excluding net long-term capital gains) to stockholders in the timeframe permitted by the Code.  As long as the Company maintains its status as a REIT, the Company will not be subject to regular federal income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its REIT taxable income (including net long-term capital gains) to its stockholders within the permitted timeframe.  Should this not occur, the Company would be subject to federal taxes at prevailing corporate tax rates on the difference between its REIT taxable income and the amounts deemed to be distributed for that tax year.  As the Company’s objective is to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders within the permitted timeframe, no provision for current or deferred income taxes has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Should the Company incur a liability for corporate income tax, such amounts would be recorded as REIT income tax expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Furthermore, if the Company fails to distribute during each calendar year, or by the end of January following the calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, at least the sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company would be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. To the extent that the Company incurs interest, penalties or related excise taxes in connection with its tax obligations, including as a result of its assessment of uncertain tax positions, such amounts will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, the Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as a TRS. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. Generally, a domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes. Since a portion of the Company’s business may beis conducted through one or more TRS, its net taxable income earned by its domestic TRS, may beif any, is subject to corporate income taxation. To maintain the Company’s REIT election, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets at the end of each calendar quarter may consist of stock or securities in TRS. For purposes of the determination of U.S. federal and state income taxes, the Company’s subsidiaries that elected to be treated as a TRS record current or deferred income taxes based on differences (both permanent and timing) between the determination of their taxable income and net income under GAAP. No net deferred tax benefit was recorded by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, asrelated to the net taxable losses in the TRS, since a valuation allowance for the full amount of the associated deferred tax asset of approximately $22.9 million was recognized as its recovery is not considered more likely than not. The related net operating loss carryforwards generated prior to 2018 will begin to expire in 2034; those generated in 2019 do not expire.

 Based on its analysis of any potential uncertain tax positions, the Company concluded that it does not have any material uncertain tax positions that meet the relevant recognition or measurement criteria as of March 31, 2018,2019, December 31, 2017,2018, or March 31, 2017. The Company filed its 2016 tax return prior to October 16, 2017.2018. The Company’s tax returns for tax years 20142015 through 20162017 are open to examination.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

(q)(p)  Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company may use a variety of derivative instruments to economically hedge a portion of its exposure to market risks, including interest rate risk and prepayment risk. The objective of the Company’s risk management strategy is to reduce fluctuations in net book value over a range of interest rate scenarios. In particular, the Company attempts to mitigate the risk of the cost of its variable rate liabilities increasing during a period of rising interest rates. The Company’s derivative instruments are currently comprised of Swaps, the majority which are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018


Swaps
 
The Company documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities and the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged liability for all Swaps designated as hedging transactions.  The Company assesses, both at the inception of a hedge and on a quarterly basis thereafter, whether or not the hedge is “highly effective.”
 
Swaps are carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value, in Other assets, if their fair value is positive, or in Other liabilities, if their fair value is negative.  Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s Swaps that have been novated to a clearing house are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as the fair value of the Swap. As of March 31, 2018, allAll of the Company’s Swaps have been novated to a central clearing house. Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Swaps designated in hedging transactions are recorded in OCI provided that the hedge remains effective.  ChangesPeriodic payments accrued in fair value for any ineffective amount of a Swap are recognized in earnings.  The Company has not recognized any change in the value of its existingconnection with Swaps designated as hedges through earningsare included in interest expense, and are treated as a result of hedge ineffectiveness.an operating cash flow.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting on a prospective basis and recognizes changes in fair value through earnings when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions); (ii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iii) it is determined that designating the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate. (See Notes 5(b), 7 and 14)

Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Swaps not designated in hedging transactions are recorded in Other income, net on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

(r)(q)  Fair Value Measurements and the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
 
The Company’s presentation of fair value for its financial assets and liabilities is determined within a framework that stipulates that the fair value of a financial asset or liability is an exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability in the market in which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, that is, the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability.  The transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability is a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability.  This definition of fair value focuses on exit price and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs when determining fair value.  In addition, the framework for measuring fair value establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. 

In addition to the financial instruments that it is required to report at fair value, the Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its residential whole loans, Agency MBS and CRT securities at the time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans and CRT securitiesfinancial instruments are reported in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value and Other income, net, respectively onin the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. A decision to elect the fair value option for an eligible financial instrument, which may be made on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable. (See Notes 2(db), 2(c), 3, 4 and 14)


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

 (s)(r)  Variable Interest Entities
 
An entity is referred to as a VIE if it meets at least one of the following criteria:  (i) the entity has equity that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without the additional subordinated financial support of other parties; or (ii) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (a) the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses; or (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns; or (iii) the holders of the equity investment at risk have disproportional voting rights and the entity’s activities are conducted on behalf of the investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
 
The Company consolidates a VIE when it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.   The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

The Company has entered into several financing transactions which resulted in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were createdforming entities to facilitate these transactions.  In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these transactions, the Company concluded that the entities used to facilitate these transactions wereare VIEs and that they should be consolidated.  If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfers of the underlying assets would qualify as sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP. (See Note 15)

The Company also includes on its consolidated balance sheets certain financial assets and liabilities that are acquired/issued by trusts and/or other special purpose entities that have been evaluated as being required to be consolidated by the Company under the applicable accounting guidance.

(t)(s)  Offering Costs Related to Issuance and Redemption of Preferred Stock

Offering costs related to the issuance of preferred stock are recorded as a reduction in Additional paid-in capital, a component of Stockholders’ Equity, at the time such preferred stock is issued. On redemption of preferred stock, any excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred to the holders of the preferred stock over the carrying amount of the preferred stock in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets is included in the determination of Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities in the calculation of EPS.

(u)(t)  New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

Accounting Standards Adopted in 20182019

CompensationDisclosure Framework - Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification AccountingChanges to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In May 2017,August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-09,2018-13, Scope of Modification AccountingDisclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements (“ASU 2017-09”2018-13”). The amendments in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about2018-13 eliminate, add and modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project, which changesaims to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements by focusing on requirements that are the most important to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Pursuant to this ASU, an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following are met: (1) the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award date is modified.users. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-092018-13 effective on January 1, 2018 and its adoption did not have an impact on its financial position or financial statement disclosures.

Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 clarifies how entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments in ASU 2016-18 require restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 on January 1, 20182019 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on its financial position or financial statement disclosures.

Statement of Cash FlowsCompensation - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash PaymentsStock Compensation - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In August 2016,June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15,2018-07, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash PaymentsImprovements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-15”2018-07”). The amendments in this ASU 2016-15 provide guidancesimplify the accounting for eight specific cash flow classification issues, certain cash receipts and cashshare-based payments on the statement of cash flowsto nonemployees by aligning it with the objective of reducing theaccounting for share-based payments to employees, with certain exceptions. The amendments in ASU 2018-07 do not change existing diversity in practice.guidance on accounting for share-based payment transactions for employees. The Company adopted ASU 2016-152018-07 on January 1, 20182019 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on its financial position or financial statement disclosures.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Financial InstrumentsDerivatives and Hedging - Overall - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial LiabilitiesTargeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In January 2016,August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01,2017-12, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial LiabilitiesTargeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“(“ASU 2016-01”2017-12”). The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that holdexpand an entity’s ability to hedge non-financial and financial assets or owe financial liabilities,risk components and addressreduce complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. ASU 2017-12 also simplifies certain aspectsdocumentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments.hedge effectiveness. The classification and measurement guidance of investments in debt securities and loans are not affected by the amendments in this ASU.Company adopted ASU 2016-01 was effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company’s adoption of this ASU2017-12 on January 1, 20182019 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’sits financial positionstatements or financial statement disclosures as the classification and measurement of its investments in debt securities and loans were not affected by the amendments in this ASU.disclosures.

Revenue from Contracts with CustomersReceivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs

In May 2014,March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,2017-08, Revenue from Contracts with CustomersPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“(“ASU 2014-09”2017-08”). The amendments in this ASU requires an entityshorten the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers.  ASU 2014-09 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it became effective.earliest call date. The Company adopted this ASU 2017-08 on January 1, 20182019 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on its financial statements or financial statement disclosures.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The amendments in this ASU establish a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company’s significant lease contracts are discussed in Note 10(a) of the consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 and, given the relatively limited nature and extent of lease financing transactions that the Company has entered into, its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’sits financial position or financial statement disclosures as the majority of the Company’s revenues are generated by financial instruments that are explicitly scoped out of this ASU. On adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2018, the Company recorded a transition adjustment, under the modified retrospective approach, of approximately $295,000 to the opening balance of retained earnings in order to reflect the recognition of a gain on sale of REO that was previously deferred under the prior accounting guidance.disclosures.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

3.                  MBS, CRTResidential Mortgage Securities and MSR RelatedMSR-Related Assets
 
Agency and Non-Agency MBS

The Company’s MBS are comprised of Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS which include MBS issued prior to 2008 (“Legacy Non-Agency MBS”). These MBS are secured by:  (i) hybrid mortgages (“Hybrids”), which have interest rates that are fixed for a specified period of time and, thereafter, generally adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index; (ii) adjustable-rate mortgages (“ARMs”), which have interest rates that reset annually or more frequently (collectively, “ARM-MBS”); and (iii) 15 and 30 year fixed-rate mortgagemortgages for Agency MBS and, for Non-Agency MBS, 30-year and longer-term fixed rate mortgages. In addition, the Company’s MBS are also comprised of MBS backed by securitized re-performing/non-performing loans (“RPL/NPL MBS”), where the cash flows of the bond may not reflect the contractual cash flows of the underlying collateral. The Company’s RPL/NPL MBS are generally structured with a contractual coupon step-up feature where the coupon increases up tofrom 300 - 400 basis points at 36 - 48 months from issuance or sooner. The Company pledges a significant portion of its MBS as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements and Swaps.  (See Note 7)
 
Agency MBS: Agency MBS are guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae.  The payment of principal and/or interest on Ginnie Mae MBS is explicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.  Since the third quarter of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which significantly strengthened the backing for these government-sponsored entities.
 
Non-Agency MBS:  The Company’s Non-Agency MBS are primarily secured by pools of residential mortgages, which are not guaranteed by an agency of the U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation.  Credit risk associated with Non-Agency MBS is regularly assessed as new information regarding the underlying collateral becomes available and based on updated estimates of cash flows generated by the underlying collateral.
 
CRT Securities

CRT securities are debt obligations issued or sponsored by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The payments of principal and interest on the CRT securities are paid by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, as the case may be, on a monthly basis, and are dependent on the performance of loans in either a reference pool or an actual pool of Agency MBS securitized byloans. As the issuing entity.loans in the underlying pool are paid, the principal balance of the CRT securities is paid. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a principal loss if losses on the mortgage loans inperformance of the actual or reference pool exceedloans results in either an actual or calculated loss that exceeds the credit enhancement onof the underlying CRT security owned by the Company. The Company assesses the credit risk associated with CRT securities by assessing the current and expected future performance of the associated referenceloan pool. The Company pledges a portion of its CRT securities as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements.  (See Note 7)



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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

The following tables present certain information about the Company’s MBS and CRTresidential mortgage securities at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
March 31, 20182019
(In Thousands) 
Principal/ Current
Face
 
Purchase
Premiums
 
Accretable
Purchase
Discounts
 
Discount
Designated
as Credit Reserve and 
OTTI (1)
 
Amortized
Cost (2)
 Fair Value 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
 
Principal/ Current
Face
 
Purchase
Premiums
 
Accretable
Purchase
Discounts
 
Discount
Designated
as Credit Reserve and 
OTTI (1)
 
Amortized
Cost (2)
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
 Fair Value
Agency MBS:(3)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Fannie Mae $2,038,059
 $77,640
 $(36) $
 $2,115,663
 $2,106,021
 $23,283
 $(32,925) $(9,642) $1,594,136
 $61,287
 $(24) $
 $1,655,399
 $11,697
 $(25,881) $(14,184) $1,641,215
Freddie Mac 534,008
 20,650
 
 
 555,262
 535,084
 1,455
 (21,633) (20,178) 871,714
 35,450
 
 
 907,687
 2,635
 (9,631) (6,996) 900,691
Ginnie Mae 5,865
 108
 
 
 5,973
 6,043
 70
 
 70
 4,566
 84
 
 
 4,650
 41
 
 41
 4,691
Total Agency MBS 2,577,932
 98,398
 (36) 
 2,676,898
 2,647,148
 24,808
 (54,558) (29,750) 2,470,416
 96,821
 (24) 
 2,567,736
 14,373
 (35,512) (21,139) 2,546,597
Non-Agency MBS:                    
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
Expected to Recover Par (4)(5)
 1,143,670
 48
 (22,636) 
 1,121,082
 1,145,482
 24,927
 (527) 24,400
 1,424,461
 9
 (20,410) 
 1,404,060
 21,802
 (1,602) 20,200
 1,424,260
Expected to Recover Less than Par (3)(4)
 2,439,186
 
 (177,023) (572,580) 1,689,583
 2,252,772
 563,349
 (160) 563,189
 1,861,227
 
 (109,737) (501,619) 1,249,871
 425,519
 (378) 425,141
 1,675,012
Total Non-Agency MBS (5)(6)
 3,582,856
 48
 (199,659) (572,580) 2,810,665
 3,398,254
 588,276
 (687) 587,589
 3,285,688
 9
 (130,147) (501,619) 2,653,931
 447,321
 (1,980) 445,341
 3,099,272
Total MBS 6,160,788
 98,446
 (199,695) (572,580) 5,487,563
 6,045,402
 613,084
 (55,245) 557,839
 5,756,104
 96,830
 (130,171) (501,619) 5,221,667
 461,694
 (37,492) 424,202
 5,645,869
CRT securities (6)(7)
 617,351
 10,012
 (3,049) 
 624,314
 679,491
 55,441
 (264) 55,177
 406,338
 7,519
 (15) 
 413,842
 11,646
 (1,786) 9,860
 423,702
Total MBS and CRT securities $6,778,139
 $108,458
 $(202,744) $(572,580) $6,111,877
 $6,724,893
 $668,525
 $(55,509) $613,016
 $6,162,442
 $104,349
 $(130,186) $(501,619) $5,635,509
 $473,340
 $(39,278) $434,062
 $6,069,571

December 31, 20172018
(In Thousands) 
Principal/ Current
Face
 
Purchase
Premiums
 
Accretable
Purchase
Discounts
 
Discount
Designated
as Credit Reserve and 
OTTI (1)
 
Amortized
Cost (2)
 Fair Value 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
 
Principal/ Current
Face
 
Purchase
Premiums
 
Accretable
Purchase
Discounts
 
Discount
Designated
as Credit Reserve and 
OTTI (1)
 
Amortized
Cost (2)
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
 Fair Value
Agency MBS:(3)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Fannie Mae $2,170,974
 $82,271
 $(40) $
 $2,253,205
 $2,246,600
 $21,736
 $(28,341) $(6,605) $1,716,340
 $65,930
 $(24) $
 $1,782,246
 $12,107
 $(32,321) $(20,214) $1,762,032
Freddie Mac 561,346
 21,683
 
 
 584,920
 571,748
 1,624
 (14,796) (13,172) 909,561
 36,991
 
 
 947,588
 907
 (17,177) (16,270) 931,318
Ginnie Mae 6,142
 112
 
 
 6,254
 6,333
 79
 
 79
 4,729
 87
 
��
 4,816
 47
 
 47
 4,863
Total Agency MBS 2,738,462
 104,066
 (40) 
 2,844,379
 2,824,681
 23,439
 (43,137) (19,698) 2,630,630
 103,008
 (24) 
 2,734,650
 13,061
 (49,498) (36,437) 2,698,213
Non-Agency MBS:                                    
Expected to Recover Par (4)(5)
 1,128,808
 50
 (22,737) 
 1,106,121
 1,132,205
 26,518
 (434) 26,084
 1,536,485
 40
 (21,725) 
 1,514,800
 20,520
 (7,620) 12,900
 1,527,700
Expected to Recover Less than Par (3)(4)
 2,589,935
 
 (192,588) (593,227) 1,804,120
 2,401,761
 597,660
 (19) 597,641
 2,002,319
 
 (133,300) (516,116) 1,352,903
 438,465
 (769) 437,696
 1,790,599
Total Non-Agency MBS (5)(6)
 3,718,743
 50
 (215,325) (593,227) 2,910,241
 3,533,966
 624,178
 (453) 623,725
 3,538,804
 40
 (155,025) (516,116) 2,867,703
 458,985
 (8,389) 450,596
 3,318,299
Total MBS 6,457,205
 104,116
 (215,365) (593,227) 5,754,620
 6,358,647
 647,617
 (43,590) 604,027
 6,169,434
 103,048
 (155,049) (516,116) 5,602,353
 472,046
 (57,887) 414,159
 6,016,512
CRT securities (6)(7)
 602,799
 8,887
 (3,550) 
 608,136
 664,403
 56,290
 (23) 56,267
 476,744
 9,321
 107
 
 486,172
 12,545
 (5,896) 6,649
 492,821
Total MBS and CRT securities $7,060,004
 $113,003
 $(218,915) $(593,227) $6,362,756
 $7,023,050
 $703,907
 $(43,613) $660,294
 $6,646,178
 $112,369
 $(154,942) $(516,116) $6,088,525
 $484,591
 $(63,783) $420,808
 $6,509,333
 
(1)Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amounts related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income.  Amounts disclosed at March 31, 20182019 reflect Credit Reserve of $558.5$489.1 million and OTTI of $14.0$12.5 million.  Amounts disclosed at December 31, 20172018 reflect Credit Reserve of $579.0$503.3 million and OTTI of $14.2$12.8 million.
(2)Includes principal payments receivable of $604,000$524,000 and $1.9$1.0 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face.
(3)
Amounts disclosed at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 include Agency MBS with a fair value of $714.7 millionand $736.5 million, respectively, for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of $2.7 million and no unrealized losses at March 31, 2019, and no unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses of approximately $3.3 millionat December 31, 2018, respectively.
(4)
Based on managementmanagements current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received.
(4)(5)
Includes RPL/NPL MBS, which at March 31, 20182019 had a $935.1 million $1.3 billionPrincipal/Current face, $933.2 million $1.3 billionamortized cost and $935.2 million $1.3 billionfair value. At December 31, 2017,2018, RPL/NPL MBS had a $922.0 million$1.4 billion Principal/Current face, $920.1 million$1.4 billion amortized cost and $923.1 million$1.4 billion fair value.
(5)(6)At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the Company expected to recover approximately 84%85% and 84%, respectively,85% of the then-current face amount of Non-Agency MBS.MBS, respectively.
(6)(7)Amounts disclosed at March 31, 20182019 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $546.3$403.3 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $39.8$11.4 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $264,000$1.8 million at March 31, 2018.2019. Amounts disclosed at December 31, 20172018 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $528.9$477.4 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $40.5$12.5 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $23,000$5.6 million at December 31, 2017.2018.
 


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019


Sales of Residential Mortgage Securities
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company sold certain CRT securities for $83.4 million, realizing gains of $6.5 million. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $126.1 million, realizing gains of $18.2 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $19.4 million, realizing gains of $8.8 million. The Company has no continuing involvement with any of the sold MBS.

Unrealized Losses on MBS and CRTResidential Mortgage Securities

The following table presents information about the Company’s MBS and CRTresidential mortgage securities that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2018:2019:
 
Unrealized Loss Position For:
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total
Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of SecuritiesFair Value Unrealized Losses Number of SecuritiesFair Value Unrealized LossesFair Value Unrealized Losses Number of SecuritiesFair Value Unrealized Losses Number of SecuritiesFair Value Unrealized Losses
(Dollars in Thousands)
Agency MBS:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Fannie Mae $303,575
 $2,479
 87
 $897,700
 $30,446
 221
 $1,201,275
 $32,925
 $99,955
 $858
 52
 $860,036
 $25,023
 303
 $959,991
 $25,881
Freddie Mac 90,177
 1,178
 34
 384,069
 20,455
 106
 474,246
 21,633
 242
 1
 1
 277,334
 9,630
 126
 277,576
 9,631
Total Agency MBS 393,752
 3,657
 121
 1,281,769
 50,901
 327
 1,675,521
 54,558
 100,197
 859
 53
 1,137,370
 34,653
 429
 1,237,567
 35,512
Non-Agency MBS:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Expected to Recover Par (1)
 371,688
 378
 6
 12,068
 149
 9
 383,756
 527
 290,671
 636
 5
 91,257
 966
 4
 381,928
 1,602
Expected to Recover Less than Par (1)
 24,010
 160
 7
 
 
 
 24,010
 160
 13,382
 316
 8
 2,009
 62
 1
 15,391
 378
Total Non-Agency MBS 395,698
 538
 13
 12,068
 149
 9
 407,766
 687
 304,053
 952
 13
 93,266
 1,028
 5
 397,319
 1,980
Total MBS 789,450
 4,195
 134
 1,293,837
 51,050
 336
 2,083,287
 55,245
 404,250
 1,811
 66
 1,230,636
 35,681
 434
 1,634,886
 37,492
CRT securities (2)
 39,187
 264
 11
 
 
 
 39,187
 264
 136,760
 1,786
 33
 
 
 
 136,760
 1,786
Total MBS and CRT securities $828,637
 $4,459
 145
 $1,293,837
 $51,050
 336
 $2,122,474
 $55,509
 $541,010
 $3,597
 99
 $1,230,636
 $35,681
 434
 $1,771,646
 $39,278

(1)Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received.
(2)Amounts disclosed at March 31, 2018 represent2019 include CRT securities onwith a fair value of $136.8 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had unrealized losses of $1.8 million at March 31, 2019.

At March 31, 20182019, the Company did not intend to sell any of its investments that were in an unrealized loss position, and it is “more likely than not” that the Company will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity. 
 
Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency MBS were $54.6$35.5 million at March 31, 20182019.  Agency MBS are issued by Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”) and enjoy either the implicit or explicit backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. While the Company’s Agency MBS are not rated by any rating agency, they are currently perceived by market participants to be of high credit quality, with risk of default limited to the unlikely event that the U.S. Government would not continue to support the GSEs. Given the credit quality inherent in Agency MBS, the Company does not consider any of the current impairments on its Agency MBS to be credit related. In assessing whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell any impaired security before its anticipated recovery, which may be at its maturity, the Company considers for each impaired security, the significance of each investment, the amount of impairment, the projected future performance of such impaired securities, as well as the Company’s current and anticipated leverage capacity and liquidity position. Based on these analyses, the Company determined that at March 31, 20182019 any unrealized losses on its Agency MBS were temporary.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS were $687,000$2.0 million at March 31, 20182019. Based upon the most recent evaluation, the Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be indicative of OTTI and does not believe that these unrealized losses are credit related, but are rather a reflection of current market yields and/or marketplace bid-ask spreads.  The Company has reviewed its Non-Agency MBS that are in an unrealized loss position to identify those securities with losses that

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

are other-than-temporary based on an assessment of changes in expected cash flows for such securities, which considers recent bond performance and, where possible, expected future performance of the underlying collateral.
  
The Company did not recognize any credit-related OTTI losses through earnings related to its Non-Agency MBS during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company recognized credit-related OTTI losses through earnings related to its Non-Agency MBS of $414,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Non-Agency MBS on which OTTI is recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes.  The Company’s estimate of cash flows for these Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing these MBS.  The Company considers information available about the structure of the securitization, including

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

structural credit enhancement, if any, and the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, year of origination, LTVs, geographic concentrations, as well as Rating Agency reports, general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants.  Changes in the Company’s evaluation of each of these factors impacts the cash flows expected to be collected at the OTTI assessment date. For Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par that were assessed for and had no OTTI recorded this period, such cash flow estimates indicated that the amount of expected losses decreased compared to the previous OTTI assessment date. These positive cash flow changes are primarily driven by recent improvements in LTVs due to loan amortization and home price appreciation, which, in turn, positively impacts the Company’s estimates of default rates and loss severities for the underlying collateral. In addition, voluntary prepayments (i.e., loans that prepay in full with no loss) have generally trended higher relative to the Company’s assumptions for these MBS which also positively impacts the Company’s estimate of expected loss. Overall, the combination of higher voluntary prepayments and lower LTVs supports the Company’s assessment that such MBS are not other-than-temporarily impaired.

The following table presents the composition of OTTI charges recorded by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:
  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017
Total OTTI losses $
 $(63)
OTTI reclassified from OCI 
 (351)
OTTI recognized in earnings $
 $(414)

The following table presents a roll-forward of the credit loss component of OTTI on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS for which a non-credit component of OTTI was previously recognized in OCI.  Changes in the credit loss component of OTTI are presented based upon whether the current period is the first time OTTI was recorded on a security or a subsequent OTTI charge was recorded.
 
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period $38,337
 $37,305
 $39,596
 $38,337
Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized 
 63
 
 
Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded 
 351
 
 
Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period $38,337
 $37,719
 $39,596
 $38,337


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Purchase Discounts on Non-Agency MBS
 
The following tables present the changes in the components of the Company’s purchase discount on its Non-Agency MBS between purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI and accretable purchase discount for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:

 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2018
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2017
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
(In Thousands) Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount
(1) 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
 Accretable Discount (1)
 Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount
(1) 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
 Accretable Discount (1)
Balance at beginning of period $(593,227) $(215,325) $(694,241) $(278,191) $(516,116) $(155,025) $(593,227) $(215,325)
Impact of RMBS Issuer Settlement (2)
 
 (855) 
 
Accretion of discount 
 17,216
 
 21,616
 
 13,307
 
 17,216
Realized credit losses 8,447
 
 12,324
 
 7,504
 
 8,447
 
Purchases (535) 488
 
 
 
 (118) (535) 488
Sales 5,592
 5,105
 19,741
 (3,897) 3,191
 16,346
 5,592
 5,105
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings 
 
 (414) 
Transfers/release of credit reserve 7,143
 (7,143) 9,253
 (9,253) 3,802
 (3,802) 7,143
 (7,143)
Balance at end of period $(572,580) $(199,659) $(653,337) $(269,725) $(501,619) $(130,147) $(572,580) $(199,659)

(1)  Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security.
(1)Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security.
(2)Includes the impact of approximately $855,000 of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2019 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain residential mortgage backed securitization trusts that were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. and affiliated entities.

Sales of MBS
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $19.4 million, realizing gross gains of $8.8 million.  During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $21.6 million, realizing gross gains of $10.0 million. The Company has no continuing involvement with any of the sold MBS.

MSR RelatedMSR-Related Assets

(a) Term Notes Backed by MSR RelatedMSR-Related Collateral

At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the Company had $332.0$753.6 million and $381.8$538.5 million, respectively, of term notes issued by SPVs that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. Payment of principal and interest on these term notes is considered to be largely dependent on cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs, as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes.

At March 31, 2018,2019, these term notes had an amortized cost of $331.0$753.1 million, gross unrealized gains of $1.0 million,approximately $505,230, a weighted average yield of 5.28%5.44% and a weighted average term to maturity of 4.24.4 years. At December 31, 2017,2018, the term notes had an amortized cost of $381.0$538.5 million, gross unrealized gainslosses of $804,000,$7,000, a weighted average yield of 5.80%5.32% and a weighted average term to maturity of 3.44.7 years.

(b) Corporate LoanLoans

The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entitymade or participated in loans to provide financing to entities that originatesoriginate residential mortgage loans and ownsown the related MSRs. The loan isThese corporate loans are secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as certain other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. Under

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company participated in a loan where the Company committed to lend $100.0 million of which approximately $71.8 million was drawn at March 31, 2019. At March 31, 2019, the coupon paid by the borrower on the drawn amount is 5.87%, the remaining term associated with the loan is 1.4 years and the remaining commitment period on any undrawn amount is 1.4 years. During the remaining commitment period, the Company receives a commitment fee between 0.25% and 1.0% based on the undrawn amount of the loan.

In December 2016, the Company entered into a loan agreement under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company haswhich it had committed to lend $130.0 million, of which approximately $124.2 million was drawn at March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018, the couponThis loan was paid by the borrower on the drawn amount is 8.39%, the remaining term associated with the loan is 2.3 years and remaining commitment period on any undrawn amount is three months. During the remaining commitment period of three months, the Company receives a commitment fee of 1.5%. Forin full during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, and 2017, the Company recognized interest income of $2.5 million and $1.7 million including discount accretion andat which time any remaining commitment fee income of $107,000 and $62,000, respectively.was extinguished.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019


Impact of AFS Securities on AOCI
 
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s AFS securities on its AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)2018 20172019 2018
AOCI from AFS securities:  
  
  
  
Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period $620,648
 $620,403
 $417,167
 $620,648
Unrealized loss on Agency MBS, net (10,052) (8,052)
Unrealized (loss)/gain on Non-Agency MBS, net (27,488) 27,521
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Agency MBS, net 9,315
 (10,052)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Non-Agency MBS, net 12,276
 (27,724)
Unrealized gain on MSR term notes, net 512
 236
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income (8,623) (9,971) (17,009) (8,623)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income 
 (414)
Change in AOCI from AFS securities (46,163) 9,084
 5,094
 (46,163)
Balance at end of period $574,485
 $629,487
 $422,261
 $574,485
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

Interest Income on MBS, CRTResidential Mortgage Securities and MSR RelatedMSR-Related Assets
 
The following table presents the components of interest income on the Company’s MBS, CRTresidential mortgage securities and MSRMSR- related assets for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Agency MBS        
Coupon interest $20,958
 $26,212
 $24,628
 $20,958
Effective yield adjustment (1)
 (5,665) (8,318) (6,187) (5,665)
Interest income $15,293
 $17,894
 $18,441
 $15,293
        
Legacy Non-Agency MBS        
Coupon interest $28,835
 $34,662
 $24,272
 $28,835
Effective yield adjustment (2)
 17,201
 21,442
 13,144
 17,201
Interest income $46,036
 $56,104
 $37,416
 $46,036
        
RPL/NPL MBS        
Coupon interest $10,053
 $22,929
 $16,443
 $10,053
Effective yield adjustment (1)(3)
 13
 175
 142
 13
Interest income $10,066
 $23,104
 $16,585
 $10,066
        
CRT securities        
Coupon interest $8,374
 $5,257
 $6,118
 $8,374
Effective yield adjustment (2)
 1,122
 1,119
 82
 1,122
Interest income $9,496
 $6,376
 $6,200
 $9,496
        
MSR related assets    
MSR-related assets    
Coupon interest $7,517
 $4,672
 $10,587
 $7,517
Effective yield adjustment (1)
 106
 62
 33
 106
Interest income $7,623
 $4,734
 $10,620
 $7,623
 
(1)  Includes amortization of premium paid net of accretion of purchase discount.  For Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS and the corporate loan secured by MSRs, interest income is recorded at an effective yield, which reflects net premium amortization/accretion based on actual prepayment activity.
(2) The effective yield adjustment is the difference between the net income calculated using the net yield, which is based on management’s estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows, less the current coupon yield.
(3) Includes accretion income recognized due to the impact of redemptions of certain securities that had been previously been purchased at a discount of approximately $148,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2019.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

4.    Residential Whole Loans

Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 are approximately $2.7$5.2 billion and $2.2$4.7 billion, respectively, of residential whole loans arising from the Company’s interests in certain trusts established to acquire the loans and certain entities established in connection with its loan securitization transactions. The Company has assessed that these entities are required to be consolidated for financial reporting purposes.

Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value

The following table presents the components of the Company’s Residential whole loans, at carrying value totaled approximately $1.1 billion and $908.5 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017, respectively. 2018:
(Dollars In Thousands) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Purchased Performing Loans:    
Non-QM loans $1,886,024
 $1,354,774
Rehabilitation loans 621,292
 494,576
Single-family rental loans 227,537
 145,327
Seasoned performing loans 215,352
 224,051
Total Purchased Performing Loans 2,950,205
 2,218,728
Purchased Credit Impaired Loans 773,941
 797,987
Total Residential whole loans, at carrying value $3,724,146
 $3,016,715
     
Number of loans 12,643
 11,149

The carrying value reflects the original investment amount, plus accretionfollowing table presents components of interest income less principal and interest cash flows received. The carrying value is reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition. The Company had approximately 5,400 and 4,800on the Company’s Residential whole loans, heldat carrying value for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 (In Thousands) 2019 2018
Purchased Performing Loans:    
Non-QM loans $22,414
 $1,708
Rehabilitation loans 9,933
 1,345
Single-family rental loans 2,701
 245
Seasoned performing loans 3,173
 
Total Purchased Performing Loans 38,221
 3,298
Purchased Credit Impaired Loans 11,399
 11,031
Total Residential whole loans, at carrying value $49,620
 $14,329



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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

The following table presents additional information regarding the Company’s Residential whole loans, at carrying value at March 31, 20182019:

March 31, 2019
  Carrying Value Unpaid Principal Balance (“UPB”) 
Weighted Average Coupon (1)
 Weighted Average Term to Maturity (Months) 
Weighted Average LTV Ratio (2)
 Aging by UPB
         Past Due Days
(Dollars In Thousands)      Current 30-59 60-89 90+
Purchased Performing Loans:                  
Non-QM loans $1,886,024
 $1,826,161
 6.20% 363 66% $1,782,675
 $29,474
 $5,745
 $8,267
Rehabilitation loans (3)
 621,792
 621,792
 7.38
 9 65
 560,270
 36,386
 8,805
 16,331
Single-family rental loans 227,537
 226,791
 6.08
 324 69
 223,505
 2,765
 
 521
Seasoned performing loans 215,352
 232,034
 4.31
 187 47
 225,136
 4,937
 815
 1,146
Purchased Credit Impaired Loans 773,941
 969,353
 4.42
 300 85
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Residential whole loans, at carrying value, total or weighted average $3,724,646
 $3,876,131
 5.85% 278          

(1) Weighted average is calculated based on the interest bearing principal balance of each loan within the related category. For loans acquired with servicing rights released by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation do not reflect loan servicing fees. For loans acquired with servicing rights retained by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation are net of servicing fees.
(2) LTV represents the ratio of the total unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated value of the collateral securing the related loan as of the most recent date available, which may be the original date. For Rehabilitation loans, the LTV presented is the ratio of the maximum unpaid principal balance of the loan, including unfunded commitments, to the estimated “after repaired” value of the collateral securing the related loan, where available. For certain Rehabilitation loans, totaling $130.1 million, an after repaired valuation was not obtained and Decemberthe loan was underwritten based on an “as is” valuation. The LTV of these loans based on the current unpaid principal balance and the valuation obtained during underwriting, is 67%. Excluded from the calculation of weighted average LTV are certain low value loans secured by vacant lots, for which the LTV ratio is not meaningful.
(3) Carrying value of Rehabilitation loans excludes an allowance for loan losses of $500,000 at March 31, 2017, respectively.2019.


Purchased Performing Loans

As of March 31, 2018,2019, there were 56 Purchased Performing Loans held at carrying value, that have been placed on non-accrual status as they are more than 90 days delinquent and had not yet become current with respect to the contractually required payments under the loan. Such loans have an unpaid balance of approximately $26.3 million. These non-accrual loans represent approximately 0.9% of the total outstanding principal balance of all of the Company’s Purchased Performing Loans. As of March 31, 2019, the Company hadhas established an allowance for loan losses of approximately $380,000 on its residential whole loan pools held at carrying value.$500,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, a net provision for loan losses of approximately $50,000$622,000 was recorded, which is included in Operating and Other expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. No provision for loan losses was recorded in the prior year period.

In connection with purchased Rehabilitation loans, the Company has unfunded commitments of $53.5 million.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

As of March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had established an allowance for loan losses of approximately $1.2 million and $380,000, respectively, on its Purchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded2019 and 2018, a net reversal of provision for loan losses of approximately $221,000.$183,000 and $50,000 was recorded, respectively, which is included in Operating and Other expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses on its residential whole loan poolsPurchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
2018
 2018
2017
Balance at the beginning of period $330
 $990
 $968
 $330
Provisions/(reversal of provisions) for loan losses 50
 (221)
Provisions for loan losses 183
 50
Balance at the end of period $380
 $769
 $1,151
 $380

The Company did not acquire any purchase credit impaired residential whole loansPurchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value during the three months ended March 31, 20182019, and 2017.2018.

The following table presents accretable yield activity for the Company’s purchase credit impaired residential whole loansPurchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018
 2018 2017
Balance at beginning of period $421,872
 $334,379
 $415,330
 $421,872
Additions 
 
Accretion (11,031) (8,690) (11,399) (11,031)
Liquidations and other (2,170) 
 (10,488) (2,170)
Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference, net 4,733
 (138)
Reclassifications from non-accretable difference, net 5,515
 4,733
Balance at end of period $413,404
 $325,551
 $398,958
 $413,404

Accretable yield for purchase credit impairedPurchased Credit Impaired residential whole loans is the excess of loan cash flows expected to be collected over the purchase price. The cash flows expected to be collected represent the Company’s estimate of the amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest cash flows. Additions include accretable yield estimates for purchases made during the period and reclassification to accretable yield from non-accretable yield. Accretable yield is reduced by accretion during the period. The reclassifications between accretable and non-accretable yield and the accretion of interest income are based on changes in estimates regarding loan performance and the value of the underlying real estate securing the loans. In future periods, as the Company updates estimates of cash flows expected to be collected from the loans and the underlying collateral, the accretable yield may

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

change. Therefore, the amount of accretable income recorded during the three months ended March 31, 20182019 is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value

Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans heldmeasured at fair value through earnings on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

The following table presents information regarding the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

(Dollars in Thousands)
 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Less than 60 Days Past Due:    
Outstanding principal balance $1,769,454
 $1,562,373
 $635,185
 $610,290
Aggregate fair value $1,555,620
 $1,325,115
 $583,447
 $561,770
Weighted Average LTV Ratio (1)
 76.09% 76.18%
Number of loans 7,085
 6,514
 3,070
 2,898
    
60 Days to 89 Days Past Due:    
Outstanding principal balance $69,032
 $63,938
Aggregate fair value $59,039
 $54,947
Weighted Average LTV Ratio (1)
 79.99% 82.86%
Number of loans 313
 285
    
90 Days or More Past Due:    
Outstanding principal balance $989,120
 $970,758
Aggregate fair value $869,851
 $854,545
Weighted Average LTV Ratio (1)
 88.56% 90.24%
Number of loans 3,795
 3,531
Total Residential whole loans, at fair value $1,512,337
 $1,471,262

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 the Company recorded net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value of $38.5 million and $13.8 million, respectively.
(1)LTV represents the ratio of the total unpaid principal balance of the loan, to the estimated value of the collateral securing the related loan. Excluded from the calculation of weighted average LTV are certain low value loans secured by vacant lots, for which the LTV ratio is not meaningful.

The following table presents the components of Net gain on residential whole loans heldmeasured at fair value through earnings for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018
 2018 2017
Coupon payments and other income received(1) $15,397
 $8,173
 $19,473
 $15,397
Net unrealized gains 13,747
 2,948
Net unrealized (losses)/gains (1,060) 13,747
Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans 2,908
 868
 2,283
 2,908
Net gain on transfers to REO 6,446
 1,784
 4,571
 6,446
Total $38,498
 $13,773
 $25,267
 $38,498

(1) Primarily includes recovery of delinquent interest upon the liquidation of non-performing loans, recurring coupon interest payments received on mortgage loans that are contractually current, and cash payments received from private mortgage insurance on liquidated loans.



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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

5.    Other Assets

The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other assets at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

(In Thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
REO $182,940
 $152,356
Interest receivable 30,353
 27,415
Swaps, at fair value 1,371
 679
Goodwill 7,189
 7,189
Prepaid and other assets 82,067
 51,208
Total Other Assets $303,920
 $238,847
(In Thousands) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
REO $290,587
 $249,413
MBS and loan related receivables 130,495
 127,154
Other interest earning assets 66,101
 92,022
Other 64,435
 59,196
Total Other Assets $551,618
 $527,785


(a) Real Estate Owned

At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had 8451,233 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $182.9$290.6 million. At December 31, 2017,2018, the Company had 7091,093 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $152.4$249.4 million.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company reclassified 304 and 179 mortgage loans to REO at an aggregate estimated fair value less estimated selling costs of $54.8 million and $31.1 million, respectively, at the time of transfer.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

Such transfers occur when the Company takes possession of the property by foreclosing on the borrower or completes a “deed-in-lieu of foreclosure” transaction. From time to time, the Company also acquires REO in connection with transactions to acquire residential whole loans.

At March 31, 2018, $172.92019, $283.1 million of residential real estate property was held by the Company that was acquired either through a completed foreclosure proceeding or from completion of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. In addition, formal foreclosure proceedings were in process with respect to $38.7$50.8 million of residential whole loans held at carrying value and $869.3$720.9 million of residential whole loans held at fair value at March 31, 2018.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company sold 168 and 84 REO properties for consideration of $25.5 million and $12.7 million, realizing net gains of approximately $2.0 million and $875,000, respectively. These amounts are included in Other, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, following an updated assessment of liquidation amounts expected to be realized that was performed on all REO held at the end of the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, downward adjustments of approximately $3.4 million and $1.8 million were recorded to reflect certain REO properties at the lower of cost or estimated fair value as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.2019.

The following table presents the activity in the Company’s REO for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018
 2018 2017
Balance at beginning of period $152,356
 $80,503
 $249,413
 $152,356
Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value (3,415) (1,823) (4,072) (3,415)
Transfer from residential whole loans (1)
 54,822
 31,098
 65,160
 54,822
Purchases and capital improvements 2,678
 774
 5,923
 2,678
Disposals(2) (23,501) (11,844) (25,837) (23,501)
Balance at end of period $182,940
 $98,708
 $290,587
 $182,940
    
Number of properties 1,233
 845

(1)  Includes net gain recorded on transfer of approximately $6.4$4.6 million and $1.3$6.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2) During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2017.2018, the Company sold 137 and 168 REO properties for consideration of $27.8 million and $25.5 million, realizing net gains of approximately $1.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively. These amounts are included in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.



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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

(b) Derivative Instruments
 
The Company’s derivative instruments are currently comprised of Swaps, the majority of which are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. In addition, in connection with managing risks associated with purchases of longer duration Agency MBS, the Company has also entered into Swaps that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Derivative Instrument(1) Designation  Balance Sheet Location Notional Amount Fair Value Notional Amount Fair Value Designation  Balance Sheet Location Notional Amount Fair Value Notional Amount Fair Value
(In Thousands)                        
Cleared Swaps (1)
 Hedging Assets $2,450,000
 $1,371
 $750,000
 $679
Cleared Swaps (1)
 Hedging Liabilities $100,000
 $
 $1,800,000
 $
Swaps Hedging Other assets $1,200,000
 $
 $1,900,000
 $
Swaps Hedging Other liabilities $1,322,000
 $
 $722,000
 $
Swaps Non-Hedging Other liabilities $465,000
 $
 $595,000
 $
 
(1) Cleared Swaps representRepresents Swaps executed bilaterally with a counterparty in the over-the-counter market but then novated to a central clearing house, whereby the central clearing house becomes the counterparty to both of the original counterparties.

Swaps
 
The following table presents the assets pledged as collateral against the Company’s Swap contracts at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
(In Thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Agency MBS, at fair value $16,244
 $21,756
 $2,675
 $2,735
Restricted cash 
 6,405
 34,377
 30,068
Total assets pledged against Swaps $16,244
 $28,161
 $37,052
 $32,803
 
The Company’s derivative hedging instruments,Swaps designated as hedges, or a portion thereof, could become ineffective in the future if the associated repurchase agreements that such derivatives hedge fail to exist or if expected payments under the Swaps fail to have terms that match those ofadequately offset expected payments under the derivatives that hedge such borrowings.repurchase agreements.  At March 31, 2018,2019, all of the Company’s derivatives that were designated in a hedging relationship were deemed effective for hedging purposes and no derivatives were terminated during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.purposes.
 
The Company’s Swaps designated as hedging transactions have the effect of modifying the repricing characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements and cash flows for such liabilities.  To date, no cost has been incurred at the inception of a Swap (except for certain transaction fees related to entering into Swaps cleared though a central clearing house), pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable interest rate, generally based on one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), on the notional amount of the Swap. TheDuring the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company did not recognizede-designated and re-designated any change in the value of its existing Swaps previously designated as hedges through earnings as a resulthedge in order to benefit from the simplified assessment requirements under ASU 2017-12. This de-designation and re-designation had no net impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of hedge ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.operations.
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had Swaps designated in hedging relationships with an aggregate notional amount of $2.6$3.0 billion and extended 2426 months on average with a maximum term of approximately 65114 months. 




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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019


During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we did not enter into any new Swaps, nor did any Swaps amortize or expire. The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
   March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
  Notional Amount 
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average Variable
Interest Rate (2) 
Notional Amount  
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
 
 Weighted Average Variable
Interest Rate (2)
 
 
Maturity (1)
 (Dollars in Thousands)            
 Within 30 days $
 % % $
 % %
 Over 30 days to 3 months 50,000
 1.45
 1.88
 
 
 
 Over 3 months to 6 months 500,000
 1.50
 1.77
 50,000
 1.45
 1.56
 Over 6 months to 12 months 100,000
 1.71
 1.87
 500,000
 1.50
 1.46
 Over 12 months to 24 months 100,000
 1.71
 1.86
 200,000
 1.71
 1.54
 Over 24 months to 36 months 1,600,000
 2.22
 1.82
 1,500,000
 2.22
 1.51
 Over 36 months to 48 months 100,000
 2.22
 1.88
 200,000
 2.20
 1.53
 Over 48 months to 60 months 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over 60 months to 72 months (3)
 100,000
 2.75
 1.81
 100,000
 2.75
 1.50
 Total Swaps $2,550,000
 2.04% 1.82% $2,550,000
 2.04% 1.50%
   March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
  Notional Amount 
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average Variable
Interest Rate (2) 
Notional Amount  
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
 
 Weighted Average Variable
Interest Rate (2)
 
 
Maturity (1)
 (Dollars in Thousands)        
 Within 30 days $100,000
 1.71% 2.49% $
 % %
 Over 30 days to 3 months 
 
 
 100,000
 1.71
 2.50
 Over 3 months to 6 months 
 
 
 100,000
 1.71
 2.50
 Over 12 months to 24 months 1,730,000
 2.26
 2.50
 1,630,000
 2.27
 2.50
 Over 24 months to 36 months 700,000
 2.62
 2.57
 800,000
 2.57
 2.64
 Over 48 months to 60 months 417,000
 2.88
 2.61
 417,000
 2.88
 2.63
 Over 84 months 40,000
 2.95
 2.64
 170,000
 3.00
 2.66
 Total Swaps $2,987,000
 2.42% 2.53% $3,217,000
 2.42% 2.56%

(1)  Each maturity category reflects contractual amortization and/or maturity of notional amounts.
(2)  Reflects the benchmark variable rate due from the counterparty at the date presented, which rate adjusts monthly or quarterly based on one-month or three-month LIBOR, respectively.
(3) Reflects one Swap with a maturity date of July 2023.
 
The following table presents the net impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its net interest expense and the weighted average interest rate paid and received for such Swaps for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:
 
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Interest expense attributable to Swaps $2,832
 $7,809
Interest income/(expense) attributable to Swaps $1,191
 $(2,832)
Weighted average Swap rate paid 2.04% 1.88% 2.31% 2.04%
Weighted average Swap rate received 1.60% 0.79% 2.49% 1.60%
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded net losses on Swaps not designated in hedging relationships of $8.9 million, which included a $7.8 million loss realized on the unwind of certain Swaps. This amount is included in Other income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. All of the Company’s Swaps were designated in hedging relationships during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Impact of Derivative Hedging Instruments on AOCI
 
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:
 
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
AOCI from derivative hedging instruments:        
Balance at beginning of period $(11,424) $(46,721) $3,121
 $(11,424)
Net gain on Swaps 19,669
 11,897
Net (loss)/gain on Swaps (10,445) 19,669
Amortization of de-designated hedging instruments, net (341) 
Balance at end of period $8,245
 $(34,824) $(7,665) $8,245


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019


6.      Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances
 
Repurchase Agreements

The Company’s repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings and bear interest that is generally LIBOR-based.  (See Notes 2(lk) and 7)  At March 31, 2019, the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 28 days and an effective repricing period of 5 months, including the impact of related Swaps.  At December 31, 2018, the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 1531 days and an effective repricing period of 9 months, including the impact of related Swaps.  At December 31, 2017, the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 16 days and an effective repricing period of 118 months, including the impact of related Swaps.
 
The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
(Dollars in Thousands) March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Agency MBS $2,339,009
 $2,501,340
 $2,353,173
 $2,384,357
Fair value of Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $2,531,106
 $2,705,754
 $2,524,612
 $2,572,597
Weighted average haircut on Agency MBS (1)
 4.63% 4.65% 4.49% 4.60%
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS $1,441,393
 $1,256,033
 $1,359,699
 $1,447,585
Fair value of Legacy Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $1,897,016
 $1,652,983
 $1,782,770
 $1,871,650
Weighted average haircut on Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 21.36% 21.87% 20.50% 21.38%
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by RPL/NPL MBS $569,271
 $567,140
 $1,009,331
 $1,084,532
Fair value of RPL/NPL MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $733,409
 $726,540
 $1,285,524
 $1,377,250
Weighted average haircut on RPL/NPL MBS (1)
 22.20% 22.05% 21.23% 21.31%
Repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasuries $220,912
 $470,334
Fair value of U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $220,814
 $472,095
Weighted average haircut on U.S. Treasuries (1)
 1.33% 1.47%
Repurchase agreements secured by CRT securities
 $467,103
 $459,058
 $338,827
 $391,586
Fair value of CRT securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $590,551
 $595,900
 $419,877
 $480,315
Weighted average haircut on CRT securities (1)
 21.38% 22.16% 19.49% 20.01%
Repurchase agreements secured by MSR related assets $292,820
 $317,255
Fair value of MSR related assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $432,468
 $482,158
Weighted average haircut on MSR related assets (1)
 30.72% 33.19%
Repurchase agreements secured by residential whole loans (2)
 $1,228,447
 $1,043,747
 $2,746,804
 $2,020,508
Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $1,706,627
 $1,474,704
Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (3)(4)
 $3,321,187
 $2,441,931
Weighted average haircut on residential whole loans (1)
 25.97% 26.10% 15.54% 16.55%
Repurchase agreements secured by MSR-related assets $647,535
 $474,127
Fair value of MSR-related assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $825,363
 $611,807
Weighted average haircut on MSR-related assets (1)
 21.35% 21.88%
Repurchase agreements secured by other interest-earning assets $54,386
 $76,419
Fair value of other interest-earning assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $49,373
 $81,494
Weighted average haircut on other interest-earning assets (1)
 21.61% 21.15%
 
(1)Haircut represents the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount.
(2) Excludes $95,000$42,000 and $206,000$27,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(3) At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, includes Non-Agency MBS with an aggregate fair value of $27.0 million and $27.0 million, respectively, obtained in connection with the Company’s loan securitization transactions that are eliminated in consolidation.
(4) At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, includes residential whole loans held at carrying value with an aggregate fair value of $2.5 billion and $1.7 billion and aggregate amortized cost of $2.4 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively and residential whole loans held at fair value with an aggregate fair value and amortized cost of $822.2 million and $738.6 million, respectively.
In addition, the Company had cash pledged as collateral in connection with its repurchase agreements of $7.6 million and $6.7 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

The following table presents repricing information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, which does not reflect the impact of associated derivative hedging instruments, at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Balance
 Weighted Average Interest RateBalance Weighted Average Interest Rate
Balance
 Weighted Average Interest RateBalance Weighted Average Interest Rate
Time Until Interest Rate Reset
(Dollars in Thousands)                
Within 30 days $6,239,087
 2.74% $6,161,008
 2.39% $7,265,257
 3.51% $6,747,166
 3.35%
Over 30 days to 3 months 319,868
 3.04
 453,899
 2.76
 669,143
 2.97
 368,857
 3.10
Over 3 months to 12 months 575,355
 4.18
 763,091
 4.18
Total repurchase agreements 6,558,955
 2.76% 6,614,907
 2.42% 8,509,755
 3.52% 7,879,114
 3.42%
Less debt issuance costs 95
   206
   42
   27
  
Total repurchase agreements less debt
issuance costs
 $6,558,860
   $6,614,701
   $8,509,713
   $7,879,087
  

The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, all of which are accounted for as secured borrowings, at March 31, 2018,2019, and does not reflect the impact of derivative contracts that hedge such repurchase agreements:

 March 31, 2018 March 31, 2019
Contractual Maturity Overnight Within 30 Days Over 30 Days to 3 Months Over 3 Months to 12 Months Over 12 months Total Overnight Within 30 Days Over 30 Days to 3 Months Over 3 Months to 12 Months Over 12 months Total
(Dollars in Thousands)                        
Agency MBS $
 $2,339,009
 $
 $
 $
 $2,339,009
 $
 $1,929,331
 $423,842
 $
 $
 $2,353,173
Legacy Non-Agency MBS 
 810,835
 282,660
 347,898
 
 1,441,393
 
 1,316,983
 42,716
 
 
 1,359,699
RPL/NPL MBS 
 554,524
 
 14,747
 
 569,271
 
 964,103
 45,228
 
 
 1,009,331
U.S. Treasuries 
 220,912
 
 
 
 220,912
CRT securities 
 467,103
 
 
 
 467,103
 
 314,095
 24,732
 
 
 338,827
MSR related assets 
 292,820
 
 
 
 292,820
Residential whole loans 
 321,355
 
 907,092
 
 1,228,447
 
 2,219,985
 
 526,819
 
 2,746,804
MSR-related assets 
 461,083
 132,625
 53,827
 
 647,535
Other 
 5,850
 
 48,536
 
 54,386
Total (1)
 $
 $5,006,558
 $282,660
 $1,269,737
 $
 $6,558,955
 $
 $7,211,430
 $669,143
 $629,182
 $
 $8,509,755
                        
Weighted Average Interest Rate % 2.52% 3.04% 3.63% % 2.76% % 3.51% 2.97% 4.18% % 3.52%
            
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 8 $6,558,955
Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 8 $

(1)Excludes $95,000$42,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at March 31, 2018.2019.

Undrawn Financing Commitment

In connection with the financing of MSR-related assets, the Company has obtained a financing commitment of up to $75.0 million, of which $53.8 million was utilized and was outstanding as of March 31, 2019. The Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.125% to 0.5% of the undrawn amount, depending on the amount of financing utilized.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019


The Company had repurchase agreementsagreement borrowings with 29 and 3126 counterparties at both March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017.2018, respectively. The following table presents information with respect to each counterparty under repurchase agreements for which the Company had greater than 5% of stockholders’ equity at risk in the aggregate at March 31, 2018:2019:
 
 March 31, 2018 March 31, 2019
 
Counterparty
Rating (1)
 
Amount 
at Risk (2)
 
Weighted 
Average Months 
to Maturity for
Repurchase Agreements
 
Percent of
Stockholders’ Equity
 
Counterparty
Rating (1)
 
Amount 
at Risk (2)
 
Weighted 
Average Months 
to Maturity for
Repurchase Agreements
 
Percent of
Stockholders’ Equity
Counterparty  
(Dollars in Thousands)                
Goldman Sachs (3)
 BBB+/A3/A $239,962
 3 7.4% BBB+/A3/A $319,478
 1 9.4%
Wells Fargo (4)
 A+/Aa2/AA- 239,439
 4 7.4
Credit Suisse (5)
 BBB+/Aa2/A- 219,755
 3 6.8
RBC (6)
 AA-/A1/AA 177,174
 1 5.5
RBC (4)
 AA-/Aa2/AA 232,698
 1 6.8
Wells Fargo (5)
 A+/Aa2/AA- 208,655
 0 6.1
Barclay’s Bank BBB/Aa3/A 197,793
 2 5.8
Credit Suisse BBB+/Baa2/A- 180,963
 1 5.3

(1)As rated at March 31, 20182019 by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, Inc., respectively.  The counterparty rating presented is the lowest published for these entities.
(2)The amount at risk reflects the difference between (a) the amount loaned to the Company through repurchase agreements, including interest payable, and (b) the cash and the fair value of the securities pledged by the Company as collateral, including accrued interest receivable on such securities.
(3)Includes $178.5$187.4 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Bank USA and $132.1 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Lending Partners and $61.4 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Bank USA.Partners.
(4)Includes $230.3 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and $9.2 million at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC.
(5)Includes $115.4 million at risk with Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands and $104.4 million at risk with Credit Suisse. Counterparty ratings are not published for Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands.
(6)
Includes $157.6$229.5 million at risk with RBC Barbados $15.0 millionat risk with Royal of Canada and $4.5$3.2 million at risk with RBC New York. Counterparty ratings are not published for RBC Barbados and RBS Capital Market LLC.
(5)Includes $208.7 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and approximately $1,000 at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC.


FHLB Advances

In January 2016, the FHFA released its final rule amending its regulation on FHLB membership, which, among other things, provided termination rules for then current captive insurance members. As a result of such regulation, MFA Insurance was required to repay all of its outstanding FHLB advances by February 19, 2017 and its FHLB membership was terminated on such date.

7. Collateral Positions
 
The Company pledges securities or cash as collateral to its counterparties pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements and for initial margin payments on centrally cleared Swaps. In addition, the Company receives securities or cash as collateral pursuant to financing provided under reverse repurchase agreements.  The Company exchanges collateral with its counterparties based on changes in the fair value, notional amount and term of the associated repurchase agreements and Swap contracts, as applicable.  In connection with these margining practices, either the Company or its counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral.  When the Company’s pledged collateral exceeds the required margin, the Company may initiate a reverse margin call, at which time the counterparty may either return the excess collateral or provide collateral to the Company in the form of cash or equivalent securities.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s collateral positions, which includes collateral pledged and collateral held, with respect to its borrowings under repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and derivative hedging instruments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
  March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In Thousands) Assets Pledged Collateral Held Assets Pledged Collateral Held
Derivative Hedging Instruments:  
  
  
  
Agency MBS $16,244
 $
 $21,756
 $
Cash (1)
 
 
 6,405
 
  16,244
 
 28,161
 
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings:        
Agency MBS 2,531,106
 
 2,705,754
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)
 1,897,016
 
 1,652,983
 
RPL/NPL MBS 733,409
 
 726,540
 
U.S. Treasury securities 220,814
 
 472,095
 
CRT securities 590,551
 
 595,900
 
MSR related assets 432,468
 
 482,158
 
Residential whole loans 1,706,627
 
 1,474,704
 
Cash (1)
 7,100
 
 6,902
 
  8,119,091
 
 8,117,036
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements:        
U.S. Treasury securities 
 253,993
 
 504,062
  
 253,993
 
 504,062
Total $8,135,335
 $253,993
 $8,145,197
 $504,062
(1)  Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(2)  In addition, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $329.8 million and $688.1 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS, respectively, are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty.

The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s assets pledged as collateral pursuantare described in Notes 2(f) - Restricted Cash, 5(b) - Derivative Instruments and 6 - Repurchase Agreements. The total fair value of assets pledged as collateral with respect to itsthe Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements and derivative hedging instruments was $10.3 billion and $9.5 billion at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018,: respectively. An aggregate of $41.3 million and $33.1 million of accrued interest on those assets had also been pledged as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


  March 31, 2018
  
Assets Pledged Under Repurchase 
Agreements
 
Assets Pledged Against Derivative
Hedging Instruments
 
Total Fair
Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest
(In Thousands) Fair Value 
Amortized
Cost
 
Accrued 
Interest on
Pledged 
Assets
 
Fair Value/ 
Carrying 
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Accrued Interest on 
Pledged 
Assets
 
Agency MBS $2,531,106
 $2,559,275
 $6,693
 $16,244
 $17,097
 $34
 $2,554,077
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 1,897,016
 1,456,018
 7,268
 
 
 
 1,904,284
RPL/NPL MBS 733,409
 731,571
 576
 
 
 
 733,985
U.S. Treasuries 220,814
 
 
 
 
 
 220,814
CRT securities 590,551
 538,092
 488
 
 
 
 591,039
MSR related assets 432,468
 431,429
 1,084
 
 
 
 433,552
Residential whole loans (2)
 1,706,627
 1,676,218
 5,655
 
 
 
 1,712,282
Cash (3)
 7,100
 7,100
 
 
 
 
 7,100
Total $8,119,091
 $7,399,703
 $21,764
 $16,244
 $17,097
 $34
 $8,157,133

(1)In addition, at March 31, 2018, $329.8 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty.
(2)Includes residential whole loans held at carrying value with an aggregate fair value of $468.6 million and aggregate amortized cost of $438.2 million and residential whole loans held at fair value with an aggregate fair value and amortized cost of $1.2 billion.
(3)Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

8.    Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The following tables present information about certain assetsCertain of the Company’s repurchase agreement and liabilitiesderivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that are subjectgenerally provide for a right of setoff in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to master netting arrangements (or similar agreements) and may potentially be offset onthe transaction. In the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets
  Net Amount
(In Thousands) 
Financial
Instruments
 
Cash 
Collateral 
Received
March 31, 2018            
Swaps, at fair value $1,371
 $
 $1,371
 $(1,371) $
 $
Total $1,371
 $
 $1,371
 $(1,371) $
 $
             
December 31, 2017            
Swaps, at fair value $679
 $
 $679
 $(679) $
 $
Total $679
 $
 $679
 $(679) $
 $
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
  Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 Net Amount 
(In Thousands)
Financial 
Instruments (1)
 
Cash 
Collateral 
Pledged (1)
March 31, 2018            
Swaps, at fair value (2)
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
Repurchase agreements (3)(4)
 6,558,955
 
 6,558,955
 (6,551,855) (7,100) 
Total $6,558,955
 $
 $6,558,955
 $(6,551,855) $(7,100) $
             
December 31, 2017            
Swaps, at fair value (2)
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
Repurchase agreements (3)(4)
 6,614,907
 
 6,614,907
 (6,608,005) (6,902) 
Total $6,614,907
 $
 $6,614,907
 $(6,608,005) $(6,902) $
(1) Amounts disclosed in the Financial Instruments column of the above table represent collateral pledged that is available to be offset against liabilityall balances associated with repurchase agreements.  Amounts disclosed in the Cash Collateral Pledged column of the above table represent amounts pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements.agreements are presented on a gross basis.
(2)
The fair value of securitiesfinancial instruments pledged against the Company’s Swapsrepurchase agreements was $16.2 million$10.2 billion and $21.8 million$9.4 billion at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap.
(3) The fair value of financial instruments pledged against the Company’s repurchase agreementsSwaps was $8.1 billion$2.7 million at both March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(4) Excludes $95,000 In addition, cash that has been pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements and $206,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Nature of Setoff Rights
InSwaps is reported as Restricted cash on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, all balances associated with repurchase agreements are presented on a gross basis. Certain of the Company’s repurchase agreementsheets. (See Notes 2(f), 5(b) and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide for a right of setoff in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction.  For one repurchase agreement counterparty, the underlying agreements provide for an unconditional right of setoff.  6)


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018


9. Other Liabilities

The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other liabilities at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

(In Thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Securitized debt (1)
 $351,278
 $363,944
 $659,184
 $684,420
Senior Notes 96,783
 96,773
 96,827
 96,816
Dividends and dividend equivalents payable 79,905
 79,771
 90,353
 90,198
Accrued interest payable 11,220
 12,263
 16,951
 16,280
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 14,217
 21,584
Payable for unsettled residential whole loans purchases 
 211,129
Accrued expenses and other 24,054
 26,296
Total Other Liabilities $553,403
 $574,335
 $887,369
 $1,125,139
 
(1)Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that are eliminated in consolidation. The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. (See Notes 10 and 15 for further discussion.)


Senior Notes
 
On April 11, 2012, the Company issued $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes in an underwritten public offering.  The total net proceeds to the Company from the offering of the Senior Notes were approximately $96.6 million, after deducting offering expenses and the underwriting discount.  The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.00% per year, paid quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year and will mature on April 15, 2042.  The Senior Notes have an effective interest rate, including the impact of amortization to interest expense of debt issuance costs, of 8.31%. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time, on or after April 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not excluding, the redemption date.

The Senior Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and are subordinate to all of the Company’s secured indebtedness, which includes the Company’s repurchase agreements obligation to return securities obtained as collateral and other financing arrangements, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

10.    Commitments and Contingencies
 
(a) Lease Commitments
 
The Company pays monthly rent pursuant to two operatingoffice leases.  TheIn November 2018, the Company amended the lease term for the Company’sits corporate headquarters in New York, New York, extendsunder the same terms and conditions, to extend the expiration date for the lease by up to one year, through June 30, 2020.2021, with a mutual option to terminate in February 2021.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded expense of approximately $622,000 in connection with the lease for its current corporate headquarters.

In addition, in November 2018, the Company executed a lease agreement on new office space in New York, New York. The Company plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to this new office space upon the substantial completion of the building. The lease provides for aggregate cash payments ranging over time of approximately $2.6 million per year, paid on a monthly basis, exclusive of escalation charges.  In addition, as part of this lease agreement, the Company has provided the landlord a $785,000 irrevocable standby letter of credit fully collateralized by cash.  The letter of credit may be drawn upon by the landlordterm specified in the event thatagreement is fifteen years with an option to renew for an additional five years. The Company’s current estimate of annual lease rental expense under the new lease, excluding escalation charges which at this point are unknown, is approximately $4.6 million. The Company defaultscurrently expects to relocate to the space in the fourth quarter of 2020, but this timing as well as when it is required to begin making payments and recognize rental and other expenses under certain terms of the lease.  In addition,new lease, is dependent on when the Company has a lease through December 31, 2021space is actually available for its off-site back-up facility located in Rockville Centre, New York, which provides for, among other things, lease payments totaling $32,000, annually.use.

(b) Corporate Loan

The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entity that originates loans and owns the related MSRs. The loan is secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company has committed to lend $130.0 million of which approximately $124.2 million was drawn at March 31, 2018.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

(c) Representations and Warranties in Connection with Loan Securitization Transactions

In connection with the loan securitization transactions entered into by the Company, in 2017 (See Note 15 for further discussion), the Company has the obligation under certain circumstances to repurchase assets previously transferred to securitization vehicles upon breach of certain representations and warranties. As of March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had no reserve established for repurchases of loans and was not aware of any material unsettled repurchase claims that would require the establishment of such a reserve.  (See Note 15)

(c) Corporate Loan

The Company has participated in a loan to provide financing to an entity that originates loans and owns MSRs, as well as certain other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. Under the terms of the participation agreement, the Company has committed to lend $100.0 million of which approximately $71.8 million was drawn at March 31, 2019. (See Note 3)

(d) Residential WholeRehabilitation Loan Purchase Commitments

At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company has agreed, subject to the completionhad unfunded commitments of due diligence and customary closing conditions, to purchase residential whole loans at carrying value at an aggregate estimated purchase price of $13.5 million. The expected settlement amounts are included$53.5 million in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in Residential whole loans, at carrying value,connection with a corresponding liability included in Payable for unsettled residential whole loan purchases.its purchased Rehabilitation loans. (See Note 4)


11.    Stockholders’ Equity
 
(a) Preferred Stock
 
On April 15, 2013, the Company completed the issuance of 8.0 million shares of its 7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) with a par value of $0.01 per share, and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, in an underwritten public offering. The Company’s Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.50% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the Company’s common stock is paid any dividends and is senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears on or about March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) exclusively at the Company’s option commencing on April 15, 2018 (subject to the Company’s right, under limited circumstances, to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock prior to that date in order to preserve its qualification as a REIT) and upon certain specified change in control transactions in which the Company’s common stock and the acquiring or surviving entity common securities would not be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE American or NASDAQ, or any successor exchange.option.
The Series B Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, subject to an exception in the event the Company fails to pay dividends on such stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive).  Under such circumstances, the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.  In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its Series B Preferred Stock from January 1, 20182019 through March 31, 20182019:

Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share
February 20, 2018 March 2, 2018 March 30, 2018 $0.46875
February 15, 2019 March 3, 2019 March 29, 2019 $0.46875

(b)  Dividends on Common Stock
 
The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock from January 1, 20182019 through March 31, 20182019:
 
Declaration Date (1)
 Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share
March 7, 2018 March 29, 2018 April 30, 2018 $0.20
(1)
March 6, 2019 March 29, 2019 April 30, 2019 $0.20
(1)
 
(1)  At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had accrued dividends and dividend equivalents payable of $79.9$90.4 million related to the common stock dividend declared on March 7, 2018.6, 2019.

(c) Public Offering of Common Stock

The Company did not issue any common stock through public offerings during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The table below presents information with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock issued through public offerings during the year ended December 31, 2017.2018:

Share Issue Date Shares Issued Gross Proceeds Per Share Gross Proceeds Shares Issued Gross Proceeds Per Share Gross Proceeds
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)          
May 10, 2017 23,000
 $7.85
 $180,550
(1)
August 7, 2018 50,875
(1)$7.78 $395,807(1)

(1) Includes approximately 875,000 shares issued on September 5, 2018 pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The Company incurred approximately $415,000$6.4 million of underwriting discounts and related expenses in connection with this equity offering.


(d) Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRSPP”)
 
On September 16, 2016, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), for the purpose of registering additional common stock for sale through its DRSPP.  Pursuant to Rule 462(e) of the 1933 Act, this shelf registration statement became effective automatically upon filing with the SEC and, when combined with the unused portion of the Company’s previous DRSPP shelf registration statements, registered an aggregate of 15 million shares of common stock.  The Company’s DRSPP is designed to provide existing stockholders and new investors with a convenient and economical way to purchase shares of common stock through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and/or optional cash investments.  At March 31, 20182019, 12.0approximately 11.7 million shares of common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to the DRSPP shelf registration statement.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, the Company issued 173,97874,463 shares of common stock through the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of approximately $1.2 million.$545,000.  From the inception of the DRSPP in September 2003 through March 31, 2018,2019, the Company issued 33,849,95534,130,343 shares pursuant to the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of $282.7$284.7 million.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

(e)  Stock Repurchase Program
 
As previously disclosed, in August 2005, the Company’s Board authorized a stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of its outstanding common stock.  The Board reaffirmed such authorization in May 2010.  In December 2013, the Board increased the number of shares authorized under the Repurchase Program to an aggregate of 10.0 million. Such authorization does not have an expiration date and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization.  Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program are made at times and in amounts as the Company deems appropriate, (including, in our discretion, through the use of one or more plans adopted under Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) using available cash resources.  Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program are cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, are deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2018.2019.  At March 31, 2018,2019, 6,616,355 shares remained authorized for repurchase under the Repurchase Program.

(f) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2018:2019:
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2018
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
(In Thousands) 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
(Loss)/Gain
on Swaps
 Total AOCI 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
Gain/(Loss)
on Swaps
 Total AOCI
Balance at beginning of period $620,648
 $(11,424) $609,224
 $417,167
 $3,121
 $420,288
OCI before reclassifications (37,540) 19,669
 (17,871) 22,103
 (10,445) 11,658
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)
 (8,623) 
 (8,623) (17,009) (341) (17,350)
Net OCI during the period (2)
 (46,163) 19,669
 (26,494) 5,094
 (10,786) (5,692)
Balance at end of period $574,485
 $8,245
 $582,730
 $422,261
 $(7,665) $414,596

(1)  See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
(2)  For further information regarding changes in OCI, see the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).
 

The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 20172018:
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2017
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
(In Thousands) 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
(Loss)/Gain
on Swaps
 Total AOCI 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
Gain/(Loss)
on Swaps
 Total AOCI
Balance at beginning of period $620,403
 $(46,721) $573,682
 $620,648
 $(11,424) $609,224
OCI before reclassifications 19,469
 11,897
 31,366
 (37,540) 19,669
 (17,871)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)
 (10,385) 
 (10,385) (8,623) 
 (8,623)
Net OCI during the period (2)
 9,084
 11,897
 20,981
 (46,163) 19,669
 (26,494)
Balance at end of period $629,487
 $(34,824) $594,663
 $574,485
 $8,245
 $582,730

(1)  See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
(2)  For further information regarding changes in OCI, see the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2019:
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
  
Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(In Thousands)    
AFS Securities:    
Realized gain on sale of securities $(17,009) Net realized gain on sales of residential mortgage securities
Total AFS Securities $(17,009)  
Swaps designated as cash flow hedges:    
Amortization of de-designated hedging instruments (341) Other, net
Total Swaps designated as cash flow hedges $(341)  
Total reclassifications for period $(17,350)  
The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2018:
  Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2018
  
Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(In Thousands)    
AFS Securities:    
Realized gain on sale of securities $(8,623) Net gain on sales of investment securities
Total AFS Securities $(8,623)  
Total reclassifications for period $(8,623)  
The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2017:
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2017
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
 
Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
 Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(In Thousands)        
AFS Securities:      
Realized gain on sale of securities $(9,971) Net gain on sales of investment securities (8,623) Net realized gain on sales of residential mortgage securities
OTTI recognized in earnings (414) Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
Total AFS Securities $(10,385)  $(8,623) 
Total reclassifications for period $(10,385)  $(8,623) 

On securities for which OTTI had been recognized in prior periods, the Company did not have any unrealized losses recorded in AOCI at March 31, 20182019 and had $224,000 unrealized losses recorded in AOCI at December 31, 2017.2018.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019


12.    EPS Calculation
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:
 
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Numerator:        
Net income $83,395
 $78,060
 $88,857
 $83,395
Dividends declared on preferred stock (3,750) (3,750) (3,750) (3,750)
Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities (449) (431) (256) (219)
Net income to common stockholders - basic and diluted $79,196
 $73,879
 $84,851
 $79,426
        
Denominator:        
Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (1)
 398,317
 372,579
 450,358
 398,317
Basic and diluted earnings per share $0.20
 $0.20
 $0.19
 $0.20

(1)
At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had approximately 2.22.4 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.  These equity instruments reflect RSUs (based on current estimate of expected share settlement amount) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.90.$7.49. These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.  

13.    Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans
 
(a)  Equity Compensation Plan
 
In accordance with the terms of the Company’s Equity Plan, which was adopted by the Company’s stockholders on May 21, 2015 (and which amended and restated the Company’s 2010 Equity Compensation Plan), directors, officers and employees of the Company and any of its subsidiaries and other persons expected to provide significant services for the Company and any of its subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants of stock options (“Options”), restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards under the Equity Plan.
 
Subject to certain exceptions, stock-based awards relating to a maximum of 12.0 million shares of common stock may be granted under the Equity Plan; forfeitures and/or awards that expire unexercised do not count towards this limit.  At March 31, 2018,2019, approximately 5.84.0 million shares of common stock remained available for grant in connection with stock-based awards under the Equity Plan.  A participant may generally not receive stock-based awards in excess of 1.5 million shares of common stock in any one year and no award may be granted to any person who, assuming exercise of all Options and payment of all awards held by such person, would own or be deemed to own more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.  Unless previously terminated by the Board, awards may be granted under the Equity Plan until May 20, 2025.
 
Restricted Stock Units

Under the terms of the Equity Plan, RSUs are instruments that provide the holder with the right to receive, subject to the satisfaction of conditions set by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, a payment of a specified value, which may be a share of the Company’s common stock, the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock, or such fair market value to the extent in excess of an established base value, on the applicable settlement date.  Although the Equity Plan permits the Company to issue RSUs that can settle in cash, all of the Company’s outstanding RSUs as of March 31, 20182019 are designated to be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company granted 692,500752,500 and 758,750692,500 RSUs during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, respectively. DuringThere were 20,000 RSUs forfeited during each of the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were 20,000 RSUs forfeited. There were no RSUs forfeited during the three months ended2019 and March 31, 2017.2018. All RSUs outstanding at March 31, 20182019 may be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments depending on the terms and conditions of the award either in cash at the time dividends are paid by the Company, or for certain performance-based RSU awards, as a grant of stock at the time such awards are settled.  At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $8.4 million and

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

$4.12018, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $9.3 million and $5.2 million, respectively, related to RSUs.  The unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 20182019 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

Restricted Stock
 
The Company did not award any shares of restricted common stock during the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017.2018. At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company did not have any unvested shares of restricted common stock outstanding.

Dividend Equivalents
 
A dividend equivalent is a right to receive a distribution equal to the dividend distributions that would be paid on a share of the Company’s common stock.  Dividend equivalents may be granted as a separate instrument or may be a right associated with the grant of another award (e.g., an RSU) under the Equity Plan, and they are paid in cash or other consideration at such times and in accordance with such rules, terms and conditions, as the Compensation Committee mayof the Board shall determine in its discretion.  Payments made on the Company’s outstanding dividend equivalent rights are generally charged to Stockholders’ Equity when common stock dividends are declared to the extent that such equivalents are expected to vest.  The Company did not make any payments in respect of such instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
Expense Recognized for Equity-Based Compensation Instruments
 
The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its equity-based compensation instruments for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
RSUs $553
 $1,056
 $998
 $553
Restricted shares of common stock 
 50
Total $553
 $1,106
 $998
 $553


(b)  Employment Agreements
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had employment agreements with four of its officers, with varying terms that provide for, among other things, base salary, bonus and change-in-control payments upon the occurrence of certain triggering events.

(c)  Deferred Compensation Plans
 
The Company administers deferred compensation plans for its senior officers and non-employee directors (collectively, the “Deferred Plans”), pursuant to which participants may elect to defer up to 100% of certain cash compensation.  The Deferred Plans are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.
 
Amounts deferred under the Deferred Plans are considered to be converted into “stock units” of the Company.  Stock units do not represent stock of the Company, but rather are a liability of the Company that changes in value as would equivalent shares of the Company’s common stock.  Deferred compensation liabilities are settled in cash at the termination of the deferral period, based on the value of the stock units at that time.  The Deferred Plans are non-qualified plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and, as such, are not funded.  Prior to the time that the deferred accounts are settled, participants are unsecured creditors of the Company.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

The Company’s liability for stock units in the Deferred Plans is based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the measurement date.  The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its Deferred Plans for its non-employee directors and senior officers for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018:
 
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Non-employee directors $(49) $114
 $286
 $(49)
Total $(49) $114
 $286
 $(49)
 
The following table presents the aggregate amount of income deferred by participants of the Deferred Plans through March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 that had not been distributed and the Company’s associated liability for such deferrals at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
(In Thousands)
Undistributed Income Deferred (1)
  Liability Under Deferred Plans
Undistributed Income Deferred (1)
  Liability Under Deferred Plans
Undistributed Income Deferred (1)
  Liability Under Deferred Plans
Undistributed Income Deferred (1)
  Liability Under Deferred Plans
Non-employee directors $1,775
 $2,045
 $1,688
 $2,056
 $2,311
 $2,705
 $2,263
 $2,417
Total $1,775
 $2,045
 $1,688
 $2,056
 $2,311
 $2,705
 $2,263
 $2,417

(1)  Represents the cumulative amounts that were deferred by participants through March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018, which had not been distributed through such respective date.
 
(d)  Savings Plan
 
The Company sponsors a tax-qualified employee savings plan (the “Savings Plan”) in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Code.  Subject to certain restrictions, all of the Company’s employees are eligible to make tax-deferred contributions to the Savings Plan subject to limitations under applicable law.  Participant’s accounts are self-directed and the Company bears the costs of administering the Savings Plan.  The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation deferred by employees and 50% of the next 2%, subject to a maximum as provided by the Code.  The Company has elected to operate the Savings Plan under the applicable safe harbor provisions of the Code, whereby among other things, the Company must make contributions for all participating employees and all matches contributed by the Company immediately vest 100%.  For each of the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, the Company recognized expenses for matching contributions of $104,000 and $87,500, respectively.$104,000.

14.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
GAAP requires the categorization of fair value measurements into three broad levels that form a hierarchy. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
 
Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
 
Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The following describes the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
 

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral
The fair value of U.S. Treasury securities obtained as collateral and the associated obligation to return securities obtained as collateral are based upon prices obtained from a third-party pricing service, which are indicative of market activity.  Securities obtained as collateral are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
MBS and CRTResidential Mortgage Securities
 
The Company determines the fair value of its Agency MBS based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing services, which are indicative of market activity, and repurchase agreement counterparties.
 
For Agency MBS, the valuation methodology of the Company’s third-party pricing services incorporate commonly used market pricing methods, trading activity observed in the marketplace and other data inputs.  The methodology also considers the underlying characteristics of each security, which are also observable inputs, including: collateral vintage, coupon, maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, and prepayment speeds.  Management analyzes pricing data received from third-party pricing services and compares it to other indications of fair value including data received from repurchase agreement counterparties and its own observations of trading activity observed in the marketplace.
 
In determining the fair value of the Company’s Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services and brokers as well as dialogue with market participants.  In valuing Non-Agency MBS, the Company understands that pricing services use observable inputs that include, in addition to trading activity observed in the marketplace, loan delinquency data, credit enhancement levels and vintage, which are taken into account to assign pricing factors such as spread and prepayment assumptions.  For tranches of Legacy Non-Agency MBS that are cross-collateralized, performance of all collateral groups involved in the tranche are considered.  The Company collects and considers current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists from various sources, when available.
 
The Company’s Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS and CRT securities are valued using various market data points as described above, which management considers directly or indirectly observable parameters.  Accordingly, these securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value
The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering valuations obtained from a third-party that specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans. The valuation approach applied generally depends on whether the loan is considered performing or non-performing at the date the valuation is performed. For performing loans, estimates of fair value are derived using a discounted cash flow approach, where estimates of cash flows are determined from the scheduled payments, adjusted using forecasted prepayment, default and loss given default rates. For non-performing loans, asset liquidation cash flows are derived based on the estimated time to liquidate the loan, expected costs and home price appreciation. Estimated cash flows for both performing and non-performing loans are discounted at yields considered appropriate to arrive at a reasonable exit price for the asset. Indications of loan value such as actual trades, bids, offers and generic market color may be used in determining the appropriate discount yield. The Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Term Notes Backed by MSR RelatedMSR-Related Collateral

The Company’s valuation process for term notes backed by MSR relatedMSR-related collateral considers a number of factors, including a comparable bond analysis performed byobtaining market quotes from a third-party pricing service which involves determining a pricing spread at issuance of the term note. The pricing spread is used at each subsequent valuation date to determine an implied yield to maturity of the term note, which is used to derive an indicative market value for the security.service. This indicative market value is further reviewed by the Company and may be adjusted to ensure it reflects a realistic exit price at the valuation date given the structural features of these securities. At March 31, 2018, the indicative implied yields used in the valuation of these securities ranged from 5.4% to 6.3%. The weighted average indicative yield to maturity was 5.83%. Other factors taken into consideration include indicative values provided by repurchase agreement counterparties, estimated changes in fair value of the related underlying MSR collateral and, as applicable, the financial performance of the ultimate parent or sponsoring entity of the issuer, which has provided a guarantee that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the related underlying MSR collateral be insufficient. As this process includes significant unobservable inputs, due to the relative illiquidity of the market, these securities are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value
The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering valuations obtained from a third-party that specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans trading activity observed in the marketplace. The Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.


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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Swaps
 
As of March 31, 2018, allAll of the Company’s Swaps are cleared by a central clearing house. Valuations provided by the clearing house are used for purposes of determining the fair value of the Company’s Swaps. Such valuations obtained are tested with internally developed models that apply readily observable market parameters.  As the Company’s Swaps are subject to the clearing house’s margin requirements, no credit valuation adjustment was considered necessary in determining the fair value of such instruments.  Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as the fair value of the Swap. Swaps are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Changes to the valuation methodologies used with respect to the Company’s financial instruments are reviewed by management to ensure any such changes result in appropriate exit price valuations.  The Company will refine its valuation methodologies as markets and products develop and pricing methodologies evolve.  The methods described above may produce fair value estimates that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those used by market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.  The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.  The Company reviews the classification of its financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy on a quarterly basis, and management may conclude that its financial instruments should be reclassified to a different level in the future.

 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

The following tables present the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, on the consolidated balance sheets by the valuation hierarchy, as previously described:

Fair Value at March 31, 20182019
 
(In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:                
Agency MBS $
 $2,647,148
 $
 $2,647,148
 $
 $2,546,597
 $
 $2,546,597
Non-Agency MBS 
 3,398,254
 
 3,398,254
 
 3,099,272
 
 3,099,272
CRT securities 
 679,491
 
 679,491
 
 423,702
 
 423,702
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral 
 
 332,040
 332,040
Residential whole loans, at fair value 
 
 1,555,620
 1,555,620
 
 
 1,512,337
 1,512,337
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 253,993
 
 
 253,993
Swaps 
 1,371
 
 1,371
Term notes backed by MSR-related collateral 
 
 753,594
 753,594
Total assets carried at fair value $253,993
 $6,726,264
 $1,887,660
 $8,867,917
 $
 $6,069,571
 $2,265,931
 $8,335,502
Liabilities:        
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral $253,993
 $
 $
 $253,993
Total liabilities carried at fair value $253,993
 $
 $
 $253,993

Fair Value at December 31, 20172018
 
(In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Agency MBS $
 $2,824,681
 $
 $2,824,681
 $
 $2,698,213
 $
 $2,698,213
Non-Agency MBS 
 3,533,966
 
 3,533,966
 
 3,318,299
 
 3,318,299
CRT securities 
 664,403
 
 664,403
 
 492,821
 
 492,821
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral 
 
 381,804
 381,804
Residential whole loans, at fair value 
 
 1,325,115
 1,325,115
 
 
 1,665,978
 1,665,978
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 504,062
 
 
 504,062
Swaps 
 679
 
 679
Term notes backed by MSR-related collateral 
 
 538,499
 538,499
Total assets carried at fair value $504,062
 $7,023,729
 $1,706,919
 $9,234,710
 $
 $6,509,333
 $2,204,477
 $8,713,810
Liabilities:        
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral $504,062
 $
 $
 $504,062
Total liabilities carried at fair value $504,062
 $
 $
 $504,062
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents additional information for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018 about the Company’s Residential whole loans, at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 2017 2019 2018
Balance at beginning of period $1,325,115
 $814,682
 $1,471,263
 $1,325,115
Purchases and capitalized advances(1) 311,125
 5,333
 130,089
 311,125
Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 13,747
 2,948
Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole
loans measured at fair value through earnings
 (1,060) 13,747
Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses (46,683) (20,043) (31,751) (46,683)
Repurchases (194) (306) (318) (194)
Transfer to REO (47,490) (27,462) (55,886) (47,490)
Balance at end of period $1,555,620
 $775,152
 $1,512,337
 $1,555,620

(1)Included in the activity presented for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is an adjustment of $70.6 million for loans the Company committed to purchase during the three months ended December 31, 2018, but for which the closing of the purchase transaction occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The adjustment was required following the finalization of due diligence performed prior to the closing of the purchase transaction and resulted in a downward revision to the prior estimate of the loan purchase amount.


The following table presents additional information for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018 about the Company’s investments in term notes backed by MSR relatedMSR-related collateral held at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

  Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral
  Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands) 2018 
2017 (1)
Balance at beginning of period $381,804
 $
Purchases 100,000
 150,000
  Collection of principal (150,000) (8,648)
Changes in unrealized gain/losses 236
 
  Transfers from Level 2 to Level 3 (1)
 
 140,980
Balance at end of period $332,040
 $282,332

(1) Investments in term notes backed by MSR related collateral were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as there had been very limited secondary market trading in these securities since issuance. Transfers between levels are deemed to take place on the first day of the reporting period in which the transfer has taken place.
  Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral
  Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands) 2019 2018
Balance at beginning of period $538,499
 $381,804
Purchases 219,166
 100,000
  Collection of principal (4,584) (150,000)
Changes in unrealized gain/losses 513
 236
Balance at end of period $753,594
 $332,040

The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities from one level to another during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

Fair Value Methodology for Level 3 Financial Instruments

Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value

The following tables present a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value for which it has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 March 31, 2018 March 31, 2019
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Fair Value (1)
 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input 
Weighted Average (2)
 Range 
Fair Value (1)
 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input 
Weighted Average (2)
 Range
          
Residential whole loans, at fair value $578,652
 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 5.3% 4.5-8.1% $744,578
 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 5.2% 4.5-8.0%
   Prepayment rate 4.1% 0.9-13.7%   Prepayment rate 4.9% 0.9-16.7%
   Default rate 2.4% 0.0-22.4%   Default rate 4.2% 0.0-24.1%
   Loss severity 13.2% 0.0-100.0%   Loss severity 12.8% 0.0-100.0%
          
 $678,643
 Liquidation model Discount rate 8.9% 6.1-50.0% $641,522
 Liquidation model Discount rate 8.1% 6.1-50.0%
   Annual change in home prices 2.8% (0.9)-10.1%   Annual change in home prices 3.5% 0.0-8.6%
   
Liquidation timeline
(in years)
 1.6
 0.1-4.5   
Liquidation timeline
(in years)
 1.8
 0.1-4.5
   
Current value of underlying properties (3)
 $823
 $1-$9,900   
Current value of underlying properties (3)
 $741
 $2-$5,450
Total $1,257,295
    $1,386,100
   

 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Fair Value (1)
 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input 
Weighted Average (2)
 Range 
Fair Value (1)
 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input 
Weighted Average (2)
 Range
          
Residential whole loans, at fair value $358,871
 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 5.5% 4.5-13.0% $700,250
 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 5.2% 4.5-8.0%
   Prepayment rate 4.1% 1.15-15.1%   Prepayment rate 4.8% 0.9-15.9%
   Default rate 2.9% 0.0-6.5%   Default rate 4.1% 0.0-24.1%
   Loss severity 13.8% 0.0-100.0%   Loss severity 12.9% 0.0-100.0%
          
 $592,940
 Liquidation model Discount rate 8.0% 6.1-50.0% $683,252
 Liquidation model Discount rate 8.0% 6.1-50.0%
   Annual change in home prices 2.5% (8.0)-8.8%   Annual change in home prices 3.5% (0.5)-12.2%
   
Liquidation timeline
(in years)
 1.6
 0.1-4.5   
Liquidation timeline
(in years)
 1.8
 0.1-4.5
   
Current value of underlying properties (3)
 $772
 $0-$9,900   
Current value of underlying properties (3)
 $802
 $2-$7,950
Total $951,811
    $1,383,502
   

(1) Excludes approximately $298.3$126.2 million and $373.3$282.5 million of loans for which management considers the purchase price continues to reflect the fair value of such loans at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(2) Amounts are weighted based on the fair value of the underlying loan.
(3) The simple average value of the properties underlying residential whole loans held at fair value valued via a liquidation model was approximately $346,000approximately$362,000 and $336,000$400,000 as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.



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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 20182019

The following table presents the difference between the fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company’s residential whole loans for which the fair value option was elected, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

  March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
(In Thousands) Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference
Residential whole loans, at fair value            
Total loans $1,555,620
 $1,769,454
 $(213,834) $1,325,115
 $1,562,373
 $(237,258)
Loans 90 days or more past due $995,986
 $1,164,106
 $(168,120) $840,572
 $1,027,818
 $(187,246)

The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Carrying
Value
 Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Value
 Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Value
 Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Value
 Estimated Fair Value
(In Thousands)
Financial Assets:                
Agency MBS $2,647,148
 $2,647,148
 $2,824,681
 $2,824,681
 $2,546,597
 $2,546,597
 $2,698,213
 $2,698,213
Non-Agency MBS 3,398,254
 3,398,254
 3,533,966
 3,533,966
 3,099,272
 3,099,272
 3,318,299
 3,318,299
CRT securities 679,491
 679,491
 664,403
 664,403
 423,702
 423,702
 492,821
 492,821
MSR related assets 455,124
 456,262
 492,080
 493,026
Residential whole loans, at carrying value 1,099,876
 1,177,643
 908,516
 988,688
 3,724,146
 3,816,290
 3,016,715
 3,104,401
Residential whole loans, at fair value 1,555,620
 1,555,620
 1,325,115
 1,325,115
 1,512,337
 1,512,337
 1,665,978
 1,665,978
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 253,993
 253,993
 504,062
 504,062
MSR-related assets 825,363
 825,363
 611,807
 611,807
Cash and cash equivalents 214,686
 214,686
 449,757
 449,757
 76,579
 76,579
 51,965
 51,965
Restricted cash 7,100
 7,100
 13,307
 13,307
 41,999
 41,999
 36,744
 36,744
Swaps 1,371
 1,371
 679
 679
Financial Liabilities (1):
                
Repurchase agreements 6,558,860
 6,567,752
 6,614,701
 6,623,255
 8,509,713
 8,527,163
 7,879,087
 7,895,672
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 253,993
 253,993
 504,062
 504,062
Securitized debt 351,278
 352,166
 363,944
 366,109
 659,184
 659,804
 684,420
 680,209
Senior Notes 96,783
 101,911
 96,773
 103,729
 96,827
 102,591
 96,816
 99,951

(1) Carrying value of securitized debt, Senior Notes and certain repurchase agreements is net of associated debt issuance costs.

In addition to the methodologies used to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis discussed on pages 41-47,42-46, the following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in arriving at the fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments presented in the above table that are not reported at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value:  The Company generally determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at carrying value after considering portfolio valuations obtained fromusing the same approach applied for residential whole loans held at fair value. Given the short duration of the Company’s Rehabilitation loans, these investments are determined to have a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place.carrying value which approximates fair value. The Company’s residential whole loans held at carrying value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:  Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are comprised of cash held in overnight money market investments and demand deposit accounts.  At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018, the Company’s money market funds were invested in securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

entities, and repurchase agreements involving the securities described above.  Given the overnight term and assessed credit risk, the Company’s investments in money market funds are determined to have a fair value equal to their carrying value.value and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Corporate Loan:Loans: The Company determines the fair value of this loanits Corporate loans, included in MSR-related assets along with the term notes, after considering recent past and expected future loan performance, recent financial performance of the borrower and estimates of the current value of the underlying collateral, which includes certain MSRs and other assets of the borrower that are pledged to secure the borrowing. The Company’s investment in this term loan isCorporate loans are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Repurchase Agreements:  The fair value of repurchase agreements reflects the present value of the contractual cash flows discounted at market interest rates at the valuation date for repurchase agreements with a term equivalent to the remaining term to interest rate repricing, which may be at maturity.  Such interest rates are estimated based on LIBOR rates observed in the market.  The Company’s repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

Securitized Debt:  In determining the fair value of securitized debt, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services and brokers as well as dialogue with market participants. Accordingly, the Company’s securitized debt is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Senior Notes:  The fair value of the Senior Notes is determined using the end of day market price quoted on the NYSE at the reporting date.  The Company’s Senior Notes are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company holds REO at the lower of the current carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the Company’s REO had an aggregate carrying value of $182.9$290.6 million and $152.4$249.4 million, and an aggregate estimated fair value of $208.3$320.0 million and $175.8$273.4 million, respectively. The Company classifies fair value measurements of REO as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

15.  Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities
 
A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it.  SPEs are often used to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or resecuritizing previously securitized financial assets.  The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying financial assets on improved terms.  Securitization involves transferring assets to a SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business, through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments.  Investors in ana SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and, depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement. 

The Company has entered into several financing transactions that resulted in the Company consolidating as VIEs the SPEs that were created to facilitate these transactions. See Note 2(sr) for a discussion of the accounting policies applied to the consolidation of VIEs and transfers of financial assets in connection with financing transactions.
 
The Company has engaged in loan securitizations and in prior years, MBS resecuritization transactions, primarily for the purpose of obtaining improved overall financing terms as well as non-recourse financing on a portion of its residential whole loan and Non-Agency MBS portfolios.portfolio. Notwithstanding the Company’s participation in these transactions, the risks facing the Company are largely unchanged as the Company remains economically exposed to the first loss position on the underlying assets transferred to the VIEs.
 
Loan Securitization Transactions

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed two loan securitization transactions. As a part of the transactions, the Company sold residential whole loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $620.9 million (including $193.3 million of loans at carrying value and $296.5 million of loans at fair value) to two entities which the Company consolidates as VIEs. In connection with the transactions, third-party investors purchased $382.8 million face amount of senior and mezzanine bonds (“Senior Bonds”) with a weighted average fixed coupon of 3.12%. As a result of the transactions, the Company acquired

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

$127.0 million face amount of rated and non-rated certificates issued by the securitization vehicle, and received $382.8 million in cash, excluding expenses, accrued interest, and underwriting fees.

The following table summarizes the key details of the Company’s loan securitization transactions the Company has been involved in to date:

as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
(Dollars in Thousands) December 2017 June 2017 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 
Name of Entity (Consolidated as a VIE) MFA 2017-NPL1, LLC MFA 2017-RPL 1
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of residential whole loans sold $401,076
 $219,848
 $1,290,029
 $1,290,029
 
Face amount of Senior Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by third-party investors $235,000
 $147,847
 $802,817
 $802,817
 
Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds at March 31, 2018 $226,409
 $127,059
Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds $659,184
(1)$684,420
(1)
Weighted average fixed rate for Senior Bonds issued 3.35%(1)2.75% 3.66%(2)3.66%(2)
Weighted average contractual maturity of Senior Bonds 30 years
(2)31 years
(2)
Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company (2)(3)
 $55,000
 $72,001
 $275,174
 $275,174
 
Cash received $235,000
 $147,845
 $802,815
 $802,815
 
 
(1)TheNet of $3.6 million and $3.8 million of deferred financing costs at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
(2)At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, $563.2 million and $582.8 million, respectively, of Senior BondBonds sold in connection with this securitization transaction containstransactions contained a contractual coupon step-up feature whereby the coupon increases by 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance if the bond is not redeemed before such date.
(2)(3)Provides credit support to the Senior Bonds sold to third-party investors in the securitization transactions.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2019

As of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, as a result of the transactions described above, securitized loans with a carrying value of approximately $180.0$202.7 million and $183.2$209.4 million are included in “Residential whole loans, at carrying value,” securitized loans with a fair value of approximately $275.6$647.0 million and $289.3$694.7 million are included in “Residential whole loans, at fair value,” and REO with a carrying value approximately $12.6$102.5 million and $5.5$79.0 million are included in “Other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, respectively. As of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the aggregate carrying value of Senior Bonds issued by consolidated VIEs was $351.3$659.2 million and $363.9$684.4 million, respectively.  These Senior Bonds are disclosed as “Securitized debt” and are included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The holders of the securitized debt have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, but the Company does have the obligation, under certain circumstances to repurchase assets from the VIE upon the breach of certain representations and warranties with respect to the residential whole loans sold to the VIE.  In the absence of such a breach, the Company has no obligation to provide any other explicit or implicit support to any VIE.

The Company concluded that the entities created to facilitate the loan securitization transactions are VIEs.  The Company then completed an analysis of whether each VIE created to facilitate the securitization transactions should be consolidated by the Company, based on consideration of its involvement in each VIE, including the design and purpose of the SPE, and whether its involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of each VIE.  In determining whether the Company would be considered the primary beneficiary, the following factors were assessed:
 
whether the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE;  and
whether the Company has a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.
 
Based on its evaluation of the factors discussed above, including its involvement in the purpose and design of the entity, the Company determined that it was required to consolidate each VIE created to facilitate the loan securitization transactions.

Prior to the completion of the Company’s first MBS resecuritization transaction in October 2010, the Company had not transferred assets to VIEs or Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (“QSPEs”) and other than acquiring MBS issued by such entities, had no other involvement with VIEs or QSPEs.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2018

Residential Whole Loans and REO (including Residential Whole Loans and REO transferred to consolidated VIEs)

Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 are a total of $2.7$5.2 billion and $2.2$4.7 billion of residential whole loans, of which approximately $1.1$3.7 billion and $908.5 million$3.0 billion are reported at carrying value and $1.6$1.5 billion and $1.3$1.7 billion are reported at fair value, respectively. The inclusionIn addition, at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had REO with an aggregate carrying value of these$290.6 million and $249.4 million, and an aggregate estimated fair value of $320.0 million and $273.4 million, respectively. These assets arises from the Company’s interests inare directly owned by certain trusts established by the Company to acquire the loans and entities established in connection with itsthe Company’s loan securitization transactions. The Company has assessed that these entities are required to be consolidated. During the three months ended March 31, 2018(See Notes 4 and 2017, the Company recognized interest income from residential whole loans reported at carrying value of approximately $14.3 million and $8.7 million, respectively, which is included in Interest Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recognized net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 of approximately $38.5 million and $13.8 million, respectively, which amounts are included in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 4)5(a))




Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to MFA Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries as “the Company,” “MFA,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context otherwise indicates.
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

Forward Looking Statements

When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may” the negative of these words or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act and Section 21E of the 1934 Act and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results with respect to our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives.  Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: changes in interest rates and the market (i.e., fair) value of our MBS, residential whole loans, CRT securities and other assets; changes in the prepayment rates on theresidential mortgage loans securing our MBS,assets, an increase of which could result in a reduction of the yield on MBScertain investments in our portfolio and an increase of which could require us to reinvest the proceeds received by us as a result of such prepayments in MBSinvestments with lower coupons;coupons, while a decrease in which could result in an increase in the interest rate duration of certain investments in our portfolio making their valuation more sensitive to changes in interest rates and could result in lower forecasted cash flows or, in certain circumstances, other-than-temporary impairment on certain Legacy Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount; credit risks underlying our assets, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates on the mortgage loans securing our Non-Agency MBS and relating to our residential whole loan portfolio; our ability to borrow to finance our assets and the terms, including the cost, maturity and other terms, of any such borrowings; implementation of or changes in government regulations or programs affecting our business; our estimates regarding taxable income the actual amount of which is dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in the amount of interest income and financing costs, the method elected by us to accrete the market discount on Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans and the extent of prepayments, realized losses and changes in the composition of our Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loan portfolios that may occur during the applicable tax period, including gain or loss on any MBS disposals and whole loan modification foreclosuremodifications, foreclosures and liquidation;liquidations; the timing and amount of distributions to stockholders, which are declared and paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on, among other things, our taxable income, our financial results and overall financial condition and liquidity, maintenance of our REIT qualification and such other factors as the Board deems relevant; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or the Investment Company Act), including statements regarding the concept release issued by the SEC relating to interpretive issues under the Investment Company Act with respect to the status under the Investment Company Act of certain companies that are engaged in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related interests; our ability to successfully implement our strategy to growcontinue growing our residential whole loan portfolio, which is dependent on, among other things, the supply of loans offered for sale in the market; expected returns on our investments in nonperforming residential whole loans (or NPLs), which are affected by, among other things, the length of time required to foreclose upon, sell, liquidate or otherwise reach a resolution of the property underlying the NPL, home price values, amounts advanced to carry the asset (e.g., taxes, insurance, maintenance expenses, etc. on the underlying property) and the amount ultimately realized upon resolution of the asset; targeted or expected returns on our investments in recently-originated loans, the performance of which is, similar to our other mortgage loan investments, subject to, among other things, prepayment risk, credit risk and financing cost associated with such investments; risks associated with our investments in MSR relatedMSR-related assets, including servicing, regulatory and economic risks, and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy.  These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make.  All forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.  New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us.  Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Business/General
 
We are aan internally-managed REIT primarily engaged in the business of investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets, including Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS,residential mortgage securities, residential whole loans CRT securities and MSR relatedMSR-related assets.  Our principal business objective is to deliver shareholder value through the generation of distributable income and through asset performance linked to residential mortgage credit fundamentals. We selectively invest in residential mortgage assets with a focus on credit analysis, projected prepayment rates, interest rate sensitivity and expected return.
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, we had total assets of approximately $10.6$12.8 billion, of which $6.0$6.1 billion, or 57.0%47.4%, represented our MBS portfolio.represents investments in residential mortgage securities.  At such date, our MBS portfolio was comprised of $2.6includes $2.5 billion of Agency MBS, and $3.4$3.1 billion of Non-Agency MBS which includes $2.5and $423.7 million of CRT securities. Non-Agency MBS is comprised of $1.8 billion of Legacy Non-Agency MBS and $935.2 million$1.3 billion of RPL/NPL MBS. These RPL/NPL MBS that are primarilybacked by securitized re-performing and non-performing loans and are generally structured with a contractual coupon step-up feature where the coupon increases up tofrom 300 - 400 basis points at 36 - 48 months from issuance or sooner. These RPL/NPL MBS are primarily backed by securitized re-performing and non-performing loans. In addition, at March 31, 2018,2019, we had approximately $2.7$5.2 billion in residential whole loans acquired through interests in certain trusts established to acquire the loans, which represented approximately 25.0%41% of our total assets. We experiencedDuring the most growth infirst quarter of 2019 our residential whole loan portfolio continued to grow due to acquisitions of Purchased Performing Loans. Our Purchased Performing Loans, which as of March 31, 2019 comprised approximately 56% of our residential whole loans, duringinclude: (i) loans to finance (or refinance) one-to-four family residential properties that are not considered to meet the first quarterdefinition of 2018,a “Qualified Mortgage” in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (or Non-QM loans), (ii) short-term business purpose loans collateralized by residential properties made to non-occupant borrowers who intend to rehabilitate and we continuesell the property for a profit (or Rehabilitation loans or Fix and Flip loans), (iii) loans to seek opportunitiesfinance (or refinance) non-owner occupied one-to-four family residential properties that are rented to purchase these assets subject to market conditions.one or more tenants (or Single-family rental loans), and (iv) previously originated loans secured by residential real estate that is generally owner occupied (or Seasoned performing loans). Our remaining investment-related assets, which represent approximately 10% of our total assets at March 31, 2019, were primarily comprised of CRT securities, MSR relatedMSR-related assets, collateral obtained in connection with reverse repurchase agreements, cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash), REO and MBS and loan-related receivables.

The results of our business operations are affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets, which is driven by numerous factors, including the supply and demand for residential mortgage assets in the marketplace, the terms and availability of adequate financing, general economic and real estate conditions (both on a national and local level), the impact of government actions in the real estate and mortgage sector, and the credit performance of our credit sensitive residential mortgage assets.  In recent periods, the impact on our GAAP results from market volatility, resulting in changes in market values of certain financial instruments for which changes in fair value are recorded in net income each period, such as CRT securities, certain residential whole loans, Agency MBS, and Swaps not designated as hedges, has increased. Our net interest income varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, the slope of the yield curve (i.e., the differential between long-term and short-term interest rates), borrowing costs (i.e., our interest expense) and prepayment speeds, on our MBS, the behavior of which involves various risks and uncertainties.  Interest rates and conditional prepayment rates (or CPRs) (which measure the amount of unscheduled principal prepayment on a bondan asset as a percentage of the bondasset balance), vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty.
 
With respect to our business operations, increases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause:  (i) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to increase; (ii) the value of our MBS portfolioresidential mortgage assets and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to decline; (iii) coupons on our ARM-MBSadjustable rate assets to reset, on a delayed basis, to higher interest rates; (iv) prepayments on our MBSassets to decline, thereby slowing the amortization of our MBS purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts;discounts, and slowing our ability to redeploy capital to generally higher yielding investments; and (v) the value of our derivative hedging instruments and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to increase.  Conversely, decreases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause:  (i) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to decrease; (ii) the value of our MBS portfolioresidential mortgage assets and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to increase; (iii) coupons on our ARM-MBS to reset,adjustable rate assets, on a delayed basis, to lower interest rates; (iv) prepayments on our MBSassets to increase, thereby accelerating the amortization of our MBS purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts;discounts, and accelerating the redeployment of our capital to generally lower yielding investments; and (v) the value of our derivative hedging instruments and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to decrease.  In addition, our borrowing costs and credit lines are further affected by the type of collateral we pledge and general conditions in the credit market.
 
Our investments in residential mortgage assets, particularly investments in residential mortgage loans and Non-Agency MBS, expose us to credit risk, generally meaning that we are subject to credit losses due to the risk of delinquency, default and foreclosure on the underlying real estate collateral. We believe the discounted purchase prices paid on certain of these investments mitigate our risk of loss in the event that, as we expect on most such investments, we receive less than 100% of the par value of these investments.  With respect to investments in Purchased Performing Loans, we believe that sound underwriting standards, including

low LTVs at origination, significantly mitigate our risk of loss. Our investment process for credit sensitive assets focuses primarily on quantifying and pricing credit risk. 

As of March 31, 2018, approximately $3.4 billion, or 55.8%, of our MBS portfolio was in its contractual fixed-rate period or were fixed-rate MBS and approximately $2.6 billion, or 44.2%, was in its contractual adjustable-rate period, or were floating rate MBS with interest rates that reset monthly.  Our ARM-MBS in their contractual adjustable-rate period primarily include MBS collateralized by Hybrids for which the initial fixed-rate period has elapsed, such that the interest rate will typically adjust on an annual or semiannual basis. 
Premiums arise when we acquire an MBS or loan at a price in excess of the aggregate principal balance of the mortgages securing the MBS (i.e., par value). or when we acquire residential whole loans at a price in excess of their aggregate principal balance.  Conversely, discounts arise when we acquire an MBS at a price below the aggregate principal balance of the mortgages securing the MBS or when we acquire residential whole loans at a price below their aggregate principal balance. 

Premiums paid on our MBS are amortized against interest income and accretableAccretable purchase discounts on these investments are accreted to interest income.  Purchase premiums, which are primarily carried on our Agency MBS, and certain CRT securities and Non-QM loans, are amortized against interest income over the life of each securitythe investment using the effective yield method, adjusted for actual prepayment activity.  An increase in the prepayment rate, as measured by the CPR, will typically accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the IRR/interest income earned on these assets. 
 
CPR levels are impacted by, among other things, conditions in the housing market, new regulations, government and private sector initiatives, interest rates, availability of credit to home borrowers, underwriting standards and the economy in general.  In particular, CPR reflects the conditional repayment rate (or CRR), which measures voluntary prepayments of mortgages collateralizing a particular MBS,loan, and the conditional default rate (or CDR), which measures involuntary prepayments resulting from defaults.  CPRs on Agency MBSour residential mortgage securities and Legacy Non-Agency MBSwhole loans may differ significantly.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, our Agency MBS portfolio experienced a weighted average CPR of 12.7%13.6%, and our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio experienced a weighted average CPR of 14.9%12.7%. Over the last consecutive eight quarters, ending with March 31, 2018,2019, the monthly weighted average CPR on our Agency and Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolios ranged from a high of 18.4% experienced during the month ended July 31, 2017 to a low of 13.5%12.2%, experienced during the month ended MarchJanuary 31, 2018,2019, with an average CPR over such quarters of 16.0%15.5%.
 
Our method of accounting for Non-Agency MBS purchased at significant discounts to par value, requires us to make assumptions with respect to each security.  These assumptions include, but are not limited to, future interest rates, voluntary prepayment rates, default rates, mortgage modifications and loss severities.  As part of our Non-Agency MBS surveillance process, we track and compare each security’s actual performance over time to the performance expected at the time of purchase or, if we have modified our original purchase assumptions, to our revised performance expectations.  To the extent that actual performance or our expectation of future performance of our Non-Agency MBS deviates materially from our expected performance parameters, we may revise our performance expectations, such that the amount of purchase discount designated as credit discount may be increased or decreased over time.  Nevertheless, credit losses greater than those anticipated or in excess of the recorded purchase discount could occur, which could materially adversely impact our operating results.
 
It is generally our business strategy to hold our residential mortgage assets as long-term investments.  On at least a quarterly basis, excluding investments for which the fair value option has been elected or for which specialized loan accounting is otherwise applied, we assess our ability and intent to continue to hold each asset and, as part of this process, we monitor our MBS, CRT securities and MSR relatedMSR-related assets that are designated as AFS for OTTI. A change in our ability and/or intent to continue to hold any of these securities that are in an unrealized loss position, or a deterioration in the underlying characteristics of these securities, could result in our recognizing future impairment charges or a loss upon the sale of any such security.  At March 31, 2018,2019, we had net unrealized gains on our Non-Agency MBS of $587.6$445.3 million, comprised of gross unrealized gains of $588.3$447.3 million and gross unrealized losses of $687,000,$2.0 million, and net unrealized losses of $29.8$21.1 million on our Agency MBS, comprised of gross unrealized losses of $54.6$35.5 million and gross unrealized gains of $24.8$14.4 million. At March 31, 2018,2019, we did not intend to sell any securities in our portfolio that are designated as AFS and that were in an unrealized loss position, and we believe it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell those securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity.
 
We rely primarily on borrowings under repurchase agreements to finance our residential mortgage assets.  Our residential mortgage investments have longer-term contractual maturities than our borrowings under repurchase agreements.  Even though the majority of our investments have interest rates that adjust over time based on short-term changes in corresponding interest rate indices (typically following an initial fixed-rate period for our Hybrids), the interest rates we pay on our borrowings will typically change at a faster pace than the interest rates we earn on our investments.  In order to reduce this interest rate risk exposure, we may enter into derivative instruments, which at March 31, 20182019 were comprised of Swaps.

OurThe majority of our Swap derivative instruments are designated as cash-flow hedges against a portion of our current and forecasted LIBOR-based repurchase agreements.  OurWhile these Swaps do not extend the maturities of ourthe associated repurchase agreements;agreement being hedged; they do, however, lock in a fixed rate of interest over their term for the notional amount of the Swap corresponding to the hedged item.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we did not enter into any new Swaps and had no Swaps amortize and/or expire. At March 31, 2018, we had Swaps designated in hedging relationships with an aggregate notional amount of $2.6 billion with a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 2.04% and a weighted average variable interest rate received of 1.82%.



Recent Market Conditions and Our Strategy
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, our residential mortgage asset portfolio, which includes MBS,residential mortgage securities, residential whole loans CRT securities and MSR relatedREO and MSR-related assets, was approximately $9.8$12.4 billion compared to $9.7$12.1 billion at December 31, 2017. During2018. For the remainder of 2019, we expect to continue to seek investment opportunities primarily focused on residential whole loans and selectively in residential mortgage securities and MSR-related assets as market opportunities arise.

The following table presents the activity for our residential mortgage asset portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we purchased or committed to purchase, through certain entities established to acquire the loans, for approximately $521.8 million, residential whole loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $537.4 million. In2019:
(In Millions) December 31, 2018 
Runoff (1)
 Acquisitions 
Other (2)
 March 31, 2019 Change
Residential whole loans and REO $4,932
 $(297) $875
 $17
 $5,527
 $595
RPL/NPL MBS 1,377
 (141) 101
 (52) 1,285
 (92)
MSR-related assets 612
 (7) 220
 
 825
 213
CRT securities 493
 
 5
 (74) 424
 (69)
Legacy Non-Agency MBS 1,941
 (88) 2
 (41) 1,814
 (127)
Agency MBS 2,698
 (160) 
 9
 2,547
 (151)
Totals $12,053
 $(693) $1,203
 $(141) $12,422
 $369

addition, we acquired approximately $112.7 million of MSR related assets, $56.1 million of RPL/NPL MBS, $20.6 million of CRT securities and $4.6 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS.
(1)
Primarily includes principal repayments, cash collections on Purchased Credit Impaired Loans and sales of REO.
(2)
Primarily includes sales of residential mortgage securities, changes in fair value, net premium amortization/discount accretion and adjustments to record lower of cost or estimated fair value adjustments on REO. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we sold CRT securities for $83.4 million, realizing gains of $6.5 million and sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $126.1 million, realizing gains of $18.2 million.

At March 31, 2018, $3.4 billion, or 34.6% of our residential mortgage asset portfolio, was invested in Non-Agency MBS.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the fair value of our Non-Agency MBS holdings decreased by $135.7 million. The primary components of the change during the quarter in these Non-Agency MBS were $167.6 million of principal repayments and other principal reductions, the sale of Non-Agency MBS with a fair value of $19.4 million and a decrease reflecting Non-Agency MBS price changes of $9.4 million partially offset by $60.7 million of purchases (at a weighted average purchase price of 99% of par).

At March 31, 2018,2019, our total recorded investment in residential whole loans and REO was $2.7$5.5 billion, or 27.0%44.5% of our residential mortgage asset portfolio. Of this amount, $1.1(i) $3.7 billion is presented as Residential whole loans, at carrying value (of which $3.0 billion were Purchased Performing Loans and $1.6$773.9 million were Purchased Credit Impaired Loans), and (ii) $1.5 billion as Residential whole loans, at fair value, in our consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, we recognized approximately $14.3$49.6 million of income on residentialResidential whole loans, held at carrying value in Interest Income on our consolidated statements of operations, representing an effective yield of 5.81%5.89% (excluding servicing costs). In addition, we recorded a net gain on residential whole loans heldmeasured at fair value through earnings of $38.5$25.3 million in Other Income, net in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

2019. At March 31, 2018, $2.6 billion, or 26.9% of our residential mortgage asset portfolio, was invested in Agency MBS.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the fair value of our Agency MBS decreased by $177.5 million due to $161.7 million of principal repayments, $5.7 million of premium amortization2019 and $10.1 million in net unrealized losses.

At March 31, 2018, our total investment in CRT securities was $679.5 million and was in an overall unrealized gain position of $55.2 million. During the three months ended MarchDecember 31, 2018, we acquired $20.6 million of CRT securities, received $5.5 million of principal repayments and had REO with an unrealized loss recognized in net income on this portfolio for the quarter of approximately $880,000. At March 31, 2018, our total investment in MSR related assets was $455.1 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 we acquired $112.7 million of MSR related assets and had $150.0 million of principal repayments on term notes backed by MSR related collateral.

We will continue to seek investments in residential mortgage assets during 2018. The investment landscape is challenging, as market pricing for all asset classes remains high, thereby making it difficult to purchase assets at attractive risk/reward levels. In addition, unlike Agency MBS, certain of our other asset classes are not always available for purchase, as sellers offer these investments from time to time as opposed to more liquid markets which feature active buyers and sellers at nearly all times. We expect that our investment focus will be primarily on additional residential whole loans, RPL/NPL MBS and MSR related assets.

Our book value per common share was $7.62 as of March 31, 2018, a decline from book value per common share of $7.70 as of December 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily due to the impact of fair value changes of Legacy Non-Agency MBS and Agency MBS, and the impact of discount accretion income on Legacy Non-Agency MBS that was recognized and declared as dividends during the quarter. This was partially offset by an increase in the fairaggregate carrying value of Swaps.$290.6 million and $249.4 million, respectively, which is included in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

At the end of the first quarter of 2018,2019, the average coupon on mortgages underlying our Agency MBS was higher compared to the end of the first quarter of 2017,2018, due to upward resets on securities within the portfolio.portfolio, purchases of higher coupon Agency MBS and the impact of sales of lower coupon Agency MBS during 2018.  As a result, the coupon yield on our Agency MBS portfolio increased to 3.69% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from 3.02% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 2.90% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and the net Agency MBS yield increased to 2.77% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from 2.21% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from 1.98% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.2018. The net yield for our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio was 10.45% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 9.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 8.90% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.2018.  The increase in the net yield on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio reflects changes in interest rates since the first quarter of the prior year, the improved performance of loans underlying the Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio, which has resulted in credit reserve releases and changeshigher accretion income recognized in interest rates since the firstcurrent quarter due the impact of the prior year.cash proceeds received during 2018 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain residential mortgage backed securitization trusts. The net yield for our RPL/NPL MBS portfolio was 4.90% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 4.36% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 3.87% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.2018.  The increase in the net yield reflects an increase in the average coupon yield to 4.86% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from 4.35% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from 3.84% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.2018.
 
We believe that our $572.6$501.6 million Credit Reserve and OTTI appropriately factors in remaining uncertainties regarding underlying mortgage performance and the potential impact on future cash flows for our existing Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio.  In addition, while the majority of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS will not return their full face value due to loan defaults, we believe that they will deliver attractive loss adjusted yields due to our discounted weighted average amortized cost basis of 71%68% of face value at March 31, 2018.2019. Home price appreciation and underlying mortgage loan amortization have decreased the LTV for many of the mortgages underlying our Legacy Non-Agency portfolio. Home price appreciation during the past few years has generally been driven by a combination of limited housing supply due partly to low levels of new home construction, low

mortgage rates and demographic-driven U.S. household formation. Lower

LTVs lessen the likelihood of defaults and simultaneously decrease loss severities. Further, during 20172018 and the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, we have also observed faster voluntary prepayment (i.e., prepayment of loans in full with no loss) speeds than originally projected. The yields on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount are generally positively impacted if prepayment rates on these securities exceed our prepayment assumptions. Based on these current conditions, we have reduced estimated future losses within our Legacy Non-Agency portfolio. As a result,
Our book value per common share was $7.11 as of March 31, 2019. Book value per common share decreased slightly from $7.15 as of December 31, 2018 as our portfolio continued to deliver relatively stable book value.

Repurchase agreement funding for our residential mortgage investments continued to be available to us from multiple counterparties during the three months endedfirst quarter of 2019.  Typically, repurchase agreement funding involving credit-sensitive investments is available at terms requiring higher collateralization and higher interest rates than for repurchase agreement funding involving Agency MBS.  At March 31, 2018, $7.1 million was transferred from Credit Reserve to accretable discount.  This increase2019, our debt consisted of borrowings under repurchase agreements with 26 counterparties, securitized debt, Senior Notes outstanding and payable for unsettled purchases, resulting in accretable discount is expected to increase the interest income realized over the remaining lifea debt-to-equity multiple of 2.7 times.  (See table on page 71 under Results of Operations that presents our Legacy Non-Agency MBS. We believe that the majority of the impact on interest income from the reduction in Credit Reserve will occur over the next ten years.quarterly leverage multiples since March 31, 2018.)

At March 31, 2018,2019, we have access to various sources of liquidity which we estimate to be in excess of $838.3$217.4 million. This amount includes (i) $214.7$76.6 million of cash and cash equivalents; (ii) $169.9$78.7 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Agency MBS and from other Agency MBS collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements; and (iii) $453.7$62.1 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Non-Agency MBS and from other Non-Agency MBS and CRT collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements. Our sources of liquidity do not include restricted cash. In addition, we have $1.1 billion of unencumbered residential whole loans. We are evaluating potential opportunities to finance these assets including loan securitization. With access to multiple sources of liquidity and potential financing opportunities for unencumbered residential whole loans, we believe that we are positioned to continue to take advantage of investment opportunities within the residential mortgage marketplace. 

Repurchase agreement fundingThe net interest spread of our investment portfolio was 1.98% and 2.25% for our residential mortgage investments continued to be available to us from multiple counterparties during the first quarter of 2018.  Typically, repurchase agreement funding involving credit-sensitive investments is available at terms requiring higher collateralization and higher interest rates than for repurchase agreement funding involving Agency MBS.  Atthree months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The change in our debt consistednet interest spread was primarily driven by increased funding costs, reflecting Federal Reserve rate increases during 2018, as well as the impact of borrowings under repurchase agreements with 29 counterparties, securitized debt, Senior Notes outstanding, an obligation to return securities obtainedchanges in funding spreads during this period. Overall portfolio asset yields have also risen as collateralwe have changed the mix of our investments, as portfolio run-off and payable for unsettled purchases, resultingequity raised has been re-invested/deployed in a debt-to-equity multiplehigher yielding investments.

Our estimated net effective duration remained relatively low at 1.07 as of 2.2 times.  (See table on page 71 under Results of Operations that presents our quarterly leverage multiples since March 31, 2017.)2019, as compared to 0.98 at March 31, 2018. We manage our net duration through our investment selection, as well as through the use of interest rate swaps. In addition, our low leverage limits our sensitivity to changes in interest rates.



Information About Our Assets

The tablestable below presentpresents certain information about our asset allocation at March 31, 20182019:
 
ASSET ALLOCATION
 Agency MBS 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 
RPL/NPL MBS (1)
 Credit Risk Transfer Securities MSR Related Assets 
Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value (2)
 Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value 
Other,
net (3)
 Total
(Dollars in Millions)  
  
          
  
  
 Agency MBS 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 
RPL/NPL MBS (1)
 Credit Risk Transfer Securities 
Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value (2)
 Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value MSR-Related Assets 
Other,
net (3)
 Total
Fair Value/Carrying Value $2,647
 $2,463
 $935
 $679
 $455
 $1,100
 $1,556
 $421
 $10,256
 $2,547
 $1,814
 $1,285
 $424
 $3,724
 $1,512
 $825
 $540
 $12,671
Less Payable for Unsettled Purchases 
 
 
 
 
 (14) 
 
 (14)
Less Repurchase Agreements (2,339) (1,662) (569) (467) (293) (353) (876) 
 (6,559) (2,353) (1,360) (1,009) (339) (2,151) (596) (648) (54) (8,510)
Less Securitized Debt 
 
 
 
 
 (152) (199) 
 (351) 
 
 
 
 (155) (504) 
 
 (659)
Less Senior Notes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (97) (97) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (97) (97)
Net Equity Allocated $308
 $801
 $366
 $212
 $162
 $581
 $481
 $324
 $3,235
 $194
 $454
 $276
 $85
 $1,418
 $412
 $177
 $389
 $3,405
Debt/Net Equity Ratio (4)
 7.6x 2.1x 1.6x 2.2x 1.8x 0.9x 2.2x   2.2x 12.1x 3.0x 3.7x 4.0x 1.6x 2.7x 3.7x   2.7x

(1)RPL/NPL MBS are backed primarily by securitized re-performing and non-performing loans. The securities are generally structured such that the coupon increases up tofrom 300 - 400 basis points at 36 - 48 months from issuance or sooner. Included with the balance of Non-Agency MBS reported on our consolidated balance sheets.
(2)The carrying valueIncludes $1.9 billion of suchNon-QM loans, reflects the purchase price, accretion$621.3 million of income, cash receivedRehabilitation loans, $227.5 million of Single-family rental loans, $215.4 million of Seasoned performing loans and provision for loan losses since acquisition.$773.9 million of Purchased Credit Impaired Loans. At March 31, 2018,2019, the total fair value of suchthese loans is estimated to be approximately $1.2$3.8 billion.
(3)Includes cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, securities obtained and pledged as collateral, other assets obligation to return securities obtained as collateral and other liabilities.     
(4)Represents the sum of borrowings under repurchase agreements, securitized debt and payable for unsettled purchases as a multiple of net equity allocated.  The numerator of our Total Debt/Net Equity Ratio also includes the obligation to return securities obtained as collateral of $254.0 million and Senior Notes.


Agency MBS
 
The following table presentstables present certain information regarding the composition of our Agency MBS portfolio as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:
 
March 31, 20182019
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Low Loan Balance (3)
 $900,859
 104.3% 100.2% $902,539
 70
 2.94% 9.2%
HARP (4)
 86,649
 104.7
 100.2
 86,825
 69
 2.94
 7.9
Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 76,003
 104.0
 103.5
 78,673
 90
 4.14
 11.7
Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 290
 104.9
 103.7
 300
 106
 4.50
 1.8
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $1,063,801
 104.3% 100.4% $1,068,337
 71
 3.03% 9.3%
               
Hybrid:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 $970,305
 104.4% 103.8% $1,007,056
 81
 3.19% 14.7%
Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 470,389
 101.7
 105.4
 495,664
 136
 3.48
 16.9
Total Hybrid $1,440,694
 103.5% 104.3% $1,502,720
 99
 3.29% 15.4%
CMO/Other $73,437
 102.5% 102.8% $75,487
 200
 3.35% 9.0%
Total Portfolio $2,577,932
 103.8% 102.7% $2,646,544
 90
 3.18% 12.7%
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Low Loan Balance (3)
 $612,979
 104.4% 101.1% $619,513
 83
 3.00% 9.1%
Generic 124,866
 104.4
 102.0
 127,302
 90
 3.49
 8.5
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $737,845
 104.4% 101.2% $746,815
 84
 3.08% 9.0%
               
30-Year Fixed Rate:              
Generic $684,462
 104.0% 104.4% $714,713
 9
 4.50% 12.6%
Total 30-Year Fixed Rate $684,462
 104.0% 104.4% $714,713
 9
 4.50% 12.6%
               
Hybrid $991,821
 103.5% 103.5% $1,026,455
 111
 4.14% 18.0%
CMO/Other $56,288
 102.6% 103.2% $58,090
 203
 4.25% 7.0%
Total Portfolio $2,470,416
 103.9% 103.1% $2,546,073
 77
 3.93% 13.6%

December 31, 20172018

(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Low Loan Balance (3)
 $948,225
 104.3% 101.7% $964,373
 67
 2.95% 10.3%
HARP (4)
 91,131
 104.7
 101.8
 92,800
 66
 2.95
 8.2
Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 81,428
 104.0
 104.5
 85,094
 87
 4.14
 10.7
Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 303
 104.9
 104.4
 316
 103
 4.50
 2.0
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $1,121,087
 104.3% 101.9% $1,142,583
 68
 3.04% 10.2%
               
Hybrid:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 $1,028,630
 104.4% 103.6% $1,065,312
 78
 3.17% 17.7%
Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 511,801
 101.7
 104.7
 535,795
 132
 3.44
 16.0
Total Hybrid $1,540,431
 103.5% 103.9% $1,601,107
 96
 3.26% 17.1%
CMO/Other $76,944
 102.5% 102.8% $79,100
 198
 3.16% 9.9%
Total Portfolio $2,738,462
 103.8% 103.1% $2,822,790
 88
 3.16% 14.1%
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Low Loan Balance (3)
 $647,482
 104.4% 100.0% $647,405
 80
 3.01% 8.2%
Generic 132,713
 104.4
 101.1
 134,220
 88
 3.50
 10.1
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $780,195
 104.4% 100.2% $781,625
 81
 3.09% 8.5%
               
30-Year Fixed Rate:              
Generic $711,158
 104.0% 103.6% $736,498
 6
 4.50% 4.7%
Total 30-Year Fixed Rate $711,158
 104.0% 103.6% $736,498
 6
 4.50% 4.7%
               
Hybrid $1,080,569
 103.5% 103.5% $1,118,638
 108
 3.90% 20.0%
CMO/Other $58,708
 102.6% 102.9% $60,415
 206
 4.05% 18.7%
Total Portfolio $2,630,630
 103.9% 102.5% $2,697,176
 74
 3.82% 12.5%

(1)
Does not include principal payments receivable of $604,000$524,000 and $1.9$1.0 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(2)Weighted average is based on MBS current face at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(3)Low loan balance represents MBS collateralized by mortgages with an original loan balance of less than or equal to $175,000.
(4)Home Affordable Refinance Program (or HARP) MBS are backed by refinanced loans with LTVs greater than or equal to 80% at origination.
(5)MBS issued in June 2009 or later. Majority of underlying loans are ineligible to refinance through the HARP program.
(6)MBS issued before June 2009.

 

The following table presentstables present certain information regarding our 15-year fixed-rate Agency MBS as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:
 
March 31, 2019

Coupon 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Rate
 
Low Loan
Balance
and/or
HARP (3)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
(Dollars in Thousands)                
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
    
  
  
2.5% $342,402
 104.1% 100.0% $342,482
 76 3.03% 100% 7.5%
3.0% 176,827
 105.9
 101.2
 178,867
 80 3.19
 100
 7.8
3.5% 3,581
 103.5
 102.3
 3,661
 101 4.18
 100
 8.5
4.0% 185,318
 103.5
 103.1
 191,003
 100 4.40
 81
 12.6
4.5% 29,717
 105.2
 103.7
 30,802
 104 4.88
 33
 10.2
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $737,845
 104.4% 101.2% $746,815
 84 3.56% 92% 9.0%
                 
30-Year Fixed Rate:                
4.5% $684,462
 104.0% 104.4% $714,713
 9 5.17% % 12.6%
Total 30-Year Fixed Rate $684,462
 104.0% 104.4% $714,713
 9 5.17% % 12.6%
Total Fixed Rate Portfolio $1,422,307
 104.2% 102.8% $1,461,528
 48 4.33% 48% 10.7%

December 31, 2018

Coupon 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Rate
 
Low Loan
Balance
and/or
HARP (3)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
(Dollars in Thousands)                
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
    
  
  
2.5% $552,927
 104.0% 98.8% $546,208
 63 3.04% 100% 8.0%
3.0% 219,995
 105.9
 100.6
 221,385
 69 3.49
 100
 8.8
3.5% 4,835
 103.5
 102.2
 4,943
 89 4.17
 100
 27.0
4.0% 246,448
 103.5
 103.3
 254,558
 88 4.40
 80
 12.2
4.5% 39,596
 105.2
 104.2
 41,243
 92 4.88
 33
 8.6
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $1,063,801
 104.3% 100.4% $1,068,337
 71 3.52% 93% 9.3%

December 31, 2017

Coupon 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Rate
 
Low Loan
Balance
and/or
HARP (3)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Rate
 
Low Loan
Balance
and/or
HARP (3)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
(Dollars in Thousands)                                
15-Year Fixed Rate:  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
2.5% $579,003
 104.0% 100.5% $581,866
 60 3.04% 100% 9.3% $359,252
 104.1% 98.6% $354,252
 73 3.03% 100% 6.4%
3.0% 231,325
 105.9
 102.2
 236,316
 66 3.49
 100
 9.5
 185,912
 105.9
 100.3
 186,548
 77 3.49
 100
 8.4
3.5% 5,402
 103.5
 103.4
 5,587
 86 4.18
 100
 23.0
 3,798
 103.5
 101.4
 3,853
 98 4.18
 100
 12.8
4.0% 263,447
 103.5
 104.3
 274,783
 85 4.40
 80
 12.4
 199,352
 103.5
 102.4
 204,055
 97 4.40
 81
 11.9
4.5% 41,910
 105.2
 105.1
 44,031
 89 4.88
 34
 10.2
 31,881
 105.3
 103.3
 32,917
 101 4.88
 34
 12.7
Total 15-Year Fixed Rate $1,121,087
 104.3% 101.9% $1,142,583
 68 3.52% 93% 10.2% $780,195
 104.4% 100.2% $781,625
 81 3.57% 92% 8.5%
              
30-Year Fixed Rate:              
4.5% $711,158
 104.0% 103.6% $736,498
 6 5.17% % 4.7%
Total 30-Year Fixed Rate $711,158
 104.0% 103.6% $736,498
 6 5.17% % 4.7%
Total Fixed Rate Portfolio $1,491,353
 104.2% 101.8% $1,518,123
 45 4.33% 48% 6.8%

(1)Does not include principal payments receivable of $604,000$524,000 and $1.9$1.0 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(2)Weighted average is based on MBS current face at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(3)Low Loan Balance represents MBS collateralized by mortgages with an original loan balance less than or equal to $175,000.  HARPHome Affordable Refinance Program (or HARP) MBS are backed by refinanced loans with LTVs greater than or equal to 80% at origination.


The following table presentstables present certain information regarding our Hybrid Agency MBS as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:
 
March 31, 20182019
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Months to
Reset (3)
 
Interest
Only (4)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
Hybrid Post June 2009:                  
Agency 5/1 $377,789
 104.3% 105.2% $397,257
 3.52% 92 5 27% 13.6%
Agency 7/1 427,460
 104.4
 103.6
 442,987
 2.96
 76 11 26
 16.2
Agency 10/1 165,056
 104.6
 101.1
 166,812
 3.07
 71 48 65
 13.3
Total Hybrids Post June 2009 $970,305
 104.4% 103.8% $1,007,056
 3.19% 81 15 33% 14.7%
                   
Hybrid Pre June 2009:                  
Coupon < 4.5% (5)
 $469,654
 101.7% 105.4% $494,903
 3.48% 136 5 11% 16.8%
Coupon >= 4.5% (6)
 735
 105.7
 103.6
 761
 4.56
 120 8 
 31.9
Total Hybrids Pre June 2009 $470,389
 101.7% 105.4% $495,664
 3.48% 136 5 11% 16.9%
Total Hybrids $1,440,694
 103.5% 104.3% $1,502,720
 3.29% 99 12 26% 15.4%
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Months to
Reset (3)
 
Interest
Only (4)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
Hybrid                  
Agency 3/1 $61,922
 102.6% 104.5% $64,727
 4.57% 154 5 % 12.4%
Agency 5/1 425,321
 103.3
 104.1
 442,590
 4.54
 122 5 15
 18.5
Agency 7/1 346,195
 103.6
 103.6
 358,646
 3.99
 99 6 20
 24.1
Agency 10/1 158,383
 104.3
 101.3
 160,492
 3.21
 89 33 60
 5.0
Total Hybrids $991,821
 103.5% 103.5% $1,026,455
 4.14% 111 10 23% 18.0%

December 31, 20172018

(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Months to
Reset (3)
 
Interest
Only (4)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
Hybrid Post June 2009:                  
Agency 5/1 $398,801
 104.3% 104.6% $416,978
 3.47% 89 5 27% 16.7%
Agency 7/1 456,295
 104.4
 103.3
 471,142
 2.94
 73 13 25
 20.8
Agency 10/1 173,534
 104.6
 102.1
 177,192
 3.08
 68 51 64
 11.8
Total Hybrids Post June 2009 $1,028,630
 104.4% 103.6% $1,065,312
 3.17% 78 16 32% 17.7%
                   
Hybrid Pre June 2009:  
  
  
  
  
      
  
Coupon < 4.5% (5)
 $509,290
 101.6% 104.7% $533,183
 3.43% 132 6 19% 16.1%
Coupon >= 4.5% (6)
 2,511
 103.2
 104.0
 2,612
 5.13
 119 2 42
 1.0
Total Hybrids Pre June 2009 $511,801
 101.7% 104.7% $535,795
 3.44% 132 5 19% 16.0%
Total Hybrids $1,540,431
 103.5% 103.9% $1,601,107
 3.26% 96 13 28% 17.1%
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Months to
Reset (3)
 
Interest
Only (4)
 3 Month
Average
CPR
Hybrid                  
Agency 3/1 $66,369
 102.6% 104.7% $69,478
 4.42% 151 6 % 14.7%
Agency 5/1 462,833
 103.3
 104.2
 482,466
 4.30
 118 5 15
 20.6
Agency 7/1 389,734
 103.7
 103.5
 403,471
 3.62
 96 6 20
 23.7
Agency 10/1 161,633
 104.3
 101.0
 163,223
 3.20
 86 36 59
 11.2
Total Hybrids $1,080,569
 103.5% 103.5% $1,118,638
 3.90% 108 10 22% 20.0%

(1)Does not include principal payments receivable of $604,000$524,000 and $1.9$1.0 million at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(2)Weighted average is based on MBS current face at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(3)Weighted average months to reset is the number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate resets.  At reset, the MBS coupon will adjust based upon the underlying benchmark interest rate index, margin and periodic or lifetime caps.  The months to reset do not reflect scheduled amortization or prepayments.
(4)Interest only represents MBS backed by mortgages currently in their interest-only period.  Percentage is based on MBS current face at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(5)Agency 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 Hybrid ARM-MBS with coupon less than 4.5%.
(6)Agency 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 Hybrid ARM-MBS with coupon greater than or equal to 4.5%.



Non-Agency MBS
 
The following table presents information with respect to our Non-Agency MBS at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:
(In Thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 
Non-Agency MBS  
  
   
  
 
Face/Par $3,582,856
 $3,718,743
  $3,285,688
 $3,538,804
 
Fair Value 3,398,254
 3,533,966
  3,099,272
 3,318,299
 
Amortized Cost 2,810,665
 2,910,241
  2,653,931
 2,867,703
 
Purchase Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (572,580)(1)(593,227)(2) (501,619)(1)(516,116)(2)
Purchase Discount Designated as Accretable (199,659) (215,325)  (130,147) (155,025) 
Purchase Premiums 48
 50
  9
 40
 

(1)Includes discount designated as Credit Reserve of $558.5$489.1 million and OTTI of $14.0$12.5 million.
(2)Includes discount designated as Credit Reserve of $579.0$503.3 million and OTTI of $14.2$12.8 million.

Purchase Discounts on Non-Agency MBS
 
The following table presents the changes in the components of purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS with respect to purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI, and accretable purchase discount, for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2018
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2017
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
(In Thousands) Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount
(1) 
 Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
 Accretable Discount (1)
 Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount
(1) 
 Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
 Accretable Discount (1)
Balance at beginning of period $(593,227) $(215,325) $(694,241) $(278,191) $(516,116) $(155,025) $(593,227) $(215,325)
Impact of RMBS Issuer Settlement (2)
 
 (855) 
 
Accretion of discount 
 17,216
 
 21,616
 
 13,307
 
 17,216
Realized credit losses 8,447
 
 12,324
 
 7,504
 
 8,447
 
Purchases (535) 488
 
 
 
 (118) (535) 488
Sales 5,592
 5,105
 19,741
 (3,897) 3,191
 16,346
 5,592
 5,105
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings 
 
 (414) 
Transfers/release of credit reserve 7,143
 (7,143) 9,253
 (9,253) 3,802
 (3,802) 7,143
 (7,143)
Balance at end of period $(572,580) $(199,659) $(653,337) $(269,725) $(501,619) $(130,147) $(572,580) $(199,659)

(1)Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security.
(2)Includes the impact of approximately $855,000 of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2019 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain residential mortgage backed securitization trusts that were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. and affiliated entities.

The following table presents information with respect to the yield components of our Non-Agency MBS for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 RPL/NPL MBS 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 RPL/NPL MBS 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 RPL/NPL MBS 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 RPL/NPL MBS
Non-Agency MBS                
Coupon Yield (1)
 5.91% 4.35% 5.50% 3.84% 6.78% 4.86% 5.91% 4.35%
Effective Yield Adjustment (2)
 3.53
 0.01
 3.40
 0.03
 3.67
 0.04
 3.53
 0.01
Net Yield 9.44% 4.36% 8.90% 3.87% 10.45% 4.90% 9.44% 4.36%

(1)Reflects the annualized coupon interest income divided by the average amortized cost.  The discounted purchase price on Legacy Non-Agency MBS causes the coupon yield to be higher than the pass-through coupon interest rate.
(2)The effective yield adjustment is the difference between the net yield, calculated utilizing management’s estimates of timing and amount of future cash flows for Legacy Non-Agency MBS and RPL/NPL MBS, less the current coupon yield.


Actual maturities of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities because actual maturities of MBS are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgage loans, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.  The following table presents certain information regarding the amortized costs, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of our MBS at March 31, 20182019 and does not reflect the effect of prepayments or scheduled principal amortization on our MBS:
 
 Within One Year One to Five Years Five to Ten Years Over Ten Years Total MBS Within One Year One to Five Years Five to Ten Years Over Ten Years Total MBS
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Total
Amortized
Cost
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Total
Amortized
Cost
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
Agency MBS:      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Fannie Mae $
 % $60
 2.30% $598,529
 2.19% $1,517,074
 2.40% $2,115,663
 $2,106,021
 2.34% $
 % $172
 3.30% $477,150
 2.06% $1,178,077
 2.76% $1,655,399
 $1,641,215
 2.56%
Freddie Mac 
 
 
 
 400,916
 1.96
 154,346
 2.30
 555,262
 535,084
 2.05
 
 
 
 
 297,421
 1.92
 610,266
 3.66
 907,687
 900,691
 3.09
Ginnie Mae 
 
 
 
 95
 2.32
 5,878
 2.67
 5,973
 6,043
 2.66
 
 
 
 
 80
 3.31
 4,570
 3.71
 4,650
 4,691
 3.70
Total Agency MBS $
 % $60
 2.30% $999,540
 2.10% $1,677,298
 2.40% $2,676,898
 $2,647,148
 2.28% $
 % $172
 3.30% $774,651
 2.00% $1,792,913
 3.07% $2,567,736
 $2,546,597
 2.75%
Non-Agency MBS $62,887
 3.63% $243,354
 4.00% $2,740
 3.89% $2,501,684
 8.58% $2,810,665
 $3,398,254
 8.07% $46,982
 12.47% $269,419
 4.10% $2,197
 4.59% $2,335,333
 8.31% $2,653,931
 $3,099,272
 7.96%
Total MBS $62,887
 3.63% $243,414
 4.00% $1,002,280
 2.10% $4,178,982
 6.10% $5,487,563
 $6,045,402
 5.25% $46,982
 12.47% $269,591
 4.10% $776,848
 2.01% $4,128,246
 6.04% $5,221,667
 $5,645,869
 5.40%


CRT Securities

At March 31, 2018,2019, our total investment in CRT securities had an amortized costwas $423.7 million, with a net unrealized gain of $624.3 million, a fair value of $679.5$9.9 million, a weighted average yield of 6.40%5.42% and a weighted average time to maturity of 9.111.3 years. At December 31, 2017,2018, our total investment in CRT securities had an amortized costwas $492.8 million, with a net unrealized gain of $608.1 million, a fair value of $664.4$6.6 million, a weighted average yield of 6.02%5.85% and weighted average time to maturity of 9.2 years.

During three months ended March 31, 2019, we sold certain CRT securities for $83.4 million, realizing gains of $6.5 million. The net income impact of these sales, after reversal of previously unrealized gains on CRT securities on which we had elected the fair value option, was approximately $909,000.



Residential Whole Loans

The following table presents the contractual maturities of our residential whole loans held by consolidated trusts and certain entities established in connection with our loan securitization transactions at March 31, 20182019 and does not reflect estimates of prepayments or scheduled amortization. For residential whole loansPurchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value, amounts presented are estimated based on the underlying loan contractual amounts.

(In Thousands) 
Residential Whole Loans,
at Carrying Value (1)
 
Residential Whole Loans,
at Fair Value
 
Purchased
Performing Loans
 (1)
 Purchased Credit
Impaired Loans
 Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value
Amount due:    
      
Within one year $70,887
 $10,043
 $484,759
 $311
 $8,834
After one year:   ��      
Over one to five years 24,431
 11,855
 158,729
 4,959
 9,196
Over five years 991,033
 1,533,722
 2,307,217
 768,671
 1,494,307
Total due after one year $1,015,464
 $1,545,577
 $2,465,946
 $773,630
 $1,503,503
Total residential whole loans $1,086,351
 $1,555,620
 $2,950,705
 $773,941
 $1,512,337

(1)Excludes approximately $13.5 million of residential whole loans held at carrying value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of March 31, 2018.

(1) Excludes an allowance for loan losses of $500,000 at March 31, 2019.

The following table presents, at March 31, 2018,2019, the dollar amount of certain of our residential whole loans, held at fair value, contractually maturing after one year, and indicates whether the loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates:

(In Thousands) 
Residential Whole Loans,
at Fair Value (1)
 
Purchased
Performing Loans
(1)
 
Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value (1)
Interest rates:  
    
Fixed $707,097
 $664,069
 $946,545
Adjustable 838,480
 1,801,877
 556,958
Total $1,545,577
 $2,465,946
 $1,503,503

(1)Includes loans on which borrowers have defaulted and are not making payments of principal and/or interest as of March 31, 2018.2019.


Information is not presented for purchase credit impaired residential whole loansPurchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value as income is recognized based on pools of assets with similar risk characteristics using an estimated yield based on cash flows expected to be collected over the lives of the loans in such pools rather than on the contractual coupons of the underlying loans.

The following table presents additional information regarding our residential whole loans held at fair value at
MSR-Related Assets

At March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:
  
Residential Whole Loans,
at Fair Value
(Dollars in Thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Loans 90 days or more past due:    
Number of Loans 4,208
 3,984
Aggregate Amount Outstanding $995,986
 $840,572
2018, we had $753.6 million and $538.5 million, respectively, of term notes issued by SPVs that have acquired the rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. At
March 31, 2019, these term notes had an amortized cost of $753.1 million, gross unrealized gains of approximately $505,230, a weighted average yield of 5.44% and a weighted average term to maturity of 4.4 years. At December 31, 2018, these term notes had an amortized cost of $538.5 million, gross unrealized losses of approximately $7,000, a weighted average yield of 5.32% and a weighted average term to maturity of 4.7 years.

IncomeDuring the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company participated in a loan where the Company committed to lend $100.0 million of which approximately $71.8 million was drawn at March 31, 2019. At March 31, 2019, the coupon paid by the borrower on credit impaired residential whole loans held at carrying valuethe drawn amount is recognized based5.87%, the remaining term associated with the loan is 1.4 years and the remaining commitment period on pools of assets with similar credit risk characteristics using an estimated yield based on cash flows expected to be collected over the lives of the loans in such pools rather than the contractual coupons of the underlying loans. As the unit of accountany undrawn amount is at the pool level rather than the individual loan level, none of our residential whole loans held at carrying value are currently considered 90 days or more past due.1.4 years.



Exposure to Financial Counterparties
 
We finance a significant portion of our residential mortgage assets with repurchase agreements and other advances.agreements. In connection with these financing arrangements, we pledge our assets as collateral to secure the borrowing. The amount of collateral pledged will typically exceed the amount of the financing with the extent of over-collateralization ranging from 1%3% to 8%5% of the amount borrowed for U.S. Treasury and Agency MBS collateral, up to 35% for Non-Agency MBS and MSR-related asset collateral, up to 33% for residential whole loan collateral, and up to 50%35% for MSR related asset collateral.other interest-earning assets. Consequently, while repurchase agreement financing results in our recording a liability to the counterparty in our consolidated balance sheets, we are exposed to the counterparty, if during the term of the repurchase agreement financing, a lender should default on its obligation and we are not able to recover our pledged assets. The amount of this exposure is the difference between the amount loaned to us plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by us to the lender including accrued interest receivable on such collateral.
 



The table below summarizes our exposure to our counterparties at March 31, 20182019, by country:
Country 
Number of
Counterparties
 
Repurchase
Agreement
Financing
 
Exposure (1)
 
Exposure as a
Percentage of
MFA Total
Assets
(Dollars in Thousands)         
Number of
Counterparties
 
Repurchase
Agreement
Financing
 
Exposure (1)
 
Exposure as a
Percentage of
MFA Total
Assets
European Countries: (2)
    
  
  
    
  
  
Switzerland (3)
 3 $937,363
 $315,588
 2.97% 2 $1,348,313
 $265,800
 2.08%
United Kingdom 2 1,338,714
 230,158
 1.80
France 2 593,609
 144,886
 1.36
 2 335,682
 92,127
 0.72
United Kingdom 2 384,385
 109,160
 1.03
Holland 1 114,506
 8,001
 0.08
 1 136,762
 10,463
 0.08
Total European 8 2,029,863
 577,635
 5.44% 7 3,159,471
 598,548
 4.68%
Other Countries:    
  
  
    
  
  
United States 14 $3,251,118
 $818,035
 7.71% 14 $3,787,007
 $835,651
 6.53%
Canada (4)
 3 689,589
 193,688
 1.82
 2 923,927
 248,677
 1.94
South Korea 1 295,962
 22,030
 0.17
Japan (5)
 3 363,473
 31,170
 0.29
 2 246,420
 19,472
 0.15
China (5)
 1 289,040
 13,663
 0.13
 1 96,968
 8,041
 0.06
South Korea 1 185,872
 13,498
 0.13
Total Other 22 4,779,092
 1,070,054
 10.08% 20 5,350,284
 1,133,871
 8.85%
Total 30 $6,808,955
(6)$1,647,689
 15.52% 27 $8,509,755
 $1,732,419
 13.53%

(1)Represents for each counterparty the amount of cash and/or securities pledged as collateral less the aggregate of repurchase agreement financing and net interest receivable/payable on all such instruments.
(2)Includes European-based counterparties as well as U.S.-domiciled subsidiaries of the European parent entity.
(3)Includes London branch of one counterparty and Cayman Islands branch of the other counterparty.
(4)Includes Canada-based counterparties as well as U.S.-domiciled subsidiaries of Canadian parent entities. In the case of one counterparty, also includes exposure of $174.1$248.7 million to a Barbados-based affiliate of the Canadian parent entity.
(5)Exposure is to U.S.-domiciled subsidiary of the Japanese or Chinese parent entity, as the case may be.
(6)Includes $250.0 million of repurchase agreements entered into in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with a single counterparty.

 
At March 31, 2018,2019, we did not use credit default swaps or other forms of credit protection to hedge the exposures summarized in the table above.
 
Uncertainty in the global financial market and weak economic conditions in Europe, including as a result of the United Kingdom’s recent vote to leave the European Union (commonly known as “Brexit”), could potentially impact our major European financial counterparties, with the possibility that this would also impact the operations of their U.S. domiciled subsidiaries. This could adversely affect our financing and operations as well as those of the entire mortgage sector in general. Management monitors our exposure to our repurchase agreement counterparties on a regular basis, using various methods, including review of recent rating agency actions or other developments and by monitoring the amount of cash and securities collateral pledged and the associated loan amount under repurchase agreements with our counterparties. We intend to make reverse margin calls on our counterparties to recover excess collateral as permitted by the agreements governing our financing arrangements, or take other necessary actions to reduce the amount of our exposure to a counterparty when such actions are considered necessary. 


Tax Considerations
 
Current period estimated taxable income

We estimate that for the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, our taxable income was approximately $66.1$88.7 million. Based on dividends paid or declared during the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, we have undistributed taxable income of approximately $40.5$32.0 million, or $0.10$0.07 per share. We have until the filing of our 20182019 tax return (due not later than October 15, 2019)2020) to declare the distribution of any 20182019 REIT taxable income not previously distributed.


Key differences between GAAP net income and REIT Taxable Income for Non-Agency MBSResidential Mortgage Securities and Residential Whole Loans
 
Our total Non-Agency MBS portfolio for tax differs from our portfolio reported for GAAP primarily due to the fact that for tax purposes: (i) certain of the MBS contributed to the VIEs used to facilitate MBS resecuritization transactions were deemed to be sold; and (ii) the tax basis of underlying MBS considered to be reacquired in connection with the unwind of such transactions becomesbecame the fair value of such securities at the time of the unwind. For GAAP reporting purposes the underlying MBS that were included in these MBS resecuritization transactions were not considered to be sold. Similarly, for tax purposes the residential whole loans contributed to the VIE used to facilitate our second quarter 2017 loan securitization transaction were deemed to be sold for tax purposes, but not for GAAP reporting purposes. In addition, for our Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loan tax portfolios, potential timing differences arise with respect to the accretion of market discount and amortization of premium into income andas well as the recognition of realized losses for tax purposes as compared to GAAP.  Further, use of fair value accounting for certain residential mortgage securities and residential whole loans for GAAP, but not tax, also gives rise to potential timing differences. Consequently, our REIT taxable income calculated in a given period may differ significantly from our GAAP net income.
 
The determination of taxable income attributable to Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans is dependent on a number of factors, including principal payments, defaults, loss mitigation efforts and loss severities.  In estimating taxable income for Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans during the year, management considers estimates of the amount of discount expected to be accreted.  Such estimates require significant judgment and actual results may differ from these estimates.  Moreover, the deductibility of realized losses from Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans and their effect on market discount accretion and premium amortization are analyzed on an asset-by-asset basis and, while they will result in a reduction of taxable income, this reduction tends to occur gradually and primarily for Non-Agency MBS in periods after the realized losses are reported. In addition, for MBSsecuritization and resecuritization transactions that were treated as a sale of the underlying MBS or residential whole loans for tax purposes, taxable gain or loss, if any, resulting from the unwind of such transactions is not recognized in GAAP net income.
 
Securitization transactions result in differences between GAAP net income and REIT Taxable Income
 
For tax purposes, depending on the transaction structure, a securitization and/or resecuritization transaction may be treated either as a sale or a financing of the underlying collateral.  Income recognized from securitization and resecuritization transactions will differ for tax and GAAP purposes.  For tax purposes, we own and may in the future acquire interests in securitization and/or resecuritization trusts, in which several of the classes of securities are or will be issued with original issue discount (or OID).  As the holder of the retained interests in the trust, we generally will be required to include OID in our current gross interest income over the term of the applicable securities as the OID accrues.  The rate at which the OID is recognized into taxable income is calculated using a constant rate of yield to maturity, with realized losses impacting the amount of OID recognized in REIT taxable income once they are actually incurred.  Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or TCJA), the timing of REIT taxable income may be affected by when we include such income for financial accounting purposes. For tax purposes, REIT taxable income may be recognized in excess of economic income (i.e., OID) or in advance of the corresponding cash flow from these assets, thereby affecting our dividend distribution requirement to stockholders. In addition, for securitization and/or resecuritization transactions that were treated as a sale of the underlying collateral for tax purposes, the unwind of any such transaction will likely result in a taxable gain or loss that is likely not recognized in GAAP net income since securitization and resecuritization transactions are typically accounted for as financing transactions for GAAP purposes. The tax basis of underlying residential whole loans or MBS re-acquired in connection with the unwind of such transactions becomes the fair market value of such assets at the time of the unwind.


Regulatory Developments
 
The U.S. Congress, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, System, U.S. Treasury, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, SEC and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken and continue to consider additional actions in response to the 2007-2008 financial crisis.  In

particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (or the Dodd-Frank Act) created a new regulator, an independent bureau housed within the Federal Reserve System, and known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (or the CFPB). The CFPB has broad authority over a wide range of consumer financial products and services, including mortgage lending and servicing.  One portion of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (or Mortgage Reform Act), contains underwriting and servicing standards for the mortgage industry, restrictions on compensation for mortgage loan originators, and various other requirements related to mortgage origination.origination and servicing.  In addition, 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.


The Dodd-Frank Act requires that numerous regulations be issued, many of which (including those mentioned above regarding servicing, underwriting and mortgage loan originator compensation) have only recently been implemented and operationalized. 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 MBS and/or residential mortgage loans, the securitization industry, Swaps and other derivatives.  However, at a minimum, 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.

In addition to the regulatory actions being implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act, on August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release under which it is reviewing interpretive issues related to Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act.  Section 3(c)(5)(C) excludes from the definition of “investment company” entities that are primarily engaged in, among other things, “purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.”  Many companies that engage in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related instruments seek to rely on existing interpretations of the SEC Staff with respect to Section 3(c)(5)(C) so as not to be deemed an investment company for the purpose of regulation under the Investment Company Act.  In connection with the concept release, the SEC requested comments on, among other things, whether it should reconsider its existing interpretation of Section 3(c)(5)(C). To date the SEC has not taken or otherwise announced any further action in connection with the concept release.

The FHFAFederal Housing Finance Agency (or FHFA) and both houses of Congress have discussed and considered separate measures intended to restructure the U.S. housing finance system and the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Congress may continue to consider legislation that would significantly reform the country’s mortgage finance system, including, among other things, eliminating Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and replacing them with a single new MBS insurance agency. Many details remain unsettled, including the scope and costs of the agencies’ guarantee and their affordable housing mission, some of which could be addressed even in the absence of large-scale reform.  While the likelihood of enactment of major mortgage finance system reform 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.  As the FHFA and both houses of Congress continue to consider various measures intended to dramatically restructure the U.S. housing finance system and the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we expect debate and discussion on the topic to continue throughout 2018.2019. In June 2018, the Trump Administration proposed a plan that would end the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and privatize the GSEs. However, we cannot be certain whether alternative plans may be proposed by the Trump Administration or if any housing and/or mortgage-related legislation will emerge from committee, or be approved by Congress, and if so, what the effect would be on our business.

Additional Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following is a summary of certain additional material federal income tax considerations with respect to the ownership of our stock. This summary supplements and should be read together with “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus dated November 16, 2016 and filed as part of our registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-214659).

Taxation of Foreign Owners

Foreign Owners that are “qualified shareholders” or “qualified foreign pension funds” may be eligible for additional exemptions from Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (or FIRPTA) withholding. REIT distributions that are exempt from FIRPTA withholding may still be subject to regular U.S. withholding tax.

Results of Operations

Quarter Ended March 31, 20182019 Compared to the Quarter Ended March 31, 20172018
 
General
 
For the first quarter of 2018,2019, we had net income available to our common stock and participating securities of $79.6$85.1 million, or $0.20$0.19 per basic and diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stock and participating securities of $74.3$79.6 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2017.2018. The increase in net income available to common stock and participating securities primarily reflects higher othernet interest income primarily driven primarily by higher net gains realized onincreased investment in residential whole loans held at carrying value, higher net Other income, which resulted from higher net realized gains on sale of residential mortgage securities and unrealized gains on residential mortgage securities measured at fair value. This increase wasvalue through earnings, partially offset by a decrease in ourlower net interest income primarilygains on our Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBSresidential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings. In addition, operating and RPL/NPL MBS portfoliosother expenses were higher in the current quarter primarily due to higher costs in connection with our residential whole loan portfolio which has grown significantly compared to the prior year period.

For the first quarter of 2019, Core earnings were $0.17 per basic and lowerdiluted common share, compared to $0.20 per basic and diluted common share for the first quarter of 2018. Core earnings is a non-GAAP measure of our financial performance and is computed by adjusting GAAP net income available to common and participating securities by excluding the impact of unrealized gains and losses on CRT securities accounted for at fair value.certain of our investments. For additional information regarding the calculation of Core earnings, refer to page 71, under the heading “Core Earnings”.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income depends primarily upon the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the corresponding interest rates earned or paid.  Our net interest income varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, the slope of the yield curve (i.e., the differential between long-term and short-term interest rates), borrowing costs (i.e., our interest expense) and prepayment speeds on our MBS.investments.  Interest rates and CPRs (which measure the amount of unscheduled principal prepayment on a bond or loan as a percentage of the bondits unpaid balance) vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty.
 
The changes in average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities and their related yields and costs are discussed in greater detail below under “Interest Income” and “Interest Expense.”
 
For the first quarter of 2018,2019, our net interest spread and margin were 2.25%1.98% and 2.64%2.41%, respectively, compared to a net interest spread and margin of 2.27%2.25% and 2.63%2.64%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2017.2018. Our net interest income decreasedincreased by $13.7$8.7 million, or 20.5%16.4%, to $53.2 million from $66.9$61.9 million for the first quarter of 2017.2019, from $53.2 million for the first quarter of 2018. Current quarter net interest income from Agencyresidential whole loans held at carrying value and RPL/NPL MBS and Non-Agency MBS declinedincreased by approximately $20.1 million compared to the first quarter of 20172018, primarily due to higher average amounts invested in these assets. These increases were offset by lower net interest income from Legacy Non-Agency MBS, CRT securities and Agency MBS compared to the first quarter of 2018 by approximately $17.0$9.8 million, primarily due to lower average amounts invested in these securities and higher funding costs, partially offset by higher yields earned on these securities. These decreases were partially offset by higher net interest income on residential whole loans at carrying value, MSR related assetsour Legacy Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities of approximately $7.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to higher average balances invested in these assets.Agency MBS portfolios. In addition, net interest income also includes $8.8$10.8 million of interest expense associated with residential whole loans held at fair value, reflecting a $4.6$2.1 million increase in borrowing costs related to these investments compared to the first quarter of 2017.2018. Coupon interest income received from residential whole loans at fair value is presented as a component of the total income earned on these investments and therefore is included in Other Income, net rather than net interest income.




Analysis of Net Interest Income
 
The following table sets forth certain information about the average balances of our assets and liabilities and their related yields and costs for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 20172018Average yields are derived by dividing annualized interest income by the average amortized cost of the related assets, and average costs are derived by dividing annualized interest expense by the daily average balance of the related liabilities, for the periods shown.  The yields and costs include premium amortization and purchase discount accretion which are considered adjustments to interest rates.
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
 2018 2017 2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands) Average Balance Interest Average Yield/Cost Average Balance Interest Average Yield/Cost Average Balance Interest Average Yield/Cost Average Balance Interest Average Yield/Cost
Assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest-earning assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Agency MBS (1)
 $2,774,118
 $15,293
 2.21% $3,616,362
 $17,894
 1.98% $2,667,573
 $18,441
 2.77% $2,774,118
 $15,293
 2.21%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 1,950,160
 46,036
 9.44
 2,522,857
 56,104
 8.90
 1,432,014
 37,416
 10.45
 1,950,160
 46,036
 9.44
RPL/NPL MBS (1)
 923,687
 10,066
 4.36
 2,390,957
 23,104
 3.87
 1,353,954
 16,585
 4.90
 923,687
 10,066
 4.36
Total MBS 5,647,965
 71,395
 5.06
 8,530,176
 97,102
 4.55
 5,453,541
 72,442
 5.31
 5,647,965
 71,395
 5.06
CRT securities (1)
 621,056
 9,496
 6.12
 430,355
 6,376
 5.93
 441,528
 6,200
 5.62
 621,056
 9,496
 6.12
MSR related assets (1)
 478,974
 7,623
 6.37
 297,187
 4,734
 6.37
Residential whole loans, at carrying value (2)
 987,082
 14,329
 5.81
 584,641
 8,690
 5.95
 3,368,325
 49,620
 5.89
 987,082
 14,329
 5.81
MSR-related assets (1)
 788,705
 10,620
 5.39
 478,974
 7,623
 6.37
Cash and cash equivalents (3)
 330,460
 909
 1.10
 324,827
 355
 0.44
 156,306
 764
 1.96
 330,460
 909
 1.10
Other interest-earning assets 89,648
 1,306
 5.83
 
 
 
Total interest-earning assets 8,065,537
 103,752
 5.15
 10,167,186
 117,257
 4.61
 10,298,053
 140,952
 5.47
 8,065,537
 103,752
 5.15
Total non-interest-earning assets (2)
 2,791,814
     2,110,316
    
Total non-interest-earning assets 2,494,610
     2,791,814
    
Total assets $10,857,351
     $12,277,502
     $12,792,663
     $10,857,351
    
                        
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Total repurchase agreements and other advances (4)
 $6,519,390
 $45,717
 2.80% $8,494,853
 $48,339
 2.28%
Securitized debt and other 357,819
 2,827
 3.16
 
 
 
Total repurchase agreements (4)
 $8,282,621
 $70,809
 3.42% $6,519,390
 $45,717
 2.80%
Securitized debt 675,678
 6,206
 3.67
 357,819
 2,827
 3.16
Senior Notes 96,776
 2,010
 8.31
 96,737
 2,010
 8.31
 96,819
 2,011
 8.31
 96,776
 2,010
 8.31
Total interest-bearing liabilities 6,973,985
 50,554
 2.90
 8,591,590
 50,349
 2.34
 9,055,118
 79,026
 3.49
 6,973,985
 50,554
 2.90
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities 636,386
     623,085
     320,586
     636,386
    
Total liabilities 7,610,371
     9,214,675
     9,375,704
     7,610,371
    
Stockholders’ equity 3,246,980
     3,062,827
     3,416,959
     3,246,980
    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $10,857,351
     $12,277,502
     $12,792,663
     $10,857,351
    
                        
Net interest income/net interest rate spread (5)
   $53,198
 2.25%   $66,908
 2.27%   $61,926
 1.98%   $53,198
 2.25%
Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin (6)
 $1,091,552
   2.64% $1,575,596
   2.63% $1,242,935
   2.41% $1,091,552
   2.64%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to
interest-bearing liabilities
 1.16x     1.18x    
 

(1)Yields presented throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are calculated using average amortized cost data for securities which excludes unrealized gains and losses and includes principal payments receivable on securities.  For GAAP reporting purposes, purchases and sales are reported on the trade date. Average amortized cost data used to determine yields is calculated based on the settlement date of the associated purchase or sale as interest income is not earned on purchased assets and continues to be earned on sold assets until settlement date.
(2)Excludes residential whole loans held at fair value that are reported as a component of total non-interest-earning assets.
(3)Includes average interest-earning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
(4)Average cost of repurchase agreements includes the cost of Swaps allocated based on the proportionate share of the overall estimated weighted average portfolio duration.
(5)Net interest rate spread reflects the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and average cost of funds.
(6)Net interest margin reflects annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table presents the extent to which changes in interest rates (yield/cost) and changes in the volume (average balance) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected our interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated.  Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) the changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in average balance multiplied by prior rate); (ii) the changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior average balance); and (iii) the net change.  The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately, based on absolute values, to the changes due to rate and volume.
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 Compared to Compared to
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 Increase/(Decrease) due to 
Total Net
Change in
Interest Income/Expense
 Increase/(Decrease) due to 
Total Net
Change in
Interest Income/Expense
(In Thousands) Volume Rate  Volume Rate 
Interest-earning assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
Agency MBS $(4,514) $1,913
 $(2,601) $(611) $3,759
 $3,148
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (13,340) 3,272
 (10,068) (13,159) 4,539
 (8,620)
RPL/NPL MBS (15,682) 2,644
 (13,038) 5,149
 1,370
 6,519
CRT securities 2,910
 210
 3,120
 (2,570) (726) (3,296)
MSR related assets 2,893
 (4) 2,889
Residential whole loans, at carrying value (1)
 5,847
 (208) 5,639
 35,076
 215
 35,291
MSR-related assets 4,317
 (1,320) 2,997
Cash and cash equivalents 6
 548
 554
 (629) 484
 (145)
Other interest-earning assets 1,306
 
 1,306
Total net change in income from interest-earning assets $(21,880) $8,375
 $(13,505) $28,879
 $8,321
 $37,200
            
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Agency repurchase agreements and FHLB advances $(3,286) $2,943
 $(343)
Agency repurchase agreements $(104) $3,758
 $3,654
Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements (3,135) 1,194
 (1,941) (2,522) 35
 (2,487)
RPL/NPL MBS repurchase agreements (8,891) 2,483
 (6,408) 4,193
 808
 5,001
CRT securities repurchase agreements 963
 462
 1,425
 (812) 644
 (168)
MSR related assets repurchase agreements 969
 136
 1,105
MSR-related assets repurchase agreements 2,705
 247
 2,952
Residential whole loans at carrying value repurchase agreements 136
 533
 669
 16,057
 489
 16,546
Residential whole loans at fair value repurchase agreements 1,938
 933
 2,871
 (1,964) 802
 (1,162)
Securitized debt and other 2,827
 
 2,827
Other repurchase agreements 756
 
 756
Securitized debt 2,856
 523
 3,379
Senior Notes 1
 
 1
Total net change in expense of interest-bearing liabilities $(8,479) $8,684
 $205
 $21,166
 $7,306
 $28,472
Net change in net interest income $(13,401) $(309) $(13,710) $7,713
 $1,015
 $8,728
 
(1)Excludes residential whole loans held at fair value which are reported as a component of non-interest-earning assets.


The following table presents certain quarterly information regarding our net interest spread and net interest margin for the quarterly periods presented:
 
  
Total Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-
Bearing Liabilities
 
Net Interest
Spread (1)
 
Net Interest
Margin (2)
Quarter Ended  
March 31, 2018 2.25% 2.64%
December 31, 2017 2.08
 2.54
September 30, 2017 2.02
 2.54
June 30, 2017 2.10
 2.58
March 31, 2017 2.27
 2.63
  
Total Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-
Bearing Liabilities
 
Net Interest
Spread (1)
 
Net Interest
Margin (2)
Quarter Ended  
March 31, 2019 1.98% 2.41%
December 31, 2018 2.17
 2.60
September 30, 2018 2.41
 2.82
June 30, 2018 2.30
 2.66
March 31, 2018 2.25
 2.64
 
(1)Reflects the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and average cost of funds.
(2)Reflects annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

The following table presents the components of the net interest spread earned on our Agency MBS, Legacy Non-Agency MBS and RPL/NPL MBS for the quarterly periods presented:
 
  Agency MBS Legacy Non-Agency MBS RPL/NPL MBS Total MBS
Quarter Ended 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
March 31, 2018 2.21% 1.91% 0.30% 9.44% 3.29% 6.15% 4.36% 2.94% 1.42% 5.06% 2.53% 2.53%
December 31, 2017 2.08
 1.79
 0.29
 9.12
 3.29
 5.83
 4.27
 2.72
 1.55
 4.85
 2.44
 2.41
September 30, 2017 1.97
 1.75
 0.22
 8.93
 3.26
 5.67
 4.43
 2.69
 1.74
 4.74
 2.41
 2.33
June 30, 2017 1.96
 1.57
 0.39
 8.85
 3.28
 5.57
 4.18
 2.46
 1.72
 4.68
 2.29
 2.39
March 31, 2017 1.98
 1.49
 0.49
 8.90
 3.05
 5.85
 3.87
 2.27
 1.60
 4.55
 2.14
 2.41
  Agency MBS Legacy Non-Agency MBS RPL/NPL MBS Total MBS
Quarter Ended 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
March 31, 2019 2.77% 2.53% 0.24 % 10.45% 3.30% 7.15% 4.90% 3.43% 1.47% 5.31% 2.95% 2.36%
December 31, 2018 2.72
 2.36
 0.36
 10.65
 3.30
 7.35
 4.82
 3.27
 1.55
 5.36
 2.82
 2.54
September 30, 2018 2.21
 2.22
 (0.01) 10.76
 3.29
 7.47
 5.01
 3.10
 1.91
 5.49
 2.73
 2.76
June 30, 2018 2.03
 2.04
 (0.01) 9.89
 3.30
 6.59
 4.52
 3.19
 1.33
 5.16
 2.64
 2.52
March 31, 2018 2.21
 1.91
 0.30
 9.44
 3.29
 6.15
 4.36
 2.94
 1.42
 5.06
 2.53
 2.53
 
(1)Reflects annualized interest income on MBS divided by average amortized cost of MBS.
(2)Reflects annualized interest expense divided by average balance of repurchase agreements, and other advances, including the cost of Swaps allocated based on the proportionate share of the overall estimated weighted average portfolio duration and securitized debt. Agency MBS cost of funding includes 26, 43, 44, 49(13), (5), 6, 9, and 6026 basis points and Legacy Non-Agency MBS cost of funding includes 30, 45, 45, 58,(20), (4), 5, 8, and 5830 basis points associated with Swaps to hedge interest rate sensitivity on these assets for the quarters ended March 31, 2018,2019, December 31, 2017,2018, September 30, 2017,2018, June 30, 20172018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(3)Reflects the difference between the net yield on average MBS and average cost of funds on MBS.
 
Interest Income
 
Interest income on our Agency MBS for the first quarter of 2018 decreased2019 increased by $2.6$3.1 million, or 14.5%20.6%, to $15.3$18.4 million from $17.9$15.3 million for the first quarter of 2017.2018.  This decreaseincrease primarily reflects an increase in the net yield on our Agency MBS to 2.77% for the first quarter of 2019 from 2.21% for the first quarter of 2018 partially offset by a $842.2$106.5 million decrease in the average amortized cost of our Agency MBS portfolio, due primarily to portfolio run-off, to $2.7 billion for the first quarter of 2019 from $2.8 billion for the first quarter of 2018 from $3.6 billion for the first quarter of 2017 partially offset by an increase in the net yield on our Agency MBS to 2.21% for the first quarter of 2018 from 1.98% for the first quarter of 2017.2018. At the end of the first quarter of 2018,2019, the average coupon on mortgages underlying our Agency MBS was higher compared to the end of the first quarter of 2017.2018.  In addition, net yield increased due to lower premium amortization, as duringfor the first quarter of 20182019, our Agency MBS portfolio experienced a 12.7%13.6% CPR and we recognized $5.7$6.2 million of net premium amortization compared to a CPR of 15.1%12.7% and $8.3$5.7 million of net premium amortization for the first quarter of 2017.2018. At March 31, 2018,2019, we had net purchase premiums on our Agency MBS of $98.4$96.8 million, or 3.8%3.9% of current par value, compared to net purchase premiums of $104.0$103.0 million, or 3.8%3.9% of par value, at December 31, 2017.2018.
 
Interest income on our Non-Agency MBS decreased $23.1$2.1 million, or 29.2%3.7%, for the first quarter of 20182019 to $56.1$54.0 million compared to $79.2$56.1 million for the first quarter of 2017.2018. This decrease is primarily due to theportfolio run-off and sales, which resulted in a decrease in the average amortized cost of our Non-Agency MBS portfolio of $2.0$87.9 million, or 3.1%, to $2.8 billion or 41.5%, tofor the first quarter of 2019 from $2.9 billion for the first quarter of 2018 from $4.9 billion for the first quarter of 2017.2018. This decrease more than offset the impact of the higher yields generated on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio, which were 9.44%10.45% for the first quarter of 20182019 compared to 8.90%9.44% for

the first quarter of 2017.2018. The increase in

the net yield on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio reflects changes in interest rates since the first quarter of the prior year, the improved performance of loans underlying the Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio, which has resulted in credit reserve releases and changeshigher accretion income recognized in interest rates since the firstcurrent quarter due the impact of the prior year.cash proceeds received during 2018 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain residential mortgage backed securitization trusts that were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. and affiliated entities and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Our RPL/NPL MBS portfolio yielded 4.90% for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 4.36% for the first quarter of 2018 compared to 3.87% for the first quarter of 2017.2018. The increase in the net yield primarily reflects an increase in the average coupon yield to 4.86% for the first quarter of 2019 from 4.35% for the first quarter of 2018 from 3.84% for the first quarter of 2017.2018.

During the first quarter of 2018,2019, we recognized net purchase discount accretion of $17.2$13.3 million on our Non-Agency MBS, compared to $21.6$17.2 million for the first quarter of 2017.2018.  At March 31, 2018,2019, we had net purchase discounts of $770.3$631.3 million, including Credit Reserve and previously recognized OTTI of $572.6$502.7 million, on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS, or 29.1%31.6% of par value.  During the first quarter of 20182019 we reallocated $7.1$3.8 million of purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount.

The following table presents the coupon yield and net yields earned on our Agency MBS, Legacy Non-Agency MBS and RPL/NPL MBS and weighted average CPRs experienced for such MBS for the quarterly periods presented:
 
  Agency MBS Legacy Non-Agency MBS RPL/NPL MBS
Quarter Ended 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average Bond CPR (4)
March 31, 2018 3.02% 2.21% 12.7% 5.91% 9.44% 14.9% 4.35% 4.36% 14.0%
December 31, 2017 3.00
 2.08
 14.1
 5.82
 9.12
 16.3
 4.24
 4.27
 20.1
September 30, 2017 2.98
 1.97
 16.2
 5.63
 8.93
 18.7
 4.24
 4.43
 26.2
June 30, 2017 2.94
 1.96
 16.3
 5.52
 8.85
 18.2
 4.03
 4.18
 36.2
March 31, 2017 2.90
 1.98
 15.1
 5.50
 8.90
 16.8
 3.84
 3.87
 27.1
  Agency MBS Legacy Non-Agency MBS RPL/NPL MBS
Quarter Ended 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average Bond CPR (4)
March 31, 2019 3.69% 2.77% 13.6% 6.78% 10.45% 12.7% 4.86% 4.90% 11.6%
December 31, 2018 3.58
 2.72
 12.5
 6.64
 10.65
 14.7
 4.75
 4.82
 12.9
September 30, 2018 3.32
 2.21
 16.8
 6.32
 10.76
 16.8
 4.56
 5.01
 19.6
June 30, 2018 3.09
 2.03
 16.2
 6.09
 9.89
 15.8
 4.49
 4.52
 20.4
March 31, 2018 3.02
 2.21
 12.7
 5.91
 9.44
 14.9
 4.35
 4.36
 14.0
 
(1)Reflects the annualized coupon interest income divided by the average amortized cost. The discounted purchase price on Legacy Non-Agency MBS causes the coupon yield to be higher than the pass-through coupon interest rate.
(2)Reflects annualized interest income on MBS divided by average amortized cost of MBS.
(3)3 month average CPR weighted by positions as of the beginning of each month in the quarter.
(4)All principal payments are considered to be prepayments for CPR purposes.

Interest income on our residential whole loans held at carrying value increased by $35.3 million, or 246.3%, for the first quarter of 2019, to $49.6 million compared to $14.3 million for the first quarter of 2018. This increase primarily reflects a $2.4 billion increase in the average balance of this portfolio to $3.4 billion for the first quarter of 2019 from $987.1 million for the first quarter of 2018 and an increase in the yield (net of servicing costs) to 5.89% for the first quarter of 2019 from 5.81% for the first quarter of 2018.

Interest Expense
 
Our interest expense for the first quarter of 20182019 increased by $205,000$28.5 million, or 56.3%, to $50.6$79.0 million from $50.3$50.6 million for the first quarter of 2017.2018.  This increase primarily reflects an increase in financing rates on our repurchase agreement financings, and an increase in our average borrowings and securitized debt to finance residential whole loans MSR relatedheld at carrying value, RPL/NPL MBS and MSR-related assets, and CRT securities, which was partially offset by a decrease in our average repurchase agreement borrowings and other advances to finance RPL/NPLour Legacy Non-Agency MBS and Agency MBS portfolios, residential whole loans held at fair value and Non-Agency MBS.CRT securities. The effective interest rate paid on our borrowings increased to 3.49% for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 from 2.90% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 from 2.34% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. 
At March 31, 2018, we had repurchase agreement borrowings of $6.6 billion, of which $2.6 billion was hedged with Swaps.  At March 31, 2018, our Swaps designated in hedging relationships had a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 2.04% and extended 24 months on average with a maximum remaining term of approximately 65 months.2018. 
 
Payments made and/or received on our Swaps designated as hedges for accounting purposes are a component of our borrowing costs and accountedresulted in a reduction in interest expense of $1.2 million, or 5 basis points, for the first quarter of 2019, as compared to an increase in interest expense of $2.8 million, or 16 basis points, for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to interest expense of $7.8 million, or 36 basis points, for the first quarter of 2017.2018.  The weighted average fixed-pay rate on our Swaps designated as hedges increased to 2.04%2.31% for the quarter ended March 31, 20182019 from 1.88%2.04% for the quarter ended and March 31, 2017.2018.  The weighted average variable interest rate received on our Swaps designated as hedges increased to 2.49% for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 from 1.60% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 from 0.79% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, we did not enter into any new Swaps and had no Swaps amortize and/or expire.
2018. 

We expect that our interest expense and funding costs for the remainder of 2018 will be impacted by market interest rates, the amount of our borrowings and incremental hedging activity, existing and future interest rates on our hedging instruments and the extent to which we execute additional longer-term structured financing transactions.  As a result of these variables, our borrowing costs cannot be predicted with any certainty.  (See Notes 5(b), 6 and 14 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, included under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.)
OTTI
We did not recognize any OTTI charges through earnings during the first quarter of 2018. During the first quarter of 2017, we recognized OTTI charges through earnings against certain of our Non-Agency MBS of $414,000. These impairment charges reflected changes in our estimated cash flows for such securities based on an updated assessment of the estimated future performance of the underlying collateral, including the expected principal loss over the term of the securities and changes in the expected timing of receipt of cash flows. At March 31, 2018, we had 448 Agency MBS with a gross unrealized loss of $54.6 million and 22 Non-Agency MBS with a gross unrealized loss of $687,000.  Impairments on Agency MBS in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2018 are considered temporary and not credit related.  Unrealized losses on Non-Agency MBS for which no OTTI was recorded during the quarter are considered temporary based on an assessment of changes in the expected cash flows for such securities, which considers recent bond performance and expected future performance of the underlying collateral.  Significant judgment is used both in our analysis of expected cash flows for our Legacy Non-Agency MBS and any determination of the credit component of OTTI.

Other Income, net

For the first quarter of 2018,2019, Other Income, net increased by $19.7$3.5 million, or 70.3%7.4%, to $47.7$51.2 million compared to $28.0$47.7 million for the first quarter of 2017.2018.  The components of Other Income, net for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018 primarily reflects a $38.5 million net gain recorded on residential whole loans held at fair value and $8.8 million of net gains realized onare summarized in the sale of $19.4 million of Non-Agency MBS. Other Income, net for the first quarter of 2017 primarily reflects a $13.8 million net gain recorded on residential whole loans held at fair value, $5.6 million of unrealized gains on CRT securities accounted for at fair value and $9.7 million of net gains realized on the sale of $160.7 million of Non-Agency MBS and U.S. Treasury securities.table below:

  Quarter Ended March 31,
(In Thousands) 2019 2018
Net gains on residential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings $25,267
 $38,498
Net realized gains on residential mortgage securities sold 24,609
 8,817
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on residential mortgage securities measured at fair value
   through earnings
 8,672
 (880)
Liquidation gains on Purchased Credit Impaired Loans and other loan related income 2,807
 2,505
Net loss on Swaps not designated as hedges for accounting purposes (8,944) 
Net loss on REO properties (1,929) (1,351)
OTTI and other 687
 71
Total Other Income, net $51,169
 $47,660

Operating and Other Expense

For the first quarter of 2018,2019, we had compensation and benefits and other general and administrative expenses of $10.6$13.2 million, or 1.30%1.55% of average equity, compared to $12.0$10.6 million, or 1.57%1.30% of average equity, for the first quarter of 2017.2018.  Compensation and benefits expense decreasedincreased by approximately $1.0$1.8 million to $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, comparedprimarily due to $7.8 million for the first quarter of 2017, which primarily reflects lowerhigher salary expense, incentive compensation accruals and lower expense recognized in connection with long term incentive awards that were granted laterearlier in the current quarter than in the prior year end period. Our other general and administrative expenses decreasedincreased by $393,000$813,000 to $4.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to $3.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to $4.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 primarily due to lowerhigher professional services related costs and lowerhigher costs associated with deferred compensation costs to Directors in the current year period, which were impacted this quarter by changes in the Company’s stock price.

Operating and Other Expense for the first quarter of 20182019 also includes $6.9$11.0 million of loan servicing and other related operating expenses related to our residential whole loan activities. These expenses increased compared to the prior year period by approximately $2.5$4.2 million, or 60.4%, primarily due to increased loan servicing and modification fees, higher loan acquisition related expenses and increases in non-recoverable advances on REO.REO as well higher servicing and related fees associated with this portfolio. In addition, the current year period included a provision for loan losses recorded against Purchased Performing Loans and an increase in the allowance for loan losses on Purchased Credit Impaired residential whole loans.


Selected Financial Ratios
 
The following table presents information regarding certain of our financial ratios at or for the dates presented:
 
At or for the Quarter Ended 
Return on
Average Total
Assets (1)
 
Return on
Average Total
Stockholders’
Equity (2)
 
Total Average
Stockholders’
Equity to Total
Average Assets (3)
 
Dividend Payout
Ratio (4)
 
Leverage Multiple (5)
 
Book Value
per Share
of Common
Stock (6)
March 31, 2018 2.93% 10.27% 29.91% 1.00 2.2 $7.62
December 31, 2017 3.47
 12.29
 29.33
 0.83 2.3 7.70
September 30, 2017 2.10
 7.78
 28.60
 1.33 2.4 7.70
June 30, 2017 2.63
 10.01
 27.59
 1.00 2.5 7.76
March 31, 2017 2.42
 10.19
 24.95
 1.00 2.9 7.66
At or for the Quarter Ended 
Return on
Average Total
Assets (1)
 
Return on
Average Total
Stockholders’
Equity (2)
 
Total Average
Stockholders’
Equity to Total
Average Assets (3)
 
Dividend Payout
Ratio (4)
 
Leverage Multiple (5)
 
Book Value
per Share
of Common
Stock (6)
March 31, 2019 2.66% 10.40% 26.71% 1.05 2.7 $7.11
December 31, 2018 1.87
 6.96
 28.65
 1.54 2.6 7.15
September 30, 2018 2.94
 10.21
 30.15
 1.05 2.3 7.46
June 30, 2018 2.58
 8.74
 31.19
 1.18 2.3 7.54
March 31, 2018 2.93
 10.27
 29.91
 1.00 2.2 7.62

(1)Reflects annualized net income available to common stock and participating securities divided by average total assets.
(2)Reflects annualized net income divided by average total stockholders’ equity.
(3)Reflects total average stockholders’ equity divided by total average assets.
(4)Reflects dividends declared per share of common stock divided by earnings per share.
(5)Represents the sum of borrowings under repurchase agreements, securitized debt, payable for unsettled purchases, and obligations to return securities obtained as collateral and Senior Notes divided by stockholders’ equity.
(6)Reflects total stockholders’ equity less the preferred stock liquidation preference divided by total shares of common stock outstanding.


Core Earnings

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

“Core earnings” is a non-GAAP financial measure of our operating performance, within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Core earnings excludes certain unrealized gains and losses that we are required to include in GAAP Net Income each period because management believes that these items, which to date have typically resulted from short-term market volatility or other market technical factors and not due to changes in fundamental asset cash flows, are not reflective of the economic income generated by our investment portfolio. Accordingly, we believe that the adjustments to compute Core earnings specified below better allow investors and analysts to evaluate our financial results, including by analyzing changes in our Core earnings between periods. In addition to using Core earnings in the evaluation of investment portfolio performance over time, Management considers estimates of periodic Core earnings as an input to the determination of the level of quarterly dividends to common shareholders that are recommended to the Board of Directors for approval and in its forecasting and decision-making processes relating to the allocation of capital between different asset classes.

We believe that Core earnings provides useful supplemental information to both management and investors in evaluating our financial results. Core earnings should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Core earnings does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for Net Income or Cash Flows from Operating Activities, each as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our GAAP net income available to common stock and participating securities to our non-GAAP Core earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2019 2018
GAAP Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities $85,107
 $79,645
Adjustments:    
Unrealized (gain)/loss on CRT securities measured at fair value through earnings (2,690) 880
Unrealized net (gain) on Agency MBS measured at fair value through earnings and related swaps that are not accounted for as hedging transactions (4,840) 
  Total adjustments $(7,530) $880
Core earnings $77,577
 $80,525
     
GAAP earnings per common share $0.19
 $0.20
Core earnings per common share $0.17
 $0.20
Weighted average common shares for earnings per share 450,358
 398,317

Recent Accounting Standards to Be Adopted in Future Periods

Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (or ASU 2017-12). The amendments in this ASU expand an entity’s ability to hedge non-financial and financial risk components and reduce complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. ASU 2017-12 also simplifies certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted in any interim period or fiscal year before the effective date. An entity should apply the amendments of this ASU to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist on the date of adoption using a modified retrospective approach. The presentation and disclosure requirements of ASU 2017-12 should be applied prospectively. In addition, certain transition elections may be made by an entity upon adoption to allow for existing hedging relationships to transition to the newly allowable alternatives within this ASU. We are currently evaluating our adoption timing and the effect that ASU 2017-12 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but do not anticipate that adoption of the new standard would have a significant impact.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, MeasurementsMeasurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (or ASU 2016-13). The amendments in ASU 2016-13 require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced financial statement disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. Under ASU 2016-13, credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP. However, the amendments in this ASU require that credit losses be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, which will allow subsequent reversals in credit loss estimates to be recognized in current income. In addition, the allowance on available-for-sale debt securities will be limited to the extent that the fair value is less than the amortized cost.

ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. A prospective transition approach is

required for debt securities for which an OTTI had been recognized before the effective date. We are currently in the process of updating our system and processes to meet the new requirements of this ASU. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the potential effects that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Under ASU 2016-13, credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP. However, the amendments in this ASU require that credit losses be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, which will allow subsequent reversals in credit loss estimates to be recognized in current income. In addition, the allowance on available-for-sale debt securities will be limited to the extent that the fair value is less than the amortized cost. Based on our initial evaluation of the amendments in this ASU, we anticipate being required to make changes to the way we account for credit impairment losses on our available-for-sale debt securities. Under our current accounting, credit impairment losses are generally required to be recorded as OTTI, which directly reduce the carrying amount of impaired securities, and are recorded in earnings and are not reversed if expected cash flows subsequently recover. Under the new guidance, credit impairments on such securities will be recorded as an allowance for credit losses that are also recorded in earnings, but the allowance can be reversed through earnings in a subsequent period if expected cash flows subsequently recover. We do not expect that transaction to the new available for sale debt securities guidance will result in a material change to our retained earnings.

In addition, we expect that the new guidance will also result in changes to the accounting and presentation of our residential whole loans held at carrying value. We currently anticipate that, upon adoption, the guidance will result in an increase in the gross carrying amount of our residential whole loansPurchased Credit Impaired Loans held at carrying value by the amount of the allowance for loan losses calculated under the new guidance. Thereafter, changes in the expected cash flows of such assets are expected to result in the recognition (or reversal) of an allowance for loan losses that will impact earnings. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the potential effects that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (or ASU 2016-02). The amendments in this ASU establish a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Our significant lease contracts are discussed in Note 10(a) of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Whileaddition, we continue to evaluate the potential impact that adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on our financial reporting, given the relatively limited nature and extent of lease financing transactions that we have entered into, we do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-02guidance will haveresult in an increase in the allowance for credit losses for our Purchased Performing Loans held at carrying value, with a significant impact on our financial position or financial statement disclosures.resulting negative adjustment to retained earnings.



Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
Our principal sources of cash generally consist of borrowings under repurchase agreements and other collateralized financings, payments of principal and interest we receive on our investment portfolio, cash generated from our operating results and, to the extent such transactions are entered into, proceeds from capital market and structured financing transactions.  Our most significant uses of cash are generally to pay principal and interest on our financing transactions, to purchase residential mortgage assets, to make dividend payments on our capital stock, to fund our operations and to make other investments that we consider appropriate.

We seek to employ a diverse capital raising strategy under which we may issue capital stock and other types of securities. To the extent we raise additional funds through capital market transactions, we currently anticipate using the net proceeds from such transactions to acquire additional residential mortgage-related assets, consistent with our investment policy, and for working capital, which may include, among other things, the repayment of our financing transactions.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to access the capital markets at any particular time or on any particular terms.  We have available for issuance an unlimited amount (subject to the terms and limitations of our charter) of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares representing preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, rights and/or units pursuant to our automatic shelf registration statement and, at March 31, 20182019, we had 12.0approximately 11.7 million shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to our DRSPP shelf registration statement.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, we issued 173,97874,463 shares of common stock through our DRSPP, raising net proceeds of approximately $1.2 million. On May 10, 2017,$545,000. During 2018, we closed on the sale of 23,000,000issued approximately 50.9 million shares of common stock including 3,000,000 shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, for grossin a public offering, generating net proceeds of approximately $178.7 million before deducting estimated offering expenses.$389.4 million.

Our borrowings under repurchase agreements are uncommitted and renewable at the discretion of our lenders and, as such, our lenders could determine to reduce or terminate our access to future borrowings at virtually any time.  The terms of the repurchase transaction borrowings under our master repurchase agreements, as such terms relate to repayment, margin requirements and the segregation of all securities that are the subject of repurchase transactions, generally conform to the terms contained in the standard master repurchase agreement published by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (or SIFMA) or the global master repurchase agreement published by SIFMA and the International Capital Market Association.  In addition, each lender typically requires that we include supplemental terms and conditions to the standard master repurchase agreement.  Typical supplemental terms and conditions, which differ by lender, may include changes to the margin maintenance requirements, required haircuts (as defined below), purchase price maintenance requirements, requirements that all controversies related to the repurchase agreement be litigated in a particular jurisdiction and cross default and setoff provisions.
 
With respect to margin maintenance requirements for repurchase agreements secured by harder to value assets, such as Non-Agency MBS, residential whole loans and MSR relatedMSR-related assets, margin calls are typically determined by our counterparties based on their assessment of changes in the fair value of the underlying collateral and in accordance with the agreed upon haircuts specified in the transaction confirmation with the counterparty.  We address margin call requests in accordance with the required terms specified in the applicable repurchase agreement and such requests are typically satisfied by posting additional cash or collateral on the same business day.  We review margin calls made by counterparties and assess them for reasonableness by comparing the counterparty valuation against our valuation determination.  When we believe that a margin call is unnecessary because our assessment of collateral value differs from the counterparty valuation, we typically hold discussions with the counterparty and are able to resolve the matter.  In the unlikely event that resolution cannot be reached, we will look to resolve the dispute based on the remedies available to us under the terms of the repurchase agreement, which in some instances may include the engagement of a third-party to review collateral valuations.  For other agreements that do not include such provisions, we could resolve the matter by substituting collateral as permitted in accordance with the agreement or otherwise request the counterparty to return the collateral in exchange for cash to unwind the financing.
 

The following table presentstables present information regarding the margin requirements, or the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount (this difference is referred to as the “haircut”), on our repurchase agreements at March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018:
 
At March 31, 2018
Weighted
Average
Haircut

Low
High
At March 31, 2019
Weighted
Average
Haircut

Low
High
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by:
 

 

 

 

 

 
Agency MBS
4.63% 3.00% 8.00%
4.49% 3.00% 5.00%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
21.36
 15.00
 35.00

20.50
 15.00
 35.00
RPL/NPL MBS 22.20
 15.00
 30.00
 21.23
 15.00
 30.00
U.S. Treasury securities
1.33
 1.00
 2.00
CRT securities 21.38
 15.00
 25.00
 19.49
 17.00
 25.00
MSR related assets 30.72
 20.00
 50.00
Residential whole loans 25.97
 20.00
 35.00
 15.54
 8.00
 33.00
MSR-related assets 21.35
 20.00
 30.00
Other 21.61
 20.00
 35.00
            
At December 31, 2017
Weighted
Average
Haircut
 Low High
At December 31, 2018
Weighted
Average
Haircut
 Low High
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by:
 
  
  
 
  
  
Agency MBS
4.65% 3.00% 8.00%
4.60% 3.00% 5.00%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
21.87
 15.00
 35.00

21.38
 15.00
 35.00
RPL/NPL MBS 22.05
 20.00
 27.50
 21.31
 15.00
 30.00
U.S. Treasury securities
1.47
 1.00
 2.00
CRT securities 22.16
 15.00
 25.00
 20.01
 17.00
 25.00
MSR related assets 33.19
 30.00
 50.00
Residential whole loans 26.10
 20.00
 35.00
 16.55
 8.00
 33.00
MSR-related assets 21.88
 20.00
 30.00
Other 21.15
 20.00
 35.00
 
During the first three months of 2018,2019, the weighted average haircut requirements for the respective underlying collateral types for our repurchase agreements have remained fairly consistent compared to the end of 2017.2018.
 
Repurchase agreement funding for our residential mortgage investments has been available to us at generally attractive market terms from multiple counterparties.  Typically, due to the risks inherent in credit sensitive residential mortgage investments, repurchase agreement funding involving such investments is available at terms requiring higher collateralization and higher interest rates than repurchase agreement funding secured by Agency MBS and U.S. Treasury securities.MBS.  Therefore, we generally expect to be able to finance our acquisitions of Agency MBS on more favorable terms than financing for credit sensitive investments.

We maintain cash and cash equivalents, unpledged Agency and Non-Agency MBS and collateral in excess of margin requirements held by our counterparties (or collectively, “cash and other unpledged collateral”) to meet routine margin calls and protect against unforeseen reductions in our borrowing capabilities.  Our ability to meet future margin calls will be impacted by our ability to use cash or obtain financing from unpledged collateral, which can vary based on the market value of such collateral, our cash position and margin requirements.  Our cash position fluctuates based on the timing of our operating, investing and financing activities and is managed based on our anticipated cash needs.  (See our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, included under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and “Interest Rate Risk” included under Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.)
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, we had a total of $8.1$10.2 billion of MBS, U.S. Treasury securities, CRT securities, residential whole loans and MSR relatedMSR-related assets and $7.1$42.0 million of restricted cash pledged against our repurchase agreements.agreements and Swaps. At March 31, 2018,2019, we have access to various sources of liquidity which we estimate exceeds $838.3$217.4 million. This includes (i) $214.7$76.6 million of cash and cash equivalents; (ii) $169.9$78.7 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Agency MBS and other Agency MBS collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements; and (iii) $453.7$62.1 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Non-Agency MBS and from other Non-Agency MBS and CRT collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements. Our sources of liquidity do not include restricted cash. In addition, we have $1.1 billion of unencumbered residential whole loans. We are evaluating potential opportunities to finance these assets, including loan securitization.

 
The table below presents certain information about our borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances, and securitized debt:
  Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Securitized Debt
Quarter Ended (1)
 Quarterly
Average
Balance
 End of Period
Balance
 Maximum
Balance at Any
Month-End
 Quarterly
Average
Balance
 End of Period
Balance
 Maximum
Balance at Any
Month-End
(In Thousands)            
March 31, 2018 $6,519,390
 $6,558,860
 $6,558,860
 $357,819
 $351,278
 $361,002
December 31, 2017 6,661,020
 6,614,701
 6,760,360
 212,445
 363,944
 363,944
September 30, 2017 7,022,913
 6,871,443
 7,023,702
 139,276
 137,327
 141,088
June 30, 2017 7,612,393
 7,040,844
 7,763,860
 30,414
 143,698
 143,698
March 31, 2017 8,494,853
 8,137,102
 8,564,493
 
 
 
  Repurchase Agreements Securitized Debt
Quarter Ended (1)
 Quarterly
Average
Balance
 End of Period
Balance
 Maximum
Balance at Any
Month-End
 Quarterly
Average
Balance
 End of Period
Balance
 Maximum
Balance at Any
Month-End
(In Thousands)            
March 31, 2019 $8,282,621
 $8,509,713
 $8,509,713
 $675,678
 $659,184
 $679,269
December 31, 2018 7,672,309
 7,879,087
 7,879,087
 699,207
 684,420
 702,377
September 30, 2018 6,594,050
 7,278,270
 7,278,270
 665,572
 714,203
 744,521
June 30, 2018 6,189,916
 5,892,228
 6,319,178
 432,283
 518,655
 523,490
March 31, 2018 6,519,390
 6,558,860
 6,558,860
 357,819
 351,278
 361,002

(1)The information presented in the table above excludes Senior Notes issued in April 2012. The outstanding balance of Senior Notes has been unchanged at $100.0 million since issuance.


 Cash Flows and Liquidity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20182019
 
Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreasedincreased by $241.3$29.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, reflecting: $131.0 million used in our financing activities; $116.2$497.5 million used in our investing activities; $490.2 million provided by our financing activities; and $5.9$37.1 million provided by our operating activities.
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, our debt-to-equity multiple was 2.22.7 times compared to 2.32.6 times at December 31, 2017.2018. At March 31, 2018,2019, we had borrowings under repurchase agreements of $6.6$8.5 billion with 2926 counterparties, of which $2.3$2.4 billion were secured by Agency MBS, $1.4 billion were secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS, $569.3 million$1.0 billion were secured by RPL/NPL MBS, $220.9 million were secured by U.S. Treasuries, $467.1$338.8 million were secured by CRT securities, $292.8 million were secured by MSR related assets and $1.2$2.7 billion were secured by residential whole loans.loans, $647.5 million were secured by MSR-related assets and $54.4 million were secured by other interest-earning assets.  We continue to have available capacity under our repurchase agreement credit lines.  In addition, at March 31, 2018,2019, we had securitized debt of $351.3$659.2 million in connection with our loan securitization transactions. At December 31, 2017,2018, we had borrowings under repurchase agreements of $6.6$7.9 billion with 3126 counterparties, of which $2.5$2.4 billion were secured by Agency MBS, $1.3$1.4 billion were secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS, $567.1 million$1.1 billion were secured by RPL/NPL MBS, $470.3 million were secured by U.S. Treasuries, $459.1$391.6 million were secured by CRT securities, $317.3 million were secured by MSR related assets and $1.0$2.0 billion were secured by residential whole loans.loans, $474.1 million were secured by MSR-related assets and $76.4 million were secured by other interest-earning assets. In addition, at December 31, 2017,2018, we had securitized debt of $363.9$684.4 million in connection with our loan securitization transactions.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, $116.22019, $497.5 million was used in our investing activities.  We paid $513.9 million$1.0 billion for purchases of residential whole loans, loan related investments and capitalized advances, and purchased $113.0$219.9 million of MSR relatedMSR-related assets, $60.7$102.8 million of Non-Agency MBS, and $20.6$4.5 million of CRT securities funded with cash and repurchase agreement borrowings.  In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, we received cash of $484.3$391.6 million from prepayments and scheduled amortization on our MBS, CRT securities and MSR relatedMSR-related assets, of which $161.8$160.7 million was attributable to Agency MBS, $167.0$224.0 million was from Non-Agency MBS, $5.5 million was from CRT securities and $150.0$6.9 million was attributable to MSR relatedMSR-related assets, and we sold certain of our Non-Agency MBSinvestment securities for $19.4$208.3 million, realizing net gains of $8.8$24.6 million. While we generally intend to hold our MBS and CRT securities as long-term investments, we may sell certain of our securities in order to manage our interest rate risk and liquidity needs, meet other operating objectives and adapt to market conditions. During the three months ended March 31, 20182019 we received $71.9$233.7 million of principal payments on residential whole loans and $19.3$24.0 million of proceeds on sales of REO. 
 
In connection with our repurchase agreement borrowings and Swaps, we routinely receive margin calls/reverse margin calls from our counterparties and make margin calls to our counterparties.  Margin calls and reverse margin calls, which requirements vary over time, may occur daily between us and any of our counterparties when the value of collateral pledged changes from the amount contractually required.  The value of securities pledged as collateral fluctuates reflecting changes in: (i) the face (or par) value of our MBS;assets; (ii) market interest rates and/or other market conditions; and (iii) the market value of our Swaps.  Margin calls/reverse margin calls are satisfied when we pledge/receive additional collateral in the form of additional securitiesassets and/or cash.
 

The table below summarizes our margin activity with respect to our repurchase agreement financings and derivative hedging instruments for the quarterly periods presented.presented:
 
  Collateral Pledged to Meet Margin Calls 
Cash and
Securities Received for
Reverse Margin Calls
 Net Assets
Received/(Pledged) for Margin Activity
For the Quarter Ended (1)
 Fair Value of
Securities
Pledged
 Cash Pledged Aggregate Assets
Pledged For
Margin Calls
  
(In Thousands)          
March 31, 2018 $40,831
 $
 $40,831
 $18,835
 $(21,996)
December 31, 2017 87,960
 
 87,960
 80,105
 (7,855)
September 30, 2017 83,513
 
 83,513
 53,499
 (30,014)
June 30, 2017 106,432
 500
 106,932
 75,996
 (30,936)
March 31, 2017 150,264
 1,500
 151,764
 246,168
 94,404
  Collateral Pledged to Meet Margin Calls 
Cash and
Securities Received for
Reverse Margin Calls
 Net Assets
Received/(Pledged) for Margin Activity
For the Quarter Ended (1)
 Fair Value of
Securities
Pledged
 Cash Pledged Aggregate Assets
Pledged For
Margin Calls
  
(In Thousands)          
March 31, 2019 $49,139
 $
 $49,139
 $65,461
 $16,322
December 31, 2018 14,452
 
 14,452
 23,760
 9,308
September 30, 2018 61,492
 3,005
 64,497
 8,294
 (56,203)
June 30, 2018 44,278
 
 44,278
 20,001
 (24,277)
March 31, 2018 40,831
 
 40,831
 18,835
 (21,996)
 
(1) Excludes variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps which are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract.

We are subject to various financial covenants under our repurchase agreements and derivative contracts, which include minimum net worth and/or profitability requirements, maximum debt-to-equity ratios and minimum market capitalization requirements.  We have maintained compliance with all of our financial covenants through March 31, 2018.2019.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, we paid $79.8$90.2 million for cash dividends on our common stock and dividend equivalents and paid cash dividends of $3.8 million on our preferred stock. On March 7, 2018,6, 2019, we declared our first quarter 20182019 dividend on our common stock of $0.20 per share; on April 30, 2018,2019, we paid this dividend, which totaled approximately $79.9$90.4 million, including dividend equivalents of approximately $219,000.$256,000. 
 
We believe that we have adequate financial resources to meet our current obligations, including margin calls, as they come due, to fund dividends we declare and to actively pursue our investment strategies.  However, should the value of our MBS suddenly decrease, significant margin calls on our repurchase agreement borrowings could result and our liquidity position could be materially and adversely affected.  Further, should market liquidity tighten, our repurchase agreement counterparties may increase our margin requirements on new financings, reducing our ability to use leverage.  Access to financing may also be negatively impacted by the ongoing volatility in the world financial markets, potentially adversely impacting our current or potential lenders’ ability or willingness to provide us with financing. In addition, there is no assurance that favorable market conditions will continue to permit us to consummate additional securitization transactions if we determine to seek that form of financing.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have not participated in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.


Inflation
 
Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are financial in nature.  As a result, changes in interest rates and other factors impact our performance far more than does inflation.  Our results of operations and reported assets, liabilities and equity are measured with reference to historical cost or fair value without considering inflation.



Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
We seek to manage our risks related to interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds, market value and the credit quality of our assets while, at the same time, seeking to provide an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive total returns through ownership of our capital stock.  While we do not seek to avoid risk, we seek, consistent with our investment policies, to:  assume risk that can be quantified based on management’s judgment and experience and actively manage such risk; earn sufficient returns to justify the taking of such risks; and maintain capital levels consistent with the risks that we undertake.


Interest Rate Risk
  
We generally acquire interest-rate sensitive assets and fund them with interest-rate sensitive liabilities, a portion of which are hedged with Swaps. We are exposed to interest rate risk on our residential mortgage assets, as well as on our liabilities. Changes in interest rates can affect our net interest income and the fair value of our assets and liabilities.
We finance the majority of our investments in residential mortgage assets with short-term repurchase agreements. In general, when interest rates change, the borrowing costs of our repurchase agreements (net of the impact of Swaps) change more quickly than the yield on our assets. In a rising interest rate environment, the borrowing costs of our repurchase agreements may increase faster than the interest income on our assets, thereby reducing our net income. In order to mitigate compression in net income based on such interest rate movements, we use Swaps to lock in a portion of the net interest spread between assets and liabilities.

When interest rates change, the fair value of our residential mortgage assets could change at a different rate than the fair value of our liabilities. We measure the sensitivity of our portfolio to changes in interest rates by estimating the duration of our assets and liabilities. Duration is the approximate percentage change in fair value for a 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve. In general, our assets have higher duration than our liabilities and in order to reduce this exposure we use Swaps to reduce the gap in duration between our assets and liabilities.

In calculating the duration of our Agency MBS we take into account the characteristics of the underlying mortgage loans including whether the underlying loans are fixed rate, adjustable or hybrid; coupon, expected prepayment rates and lifetime and periodic caps. We use third-party financial models, combined with management’s assumptions and observed empirical data when estimating the duration of our Agency MBS.

In analyzing the interest rate sensitivity of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS we take into account the characteristics of the underlying mortgage loans, including credit quality and whether the underlying loans are fixed-rate, adjustable or hybrid. We estimate the duration of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS using management’s assumptions.

The majority of our RPL/NPL MBS deal structures contain a contractual coupon step-up feature where the coupon increases up tofrom 300 - 400 basis points at 36 - 48 months from issuance or sooner. Therefore, we believe their fair value exhibits little sensitivity to changes in interest rates. We estimate the duration of these securities using management’s assumptions.

The fair value of our re-performing residential whole loans is dependent on the value of the underlying real estate collateral, past and expected delinquency status of the borrower as well as the level of interest rates. Because the borrower is not delinquent on their mortgage payments but is less likely to prepay the loan due to weak credit history and/or high LTV, we believe our re-performing residential whole loans exhibit positive duration. We estimate the duration of our re-performing residential whole loans using management’s assumptions.

The fair value of our Non-QM loans and Single family rental loans are dependent on the value of the underlying real estate collateral, as well as the level of interest rates. Because these loans are primarily newly or recently originated performing loans, we believe these investments exhibit positive duration. Given the short duration of the Company’s Rehabilitation loans, we believe the fair value of these loans exhibits little sensitivity to changes in interest rates. We estimate the duration of these other loans held at carrying value using management’s assumptions.
The fair value of our non-performing residential whole loans is primarily dependent on the value of the underlying real estate collateral and the time required for collateral liquidation. Since neither the value of the collateral nor the liquidation timeline is generally sensitive to interest rates, we believe their fair value exhibits little sensitivity to interest rates. We estimate the duration of our non-performing residential whole loans using management’s assumptions.

We use Swaps as part of our overall interest rate risk management strategy. Such derivative financial instruments are intended to act as a hedge against future interest rate increases on our repurchase agreement financings, which rates are typically highly

correlated with LIBOR. While our derivatives do not extend the maturities of our borrowings under repurchase agreements, they do, in effect, lock in a fixed rate of interest over their term for a corresponding amount of our repurchase agreement financings that are hedged. 


At March 31, 2018,2019, MFA’s $5.1$4.4 billion of Agency MBS and Legacy Non-Agency MBS were backed by Hybrid, adjustable and fixed-rate mortgages.  Additional information about these MBS, including average months to reset and three-month average CPR, is presented below:
 
 Agency MBS 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 
Total (1)
 Agency MBS 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 
Total (1)
Time to Reset 
 Fair
Value (2)
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR (4)
  Fair Value 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR
(4)
 
 Fair
Value (2)
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR
(4)
 
 Fair
Value (2)
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR (4)
  Fair Value 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR
(4)
 
 Fair
Value (2)
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR
(4)
(Dollars in Thousands)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
< 2 years (5)
 $1,395,569
 6
 15.3% $1,629,113
 4
 15.8% $3,024,682
 5
 15.5% $962,423
 5
 19.2% $1,115,108
 5
 14.2% $2,077,531
 5
 16.4%
2-5 years 160,693
 45
 13.8
 
 
 
 160,693
 45
 13.8
 112,552
 39
 4.0
 
 
 
 112,552
 39
 4.0
> 5 years 21,945
 73
 15.0
 
 
 
 21,945
 73
 15.0
 9,570
 75
 3.5
 
 
 
 9,570
 75
 3.5
ARM-MBS Total $1,578,207
 11
 15.1% $1,629,113
 4
 15.8% $3,207,320
 8
 15.4% $1,084,545
 9
 17.5% $1,115,108
 5
 14.2% $2,199,653
 7
 15.7%
15-year fixed (6)
 $1,068,337
  
 9.3% $2,651
  
 4.8% $1,070,988
  
 9.3% $746,815
  
 9.0% $1,117
  
 31.6% $747,932
  
 9.0%
30-year fixed (6)
 
  
 
 793,623
  
 13.5
 793,623
  
 13.5
 714,713
  
 12.6
 648,114
  
 10.3
 1,362,827
  
 11.4
40-year fixed (6)
 
  
 
 37,694
  
 9.3
 37,694
  
 9.3
 
  
 
 46,546
  
 11.0
 46,546
  
 11.0
Fixed-Rate Total $1,068,337
  
 9.3% $833,968
  
 13.2% $1,902,305
  
 11.1% $1,461,528
  
 10.7% $695,777
  
 10.4% $2,157,305
  
 10.6%
MBS Total $2,646,544
  
 12.7% $2,463,081
  
 14.9% $5,109,625
  
 13.8% $2,546,073
  
 13.6% $1,810,885
  
 12.7% $4,356,958
  
 13.2%
 
(1)Excludes $935.2 million$1.3 billion of RPL/NPL MBS. Refer to table below for further information.
(2)Does not include principal payments receivable of $604,000.$524,000.
(3)Months to reset is the number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate resets.  At reset, the MBS coupon will adjust based upon the underlying benchmark interest rate index, margin and periodic and/or lifetime caps.  The months to reset do not reflect scheduled amortization or prepayments.
(4)3 month average CPR weighted by positions as of the beginning of each month in the quarter.
(5)Includes floating-rate MBS that may be collateralized by fixed-rate mortgages.
(6)Information presented based on data available at time of loan origination.


The following table presents certain information about our RPL/NPL MBS portfolio at March 31, 20182019:
 Fair Value Net Coupon 
Months to
Step-Up (1)
 
3 Month Average
Bond CPR (2)
(Dollars in Thousands)         Fair Value Net Coupon 
Months to
Step-Up (1)
 
3 Month Average
Bond CPR (2)
Re-Performing loans $73,551
 3.64% 26
 18.7% $94,644
 4.34% 25
 %
Non-Performing loans 861,621
 4.46
 19
 13.6
 1,190,880
 4.97
 25
 12.5
Total RPL/NPL MBS $935,172
 4.40% 19
 14.0% $1,285,524
 4.92% 25
 11.6%

(1)Months to step-up is the weighted average number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate increases pursuant to the first coupon reset. We anticipate that the securities will be redeemed prior to the step-up date.
(2)All principal payments are considered to be prepayments for CPR purposes.

At March 31, 2018,2019, our CRT securities and MSR relatedMSR-related assets had a fair value of $679.5$423.7 million and $455.1$825.4 million, respectively, and their coupons reset monthly based on one-month LIBOR.


Shock Table

The information presented in the following “Shock Table” projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our net interest income and portfolio value, including the impact of Swaps, over the next 12 months based on the assets in our investment portfolio at March 31, 20182019.  All changes in income and value are measured as the percentage change from the projected net interest income and portfolio value under the base interest rate scenario at March 31, 20182019.

Change in Interest Rates 
Estimated
Value
of Assets 
(1)
 Estimated
Value of
Swaps
 Estimated
Value of
Financial
Instruments
 
Change in
Estimated
Value
 Percentage
Change in Net
Interest
Income
 Percentage
Change in
Portfolio
Value
 
Estimated
Value
of Assets 
(1)
 Estimated
Value of
Swaps
 Estimated
Value of
Financial
Instruments
 
Change in
Estimated
Value
 Percentage
Change in Net
Interest
Income
 Percentage
Change in
Portfolio
Value
(Dollars in Thousands)                        
+100 Basis Point Increase $10,163,694
 $55,003
 $10,218,697
 $(107,949) (3.37)% (1.05)% $12,409,887
 $47,240
 $12,457,127
 $(166,661) (3.32)% (1.32)%
+ 50 Basis Point Increase $10,241,849
 $31,616
 $10,273,465
 $(53,181) (1.74)% (0.51)% $12,533,967
 $14,595
 $12,548,562
 $(75,226) (1.22)% (0.60)%
Actual at March 31, 2018 $10,318,417
 $8,229
 $10,326,646
 $
 
 
Actual at March 31, 2019 $12,641,839
 $(18,051) $12,623,788
 $
  %  %
- 50 Basis Point Decrease $10,393,396
 $(15,159) $10,378,237
 $51,591
 (0.88)% 0.50 % $12,733,503
 $(50,696) $12,682,807
 $59,019
 0.75 % 0.47 %
-100 Basis Point Decrease $10,466,788
 $(38,546) $10,428,242
 $101,596
 (1.11)% 0.98 % $12,808,958
 $(83,342) $12,725,616
 $101,828
 0.54 % 0.81 %

(1)  Such assets include MBS and CRT securities, residential whole loans and REO, MSR relatedMSR-related assets, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash.

Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the Shock Table and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes.  The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at March 31, 2018.2019.  The analysis presented utilizes assumptions and estimates based on management’s judgment and experience.  Furthermore, while we generally expect to retain the majority of our assets and the associated interest rate risk to maturity, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile.  It should be specifically noted that the information set forth in the above table and all related disclosure constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act and Section 21E of the 1934 Act.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the Shock Table above.
 
The Shock Table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, which includes the value of our Swaps (which are carried at fair value), should interest rates immediately change (i.e., are shocked).  The Shock Table presents the estimated impact of interest rates instantaneously rising 50 and 100 basis points, and falling 50 and 100 basis points.  The cash flows associated with our portfolio of MBS for each rate shock are calculated based on assumptions, including, but not limited to, prepayment speeds, yield on replacement assets, the slope of the yield curve and composition of our portfolio.  Assumptions made with respect to the interest rate sensitive liabilities include anticipated interest rates, collateral requirements as a percent of repurchase agreement financings, and the amounts and terms of borrowing.  At March 31, 2018,2019, we applied a floor of 0% for all anticipated interest rates included in our assumptions.  Due to this floor, it is anticipated that any hypothetical interest rate shock decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs; however, because prepayments speeds are unaffected by this floor, it is expected that any increase in our prepayment speeds (occurring as a result of any interest rate shock decrease or otherwise) could result in an acceleration of premium amortization on our Agency MBS and discount accretion on our Non-Agency MBS and in the reinvestment of principal repayments in lower yielding assets.  As a result, because the presence of this floor limits the positive impact of interest rate decrease on our funding costs, hypothetical interest rate shock decreases could cause a decline in the fair value of our financial instruments and our net interest income.
 
At March 31, 2018,2019, the impact on portfolio value was approximated using estimated net effective duration (i.e., the price sensitivity to changes in interest rates), including the effect of Swaps and securitized debt, of 1.021.07 which is the weighted average of 1.801.64 for our Agency MBS, 1.430.88 for our Non-Agency investments, (1.83)2.24 for our Residential whole loans, (1.80) for our Swaps and 0.11securitized debt, and 0.18 for our Other assets and cash and cash equivalents. Estimated convexity (i.e., the approximate change in duration relative to the change in interest rates) of the portfolio was (0.06)(0.51), which is the weighted average of (0.24)(0.86) for our Agency MBS, zero for our Swaps zeroand securitized debt, (0.12) for our Non-Agency MBS, (0.71) for our Residential whole loans and zero for our Other assets and cash and cash equivalents. The impact on our net interest income is driven mainly by the difference between portfolio yield and cost of funding of our repurchase agreements, which includes the cost and/or benefit from Swaps.  Our asset/liability structure is generally such that an increase in interest rates would be expected to result in a decrease in net interest income, as our borrowings are generally shorter in term than our interest-earning assets. When interest rates are shocked, prepayment assumptions are adjusted based on management’s expectations along with the results from the prepayment model.


Credit Risk
 
Although we do not believe that we are exposed to credit risk in our Agency MBS portfolio, we are exposed to credit risk through our credit-sensitivecredit sensitive residential mortgage investments, in particular Legacy Non-Agency MBS, CRT securities and residential whole loans and to a lesser extent our investments in RPL/NPL MBS CRT securities and MSR relatedMSR-related assets. Our exposure to credit risk from our credit sensitive investments is discussed in more detail below:

Legacy Non-Agency MBS

In the event of the return of less than 100% of par on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS, credit support contained in the MBS deal structures and the discounted purchase prices we paid mitigate our risk of loss on these investments.  Over time, we expect the level of credit support remaining in certain MBS deal structures to decrease, which will result in an increase in the amount of realized credit loss experienced by our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio.  Our investment process for Legacy Non-Agency MBS involves analysis focused primarily on quantifying and pricing credit risk.  When we purchase Legacy Non-Agency MBS, we assign certain assumptions to each of the MBS, including but not limited to, future interest rates, voluntary prepayment rates, mortgage modifications, default rates and loss severities, and generally allocate a portion of the purchase discount as a Credit Reserve which provides credit protection for such securities.  As part of our surveillance process, we review our Legacy Non-Agency MBS by tracking their actual performance compared to the securities’ expected performance at purchase or, if we have modified our original purchase assumptions, compared to our revised performance expectations.  To the extent that actual performance of a Legacy Non-Agency MBS is less favorable than its expected performance, we may revise our performance expectations.  As a result, we could reduce the accretable discount on the security and/or recognize an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results. 

In evaluating our asset/liability management and Legacy Non-Agency MBS credit performance, we consider the credit characteristics of the mortgage loans underlying our Legacy Non-Agency MBS.  The following table presents certain information about our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio at March 31, 20182019.  Information presented with respect to the weighted average Fair Isaac Corporation (or FICO) scores and other information aggregated based on information reported at the time of mortgage origination are historical and, as such, do not reflect the impact of the general changes in home prices or changes in borrowers’ credit scores or the current use of the mortgaged properties.
 

The information in the table below is presented as of March 31, 20182019:
 
  
Securities with Average Loan FICO
of 715 or Higher
(1)
 
Securities with Average Loan FICO
Below 715
(1)
  
Year of Securitization (2)
 2007 2006 2005
and Prior
 2007 2006 2005
and Prior
 Total
(Dollars in Thousands)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Number of securities 84
 61
 87
 32
 57
 61
 382
MBS current face (3)
 $733,971
 $434,618
 $494,246
 $164,939
 $417,260
 $399,857
 $2,644,891
Total purchase discounts, net (3)
 $(215,397) $(126,296) $(94,972) $(54,830) $(159,910) $(118,891) $(770,296)
Purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (3)(4)
 $(155,919) $(64,259) $(55,380) $(44,167) $(156,281) $(96,575) $(572,581)
Purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI as percentage of current face 21.2% 14.8% 11.2% 26.8% 37.5% 24.2% 21.6%
MBS amortized cost (3)
 $518,574
 $308,322
 $399,274
 $110,109
 $257,350
 $280,966
 $1,874,595
MBS fair value (3)
 $685,041
 $408,400
 $476,910
 $151,070
 $364,538
 $374,275
 $2,460,234
Weighted average fair value to current face 93.3% 94.0% 96.5% 91.6% 87.4% 93.6% 93.0%
Weighted average coupon (5)
 4.22% 3.73% 3.82% 5.03% 5.06% 4.82% 4.34%
Weighted average loan age (months) (5)(6)
 132
 140
 155
 137
 142
 154
 143
Weighted average current loan size (5)(6)
 $498
 $491
 $292
 $333
 $246
 $234
 $368
Percentage amortizing (7)
 100% 99% 100% 99% 99% 100% 100%
Weighted average FICO score at origination (5)(8)
 729
 728
 725
 705
 702
 703
 719
Owner-occupied loans 91.0% 91.6% 86.3% 84.9% 86.3% 85.7% 88.3%
Rate-term refinancings 30.6% 22.3% 15.0% 22.4% 15.4% 14.2% 20.9%
Cash-out refinancings 34.8% 35.5% 27.6% 44.5% 45.2% 40.3% 36.6%
3 Month CPR (6)
 16.7% 16.2% 17.7% 12.3% 12.7% 14.3% 15.5%
3 Month CRR (6)(9)
 14.4% 14.2% 15.7% 10.0% 9.4% 11.9% 13.2%
3 Month CDR (6)(9)
 2.7% 2.5% 2.4% 2.9% 4.0% 3.1% 2.9%
3 Month loss severity 48.0% 28.7% 35.3% 84.6% 70.9% 80.9% 55.8%
60+ days delinquent (8)
 13.4% 11.8% 9.3% 15.6% 14.8% 12.4% 12.6%
Percentage of always current borrowers (Lifetime) (10)
 29.6% 29.9% 37.7% 25.6% 22.3% 26.7% 29.3%
Percentage of always current borrowers (12M) (11)
 73.6% 75.6% 78.3% 69.1% 69.5% 71.5% 73.5%
(Dollars in Thousands) 
Securities with
 Average Loan FICO
of 715 or Higher
(1)
 
Securities with 
Average Loan FICO
Below 715
(1)
 Total
   
  
  
Number of securities 192
 136
 328
MBS current face (2)
 $1,185,669
 $811,759
 $1,997,428
Total purchase discounts, net (2)
 $(338,229) $(293,045) $(631,274)
Purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (2)(3)
 $(230,827) $(271,828) $(502,655)
Purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI as percentage
    of current face
 19.5% 33.5% 25.2%
MBS amortized cost (2)
 $847,440
 $518,714
 $1,366,154
MBS fair value (2)
 $1,091,296
 $719,589
 $1,810,885
Weighted average fair value to current face 92.0% 88.6% 90.7%
Weighted average coupon (4)
 4.52% 5.21% 4.80%
Weighted average loan age (months) (4)(5)
 152
 157
 154
Weighted average current loan size (4)(5)
 $423
 $253
 $354
Percentage amortizing (6)
 100% 99% 100%
Weighted average FICO score at origination (4)(7)
 727
 702
 717
Owner-occupied loans 90.3% 86.5% 88.7%
Rate-term refinancings 24.4% 16.6% 21.2%
Cash-out refinancings 34.4% 44.2% 38.4%
3 Month CPR (5)
 13.7% 12.6% 13.3%
3 Month CRR (5)(8)
 11.2% 9.7% 10.6%
3 Month CDR (5)(8)
 2.8% 3.2% 3.0%
3 Month loss severity 49.7% 73.7% 60.2%
60+ days delinquent (7)
 10.4% 12.3% 11.2%
Percentage of always current borrowers (Lifetime) (9)
 26.7% 22.1% 24.8%
Percentage of always current borrowers (12M) (10)
 76.4% 71.6% 74.5%


(1)FICO score is used by major credit bureaus to indicate a borrower’s creditworthiness at time of loan origination.
(2)Information presented based on the initial year of securitization of the underlying collateral. Certain of our Non-Agency MBS have been resecuritized.  The historical information presented in the table is based on the initial securitization date and data available at the time of original securitization (and not the date of resecuritization). No information has been updated with respect to any MBS that have been resecuritized.
(3)Excludes Non-Agency MBS issued since 2012 in which the underlying collateral consists of RPL/NPL MBS. These Non-Agency MBS have a current face of $935.1 million,$1.3 billion, amortized cost of $933.2 million,$1.3 billion, fair value of $935.2 million$1.3 billion and purchase discounts of $1.9 million$482,000 at March 31, 2018.2019.
(4)(3)Purchase discounts designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI are not expected to be accreted into interest income.
(5)(4)Weighted average is based on MBS current face at March 31, 2018.2019.
(6)(5)Information provided is based on loans for individual groups owned by us.
(7)(6)Percentage of face amount for which the original mortgage note contractually calls for principal amortization in the current period.
(8)(7)Information provided is based on loans for all groups that provide credit enhancement for MBS with credit enhancement.
(9)(8)CRR represents voluntary prepayments and CDR represents involuntary prepayments.
(10)(9)Percentage of face amount of loans for which the borrower has not been delinquent since origination.
(11)(10)Percentage of face amount of loans for which the borrower has not been delinquent in the last twelve months.



The mortgages securing our Legacy Non-Agency MBS are located in many geographic regions across the United States.  The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations by state of the mortgages collateralizing our Legacy Non-Agency MBS at March 31, 20182019:
Property LocationPercent of Unpaid Principal Balance
California42.242.3%
Florida8.0%
New York6.97.7%
New Jersey4.13.9%
Maryland4.03.9%

RPL/NPL MBS

These securities are backed by re-performing and non-performing loans, were purchased primarily at prices around par and represent the senior and mezzanine tranches of the related securitizations. The majority of these securities are structured with significant credit enhancement (typically approximately 50%) and the subordinate tranches absorb all credit losses (until those tranches are extinguished) and typically receive no cash flow (interest or principal) until the senior tranche is paid off. Prior to purchase, we analyze the deal structure in order to assess the associated credit risk. Subsequent to purchase, the ongoing credit risk associated with the deal is evaluated by analyzing the extent to which actual credit losses occur that result in a reduction in the amount of subordination enjoyed by our bond.

CRT Securities

We are exposed to potential credit losses from our investments in CRT securities issued by or sponsored by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While CRT securities are debt obligations ofissued by or sponsored by these GSEs, payment of principal on these securities is not guaranteed. As an investor in a CRT security, we may incur a loss if losses on the mortgage loans in the reference pool exceed the credit enhancement on the underlying CRT security owned by us.us or if an actual pool of loans experience losses. We assess the credit risk associated with our investments in CRT securities by assessing the current and expected future performance of the associated referenceloan pool.

MSR RelatedResidential Whole Loans

We are also exposed to credit risk from our investments in residential whole loans. Our investment process for non-performing and Purchased Credit Impaired Loans residential whole loans is generally similar to that used for Legacy Non-Agency MBS and is likewise focused on quantifying and pricing credit risk. Non-Performing and Purchased Credit Impaired Loans are acquired at purchase prices that are generally discounted to the contractual loan balances based on a number of factors, including the impaired credit history of the borrower and the value of the collateral securing the loan. In addition, as we generally own the mortgage-servicing rights associated with these loans, our process is also focused on selecting a sub-servicer with the appropriate expertise to mitigate losses and maximize our overall return. This involves, among other things, performing due diligence on the sub-servicer prior to their engagement as well as ongoing oversight and surveillance. To the extent that delinquencies and defaults on these loans are higher than our expectation at the time the loans were purchased, the discounted purchase price at which the asset is acquired is intended to provide a level of protection against financial loss.

Credit risk on Purchased Performing Loans is mitigated through our process to underwrite the loan before it is purchased and includes an assessment of the borrower’s financial condition and ability to repay the loan, nature of the collateral and relatively low LTV, including after-repair LTV for the majority of our Rehabilitation loans.


The following table presents certain information about our Residential whole loans, at carrying value at March 31, 2019:

  Purchased Performing Loans Purchased Credit Impaired Loans  
  Loans with an LTV: Loans with an LTV:  
(Dollars in Thousands) 80% or Below Above 80% 80% or Below Above 80% Total
Carrying value $2,829,111
 $121,593
 $413,045
 $360,895
 $3,724,644
Unpaid principal balance (UPB) $2,784,775
 $122,002
 $476,261
 $493,092
 $3,876,130
Weighted average coupon (1)
 6.3% 6.7% 4.5% 4.4% 5.9%
Weighted average term to maturity (months) 268
 327
 274
 326
 278
Weighted average LTV (2)
 63.3% 91.0% 58.8% 110.6% 69.5%
Loans 90+ days delinquent $26,490
 $37
 $28,980
 $48,279
 $103,786

(1)
Weighted average is calculated based on the interest bearing principal balance of each loan within the related category. For loans acquired with servicing rights released by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation do not reflect loan servicing fees. For loans acquired with servicing rights retained by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation are net of servicing fees.
(2)LTV represents the ratio of the total unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated value of the collateral securing the related loan as of the most recent date available, which may be the origination date. For Rehabilitation loans, the LTV presented is the ratio of the maximum unpaid principal balance of the loan, including unfunded commitments, to the estimated “after repaired” value of the collateral securing the related loan, where available. For certain Rehabilitation loans, totaling $79.0 million, an after repaired valuation was not obtained and the loan was underwritten based on an “as is” valuation. The LTV of these loans based on the current unpaid principal balance and the valuation obtained during underwriting, is 67%. Excluded from the calculation of weighted average LTV are certain low value loans secured by vacant lots, for which the LTV ratio is not meaningful.

The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations by state of our residential whole loan portfolio at March 31, 2019:
Property LocationPercent of Interest-Bearing Unpaid Principal Balance
California35.0%
Florida10.8%
New York8.7%
New Jersey5.6%
Illinois3.4%


MSR-Related Assets

Term Notes

We have invested in certain term notes that are issued by SPVs that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. Payment of principal and interest on these term notes is considered by us to be largely dependent on the cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes. Credit risk borne by the holders of the term notes is also mitigated by structural credit support in the form of over-collateralization. In addition, credit support is also provided by a corporate guarantee from the ultimate parent or sponsor of the SPV that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs be insufficient.
Corporate Loan

We have entered intoparticipated in a loan agreement withto provide financing to an entity that originates residential whole loans and owns the related MSRs. We assess the credit risk associated with this loan participation by considering various factors, including the current status of the loan, changes in fair value of the MSRs that secure the loan and the recent financial performance of the borrower.

Residential Whole Loans
Credit Spread Risk

We are also exposed toCredit spreads measure the additional yield demanded by investors in financial instruments based on the credit risk from our investments in residential whole loans. Our investment processassociated with an instrument relative to benchmark interest rates. They are impacted by the available supply and demand for residential whole loans is generally similar to that used for Legacy Non-Agency MBS and is likewise focused on quantifying and pricinginstruments with various levels of credit risk. Consequently, these loans are acquired at purchase prices that areWidening credit spreads would result in higher yields being required by investors in financial instruments. Credit spread widening generally discounted (often substantially) to the contractual loan balances based on a number of factors, including the impaired credit historyresults in lower values of the borrowerfinancial instruments we hold at that time, but will generally result in a higher yield on future investments with similar credit risk. It is possible that the credit spreads on our assets and the value of the collateral securing the loan. In addition, as we generally own the master-servicing rights associated with loansliabilities, including hedges, will not always move in tandem. Consequently, changes in credit spreads can result in volatility in our portfolio, our process is also focused on selecting a sub-servicer with the appropriate expertise to mitigate lossesfinancial results and maximize our overall return. This involves, among other things, performing due diligence on the sub-servicer prior to their engagement as well as

ongoing oversight and surveillance. To the extent that loan delinquencies and defaults are higher than our expectation at the time the loans were purchased, the discounted purchase price at which the asset is acquired is intended to provide a level of protection against financial loss.

The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations by state of our residential whole loan portfolio at March 31, 2018:
Property Location
Percent of Interest-Bearing Unpaid Principal Balance (1)
California25.7%
New York13.2%
Florida8.9%
New Jersey7.4%
Maryland4.7%

(1)Excludes approximately $13.5 million of residential whole loans for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of March 31, 2018.

reported book value.

Liquidity Risk

The primary liquidity risk we face arises from financing long-maturity assets with shorter-term borrowings primarily in the form of repurchase agreement financings.  We pledge residential mortgage assets and cash to secure our repurchase agreements and Swaps.  At March 31, 2018,2019, we had access to various sources of liquidity which we estimate to be in excess of $838.3$217.4 million, an amount which includes: (i) $214.7$76.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, (ii) $169.9$78.7 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Agency MBS and other Agency MBS collateral that are currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements, and (iii) $453.7$62.1 million in estimated financing available from currently unpledged Non-Agency MBS and from other Non-Agency MBS and CRT collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements.  Our sources of liquidity do not include restricted cash. In addition, we have $1.1 billion of unencumbered residential whole loans. We are evaluating potential opportunities to finance these assets including loan securitization. Should the value of our residential mortgage assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, margin calls under our repurchase agreements would likely increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.  Additionally, if one or more of our financing counterparties chose not to provide ongoing funding, our ability to finance our long-maturity assets would decline or be available on possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure you that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreement financings and other advances.financings.  Further, should market liquidity tighten, our repurchase agreement counterparties may increase our margin requirements on new financings, including repurchase agreement borrowings that we roll with the same counterparty, reducing our ability to use leverage.

Prepayment Risk

Premiums arise when we acquire aan MBS or loan at a price in excess of the aggregate principal balance of the mortgages securing the MBS (i.e., par value). or when we acquire residential whole loans at a price in excess of their aggregate principal balance.  Conversely, discounts arise when we acquire an MBS or loan at a price below the aggregate principal balance of the mortgages securing the MBS or when we acquire residential whole loans at a price below their aggregate principal balance.  Premiums paid on our MBS are amortized against interest income and accretable purchase discounts on these investments are accreted to interest income.  Purchase premiums, which are primarily carried on our Agency MBS, and certain CRT securities and Non-QM loans, are amortized against interest income over the life of each securitythe investment using the effective yield method, adjusted for actual prepayment activity.  An increase in the prepayment rate, as measured by the CPR, will typically accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the IRR/interest income earned on these assets.  Generally, if prepayments on Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans purchased at significant discounts and not accounted for at fair value are less than anticipated, we expect that the income recognized on these assets will be reduced and impairments and/or loan loss reserves may result.

In addition, increased prepayments are generally associated with decreasing market interest rates as borrowers are able refinance their mortgages at lower rates. Therefore, increased prepayments on our investments may accelerate the redeployment of our capital to generally lower yielding investments. Similarly, decreased prepayments are generally associated with increasing market interest rates and may slow our ability to redeploy capital to generally higher yielding investments.



Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Management, under the direction of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management reviewed and evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  The evaluation was performed under the direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to determine the effectiveness, as of March 31, 20182019, of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that review and evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective as of March 31, 20182019. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed, implemented and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s current periodic reports.
  
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 20182019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or any of our assets are subject.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
For a discussion of the Company’s risk factors, see Part 1, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018. There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, the risks and uncertainties that the Company faces are not limited to those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company (or that it currently believes to be immaterial) may also adversely affect the Company’s business and the trading price of our securities.
 
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Purchases of Equity Securities
 
As previously disclosed, in August 2005, the Company’s Board authorized a Repurchase Program, to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock under the Repurchase Program.  The Board reaffirmed such authorization in May 2010.  In December, 2013, the Company’s Board increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase to an aggregate of 10.0 million shares (under which approximately 6.6 million shares remain available for repurchase). Such authorization does not have an expiration date and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization.  Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program are made at times and in amounts as we deemthe Company deems appropriate (including, in ourits discretion, through the use of one or more plans adopted under Rule 10b-5-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act), using available cash resources.  Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program are cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, are deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice.


The Company engaged in no share repurchase activity during the first quarter of 20182019 pursuant to the Repurchase Program. The Company did, however, withhold restricted shares (under the terms of grants under ourits Equity Plan) to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon the vesting and release of restricted stock awards and/or RSUs.  The following table presents information with respect to (i) such withheld restricted shares and (ii) eligible shares remaining for repurchase under the Repurchase Program:

Month  Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Weighted
Average Price
Paid Per
Share 
(1)
 Total Number of
Shares Repurchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Repurchase Program
or Employee Plan
 Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Repurchase Program or
Employee Plan
 Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Weighted
Average Price
Paid Per
Share 
(1)
 Total Number of
Shares Repurchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Repurchase Program
or Employee Plan
 Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Repurchase Program or
Employee Plan
January 1-31, 2018:  
  
  
  
January 1-31, 2019:  
  
  
  
Repurchase Program(2)
 $
 
 6,616,355
(2)
 $
 
 6,616,355
Employee Transactions(3)250,946
 7.80
 N/A
 N/A
(3)370,244
 7.05
 N/A
 N/A
February 1-28, 2018:  
  
  
  
February 1-28, 2019:        
Repurchase Program(2)
 
 
 6,616,355
(2)
 
 
 6,616,355
Employee Transactions(3)
 
 N/A
 N/A
(3)
 
 N/A
 N/A
March 1-31, 2018:  
  
  
  
March 1-31, 2019:        
Repurchase Program(2)
 
 
 6,616,355
(2)
 
 
 6,616,355
Employee Transactions(3)
 $
 N/A
 N/A
(3)
 $
 N/A
 N/A
Total Repurchase Program(2)
 $
 
 6,616,355
(2)
 $
 
 6,616,355
Total Employee Transactions(3)250,946
 $7.80
 N/A
 N/A
(3)370,244
 $7.05
 N/A
 N/A

(1)Includes brokerage commissions.
(2)As of March 31, 2018,2019, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 3,383,645 shares under the Repurchase Program.
(3)The Company’s Equity Plan provides that the value of the shares delivered or withheld be based on the price of its common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.
 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures
 
None.

Item 5.  Other Information
 
None.

Item 6. Exhibits
 
The list of exhibits required to be filed as exhibits to this report are listed on page E-1 hereof, under “Exhibit Index,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: May 8, 20187, 2019MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
 (Registrant)
   
   
 By:/s/ Stephen D. Yarad
  Stephen D. Yarad
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:

Exhibit Description
   
Amendment No. 1, dated March 28, 2018, to Employment Agreement, entered into as of November 4, 2016, by and between the Company and Craig L. Knutson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed April 2, 2018 (Commission File No. 1-13991)).
Employment Agreement, entered into as of March 28, 2018, by and between the Company and Gudmundur Kristjansson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed April 2, 2018 (Commission File No. 1-13991)).
Employment Agreement entered into as of March 28, 2018, by and between the Company and Bryan Wulfsohn (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed April 2, 2018 (Commission File No. 1-13991)).
   
 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
*These interactive data files are furnished and deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

E-1