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 June 30, 2009
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-32564
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
Maryland | | 75-3152779 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
1650 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1600 McLean, Virginia | | 22102 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(703) 714-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the proceeding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 205 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
| | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | | ¨ | | Accelerated filer | | x |
| | | |
Non-accelerated filer | | ¨ | | Smaller reporting company | | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of August 7, 2009, the registrant had outstanding 5,836,478 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
INDEX
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, statements relating to the performance of the investments of JER Investors Trust Inc. (the “Company”) and the Company’s financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company’s actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
| • | | changes in economic conditions generally and in the commercial real estate mortgage finance, real estate and capital markets specifically; |
| • | | the success or failure of our efforts to implement our current business strategy; |
| • | | legislative and regulatory changes (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts or REITs); |
| • | | JER Commercial Debt Advisors, LLC remaining as our external manager and remaining affiliated with the J.E. Robert Company, Inc. including our ability to pay our external manager base management fees and reimbursement of expenses; |
| • | | the availability of, and our ability to retain, qualified personnel; |
| • | | availability of capital to us and our ability to raise capital since the delisting of our common stock from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”); |
| • | | our ability to maintain or replace existing financing arrangements; |
| • | | the performance and financial condition of borrowers; |
| • | | the actions of our competitors and our ability to respond to those actions; |
| • | | the performance of our assets, including our collection of interest and principal payments thereupon; |
| • | | our ability to maintain adequate liquidity, including satisfying margin call requirements and meeting distribution requirements to maintain our REIT status; |
| • | | our ability to comply with financial covenants of our debt instruments; |
| • | | the effect of receiving a “going concern” qualification in our auditors’ report on our 2008 consolidated financial statements; |
| • | | changes in interest rates and interest rate spreads, including credit spreads; |
| • | | changes in generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, or interpretations thereof; |
| • | | policies and rules applicable to REITs; |
| • | | our ability to obtain regular cash flows from the assets securing our collateralized debt obligations, or CDOs, which in turn is dependent upon the compliance with interest coverage and over-collateralization coverage tests within each CDO, among other factors; |
| • | | rating agency downgrades adversely affecting securities owned by us, including securities owned by us in our CDOs; |
| • | | application and interpretation of the rules and regulations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act; and |
| • | | other factors as may be detailed from time to time in our public announcements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. |
When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this quarterly report and in other reports of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views as of the date of this quarterly report. The “Risk Factors” and other factors noted throughout this report could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company is under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report to conform these statements to actual results.
3
PART I
ITEM 1. | Interim Financial Information |
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | (unaudited) | | | (audited) | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,834 | | | $ | 8,357 | |
Restricted cash | | | 4,714 | | | | 1,149 | |
CMBS financed by CDOs, at fair value | | | 91,182 | | | | 180,210 | |
CMBS not financed by CDOs, at fair value | | | 17,339 | | | | 42,432 | |
Real estate loans, held for investment, financed by CDOs, at fair value | | | 137,993 | | | | 189,980 | |
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 709 | | | | 843 | |
Accrued interest receivable | | | 5,866 | | | | 8,343 | |
Due from affiliate | | | 331 | | | | 157 | |
Deferred financing fees, net | | | 914 | | | | 981 | |
Other assets | | | 307 | | | | 2,349 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 261,189 | | | $ | 434,801 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
CDO notes payable, at fair value | | $ | 116,129 | | | $ | 211,695 | |
Repurchase agreements | | | 11,108 | | | | 16,108 | |
Junior subordinated debentures and notes | | | 58,941 | | | | 61,860 | |
Notes payable | | | 8,960 | | | | 500 | |
Interest rate swap agreements related to CDOs, at fair value | | | 41,217 | | | | 91,984 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 1,528 | | | | 839 | |
Dividends payable | | | — | | | | 2,274 | |
Due to affiliate | | | 1,042 | | | | 689 | |
Other liabilities | | | 1,889 | | | | 2,489 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 240,814 | | | | 388,438 | |
| | |
Stockholders’ Equity: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 5,836,478 and 2,590,104 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively | | | 58 | | | | 26 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 413,593 | | | | 392,744 | |
Cumulative cash dividends paid/declared | | | (157,705 | ) | | | (157,705 | ) |
Cumulative stock dividends paid/declared | | | (20,462 | ) | | | — | |
Cumulative deficit | | | (192,662 | ) | | | (165,626 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (22,447 | ) | | | (23,076 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | | 20,375 | | | | 46,363 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 261,189 | | | $ | 434,801 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
REVENUES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income from CMBS | | $ | 6,957 | | | $ | 24,719 | | | $ | 22,197 | | | $ | 46,171 | |
Interest income from real estate loans | | | 2,341 | | | | 7,447 | | | | 4,669 | | | | 16,333 | |
Interest income from cash and cash equivalents | | | 5 | | | | 194 | | | | 16 | | | | 616 | |
Equity in (losses) earnings, net, of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | (64 | ) | | | 34 | | | | (1,663 | ) | | | 967 | |
Fee income | | | 239 | | | | 156 | | | | 652 | | | | 253 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenues | | | 9,478 | | | | 32,550 | | | | 25,871 | | | | 64,340 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | 7,582 | | | | 13,782 | | | | 14,076 | | | | 29,197 | |
Management fees, affiliate | | | 961 | | | | 1,874 | | | | 2,171 | | | | 3,701 | |
General and administrative | | | 1,607 | | | | 1,937 | | | | 4,389 | | | | 3,917 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Expenses | | | 10,150 | | | | 17,593 | | | | 20,636 | | | | 36,815 | |
| | | | |
INCOME BEFORE OTHER GAINS (LOSSES) | | | (672 | ) | | | 14,957 | | | | 5,235 | | | | 27,525 | |
| | | | |
OTHER GAINS (LOSSES) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized loss on financial assets financed with CDOs | | | (27,695 | ) | | | (7,319 | ) | | | (127,931 | ) | | | (186,988 | ) |
Unrealized gain, net, on CDO related financial liabilities | | | 26,384 | | | | 29,942 | | | | 121,969 | | | | 276,516 | |
Loss on interest rate swaps | | | (5,527 | ) | | | (5,391 | ) | | | (12,180 | ) | | | (8,166 | ) |
Loss on impairment of CMBS | | | (3,854 | ) | | | (273 | ) | | | (18,366 | ) | | | (99,852 | ) |
Unrealized loss, net, on real estate loans held for sale | | | — | | | | (506 | ) | | | — | | | | (28,874 | ) |
Unrealized gain (loss) on non-CDO related interest rate swaps | | | — | | | | 8,199 | | | | 13,860 | | | | (7,401 | ) |
Gain on exchange and cancellation of TRUPs | | | 2,657 | | | | — | | | | 2,657 | | | | — | |
Loss on sale of real estate loan held for sale | | | — | | | | (9,249 | ) | | | — | | | | (9,249 | ) |
Loss on termination of interest rate swaps | | | — | | | | (1,370 | ) | | | (12,280 | ) | | | (1,370 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other gains (losses) | | | (8,035 | ) | | | 14,033 | | | | (32,271 | ) | | | (65,384 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET (LOSS) INCOME | | $ | (8,707 | ) | | $ | 28,990 | | | $ | (27,036 | ) | | $ | (37,859 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net (loss) income per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | (1.67 | ) | | $ | 11.26 | | | $ | (5.74 | ) | | $ | (14.72 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Diluted | | $ | (1.67 | ) | | $ | 11.25 | | | $ | (5.74 | ) | | $ | (14.72 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 5,216,975 | | | | 2,573,889 | | | | 4,711,786 | | | | 2,572,348 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Diluted | | | 5,217,794 | | | | 2,576,135 | | | | 4,715,575 | | | | 2,576,230 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | — | | | $ | 3.00 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in | | Cumulative Cash Dividends Paid/ | | | Cumulative Stock Dividends Paid/ | | | Cumulative Earnings | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | | | Total | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Capital | | Declared | | | Declared | | | (Losses) | | | Income (Loss) | | |
Balance at December 31, 2008 | | 2,590 | | $ | 26 | | $ | 392,744 | | $ | (157,705 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | (165,626 | ) | | $ | (23,076 | ) | | $ | 46,363 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (27,036 | ) | | | | | | | (27,036 | ) |
Amortization of swap termination costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 266 | | | | 266 | |
Amortization of unrealized losses on CDO related interest rate swaps in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2007 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,197 | | | | 1,197 | |
Unrealized gains (losses) on non-CDO CMBS available for sale | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (834 | ) | | | (834 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income (loss) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (26,407 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared/paid | | 2,398 | | | 24 | | | 20,438 | | | | | | | (20,462 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | — | |
Stock issued upon retirement of debt | | 849 | | | 8 | | | 374 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 382 | |
Stock based compensation- restricted share awards | | | | | | | | 37 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 37 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2009 | | 5,837 | | $ | 58 | | $ | 413,593 | | $ | (157,705 | ) | | $ | (20,462 | ) | | $ | (192,662 | ) | | $ | (22,447 | ) | | $ | 20,375 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (27,036 | ) | | $ | (37,859 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Amortization (accretion) of CMBS | | | 15,273 | | | | (1,395 | ) |
Accretion of interest on junior subordinated notes | | | 612 | | | | — | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs | | | 67 | | | | 1,771 | |
Amortization of other comprehensive (income) loss related to CDO related interest rate swap agreements | | | 1,462 | | | | 1,397 | |
Unrealized loss (gain) on CDO related financial assets and liabilities, net | | | 5,962 | | | | (89,528 | ) |
Unrealized and realized (gains) losses on interest rate swaps | | | (1,580 | ) | | | 8,764 | |
Unrealized loss on impairment of CMBS | | | 18,366 | | | | 99,852 | |
Loss on sale of real estate loan held for sale | | | — | | | | 9,249 | |
Gain on exchange and cancellation of TRUPs | | | (2,657 | ) | | | — | |
Unrealized loss on real estate loans held for sale, net | | | — | | | | 28,874 | |
Equity in (earnings) losses, net, from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 1,663 | | | | (967 | ) |
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | — | | | | 1,252 | |
Payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest on real estate loan held for sale | | | — | | | | (2,099 | ) |
Non-cash interest expense on junior subordinated debentures and notes | | | 1,432 | | | | — | |
Non-cash expense related to shares issued for TRUPs exchange and cancellation | | | 144 | | | | — | |
Stock compensation expense | | | 37 | | | | 211 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Decrease (increase) in other assets | | | 202 | | | | (241 | ) |
Decrease in accrued interest receivable | | | 2,477 | | | | 978 | |
Increase in due to/from affiliates, net | | | 179 | | | | 302 | |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities, net | | | 91 | | | | (662 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 16,694 | | | | 19,899 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures | | | (1,529 | ) | | | (2,231 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash, net | | | (3,564 | ) | | | 5,534 | |
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated joint venture | | | — | | | | 39,448 | |
Proceeds from repayment of real estate loans | | | 3,701 | | | | 7,471 | |
Proceeds from sale of real estate loans held for sale | | | — | | | | 36,191 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | | | (1,392 | ) | | | 86,413 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid | | | (2,274 | ) | | | (36,133 | ) |
Proceeds from repurchase agreements | | | — | | | | 1,556 | |
Repayment of repurchase agreements | | | (5,000 | ) | | | (112,119 | ) |
Repayment of CDO notes payable | | | (10,504 | ) | | | — | |
Repayment of notes payable, net | | | (540 | ) | | | — | |
Repayment of TRUPs | | | (227 | ) | | | — | |
Payment of financing costs | | | — | | | | (2,438 | ) |
Payment of interest rate swap termination costs | | | (3,280 | ) | | | (1,370 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (21,825 | ) | | | (150,504 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (6,523 | ) | | | (44,192 | ) |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 8,357 | | | | 87,556 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 1,834 | | | $ | 43,364 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 21,359 | | | $ | 34,878 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-cash note payable in satisfaction of interest rate swap agreements | | $ | 9,000 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared but not paid | | $ | — | | | $ | 7,752 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stock issued as part of exchange and cancellation of TRUPs | | $ | 383 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
7
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data and as otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION
JER Investors Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), was formed on April 19, 2004 for the purpose of acquiring and originating a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate structured finance investments. References herein to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to JER Investors Trust Inc. unless the context specifically requires otherwise.
The Company is organized and conducts its operations to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes. To maintain our status as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income to shareholders, among other requirements. Additionally, management believes that the Company conducts its operations so as not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are not subject to regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act provided that we do not meet the definition of an investment company under the Investment Company Act, including Section 3(a)(1)(C). From time to time in the past, we have relied on the exclusion from investment company status provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act (and Section 3(c)(6) if, from time to time, we engaged in our real estate business through one or more majority-owned subsidiaries).
Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, the business of the Company is managed by JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC (the “Manager”). The consolidated financial statements of JER Investors Trust Inc. include the accounts of the Company, six wholly-owned subsidiaries created in connection with the Company’s collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”), five wholly-owned subsidiaries established for financing purposes and the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). There are no balances or activities in the TRS and four of the financing subsidiaries.
2. GOING CONCERN
A fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of business. This principle is applicable to all entities except for entities in liquidation or entities for which liquidation appears imminent. In accordance with this requirement, the Company’s policy is to prepare its consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis unless it intends to liquidate its assets or has no other alternative but to liquidate its assets. As a result of the current level of available cash, the redirection of cash flow from CDO II, declines in cash flow from our non-CDO CMBS investments, and from our retained preferred shares in CDO I and the December 2009 maturity of the Company’s JPMorgan repurchase agreement facility, and unfunded capital commitments related to the Company’s investment in the US Debt Fund, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. While the Company has prepared its consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis, if it is unable to successfully extend the maturity date of its repurchase agreement borrowings, reduce operating expenses, sell assets or receive additional funding, its ability to continue as a going concern may be impacted. Therefore, the Company may not be able to realize its assets and settle its liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q do not reflect any adjustments that might specifically result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2009, the Company disclosed that there was substantial doubt regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. In response, the Company has undertaken or expects to commence certain efforts to reduce expenses and preserve liquidity including; (i) discontinuing payment of quarterly dividends and replacing such quarterly dividends with payment of an annual dividend to the extent required to satisfy REIT dividend requirements, (ii) seeking to reduce operating costs, primarily our general and administrative costs; (iii) seeking to restructure terms of our recourse indebtedness including extension of scheduled maturity dates and/or modification of near-term interest payment requirements; and (iv) if necessary, pursue sales of selected assets.
No assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in achieving any of these efforts. Should its repurchase agreement lender demand immediate repayment of all of our obligations, the Company will likely be unable to pay such obligations absent asset sales. In such event, the Company may have to recapitalize, refinance its obligations, sell some or all of its assets at prices below current estimated fair value or seek to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
During 2009, the Company has exchanged $56.3 million of its trust preferred securities (“TRUPs”) into junior subordinated notes, and cancelled $3.7 million of its TRUPs thereby reducing quarterly cash interest payments from approximately $1.1 million per quarter on the TRUPs to approximately $0.1 million per quarter on the junior subordinated notes through April 2012. In addition, the Company amended its note payable to reduce monthly payments from approximately $0.4 million to $75 from July through September 2009, and amended its agreement with the Manager to reduce cash basis monthly base management fees to approximately $75 from April to September 2009. However, its primary source of free operating cash flow are its non-CDO CMBS investments. Cash flow from these investments have declined from approximately $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 to approximately $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 due to deteriorating macroeconomic and commercial real estate conditions evidenced by increasing delinquencies, special servicing activity and appraisal reductions on collateral for such investments. This decline in non-CDO CMBS cash flow has further adversely affected our liquidity.
8
3. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKETS
Since 2007, significant disruptions in the global credit markets have had a substantial effect on market participants. These disruptions have led to, among other things, a significant decline in the fair value of many mortgage related investments, and a significant contraction in short-term and long-term funding sources. This contraction in credit includes sources that the Company depends on to finance certain of its investments, specifically repurchase agreements and commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations (CRE CDOs). As a result, many companies have had difficulty valuing certain of their holdings and/or obtaining sustainable long-term sources of capital to adequately finance their business. The Company has had a similar experience in the current capital markets environment and as a result, during 2007 and 2008 sold assets to reduce short-term borrowings and attempt to improve liquidity.
Since the second half of 2007, there has been a significant widening of credit spreads in both the subordinate CMBS market which includes bonds rated BB+ through NR classes, and in the investment grade tranches of BBB- and above. In 2008 and early 2009, new issue CMBS volume has been a small fraction of the amount of issuance in 2006 and 2007. Credit spreads on recent secondary market trades, which have also been very limited, for typical BBB- CMBS bonds, are estimated to exceed 6,500 basis points at June 30, 2009 compared to approximately 5,000 basis points as of December 31, 2008 and approximately 900 basis points as of December 31, 2007. Additionally, the Company has seen significant widening of credit spreads on real estate loans, including B-Notes, mezzanine loans and whole mortgage loans.
More recently, due primarily to the impact of the US Treasury programs, specifically the Public-Private Investment Program (“PPIP”) and Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”), AAA CMBS credit spreads have tightened. However, given that the Company’s CMBS portfolio is generally not highly rated, and therefore not eligible for these programs, it has not seen valuations or availability of financing improve for its CMBS investments.
The Company finances certain of its investments with a repurchase agreement that is subject to margin calls. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, the value of assets underlying the debt is marked-to-market by the counterparty at its discretion, as frequently as on a daily basis. If the value of the underlying asset declines, the counterparty has the ability to require us to post additional margin—cash or other collateral—to compensate for the decline in value of the asset. As a result of spread widening and a reduction in advance rates during 2007 and 2008, the Company had significant margin calls on its repurchase agreement facilities in those periods.
The Company has had no margin calls on its repurchase agreement during 2009, however, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company paid $2.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in scheduled amortization, as well as $0.8 million of scheduled amortization subsequent to June 30, 2009 through August 7, 2009 on its repurchase agreements, reducing such borrowings to $10.4 million as of August 7, 2009.
In the event the Company is unable to maintain or extend existing and/or secure new lines of credit or collateralized financing on favorable terms, its ability to continue as a going concern may be significantly impacted. In the event the Company’s current short-term credit facility is not extended or extended with lower advance rates on collateral, the Company may be required, among other actions, to sell assets at potentially unfavorable prices to payoff such facility which may reduce earnings and operating cash flow.
Since December 31, 2008, the Company has seen a significant increase in CMBS 60-day and greater delinquencies and CMBS loan collateral entering its CMBS special servicing portfolio. The 60-day and greater delinquencies on loan collateral underlying our CMBS “first-loss” investments was 249 basis points at June 30, 2009 compared to 83 basis points at December 31, 2008. The CMBS special servicing portfolio balance was $713.5 million, $2.8 billion and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2008, June 30, 2009 and August 5, 2009, respectively. Due to the continued tightening of credit, declining real estate values, and worsening macro-economic environment, in conjunction with the significant increase in its CMBS special servicing portfolio, the Company increased its loan loss projections associated with the real estate loan collateral underlying its “first-loss” CMBS portfolio, which represented approximately 3,500 loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $47 billion at June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, the Company increased projected future loan losses on such collateral to approximately $1.4 billion from $1.2 billion at March 31, 2009 and $964.1 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, the Company accelerated the projected timing of these losses, with most of the loss increase projected to occur in 2009 and 2010. This increase in loss projections results in lower projected future cash flows from its “first-loss” CMBS investments, and, in part, caused the Company to recognize a $3.9 million and $18.4 million CMBS impairment charge, respectively, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. Such losses may be increased in the future in the event that collateral performance and macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.
The Company does not currently know the full extent to which the current market disruption will affect it or the markets in which it operates, and the Company is unable to predict its length or ultimate severity. If the challenging conditions continue, the Company may experience further tightening of liquidity, increased credit losses, impairment charges as well as additional challenges
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in raising capital or obtaining and maintaining investment financing on attractive terms. Decisions by investors and lenders to enter into transactions with the Company will depend upon a number of factors, such as our historical and projected financial performance, compliance with the terms of our current credit arrangements, industry and market trends, the availability of capital and investors’ and lenders’ policies and rates applicable thereto, and the relative attractiveness of alternative investment or lending opportunities. These market developments have had a significant adverse impact on the Company’s liquidity position and its ability to achieve its long- term objectives. The Company’s liquidity, results of operations and financial condition have been and may continue to be adversely impacted if market conditions continue as is or further deteriorate.
4. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In the Company’s opinion, all material adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits, and money market funds with an original maturity of 90 days or less when purchased. Carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of the investments.
Restricted Cash
As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, restricted cash primarily consists of available replenishment pool collateral related to CDO II.
Fair Value Election
The Company elected, pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”), effective January 1, 2008, the fair value option (“FVO”) for all financial assets and liabilities related to its CDO I and CDO II financings. The assets and liabilities include:
| • | | CMBS investments pledged as collateral in CDOs |
| • | | Real estate loans pledged as collateral in CDOs, which currently represent our real estate loans held for investment |
| • | | CDO related interest rate swaps |
Under SFAS No. 159, the carrying value of the financial assets and liabilities for which the FVO was elected were reset to their fair values as of January 1, 2008. The Company elected the FVO to provide a consistent balance sheet presentation of the fair value of both the assets and liabilities associated with the CDO financings. Subsequent to January 1, 2008, changes in the fair value of these elected financial assets and liabilities are recognized in the statement of operations. The Company did not elect the FVO for any financial assets or liabilities acquired during 2008 or through March 31, 2009, but the Company may elect the FVO for financial assets acquired or financial liabilities incurred in the future.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), effective January 1, 2008. Under this standard, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants. In addition, the Company adopted FSB FAS 157-4,Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that Are Not Orderly, effective June 30, 2009 which provides guidance in determining the fair value for an asset or liability in a non-active or non-orderly market.
SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs into valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes observable data from active markets, placing measurement using those inputs in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, and gives the lowest priority to unobservable inputs and classifies these as level 3 measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS No. 157 are described below:
| • | | Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
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| • | | Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly; |
| • | | Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, even when market participant assumptions are not readily available, management’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
Other Than Temporary Impairment
The Company accounts for its commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”) assets not pledged to its CDOs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“SFAS No. 115”). The Company generally classifies such CMBS investments as available-for-sale because the Company may dispose of them prior to maturity in response to changes in the market, liquidity needs or other events.
Under the guidance of FASB Staff Position 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue 99-20” (“FSP EITF 99-20-1”), when based on current information and events there has been an adverse change in cash flows expected to be collected from those previously estimated, an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred. A change in expected cash flows is considered adverse under the guidance of EITF 99-20-1 when the present value of current period estimates of future cash flows are lower than the present value of the previous period estimates (both discounted using the current yield), as adjusted for receipts in the interim period, and the current estimated fair value is less than the asset’s carrying value. FSP FAS 115-2 (defined below under New Accounting Pronouncements) provides additional guidance for other-than-temporary impairments on debt securities and provides for the bifurcation of other-than-temporary impairments into (i) amounts related to credit losses which are recognized through earnings, and (ii) amounts related to all other factors which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. If the Company cannot assert that (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security; and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, then the entire other-than-temporary impairment is recognized through earnings. The portion of the other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses is calculated by comparing the amortized cost of the security to the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the security’s current yield, and is recognized through earnings on the consolidated statement of operations. The portion of the other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is generally recognized as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) on the consolidated balance sheet. A portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized through earnings is accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security through interest income, while amounts recognized through other comprehensive income/(loss) are amortized over the life of the security with no impact on earnings. The amortized cost basis of a security is adjusted by the amount of other-than-temporary impairment recognized through earnings.
For the non-CDO CMBS securities that were deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company could not assert that it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis given the Company’s current financial condition and liquidity needs. Accordingly, the Company has continued to record all other-than-temporary impairment charges through earnings and has not bifurcated any amount to other comprehensive income in accordance with FSP FAS 115-2.
For CMBS pledged to its CDOs, the Company previously elected the fair value option in accordance with SFAS No. 159 and accounts for those securities at fair value with changes in fair value from period to period recorded through earnings.
Derivative Activities
The Company accounts for derivative and hedging activities using SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities,” and SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheets.
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The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction and how ineffectiveness of the hedging instrument, if any, will be measured. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the balance sheets as either an asset or liability. To the extent hedges are effective, a corresponding amount, adjusted for swap payments, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded in the income statement. The net gain or loss related to the termination of a derivative instrument with ongoing indebtedness remains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is amortized into earnings during the same period in which the original hedged transaction affects earnings when it is probable that the forecasted transaction will occur within the originally specified time period. The Company periodically reviews the effectiveness of each hedging transaction, which involves estimating future cash flows, at least quarterly as required by the standard. In the event a cash flow hedge is no longer highly effective or it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction being hedged will not occur as anticipated, then cash flow hedge accounting is no longer applicable and the changes in fair value of the hedge will be recorded as unrealized gains and losses in the income statement. Additionally, any amount accumulated in other comprehensive income will be charged to earnings in the period in which the Company loses hedge accounting. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, will be considered fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. See Note 11 for information related to our interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had no fair value or cash flow hedges.
Real Estate Loans
The Company determines if its real estate loans should be accounted for as loans, real estate investments or equity method joint ventures in accordance with AICPA Practice Bulletin No. 1 on acquisition, development or construction (“ADC”) arrangements. To date, the Company has accounted for all of its arrangements as loans based on the guidance set forth in the Practice Bulletin.
The Company acquires participating interests in commercial real estate first mortgage loans and mezzanine loans. For those loans which the fair value election under SFAS No. 159 was not made when the Company initially invests in loan participations, they are evaluated under SFAS No. 115 to determine whether the participation interest meets the definition of a debt security. To the extent a given loan participation meets the definition of a debt security, the participation will be accounted for according to the guidance in SFAS No. 115. Those loan participations that do not meet the definition of a debt security are accounted for as loans in accordance with SFAS No. 65, “Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities,” and are initially recorded at the purchase price, which is generally at or near par value, and are carried on the balance sheet at amortized cost for those loans classified as held for investment or at the lower of cost or market for those classified as held for sale. To date, the Company has determined that none of the participation interests acquired met the definition of a debt security. See additional information regarding loan accounting and revenue recognition below underRevenue Recognition. In accordance with SFAS No. 65, real estate loans that the Company does not have the ability and/or intent to hold until maturity are classified as loans held for sale. Real estate loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value, on an individual loan basis, using available market information obtained through consultation with dealers or other originators of such investments. Unamortized discounts or premiums are written off on all loans classified as held for sale as well as loans for which the Company elected the fair value option.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs represent commitment fees, legal and other third party costs associated with obtaining commitments for financing which result in a closing of such financings for which the Company has not elected the FVO. These costs are amortized, using the effective interest method, into earnings through interest expense over the terms of the respective agreements. Unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking financing transactions which do not close are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not close.
Dividends to Stockholders
In order for corporate income tax not to apply to the earnings the Company distributes, the Company must distribute to its stockholders an amount at least equal to (i) 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain), plus (ii) 90% of the excess of its net income from foreclosure property (as defined in Section 856(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) over the tax imposed on such income by the Internal Revenue Code, less (iii) any excess non-cash income (as determined under the Internal Revenue Code). The Company is subject to income tax on taxable income that is not distributed, and to an excise tax to the extent that certain percentages of its income are not distributed by specified dates. The actual amount and timing of distributions is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, and depends upon various factors. Dividends to stockholders are accrued on the declaration date.
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Earnings per Share
The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated using income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected on February 20, 2009. Pursuant to GAAP, we did not restate historical share and per share amounts for our fourth quarter 2008 stock dividend paid on January 30, 2009 since a portion of the dividend was also payable in cash. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS except that the weighted average of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been exercised using the treasury stock method. Vested equity awards are included in both basic and diluted EPS. Nonvested equity awards are included in diluted EPS to the extent that they are dilutive under the treasury stock method.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company has 819 shares of potentially dilutive common stock which represents less than 0.1% of outstanding shares.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised primarily of unrealized gains and losses on securities categorized as available-for-sale, swap termination costs amortized through a charge to interest expense over the life of the hedge and from net unrealized gains and losses on certain derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges through December 31, 2007. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company amortized a net amount of $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to loss on interest rate swaps related to discontinued hedge accounting and terminated cash flow hedges more fully described in Note 11. Total comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $(26.4) million and $21.2 million, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Interest income on loans and CMBS investments is recognized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Mortgage loans will generally be originated or purchased at or near par value and interest income will be recognized based on the contractual terms of the debt instrument. In accordance with SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases,” any discounts or premiums on purchased loans and loan fees or acquisition costs on originated loans will be deferred and recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Any unamortized balance of purchased premiums or discounts and loan origination costs are included as a part of the cost basis of the asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Any exit fees received from prepayments of loans are recognized in the current period and included in interest income.
Interest income on CMBS investments is recognized on the effective interest method as required by EITF 99-20 (as amended by FSP EITF 99-20-1). Under EITF 99-20 and FSP EITF 99-20-1, management estimates, at the time of purchase, the future expected cash flows and determines the effective interest rate based on these estimated cash flows and the Company’s allocated purchase prices. Subsequent to the purchase and on a quarterly basis, these estimated cash flows are updated and a revised yield is calculated based on the current amortized cost of the investment. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the amount and timing of principal payments (including prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass through or coupon rate, and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans, and the timing of and magnitude of projected credit losses on the mortgage loans underlying the securities have to be estimated, which involves significant judgments. These uncertainties and contingencies are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may impact management’s estimates and the Company’s interest income. As a result, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates.
With respect to the Company’s CMBS investments, when an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred, the Company will adjust the amortized cost basis of the security in accordance with the guidance in FSP FAS 115-2 (seeCMBS - Other Than Temporary Impairmentbelow).After adjusting the amortized cost basis of the security for amount of the other than temporary impairment charge recognized through earnings, interest income is recognized prospectively using the market yield for the security used in establishing the current estimated fair value. The Company uses the same interest income methodology for both available for sale securities and for those securities for which the fair value option was elected.
Income Taxes
The Company operates in a manner that it believes will allow it to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, the Company does not expect to pay substantial corporate-level income taxes. Many of the requirements for REIT qualification, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements and did not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, the Company would be subject to Federal income tax, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, liquidity and amounts available for distributions to its stockholders.
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The 2005 through 2007 tax years remain subject to examination by taxing authorities. The Company classifies interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in its general and administrative expense on its consolidated statements of operations. There were no penalties related to uncertain tax positions for all periods prior to June 30, 2009.
Loan Loss Provisions
The Company purchases and originates commercial real estate mortgage and mezzanine loans. Loans carried at cost, if any, are evaluated for possible impairment on a quarterly basis. In accordance with SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” impairment occurs when it is deemed probable the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Impairment is then measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. Upon measurement of impairment, the Company will establish a reserve for loan losses and a corresponding charge to earnings through the provision for loan losses. Significant judgments are required in determining impairment, which includes making assumptions regarding the value of the loan, the value of the real estate or partnership interests that secure the loan and any other applicable provisions, including guarantee and cross-collateralization features, if any. There were no loan loss reserves recorded as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and there were no provisions for loan losses recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company reflected all real estate loans at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has issued restricted shares of common stock and options to purchase common stock, or equity awards, to our directors, our Manager, employees of affiliates of our Manager and other related persons. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation related to these equity awards using the fair value based methodology under FASB Statement No. 123(R), or SFAS No.123(R), “Share Based Payment” and EITF 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services.” Compensation expense for equity awards to individuals deemed to be employees for purposes of SFAS No. 123(R) is measured based on the grant date fair value and amortized into expense over the requisite service period. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that awards to non-employees be accounted for according to the fair value provisions of the Statement, but does not specify the measurement date for such non-employee awards. Accordingly, the measurement date for non-employee awards is determined based on the guidance in EITF 96-18. To the extent that non-employee awards do not contain a performance component as defined in EITF 96-18, compensation cost for equity awards issued to non-employees is initially measured at fair value at the grant date, remeasured at subsequent reporting dates to the extent the awards are unvested, and amortized to expense over the requisite service period.
Variable Interest Entities
In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised version of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46(R)”). FIN 46(R) addresses the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which voting rights are not effective in identifying an investor with a controlling financial interest. An entity is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and subject to consolidation under FIN 46(R) if the investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities, or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns. Variable interest entities within the scope of FIN 46(R) are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is determined to be the party that absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, its expected returns, or both.
The Company’s ownership of the subordinated classes of CMBS from a single issuer gives it the right to control the foreclosure/workout process on the underlying loans (“Controlling Class CMBS”). FIN 46(R) has certain scope exceptions, one of which provides that an enterprise that holds a variable interest in a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”) does not consolidate that entity unless that enterprise has the unilateral ability to cause the entity to liquidate. SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” provides the requirements for an entity to be considered a QSPE. To maintain the QSPE exception, the trust must continue to meet the QSPE criteria both initially and in subsequent periods. A trust’s QSPE status can be impacted in future periods by activities of its transferor(s) or other involved parties, including the manner in which certain servicing activities are performed. To the extent its CMBS investments were issued by a trust that meets the requirements to be considered a QSPE, the Company records the investments at the purchase price paid. To the extent the underlying trusts are not QSPEs, the Company follows the guidance set forth in FIN 46(R) as the trusts would be considered VIEs.
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The Company has analyzed the governing pooling and servicing agreements for each of its Controlling Class CMBS and believes that the terms are industry standard and are consistent with the QSPE criteria. However, there is uncertainty with respect to QSPE treatment due to ongoing review by accounting standard setters, potential actions by various parties involved with the QSPE, as discussed above, as well as varying and evolving interpretations of the QSPE criteria under SFAS No. 140. In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166,Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.This statement removes the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (SPE) from SFAS No. 140 and eliminates the exception for qualifying SPEs from the consolidation guidance of FIN No. 46(R). The Company will adopt SFAS No. 166 on January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements, however, it currently believes that the presentation of its consolidated financial statements may prospectively change significantly upon adoption.
The table below details information about the Company’s CMBS investments, including the purchase date, the face amount of the total CMBS issuance, the original and current face amounts of our CMBS investments, and the amortized cost of our CMBS investments as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS Trust | | Investment Date | | Total Original Face Amount of CMBS Issuance | | Original Face Amount of Investment | | Face Amount as of | | Amortized Cost(1) as of |
| | | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 |
MACH One 2004-1 | | July 2004 | | $ | 643,261 | | $ | 50,637 | | $ | 31,724 | | $ | 47,897 | | $ | 2,530 | | $ | 5,191 |
CSFB 1998-C1(2) | | August 2004 | | | 2,482,942 | | | 12,500 | | | 12,500 | | | 12,500 | | | 3,200 | | | 4,256 |
CSFB 2004-C4 | | November 2004 | | | 1,138,077 | | | 52,976 | | | 43,098 | | | 43,098 | | | 4,511 | | | 6,580 |
MLMT 2004-BPC1 | | November 2004 | | | 1,242,650 | | | 76,986 | | | 48,547 | | | 48,547 | | | 6,134 | | | 9,251 |
JPMCC 2004-C3 | | December 2004 | | | 1,517,410 | | | 81,561 | | | 63,154 | | | 63,154 | | | 6,429 | | | 11,248 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC11 | | March 2005 | | | 1,800,969 | | | 70,035 | | | 64,914 | | | 64,914 | | | 4,490 | | | 8,942 |
BACM 2005- 1 | | April 2005 | | | 2,322,091 | | | 84,663 | | | 72,163 | | | 72,163 | | | 9,086 | | | 13,621 |
LB UBS 2005-C2(2) | | April 2005 | | | 1,942,131 | | | 7,000 | | | 4,500 | | | 4,500 | | | 872 | | | 1,752 |
CSFB 2005-C2 | | May 2005 | | | 1,614,084 | | | 82,261 | | | 61,695 | | | 65,697 | | | 193 | | | 3,128 |
LB UBS 2005-C3 | | June 2005 | | | 2,060,632 | | | 39,335 | | | 39,335 | | | 39,335 | | | 977 | | | 2,917 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC12 | | July 2005 | | | 2,167,039 | | | 70,429 | | | 70,405 | | | 70,405 | | | 413 | | | 5,289 |
JPMCC 2005-LDP4 | | September 2005 | | | 2,677,075 | | | 90,352 | | | 90,352 | | | 90,352 | | | 5,515 | | | 10,428 |
MSCI 2005-IQ10 | | October 2005 | | | 1,546,863 | | | 55,274 | | | 55,274 | | | 55,274 | | | 3,699 | | | 6,883 |
MLMT 2005 CK I1 | | December 2005 | | | 3,073,749 | | | 96,066 | | | 88,246 | | | 96,066 | | | 7,623 | | | 11,754 |
MSC 2006 HQ8 | | March 2006 | | | 2,731,231 | | | 105,707 | | | 105,707 | | | 105,707 | | | 7,111 | | | 13,315 |
JPMCC 2006-CIBC15 | | June 2006 | | | 2,118,303 | | | 71,493 | | | 71,493 | | | 71,493 | | | 280 | | | 5,829 |
CGCMT 2006-C4 | | June 2006 | | | 2,263,536 | | | 84,395 | | | 84,395 | | | 84,395 | | | 5,004 | | | 10,974 |
MSCI 2006- HQ9 | | August 2006 | | | 2,565,238 | | | 81,338 | | | 81,338 | | | 81,338 | | | 6,772 | | | 10,399 |
MLMT 2006- C2 | | August 2006 | | | 1,542,697 | | | 60,067 | | | 60,067 | | | 60,067 | | | 1,869 | | | 9,951 |
JPMCC 2006- LDP8 | | September 2006 | | | 3,066,028 | | | 107,158 | | | 107,158 | | | 107,158 | | | 7,329 | | | 15,279 |
CD 2006- CD3 | | October 2006 | | | 3,571,361 | | | 110,713 | | | 108,795 | | | 110,713 | | | 6,723 | | | 11,513 |
MSCI 2007- HQ11 | | February 2007 | | | 2,417,647 | | | 89,530 | | | 88,895 | | | 88,895 | | | 6,702 | | | 11,109 |
GCCFC 2007- GG9(2) | | March 2007 | | | 6,575,924 | | | 34,167 | | | 34,167 | | | 34,167 | | | 3,281 | | | 6,185 |
JPMCC 2007- LDP10 | | March 2007 | | | 5,331,517 | | | 151,616 | | | 151,616 | | | 151,616 | | | 2,233 | | | 15,643 |
WAMU 2007- SL3(2) | | June 2007 | | | 1,284,473 | | | 6,500 | | | 6,500 | | | 6,500 | | | 866 | | | 1,465 |
JPMCC 2007- LDP12 | | August 2007 | | | 2,310,556 | | | 81,402 | | | 81,402 | | | 81,402 | | | 4,593 | | | 7,845 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 62,007,484 | | $ | 1,854,161 | | $ | 1,727,440 | | $ | 1,757,353 | | $ | 108,435 | | $ | 220,747 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | The decline in amortized cost from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009 is due primarily the recognition of impairments totaling $18.4 million and basis writedowns totaling $78.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009. |
(2) | Represents an investment where we have only invested in the classes that are senior to “first-loss” CMBS bonds issued by the trust. |
The Company’s maximum carrying value exposure to loss as a result of its investment in these securities totaled $108.4 million and $220.7 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. However, the Company has reduced its maximum economic loss exposure through the use of non-recourse financing vehicles for these investments financed by CDOs.
The financing structures that the Company offers to its borrowers on certain of its loans involve the creation of entities that could be deemed VIEs and, therefore, could be subject to FIN 46(R). Management has evaluated these entities and has concluded that none of them are VIEs that are subject to consolidation under FIN 46(R).
In November 2005 and October 2006, the Company issued two CDOs through wholly owned subsidiaries as more fully discussed in Note 10. The Company has accounted for these transactions as financings, and the anticipated variability of each CDOs results are absorbed by the Company as the holder of the non-investment grade notes. The Company concluded that consolidation of both CDOs is required as a consequence of this exposure.
15
In April 2007, the Company created a trust subsidiary for the purpose of issuing TRUPs. The trust is considered a VIE under FIN 46(R) and it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the trust as the Company does not hold a variable interest in the Trust. Accordingly, the trust is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In May 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to exchange and cancel all TRUPs issued through this subsidiary and it intends to dissolve this subsidiary in the future. Refer to Note 9 for further details.
In December 2007, the Company entered in an agreement to invest up to $10.0 million into a fund, defined as the JER US Debt Co-Investment Vehicle, L.P. (the “US Debt Fund”) established to buy loans secured, directly or indirectly, by commercial real estate, including B-Notes, mezzanine loans and whole mortgage loans, and also in preferred equity, CMBS and CMBS-related products such as CMBX. Excluded investments for the US Debt Fund include non-performing loans, fee-simple ownership interests in real estate, single family residential mortgages and related securities (sub-prime, conforming, jumbo or Alt-A), whole loans originated directly by us or an affiliate of our Manager and net leased real estate assets. The US Debt Fund is not considered a VIE under FIN 46(R). Accordingly, the US Debt Fund investment is accounted for using the equity method of accounting and is reflected in investment in unconsolidated joint ventures on the consolidated balance sheets.
New Accounting Standards
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141(R)). This Statement replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, including those arising from contractual contingencies, any contingent consideration, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the statement. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires the acquirer in a business combination achieved in stages (sometimes referred to as a step acquisition) to recognize the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the full amounts of their fair values (or other amounts determined in accordance with SFAS No. 141(R)). In addition, SFAS No. 141(R)’s requirement to measure the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value will result in recognizing the goodwill attributable to the noncontrolling interest in addition to that attributable to the acquirer. SFAS No. 141(R) amends SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, to require the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly in contributed capital, depending on the circumstances. It also amends SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, to, among other things, provide guidance on the impairment testing of acquired research and development intangible assets and assets that the acquirer intends not to use. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 140-3, or FSP No. 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions.” FSP No. 140-3 provides guidance on the accounting for a purchase of a financial asset from a counterparty and contemporaneous financing of the acquisition through repurchase agreements with the same counterparty. Under this guidance, the purchase and related financing are linked, unless all of the following conditions are met at the inception of the transaction: 1) the purchase and corresponding financing are not contractually contingent; 2) the repurchase financing provides recourse; 3) the financial asset and repurchase financing are readily obtainable in the marketplace and are executed at market rates; and 4) the maturity of financial asset and repurchase are not coterminous. A linked transaction would require a determination under SFAS No. 140 to conclude if the transaction meets the requirements for sale accounting. If the linked transaction does not meet sale accounting requirements, the net investment in the linked transaction is to be recorded as a derivative with the corresponding change in fair value of the derivative being recorded through earnings. The value of the derivative would reflect changes in the value of the underlying debt investments and changes in the value of the underlying credit provided by the counterparty. We currently present these transactions gross, with the acquisition of the financial assets in total assets and the related repurchase agreements as financing in total liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the interest income earned on the debt investments and interest expense incurred on the repurchase obligations are reported gross on the consolidated income statements. FSP No. 140-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP No. 140-3 on January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In March, 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. This statement provides for enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivatives and how and where those derivatives and related hedged items are reported in the entity’s financial statements. The statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No. 161 on January 1, 2009 and included all applicable disclosures related to the adoption.
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In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position EITF 03-06-1,Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities, or FSP EITF 03-06-1. This standard requires that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or payments shall be included in the computation of a company’s earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. In effect, FSP EITF 03-06-1 requires companies to report basic and diluted earnings per share in two broad categories. First, companies would be required to report basic and diluted earnings per share associated with the unvested share-based payments with nonforfeitable rights. Second, companies would separately report basic and diluted earnings per share for their remaining common stock. FSP EITF 03-06-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior period earnings per share presented must be adjusted retrospectively to conform to the provisions of this FSP. The Company adopted EITF 03-06-1 as of January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4,Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161. This FSP is intended to improve disclosures about credit derivatives by requiring more information about the potential adverse effects of changes in credit risk on the financial position, financial performance, and cash flows of the sellers of credit derivatives. This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in hybrid instruments. This FSP also amends FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 45,Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, to require an additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The provisions of the FSP that amend Statement 133 and FIN 45 are effective for reporting periods (annual or interim) ending after November 15, 2008. Finally, this FSP clarifies the effective date in FASB Statement No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The disclosures required by Statement 161 should be provided for any reporting period (annual or quarterly interim) beginning after November 15, 2008. This clarification of the effective date of SFAS No. 161 is effective upon issuance of the FSP. The Company adopted FSP No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4 as of January 1, 2009 and determined they do not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April of 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-4,Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. This FSP (i) affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction (ii) clarifies and includes additional factors for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset when the market for that asset is not active and (iii) eliminates the proposed presumption that all transactions are distressed (not orderly) unless proven otherwise. The FSP instead requires an entity to base its conclusion about whether a transaction was not orderly on the weight of the evidence and (i) includes an example that provides additional explanation on estimating fair value when the market activity for an asset has declined significantly (ii) requires an entity to disclose a change in valuation technique (and the related inputs) resulting from the application of the FSP and to quantify its effects, if practicable and (iii) applies to all fair value measurements when appropriate. FSP FAS 157-4 must be applied prospectively and retrospective application is not permitted. FSP FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company adopted FSP FAS 157-4 as of June 30, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April of 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. This FSP (i) changes existing guidance for debt securities in determining whether an impairment is other than temporary, (ii) requires management to assert (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security; and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis in order to deem an impairment temporary, (iii) provides for the bifurcation of other-than-temporary impairments into amounts related to credit losses which are recognized through earnings, and amounts related to all other factors which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income, (iv) requires an entity to present the total other-than-temporary impairment in the statement of earnings with an offset for the amount recognized in other comprehensive income, and (vi) when adopting FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, an entity is required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized other-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income if the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery. The FSP did not change the method for measuring the amount of the impairment provided by ETIF 99-20 and FSP EITF 99-20-1. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4. The Company adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of June 30, 2009.
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In April of 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1,Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. This FSP amends SFAS No. 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require an entity to provide disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28,Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. Under this FSP, a publicly traded company shall include disclosures about the fair value of its financial instruments whenever it issues summarized financial information for interim reporting periods. In addition, an entity shall disclose in the body or in the accompanying notes of its summarized financial information for interim reporting periods and in its financial statements for annual reporting periods the fair value of all financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, whether recognized or not recognized in the statement of financial position, as required by FSP 107-1. FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. However, an entity may early adopt these interim fair value disclosure requirements only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4 and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. The Company adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 as of June 30, 2009 and determined they do not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166,Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.This SFAS (i) removes the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (SPE) from SFAS No. 140 and eliminates the exception for qualifying SPEs from the consolidation guidance of FIN No. 46(R), (ii) amends and clarifies the unit of account eligible for sale accounting as an entire financial asset, group of assets or a participating interest in an entire financial asset, (iii) requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of an entire financial asset or group of assets accounted for as a sale. SFAS No. 166 is effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter with earlier adoption prohibited. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 166 on January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements, however, it currently believes that the presentation of its consolidated financial statements may prospectively change significantly upon adoption.
In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 167,Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)(Statement 167), which (i) addresses the effects of eliminating the qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) concept from FASB Statement No. 140,Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities(Statement 140), and (ii) responds to concerns about the application of certain key provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R),Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities(FIN 46(R)), including concerns over the transparency of enterprises’ involvement with variable interest entities (VIEs). This SFAS (i) requires a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE, (b) amends FIN 46(R)’s consideration of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE by providing, among other things, an exception with respect to de facto agency relationships in certain circumstances, (c) amends certain guidance in FIN 46(R) for determining whether an entity is a VIE, which may change an enterprise’s assessment of which entities with which it is involved are VIEs, (d) requires continuous assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and (e) requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE. SFAS No. 167 is effective as of the beginning of an enterprise’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter, with earlier application prohibited. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 167 on January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements, however, it currently believes that the presentation of its consolidated financial statements may prospectively change significantly upon adoption.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Election of the Fair Value Option (“FVO”) Under SFAS No. 159
The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008 and elected the FVO to measure all of its financial assets and liabilities associated with our CDO I and II financings at fair value. The Company elected the FVO to provide a consistent balance sheet presentation of the fair value of both the assets and liabilities associated with those CDO financings. As a result of our election of the FVO, all changes in fair value of the elected assets and liabilities are recognized through a charge to earnings. The following financial assets and liabilities were accounted for using the FVO as of June 30, 2009:
| • | | CMBS investments pledged as collateral in CDOs |
| • | | Real estate loans pledged as collateral in CDOs, which currently represent our real estate loans held for investment |
| • | | CDO related interest rate swaps |
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Upon adoption of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008, all assets and liabilities for which the FVO was elected were marked to fair value with the adjustment recorded to beginning cumulative earnings as of the election date. For CMBS assets and interest rate swaps, the amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income as of January 1, 2008 were reclassified to beginning cumulative earnings. Additionally, as a result of electing the FVO for our CDO notes payable, the related unamortized deferred financing fees were charged against cumulative earnings as of January 1, 2008.
Fair Value Determination under SFAS No. 157
Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 157, the fair values of our assets and liabilities are determined through the use of market based and observable inputs, to the extent available, and generally represent prices that would be used to sell the assets or transfer the liabilities between market participants in orderly transactions. Given the unique nature of many of our assets and liabilities and the lack of clearly determinable market based valuation inputs, most of our assets are valued using internal estimates and models. Based on the high level of subjectivity which exists with respect to many of our valuation inputs, the fair values we have disclosed may not equal prices that may ultimately be realized if the assets are sold or liabilities transferred with third parties.
The financial instruments we hold that require the most complex judgments and assumptions relate to our CMBS investments, real estate loans and CDO notes payable all of which are classified as Level 3, and the fair value measurement process for each category of financial instrument is detailed below.
| • | | CMBS investments are carried at fair value on a recurring basis—The fair value of CMBS investments is determined primarily by its internal valuation models which the Company compares to non-binding dealer quotes. In its internal valuation models, management employs a discounted cash flow model approach which utilizes prepayment and loss assumptions based upon historical experience, economic factors and forecasts and the characteristics of the underlying cash flows. Management determines the applicable discount rates based on current credit spreads as reflected in information provided by issuers of the securities, comparable deals purchased or traded in the marketplace, if available, the CMBX indices and other derivative trading markets, rates of return required by other real estate debt and equity investment vehicles and market interest rates, among other factors. The discount rates employed also consider the vintage and credit ratings of the bonds being valued. The Company has classified all CMBS investments as Level 3 assets as there are limited observable transactions related to these investments in the current market. |
| • | | Real estate loans—The Company uses discounted cash flow models employing discount rates that are based on management’s best estimate of market participant assumptions either to validate the quotes or estimated value in situations where lender quotes are not received. The Company also considers quotes from the lenders on repurchase agreements that are used as an input to the fair value of our real estate loans to the extent that such values are generally consistent with other market participant inputs received. The Company has classified all real estate loans as Level 3 assets as there are limited observable transactions related to these types of investments in the current market. |
| • | | CDO notes payable—The fair value of the CDO notes payable is determined by our internal valuation models, which the Company compares to non-binding indicative quotes from third party broker/dealers familiar with the securities. The Company classifies all CDO notes payable as Level 3 liabilities, as there are limited observable transactions related to these notes payable. |
| • | | Interest rate swap agreements—The fair value of its interest rate swap agreements is determined using market observable inputs such as a market based yield curve and other factors determined by management, such as the credit valuation adjustment related to our credit risk and the counterparty credit risk. The Company classifies all interest rate swap agreements as Level 2 assets or liabilities due to significant trading activity in this market and the insignificance of the credit valuation adjustment relative to the June 30, 2009 fair value of our interest rate swaps. |
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Assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis
The following table sets forth assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2009. Assets and liabilities have been grouped in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as required by SFAS No. 157. All of our assets and liabilities, except for interest rate swap agreements, are carried at fair value and have been designated as Level 3, in part, due to the lack of observable market data. In considering whether observable market data existed, we considered whether the markets for our assets and liabilities were illiquid. In general, we consider a market to be illiquid primarily due to the significant decrease in new issue CMBS and CDO commercial real estate securitization volume and limited secondary market trading on previous issues.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value Measurement as of June 30, 2009 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS, at fair value: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS financed by CDOs, at fair value | | $ | 91,182 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 91,182 |
CMBS not financed by CDOs, at fair value | | | 17,339 | | | — | | | — | | | 17,339 |
Real estate loans, held for investment, at fair value | | | 137,993 | | | — | | | — | | | 137,993 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 246,514 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 246,514 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDO notes payable, at fair value | | $ | 116,129 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 116,129 |
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value, related to CDOs | | | 41,217 | | | — | | | 41,217 | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | $ | 157,346 | | $ | — | | $ | 41,217 | | $ | 116,129 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following tables present a summary of the changes in the fair values for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 of Level 3 assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of June 30, 2009.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | | Gains/(Losses) Included in Income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | FVO Election (Yes/No) | | Beginning Balance as of March 31, 2009 | | | Unrealized | | | Realized | | Transfer from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Gains (Losses) | | Total Gains (Losses) | | | Transfer to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | | Purchases, Sales, Repayments, Issuances, & Settlements, net | | | Premium/ Discount Amortization | | | Transfers (In)/Out of Level 3 | | Ending Balance as of June 30, 2009 | | | Gains/ (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Assets/ Liabilities held at June 30, 2009 | |
Financial Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS, at fair value: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS, financed by CDOs, at fair value | | Yes | | $ | 111,812 | | | $ | (13,919 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (13,919 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | — | | | $ | (6,711 | ) | | $ | — | | | 91,182 | | | $ | (13,919 | ) |
CMBS, not financed by CDOs, at fair value | | No | | | 23,616 | | | | (3,854 | ) | | | — | | | — | | | (3,854 | ) | | | 9 | | | — | | | | (2,432 | ) | | | — | | | 17,339 | | | | (3,854 | ) |
Real estate loans, held for investment, at fair value | | Yes | | | 152,032 | | | | (13,776 | ) | | | — | | | — | | | (13,776 | ) | | | — | | | (263 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | 137,993 | | | | (13,776 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | | $ | 287,460 | | | $ | (31,549 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (31,549 | ) | | $ | 9 | | $ | (263 | ) | | $ | (9,143 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | 246,514 | | | $ | (31,549 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDO notes payable, at fair value, related to CDOs | | Yes | | $ | (127,400 | ) | | $ | 5,461 | | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 5,461 | | | $ | — | | $ | 5,810 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (116,129 | ) | | $ | 5,461 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | | $ | (127,400 | ) | | $ | 5,461 | | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 5,461 | | | $ | — | | $ | 5,810 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (116,129 | ) | | $ | 5,461 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains and Losses (Realized and Unrealized) Included In Earnings for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 | |
| | Loss on CMBS Financed by CDO’s | | | Loss on CMBS Not Financed by CDOs | | | Loss on Real Estate Loans Held for Investment | | | Total Losses | |
Financial Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total gains (losses) included in earnings for the period | | $ | (13,919 | ) | | $ | (3,845 | ) | | $ | (13,776 | ) | | | (31,540 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gains or losses related to financial assets still held at reporting date | | $ | (13,919 | ) | | $ | (3,845 | ) | | $ | (13,776 | ) | | $ | (31,540 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | Gain on CDO Notes Payable | | | Total Gains | | | | |
Financial Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | |
Total gains (losses) included in earnings for the period | | $ | 5,461 | | | $ | 5,461 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gains or losses related to financial liabilities still held at reporting date | | $ | 5,461 | | | $ | 5,461 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | | Gains/(Losses) Included in Income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | FVO Election (Yes/No) | | Beginning Balance as of December 31, 2008 | | | Unrealized | | | Realized | | Transfer from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Gains (Losses) | | Total Gains (Losses) | | | Transfer to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | | | Purchases, Sales, Repayments, Issuances, & Settlements, net | | | Premium/ Discount Amortization | | | Transfers (In)/Out of Level 3 | | Ending Balance as of June 30, 2009 | | | Gains/ (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Assets/ Liabilities held at June 30, 2009 | |
Financial Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS, at fair value: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS, financed by CDOs, at fair value | | Yes | | $ | 180,210 | | | $ | (79,645 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (79,645 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (9,383 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | 91,182 | | | $ | (79,645 | ) |
CMBS, not financed by CDOs, at fair value | | No | | | 42,432 | | | | (18,366 | ) | | | — | | | — | | | (18,366 | ) | | | (833 | ) | | | — | | | | (5,894 | ) | | | — | | | 17,339 | | | | (18,366 | ) |
Real estate loans, held for investment, at fair value | | Yes | | | 189,980 | | | | (48,286 | ) | | | — | | | — | | | (48,286 | ) | | | — | | | | (3,701 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | 137,993 | | | | (48,286 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | | $ | 412,622 | | | $ | (146,297 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (146,297 | ) | | $ | (833 | ) | | $ | (3,701 | ) | | $ | (15,277 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | 246,514 | | | $ | (147,963 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDO notes payable, at fair value, related to CDOs | | Yes | | $ | (211,695 | ) | | $ | 85,062 | | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 85,062 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,504 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (116,129 | ) | | $ | 85,062 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | | $ | (211,695 | ) | | $ | 85,062 | | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 85,062 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,504 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (116,129 | ) | | $ | 85,062 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains and Losses (Realized and Unrealized) Included In Earnings for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 | |
| | Loss on CMBS Financed by CDO’s | | | Loss on CMBS Not Financed by CDOs | | | Loss on Real Estate Loans Held for Investment | | | Total Losses | |
Financial Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total gains (losses) included in earnings for the period | | $ | (79,645 | ) | | $ | (19,199 | ) | | $ | (48,286 | ) | | | (147,130 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gains or losses related to financial assets still held at reporting date | | $ | (79,645 | ) | | $ | (19,199 | ) | | $ | (48,286 | ) | | $ | (147,130 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | Gain on CDO Notes Payable | | | Total Gains | | | | |
Financial Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | |
Total gains (losses) included in earnings for the period | | $ | 85,062 | | | $ | 85,062 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gains or losses related to financial liabilities still held at reporting date | | $ | 85,062 | | | $ | 85,062 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
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6. CMBS
The following is a summary of the Company’s CMBS investments as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | June 30, 2009 ($ in thousands) |
Security Description | | Face Amount | | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized | | Estimated Fair Value | | Weighted Average |
| | | Gains | | Losses | | | Coupon | | | Yield (4) | | | Term (yrs) |
CMBS not financed by CDOs(1)(3) | | $ | 428,737 | | $ | 17,330 | | $ | 9 | | $ | — | | $ | 17,339 | | 5.2 | % | | 57.0 | % | | 5.8 |
CMBS financed by CDO I(2) | | | 418,748 | | | 44,880 | | | 12 | | | — | | | 44,892 | | 4.9 | % | | 41.5 | % | | 7.9 |
CMBS financed by CDO II(2) | | | 879,955 | | | 46,225 | | | 65 | | | — | | | 46,290 | | 5.2 | % | | 51.1 | % | | 7.8 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,727,440 | | $ | 108,435 | | $ | 86 | | $ | — | | $ | 108,521 | | 5.1 | % | | 47.5 | % | | 7.5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | December 31, 2008 ($ in thousands) |
Security Description | | Face Amount | | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized | | Estimated Fair Value | | Weighted Average |
| | | Gains | | Losses | | | Coupon | | | Yield (4) | | | Term (yrs) |
CMBS not financed by CDOs(1)(3) | | $ | 449,732 | | $ | 41,590 | | $ | 842 | | $ | — | | $ | 42,432 | | 5.2 | % | | 43.3 | % | | 7.5 |
CMBS financed by CDO I(2) | | | 418,748 | | | 76,886 | | | — | | | — | | | 76,886 | | 4.9 | % | | 30.6 | % | | 8.7 |
CMBS financed by CDO II(2) | | | 888,873 | | | 102,271 | | | 1,053 | | | — | | | 103,324 | | 5.2 | % | | 36.9 | % | | 8.4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,757,353 | | $ | 220,747 | | $ | 1,895 | | $ | — | | $ | 222,642 | | 5.1 | % | | 35.6 | % | | 8.3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Fair values of CMBS not financed by CDOs are based on SFAS No. 157 and such CMBS were accounted for as available for sale securities pursuant to SFAS No. 115 and EITF 99-20 and thereby subject to potential other than temporary impairment charges. As a result of recording impairments during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the amortized costs of these CMBS securities have been written down to their estimated fair value at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Subsequent to June 30, 2009, unrealized gains/losses, if any, that are not impairments will be included in other comprehensive income (loss). |
(2) | Fair values of CMBS financed by CDOs are based on SFAS No. 157 and such CMBS were accounted for using the fair value election pursuant to SFAS No. 159 as of January 1, 2008 and are not subject to other than temporary impairment charges as changes in fair value are recorded as a component of other gains (losses) in the consolidated statement of operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $78.7 million and $606.8 million, respectively, of reductions in the amortized cost basis of CMBS assets financed by CDOs pursuant to EITF 99-20 and SFAS No. 159. |
(3) | For the CMBS investments financed via repurchase agreements which had a fair value of $16.6 million and $40.2 million, respectively, at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, total borrowings outstanding were $11.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively. |
(4) | Yield is based on amortized cost. |
The Company’s valuation and income recognition processes involves estimating loss adjusted cash flows over the expected term of the securities and determining an effective yield to maturity based on those cash flow estimates. For CMBS, if there is an adverse change in the net present value of projected cash flows from those estimated in the previous period, and the fair value of the security is below its amortized cost basis, the Company will reduce the amortized cost basis to fair value, pursuant to EITF 99-20. Additionally, if CMBS assets are in a significant unrealized loss position for an extended period of time, the Company will consider reducing the amortized cost basis to fair value pursuant to guidance outlined in EITF 99-20, FSP 115-1, FSP 115-2, SFAS No. 124-2 and SAB 59. For assets in which we did not elect the FVO, this would result in an other than temporary impairment charge on the consolidated statement of operations. The composition of other than temporary non-cash impairment charges is as follows (amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | For the Six Months Ended June 30, |
Reason for Loss | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Declines in cash flows(1) | | $ | 3,850 | | $ | 273 | | $ | 14,551 | | $ | 2,356 |
Declines in fair value(2) | | | 5 | | | — | | | 3,815 | | | 97,530 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 3,854 | | $ | 273 | | $ | 18,366 | | $ | 99,886 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | Losses driven by declines in cash flows are related to declines in the projected net present value of future cash flows pursuant to EITF 99-20 |
| (2) | Losses driven by an other than temporary decline in fair value is due to widening of credit spreads for CMBS investments since the first half of 2007, resulting in both increased severity of the level of unrealized losses as well as increased duration of such losses. |
As a result of the write-down in value of our CMBS assets financed by CDOs due to adoption of FVO and the write-down in value of our CMBS assets not financed by CDOs due to other than temporary impairment, the overall costs basis has been written down to reflect the decline in estimated fair value. Accordingly, the weighted average yields on CMBS assets have increased due to a reduction in the amortized cost basis.
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As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the mortgage loans in the underlying collateral pools for all CMBS were secured by properties of the types and in the geographies identified below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location(1) | | June 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | | | Property Type (1) | | June 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
California | | 15.4 | % | | 15.4 | % | | Office | | 31.7 | % | | 31.7 | % |
New York | | 11.9 | % | | 11.9 | % | | Retail | | 30.7 | % | | 30.7 | % |
Texas | | 6.5 | % | | 6.5 | % | | Residential(2) | | 15.2 | % | | 15.4 | % |
Florida | | 5.8 | % | | 5.8 | % | | Hospitality | | 7.1 | % | | 7.2 | % |
Virginia | | 4.7 | % | | 4.6 | % | | Industrial | | 5.4 | % | | 5.2 | % |
Other(3) | | 54.9 | % | | 55.0 | % | | Other(3) | | 9.1 | % | | 9.0 | % |
Re-REMIC(4) | | 0.8 | % | | 0.8 | % | | Re-REMIC(4) | | 0.8 | % | | 0.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | Total | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Percentages are based on the unpaid principal balance of the underlying loans in our CMBS investments. Classifications are based on the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries’ (“NCREIF”) standard categories. |
(2) | Residential primarily consists of multi-family apartment buildings, mobile home parks, and student housing. |
(3) | No other individual state or property type comprises more than 4.0% of the total as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. |
(4) | The Company’s investment in a Re-REMIC backed by CMBS from 41 previous conduit securitizations is not included in the above categories due to the stratification information on the original loan collateral not being meaningful. |
The non-investment grade and unrated tranches of the CMBS owned by the Company provide credit support to the more senior classes of the related securitizations. Cash flow from the underlying mortgages generally is allocated first to the senior tranches, with the most senior tranches having a priority right to the cash flow. Any remaining cash flow is allocated, generally, among the other tranches in order of their relative seniority. To the extent there are defaults and unrecoverable losses on the underlying mortgages resulting in reduced cash flows, the remaining CMBS classes will bear such losses in order of their relative subordination.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company made no new CMBS investments.
7. REAL ESTATE LOANS
At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company’s real estate loans consisted of the following.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of June 30, 2009 ($ in thousands) |
Description | | Unpaid Principal Balance | | Amortized Cost | | Carrying Value | | Unrealized Gain/ (Loss) | | | Weighted Average Effective Interest Rate Based on Amortized Cost | | | Range of Maturity Dates (2) |
Real estate loans, held for investment(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
First mortgage loan participations | | $ | 43,639 | | $ | 43,639 | | $ | 25,569 | | $ | (18,070 | ) | | 3.9 | % | | February 2010 - February 2011 |
Mezzanine loans | | | 226,648 | | | 226,383 | | | 112,424 | | | (113,959 | ) | | 3.3 | % | | October 2009 - August 2010 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 270,287 | | $ | 270,022 | | $ | 137,993 | | $ | (132,029 | ) | | 3.4 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | As of December 31, 2008 ($ in thousands) |
Description | | Unpaid Principal Balance | | Amortized Cost | | Carrying Value | | Unrealized Gain/ (Loss) | | | Weighted Average Effective Interest Rate Based on Amortized Cost | | | Range of Current Maturity Dates (2) |
Real estate loans, held for investment(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
First mortgage loan participations | | $ | 47,077 | | $ | 47,077 | | $ | 28,555 | | $ | (18,522 | ) | | 4.1 | % | | February 2009 |
Mezzanine loans | | | 226,913 | | | 226,647 | | | 161,425 | | | (65,222 | ) | | 4.0 | % | | May 2009 - November 2009 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 273,990 | | $ | 273,724 | | $ | 189,980 | | $ | (83,744 | ) | | 4.0 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Carrying value based on fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157. |
(2) | Loans have extension options which could extend maturity dates to November 2010 to June 2012. |
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As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, real estate loans were directly or indirectly secured by properties of the types and in the geographies identified below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Location(1) | | June 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | | | Property Type(1) | | June 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
Real estate loans, held for investment | | | | | | | | Real estate loans, held for investment | | | | | | |
New York | | 16.8 | % | | 17.9 | % | | Hospitality | | 61.1 | % | | 60.4 | % |
Hawaii | | 15.2 | % | | 15.0 | % | | Office | | 22.7 | % | | 22.4 | % |
California | | 12.5 | % | | 12.4 | % | | Multi-use | | 10.7 | % | | 11.7 | % |
Texas | | 7.8 | % | | 7.6 | % | | Retail | | 5.5 | % | | 5.5 | % |
Florida | | 6.6 | % | | 6.5 | % | | Multifamily | | 0.0 | % | | 0.0 | % |
Puerto Rico | | 6.5 | % | | 6.4 | % | | Healthcare | | 0.0 | % | | 0.0 | % |
Georgia | | 5.5 | % | | 5.4 | % | | | | | | | | |
Other(2) | | 29.1 | % | | 28.8 | % | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Percentages are based on the unpaid principal balance of the underlying loans. |
(2) | No other individual state comprises more than 5.0% of the total as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. |
As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company’s real estate loans were financed by CDO II.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company made no investments in real estate loans.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company received repayments of $3.7 million and $7.5 million, respectively, related to outstanding principal balances on certain real estate loans.
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company sold a whole mortgage loan classified as held for sale with a face amount of $45.0 million and an amortized cost basis of $45.4 million for $36.6 million. The Company repaid $26.4 million in related borrowings under its repurchase agreement and generated $8.8 million in net cash proceeds after paying related transaction costs. The Company recorded a $9.2 million loss in connection with the sale of this loan.
8. INVESTMENT IN U.S DEBT FUND
In December 2007, the Company and JER Real Estate Partners IV, L.P. and JER Real Estate Qualified Partners IV, L.P. (together, “JER Fund IV”), investment funds managed by J.E. Robert Company, Inc. (the “J.E. Robert Company”), the parent of the Company’s manager, JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC, entered into a Limited Partnership Agreement pursuant to which the Company and JER Fund IV agreed to co-manage a private equity fund, to be known as JER US Debt Co-Investment Vehicle, L.P. (the “US Debt Fund”) for the purpose of investing in loans secured, directly or indirectly, by commercial real estate, including, B-Notes, mezzanine loans and whole mortgage loans, and also in preferred equity, CMBS and CMBS-related products, such as CMBX (the “Targeted Investments”). The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) committed $200.0 million, and the Company and JER Fund IV each committed $10.0 million to the US Debt Fund.
On December 4, 2008, the Company, JER Fund IV and CalPERS entered into an amendment to the US Debt Fund’s amended and restated limited partnership agreement (the “LPA”) with CalPERS, extending the US Debt Fund’s commitment period for an additional one year period, from December 11, 2008 to December 11, 2009. In addition, pursuant to the amendment, the US Debt Fund’s general partner is not required by the LPA to allocate new investment opportunities to the US Debt Fund. Finally, the amendment provides that commencing on December 11, 2008 through and including December 11, 2009, the management fee payable by CalPERS to the US Debt Fund’s general partner shall be calculated to (i) include CalPERS’ pro-rata share of the outstanding principal balance on the US Debt Fund’s revolving credit facility with WestLB AG New York Branch and (ii) exclude CalPERS’ pro-rata share of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents held by the US Debt Fund. Prior to the amendment, the US Debt Fund paid to the Company and JER Fund IV a base management fee equal to 1.5% on drawn capital and up to 20% of the aggregate profits earned and distributed by the US Debt Fund (after limited partners receive distributions equal to their initial investment and a specified preferred rate of return thereon). The Company and JER Fund IV divide the management and incentive fees on a 50%-50% basis. The Company recognized management fee income from the US Debt Fund of $0.2 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company made capital contributions of $4.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in the US Debt Fund, which is reflected in investments in unconsolidated joint ventures on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded $(64) and $34 of equity in earnings (losses) from the US Debt Fund, respectively, and $(1.7) million and $(0.1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
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The decline in liquidity and lack of available financing may make it difficult for the Company to meet future capital calls from the US Debt Fund. A failure by the Company to fund its portion of future capital calls may adversely impact its investment in and management fees earned from the US Debt Fund, and lead to, among other items, payment of penalty interest and/or dilution of the Company’s current investment interests.
9. CDO NOTES PAYABLE, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS, JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES AND NOTES PAYABLE
CDO Notes Payable
On October 17, 2006, the Company issued its second CDO through two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, JER CRE CDO 2006-2, Limited and JER CRE CDO 2006-2, LLC (collectively “CDO II”). CDO II is secured by $1.2 billion par value of collateral interests consisting of CMBS, mezzanine loan interests, first mortgage loan interests, Re-REMIC securities, and real estate CDO securities. CDO II issued privately placed notes totaling $768.4 million initially rated AAA through BBB- (“CDO II Investment Grade Notes”). The Company purchased a portion of the CDO II Investment Grade Notes and retained all of the non-investment grade notes and preferred shares. $708.3 million of Investment Grade Notes were issued to third parties consisting of $47.0 million of fixed rate notes with a weighted average interest rate of 5.8% and $661.3 million of floating rate notes with a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 62 basis points, excluding amortization of fees and expenses, over applicable LIBOR rates. The CDO II Investment Grade Notes have a remaining expected average maturity of 5.4 years as of June 30, 2009. CDO II has a replenishment collateral pool of up to $275.0 million that would allow replenishment of proceeds of real estate loans that are paid off within five years from the closing of the transaction, subject to the replenishment collateral meeting certain criteria outlined in the CDO II indenture and satisfaction of certain other requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not contribute any collateral interests to CDO II and CDO II received $3.7 million of real estate loan repayments on CDO II real estate loan collateral during the six months ended June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, the replenishment pool balance was $4.7 million, which is reflected in restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets.
In November 2005, the Company issued its first CDO through two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, JER CRE CDO 2005-1, Limited and JER CRE CDO 2005-1, LLC (collectively “CDO I”). CDO I is secured by a static pool of $418.7 million par value of fixed rate subordinate CMBS. CDO I issued privately placed notes totaling $275.6 million initially rated AAA through BBB- (“CDO I Investment Grade Notes”). The Company retained a portion of the BBB- rated notes, all of the non-investment grade notes and all of the preferred shares. Two of the CDO I Investment Grade Notes, totaling $119.2 million, were issued with floating rate coupons with a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 39 basis points, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The remaining CDO I Investment Grade Notes totaling $147.0 million, net of the portion retained by the Company, were issued with fixed rate coupons with a weighted average interest rate of 6.0%, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The Investment Grade Notes have a remaining expected average maturity of 8.3 years as of June 30, 2009.
The Company has accounted for the CDO I and CDO II transactions as financings due to certain permitted activities of CDO trusts that are not consistent with activities of a QSPE permitted under SFAS No. 140, such as having the ability to sell impaired securities and acquire replenishment securities with the proceeds at the discretion of the collateral administrator. Accordingly, the assets transferred to the respective CDO trusts are reflected in the Company’s balance sheets and notes issued to third parties are reflected as CDO notes payable in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In adopting SFAS No. 159, the Company has elected to carry its CDO notes payable at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The total fair value of CDO I and CDO II notes payable at June 30, 2009 were $33.4 million and $82.7 million, respectively, compared to $60.8 million and $150.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008. Changes in fair value of the notes payable are reflected in current period earnings.
The terms of the Company’s CDOs include certain over-collateralization and interest coverage tests, which are used primarily to determine whether and to what extent principal and interest paid on the debt securities and other assets that serve as collateral underlying the CDOs may be used to pay principal and interest on the notes payable and preferred shares issued by the CDOs. In each of our CDOs, in the event that either test is not satisfied, interest and principal that would otherwise be payable on certain of the junior tranches of notes payable and preferred shares issued by the CDOs and retained by us may be redirected to repay principal on certain senior tranches of notes payable issued by the CDOs.
As a result of downgrades relating to its CMBS collateral, CDO II failed certain of its over-collateralization tests beginning in February 2009. Such failures have continued, and are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As a result of the failure of these over-collateralization coverage tests (i) certain interest payments normally scheduled to be allocated to the holders of the junior notes payable and preferred shareholders of CDO II were reallocated to the holders of the senior notes payable, and (ii) any available principal proceeds were reallocated to the holders of the senior notes payable. Consequently, the Company will not receive any cash flow distributions on the junior notes payable and preferred share investments retained by it and/or its affiliates in CDO II until such time, if ever, the over-collateralization coverage tests are complied with. Even if the over-collateralization coverage tests are
25
eventually complied with, our ability to obtain regular cash payments from the assets securing CDO II is dependent upon CDO II continuing to meet interest coverage and over-collateralization coverage tests. If the February through June 2009 over-collateralization coverage tests for CDO II had not failed, the Company would have received approximately $9.5 million in additional distributions during the first half of 2009. During 2008, the Company received approximately $28 million of net cash distributions from CDO II.
CMBS downgrades generally do not affect the over-collateralization coverage test applicable to collateral in CDO I, unless such collateral is downgraded to “CC” or below. As of July 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, 11 and 4 CMBS bonds, respectively, underlying CDO I have been downgraded to “CC” or lower, causing certain cash payments from such downgraded CMBS bonds normally scheduled to be allocated to the holder of the junior notes payable and preferred shareholders of CDO I to be reallocated to the holders of the senior notes payable. While CDO I is still in compliance with its over-collateralization and interest coverage tests, these bond downgrades, combined with declining cash flows from the CMBS underlying CDO I has reduced the cash flow to us on our retained preferred shares. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, we collected $0.4 million from our retained preferred shares in CDO I, compared with $0.6 million for the three months ending March 31, 2009.
The redirection of cash in CDOs is not expected to impact the GAAP or tax treatment to us relative to our reporting of the individual assets and liabilities related to the CDOs as we consolidate both CDOs on our balance sheet. While we believe our balance sheet reflects the fair value of the individual CDO related assets and liabilities, we believe the estimated economic fair value of our combined retained interest in the CDOs is significantly less than the difference between the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities, determined in accordance with GAAP.
With respect to CDO II, the Company has been appointed its advancing agent. In this capacity, the Company may be required to make interest advances to CDO II in the event that the sum of interest proceeds and principal proceeds collected during the related due period are insufficient to remit the interest that is due and payable to the Class A Notes and Class B Notes in accordance with the priority of payments of CDO II (the amount of such insufficiency, an “Interest Shortfall”). The Company will be entitled to recover any previously unreimbursed interest advances made by it, together with interest thereon, first, from interest proceeds and second if applicable, from principal proceeds, senior to any payments of interest or principal to the noteholders and senior to any payments of fees, expenses or hedge payments of CDO II, only to the extent that such recovery would not trigger an additional Interest Shortfall to the Class A Notes or Class B Notes. In the event that the Company determines that such interest advances are nonrecoverable interest advances, the Company would be entitled to recovery of any previously unreimbursed interest advances made by it, together with interest thereon, without regards to whether such recovery would trigger additional Interest Shortfalls. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 the Company has not advanced CDO II for any interest shortfalls in its capacity as advancing agent.
Repurchase Agreement
In August 2007 and as subsequently amended in September 2007, March 2008, September 2008 and December 2008, the Company and a wholly owned subsidiary, respectively, entered into a repurchase agreement with a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (the “JPMorgan Facility”). This repurchase agreement provides financing to be secured by rated and unrated CMBS. The December 2008 amendment modified certain financial covenants applicable to the Company under the JPMorgan Facility and extended the term of the facility to December 22, 2009. The Company also agreed to make payments of $2.8 million in December 2008, $2.0 million in February 2009, and monthly amortization payments of $0.8 million commencing in March 2009 through the maturity of the JPMorgan Facility, with the remaining outstanding balance on the facility due and payable on December 22, 2009. This repurchase agreement is fully recourse to the Company. As of June 30, 2009, $11.1 million was outstanding under the facility at a weighted average borrowing rate of 3.0%, and CMBS investments with an estimated fair value of $16.6 million were pledged as collateral. The JPMorgan Facility has covenants related to (i) minimum tangible net worth, (ii) maximum leverage, (iii) minimum liquidity and (iv) incurrence of additional recourse debt, among other covenants. The JPMorgan Facility also has a material adverse change clause in which JPMorgan can demand immediate repayment of our debt if they deem a material adverse change to have occurred.
Junior Subordinated Debentures and Notes
In April 2007, the Company issued $60.0 million of TRUPs through its unconsolidated subsidiary, JERIT TS Statutory Trust I (“the Trust”), in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Concurrently, the Company issued $61.9 million in junior subordinated debentures to the Trust and made a $1.9 million common equity investment in the Trust. The TRUPs had a 30-year term ending April 2037, were redeemable at par on or after April 30, 2012 and paid distributions at a fixed rate of 7.2%, excluding amortization of fees and expenses, for the first five years ending April 2012, and, thereafter, at a floating rate of three month LIBOR plus 225 basis points, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The assets of the Trust consist solely of the $61.9 million of junior subordinated debentures concurrently issued by us, with terms that mirror the TRUPs. The Company incurred $1.0 million of debt issuance costs, which were deferred and are amortized on an effective yield basis over the life of the TRUPs. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, are included as a component of deferred financing fees on the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
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On May 29, 2009, the Company entered into (i) an agreement with two holders of outstanding TRUPs of the Company with an aggregate liquidation amount of $56.3 million to exchange such TRUPs for $70.3 million aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated notes due 2037 (the “Notes”) issued by the Company, (ii) a letter agreement with one such holder, providing for the issuance of 307,203 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock and certain cash payments to that holder in connection with the exchange described above, (iii) an agreement with the other such holder, providing for certain cash payments to that holder in connection with the exchange described above, (iv) an agreement with a third holder of TRUPs with an aggregate liquidation amount of $3.7 million to exchange such TRUPs for 541,906 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock and certain cash payments, and (v) a registration rights agreement with those holders receiving shares of the Company’s common stock in the exchanges described above providing for certain piggyback registration rights with respect to such shares.
The Company has accounted for this transaction in accordance with SFAS No. 15, “Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings,” and EITF 02-4 “Determining Whether a Debtor’s Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments in within the Scope of FASB Statement No. 15.” Accordingly, the Company accounted for the agreement to exchange $56.3 million of TRUPs as a modification and did not recognize a gain for that exchange and accounted for the agreement to exchange the remaining $3.7 million of TRUPs as a termination and did record a gain of $2.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted common share, for that exchange. Costs incurred to exchange and cancel the TRUPs were expensed in the current period. The Company completed the termination of the remaining $0.6 million of TRUPs on July 30, 2009 with a $0.1 million additional cash payment and expects to record an additional $0.5 million gain during the three months ended September 30, 2009 in connection therewith.
An aggregate of $59.4 million of TRUPs have been cancelled through June 30, 2009 in conjunction with these exchanges, and the remaining $0.6 million of TRUPs outstanding were cancelled on July 30, 2009. The agreements also resulted in the Company satisfying the interest payment obligations on the TRUPs due for the April 30, 2009 interest payment date, and, with respect to the remaining TRUPs outstanding, amount due at the July 30, 2009 interest payment date. In total, the Company has made aggregate cash payments of $0.7 million through June 30, 2009 to satisfy its obligations on the TRUPs in connection with the exchanges described above and the satisfaction of interest obligations.
The newly issued Notes will pay interest at a rate of 0.5% annually through April 29, 2012 or such earlier date as the Company elects (the “Modification Period”). If the Modification Period ends earlier than April 29, 2012, the Company will pay interest at a fixed rate of 7.2% annually from such date through April 29, 2012. Thereafter, the Company will pay interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% annually. During the Modification Period, the Company will be subject to certain restrictions, including limitations on its ability to pay dividends on shares of its common stock, provided, however, that the Company shall be permitted to pay dividends to the extent necessary to satisfy REIT dividend requirements. The Indenture contains customary events of default, including those relating to nonpayment of principal or interest when due, and defaults based on events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
In connection with the exchange and cancellation agreement, the Company cancelled $1.8 million of common securities of the Trust issued pursuant to the amended and restated trust agreement dated April 9, 2007. As of June 30, 2009, $19 of common securities of the Trust remained outstanding and is reflected in Trust Preferred Securities and Junior Subordinated Notes on the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining $19 of common securities were cancelled in July 2009. The cancellation of the common securities eliminates the Company’s $1.9 million equity investment in the Trust.
The Company’s interest in the Trust is accounted for using the equity method and the assets and liabilities are not consolidated into the Company’s financial statements due to the Company’s determination that the Trust is a variable interest entity under FIN46(R) and that we are not the primary beneficiary of the entity. Interest on the junior subordinated debentures and notes, net of interest income on the Company’s common equity interest in the Trust, is included in interest expense on its consolidated income statements and the junior subordinated debentures and notes are presented as a liability on its consolidated balance sheet.
Note Payable
On March 3, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with its counterparty to terminate and replace four interest rate swaps which had a $245.1 million ending notional amount and a $21.2 million fair value liability, net of a $17.9 million credit valuation adjustment, as of December 31, 2008, in exchange for a new seven-year fixed rate note. Under such agreement, the Company will pay a fixed monthly amount of approximately $0.4 million through February 2017. The Company initially recorded this new agreement, at fair value, as a note payable on the date of the transaction as the new agreement no longer meets the definition of a derivative pursuant to SFAS No. 133. The Company did not elect the fair value option for this note payable under SFAS No. 159.
On July 14, 2009, the Company amended the agreement with its counterparty thereby reducing the July, August and September 2009 monthly payments due under the Agreement from approximately $0.4 million to $75 resulting in an aggregate deferral in payments of approximately $0.9 million during such three month period. In addition, the Amendment, which is effective in July 2009, provides that commencing in October 2009, through and including September 2010, the Company’s monthly payments under the Agreement shall be increased from approximately $0.4 million to approximately $0.5 million, thereby providing for the repayment of the deferred amount over the twelve month period following August 2009.
General
If the Company defaults in the payment of interest or principal on any debt, breaches any representation or warranty in connection with any borrowing or violates any covenant in any loan document, lenders may accelerate the maturity of such debt, requiring the Company to immediately repay all outstanding principal. If the Company is unable to make such payments, our lender
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could force us to sell our securities or foreclose on our assets pledged as collateral to such lender. The lender could also force the Company into bankruptcy or bring other legal action against the Company. Any of these events would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of an investment in the Company’s common stock. At June 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its CDO notes payable with the exception of certain CDO II over-collateralization coverage tests, its repurchase agreements, its juniors subordinated debentures, junior subordinated notes, and its note payable.
10. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company presents certain of its financial instruments at estimated fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” by applying the fair value principles of SFAS No. 157.
The Company does not present its repurchase agreement, junior subordinate debentures, junior subordinated notes, and note payable at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and the repurchase agreement are carried at par value on the balance sheet which approximates fair value. The Company estimated that the fair value of its junior subordinated debentures and junior subordinated notes with an aggregate face balance of $70.3 million and a carrying value of $58.9 million approximates $3.5 million at June 30, 2009. In addition, the Company estimated that the fair value of its note payable approximates its carrying value of $9.0 million at June 30, 2009. These amounts were determined by applying estimated market discount rates to the future payment obligations. The fair value estimates for the junior subordinated debentures, junior subordinated notes and the note payable represent management’s best estimates of these values, based on management’s judgment as well as consideration of input from other market sources, but do not necessarily reflect the prices that would be realized in an actual transaction involving such financial instruments.
11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following table presents the Company’s pay-fixed interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Notional Balance at | | | | Fair Value at | | | Pay-Fixed Interest Rate | | | Asset/ Liability at June 30, 2009 | | Location on the Balance Sheet at June 30, 2009 |
Trade Date | | Effective Date | | Termination Date | | Initial Notional Balance | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | | Ending Notional Balance | | June 30, 2009 (3) | | | December 31, 2008 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
October 2005 | | November 2005 (1) | | June 2015 | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 5,697 | | $ | (11,285 | ) | | $ | (17,545 | ) | | 4.9 | % | | Liability | | Interest rate swap agreements related to CDOs, at fair value |
September 2006 | | October 2006 (2) | | August 2016 | | | 386,324 | | | 303,126 | | | 303,126 | | | 219,929 | | | (29,932 | ) | | | (49,551 | ) | | 5.1 | % | | Liability | | Interest rate swap agreements related to CDOs, at fair value |
September 2006 | | October 2009 (2) | | August 2016 (6) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | (3,536 | ) | | 5.2 | % | | n/a | | n/a |
February 2007 | | October 2007 (2) | | October 2014 (6) | | | — | | | — | | | 83,198 | | | — | | | — | | | | (7,490 | ) | | 5.1 | % | | n/a | | n/a |
January 2007 | | November 2007 | | December 2016 (4)(6) | | | 100,000 | | | — | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | — | | | | (6,209 | ) | | 5.3 | % | | n/a | | n/a |
February 2007 | | November 2007 | | February 2017 (5) | | | 26,000 | | | — | | | 19,500 | | | — | | | — | | | | (3,714 | ) | | 5.1 | % | | n/a | | n/a |
March 2007 | | November 2007 | | January 2017 (6) | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | — | | | | (3,939 | ) | | 5.0 | % | | n/a | | n/a |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 662,301 | | $ | 413,103 | | $ | 595,801 | | $ | 225,626 | | $ | (41,217 | ) | | $ | (91,984 | ) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Swap related to our CDO I financing and is reflected at fair value with the change in value subsequent to December 31, 2007 recorded in other gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of operations due to our election to account for this swap using the FVO effective January 1, 2008. |
(2) | Swaps related to our CDO II financing and is reflected at fair value with the change in value subsequent to December 31, 2007 recorded in other gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of operations due to our election to account for these swaps using the FVO effective January 1, 2008. |
(3) | The settlement amount of our interest rate swap liabilities was $(41.0) million as of June 30, 2009. This liability is partially offset by a $(0.2) million credit valuation adjustment as of June 30, 2009 due to the SFAS No. 157 requirement to incorporate a credit valuation allowance for our and our counterparty’s credit rating to arrive at fair value. |
(4) | In connection with the sale of a real estate loan in September 2008 and repayment of the related floating rate financing, we partially terminated $60.0 million of notional balance on a swap with an initial notional balance of $100.0 million and paid swap termination costs of $4.0 million. |
(5) | In December 2008, in connection with the transfer of real estate loans classified as held for sale and repayment of the related floating rate financing, we partially terminated $6.5 million of notional balance on a swap with an initial notional balance of $26.0 million and paid swap termination costs of $1.5 million. The counterparty terminated the remaining $19.5 million of this swap on February 23, 2009 and we paid the counterparty $3.3 million in connection with this termination. |
(6) | On February 27, 2009, we agreed to terminate these interest rate swaps and replace them with a new seven-year fixed rate-for-fixed rate swap agreement which we reflected as a note payable on our consolidated balance sheets. On July 14, 2009, we agreed to reduce the July, August and September 2009 monthly payments due under the agreement from $0.4 million to $75 and resulting in an aggregate deferral in payments of $0.9 million during such three month period. In addition, the amendment provides that commencing in October 2009, through and including September 2010, our monthly payments under the agreement shall be increased from $0.4 million to $0.5 million, thereby providing for the repayment of the deferred payment amounts over the twelve month period following August 2009. |
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The following table is a summary of gains (losses) related to the Company’s interest rate swap agreements as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Notional Balance at June 30, 2009 | | Amount of Gain (Loss) for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | | Amount of Gain (Loss) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | Amount of Gain (Loss) from Changes in Fair Value Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at June 30, 2009 | | Amount of Gain (Loss) from Changes in Fair Value Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | Amount of Gain (Loss) from Changes in Fair Value Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | Location of Gain (Loss) on Consolidated Statement of Operations | | Derivatives at June 30, 2009 Designated as Hedging Instrument? |
CDO I | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 3,895 | | | $ | 3,531 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | Other gains (losses) | | No |
CDO II | | | 303,126 | | | 11,788 | | | | 11,909 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | Other gains (losses) | | No |
Terminated | | | — | | | (152 | ) | | | 23,413 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | Other gains (losses) | | n/a |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 413,103 | | $ | 15,531 | | | $ | 38,563 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Company’s derivative financial instruments contain credit risk to the extent that its bank counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. The Company minimizes such risk by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings. All counterparties currently have Standard and Poor’s equivalent credit ratings ranging from A to A+. Additionally, the potential risk of loss due to counterparty credit risk is monitored.
Risk Management Objectives of Using Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risk arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the amount of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments, principally related to the Company’s investments and borrowings. The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income/expense and to limit its cash flow exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. As of June 30, 2009, the Company does not have contingent features on its existing interest rate swaps agreements.
Interest Rate Swap Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss
As of June 30, 2009, the following amounts were included in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net Balance at December 31, 2008 | | | Amortization for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 | | | Net Balance at June 30, 2009 | | | Amount to Be Amortized Over the Next 12 Months | |
Swap termination gain related to CDO I | | $ | 417 | | | $ | (26 | ) | | $ | 391 | | | $ | (55 | ) |
Swap termination loss related to CDO II | | | (4,924 | ) | | | 292 | | | | (4,632 | ) | | | 611 | |
| | | | |
Unrealized loss on CDO related swaps at December 31, 2007 related to SFAS No. 159 adoption | | | (19,410 | ) | | | 1,197 | | | | (18,213 | ) | | | 2,476 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | (23,917 | ) | | $ | 1,463 | | | $ | (22,454 | ) | | $ | 3,032 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
12. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) AND TAXABLE INCOME
The differences between GAAP net income (loss) and taxable income are generally attributable to differing treatment, including timing related thereto, of unrealized/realized gains and losses associated with certain assets, the bases, income, impairment, and/or credit loss recognition related to certain assets, primarily CMBS, accounting for derivative instruments, accounting for lease income on net leased real estate assets, investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and amortization of various costs. The distinction between GAAP net income and taxable income is important to the Company’s stockholders because dividends or distributions, if any, are declared and paid on the basis of annual estimates of taxable income or loss. The Company generally does not pay Federal income taxes on taxable income that it distributes on a current basis, provided that it satisfies the requirements for qualification as a REIT pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. The Company calculates its taxable income or loss as if it were a regular domestic corporation. This taxable income or loss level determines the amount of dividends, if any, the Company is required to distribute over time in order to reduce or eliminate its tax liability pursuant to REIT requirements.
Income on CMBS investments is computed for GAAP purposes based upon a yield, which assumes credit losses will occur (See Note 4—Revenue Recognition for further discussion). The yield to compute the Company’s taxable income does not assume there
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would be credit losses, as a loss can generally only be deducted for tax purposes when it is reasonably assured. Furthermore, due diligence expenses incurred related to the acquisition of CMBS and loan investments not originated are required to be expensed as incurred for GAAP purposes but are included as a component of the cost basis of the asset and amortized for tax purposes. CMBS impairment charges also create GAAP to tax differences as such charges are generally not deductible for tax purposes. In addition, due to electing the FVO for the Company’s CDO related financial assets and liabilities, the financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value for GAAP purposes with the change in fair value reflected in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as other gains (losses). Primarily as a result of these differences, the net difference between the GAAP net loss and estimated taxable net loss was approximately $30 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, with the taxable loss being greater than the GAAP net loss. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the estimated tax basis of the Company’s assets exceeded its GAAP basis by approximately $1.1 billion and $933 million, respectively.
13. COMMON STOCK
In June 2004, the Company sold 1,150,000 shares of its common stock through transactions that were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 144A, Regulation S and Regulation D (the “144A Offering”). Gross proceeds were $172.1 million. Net proceeds after deducting the initial purchaser’s discount and other offering expenses were $160.1 million. In July 2005, the Company completed its initial public offering of 1,200,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $177.50 per share. In August 2005, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 183,203 shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount to cover over-allotments. The net proceeds to the Company on the sale of 1,200,000 shares in the initial public offering and the 183,203 shares pursuant to the over-allotment option was $226.4 million after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses and was primarily used to pay down indebtedness.
In connection with the 144A Offering, the Company issued 33,500 shares to its Manager pursuant to its Nonqualified Option and Incentive Award Plan. In addition, as of December 31, 2008, the Company has granted an aggregate of 4,000 shares of restricted stock and an additional 2,805 deferred stock units to its current and former independent directors, granted 13,700 shares of restricted stock to certain officers and employees of an affiliate of its Manager (although 1,050 of such shares have been forfeited to date) and 6,000 shares of restricted stock to Mark Weiss, its President, as further discussed in Note 15.
On December 16, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of $8.80 for the three months ended December 31, 2008 to be paid on January 30, 2009. Pursuant to the applicable prospectus supplement, shareholders had the option of electing either cash or stock with total cash payments by the Company not to exceed $2.3 million. As a result of shareholder elections, the Company paid shareholders $2.3 million and issued 23,978,905 shares of common stock on January 30, 2009.
On February 13, 2009, the Board of Directors approved the declaration of a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective February 20, 2009. All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of this 1-for-10 reverse stock split.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, in connection with the exchange and cancellation of its TRUPs, the Company issued 849,109 shares of common stock.
14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Manager in June 2004 for an initial term of two years. After the initial term, the Management Agreement was renewed for additional one-year periods in June 2006 and June 2007 and will automatically be renewed each year for an additional one-year period unless the Company or the Manager terminates the Management Agreement. The Manager must be provided adequate notice of termination, as defined, according to the terms of the Management Agreement. Upon notice, a termination fee equal to four times the sum of the Manager’s base management fees plus incentive fees for the 12-month period preceding the date of termination would be paid. Any accrued compensation due to the Manager would also be paid.
In addition, if the Management Agreement is terminated without cause due to fees that the independent directors have determined to be unfair, the Manager may agree to perform its management services at fees the independent directors determine to be fair, and the Management Agreement would not terminate. The Manager may give notice it wishes to renegotiate the fees, in which case the Company and the Manager must negotiate in good faith. If a renegotiated fee cannot be agreed upon within a specified period, the agreement will terminate, and the Company must pay the termination fees described above.
The Company may also terminate the Management Agreement with 60 days’ prior notice for cause, which is defined as (i) the Manager’s fraud or gross negligence, (ii) the Manager’s willful noncompliance with the Management Agreement, (iii) the commencement of any proceeding relating to the Manager’s bankruptcy or insolvency or a material breach of any provision of the Management Agreement, uncured for a period of 60 days or (iv) a change in control of the Manager. The Manager may at any time assign certain duties under the Management Agreement to any affiliate of the Manager provided that the Manager shall remain liable to the Company for the affiliate’s performance.
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Pursuant to the Management Agreement and subject to the supervision and direction of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Manager performs services for the Company including the purchase, financing, sale and management of real estate and other real estate-related assets, the day-to-day management of the Company and the performance of certain administrative duties. For performing these services, the Company pays the Manager a monthly base management fee in arrears equal to 1/12 of the sum of (i) 2.0% of the first $400 million of the Company’s equity, (ii) 1.5% of equity in excess of $400 million and up to $800 million and (iii) 1.25% of equity in excess of $800 million. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, the Company’s equity equals the month-end value, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, of the Company’s stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income. On July 20, 2009, the Company and its Manager entered into an amendment to the management agreement whereby the Company agreed, effective as of April 1, 2009, that during the months of April, May, June, July, August and September, 2009, (i) it shall not be required to make any payments of base management fees and/or incentive fees otherwise due and payable under the Management Agreement in excess of $75 per month and (ii) any Fees accruing and otherwise payable under the Management Agreement in excess of $75 per month shall be deferred and due and payable by it to the Manager on such date after September 30, 2009 as the Company and the Manager shall mutually agree in writing.
In addition, the Manager is entitled to receive a quarterly incentive fee in an amount, not less than zero, equal to the product of (i) 25% of the dollar amount by which (a) funds from operations (as defined in the Management Agreement) of the Company for such quarter per share of Common Stock (based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for such quarter) exceeds (b) an amount equal to (A) the weighted average of the price per share of Common Stock in the 144A Offering, and the prices per share of Common Stock in any subsequent offerings by the Company multiplied by (B) the greater of (1) 2.25% and (2) 0.875% plus one fourth of the ten-year U.S. treasury rate for such quarter, multiplied by (ii) the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during such quarter. Funds From Operations, (“FFO”), as defined in the Management Agreement, is net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from debt restructuring, gains (or losses) from sales of property and unrealized depreciation and/or appreciation, effective January 1, 2008, plus depreciation and amortization on real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. The following table summarizes management fees incurred by the Company during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | For the Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Base management fees | | $ | 961 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | 2,171 | | $ | 3,701 |
Incentive fees | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total management fees | | $ | 961 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | 2,171 | | $ | 3,701 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, related to unpaid base management fees are included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition, there were no unpaid incentive fees as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
The Management Agreement also provides that the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for certain expenses incurred by the Manager on the Company’s behalf, including the Company’s pro rata share of overhead expenses of the Manager required for the Company’s operations. In November 2006, effective retroactively to January 1, 2006, the independent members of the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Management Agreement to provide that 2007 and in each calendar year thereafter, subject to approval by the independent members of the Board of Directors, the allocable overhead reimbursement will be $0.5 million multiplied by the sum of (a) one plus (b) the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) for the applicable year over the CPI for the calendar year 2006. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, overhead reimbursements were approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which are included in general and administrative expenses on its consolidated statement of operations. The Manager may also be paid or reimbursed for the costs of providing other services that outside professionals or consultants otherwise would provide on the Company’s behalf. If such services are provided by the Manager, the reimbursement for such services will be no greater than what management believes would be paid to outside professionals, consultants or other third parties on an arm’s length basis. In accordance with the provisions of the Management Agreement, the Company recorded $0 respectively, for other services provided by the Manager during both the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0 during both the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, $38 and $0.1 million, respectively, of expenses to be reimbursed were unpaid and included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Manager is responsible for all costs, except as otherwise noted, incidental to the performance of its duties under the Management Agreement, including employment compensation (other than awards made by us under the equity incentive plan) of J.E. Robert Company, an affiliated entity, personnel who perform services for us pursuant to the Management Agreement.
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In connection with CDO II (See Note 9—CDO Notes Payable, Repurchase Agreements, Junior Subordinated Debentures, Junior Subordinated Notes, and Note Payable), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Collateral Administration Agreement with J.E. Robert Company (the “Collateral Administrator”), pursuant to which the Collateral Administrator has agreed to advise the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company on certain matters regarding the collateral interests and other eligible investments securing the notes. The Collateral Administrator is eligible to receive two fees payable on a monthly basis, with the first fee equal to 1/12 of 0.075% of the Monthly Asset Amount, as defined in the CDO II indenture, and the second fee equal to 1/12 of 0.05% of the Monthly Asset Amount, as defined in the CDO II indenture, each fee payable with different priorities as set forth in the applicable indenture. During the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of collateral administration fees are reflected in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, $14 and $25, respectively, of unpaid collateral administration fees were unpaid and included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These collateral administration fee schedules within the collateral administration agreement were approved by the members of the Company’s Board of Directors then considered to be independent pursuant to the rules of the NYSE. Since the February 2009 CDO II distribution date, J.E. Robert Company has not been entitled to receive the subordinate collateral administration fee, and is not entitled to receive such fee until certain CDO II over-collateralization coverage tests are complied with.
The US Debt Fund invests in loans secured, directly or indirectly, by commercial real estate, including, B-Notes, mezzanine loans and whole mortgage loans, and also in preferred equity, CMBS and CMBS-related products, such as CMBX and credit default swaps (the “Targeted Investments”). The Company recognized management fee income from the US Debt Fund of $0.2 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended June 20, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $ 0.5 million and $0.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of which, $0.3 million was reflected in due from affiliates on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2009.
Each CMBS securitization requires that a special servicer be appointed by the purchaser controlling the most subordinated non-investment grade class of securities. Because the Manager does not have special servicer status, it appoints J.E. Robert Company or another entity that has special servicer status, as the special servicer whenever the Company acquires a controlling interest in the most subordinated non-investment grade class of a CMBS securitization. J.E. Robert Company earned $1.7 million and $1.2 million in fees as special servicer during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $2.6 million and $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a special servicer on the CMBS issuances where we own the first-loss position. J.E. Robert Company is also entitled to receive additional fees in the future based on the collections received against loans that were managed in special servicing and subsequently returned to the master servicer. All fees due to J.E. Robert Company as special servicer are paid either by the applicable securitization vehicles or the borrower and not directly by the Company and such fees are consistent with traditional, well established market standards and are set as part of the arms-length negotiations to acquire such CMBS bonds from the issuer. However, because we generally own the first loss position in these same CMBS issuances, payment of special servicing fees to J.E. Robert Company may reduce the amounts available to pay us pursuant to the terms of the applicable CMBS trusts.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company invested in a first mortgage loan participation with a cost basis of $30.0 million and two mezzanine loan participations with a cost basis of $49.4 million where an affiliate of the Manager held a controlling equity interest in the borrower. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we invested in mezzanine loans totaling $65.0 million where an affiliate of the Manager held a controlling equity interest in the borrower. The acquisition of these loans to affiliated borrowers was approved by the independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors as required by our investment guidelines. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we received no repayments on loans to affiliated borrowers. At June 30, 2009, loans to affiliated entities had an amortized cost basis of $81.1 million, an unpaid principal balance of $81.3 million and a carrying value of $32.2 million.
15. STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
In June 2004, the Company adopted the Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, (the “Plan”), which provides for awards under the Plan in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other equity-based incentive awards and cash. Officers, directors and employees of the Company and of the Manager and its affiliates as well as the Manager and other third parties are eligible to receive awards under the Plan. The Plan has a term of ten years and limits the awards to a maximum of 115,000 shares of Common Stock, unless the Plan is amended. All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of the 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected on February 20, 2009.
On May 30, 2007, our stockholders approved an amendment to the Plan (the “Amended Plan”) and adopted the Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan for Manager Only (the “Manager Plan”). The Amended Plan applies to directors, officers, employees, advisors, consultants and other personnel of the Company, our manager and J.E. Robert Company who are natural persons and the Manager Plan applies to our manager or other consultants to the Company that are not natural persons. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan and the Manager Plan (collectively, the “Amended Plans”) is subject to
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a combined maximum limit (subject to the exceptions described below), which means that if shares of Common Stock are issued under the Amended Plan, less shares of Common Stock will be available for issuance under the Manager Plan. Correspondingly, if shares of Common Stock are issued under the Manager Plan, less shares of Common Stock will be available for issuance under the Amended Plan. The Amended Plan and the Manager Plan were each amended effective December 16, 2008, in order to ensure that the plans and awards granted thereunder would either be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code. The Amended Plans are administered by and all awards granted in accordance with the Amended Plans are subject to the approval of our Board of Directors or, at the Board of Directors’ sole discretion, by a committee the Board of Directors may appoint to administer the Plan (the “Committee”).
A reconciliation of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards and options to directors and employees of an affiliate of the Manager at June 30, 2009 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Restricted Stock Units to Directors | | | Restricted Stock Awards to Non-Employees | | | Stock Options to Non-Employee (1) |
Unvested awards at December 31, 2008 | | 1,403 | | | 15,758 | | | 15,000 |
Granted | | — | | | — | | | — |
Vested | | (1,403 | ) | | (2,917 | ) | | — |
Forfeiture | | — | | | (625 | ) | | — |
| | | | | | | | |
Unvested awards at June 30, 2009 | | — | | | 12,216 | | | 15,000 |
| | | | | | | | |
(1) | 15,000 stock options to an employee of an affiliate of the Manager we forefitted upon termination in July 2009. |
As of June 30, 2009, the Company has 819 shares of potentially dilutive shares of common stock which represents less than 0.1% of outstanding shares.
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated events and circumstances from the balance sheet date through August 10, 2009, which represents the issuance date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and has disclosed all such events in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included herein. Amounts are presented in thousands except for share and per share data and as otherwise noted.
General
JER Investors Trust Inc. is a specialty finance company organized by J.E. Robert Company primarily to invest in real estate debt securities and loans and fee interests in net leased real estate assets. We were formed in April 2004 and we completed our initial public offering in July 2005. We are externally managed and advised by JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC (our “manager”), an affiliate of J.E. Robert Company. J.E. Robert Company and its affiliates is a real estate investment management firm. We capitalize on the knowledge and substantial resources of J.E. Robert Company and our affiliates attempt to take advantage of commercial real estate structured finance products. We invest primarily in loans and debt securities that we believe will yield high risk-adjusted returns. Our target investments include commercial real estate structured finance products such as commercial mortgage backed securities (commonly known as CMBS), mezzanine loans and B-Note participations in mortgage loans, as well as whole commercial mortgage loans, loans to real estate companies, preferred equity, and net leased real estate. Although we have not to date, we may also invest in single-family residential mortgages and related securities. We pursue a selective investment strategy, targeting specific transactions based on an analysis of debt structure and taking into account the underlying real estate and borrower credit risk. We are organized and conduct our operations in a manner intended to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes.
J.E. Robert Company was founded in 1981 to provide expertise to public and private financial institutions in resolving real estate loan workout situations. Since our founding, the firm has been active in numerous facets of the commercial real estate debt markets, including sourcing, due diligence, valuation, acquisition, asset management and disposition. J.E. Robert Company primarily conducts our real estate investment management activities on a global basis through a series of private equity funds, which we refer to as the JER Funds.
We are organized and conduct our operations to qualify as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, among other restrictions and limitations, we will generally not be subject to Federal income tax on that portion of our income that is distributed to stockholders if we distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders by the due date of our federal income tax return and comply with various other requirements.
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Trends
Beginning in the second half of 2007, severe credit and liquidity issues in the subprime residential lending and single family housing sectors negatively impacted the asset-backed and corporate fixed income markets, as well as the equity securities of financial institutions, homebuilders and real estate companies. As the severity of residential sector issues increased, nearly all securities markets experienced decreased liquidity and greater risk premiums as concerns about the outlook for the U.S. and world economies increased. As the U.S. economy has slowed, we have experienced greater delinquencies and worsening credit performance from the assets underlying our CMBS and real estate loan portfolios. These concerns continue and risk premiums in many capital markets remain at or near all-time highs with liquidity extremely low compared to historical standards or virtually non-existent. As a result, many commercial real estate finance and financial services industry participants, including us, have reduced or eliminated new investment activity until the capital markets become more stable, the macroeconomic outlook becomes clearer and market liquidity increases. In this environment, we are focused on actively managing credit risk and maintaining liquidity to the extent possible. However, current market conditions as well as our current liquidity condition, make this extremely difficult and challenging.
More recently, due primarily to the impact of the US Treasury programs, specifically the Public-Private Investment Program (“PPIP”) and Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”), AAA CMBS credit spreads have tightened. However, given that our CMBS portfolio is generally not highly rated, and therefore not eligible for these programs, we have not seen valuations or availability of financing improve for our CMBS investments.
Going Concern:In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2009, we disclosed that there was substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. In response, we have undertaken or expect to commence certain efforts including; (i) discontinuing payment of quarterly dividends and replacing such quarterly dividends with payment of an annual dividend to the extent required to satisfy REIT dividend requirements, (ii) seeking to reduce operating costs, primarily our general and administrative costs; (iii) seeking to restructure terms of our recourse indebtedness including extension of scheduled maturity dates and/or modification of near-term interest payment requirements; and (iv) if necessary, pursuing sales of selected assets.
No assurance can be given that we will be successful in achieving any of these efforts collectively or individually. Should our repurchase agreement lender demand immediate repayment of all of our obligations, we will likely be unable to pay such obligations absent asset sales. In such event, we may have to recapitalize, refinance our obligations, sell some or all of our assets at prices below current estimated fair value or seek to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
During 2009, we exchanged $56.3 million of our TRUPs into junior subordinated notes and cancelled $3.7 million of TRUPs thereby, reducing quarterly cash interest payments from approximately $1.1 million per quarter on the TRUPs to approximately $0.1 million per quarter on the junior subordinated notes through April 2012. In addition, we amended our note payable to reduce monthly payments from approximately $0.4 million to $75 from July through September 2009, and amended its agreement with the Manager to reduce cash basis monthly base management fees to approximately $75 from April to September 2009. However, our primary source of free operating cash flow are our non-CDO CMBS investments. Cash flow from these investments have declined from approximately $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 to approximately $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 due to deteriorating macroeconomic and commercial real estate conditions evidenced by increasing delinquencies, special servicing activity and appraisal reductions on collateral for such investments. This decline in non-CDO CMBS cash flow has further adversely affected our liquidity.
Credit Market, Spreads and Valuation:Beginning in the second half of 2007, the credit markets experienced a severe dislocation, with significant spread widening on virtually all credit and structured finance products. This has caused a de-leveraging throughout the financial services sector as a whole and, in particular, the commercial real estate market. The spread widening has a direct inverse relationship with valuations of our investments so as spreads increase, values decline. The impact has been greater on the longer-term fixed rate assets as the duration of these assets is longer than shorter term floating rate assets. An example of this spread widening is evidenced by trends in the CMBS market.
Since the second half of 2007, there has been a significant widening of credit spreads in both the subordinate CMBS market which includes bonds rated BB+ through NR classes, and in the investment grade tranches of BBB- and above. In 2008 and early 2009, new issue CMBS volume has been a small fraction of the amount of issuance in 2006 and 2007. Credit spreads on recent secondary market trades, which have also been very limited, for typical BBB- CMBS bonds, are estimated to exceed 6,500 basis points at June 30, 2009 compared to approximately 5,000 basis points as of December 31, 2008 and approximately 900 basis points as of December 31, 2007. Additionally, we have seen significant widening of credit spreads on real estate loans, including B-Notes, mezzanine loans and whole mortgage loans.
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This credit market dislocation has had a substantial effect on market participants. These disruptions have led to, among other things, a significant decline in the fair value of many mortgage related investment securities, as well as a significant contraction in short-term and long-term funding sources. As a result, many investment vehicles indicate difficulty valuing certain of their holdings and/or obtaining sustainable long-term sources of capital to adequately finance their businesses.
Since December 31, 2008, we have seen a significant increase in CMBS 60-day and greater delinquencies and CMBS loan collateral entering our CMBS special servicing portfolio. The 60-day and greater delinquencies on loan collateral underlying our CMBS “first-loss” investments was 249 basis points at June 30, 2009 compared to 83 basis points at December 31, 2008. The CMBS special servicing portfolio balance was $713.5 million, $2.8 billion and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2008, June 30, 2009 and August 5, 2009, respectively. Due to the continued tightening of credit, declining real estate values, worsening macro-economic environment, in conjunction with the significant increase in our CMBS special servicing portfolio, we increased our loan loss projections associated with the real estate loan collateral underlying our “first-loss” CMBS portfolio, which represented approximately 3,500 loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $47 billion at June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, we increased projected future loan losses to approximately $1.4 billion from $1.2 billion at March 31, 2009 and $964.1 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, we accelerated the projected timing of these losses, with most of the loss increase projected to occur in 2009 and 2010. This increase in loss projections results in lower projected future cash flows from our “first-loss” CMBS investments, and, in part, caused us to recognize a $3.9 million and $18.4 million CMBS impairment charge during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. Such loss reserves may be increased in the future in the event that collateral performance and macroeconomic conditions further deteriorate.
CMBS and Other Debt Issuance:Virtually no US CMBS transactions were priced during the first half of 2009. This compares to total US CMBS issuances during the first half of 2008 and 2007 of approximately $10.7 billion and $113 billion, respectively. This decrease is a direct result of the dramatic slowdown in the pace of lending by CMBS originators. We do not anticipate any significant new issue CMBS securitization activity in the near future.
The slow down in originations has also resulted in a substantial reduction of new opportunities in the mezzanine, B-note mortgage loan, bridge loan, preferred equity and non-investment grade CMBS markets. As originations at traditional high leverage lenders and the volume of real estate transactions generally have each continued to decline, new investment opportunities in this sector have been reduced accordingly. We believe market supply will not increase significantly until stability in the real estate lending market returns.
Competition:Recently, as a result of volatile market conditions, we have seen competitors leave the market and other competitors enter the market. In the short to medium term, we expect market participants to be impacted by continued market volatility. Over the long-term, we expect to face increased competition for our targeted investments. However, over the long-term, we believe borrowers need a full range of financing options to make acquisitions, particularly on larger assets where substantial equity commitments are required.
During the first half of 2009, and in particular during the second quarter of 2009, many peers of our manager have filed registration statements on Form S-11 to raise capital to form new mortgage REITs, some of which may compete against us in the future. There can be no assurances as to how many of these entities, if any, will be successful in raising capital, nor how, if at all, these entities may compete against us in the future.
Financing Environment:Primarily as a result of spread widening, we and other market participants have experienced significant margin call activity on our repurchase agreement facilities during 2008 and 2007 based upon fair market value determinations of the underlying collateral. Concurrent with decreases in value, the availability of short to medium-term financing has become extremely limited. This reduction in availability of financing has been compounded by the elimination of several key lenders in the market through the much publicized mergers, bankruptcies, conservertorships and liquidations in the financial services sector.
From a long-term debt perspective, the ability to leverage our assets or potential assets through offerings of commercial real estate debt obligations (“CRE CDO”) is effectively non-existent. The current state of the CMBS and CRE CDO markets could have a negative impact on our leveraged returns and our ability to successfully match-fund liabilities associated with our investments.
Issuances of Common Stock
All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected by us on February 20, 2009. In June 2004, we sold 1,150,000 shares of common stock in a private placement offering for net proceeds of approximately $160.1 million. Additionally, we issued 33,500 shares of common stock to our manager and an aggregate of 600 shares of restricted common stock to our independent directors pursuant to our Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) at the time of the closing of the private placement. In July 2004, when James Kimsey and Frank Caufield joined our Board of Directors, we issued each of them 200 additional shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the Plan.
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In July 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective our registration statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-122802) (the “Registration Statement”) relating to (a) our initial public offering (the “IPO”) of up to 1,383,203 shares of common stock, including 183,203 shares of common stock pursuant to an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters and (b) the offering by selling stockholders of 21,350 shares of common stock through the underwriters. On July 19, 2005, we issued a total of 1,200,000 shares of common stock in the IPO, at a price to the public of $177.50 per share. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of 21,350 shares of common stock, at a price to the public of $177.50 per share.
In August 2005, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 183,203 shares of common stock at $177.50 to cover over-allotments. The net proceeds to us on the sale of 1,200,000 shares in the IPO and the 183,203 pursuant to the over-allotment option was $226.4 million after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses. The net proceeds of the IPO were primarily used to pay down indebtedness.
During 2007, we granted 13,700 shares of restricted stock to certain officers and employees of an affiliate of our manager, of which 925 shares have been forfeited as of June 30, 2009. In May 2006, we granted Mark Weiss, our president, 6,000 shares of restricted stock and 15,000 stock options on our common stock. As of December 31, 2008, we had granted an aggregate of 4,000 shares of restricted stock and 2,805 shares of deferred stock units to our current and former independent directors.
On December 16, 2008, we declared a dividend of $8.80 for the three months ended December 31, 2008 to be paid on January 30, 2009. Pursuant to the applicable prospectus supplement, shareholders had the option of electing either cash or stock with total cash payments by us not to exceed $2.3 million. As a result of shareholder elections, we paid shareholders $2.3 million and issued 23,978,905 shares of common stock on January 30, 2009. On February 13, 2009, we declared a 1-for-10 reverse stock split which was effective February 20, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, we had a total of 2,590,104 shares of common stock issued and outstanding adjusted for the affect of the February 2009 reverse stock split, and as of March 31, 2009 there were 4,987,994 shares of common stock issued and outstanding adjusted for both the stock dividend and reverse stock split.
On March 26, 2009, we received written notice from the NYSE that we were not in compliance with the NYSE’s continued listing standards applicable to us requiring that we maintain a 30-day trailing average global equity market capitalization of at least $15.0 million (this standard has temporarily been lowered from $25.0 million through June 30, 2009). The NYSE permanently suspended trading of our common stock prior to the market open on April 1, 2009. As of April 1, 2009, the trading of our common stock occurred on the over-the-counter, or OTC, market, under the symbol JERT.OB.
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, in connection with the exchange and cancellation of our TRUPs, we issued 849,109 shares of common stock.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our most critical accounting policies relate to investment consolidation, revenue recognition, securities valuation and impairment, derivative accounting and income taxes. Each of these items involves estimates that require management to make judgments that are subjective in nature. We rely on J.E. Robert Company and its affiliates’ experience and analysis of historical and current market data in order to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates. Under different conditions, we could report materially different amounts using these critical accounting policies.
Going Concern:A fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of business. This principle is applicable to all entities except for entities in liquidation or entities for which liquidation appears imminent. In accordance with this requirement, our policy is to prepare our consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis unless we intend to liquidate our assets or have no other alternative but to liquidate our assets. As a result of the current level of available cash, the redirection of cash flow from CDO II, declines in cash flow from our non-CDO CMBS investments, and from our retained preferred shares in CDO I, the December 2009 maturity of our JPMorgan repurchase agreement facility, and unfunded capital commitments related to our investment in the US Debt Fund, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. While we have prepared our consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis, if we are unable to successfully extend the maturity date of our repurchase agreement borrowings, reduce operating expenses, sell assets or receive additional funding, our ability to continue as a going concern may be impacted. Therefore, we may not be able to realize our assets and settle our liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q do not reflect any adjustments that might specifically result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Investment Consolidation. For each investment we make, we evaluate the underlying entity that issued the securities we acquired or to which we made a loan in order to determine the appropriate accounting. We refer to guidance in SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, and FIN 46(R),Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,in performing our analysis. FIN 46(R) addresses the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which voting rights are not effective in identifying an investor with a controlling financial interest. An entity is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and subject to consolidation under FIN 46(R) if
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the investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities, or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns. Variable interest entities within the scope of FIN 46(R) are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is determined to be the party that absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, its expected returns, or both.
Our ownership of the subordinated classes of CMBS from a single issuer gives us the right to control the foreclosure/workout process on the underlying loans (“Controlling Class CMBS”). FIN 46(R) has certain scope exceptions, one of which provides that an enterprise that holds a variable interest in a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”) does not consolidate that entity unless that enterprise has the unilateral ability to cause the entity to liquidate. SFAS No. 140 provides the requirements for an entity to be considered a QSPE. To maintain the QSPE exception, the trust must continue to meet the QSPE criteria both initially and in subsequent periods. A trust’s QSPE status can be impacted in future periods by activities of its transferor(s) or other involved parties, including the manner in which certain servicing activities are performed. To the extent our CMBS investments were issued by a trust that meets the requirements to be considered a QSPE, we record the investments at the purchase price paid. To the extent the underlying trusts are not QSPEs, we follow the guidance set forth in FIN 46(R) as the trusts would be considered VIEs.
We have analyzed the governing pooling and servicing agreements for each of our subordinated class CMBS investments and believe the terms are consistent with industry standards and the QSPE criteria. However, there is uncertainty with respect to QSPE treatment due to ongoing review by accounting standard setters, potential actions by various parties involved with the QSPE, as discussed above, as well as varying and evolving interpretations of the QSPE criteria under SFAS No. 140. In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166,Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.This SFAS (i) removes the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (SPE) from SFAS No. 140 and eliminates the exception for qualifying SPEs from the consolidation guidance of FIN No. 46(R). We will adopt SFAS No. 166 on January 1, 2010 and is currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements, however, we currently believes that the presentation of our consolidated financial statements may prospectively change significantly upon adoption.
The non-investment grade and unrated tranches of the CMBS owned by us provide credit support to the more senior classes of the related securitizations. Cash flow from the underlying mortgages is generally allocated first to the senior tranches, with the most senior tranches having a priority right to the cash flow. Any remaining cash flow is allocated, generally, among the other tranches in order of their relative seniority. To the extent there are defaults and unrecoverable losses on the underlying mortgages resulting in reduced cash flows, the remaining unrated and lowest rated CMBS classes will bear such losses in order of their relative subordination.
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The table below details information about our CMBS investments, including the purchase date, the face amount of the total CMBS issuance, the original and current face amounts of our CMBS investments, and the amortized cost of our CMBS investments as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS Trust | | Investment Date | | Total Original Face Amount of CMBS Issuance | | Original Face Amount of Investment | | Face Amount as of | | Amortized Cost(1) as of |
| | | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 |
MACH One 2004-1 | | July 2004 | | $ | 643,261 | | $ | 50,637 | | $ | 31,724 | | $ | 47,897 | | $ | 2,530 | | $ | 5,191 |
CSFB 1998-C1(2) | | August 2004 | | | 2,482,942 | | | 12,500 | | | 12,500 | | | 12,500 | | | 3,200 | | | 4,256 |
CSFB 2004-C4 | | November 2004 | | | 1,138,077 | | | 52,976 | | | 43,098 | | | 43,098 | | | 4,511 | | | 6,580 |
MLMT 2004-BPC1 | | November 2004 | | | 1,242,650 | | | 76,986 | | | 48,547 | | | 48,547 | | | 6,134 | | | 9,251 |
JPMCC 2004-C3 | | December 2004 | | | 1,517,410 | | | 81,561 | | | 63,154 | | | 63,154 | | | 6,429 | | | 11,248 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC11 | | March 2005 | | | 1,800,969 | | | 70,035 | | | 64,914 | | | 64,914 | | | 4,490 | | | 8,942 |
BACM 2005- 1 | | April 2005 | | | 2,322,091 | | | 84,663 | | | 72,163 | | | 72,163 | | | 9,086 | | | 13,621 |
LB UBS 2005-C2(2) | | April 2005 | | | 1,942,131 | | | 7,000 | | | 4,500 | | | 4,500 | | | 872 | | | 1,752 |
CSFB 2005-C2 | | May 2005 | | | 1,614,084 | | | 82,261 | | | 61,695 | | | 65,697 | | | 193 | | | 3,128 |
LB UBS 2005-C3 | | June 2005 | | | 2,060,632 | | | 39,335 | | | 39,335 | | | 39,335 | | | 977 | | | 2,917 |
JPMCC 2005-CIBC12 | | July 2005 | | | 2,167,039 | | | 70,429 | | | 70,405 | | | 70,405 | | | 413 | | | 5,289 |
JPMCC 2005-LDP4 | | September 2005 | | | 2,677,075 | | | 90,352 | | | 90,352 | | | 90,352 | | | 5,515 | | | 10,428 |
MSCI 2005-IQ10 | | October 2005 | | | 1,546,863 | | | 55,274 | | | 55,274 | | | 55,274 | | | 3,699 | | | 6,883 |
MLMT 2005 CK I1 | | December 2005 | | | 3,073,749 | | | 96,066 | | | 88,246 | | | 96,066 | | | 7,623 | | | 11,754 |
MSC 2006 HQ8 | | March 2006 | | | 2,731,231 | | | 105,707 | | | 105,707 | | | 105,707 | | | 7,111 | | | 13,315 |
JPMCC 2006-CIBC15 | | June 2006 | | | 2,118,303 | | | 71,493 | | | 71,493 | | | 71,493 | | | 280 | | | 5,829 |
CGCMT 2006-C4 | | June 2006 | | | 2,263,536 | | | 84,395 | | | 84,395 | | | 84,395 | | | 5,004 | | | 10,974 |
MSCI 2006- HQ9 | | August 2006 | | | 2,565,238 | | | 81,338 | | | 81,338 | | | 81,338 | | | 6,772 | | | 10,399 |
MLMT 2006- C2 | | August 2006 | | | 1,542,697 | | | 60,067 | | | 60,067 | | | 60,067 | | | 1,869 | | | 9,951 |
JPMCC 2006- LDP8 | | September 2006 | | | 3,066,028 | | | 107,158 | | | 107,158 | | | 107,158 | | | 7,329 | | | 15,279 |
CD 2006- CD3 | | October 2006 | | | 3,571,361 | | | 110,713 | | | 108,795 | | | 110,713 | | | 6,723 | | | 11,513 |
MSCI 2007- HQ11 | | February 2007 | | | 2,417,647 | | | 89,530 | | | 88,895 | | | 88,895 | | | 6,702 | | | 11,109 |
GCCFC 2007- GG9(2) | | March 2007 | | | 6,575,924 | | | 34,167 | | | 34,167 | | | 34,167 | | | 3,281 | | | 6,185 |
JPMCC 2007- LDP10 | | March 2007 | | | 5,331,517 | | | 151,616 | | | 151,616 | | | 151,616 | | | 2,233 | | | 15,643 |
WAMU 2007- SL3(2) | | June 2007 | | | 1,284,473 | | | 6,500 | | | 6,500 | | | 6,500 | | | 866 | | | 1,465 |
JPMCC 2007- LDP12 | | August 2007 | | | 2,310,556 | | | 81,402 | | | 81,402 | | | 81,402 | | | 4,593 | | | 7,845 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 62,007,484 | | $ | 1,854,161 | | $ | 1,727,440 | | $ | 1,757,353 | | $ | 108,435 | | $ | 220,747 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | The decline in amortized cost from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009 is due primarily the recognition of impairments totaling $18.4 million and basis writedowns totaling $78.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009. |
(2) | Represents an investment where we have only invested in the classes that are senior to “first-loss” CMBS bonds issued by the trust. |
Our maximum carrying value exposure to loss as a result of our investment in these securities totaled $108.4 million and $220.7 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. However, we have reduced our maximum economic loss exposure through the use of non-recourse financing vehicles for these investments financed by CDOs.
The financing structures we offer to our borrowers on certain of our loans involve the creation of entities that could be deemed VIEs and, therefore, could be subject to FIN 46(R). We have evaluated these entities and have concluded that none of them are VIEs that are subject to consolidation under FIN 46(R).
In November 2005 and October 2006, we issued two CDOs through wholly owned subsidiaries as more fully discussed inLiquidity and Capital Resources. We have accounted for these transactions as financings, and the anticipated variability of each CDO’s results are absorbed by us as the holder of the non-investment grade notes. We concluded that consolidation of both CDOs is required as a consequence of this exposure.
In April 2007, we created a trust subsidiary for the purpose of issuing TRUPs. The trust is considered a VIE under FIN 46(R) and it was determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the trust as we do not hold a variable interest in the trust. Accordingly, the trust is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In May 2009, we entered into an agreement to exchange and cancel all TRUPs issued through this subsidiary and we intend to dissolve this subsidiary in the future. See Liquidity and Capital Resources- Junior Subordinated Debentures and Notesfor additional information.
In December 2007, we entered into an agreement to invest up to $10.0 million into a fund, defined as the JER US Debt Co-Investment Vehicle, L.P. (the “US Debt Fund”), established to buy loans secured, directly or indirectly, by commercial real estate, including B-Notes, mezzanine loans and whole mortgage loans, and also in preferred equity, CMBS and CMBS-related products such as CMBX. The US Debt Fund is not considered a VIE under FIN 46(R). Accordingly, the US Debt Fund is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Although the US Debt Fund is not a VIE under FIN 46(R), we determined that these entities should not be consolidated under EITF 04-5 given the rights afforded to the other partners in those entities.
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We determine if our real estate loans should be accounted for as loans, real estate investments or equity method joint ventures in accordance with AICPA Practice Bulletin No. 1 on acquisition, development or construction (“ADC”) arrangements. To date, we have accounted for all of our arrangements as loans based on the guidance set forth in the Practice Bulletin.
We acquire participating interests in commercial real estate first mortgage loans and mezzanine loans. When we initially invest in loan participations, they are evaluated under SFAS No. 115,Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, to determine whether the participation interest meets the definition of a debt security. To the extent a given loan participation meets the definition of a debt security, the participation will be accounted for according to the guidance in SFAS No. 115. Those loan participations that do not meet the definition of a debt security are accounted for as loans, and are initially recorded at the purchase price, which is generally at or near par value, and are carried on the balance sheet at amortized cost. To date, the we have determined that none of the participation interests acquired met the definition of a debt security. See additional information regarding loan accounting and revenue recognition below underRevenue Recognition.
Fair Value Election. We adopted SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, on January 1, 2008 and elected the fair value option (“FVO”) for all financial assets and liabilities related to our CDO I and CDO II financings. We have not elected the FVO for any financial assets or liabilities acquired during 2009, but may elect the elect the FVO for future acquisitions and financings. The assets and liabilities include:
| • | | CMBS investments pledged as collateral for CDOs |
| • | | Real estate loans pledged as collateral for CDOs, which currently represents real estate loans held for investment |
| • | | CDO related interest rate swaps |
Upon adoption of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008, all assets and liabilities for which the FVO was elected were marked to fair value with the adjustment recorded to beginning cumulative earnings as of the election date. For CMBS assets and interest rate swaps, the amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income as of January 1, 2008 were reclassified to beginning cumulative earnings (deficit).
Fair Value Measurements.The use of fair value to measure many of our financial assets and liabilities, with certain changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statement of operations and/or shareholders equity, is one of our most critical accounting policies. Specifically, we carry our CMBS, real estate loans, interest rate swap agreements, CDO notes payable and other notes payable at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis with unrealized fair value changes reported either in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) depending on the nature of the asset or liability and its related accounting treatment. In determining the appropriate fair value measurement for each of our assets and liabilities, we apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, which we adopted effective January 1, 2008.
SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants.
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SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs into valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes observable data from active markets, placing measurements using those inputs in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, and gives the lowest priority to unobservable inputs and classifies these as Level 3 measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS No. 157 are described below:
| • | | Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
| • | | Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly; |
| • | | Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, management’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
In accordance with SFAS No. 157, it is our policy to maximize the use of observable market based inputs to value our financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis or to determine whether an adjustment to fair value is needed for assets carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis. All of our financial instruments carried at fair value, whether on a recurring or non-recurring basis, are valued using internal assumptions or non-binding indicative dealer quotes which are recently based on very limited observable trading activity and are therefore classified as Level 3 within the SFAS No. 157 hierarchy. All of our assets and liabilities, except our interest rate swaps agreements, are carried at fair value and have been designated as Level 3, in part, due to the lack of observable market data. In considering whether observable market data existed, we considered whether the markets for our assets and liabilities were illiquid. In general, we consider a market to be illiquid primarily due to the significant decrease or nonexistence of new issue CMBS securitizations and limited secondary market trading activity in CMBS bonds rated BBB- or lower.
The estimations of fair values reflect our best judgments regarding the appropriate valuation methods and assumptions that market participants would use in determining fair value. The selection of a method to estimate fair value for each type of financial instrument depends on the reliability and availability of relevant market data. The amount of judgment involved in estimating the fair value of a financial instrument is affected by a number of factors, such as the type of instrument, the liquidity of the markets for the instrument and the contractual characteristics of the instrument. Judgments in these cases include, but are not limited to:
| • | | Selection of third-party market data sources; |
| • | | Evaluation of the expected reliability of the estimate; and, |
| • | | Selection of proxy instruments, as necessary. |
For financial instruments that are actively traded in the marketplace or whose values are based on readily available market value data and therefore fall within either Level 1 or Level 2 within the SFAS No. 157 hierarchy, little, if any, subjectivity is applied when determining the instrument’s fair value. Whether a financial instrument is classified as Level 1 or Level 2 will depend largely on its similarity with other financial instruments in the marketplace and our ability to obtain corroborative data regarding whether the market in which the financial instrument trades is active. We did not classify any assets or liabilities as Level 1 and classified our interest rate swap agreements as Level 2 as of June 30, 2009. We classified our interest rate swaps as Level 2 liabilities due to the significant trading activity in this market and the insignificance of the credit valuation adjustment relative to the June 30, 2009 fair value of our interest rate swaps.
When observable market prices and data do not exist, significant management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value. In those cases, small changes in assumptions could result in significant changes in valuation. The financial instruments we hold that require the most complex judgments and assumptions relate to our CMBS investments, real estate loans and CDO notes payable all of which are classified as Level 3, and the fair value measurement process for each category of financial instrument is detailed below.
| • | | CMBS investments are carried at fair value on a recurring basis—The fair value of CMBS investments is determined primarily by our internal valuation models which we compare to non-binding dealer quotes. In our internal valuation models, management employs a discounted cash flow model approach which utilizes prepayment and loss assumptions based upon historical experience, economic factors and forecasts and the characteristics of the underlying cash flows. We determine the applicable discount rates based on current credit spreads as reflected in information provided by issuers of the securities, comparable deals purchased or traded in the marketplace, if available, the CMBX indices and other derivative trading markets, rates of return required by other real estate debt and equity investment vehicles and market interest rates. The discount rates employed also consider the vintage and credit ratings of the |
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| bonds being valued. We have classified all CMBS investments as Level 3 assets as there are limited observable transactions related to these investments in the current market. As of June 30, 2009, we have valued our CMBS investments as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | June 30, 2009 ($ in thousands) |
Security Description | | | | Amortized | | Gross Unrealized | | Estimated | | Weighted Average |
| Face Amount | | Cost | | Gains | | Losses | | Fair Value | | Coupon | | | Yield (4) | | | Term (yrs) |
CMBS not financed by CDOs(1)(3) | | $ | 428,737 | | $ | 17,330 | | $ | 9 | | $ | — | | $ | 17,339 | | 5.2 | % | | 57.0 | % | | 5.8 |
CMBS financed by CDO I(2) | | | 418,748 | | | 44,880 | | | 12 | | | — | | | 44,892 | | 4.9 | % | | 41.5 | % | | 7.9 |
CMBS financed by CDO II(2) | | | 879,955 | | | 46,225 | | | 65 | | | — | | | 46,290 | | 5.2 | % | | 51.1 | % | | 7.8 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,727,440 | | $ | 108,435 | | $ | 86 | | $ | — | | $ | 108,521 | | 5.1 | % | | 47.5 | % | | 7.5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Fair values of CMBS not financed by CDOs are based on SFAS No. 157 and such CMBS were accounted for as available for sale securities pursuant to SFAS No. 115 and EITF 99-20 and thereby subject to potential other than temporary impairment charges. As a result of recording impairments during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the amortized costs of these CMBS securities have been written down to their estimated fair value at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Subsequent to June 30, 2009, unrealized gains/losses, if any, that are not impairments will be included in other comprehensive income (loss). |
(2) | Fair values of CMBS financed by CDOs are based on SFAS No. 157 and such CMBS were accounted for using the fair value election pursuant to SFAS No. 159 as of January 1, 2008 and are not subject to other than temporary impairment charges as changes in fair value are recorded as a component of other gains (losses) in the consolidated statement of operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $78.7 million and $606.8 million, respectively, of reductions in the amortized cost basis of CMBS assets financed by CDOs pursuant to EITF 99-20 and SFAS No. 159. |
(3) | For the CMBS investments financed via repurchase agreements which had a fair value of $16.6 million and $40.2 million, respectively, at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, total borrowings outstanding were $11.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively. |
(4) | Yield is based on amortized cost. |
The table below shows the impact on the fair value of our CMBS investments of increasing or decreasing the June 30, 2009 weighted average discount rate on our combined portfolio cash flows from approximately 47.5% by the indicated amounts. These results are different than what would be achieved on a bond by bond calculation but provide general information on valuation sensitivities.
CMBS
| | | | | | | |
Basis Point (Decrease) Increase in Discount Rate | | Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of CMBS ($ in thousands) | | | Estimated Relative Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of CMBS | |
(1,000) | | $ | 30,057 | | | 27.7 | % |
(500) | | | 13,203 | | | 12.2 | % |
500 | | | (10,560 | ) | | -9.7 | % |
1,000 | | | (19,168 | ) | | -17.7 | % |
If we were to increase our June 30, 2009 CMBS loss assumptions by 25% to 50% from our current base case loss estimates and keep the timing of the losses and the discount rate consistent with current estimates, the fair value of our CMBS investments would decrease by $22.7 million and $42.7 million, or (20.9)% and (39.3)%, respectively, from $108.5 million.
We do not believe sensitivities surrounding our prepayment assumption are material as the majority of the loans that serve as collateral for our CMBS investments do not provide for prepayment. Accordingly, we believe any changes to the prepayment assumptions would be immaterial to the estimated value.
We consider the following factors when determining other than temporary impairment for a security: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than the amortized cost, (ii) the underlying fundamentals of the relevant market, including indicators of credit deterioration, and the outlook for such market for the near future, and (iii) our intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. We also follow the impairment guidance in FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 115-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 59 (SAB 59), Accounting for Noncurrent Marketable Equity Securities. In accordance with the applicable impairment literature, when the fair value of an available for sale security is less than its amortized cost for an extended period, we consider whether there is an other than temporary impairment in the value of the security. In the future, if our liquidity needs change, it may impact our ability and intent to hold certain investments.
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• | | Real estate loans—We use discounted cash flow models employing discount rates that are based on management’s best estimate of market participant assumptions either to validate the quotes or estimated value in situations where lender quotes are not received. We also consider non-binding indicative quotes from the lenders on repurchase agreements that are used as an input to the fair value of our real estate loans to the extent that such values are generally consistent with other market participant inputs received. We have classified all real estate loans as Level 3 assets as there are limited observable transactions related to these types of investments in the current market. As of June 30, 2009, we have valued our real estate loan investments as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of June 30, 2009 ($ in thousands) |
Description | | Unpaid Principal Balance | | Amortized Cost | | Carrying Value | | Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | | | Weighted Average Effective Interest Rate Based on Amortized Cost | | | Range of Maturity Dates (2) |
Real estate loans, held for investment (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
First mortgage loan participations | | $ | 43,639 | | $ | 43,639 | | $ | 25,569 | | $ | (18,070 | ) | | 3.9 | % | | February 2010 -
February 2011 |
Mezzanine loans | | | 226,648 | | | 226,383 | | | 112,424 | | | (113,959 | ) | | 3.3 | % | | October 2009 - August 2010 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 270,287 | | $ | 270,022 | | $ | 137,993 | | $ | (132,029 | ) | | 3.4 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Carrying value based on fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157. |
(2) | Loans have extension options which could extend maturity dates to November 2010 to June 2012. |
The table below shows the impact on the fair value of our real estate loan investments of increasing or decreasing the June 30, 2009 weighted average discount rate on our combined portfolio level cash flows from approximately 24.8% by the indicated amounts. These results are different than what would be achieved on a loan by loan calculation but provide general information on valuation sensitivities.
| | | | | | | |
Basis Point (Decrease) Increase in Discount Rate | | Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of Real Estate Loans Held for Investment ($ in thousands) | | | Estimated Relative Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of Real Estate Loans Held For Investment | |
(500) | | $ | 22,014 | | | 16.0 | % |
(250) | | | 10,506 | | | 7.6 | % |
250 | | | (9,601 | ) | | -7.0 | % |
500 | | | (18,384 | ) | | -13.3 | % |
• | | Interest rate swap agreements—The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is determined using market observable inputs such as a market based yield curve and other factors determined by management, such as the credit valuation adjustment related to our credit risk and the counterparty credit risk. We classify all interest rate swap agreements as Level 2 assets or liabilities due to the significant trading activity in this market and the insignificance of the credit valuation adjustment relative to the June 30, 2009 fair value of our interest rate swaps. The table below shows the components of the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements as of June 30, 2009 (in thousands). |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Entity | | Notional Balance at June 30, 2009 | | Clean Price | | | Credit Valuation Adjustment | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | |
CDO I | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | (11,160 | ) | | $ | (125 | ) | | $ | (11,285 | ) |
CDO II | | | 303,126 | | | (29,855 | ) | | | (77 | ) | | | (29,932 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 413,103 | | $ | (41,015 | ) | | $ | (202 | ) | | $ | (41,217 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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• | | CDO notes payable—The fair value of the CDO notes payable are determined primarily by our internal valuation models, which we compare with non-binding indicative quotes from third party broker/dealers familiar with the securities. We classify all CDO notes payable as Level 3 liabilities, as there are limited observable transactions related to these notes payable. As of June 30, 2009, we have valued our CDO I and CDO II notes payable liabilities as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Bond Class | | Outstanding Notes Payable at June 30, 2009 | | Fair Value of Notes Payable at June 30, 2009 | | Weighted Average Interest Rate at June 30, 2009 | | | Weighted Average Life of Notes (in years) |
CDO I(1) | | $ | 265,776 | | $ | 33,428 | | 3.6 | % | | 8.3 |
CDO II(2) | | | 698,246 | | | 82,701 | | 1.3 | % | | 5.4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 964,022 | | $ | 116,129 | | 1.9 | % | | 6.2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| (1) | Represents current balance of $147.0 million of floating rate notes and $118.7 million of fixed rate notes with weighted average interest rates of 6.0% and 0.7%, respectively. |
| (2) | Represents current balance of $47.8 million of floating rate notes and $650.5 million of fixed rate notes with weighted average interest rates of 5.8% and 0.9%, respectively. |
The tables below show the impact on the fair value of our CDO I and CDO II notes payable of increasing or decreasing the June 30, 2009 weighted average discount rate on our combined CDO level cash flows from approximately 40.6% and 54.6% for CDO I and CDO II, respectively, by the indicated amounts. These results are different than what would be achieved on a note by note calculation but provide general information on valuation sensitivities.
| | | | | | | |
CDO I | |
Basis Point (Decrease) Increase in Discount Rate | | Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of CDO I Notes Payable ($ in thousands) | | | Estimated Relative Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of CDO I Notes Payable | |
(500) | | $ | 6,520 | | | 19.5 | % |
(250) | | | 3,017 | | | 9.0 | % |
250 | | | (2,613 | ) | | -7.8 | % |
500 | | | (4,888 | ) | | -14.6 | % |
|
CDO II | |
Basis Point (Decrease) Increase in Discount Rate | | Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of CDO II Notes Payable ($ in thousands) | | | Estimated Relative Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of CDO II Notes Payable | |
(500) | | $ | 10,472 | | | 12.7 | % |
(250) | | | 5,007 | | | 6.1 | % |
250 | | | (4,599 | ) | | -5.6 | % |
500 | | | (8,831 | ) | | -10.7 | % |
Because of the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of assets and liabilities carried at fair value where there is no readily ascertainable market value, the fair values of the assets and liabilities may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the instruments, and the differences could be material.
Revenue Recognition. The most significant source of our revenue comes from interest income on our CMBS and real estate loan investments. Interest income on real estate loans and CMBS investments is recognized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Mortgage loans will generally be originated or purchased at or near par value and interest income will be recognized based on the contractual terms of the debt instrument. Any discounts or premiums on purchased loans and loan fees or acquisition costs on originated loans accounted for at cost will be deferred and recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield in accordance with SFAS No. 91,Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring
Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases. Interest income on CMBS is recognized by the effective interest method as required by EITF 99-20,Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. Under EITF 99-20, management estimates, at the time of purchase, the future expected cash flows and determines the effective interest rate based on these estimated cash flows and our purchase prices. Subsequent to the purchase and on a quarterly basis, these
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estimated cash flows are updated and a revised yield is calculated based on the current amortized cost of the investment. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal payments (including prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans, and the timing of and magnitude of credit losses on the mortgage loans underlying the securities have to be estimated, which involves significant judgments. These uncertainties and contingencies are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may impact management’s estimates and our interest income. As a result, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates.
For our CMBS investments not financed by our CDOs, when the net present value of current period estimates of future cash flows are lower than the net present value of the previous period estimates, as adjusted for principal and loan payments, and the current estimated fair value is less than an asset’s carrying value, we will write down the asset to the current estimated fair market value and record an other than temporary impairment through a charge to current period earnings. After taking into account the effect of the impairment charge, future income is recognized using the market yield for the security used in establishing the current fair market value.
Derivative Accounting. We account for our derivative and hedging activities, using SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS No. 138,Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, and SFAS No. 149,Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,which requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction and how ineffectiveness of the hedging instrument, if any, will be measured. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. We periodically review the effectiveness of each hedging transaction, which involves estimating future cash flows. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the balance sheets as either an asset or liability, with a corresponding amount, adjusted for swap payments, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had no fair value or cash flow hedges.
Income Taxes. We operate in a manner that we believe will allow us to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, we do not expect to pay substantial corporate-level income taxes. Many of the requirements for REIT qualification, however, are highly technical and complex. If we were to fail to meet these requirements and did not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be subject to Federal income tax, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and amounts available for distributions to our stockholders.
The 2005 through 2007 tax years remain subject to examination by taxing authorities. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in its general and administrative expense on its consolidated statements of operations. There were no penalties related to uncertain tax positions for all periods prior to June 30, 2009.
Stock Dividends and Reverse Splits. Pursuant to GAAP, we did not restate historical share and per share amounts for our stock dividend since a portion of the fourth quarter 2008 dividend was payable in cash. We did restate historical share and per share amounts for the 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective February 20, 2009.
New Accounting Standards.In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141(R)). This Statement replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, including those arising from contractual contingencies, any contingent consideration, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the statement. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires the acquirer in a business combination achieved in stages (sometimes referred to as a step acquisition) to recognize the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the full amounts of their fair values (or other amounts determined in accordance with SFAS No. 141(R)). In addition, SFAS No. 141(R)’s requirement to measure the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value will result in recognizing the goodwill attributable to the noncontrolling interest in addition to that attributable to the acquirer. SFAS No. 141(R) amends SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, to require the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly in contributed capital, depending on the circumstances. It also amends SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, to, among other things, provide guidance on the impairment testing of acquired research and development intangible assets and assets that the acquirer intends not to use. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009 and determined the adoption does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 also changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented by requiring consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. SFAS No. 160 requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated and requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal periods, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted SFAS No. 160 on January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 140-3, or FSP No. 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions.” FSP No. 140-3 provides guidance on the accounting for a purchase of a financial asset from a counterparty and contemporaneous financing of the acquisition through repurchase agreements with the same counterparty. Under this guidance, the purchase and related financing are linked, unless all of the following conditions are met at the inception of the transaction: 1) the purchase and corresponding financing are not contractually contingent; 2) the repurchase financing provides recourse; 3) the financial asset and repurchase financing are readily obtainable in the marketplace and are executed at market rates; and 4) the maturity of financial asset and repurchase are not coterminous. A linked transaction would require a determination under SFAS No. 140 to conclude if the transaction meets the requirements for sale accounting. If the linked transaction does not meet sale accounting requirements, the net investment in the linked transaction is to be recorded as a derivative with the corresponding change in fair value of the derivative being recorded through earnings. The value of the derivative would reflect changes in the value of the underlying debt investments and changes in the value of the underlying credit provided by the counterparty. We currently present these transactions gross, with the acquisition of the financial assets in total assets and the related repurchase agreements as financing in total liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the interest income earned on the debt investments and interest expense incurred on the repurchase obligations are reported gross on the consolidated income statements. FSP No. 140-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We adopted FSP No. 140-3 on January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March, 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. This statement provides for enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivatives and how and where those derivatives and related hedged items are reported in the entity’s financial statements. The statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We adopted SFAS No. 161 on January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements included all applicable disclosures related to the adoption.
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4,Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161. This FSP is intended to improve disclosures about credit derivatives by requiring more information about the potential adverse effects of changes in credit risk on the financial position, financial performance, and cash flows of the sellers of credit derivatives. This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in hybrid instruments. This FSP also amends FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 45,Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, to require an additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The provisions of the FSP that amend Statement 133 and FIN 45 are effective for reporting periods (annual or interim) ending after November 15, 2008. Finally, this FSP clarifies the effective date in FASB Statement No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The disclosures required by Statement 161 should be provided for any reporting period (annual or quarterly interim) beginning after November 15, 2008. This clarification of the effective date of SFAS No. 161 is effective upon issuance of the FSP. We adopted FSP No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4 as of January 1, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April of 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-4,Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. This FSP (i) affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction (ii) clarifies and includes additional factors for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset when the market for that asset is not active (iii) eliminates the proposed presumption that all transactions are distressed (not orderly) unless proven otherwise. The FSP instead requires an entity to base its conclusion about whether a
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transaction was not orderly on the weight of the evidence (iv) includes an example that provides additional explanation on estimating fair value when the market activity for an asset has declined significantly (v) requires an entity to disclose a change in valuation technique (and the related inputs) resulting from the application of the FSP and to quantify its effects, if practicable and (vi) applies to all fair value measurements when appropriate. FSP FAS 157-4 must be applied prospectively and retrospective application is not permitted. FSP FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. We adopted FSP FAS 157-4 as of June 30, 2009 and determined it does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April of 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. This FSP (i) changes existing guidance for debt securities in determining whether an impairment is other than temporary, (ii) requires management to assert (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security; and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis in order to deem an impairment temporary, (iii) provides for the bifurcation of other-than-temporary impairments into amounts related to credit losses which are recognized through earnings, and amounts related to all other factors which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income, (iv) requires an entity to present the total other-than-temporary impairment in the statement of earnings with an offset for the amount recognized in other comprehensive income, and (vi) when adopting FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, an entity is required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized other-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income if the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery. The FSP did not change the method for measuring the amount of the impairment provided by ETIF 99-20 and FSP EITF 99-20-1. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4. We adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of June 30, 2009.
In April of 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1,Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. This FSP amends SFAS No. 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require an entity to provide disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28,Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. Under this FSP, a publicly traded company shall include disclosures about the fair value of its financial instruments whenever it issues summarized financial information for interim reporting periods. In addition, an entity shall disclose in the body or in the accompanying notes of its summarized financial information for interim reporting periods and in its financial statements for annual reporting periods the fair value of all financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, whether recognized or not recognized in the statement of financial position, as required by FSP 107. FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 ARE effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. However, an entity may early adopt these interim fair value disclosure requirements only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4 and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. We adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 as of June 30, 2009 and determined they do not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166,Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.This SFAS (i) removes the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (SPE) from SFAS No. 140 and eliminates the exception for qualifying SPEs from the consolidation guidance of FIN No. 46(R), (ii) amends and clarifies the unit of account eligible for sale accounting as an entire financial asset, group of assets or a participating interest in an entire financial asset, (iii) requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of an entire financial asset or group of assets accounted for as a sale. SFAS No. 166 is effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter with earlier adoption prohibited. We will adopt SFAS No. 166 on January 1, 2010 and are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements, however, we currently believe that the presentation of our consolidated financial statements may prospectively change significantly upon adoption.
In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 167,Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)(Statement 167), which (i) addresses the effects of eliminating the qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) concept from FASB Statement No. 140,Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities(Statement 140), and (ii) responds to concerns about the application of certain key provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R),Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities(FIN 46(R)), including concerns over the transparency of enterprises’ involvement with variable interest entities (VIEs). This SFAS (i) requires a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE, (b) amends FIN 46(R)’s consideration of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE by providing, among other things, an exception with respect to de facto agency relationships in certain circumstances, (c) amends certain guidance in FIN 46(R) for determining whether an entity is a VIE, which may change an enterprise’s assessment of which entities with which it is involved are
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VIEs, (d) requires continuous assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and (e) requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE. SFAS No. 167 is effective as of the beginning of an enterprise’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter, with earlier application prohibited. We will adopt SFAS No. 167 on January 1, 2010 and are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements, however, we currently believe that the presentation of our consolidated financial statements may prospectively change significantly upon adoption.
Balance Sheet Review
As of June 30, 2009, total assets were approximately $261.2 million, a decrease of $173.6 million, or 39.9%, from December 31, 2008. The decline in total assets was primarily due to declines in fair value of our CMBS and real estate loan investments primarily due to continued credit spread widening and increased loss assumptions. Income earning assets decreased by $169.2 million, or 40.0%, from $423.0 million at December 31, 2008. At June 30, 2009, income earning assets, including cash, had a weighted average yield of 16.0%, based on their amortized cost, compared to 17.8% at December 31, 2008. The decline in the cost basis and increase in yields on our CMBS investments from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009 is due primarily to value declines during the six months ended June 30, 2009 that were considered impairments, which reduced the cost basis by $78.7 million and increased CMBS weighted average yields from 35.6% at December 31, 2008 to 47.5% at June 30, 2009.
The level of investment related income is directly related to the balance of the interest-bearing assets and investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries outstanding during the period and the weighted average yields on such investments. The cost basis of interest-bearing assets and investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and weighted average yields (based on amortized cost basis) at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2009 | | | December 31, 2008 | |
| | Fair Value | | Amortized Cost | | Yield (1) | | | Fair Value | | Amortized Cost | | Yield | |
CMBS financed by CDO I | | $ | 44,892 | | $ | 44,880 | | 41.5 | % | | $ | 76,886 | | $ | 76,886 | | 30.6 | % |
CMBS financed by CDO II | | | 46,290 | | | 46,225 | | 51.1 | % | | | 103,324 | | | 102,271 | | 36.9 | % |
CMBS not financed by CDOs | | | 17,339 | | | 17,330 | | 57.0 | % | | | 42,432 | | | 41,590 | | 43.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total CMBS | | | 108,521 | | | 108,435 | | 47.5 | % | | | 222,642 | | | 220,747 | | 35.6 | % |
Real estate loans financed by CDO II | | | 137,993 | | | 270,022 | | 3.4 | % | | | 189,980 | | | 273,724 | | 4.0 | % |
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 709 | | | 709 | | N/A | | | | 843 | | | 843 | | N/A | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 247,223 | | $ | 379,166 | | 16.0 | % | | $ | 413,465 | | $ | 495,314 | | 18.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | After effect of recording unrealized losses and other than temporary impairment charges on CMBS investments as further discussed below. |
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we made no CMBS or real estate loan investments.
At June 30, 2009, we held investments in CMBS issued by 25 separate CMBS trusts and one Re-Remic issuance with an aggregate estimated fair value of $108.5 million. The amortized cost basis of our investments in CMBS was $108.4 million with a weighted average yield of 47.5%. At June 30, 2009, the weighted average expected life of our CMBS investments was 7.5 years. The weighted average yield on our CMBS assets increased as of June 30, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008 primarily as a result of recording impairments in the first half of 2009 and reducing the cost basis to estimated fair value on all of our CMBS assets as of June 30, 2009.
At June 30, 2009, we had nine real estate loans financed by our CDO II, which were classified as held for investment with an amortized cost basis of $270.0 million, a carrying value of $138.0 million and all of which bear interest at floating rates with a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.4%.
At June 30, 2009, total liabilities were $240.8 million, a decrease of $147.6 million, or 38.0%, from December 31, 2008. The decrease in total liabilities was primarily driven by the declines in the fair value of our CDO notes payable and principal repayments, which reduced the carrying amount of such notes payable by $95.6 million from $211.7 million at December 31, 2008 to $116.1 million at June 30, 2009. We also terminated or restructured five interest rate swap positions, decreasing our swap liability by $24.9 million, net of entering into a note payable associated with restructuring four of these swaps, and reduced liability on our CDO-related interest rate swaps of $36.9 million due to changes in fair value driven primarily by increased 10-year swap rates. Further, we reduced the borrowings on repurchase agreements by $5.0 million due to amortization payments to JPMorgan, and dividends payable declined by $2.3 million compared to December 31, 2008 levels. At June 30, 2009, we had interest-bearing liabilities excluding interest rate swaps with a fair value of $194.4 million, a cost basis of approximately $1.0 billion with a weighted average borrowing rate of 1.9% based on cost basis.
At June 30, 2009, we were party to one repurchase agreement where borrowing capacity is limited to assets pledged as collateral for such agreement based on the underlying characteristics of such assets. Based on pledged assets, we had no additional borrowing capacity at June 30, 2009. At June 30, 2009, we had $11.1 million outstanding under this agreement with a weighted average borrowing rate of 3.0%.
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At June 30, 2009, we had CDO notes payable outstanding from two separate issuances. Our CDOs are financing vehicles for our assets and, as such, are consolidated on our balance sheet with CDO notes payable at fair value of $116.1 million and a cost basis of $964.0 million, representing the amortized sales price of the CDO notes payable sold to third parties. The weighted average interest rate of the CDO notes payable, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, was 1.9% at June 30, 2009. Of the $964.0 million of face amount of CDO notes payable outstanding, $769.2 million were floating rate with a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 59 basis points while $194.8 million were fixed rate with a weighted average interest rate of 6.0%.
At June 30, 2009 we had $70.3 million of face amount of junior subordinated notes outstanding with a cost basis of $58.3 million related to the exchange of $56.3 million of TRUPs. The notes will pay interest at a rate of 0.5% annually through April 29, 2012 or such earlier date as we elect (the “Modification Period”). If the Modification Period ends earlier than April 29, 2012, we will pay interest at a fixed rate of 7.2% annually from such date through April 29, 2012. Thereafter, we will pay interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% annually. At June 30, 2009 there were $0.6 million of junior subordinated debentures outstanding that were exchanged and cancelled in July 2009.
At June 30, 2009, we were party to two interest rate swaps with a total current notional amount of $413.1 million. These interest rate swaps effectively convert floating rate debt to fixed rate debt. Under these swaps, we receive amounts based on a rate equal to one-month LIBOR and pay amounts based on a weighted average fixed rate of 5.0%. The net fair value of the interest rate swaps at June 30, 2009 was a liability of $41.2 million, net of a credit valuation adjustment of $0.2 million, and is presented as interest rate swap agreements, at fair value, on the consolidated balance sheets.
On March 3, 2009, we entered into a new agreement with our counterparty to terminate and replace four interest rate swaps which had a $245.1 million ending notional amount and a $21.2 million fair value liability as of December 31, 2008, net of $17.9 million of credit valuation adjustments, in exchange for a new seven-year fixed rate-for-fixed rate interest rate swap agreement. Under such agreement, we were to pay a fixed monthly amount of approximately $0.4 million through February 2017. On July 14, 2009, we amended the agreement with our counterparty thereby reducing the July, August and September 2009 monthly payments due under the agreement from approximately $0.4 million to $75 and resulting in an aggregate deferral in payments of approximately $0.9 million during such three month period. In addition, the amendment, which is effective in July 2009, provides that commencing in October 2009, through and including September 2010, our monthly payments under the agreement shall be increased from approximately $0.4 million to approximately $0.5 million, thereby providing for the repayment of the deferred amount over the twelve month period following August 2009. We have reflected this agreement as a note payable on our consolidated balance sheets as this agreement does not meet the definition of a derivative instrument pursuant to SFAS No. 133.
At June 30, 2009, total stockholders’ equity was $20.4 million, a decrease of $26.0 million from December 31, 2008. The decrease in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to the net loss of $27.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2009 (Amounts in millions except per share data. All per share amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of our 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected February 20, 2009.)
Net loss was $8.7 million, or $(1.67) per diluted share, during the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to net income of $29.0 million, or $11.25 per diluted share, during the three months ended June 30, 2008.
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Revenues
The following table sets forth information regarding the total amount and composition of our revenues, which are primarily interest income earned from our investments and cash positions (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | |
REVENUES | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income from CMBS | | $ | 6,957 | | | $ | 24,719 | | $ | (17,762 | ) |
Interest income from real estate loans | | | 2,341 | | | | 7,447 | | | (5,106 | ) |
Interest income from cash and cash equivalents | | | 5 | | | | 194 | | | (189 | ) |
Equity in (losses) earnings, net, of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | (64 | ) | | | 34 | | | (98 | ) |
Fee income | | | 239 | | | | 156 | | | 83 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenues | | $ | 9,478 | | | $ | 32,550 | | $ | (23,072 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, is primarily due to (i) reduced income from CMBS investments due to reduced cost basis due to impairment charges, offset, in part by higher yields on CMBS investments, (ii) reduced income from real estate loans due to the sale or repayment of certain loans, as well as lower LIBOR rates on our floating rate loans, (iii) reduced interest income from cash and cash equivalents due to lower cash balances and lower yields, (iv) reduced equity in earnings (losses) of joint ventures due to unrealized losses from our interest in a joint venture that incurred unrealized mark-to-market losses on certain investments and the April 2008 sale of our interest in the joint venture that owned net leased real estate assets. During the three months ended June 30, 2009, $7.2 million was earned on fixed rate investments, while the remaining $2.3 million was earned on floating rate investments, compared to $27.8 million and $4.8 million for the same period in 2008, respectively. We classify income from floating rate investments as that which is tied to a published index, e.g. LIBOR. At June 30, 2009, our floating rate investments included a cost basis of $270.0 million in real estate loans, $1.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $4.7 million in restricted cash primarily related to the remaining CDO II loan replenishment pool balance.
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Expenses
The following table sets forth information regarding the amount and composition of our expenses (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Interest expense | | $ | 7,582 | | $ | 13,782 | | $ | (6,200 | ) |
Management fees, affiliate | | | 961 | | | 1,874 | | | (913 | ) |
General and administrative | | | 1,607 | | | 1,937 | | | (330 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Expenses | | $ | 10,150 | | $ | 17,593 | | $ | (7,443 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $7.6 million and $13.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The following table sets forth information regarding the total composition amount of interest expense, which is primarily interest expense related to our CDO notes payable, repurchase agreements, junior subordinated debentures, junior subordinated notes and note payable (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
CDO II notes payable | | $ | 1,871 | | $ | 5,582 | | $ | (3,711 | ) |
CDO I notes payable | | | 2,983 | | | 3,643 | | | (660 | ) |
Repurchase agreements | | | 97 | | | 1,919 | | | (1,822 | ) |
Junior subordinated debentures | | | 712 | | | 1,086 | | | (374 | ) |
Junior subordinated notes | | | 760 | | | — | | | 760 | |
Note payable | | | 1,100 | | | — | | | 1,100 | |
Amortization of deferred financing fees | | | 59 | | | 1,552 | | | (1,493 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest expense | | $ | 7,582 | | $ | 13,782 | | $ | (6,200 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in interest expense of $6.2 million is primarily related to lower interest expense on our floating rate obligations due to lower LIBOR rates, on average, in 2009 compared to 2008 as well as lower average balances outstanding on repurchase agreements and lower amortization of repurchase agreement extension fees during 2009 compared to 2008, offset, in part, by higher interest expense related to our junior subordinated notes and note payable issued during the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Management and Incentive Fees. Base management fees are calculated as a percentage of stockholders’ equity adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains and losses or other items that do not affect realized net income. Our manager is also entitled to receive quarterly incentive fees equal to 25% of our Funds From Operations (as defined in the management agreement), or FFO, in excess of minimum FFO targets (as defined in the management agreement). We did not meet the minimum FFO target for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The following table summarizes our management fees for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Base management fees | | $ | 961 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | (913 | ) |
Incentive fees | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total management fees | | $ | 961 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | (913 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in management fees is primarily due to decreases in base management fees during 2009 due to a lower equity base used to calculated such fees primarily as a result of realized losses on real estate loans, our CMBS portfolio and interest rate swaps during 2008 and 2009.
General and Administrative Expense. The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 versus the same period in 2008 was due primarily to lower legal, external audit, and other professional services, collateral administration fees on CDO II, and stock compensation expense offset, in part, by fees paid on the exchange of our TRUPs. Included in general and administrative expenses are affiliate expenses related to overhead and out-of-pocket expense reimbursements to our manager aggregating $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2009 and
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2008, respectively, pursuant to our management agreement. Additional affiliate expenses of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to collateral administration fees on CDO II were also included in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
Other Gains (Losses)
The following table sets forth information regarding the amount and composition of our other gains (losses) during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | |
| | | |
Changes in Fair Value | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS | | $ | (13,919 | ) | | $ | (428 | ) | | $ | (13,491 | ) |
Real estate loans | | | (13,776 | ) | | | (6,891 | ) | | | (6,885 | ) |
Notes payable | | | 5,461 | | | | 7,585 | | | | (2,124 | ) |
Interest rate swaps | | | 20,923 | | | | 22,357 | | | | (1,434 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | (1,311 | ) | | | 22,623 | | | | (23,934 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Non-CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | — | |
Loss on CMBS impairment | | | (3,854 | ) | | | (273 | ) | | | (3,581 | ) |
Real estate loans held for sale | | | — | | | | (506 | ) | | | 506 | |
Interest rate swaps | | | — | | | | 8,199 | | | | (8,199 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on non-CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | (3,854 | ) | | | 7,420 | | | | (11,274 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total changes in fair value | | | (5,165 | ) | | | 30,043 | | | | (35,208 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Realized Gains (Losses) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss on sale real estate loan held for sale | | | — | | | | (9,249 | ) | | | 9,249 | |
Gain on exchange and cancellation of TRUPs | | | 2,657 | | | | — | | | | 2,657 | |
Loss on termination of interest rate swaps | | | — | | | | (1,370 | ) | | | 1,370 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total realized gains (losses) | | | 2,657 | | | | (10,619 | ) | | | 13,276 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Cash payments on interest rate swaps | | | (4,791 | ) | | | (4,690 | ) | | | (101 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Recognition of amounts in other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) as of December 31, 2007 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of swap termination costs | | | (134 | ) | | | (126 | ) | | | (8 | ) |
Amortization of unrealized loss on CDO related interest rate swaps | | | (602 | ) | | | (575 | ) | | | (27 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total recognition of amounts in AOCI as of December 31, 2007 | | | (736 | ) | | | (701 | ) | | | (35 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total other gains (losses) | | $ | (8,035 | ) | | $ | 14,033 | | | $ | (22,068 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on CDO Financial Assets and Liabilities, net.During the three months ended June 30, 2009, we recorded unrealized losses, net, on our CDO related financial assets and liabilities of $1.3 million. This net unrealized loss was driven by declines in the fair value of CMBS due to increased loss assumptions on CMBS, and declines in the value of real estate loans primarily related to widening of credit spreads on hospitality related real estate loans, offset, in part, by declines in the fair value of our CDO notes payable due to declines in future projected cash flows to such notes payable, and increases in swap rates from March 31, 2009 to June 30, 2009 which reduced our interest rate swap liability.
Loss on Impairment of Non-CDO Related CMBS. During the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we recorded other than temporary non-cash impairment charges related to our CMBS investments of $3.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The other than temporary impairment charges related to declines in the projected net present value of future cash flows pursuant to EITF 99-20.
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Unrealized and Realized Gain (Loss) on Loans Held for Sale.Pursuant to SFAS No. 65, we carried real estate loans held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet at the lower of cost or fair value, and as a result, during the three months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded unrealized (losses) of $(0.5) million and realized (losses) of $(9.2) million for the three months ended June 30, 2008. We had no loans held for sale during 2009.
Gain on Exchange and Cancellation of TRUPs. During the three months ended June 30, 2009, we exchanged and cancelled $3.1 million of face amount of our TRUPs for total consideration of $0.4 million, consisting of cash and stock, resulting in a gain of $2.7 million.
Unrealized Gain on Non-CDO Interest Rate Swaps. No unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps were recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2009 as there were no non-CDO interest rate swaps outstanding during that period. An unrealized gain of $8.2 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008 primarily as a result of increases in the 10-year swap rate during that period.
Loss on Termination of Non-CDO Interest Rate Swaps. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, in connection with the sale of a real estate loan and the repayment of related repurchase agreement borrowings, we paid $1.4 million in swap termination costs on an interest rate swap with a notional balance of $45.0 million.
Cash Payments on Interest Rate Swaps and Amortization of AOCI.For the three months ended June 30, 2009, we recorded $5.5 million of losses on interest rate swaps primarily related to $4.8 million of periodic cash settlement costs on interest rate swaps, $0.1 million of amortization of swap termination costs and $0.6 million of amortization of the unrealized loss on CDO related interest rate swaps included in other comprehensive income (loss). For the three months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded $5.4 million of losses on interest rate swaps primarily related to $4.7 million of periodic cash settlement costs on interest rate swaps, $0.1 million of amortization of swap termination costs and $0.6 million of amortization of the unrealized loss on CDO related interest rate swaps included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (Amounts in millions except per share data. All per share amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of our 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected February 20, 2009.)
Net loss was $27.0 million, or $(5.74) per diluted share, during the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to a net loss of $37.9 million, or $(14.72) per diluted share, during the six months ended June 30, 2008.
Revenues
The following table sets forth information regarding the total amount and composition of our revenues, which are primarily interest income earned from our investments and cash positions (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
REVENUES | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income from CMBS | | $ | 22,197 | | | $ | 46,171 | | $ | (23,974 | ) |
Interest income from real estate loans | | | 4,669 | | | | 16,333 | | | (11,664 | ) |
Interest income from cash and cash equivalents | | | 16 | | | | 616 | | | (600 | ) |
Equity in (losses) earnings, net, of unconsolidated joint ventures | | | (1,663 | ) | | | 967 | | | (2,630 | ) |
Fee income | | | 652 | | | | 253 | | | 399 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenues | | $ | 25,871 | | | $ | 64,340 | | $ | (38,469 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, is primarily due to (i) reduced income from CMBS investments due to reduced cost basis due to impairment charges, offset, in part by higher yields on CMBS investments, (ii) reduced income from real estate loans due to the sale or repayment of certain loans, as well as lower LIBOR rates on our floating rate loans, (iii) reduced interest income from cash and cash equivalents due to lower cash balances and lower yields, (iv) reduced equity in earnings (losses) of joint ventures due to unrealized losses from our interest in a joint venture that incurred unrealized mark-to-market losses on certain investments and the April 2008 sale of our interest in the joint venture that owned net leased real estate assets. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, $21.2 million was earned on fixed rate investments, while the remaining $4.7 million was earned on floating rate investments, compared to $53.1 million and $11.2 million for the same period in 2008, respectively. We classify income from floating rate investments as that which is tied to a published index, e.g. LIBOR. At June 30, 2009, our floating rate investments included a cost basis of $270.0 million in real estate loans, $1.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $4.7 million in restricted cash primarily related to the remaining CDO II loan replenishment pool balance.
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Expenses
The following table sets forth information regarding the amount and composition of our expenses (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Interest expense | | $ | 14,076 | | $ | 29,197 | | $ | (15,121 | ) |
Management fees, affiliate | | | 2,171 | | | 3,701 | | | (1,530 | ) |
General and administrative | | | 4,389 | | | 3,917 | | | 472 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Expenses | | $ | 20,636 | | $ | 36,815 | | $ | (16,179 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $14.1 million and $29.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The following table sets forth information regarding the total composition amount of interest expense, which is primarily interest expense related to our CDO notes payable, repurchase agreements, junior subordinated debentures, junior subordinated notes, and note payable (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | |
CDO II notes payable | | $ | 3,787 | | $ | 12,832 | | $ | (9,045 | ) |
CDO I notes payable | | | 5,977 | | | 7,626 | | | (1,649 | ) |
Repurchase agreements | | | 215 | | | 4,797 | | | (4,582 | ) |
Junior subordinated debentures | | | 1,798 | | | 2,172 | | | (374 | ) |
Junior subordinated notes | | | 760 | | | — | | | 760 | |
Note payable | | | 1,472 | | | — | | | 1,472 | |
Amortization of deferred financing fees | | | 67 | | | 1,770 | | | (1,703 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest expense | | $ | 14,076 | | $ | 29,197 | | $ | (15,121 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in interest expense of $15.1 million is primarily related to lower interest expense on our floating rate obligations due to LIBOR rates, on average, in 2009 compared to 2008 as well as lower average balances outstanding on repurchase agreements during 2009 compared to 2008, offset, in part, by increased interest expense related to our junior subordinated notes and note payable issued during the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Management and Incentive Fees. Base management fees are calculated as a percentage of stockholders’ equity adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains and losses or other items that do not affect realized net income. Our manager is also entitled to receive quarterly incentive fees equal to 25% of our Funds From Operations (as defined in the management agreement), or FFO, in excess of minimum FFO targets (as defined in the management agreement). We did not meet the minimum FFO target for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The following table summarizes our management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Base management fees | | $ | 2,171 | | $ | 3,701 | | $ | (1,530 | ) |
Incentive fees | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total management fees | | $ | 2,171 | | $ | 3,701 | | $ | (1,530 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in management fees is primarily due to decreases in base management fees during 2009 due to a lower equity base used to calculated such fees primarily as a result of realized losses on real estate loans and our CMBS portfolio and interest rate swaps during 2008 and 2009.
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General and Administrative Expense. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 versus the same period in 2008 was due primarily to incurring approximately $1.0 million of costs associated with our failed equity offering including legal, external audit and other professional services and fees paid on the modification of our TRUPs, offset, in part by lower stock compensation expense, collateral administration fees on CDO II and outside professional services. Included in general and administrative expenses are affiliate expenses related to overhead and out-of-pocket expense reimbursements to our manager aggregating $0.3 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, pursuant to our management agreement. Additional affiliate expenses of $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, related to collateral administration fees on CDO II were also included in general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
Other Gains (Losses)
The following table sets forth information regarding the amount and composition of our other gains (losses) during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF OTHER GAINS (LOSSES) (unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | | | Increase (decrease) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | |
Changes in Fair Value | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CMBS | | $ | (79,645 | ) | | $ | (175,189 | ) | | $ | 95,544 | |
Real estate loans | | | (48,286 | ) | | | (11,799 | ) | | | (36,487 | ) |
Notes payable | | | 85,062 | | | | 274,237 | | | | (189,175 | ) |
Interest rate swaps | | | 36,907 | | | | 2,279 | | | | 34,628 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | (5,962 | ) | | | 89,528 | | | | (95,490 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Non-CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | — | |
Loss on CMBS impairment | | | (18,366 | ) | | | (45,395 | ) | | | 27,029 | |
Real estate loans held for sale | | | — | | | | (28,874 | ) | | | 28,874 | |
Interest rate swaps | | | 13,860 | | | | 3,394 | | | | 10,466 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on non-CDO related financial assets and liabilities | | | (4,506 | ) | | | (70,875 | ) | | | 66,369 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total changes in fair value | | | (10,468 | ) | | | 18,653 | | | | (29,121 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Realized Gains (Losses) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss on real estate loan held for sale | | | — | | | | (9,249 | ) | | | 9,249 | |
Gain on exchange and cancellation of TRUPs | | | 2,657 | | | | — | | | | 2,657 | |
Loss on termination of interest rate swaps | | | (12,280 | ) | | | (1,370 | ) | | | (10,910 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total realized gains (losses) | | | (9,623 | ) | | | (10,619 | ) | | | 996 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Cash payments on interest rate swaps | | | (10,717 | ) | | | (6,773 | ) | | | (3,944 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Recognition of amounts in other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) as of December 31, 2007 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss on CMBS impairment | | | — | | | | (54,457 | ) | | | 54,457 | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on non-CDO related interest rate swaps | | | — | | | | (10,795 | ) | | | 10,795 | |
Amortization of swap termination costs | | | (266 | ) | | | (250 | ) | | | (16 | ) |
Amortization of unrealized loss on CDO related interest rate swaps | | | (1,197 | ) | | | (1,143 | ) | | | (54 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total recognition of amounts in AOCI as of December 31, 2007 | | | (1,463 | ) | | | (66,645 | ) | | | 65,182 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total other gains (losses) | | $ | (32,271 | ) | | $ | (65,384 | ) | | $ | 33,113 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Unrealized Gain (Loss) on CDO Financial Assets and Liabilities, net.During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we recorded unrealized losses, net, on our CDO related financial assets and liabilities of $6.0 million. This net unrealized loss was driven by widening credit spreads and increased loss assumptions on CMBS, and widening of credit spreads on real estate loans, offset, in part, by a less significant widening of credit spreads on CDO notes payable, and increases in swap rates from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
Loss on Impairment of Non-CDO Related CMBS. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we recorded other than temporary non-cash impairment charges related to our CMBS investments of $18.4 million and $99.9 million, respectively. The other than temporary impairment charges include $14.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively, related to declines in the projected net present value of future cash flows pursuant to EITF 99-20. The remaining non-cash CMBS impairment charges of $3.8 million and $97.5 million relate to other than temporary declines in fair value which is due to the widening of credit spreads for CMBS investments since the first half of 2007, resulting in both increased severity of the level of unrealized losses as well as increased duration of such losses.
Gain on Exchange and Cancellation of TRUPs. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we exchanged and cancelled $3.1 million of face amount of our TRUPs for total consideration of $0.4 million, consisting of cash and stock, resulting in a gain of $2.7 million.
Unrealized and Realized Gain (Loss) on Loans Held for Sale.There were no loans held for sale during 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded unrealized (losses) of $(28.9) million on loans held for sale and a realized loss of $9.2 million on the sale of a whole mortgage loan with a face amount of $45.0 million and an unamortized cost basis of $45.4 million for $36.6 million.
Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Non-CDO Related Interest Rate Swaps. An unrealized gain of $13.9 million was recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2009 primarily due to the reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as part of the termination of such swaps during the three months ended March 31, 2009.
During the first quarter of 2008, we determined that four interest rate swaps, aggregating $211.0 million in notional balance, intended to hedge anticipated future and current floating rate financings were no longer effective as such future long-term financings are not considered probable due to continued market disruptions. As a result, we recorded a charge of $(7.4) million consisting of the write-off of unrealized losses of $10.8 million previously classified as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2007 and unrealized gains in the fair value of such swaps of $3.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008. This has been reflected in unrealized gain (loss) on non-CDO interest rate swaps in the consolidated statement of operations.
Loss on Termination of Interest Rate Swaps.During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we terminated an interest rate swap with a notional balance of $19.5 million by paying $3.3 million in cash. In addition, we entered into a new agreement with our counterparty to terminate and replace four outstanding interest rate swaps, which had a $245.1 million ending notional amount and a $21.4 million fair value liability as of December 31, 2008, in exchange for a new seven-year fixed rate-for-fixed rate agreement with an estimated fair value of $9.0 million. This resulted in a combined loss of $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, in connection with the sale of a real estate loan and the repayment related repurchase agreement borrowings, we paid $1.4 million in swap termination costs on an interest rate swap with a notional balance of $45.0 million.
Cash Payments on Interest Rate Swaps and Amortization of AOCI.For the six months ended June 30, 2009, we recorded $12.2 million of losses on interest rate swaps primarily related to $10.7 million of periodic cash settlement costs on interest rate swaps, $0.3 million of amortization of swap termination costs and $1.2 million of amortization of the unrealized loss on CDO related interest rate swaps included in other comprehensive income (loss). For the six months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded $8.2 million of losses on interest rate swaps primarily related to $6.8 million of periodic cash settlement costs on interest rate swaps, $0.3 million of amortization of swap termination costs and $1.1 million of amortization of the unrealized loss on CDO related interest rate swaps included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measurement of the ability to meet cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain loans and investments, pay dividends and other general business needs. Our principal sources of liquidity include: 1) cash flow from operations; 2) borrowings under our repurchase and credit facilities; 3) our CDO offerings; 4) other forms of financing or additional securitizations including CMBS or subsequent CDO offerings; 5) proceeds from common or preferred equity offerings and, 6) the proceeds from principal payments on or sales of our investments.
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As reflected in our consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $16.7 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we made $1.5 million in capital contributions to the US Debt Fund. In addition, we received $3.7 million from the partial repayment of a real estate loan which is financed by CDO II and pursuant to the CDO II indenture, such repayment is included in restricted cash at June 30, 2009. During this same period, we repaid $5.0 million on our repurchase agreements due to scheduled amortization, paid $2.3 million of dividends, repaid a $0.5 million note payable in full, exchanged and cancelled $59.4 million of face amount of our TRUPs for $0.6 million of cash and other considerations and paid $3.3 million in swap termination costs. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the CDO indentures, $10.5 million of principal was repaid on our CDO notes payable. As a result, unrestricted cash declined from $8.4 million as of December 31, 2008 to $1.8 million as of June 30, 2009.
Historically, our initial borrowings have been short-term, variable rate debt; however, we have financed the majority of our assets on a long-term basis through match-funded CDO strategies. Our CDO strategy is dependent upon our ability to place the match-funded debt we intend to create in the market at attractive borrowing spreads. If spreads for CDO liabilities widen or if demand for such liabilities ceases to exist, then our ability to execute the CDO strategy will be severely restricted. At this time, the CDO market is essentially closed and as a result, extending the term of our short term financing facility is very important to financing certain of our investments.
Currently, the market for short-term credit facilities is very challenging and many lenders are actively seeking to reduce their balances outstanding by lowering advance rates on financed assets and increased borrowing costs, to the extent such facilities continue to be available. In the event we are unable to maintain or extend maturities of existing and/or secure new lines of credit or collateralized financing on favorable terms, our ability to continue as a going concern may be adversely impacted and returns to investors may be reduced. As a result, we may be required to sell assets at amounts that are less than the estimated current fair value to payoff such facilities which would likely reduce our earnings and operating cash flow. Our long-term liquidity requirements, specifically the repayment of debt and our investment funding needs, would generally be accomplished through additional borrowings, the issuance of debt and equity securities, and/or the sales, refinancing or principal repayments of our investments. At this time, we cannot provide any assurances that our long-term liquidity plans can be accomplished collectively or individually.
In our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2009, our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst and Young LLP, concluded that there was substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. In response, we have undertaken or expect to commence certain efforts including; (i) discontinuing payment of quarterly dividends and replacing it with payment of an annual dividend to the extent required to satisfy REIT dividend requirements, (ii) seeking to reduce operating costs, primarily our general and administrative costs including possible modifications to our management agreement; (iii) seeking to restructure terms of our recourse indebtedness including extension of scheduled maturity dates and/or modification of near-term interest payment requirements; and (iv) if necessary, pursuing sales of selected assets.
No assurance can be given that we will be successful in achieving any of these efforts collectively or individually. Should our repurchase agreement lender demand immediate repayment of all of our obligations, we will likely be unable to pay such obligations absent asset sales. In such event, we may have to recapitalize, refinance our obligations, sell some or all of our assets at prices below current estimated fair value or seek to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
During 2009, we have exchanged $56.3 million of our TRUPs into junior subordinated notes, and cancelled $3.7 million of our TRUPs reducing quarterly cash interest payments from $1.1 million per quarter to $75 per quarter through April 2012. In addition, we amended our note payable to reduce monthly payments from approximately $0.4 million to approximately $0.1 million from July through September 2009, and amended our agreement with the Manager to reduce cash basis monthly base management fees to $75 from April to September 2009. However, currently our primary source of free operating cash flow are our non-CDO CMBS investments. Cash flow from these investments have declined from approximately $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 to approximately $4.0 million during the second quarter of 2009 due to deteriorating macroeconomic and commercial real estate conditions evidenced by increasing delinquencies, special servicing activity and the appraisal reductions on collateral for such investments. This decline in non-CDO CMBS cash flow has further adversely affected our liquidity.
Our unrestricted cash balance as of August 5, 2009 was $1.2 million and our repurchase agreement borrowings were $10.4 million. The decrease in unrestricted cash from $1.8 million at June 30, 2009 was primarily due to the impact of amortization payments totaling $0.8 million on our JP Morgan repurchase agreement discussed above and payments of certain final expenses relating to the restructuring of our TRUPs, offset, in part by operating cash flow.
The decline in liquidity and lack of available financing will make it difficult for us to meet future capital calls from the US Debt Fund. A failure by us to fund our portion of future capital calls may adversely impact our investment in and management fees earned on the US Debt Fund, and lead to, among other items, payment of penalty interest and/or dilution of our current investment interests.
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Borrowings.As of August 7, 2009, June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, repurchase agreement borrowings consisted of the following (net of amounts held as collateral in restricted cash for these borrowings):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Amount |
| | Scheduled Maturity Date | | August 7, 2009 | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 |
Secured by CMBS | | | | | | | | | | | |
JP Morgan Chase | | December 2009 | | $ | 10,358 | | $ | 11,108 | | $ | 16,108 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | $ | 10,358 | | $ | 11,108 | | $ | 16,108 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
In August 2007 and as subsequently amended in September 2007, March 2008, September 2008 and December 2008, we and a wholly owned subsidiary, respectively, entered into a repurchase agreement with a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (the “JPMorgan Facility”). This repurchase agreement provides financing to be secured by rated and unrated CMBS. The December 2008 amendment modified certain financial covenants applicable to us under the JPMorgan Facility and extended the term of the facility to December 22, 2009. We also agreed to make payments of $2.8 million in December 2008, $2.0 million in February 2009, and monthly amortization payments of $0.8 million commencing in March 2009 through the maturity of the JPMorgan Facility, with the remaining outstanding balance on the facility due and payable on December 22, 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, such principal repayments totaled $5.0 million. This repurchase agreement is fully recourse to us and has covenants related to (i) minimum tangible net worth, (ii) maximum leverage, (iii) minimum liquidity and (iv) incurrence of additional recourse debt, among other covenants. The JPMorgan Facility also has a material adverse change clause in which JPMorgan can demand immediate repayment of our debt if they deem a material adverse change to have occurred. As of June 30, 2009, $11.1 million was outstanding under the facility at a weighted average borrowing rate of 3.0%, and CMBS investments with an estimated fair value of $16.6 million were pledged as collateral.
Collateralized Debt Obligations.On October 17, 2006, we issued our second CDO, or CDO II, through two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, JER CRE CDO 2006-2, Limited and JER CRE CDO 2006-2, LLC, collectively known as CDO II. CDO II is secured by $1.2 billion par value of collateral interests consisting of CMBS, mezzanine loan interests, first mortgage loan interests, Re-REMIC securities, and real estate CDO securities. CDO II issued privately placed notes totaling $768.4 million initially rated AAA through BBB- (“CDO II Investment Grade Notes”). We purchased a portion of the CDO II Investment Grade Notes and retained all of the non-investment grade notes and preferred shares. $708.3 million of CDO II Investment Grade Notes were issued to third parties consisting of $47.0 million of fixed rate notes with a weighted average interest rate of 5.8% and $661.3 million of floating rate notes with a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 62 basis points, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The CDO II Investment Grade Notes have a remaining expected average maturity of 5.4 years at June 30, 2009. CDO II has a replenishment collateral pool of up to $275.0 million that would allow replenishment of proceeds of real estate loans that are paid off within five years from the closing of the transaction, subject to the replenishment collateral meeting certain criteria outlined in the CDO II indenture and satisfaction of certain other requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we contributed no CMBS or real estate loan interests as collateral to CDO II and CDO II received $3.7 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of real estate loan repayments on CDO II real estate loan collateral during the six months ended June 30, 2009. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the replenishment pool balance was $4.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, which is reflected as restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets.
In November 2005, we issued our first CDO, or CDO I, through two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, JER CRE CDO 2005-1, Limited and JER CRE CDO 2005-1, LLC. CDO I is secured by a static pool of $418.7 million par value of fixed rate subordinate CMBS. CDO I issued privately placed notes totaling $275.6 million initially rated AAA through BBB- (“CDO I Investment Grade Notes”). We retained a portion of the BBB- rated notes, all of the non-investment grade notes and all of the preferred shares. Two of the CDO I Investment Grade Notes, totaling $119.2 million, were issued with floating rate coupons with a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 39 basis points, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The remaining CDO I Investment Grade Notes totaling $147.0 million, net of the portion retained by us, were issued with fixed rate coupons with a weighted average interest rate of 6.0%, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The Investment Grade Notes have a remaining expected average maturity of 8.3 years at June 30, 2009.
The terms of our CDOs include certain over-collateralization and interest coverage tests, which are used primarily to determine whether and to what extent principal and interest paid on the debt securities and other assets that serve as collateral underlying the CDO’s may be used to pay principal and interest on the notes payable and preferred shares issued by the CDOs. In each of our CDOs, in the event that either test is not satisfied, interest and principal that would otherwise be payable on certain of the junior tranches of notes payable and preferred shares issued by the CDOs and retained by us may be redirected to repay principal on certain senior tranches of notes payable issued by the CDOs. Therefore, failure to satisfy the coverage tests could adversely affect cash flows received by us from our retained interests in the CDOs and thereby our liquidity and operating results.
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As a result of downgrades relating to its CMBS collateral, CDO II failed certain of its over-collateralization tests beginning in February 2009. Such failures have continued, and are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As a result of the failure of these over-collateralization coverage tests (i) certain interest payments normally scheduled to be allocated to the holders of the junior notes payable and preferred shareholders of CDO II were reallocated to the holders of the senior notes payable, and (ii) any available principal proceeds were reallocated to the holders of the senior notes payable. Consequently, we will not receive any cash flow distributions on the junior notes payable and preferred share investments retained by us and/or our affiliates in CDO II until such time, if ever, the over-collateralization coverage tests are complied with. Even if the over-collateralization coverage tests are eventually complied with, our ability to obtain regular cash payments from the assets securing CDO II is dependent upon CDO II continuing to meet interest coverage and over-collateralization coverage tests. If the February through June 2009 over-collateralization coverage tests for CDO II had not failed, we would have received approximately $9.5 million in additional distributions during the first half of 2009. During 2008, we received approximately $28 million of net cash distributions from CDO II.
CMBS downgrades generally do not affect the over-collateralization coverage test applicable to collateral in CDO I, unless such collateral is downgraded to “CC” or below. As of July 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, 11 and 4 CMBS bonds, respectively, underlying CDO I have been downgraded to “CC” or lower, causing certain cash payments from such downgraded CMBS bonds normally scheduled to be allocated to the holder of the junior notes payable and preferred shareholders of CDO I to be reallocated to the holders of the senior notes payable. While CDO I is still in compliance with its over-collateralization and interest coverage tests, these bond downgrades, combined with declining cash flows from the CMBS underlying CDO I has reduced the cash flow to us on our retained preferred shares. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, we collected $0.4 million from our retained preferred shares in CDO I, compared with $0.6 million for the three months ending March 31, 2009.
The redirection of cash within our CDOs is not expected to impact the GAAP or tax treatment to us relative to our reporting of the individual assets and liabilities related to the CDOs as we consolidate both CDOs on our balance sheet. While we believe our balance sheet reflects the fair value of the individual CDO related assets and liabilities, we believe the estimated economic fair value of our combined retained interest in the CDOs is significantly less than the difference between the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities, determined in accordance with GAAP.
With respect to CDO II, we have been appointed its advancing agent. In this capacity, we may be required to make interest advances to CDO II in the event that the sum of interest proceeds and principal proceeds collected during the related due period are insufficient to remit the interest that is due and payable to the Class A Notes and Class B Notes in accordance with the priority of payments of CDO II (the amount of such insufficiency, an “Interest Shortfall”). We will be entitled to recover any previously unreimbursed interest advances made by it, together with interest thereon, first, from interest proceeds and second if applicable, from principal proceeds, senior to any payments of interest or principal to the noteholders and senior to any payments of fees, expenses or hedge payments of CDO II, only to the extent that such recovery would not trigger an additional Interest Shortfall to the Class A Notes or Class B Notes. In the event that we determine that such interest advances are nonrecoverable interest advances, we would be entitled to recovery of any previously unreimbursed interest advances made by it, together with interest thereon, without regards to whether such recovery would trigger additional Interest Shortfalls. As of June 30, 2009, we have not advanced CDO II for any Interest Shortfalls in its capacity as advancing agent.
Junior Subordinated Debentures and Notes. On April 9, 2007, we issued $60.0 million of TRUPs through our unconsolidated subsidiary, JERIT TS Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”), in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Concurrently, we issued $61.9 million in junior subordinated debentures to the Trust and made a $1.9 million common equity investment in the Trust. The junior subordinated debentures had a 30-year term ending April 2037, were redeemable at par on or after April 30, 2012 and paid distributions at a fixed rate of 7.2%, excluding amortization of fees and expenses, for the first five years ending April 2012, and, thereafter, at a floating rate of three month LIBOR plus 225 basis points, excluding amortization of fees and expenses. The assets of the Trust consist solely of the $61.9 million of junior subordinated notes concurrently issued by us, with terms that mirror the TRUPs. We incurred $1.0 million of debt issuance costs, which were deferred and are amortized on an effective yield basis over the life of the TRUPs. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, are included as a component of deferred financing fees on the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
On May 29, 2009, we entered into (i) an agreement with two holders of outstanding of our TRUPs, with an aggregate liquidation amount of $56.3 million to exchange such TRUPs for $70.3 million aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated notes due 2037, or the Notes, issued by us, (ii) a letter agreement with one such holder, resulting in the issuance of 307,203 unregistered shares of our common stock and certain cash payments to that holder in connection with the exchange described above, (iii) an agreement with the other such holder, providing for certain cash payments to that holder in connection with the exchange described above, (iv) an agreement with a third holder of TRUPs with an aggregate liquidation amount of $3.7 million to exchange such TRUPs for 541,906 unregistered shares of our common stock and certain cash payments, and (v) a registration rights agreement with those holders receiving shares of our common stock in the exchanges described above providing for certain piggyback registration rights with respect to such shares.
We have accounted for this transaction in accordance with SFAS No. 15, “Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings,” and EITF 02-4 “Determining Whether a Debtor’s Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments in within the Scope of FASB Statement No. 15.” Accordingly, we accounted for the agreement to exchange $56.3 million of TRUPs as a modification and did not recognize a gain for that exchange and accounted for the agreement to cancel remaining $3.7 million of TRUPs as a termination and did record a gain of $2.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted common share, for the portion of that exchange that was completed during the three months ended June 30, 2009. Costs incurred to exchange and cancel the TRUPs were expensed in the current period. We completed the cancellation of the remaining $0.6 million of TRUPs on July 30, 2009 with a $0.1 million additional cash payment and expect to record an additional $0.5 million gain during the three months ended September 30, 2009 in connection therewith.
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An aggregate of $59.4 million of TRUPs have been cancelled through June 30, 2009 in conjunction with these exchanges, and the remaining $0.6 million of TRUPs outstanding were cancelled on July 30, 2009. The agreements also resulted in us satisfying our interest payment obligations on the TRUPs due for the April 30, 2009 interest payment date, and, with respect to the remaining TRUPs outstanding, the amount due at the July 30, 2009 interest payment date. In total, we have made aggregate cash payments of $0.7 million through June 30, 2009 to satisfy our obligations on the TRUPs in connection with the exchanges described above and the satisfaction of interest obligations.
The newly issued Notes will pay interest at a rate of 0.5% annually through April 29, 2012 or such earlier date as we elect (the “Modification Period”). If the Modification Period ends earlier than April 29, 2012, we will pay interest at a fixed rate of 7.2% annually from such date through April 29, 2012. Thereafter, we will pay interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% annually. During the Modification Period, we will be subject to certain restrictions, including limitations on its ability to pay dividends on shares of its common stock, provided, however, that we shall be permitted to pay dividends to the extent necessary to satisfy REIT dividend requirements. The Indenture contains customary events of default, including those relating to nonpayment of principal or interest when due, and defaults based on events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
Note Payable. On March 3, 2009, we entered into an agreement with its counterparty to terminate and replace four interest rate swaps which had a $245.1 million ending notional amount and a $29.7 million fair value liability based on the present value of future cash flows before the credit valuation adjustment as of February 27, 2009, in exchange for a new seven-year fixed rate-for-fixed rate note. We initially recorded this new agreement, at fair value, as a note payable on the date of the transaction as the new agreement no longer meets the definition of a derivative pursuant to SFAS No. 133. We did not elect the fair value option for this note payable under SFAS No, 159.
On July 14, 2009, we amended the agreement with our counterparty thereby reducing the July, August and September 2009 monthly payments due under the Agreement from approximately $0.4 million to $75 and resulting in an aggregate deferral in payments of approximately $0.9 million during such three month period. In addition, the Amendment, which is effective in July 2009, provides that commencing in October 2009, through and including September 2010, our monthly payments under the Agreement shall be increased from approximately $0.4 million to approximately $0.5 million, thereby providing for the repayment of the deferred amount over the twelve month period following August 2009. We have reflected this agreement as a note payable on our June 30, 2009 consolidated balance sheets as this agreement does not meet the definition of a derivative pursuant to SFAS No. 133.
General. If we default in the payment of interest or principal on any debt including margin calls on repurchase agreements, breach any representation or warranty in connection with any borrowing or violate any covenant in any loan document, our lender may accelerate the maturity of such debt, requiring us to immediately repay all outstanding principal. If we are unable to make such payments, our lender could force us to sell the applicable collateral or foreclose on our assets pledged as collateral to such lender. The lender could also force us into bankruptcy or bring other legal action against us. Any of these events would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of an investment in our common stock. At June 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants under our CDO notes payable with the exception of certain CDO II over-collateralization coverage tests, our repurchase agreements, our junior subordinated debentures, our junior subordinated notes, and our note payable.
Dividends.In order to qualify as a REIT and to avoid corporate level tax on the taxable income we distribute to our stockholders, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income and net capital gains on an annual basis. Certain of our investments, such as the subordinate CMBS investments, may generate substantial mismatches between taxable income and GAAP net income and cash flow. In order to meet the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our net taxable income, we may need to borrow, sell assets, raise additional equity capital or pay dividends in the form of stock. Additionally, we will need to raise additional capital that may be dilutive or sell existing assets in order to acquire additional investments. As part of our plans to maintain adequate liquidity, we have discontinued payment of quarterly dividends and replaced it with payment of an annual dividend to the extent required to satisfy REIT dividend requirements. In addition, to the extent we are required to make a dividend payment with respect to 2009, we may elect to pay up to 90% of such dividends in stock in accordance with Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Revenue Procedure 2008-68. At this time, we expect that we will not generate taxable income in 2009, and therefore will not be required to pay a dividend.
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The following table summarizes our quarterly distributions in 2009 and 2008 and reflects the impact of our 1-for-10 reverse stock split declared in February 2009:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Quarter | | Dividend Type | | Record Date | | Declaration Date | | Payment Date | | Amount |
| | | | | |
First Quarter 2009 | | n/a | | n/a | | n/a | | n/a | | $ | — |
Second Quarter 2009 | | n/a | | n/a | | n/a | | n/a | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
First Quarter 2008 | | Regular | | 5/1/2008 | | 4/18/2008 | | 5/6/2008 | | $ | 3.00 |
Second Quarter 2008 | | Regular | | 6/30/2008 | | 6/13/2008 | | 7/31/2008 | | | 3.00 |
Third Quarter 2008 | | Regular | | 9/30/2008 | | 9/11/2008 | | 10/31/2008 | | | 3.00 |
Fourth Quarter 2008 | | Regular | | 12/30/2008 | | 12/16/2008 | | 1/30/2009 | | | 3.00 |
Fourth Quarter 2008 | | Special | | 12/30/2008 | | 12/16/2008 | | 1/30/2009 | | | 5.80 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 17.80 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
First Quarter 2007 | | Regular | | 3/30/2007 | | 3/14/2007 | | 4/30/2007 | | $ | 4.40 |
Second Quarter 2007 | | Regular | | 6/29/2007 | | 6/13/2007 | | 7/31/2007 | | | 4.49 |
Third Quarter 2007 | | Regular | | 9/28/2007 | | 9/13/2007 | | 10/31/2007 | | | 4.50 |
Fourth Quarter 2007 | | Regular | | 12/28/2007 | | 12/12/2007 | | 1/30/2008 | | | 4.50 |
Fourth Quarter 2007 | | Special | | 12/28/2007 | | 12/12/2007 | | 1/30/2008 | | | 6.50 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 24.39 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Inflation. We believe that the risk of increases in the market interest rates as a result of inflation on any floating rate investments that we may invest in will be largely offset by our floating rate debt and the use of match funded financing which may include interest rate derivatives.
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Contractual Obligations. Purchase commitments and aggregate principal maturities of our repurchase agreements and notes payable at June 30, 2009 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payment Due by Period |
Contractual Obligations | | Total | | Less Than One Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Capital commitments (1) | | $ | 5,067 | | $ | 5,067 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
Repurchase agreements(2) | | | 11,108 | | | 11,108 | | | — | | | — | | | — |
CDO notes payable(3) | | | 964,022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 964,022 |
Junior subordinated debentures(4) | | | 647 | | | 647 | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Junior subordinated notes (5) | | | 58,294 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 58,294 |
Note payable (6) | | | 28,743 | | | 3,735 | | | 8,474 | | | 8,638 | | | 7,896 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,067,881 | | $ | 20,557 | | $ | 8,474 | | $ | 8,638 | | $ | 1,030,212 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Maturity date represents the end of the Investment Period (December 2009) for the U.S. Debt Fund. The timing and amount of capital calls are determined as necessary by the General Partner of the U.S. Debt Fund. The decline in operating cash flows and reduction in available financing may make it difficult for us to meet future capital calls from the US Debt Fund. A failure by us to fund our portion of future capital calls may impair our investment in the US Debt Fund, and lead to, among other items, payment of penalty interest and/or dilution of our current investment. |
(2) | The repurchase agreement is scheduled to mature in December 2009. |
(3) | The maturity dates of the notes payable are contingent upon maturity of assets pledged as collateral and have a remaining expected average maturity of 8.3 years and 5.4 years for CDO I and CDO II, respectively, as of June 30, 2009. |
(4) | As of June 30, 2009, $0.6 million of junior subordinated debentures were outstanding and the remaining junior subordinated debentures were exchanged and cancelled in July 2009. |
(5) | The junior subordinated notes mature in April 2037 and are redeemable at par on or after April 30, 2012. The notes will pay interest at a rate of 0.5% annually through April 29, 2012 or such earlier date as we elect (the “Modification Period”). If the Modification Period ends earlier than April 29, 2012, we will pay interest at a fixed rate of 7.2% annually from such date through April 29, 2012. Thereafter, the Company will pay interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% annually. |
(6) | We entered into a new agreement with a counterparty to terminate and replace four interest rate swaps, which had a $245.1 million ending notional amount and a $29.7 million fair value liability as of February 27, 2009 before credit valuation adjustments representing the present value of future payments using a risk free rate of return, in exchange for a new seven-year fixed rate-for-fixed rate interest rate swap agreement. Under such agreement, we will pay a fixed monthly amount of approximately $0.4 million through February 2017. On July 14, 2009, we amended the agreement with our counterparty thereby reducing the July, August and September 2009 monthly payments due under the agreement from approximately $0.4 million to $75 and resulting in an aggregate deferral in payments of approximately $0.9 million during such three month period. In addition, the amendment, which is effective in July 2009, provides that commencing in October 2009, through and including September 2010, our monthly payments under the agreement shall be increased from approximately $0.4 million to approximately $0.5 million, thereby providing for the repayment of the deferred amount over the twelve month period following August 2009. We have reflected this as a note payable on our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2009. |
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2009, we did not have any off balance sheet arrangements.
Related Party Transactions
Under the management agreement, our manager may engage J.E. Robert Company or its affiliates to perform certain legal, accounting, due diligence, asset management, securitization, property management, brokerage, loan servicing, leasing and other services that outside professionals or outside consultants otherwise would perform on our behalf. J.E. Robert Company and its
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affiliates may be reimbursed or paid for the cost of performing such tasks, provided that such costs and reimbursements are no greater than those that would be paid to outside professionals or consultants on an arm’s-length basis. Our manager is reimbursed for any expenses incurred in contracting with third parties. In addition, our manager is responsible for all employment compensation of J.E. Robert Company personnel who perform services for us pursuant to the management agreement.
Fee Arrangements. Under the management agreement and subject to the supervision and direction of the our board of directors, the manager performs services for us including the purchase, sale and management of real estate and other real estate-related assets, our day-to-day management and the performance of certain administrative duties. For performing these services, we pay the manager a monthly base management fee in arrears equal to 1/12 of the sum of (i) 2.0% of the first $400 million of our equity, (ii) 1.5% of equity in excess of $400 million and up to $800 million and (iii) 1.25% of equity in excess of $800 million. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, our equity equals the month-end value, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, of our stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income. On July 20, 2009, we and our manager entered into an amendment to the management agreement whereby we agreed, effective as of April 1, 2009, that during the months of April, May, June, July, August and September, 2009, (i) we shall not be required to make any payments of base management fees and/or incentive fees otherwise due and payable under the management agreement in excess of $75 per month and (ii) any fees accruing and otherwise payable under the management agreement in excess of $75 per month shall be deferred and due and payable by us to the manager on such date after September 30, 2009 as we shall mutually agree in writing.
The J.E. Robert Company uses such proceeds, in part, to compensate officers and employees provided to us by J.E. Robert Company through our manager who, notwithstanding that certain of them also are our officers, receive no cash compensation directly from us. We have in the past and may continue in the future, however, to award grants pursuant to the Incentive Plan to such officers and employees as well as officers and employees of J.E. Robert Company subject to the discretion of our compensation committee and approval by our board of directors.
In addition, the manager is entitled to receive a quarterly incentive fee in an amount, not less than zero, equal to the product of (i) 25% of the dollar amount by which (a) our funds from operations (as defined in the management agreement) for such quarter per share of Common Stock (based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for such quarter) exceeds (b) an amount equal to (A) the weighted average of the price per share of Common Stock in the 144A Offering, and the prices per share of Common Stock in any subsequent offerings by us multiplied by (B) the greater of (1) 2.25% and (2) 0.875% plus one fourth of the ten-year U.S. treasury rate for such quarter, multiplied by (ii) the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during such quarter. Funds From Operations, as defined in the management agreement, is net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) before incentive compensation and including base management fees, excluding gains or losses from debt restructuring and sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization on real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. The following table summarizes management fees incurred by us for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended June 30, | | For the Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Base management fees | | $ | 961 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | 2,171 | | $ | 3,701 |
Incentive fees | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total management fees | | $ | 961 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | 2,171 | | $ | 3,701 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, related to unpaid base management fees are included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. There were no unpaid incentive fees at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
Our management agreement provides that we are required to reimburse our manager for certain general and administrative expenses incurred by our manager on our behalf, including our pro rata share of overhead expenses of the manager required for our operations. In November 2006, retroactive to January 1, 2006, the independent members of the board of directors approved an amendment to the management agreement to provide that the allocable overhead reimbursement will be fixed at an amount equal to $0.5 million per annum for 2006, and in each calendar year thereafter, subject to approval by the independent members of the board of directors, $0.5 million multiplied by the sum of (a) one plus (b) the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) for the applicable year over the CPI for the calendar year 2006. For each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, overhead reimbursements were approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which is included in general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations.
Our manager may also be paid or reimbursed for the costs of providing other services that outside professionals or consultants otherwise would provide on our behalf. If such services are provided by the manager, the reimbursement for such services will be no
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greater than what management believes would be paid to outside professionals, consultants, or other third parties on an arm’s length basis. In accordance with the provisions of the management agreement, we recorded $0 during both the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0 during both the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Each CMBS securitization requires a special servicer be appointed by the purchaser controlling the most subordinated non-investment grade class of securities. As our manager is not a rated special servicer, it appoints J.E. Robert Company or another entity that is a rated special servicer as the special servicer whenever we acquire a controlling interest in the most subordinated non-investment grade class of a CMBS securitization. J.E. Robert Company earned $1.7 million and $1.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $2.6 million and $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a special servicer on the CMBS issuances where we own the first-loss position. J.E. Robert Company is also entitled to received additional fees in the future based on the collections received against loans that were managed in special servicing and subsequently returned to the master servicer. All fees due to J.E. Robert Company as special servicer are paid either by the securitization vehicles or the borrowers, not directly by us and such fees are consistent with traditional, well established market standards and are set as part of the arm’s-length negotiations to acquire such CMBS bonds from the issuer. However, because we generally own the first loss position in these same CMBS issuances, payment of special servicing fees to J.E. Robert Company may reduce the amounts available to pay us pursuant to the terms of the applicable CMBS trusts.
In connection with CDO II, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries entered into a Collateral Administration Agreement with J.E. Robert Company, the Collateral Administrator, an affiliate of our manager, pursuant to which the Collateral Administrator has agreed to advise our wholly owned subsidiary on certain matters regarding the collateral interests and other eligible investments securing the notes. The Collateral Administrator is eligible to receive two fees payable on a monthly basis, with the first fee equal to 1/12 of 0.075% of the Monthly Asset Amount, as defined in the CDO II indenture, and the second fee equal to 1/12 of 0.05% of the Monthly Asset Amount, as defined in the CDO II indenture, each fee payable with different priorities as set forth in the applicable indenture. For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we incurred $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in collateral administration fees pursuant to the Collateral Administration Agreement and such fees are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, $14 and $25 of unpaid collateral administration fees were unpaid and included in due to affiliate in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These collateral administration fee schedules within the collateral administration agreement were approved by the members of our board of directors then considered to be independent pursuant to the rules of the NYSE. Since the February 2009 CDO II distribution date, J.E. Robert Company has not been entitled to receive the subordinate collateral administration fee, and is not entitled to receive such fee until certain CDO II over-collateralization coverage tests are complied with.
On December 11, 2007, we and JER Fund IV, an investment fund managed by J.E. Robert Company, entered into a limited partnership agreement pursuant to which we and JER Fund IV agreed to co-manage a new private equity fund, known as JER US Debt Co-Investment Vehicle, L.P. (the “US Debt Fund”). The California Public Employees’ Retirement System, (“CalPERS”), committed $200.0 million, and we and JER Fund IV each committed $10.0 million to the US Debt Fund. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we have made capital contributions of $4.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, into the US Debt Fund and the investment in the US Debt Fund is reflected in investments in unconsolidated joint ventures on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On December 4, 2008, we, JER Fund IV and CalPERS entered into an amendment to the US Debt Fund’s amended and restated limited partnership agreement (the “LPA”) with CalPERS extending the US Debt Fund’s commitment period for an additional one year period, from December 11, 2008 to December 11, 2009. In addition, pursuant to the amendment, the US Debt Fund’s general partner is not required by the LPA to allocate new investment opportunities to the US Debt Fund. Finally, the amendment provides that commencing on December 11, 2008 through and including December 11, 2009, the management fee payable by CalPERS to the US Debt Fund’s general partner shall be calculated to (i) include CalPERS’ pro-rata share of the outstanding principal balance on the US Debt Fund’s revolving credit facility with WestLB AG New York Branch and (ii) exclude CalPERS’ pro-rata share of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents held by the US Debt Fund. Prior to the amendment, the US Debt Fund paid us and JER Fund IV a base management fee equal to 1.5% on drawn capital and up to 20% of the aggregate profits earned and distributed by the US Debt Fund (after limited partners receive distributions equal to their initial investment and a specified preferred rate of return thereon). We and JER Fund IV divide the management and incentive fees on a 50%-50% basis. We recognized management fee income from the US Debt Fund of $0.2 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, we did not invest in any CMBS or real estate loan investments where an affiliate of the manager held a controlling equity interest in the borrower. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we invested in a first mortgage loan participation with a cost basis of $30.0 million and two mezzanine loan participations with an aggregate cost basis of $49.4 million where an affiliate of the manager held a controlling equity interest in the borrower. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we invested in mezzanine loans totaling $65.0 million where an affiliate of the manager held a controlling equity interest in the borrower. The acquisition of these loans to affiliated borrowers was approved by the independent members of our Board of Directors
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as required by our investment guidelines. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we received no repayments on loans to affiliated borrowers. At June 30, 2009, loans to affiliated entities had an unamortized cost basis of $81.1 million, an unpaid principal balance of $81.3 million and a carrying value of $32.2 million.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Amounts are presented in thousands except for share and per share data and as otherwise noted) |
Market Risk. Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, credit curve spreads, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The primary market risks to which we are exposed are interest rate risk and credit curve risk. Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental, monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. Credit curve risk is highly sensitive to dynamics of the markets for commercial mortgage-backed securities and other loans and securities we plan to invest in. Excessive supply of these assets combined with reduced demand will cause the market to require a higher yield. This demand for higher yield will cause the market to use a higher spread over the U.S. Treasury securities yield curve, or other benchmark interest rates, to value these assets. Changes in the general level of the U.S. Treasury yield curve can have significant effects on the market value of our investment portfolio.
Our operating results, depend in part, on the difference between the interest and related income earned on our interest-bearing assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest bearing liabilities. Competition from other providers of real estate financing may lead to a decrease in the interest rate earned on our interest-earning assets, which we may not be able to offset by obtaining lower interest costs on our borrowings. Changes in the general level of interest rates prevailing in the financial markets may affect the spread between our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Any significant compression of the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, continued and/or further increases in credit spreads, could, among other things, further reduce the value of our assets, and our ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets, and result in increased margin calls.
We may utilize a variety of financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, options, floors and other interest rate derivative contracts, in order to limit the effects of fluctuations in interest rates on our operations. We do not intend to utilize derivatives for speculative or other purposes other than interest rate risk management. The use of these types of derivatives to hedge interest-earning assets and/or interest-bearing liabilities carries certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the funds available for payments to holders of securities and that such losses may exceed the amount invested in such instruments. A hedge may not perform its intended purpose of offsetting losses. At times, we may have interest rate swap maturities or notional balances that do not correspond with outstanding floating rate debt balances, debt maturity dates or amounts. Moreover, with respect to certain of the instruments used as hedges, we are exposed to the risk that the counterparties with which we trade may cease making markets and quoting prices in such instruments, which may render us unable to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to an open position. If we anticipate the income from any such hedging transaction will not be qualifying income for REIT income test purposes, we may conduct part or all of our hedging activities through a corporate subsidiary that will be fully subject to federal corporate income taxation (a taxable REIT subsidiary). Our profitability may be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates.
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Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in earnings and cash flows that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. Our net interest income is affected by changes in various interest rates, primarily LIBOR and treasury rates. At June 30, 2009, our primary sensitivity to interest rates related to the income we earned on a portion of our $270.3 million of floating rate real estate loans and the interest expense incurred on $780.3 million of floating rate indebtedness, the carry cost on $413.3 million of interest rate swaps which were all tied to LIBOR, resulting in net exposure to interest rate fluctuations to approximately $96.7 million of net floating rate liabilities. The following table presents our pay-fixed interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade Date | | Effective Date | | Termination Date | | Initial Notional Balance | | Notional Balance at | | Ending Notional Balance | | Fair Value at | | | Pay-Fixed | | Asset/ Liability at | | |
| | | | June 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | | | June 30, 2009 (3) | | | December 31, 2008 | | | Interest Rate | | June 30, 2009 | | Location on the Balance Sheet at June 30, 2009 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
October 2005 | | November 2005 (1) | | June 2015 | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 109,977 | | $ | 5,697 | | $ | (11,285 | ) | | $ | (17,545 | ) | | 4.9% | | Liability | | Interest rate swap agreements related to CDOs, at fair value |
September 2006 | | October 2006 (2) | | August 2016 | | | 386,324 | | | 303,126 | | | 303,126 | | | 219,929 | | | (29,932 | ) | | | (49,551 | ) | | 5.1% | | Liability | | Interest rate swap agreements related to CDOs, at fair value |
September 2006 | | October 2009 (2) | | August 2016 (6) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | (3,536 | ) | | 5.2% | | n/a | | n/a |
February 2007 | | October 2007 (2) | | October 2014 (6) | | | — | | | — | | | 83,198 | | | — | | | — | | | | (7,490 | ) | | 5.1% | | n/a | | n/a |
January 2007 | | November 2007 | | December 2016 (4)(6) | | | 100,000 | | | — | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | — | | | | (6,209 | ) | | 5.3% | | n/a | | n/a |
February 2007 | | November 2007 | | February 2017 (5) | | | 26,000 | | | — | | | 19,500 | | | — | | | — | | | | (3,714 | ) | | 5.1% | | n/a | | n/a |
March 2007 | | November 2007 | | January 2017 (6) | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | 40,000 | | | — | | | — | | | | (3,939 | ) | | 5.0% | | n/a | | n/a |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | 662,301 | | $ | 413,103 | | $ | 595,801 | | $ | 225,626 | | $ | (41,217 | ) | | $ | (91,984 | ) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Swap related to our CDO I financing and is reflected at fair value with the change in value subsequent to December 31, 2007 recorded in other gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of operations due to our election to account for this swap using the FVO effective January 1, 2008. |
(2) | Swaps related to our CDO II financing and is reflected at fair value with the change in value subsequent to December 31, 2007 recorded in other gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of operations due to our election to account for these swaps using the FVO effective January 1, 2008. |
(3) | The settlement amount of our interest rate swap liabilities was $(41.0) million as of June 30, 2009. This liability is partially offset by a $(0.2) million credit valuation adjustment as of June 30, 2009 due to the SFAS No. 157 requirement to incorporate a credit valuation allowance for our and our counterparty’s credit rating to arrive at fair value. |
(4) | In connection with the sale of a real estate loan in September 2008 and repayment of the related floating rate financing, we partially terminated $60.0 million of notional balance on a swap with an initial notional balance of $100.0 million and paid swap termination costs of $4.0 million. |
(5) | In December 2008, in connection with the transfer of real estate loans classified as held for sale and repayment of the related floating rate financing, we partially terminated $6.5 million of notional balance on a swap with an initial notional balance of $26.0 million and paid swap termination costs of $1.5 million. The counterparty terminated the remaining $19.5 million of this swap on February 23, 2009 and we paid the counterparty $3.3 million in connection with this termination. |
(6) | On February 27, 2009, we agreed to terminate these interest rate swaps and replace them with a new seven-year fixed rate-for-fixed rate swap agreement which we reflected as a note payable on our consolidated balance sheets. On July 14, 2009, we agreed to reduce the July, August and September 2009 monthly payments due under the agreement from $0.4 million to $75 and resulting in an aggregate deferral in payments of $0.9 million during such three month period. In addition, the amendment provides that commencing in October 2009, through and including September 2010, our monthly payments under the agreement shall be increased from $0.4 million to $0.5 million, thereby providing for the repayment of the deferred payment amounts over the twelve month period following August 2009. |
At June 30, 2009, our interest rate swaps mitigate the impact of interest rate changes on our net earnings and cash flow. As a result of and due to floating rates on our real estate loans, CDO notes payable and repurchase agreement borrowings, changes in interest rates will generally impact our net income. All of our floating rate assets and liabilities are tied to LIBOR or the applicable base rate and some are subject to certain caps, floors or other limitations. The following table shows the estimated change in net income for a 12-month period based on changes in the applicable LIBOR rates applied to floating rate assets, liabilities and interest rate swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | |
LIBOR Rate Change (Basis Points) | | Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Net Income Over 12 Months at June 30, 2009(1)(2) | |
| | (in thousands) | |
-150 | | $ | 291 | |
-50 | | | 291 | |
50 | | | (485 | ) |
150 | | | (1,454 | ) |
| |
| (1) | Estimated increase (decrease) in net income over next twelve months does not consider the impact future changes in fair value. |
| (2) | At June 30, 2009, the 1-month LIBOR rate was approximately 31 basis points. This analysis is presented assuming LIBOR will exceed 0 basis points. |
Interest rate changes may also affect the fair value of our CMBS investments, real estate loans and derivatives. We have not entered into derivative transactions designed to hedge changes in fair value.
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Credit Risk. Our portfolio of commercial real estate loans and securities is subject to a high degree of credit risk. Credit risk is the exposure to loss from debtor defaults. Default rates are subject to a wide variety of factors, including, but not limited to, property performance, property management, supply and demand factors, construction trends, consumer behavior, regional economics, interest rates, the strength of the Unites States economy, the availability of credit and/or refinancing opportunities, and other factors beyond our control.
All loans are subject to some probability of default. At the time of purchase, we underwrite our subordinate CMBS investments assuming (i) the underlying loans will suffer some dollar amount of defaults and (ii) the defaults will lead to some level of realized losses. Loss adjusted yields are computed based on these assumptions and applied to each class of security supported by the cash flow on the underlying loans. The most significant variables affecting loss adjusted yields include, but are not limited to, the number of defaults, the severity of loss that occurs subsequent to a default and the timing of the actual loss.
During 2008 and 2009, in response to a deteriorating macroeconomic and commercial real estate environment, we have increased the numbers of loans we assume will default, the severity of losses on such defaults, and accelerated the timing of such projected losses. We currently assume that substantially all of the principal of a non-rated security, and in most cases a portion of or all of more senior rated securities owned by us, will not be recoverable over time. The timing and the amount of the loss of principal are the key assumptions to determine the economic yield of these securities. Timing is of paramount importance because the longer the principal balance remains outstanding the more interest the holder receives to support a greater economic return. Alternatively, if principal is lost faster than originally assumed, there is less opportunity to receive interest and a lower return or loss may result. If actual principal losses on the underlying loans exceed assumptions, the higher rated securities will be affected more significantly as a loss of principal may not have been assumed previously.
We manage credit risk through the underwriting process, establishing loss assumptions and monitoring of loan performance. Before acquiring a controlling class security (represented by a majority ownership interest in the most subordinate tranche) in a proposed pool of loans, we perform a rigorous analysis of all of the proposed underlying loans. Information from this review is then used to establish loss assumptions. We assume that some portion of the loans will default and calculate an expected or loss adjusted yield based on that assumption. After the securities have been acquired, we monitor the performance of the loans, as well as external factors that may affect their value.
Factors that indicate a higher loss severity or acceleration of the timing of an expected loss will cause a reduction in the expected yield and therefore reduce our earnings. Furthermore, we may be required to write down a portion of the accreted cost basis of the affected assets through a charge to income in the event that the investment is considered impaired.
Since December 31, 2008, we have seen a significant increase in CMBS 60-day and greater delinquencies and CMBS entering our CMBS special servicing portfolio. The 60-day and greater delinquencies on loan collateral underlying our CMBS “first-loss” investments was 249 basis points at June 30, 2009 compared to 83 basis points at December 31, 2008. The CMBS special servicing portfolio balances were $713.5 million, $2.8 billion and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2008, June 30, 2009 and August 5, 2009, respectively. Due to the continued tightening of credit, declining real estate values, worsening macro-economic environment, in conjunction with the significant increase in our CMBS special servicing portfolio, we increased our loan loss projections associated with the real estate loan collateral underlying our “first-loss” CMBS portfolio which represented approximately 3,500 loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $47 billion as of June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, we increased projected future loan losses to approximately $1.4 billion from $964.1 million as of December 31, 2008. In addition, we accelerated the projected timing of these losses, with most of the loss increase projected to occur in 2009 and 2010. This increase in loss projections results in lower projected cash flows from our “first-loss” CMBS investments, and, in part, caused us to recognize a $3.9 million and $18.4 million impairment charge, respectively, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. Such losses may be increased in the future in the event that collateral performance and macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.
We may also invest in commercial real estate loans, primarily mezzanine loans, bridge loans, B-notes, loans to real estate companies, whole mortgage loans, first mortgage participations and net leased real estate. Although we have not to date, we may also invest in residential mortgages and related securities. These investments will be subject to credit risk. The extent of our credit risk exposure will be dependent on risks associated with commercial and residential real estate. Property values and net operating income derived from such properties are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing, retail, industrial, office or other commercial space); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; retroactive changes to building or similar codes; increases in operating expenses (such as energy costs) and; reductions in and/ or lack of capital and liquidity. In the event a borrower’s net operating income decreases, the borrower may have difficulty repaying our loans, which could result in losses to us. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay our loans, which could also cause us to suffer losses.
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Recent Events
We have evaluated events and circumstances from the balance sheet date through August 10, 2009, which represents the issuance date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and have disclosed all such events herein.
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K was made under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (a) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is timely recorded, processed, summarized and reported and (b) include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act), during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
ITEM 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, in connection with the exchange and cancellation of its TRUPs, the Company issued 849,109 shares of common stock to two holders of the outstanding securities.
ITEM 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None
ITEM 4. | Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders |
The Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on Thursday, May 28, 2009, in McLean, Virginia, at which the following matters were submitted to a vote of the stockholders:
| (a) | Votes regarding the election of the persons named below as Directors for a term expiring in 2010 were as follows: |
| | | | | | |
Director | | For | | Withheld | | Total |
Joseph E. Robert, Jr. | | 3,289,885 | | 860,757 | | 4,150,642 |
Daniel J. Altobello | | 3,466,222 | | 684,420 | | 4,150,642 |
Peter D. Linneman | | 3,472,733 | | 677,909 | | 4,150,642 |
| (b) | Votes regarding ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of the Company to serve for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 were as follows: |
| | | | | | |
For | | Against | | Abstentions | | Total |
3,642,052 | | 471,337 | | 37,243 | | 4,150,632 |
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None
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| | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
10.16 | | Amendment to the Management Agreement by and between JER Investors Trust Inc. and JER Commercial Debt Advisors LLC. |
| |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
| |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
| |
32.1 | | Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
| |
32.2 | | Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:
| | |
JER INVESTORS TRUST INC (Registrant) |
| |
By: | | |
Name: | | Joseph E. Robert, Jr. |
Title: | | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
Date: | | August 10, 2009 |
| |
By: | | |
Name: | | J. Michael McGillis |
Title: | | Chief Financial Officer |
Date: | | August 10, 2009 |
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