Ready Capital (RC) 424B3 Prospectus supplement

 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)​

 Registration Number 333-240086​

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated August 4, 2020.

READY CAPITAL CORPORATION

4,000,000 Shares
6.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

We are offering 4,000,000 shares of our 6.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, or the Series E Preferred Stock or the Shares.

When, as, and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31 of each year at a rate per annum equal to 6.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference. Dividends on the Shares are cumulative. The first dividend on the Series E Preferred Stock sold in this offering will be paid on July 31, 2021, will cover the period from, but not including, June 10, 2021 to, but not including, July 31, 2021 and will be in the amount of $0.225694 per share.

At any time or from time to time on or after June 10, 2026, we may, at our option, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at a price of $25.00 per share of Series E Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared), if any. See “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Redemption.” If a Change of Control Event (defined herein) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred by paying $25.00 per share of Series E Preferred Stock, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of redemption. To the extent we exercise our redemption right relating to the Series E Preferred Stock, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below in respect of their Shares called for redemption. See “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Special Optional Redemption.” The Series E Preferred Stock has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed by us or converted in connection with a Change of Control by the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our right to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described above, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined herein)) to convert some or all of the Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted equal to the lesser of:

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the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a record date for a Series E Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series E Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price (as defined herein); and

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3.2916, subject to certain adjustments;

subject, in each case, to provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration as described in this prospectus supplement.

The Shares will rank senior to our common stock and any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to distribution rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with our 8.625% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or our Series B Preferred Stock, our 6.25% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or our Series C Preferred Stock, our 7.625% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or our Series D Preferred Stock, and any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and junior to any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. See “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Ranking.” The Shares will not have any voting rights, except as set forth under “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Voting Rights.”

We intend to apply to list the Series E Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “RC PRE.” If the application is approved, we expect trading of the Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE to begin within 30 days after the Series E Preferred Stock is first issued. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RC,” and our Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RC PRB,” “RC PRC” and “RC PRD,” respectively. This is the original issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a discussion of important factors that you should consider before making a decision to invest in the Shares.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

​	Per Share			Total
Public offering price(1)	​	$	25.00	​	$	100,000,000
Underwriting discount	​	$	0.7875	​	$	3,150,000
Proceeds to us, before expenses(2)	​	$	24.2125	​	$	96,850,000

(1)

Plus declared and unpaid dividends, if any, from June 10, 2021 if initial settlement occurs after that date.

(2)

Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

The underwriters will have the option to purchase, within a period of 30 days beginning on, and including, the date of this prospectus supplement, up to 600,000 shares of additional Series E Preferred Stock on the same terms and conditions set forth above, solely to cover over-allotments.

The underwriters expect to deliver the Shares in book-entry only form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about June 10, 2021.

Book Running Managers

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods           Morgan Stanley Piper Sandler

                      A Stifel Company

Co-Managers

B. Riley Securities BTIG Ladenburg Thalmann Wedbush Securities

June 3, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

​	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT	​	S-1
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS	​	S-2
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY	​	S-4
THE OFFERING	​	S-5
RISK FACTORS	​	S-10
USE OF PROCEEDS	​	S-15
DESCRIPTION OF SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK	​	S-16
UNDERWRITING	​	S-30
ADDITIONAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS	​	S-33
LEGAL MATTERS	​	S-35
EXPERTS	​	S-36
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	​	S-37

Base Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
SUMMARY INFORMATION	2
RISK FACTORS	3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
USE OF PROCEEDS	6
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS	7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	8
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES	9
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	10
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	15
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	17
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	19
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	22
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS	23
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS	24
THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT	28
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS	32
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES	65
LEGAL MATTERS	66
EXPERTS	67
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	68
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	69

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and the Shares and also updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering or the Shares. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. In addition, any statement in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or a filing we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, that adds to, updates or changes information contained in an earlier filing we made with the SEC shall be deemed to modify and supersede such information in the earlier document.

You should read this document together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus we issue. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this document, is accurate only as of its date or the dates which are specified therein.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make forward looking statements in this prospectus supplement within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. For these statements, we claim the protections of the safe harbor for forward looking statements contained in such sections. Forward looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. These forward looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations, financial condition, liquidity, plans and objectives. When we use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “potential” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology, we intend to identify forward looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward looking:

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the use of proceeds of this offering;

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our investment objectives and business strategy;

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our ability to borrow funds or otherwise raise capital on favorable terms;

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our expected leverage;

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our expected investments;

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estimates or statements relating to, and our ability to make, future distributions;

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our ability to achieve the expected revenue synergies, cost savings and other benefits from the acquisition of Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation, or Anworth;

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our ability to compete in the marketplace;

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the availability of attractive risk adjusted investment opportunities in small to medium balance commercial loans, or SBC loans, loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, or the SBA, under its Section 7(a) loan program, mortgage backed securities, or MBS, residential mortgage loans and other real estate related investments that satisfy our investment objectives and strategies;

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market, industry and economic trends;

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recent market developments and actions taken and to be taken by the U.S. Government, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Depositary Insurance Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Government National Mortgage Association, Federal Housing Administration Mortgagee, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the SEC;

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mortgage loan modification programs and future legislative actions;

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our ability to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust, or REIT;

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our ability to maintain our exclusion from qualification under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act;

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projected capital and operating expenditures;

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availability of qualified personnel;

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prepayment rates; and

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projected default rates.

Our beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control, including:

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factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, including those set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Business”;

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applicable regulatory changes;

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risks associated with acquisitions, including the acquisition of Anworth;

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risks associated with achieving expected revenue synergies, cost savings and other benefits from acquisitions, including the acquisition of Anworth, and the increased scale of our company;

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risks associated with our anticipated liquidation of certain assets within the portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage loans that we own from our acquisition of Anworth;

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general volatility of the capital markets;

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changes in our investment objectives and business strategy;

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the availability, terms and deployment of capital;

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the availability of suitable investment opportunities;

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our dependence on Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, or our Manager, and its personnel, and our ability to find a suitable replacement if we or our Manager were to terminate the management agreement we have entered into with our Manager;

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changes in our assets, interest rates or the general economy;

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the severity and duration of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic;

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the impact of COVID-19 on our business and operations, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources;

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the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our borrowers, the real estate industry, and the United States and global economies;

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actions taken by governmental authorities to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact;

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the efficacy of the vaccines or other remedies and the speed of their distribution and administration;

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increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our investments;

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changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, the yield curve or prepayment rates;

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changes in prepayments of our assets;

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limitations on our business as a result of our qualification as a REIT; and

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the degree and nature of our competition, including competition for SBC loans, MBS, residential mortgage loans and other real estate related investments that satisfy our investment objectives and strategies.

Upon the occurrence of these or other factors, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially and adversely from those expressed in, or implied by, any such forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not rely on these forward looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making a decision to invest in the Shares. You should read carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to the “company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “our company” are to Ready Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries; references in this prospectus supplement to the “Operating Partnership” refer to Sutherland Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a subsidiary of Ready Capital Corporation; and references in this prospectus supplement to “our Manager” refer to Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase additional Shares.

Our Company

We are a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances and services SBC loans, SBA loans, residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, MBS collateralized primarily by SBC loans, or other real estate-related investments. Our loans generally range in original principal amounts up to $35 million and are used by businesses to purchase real estate used in their operations or by investors seeking to acquire small multi-family, office, retail, mixed use or warehouse properties. Our originations and acquisition platforms consist of the following four operating segments: acquisitions; SBC originations; SBA originations, acquisitions and servicing; and residential mortgage banking.

We are externally managed and advised by our Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement between us and our Manager, our Manager is responsible for our investment strategies and decisions and our day to day operations.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011.

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RC.” Our Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RC PRB,” “RC PRC” and “RC PRD,” respectively. Our principal executive offices are located at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 50th Floor, New York, New York 10020. Our telephone number is (212) 257-4600. Our website is www.readycapital.com. The information on our website is not considered part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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THE OFFERING

The following is a brief summary of the terms of this offering and the Shares. We provide the following summary solely for your convenience. This summary is not a complete description of this offering or the Shares. You should read the full text and more specific details contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. For a more detailed description of the Shares, see “Description of Series E Preferred Stock” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Preferred Stock” in the accompanying prospectus. With respect to the issuer of the Shares referenced in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the terms “the company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer solely to Ready Capital Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.

Issuer

Ready Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation.

Securities

4,000,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock (plus up to an additional 600,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock that we may issue and sell upon the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option). We reserve the right to reopen this Series and issue additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock either through public or private sales at any time.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

For certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Shares, see “Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus supplement and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.

Ranking

The Series E Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:

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senior to our common stock and any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or the Junior Stock;

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on parity with our Series B Preferred Stock, our Series C Preferred Stock, our Series D Preferred Stock and any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or the Parity Stock; and

•

junior to any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

For purposes of this prospectus supplement, the term “capital stock” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities that rank senior to the Series E Preferred Stock prior to conversion or exchange.

Dividends

Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive , when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, cumulative cash dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock at the rate of 6.50% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference, which is equivalent to $1.625 per annum per share. Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of January, April, July

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and October of each year. The first dividend on the Series E Preferred Stock sold in this offering will be paid on July 31, 2021, will cover the period from, but not including, June 10, 2021 to, but not including, July 31, 2021 and will be in the amount of $0.225694 per share.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders a liquidation preference in cash or property, at fair market value as determined by our board of directors, of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of the payment. Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive this liquidating distribution before we distribute any assets to holders of shares of our common stock and any other class or series of Junior Stock.

No Maturity

The Series E Preferred Stock has no maturity date, and we are not required to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock. In addition, we are not required to set aside assets to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the shares of Series E Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to redeem them or, under circumstances where the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock have a conversion right, such holders decide to convert their shares.

Optional Redemption

We may not redeem the Series E Preferred Stock prior to June 10, 2026, except as described below under “Special Optional Redemption” and in limited circumstances relating to maintaining our qualification as a REIT. On and after June 10, 2026, we may, at our option, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole, at any time, or in part, from time to time, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of redemption (other than any dividend with a record date before the applicable redemption date and a payment date after the applicable redemption date, which will be paid on the applicable dividend payment date notwithstanding prior redemption of such shares).

Special Optional Redemption

In the event of a Change of Control (as defined below), we may, at our option, exercise our special optional redemption right to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of redemption (other than any dividend with a record date before the applicable redemption date and a payment date after the applicable redemption date, which will be paid on the applicable dividend payment date notwithstanding prior redemption of such shares). To the extent that we exercise our redemption right relating to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below in respect of their shares called for redemption.

A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

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•

the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of our capital stock entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all of our capital stock that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

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following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor the consolidated acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or ADRs representing such common securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE American or NASDAQ, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or NASDAQ.

Change in Control Conversion Rights

Except to the extent that we have elected to exercise our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right by providing a notice of redemption prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right to convert some or all of the Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted equal to the lesser of:

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the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a record date for a Series E Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series E Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price; and

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3.2916, or the Share Cap, subject to certain adjustments;

subject, in each case, to provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration upon conversion as described in this prospectus supplement.

If we have provided a redemption notice with respect to some or all of the Series E Preferred Stock, holders of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock that we have called for redemption will not be permitted to exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right in respect of any of their shares of Series E Preferred Stock that have

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been called for redemption, and any shares of Series E Preferred Stock subsequently called for redemption that has been tendered for conversion will be redeemed on the applicable date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date.

For definitions of “Change of Control Conversion Right,” “Change of Control Conversion Date” and “Common Stock Price” and for a description of the adjustments and provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration that may be applicable to the Change of Control Conversion Right, see “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Redemption — Conversion Rights.”

Except as provided above in connection with a Change of Control, the Series E Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

Voting Rights

Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock generally will have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock for six quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with the holders of shares of our Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our board of directors until we pay all dividends which we owe on the Series E Preferred Stock. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and the holders of any other class or series of our Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, voting together as a single class, is required for us to authorize, create or increase the authorized or issued number of shares of any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In addition, the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class) is required to approve certain amendments to our charter (including the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock) that materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of Series E Preferred Stock.

Among other things, we may, without any vote of the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, issue additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock and we may authorize and issue additional shares of any class or series of our Junior Stock or our Parity Stock.

Ownership and Transfer Restrictions

To ensure that we may continue complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of a REIT imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, among other purposes, our charter contains, and the Articles Supplementary will contain, restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock. Our charter generally prohibits, among other prohibitions, any stockholder from beneficially or constructively owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or

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in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our capital stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock. The Articles Supplementary will prohibit, among other prohibitions, any stockholder from beneficially or constructively owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding Series E Preferred Stock.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series E Preferred Stock, no holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert shares of Series E Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock to the extent that receipt of such shares of common stock would cause such holder (or any other person) to exceed the common stock ownership or the capital stock ownership limit contained in our charter. See “Description of Series E Preferred Stock —  Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”.

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $96,850,000 (or approximately $111,377,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional Shares in full). We intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our Operating Partnership which in turn will use the net proceeds to redeem, in whole or in part, our Series B Preferred Stock and our Series D Preferred Stock. We may use the remainder of the net proceeds, if any, for general business purposes, which may include the repayment of borrowings outstanding under our loan repurchase agreements or credit facilities. Prior to these anticipated uses, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering in interest-bearing, short-term investments, including money market accounts, in each case that are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT. See “Use of Proceeds” herein.

Risk Factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a discussion of factors that should be considered before making a decision to invest in the Shares.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the Shares being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in the Shares, you should consider carefully the risk factors related to the Shares and this offering described below and the other risk factors incorporated herein by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. If any of these risks actually occurs, it may materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. As a result, the market price of our common stock and, in turn, the trading price of the Shares could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified or that we think are immaterial may also materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of the Series E Preferred Stock

As a holder of Series E Preferred Stock, you will have extremely limited voting rights.

Your voting rights as a holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be limited. Our shares of common stock are the only class of our securities that carry full voting rights. Voting rights for holders of Series E Preferred Stock exist primarily with respect to the ability to elect, together with holders of our Parity Stock having similar voting rights, two additional directors to our board of directors in the event that six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on the Series E Preferred Stock are in arrears, and with respect to voting on amendments to our charter, including the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock, that materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series E Preferred Stock or the creation or issuance of additional classes or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Other than the limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement, holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights. See “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Voting Rights.”

There is no established trading market for the Series E Preferred Stock and listing on the NYSE does not guarantee a market for the Series E Preferred Stock.

The Series E Preferred Stock is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to file an application to list the Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE, but there can be no assurance that the NYSE will approve the Series E Preferred Stock for listing.

Even if the NYSE approves the Series E Preferred Stock for listing, there is no guarantee the Series E Preferred Stock will remain listed on the NYSE or any other nationally recognized exchange. If the Series E Preferred Stock is delisted from the NYSE or another nationally recognized exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

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a limited availability of market quotations for the Series E Preferred Stock;

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reduced liquidity with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock;

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a determination that the Series E Preferred Stock is “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in the Series E Preferred Stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for the Series E Preferred Stock; and

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a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

Moreover, even if the NYSE approves the Series E Preferred Stock for listing, an active trading market on the NYSE for the Series E Preferred Stock may not develop or, if it does develop, may not last, in which case the market price of the Series E Preferred Stock could be materially and adversely affected.

We have been advised by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the Series E Preferred Stock, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice.

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The market price and trading volume of the Series E Preferred Stock may fluctuate significantly and be volatile due to numerous circumstances beyond our control.

The Series E Preferred Stock is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to file an application to list the Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE, but there can be no assurance that the NYSE will approve the Series E Preferred Stock for listing. If the NYSE approves the Series E Preferred Stock for listing and if an active trading market does develop on the NYSE, the Series E Preferred Stock may trade at prices lower than the public offering price, and the market price of the Series E Preferred Stock would depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

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prevailing interest rates;

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the market for similar securities;

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general economic and financial market conditions;

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our issuance, as well as the issuance by our subsidiaries, of additional preferred equity or debt securities; and;

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our financial condition, cash flows, liquidity, results of operations, funds from operations and prospects;

The trading prices of common and preferred equity securities issued by REITs and other real estate companies historically have been affected by changes in market interest rates. One of the factors that may influence the market price of the Series E Preferred Stock is the annual yield from dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock as compared to yields on other financial instruments. An increase in market interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of the Series E Preferred Stock to demand a higher annual yield, which could reduce the market price of the Series E Preferred Stock.

Future offerings of debt securities or shares of our capital stock, including future offerings of traded or non-traded preferred stock, expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up may adversely affect the market price of the Series E Preferred Stock.

Our cash available for dividends may not be sufficient to pay dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock at expected levels, and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay dividends in the future. We may use borrowed funds or funds from other sources to pay dividends, which may adversely impact our operations.

We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock. Dividends declared by us will be authorized by our board of directors in its sole discretion out of assets legally available for distribution and will depend upon a number of factors, including our earnings, our financial condition, the requirements for qualification as a REIT, restrictions under applicable law, our need to comply with the terms of our existing financing arrangements, the capital requirements of our company and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We may have to fund dividends from working capital, borrow to provide funds for such dividends, use proceeds of this offering or other similar offerings or sell assets to the extent dividends exceed earnings or cash flows from operations. Funding dividends from working capital would restrict our operations. If we are required to sell assets to fund dividends, such asset sales may occur at a time or in a manner that is not consistent with our disposition strategy. If we borrow to fund dividends, our leverage ratios and future interest costs would increase, thereby reducing our earnings and cash available for distribution from what they otherwise would have been. We may not be able to pay dividends in the future. In addition, some of our distributions may be considered a return of capital for income tax purposes. If we decide to make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in their shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it has the effect of reducing the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its investment. If distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares, they will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such stock.

Our ability to pay dividends is limited by the requirements of Maryland law.

Our ability to pay dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock is limited by the laws of Maryland. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally may not make a distribution if, after giving effect to the

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distribution, the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus, unless the corporation’s charter provides otherwise, the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. Accordingly, we generally may not make a distribution on the Series E Preferred Stock if, after giving effect to the distribution, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus, unless the terms of such class or series of stock provide otherwise, the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders of shares of any class or series of stock then outstanding, if any, with preferential rights upon dissolution senior to those of the Series E Preferred Stock.

You may not be permitted to exercise conversion rights upon a Change of Control. If exercisable, the Change of Control conversion feature of the Series E Preferred Stock may not adequately compensate you, and the Change of Control conversion and redemption features of the Series E Preferred Stock may make it more difficult for a party to take over our company or discourage a party from taking over our company.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, holders of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right to convert some or all of their Series E Preferred Stock into our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration). Notwithstanding that we generally may not redeem the Series E Preferred Stock prior to June 10, 2026, we have a special optional redemption right to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock in the event of a Change of Control, and holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not have the right to convert any shares that we have elected to redeem prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. See “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Redemption — Conversion Rights” and “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Redemption.” Upon such a conversion, the holders will be limited to a maximum number of shares of our common stock equal to the Share Cap multiplied by the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock converted. If the Common Stock Price (as defined in “Description of Series E Preferred Stock —  Redemption — Conversion Rights”) is less than $7.595 (which is 50% of the per-share closing sale price of our common stock on June 2, 2021), subject to adjustment, each holder will receive a maximum of 3.2916 shares of our common stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock, which may result in a holder receiving value that is less than the liquidation preference of the Series E Preferred Stock. In addition, those features of the Series E Preferred Stock may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for our company or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock and Series E Preferred Stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-current market price or that stockholders may otherwise believe is in their best interest.

Our charter contains and the Articles Supplementary will contain restrictions upon ownership and transfer of the Series E Preferred Stock, which may impair the ability of holders to convert Series E Preferred Stock into our common stock upon a Change of Control.

Our charter contains and the Articles Supplementary will contain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Series E Preferred Stock intended to assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, to assist us in qualifying as a REIT, the Articles Supplementary will prohibit anyone from owning, or being deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding Series E Preferred Stock. See “Description of the Series E Preferred Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in this prospectus supplement. You should consider these ownership limitations prior to your purchase of the Series E Preferred Stock. In addition, the Articles Supplementary will provide that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Series E Preferred Stock, no holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such stock into our common stock to the extent that receipt of our common stock would cause the holder to exceed the ownership limitations contained in our charter, which may limit your ability to convert the Series E Preferred Stock into our common stock upon a Change of Control. The restrictions could also have anti-takeover effects and could reduce the possibility that a third party will attempt to acquire control of us, which could adversely affect the market price of the Series E Preferred Stock.

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The Series E Preferred Stock is subordinate to our existing and future debt, and your interests could be diluted by the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock and by other transactions.

The Series E Preferred Stock will rank junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness, any classes and series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and other non-equity claims on us and our assets available to satisfy claims against us, including claims in bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceedings. Our charter currently authorizes the issuance of up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, in one or more classes or series, of which 1,919,378,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 334,678 shares of Series C Preferred Stock and 2,010,278 shares of Series D Preferred Stock are outstanding. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to amend our charter to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock and to authorize us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the number of shares, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption applicable to each such class or series of preferred stock. Our board of directors may, without notice to or the consent of holders of Series E Preferred Stock, authorize the issuance and sale of additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock and authorize and issue additional shares of Junior Stock or Parity Stock from time to time. The issuance of additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock or additional shares of Parity Stock would dilute the interests of the holders of Series E Preferred Stock, and the issuance of shares of any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (with the requisite vote of holders of Series E Preferred Stock and other classes of our Parity Stock as described in this prospectus supplement) or the incurrence of additional indebtedness could affect our ability to pay dividends on, redeem or pay the liquidation preference on the Series E Preferred Stock. Other than the conversion right afforded to holders of Series E Preferred Stock that may become exercisable in connection with certain changes of control as described in this prospectus supplement under the heading “Description of Series E Preferred Stock — Redemption — Conversion Rights,” none of the provisions relating to the Series E Preferred Stock contain any terms relating to or limiting our indebtedness or affording the holders of Series E Preferred Stock protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction, including a merger or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all our assets, that might adversely affect the holders of Series E Preferred Stock, so long as the rights of the holders of Series E Preferred Stock are not materially and adversely affected.

If our common stock is delisted, your ability to transfer or sell your Series E Preferred Stock may be limited and the market value of the Series E Preferred Stock will be materially adversely affected.

Other than in connection with certain change of control transactions, the Series E Preferred Stock does not contain provisions that protect you if our common stock is delisted from the NYSE. Since the Series E Preferred Stock has no stated maturity date, you may be forced to hold your Series E Preferred Stock and receive stated dividends on the Shares when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us with no assurance as to ever receiving the liquidation preference. In addition, if our common stock is delisted, it is likely that the Series E Preferred Stock will be delisted, which will limit your ability to transfer or sell your Series E Preferred Stock and could have a material adverse effect on the market value of the Series E Preferred Stock.

The amount of your liquidation preference is fixed and you will have no right to receive any greater payment.

The payment due to holders of the Series E Preferred Stock upon liquidation is fixed at the liquidation preference of $25.00 per share of Series E Preferred Stock, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of payment. If, in the case of our liquidation, there are remaining assets to be distributed after payment of this amount, you will have no right to receive or to participate in these amounts. In addition, if the market price of your share of Series E Preferred Stock is greater than the liquidation preference, you will have no right to receive the market price from us upon our liquidation.

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Risks Related to the Acquisition of Anworth

Following the acquisition of Anworth, we may be unable to integrate Anworth’s business with our business successfully and realize the anticipated synergies and other expected benefits of the acquisition of Anworth on the anticipated timeframe or at all.

We will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to the integration of Anworth’s business with our business. The potential difficulties we may encounter in the integration process include, but are not limited to, the following:

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the inability to successfully combine our and Anworth’s businesses in a manner that permits us to achieve the cost savings anticipated to result from the acquisition of Anworth, which would result in the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Anworth not being realized in the timeframe currently anticipated or at all;

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the complexities of combining two companies with different histories and portfolio assets;

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the difficulties or delays in redeploying the capital acquired in connection with the acquisition of Anworth into our target assets;

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potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses, delays or conditions associated with the acquisition of Anworth; and

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performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by integrating the companies’ operations.

For all these reasons, it is possible that the integration process could result in the distraction of our management team, the disruption of our ongoing business or inconsistencies in our operations, services, standards, controls, policies and procedures, any of which could adversely affect our ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns, to maintain relationships with our key stakeholders and employees, to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Anworth, or could otherwise materially and adversely affect our business and financial results.

Following the completion of the acquisition of Anworth, we will have a significant amount of indebtedness and will be exposed to risks associated with a decline in the market value of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage loans we acquired from Anworth, which could harm our ability to execute our business strategy.

We have acquired Anworth’s leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage loans in connection with the acquisition of Anworth and, as a result, our leverage increased relative to prior levels. We have substantial indebtedness following completion of the acquisition of Anworth. As part of our business strategy following the completion of the acquisition of Anworth, we currently intend to manage the liquidation and runoff of certain assets within the Anworth portfolio and repay certain indebtedness on the Anworth portfolio, and to redeploy the capital into opportunities in our core SBC strategies and other assets that we expect will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns and long-term earnings accretion. Possible market developments, including a sharp rise in interest rates, a change in prepayment rates, or increasing market concern about the value or liquidity of the portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage loans that we acquired upon the completion of the acquisition of Anworth, may reduce the market value of this portfolio. If this were to occur, we may not be able to liquidate the Anworth portfolio on our anticipated timeline, on attractive terms or at all, which may harm our ability to redeploy the capital into opportunities in our core SBC strategies and other assets that we expect will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns and long-term earnings accretion. Further, lenders may require us to pledge additional collateral to secure the borrowings on the Anworth portfolio, which could limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness and adversely impact our ability to comply with covenants under our existing and future borrowings.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $96,850,000 (or approximately $111,377,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional Shares in full).

We intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our Operating Partnership which in turn will use the net proceeds to redeem, in whole or in part, our Series B Preferred Stock and our Series D Preferred Stock.

We may use the remainder of the net proceeds, if any, for general business purposes, which may include the repayment of borrowings outstanding under our loan repurchase agreements or credit facilities. Prior to these anticipated uses, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering in interest-bearing, short-term investments, including money market accounts, in each case that are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT.

Borrowings under our loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities generally bear interest at rates that vary from period to period. As of March 31, 2021, the annual weighted average interest rate payable on the loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities that may be repaid with the net proceeds of this offering was approximately 2.05% and the aggregate borrowings outstanding thereunder were $2.1 billion, and the weighted average maturity of these loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities was 12 months.

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DESCRIPTION OF SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK

The description of certain terms and provisions of the Series E Preferred Stock contained in this prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is in all respects subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our charter, including the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock, our bylaws and Maryland law. The following description of the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock supplements, and to the extent inconsistent with, replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of our preferred stock set forth in the accompanying prospectus. For purposes of this description, references to “Ready Capital Corporation,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer solely to Ready Capital Corporation and not to its subsidiaries.

General

We are currently authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in one or more classes or series stock, of which 140 shares are classified as 12.5% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock, or our Series A Preferred Stock, 1,919,378 shares are classified as Series B Preferred Stock, 779,743 shares are classified as Series C Preferred Stock and 2,010,278 shares are classified as Series D Preferred Stock, and 1,919,378 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 334,678 shares of Series C Preferred Stock and 2,010,278 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to authorize us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more Series and to fix the number of shares, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption applicable to each such series of preferred stock.

Our board of directors has classified 4,600,000 of our authorized shares of preferred stock as shares of Series E Preferred Stock and authorized the issuance thereof and, prior to the closing of this offering, we will file the Articles Supplementary, setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock, with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. When issued, the Series E Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of Series E Preferred Stock will have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of our stock or any of our other securities convertible into or carrying rights or options to purchase any shares of our stock. Our board of directors may, without notice to or the consent of holders of Series E Preferred Stock, authorize the issuance and sale of additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock and authorize and issue additional shares of Junior Stock or Parity Stock from time to time.

We intend to file an application to list the Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE under the symbol “RC PRE.” If the application is approved, we expect trading to commence within 30 days after the initial delivery of the Series E Preferred Stock.

The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the Series E Preferred Stock will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Ranking

The Series E Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank senior to our common stock and any other class or series of our Junior Stock, pari passu with any other class or series of our Parity Stock and junior to any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Any authorization or issuance of shares of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock voting together as a single class with all other classes or series of Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable. Any convertible or exchangeable debt securities that we may issue are not considered to be equity securities for these purposes. The Series E Preferred Stock ranks junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future indebtedness.

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Dividends

Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights, holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.50% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference, equivalent to $1.625 per annum per share of Series E Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accrue and be cumulative from (but not including) the original date of issuance of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, or, if later, the most recent date to which dividends have been paid in full (or declared and the corresponding record date has passed) and will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of January, April, July and October of each year, or, if such day is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day, with the same force and effect as if made on such date. The term “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. The first dividend on the Series E Preferred Stock sold in this offering will be paid on July 31, 2021. Dividends payable on the Series E Preferred Stock for any partial dividend period will be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. We will pay dividends to holders of record as they appear in our stock records at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be such date as designated by our board of directors for the payment of dividends that is not more than 90 days nor fewer than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date. No holder of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock is entitled to receive any dividends paid or payable on the Series E Preferred Stock with a dividend payment date before the date such shares of Series E Preferred Stock are issued.

Our board of directors will not authorize, and we will not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock if the terms of any of our agreements, including agreements relating to our indebtedness, prohibit that authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provide that the authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach of or a default under that agreement, or if the authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart is restricted or prohibited by law. We are and may in the future become a party to agreements that restrict or prevent the payment of dividends on, or the purchase or redemption of, our capital stock. Under certain circumstances, these agreements could restrict or prevent the payment of dividends on or the purchase or redemption of Series E Preferred Stock. These restrictions may be indirect (for example, covenants requiring us to maintain specified levels of net worth or assets) or direct. We do not believe that these restrictions currently have any adverse impact on our ability to pay dividends to holders or make redemptions of the Series E Preferred Stock.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accrue whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are assets legally available for the payment of dividends, whether or not dividends are authorized or declared and whether or not the restrictions referred to above exist. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will not bear interest, and the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends as described above. All of our dividends on Series E Preferred Stock, including any capital gain dividends, will be credited to the previously accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock. We will credit any dividend made on the Series E Preferred Stock first to the earliest accrued and unpaid dividend due.

Except as provided in this paragraph or the paragraph immediately below, we may not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividends, or declare or make any other distribution of cash or other property, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to, shares of our Junior Stock or our Parity Stock for any period, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire our Junior Stock or our Parity Stock or pay or make available any assets for a sinking fund for the redemption of any Junior Stock or Parity Stock unless we also have declared and either paid or set apart for payment the full cumulative dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods. This restriction will not limit a distribution paid in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, our Junior Stock, a distribution on, or redemption, purchase or acquisition of, our Junior Stock or Parity Stock by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for shares of, our Junior Stock, an exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series E Preferred Stock and all holders of our Parity Stock, our redemption or other acquisition of shares of our common stock made for purposes of and in compliance

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with any incentive, benefit or stock purchase plan of ours or a redemption or other acquisition of our Junior Stock or Parity Stock for the purposes of enforcing restrictions upon ownership and transfer of our equity securities contained in our charter.

If we do not declare and either pay or set aside for payment the full cumulative dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock and our Parity Stock, the amount which we have declared will be allocated pro rata to the Series E Preferred Stock and our Parity Stock so that the amount declared per share is proportionate to the accrued and unpaid dividends on those shares.

In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend or other distribution, redemption or other acquisition of our equity securities is permitted under Maryland law, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock then outstanding will be entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, a liquidation preference in cash or property, at fair market value as determined by our board of directors, of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of the payment. Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive this liquidating distribution before we distribute any assets to holders of our Junior Stock. The rights of holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to receive their liquidation preference would be subject to the preferential rights of the holders of shares of any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up we may issue in the future. Written notice will be given to each holder of Series E Preferred Stock of any such liquidation no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. If we consolidate, convert or merge with any other entity, sell, lease, transfer or convey all or substantially all of our assets or business, or engage in a statutory share exchange, we will not be deemed to have liquidated, dissolved or wound up. In the event our assets are insufficient to pay the full liquidating distributions to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock and our Parity Stock, then we will distribute our assets to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock and the holders of our Parity Stock ratably in proportion to the full liquidating distributions and the corresponding amounts payable on all outstanding shares of Parity Stock to which they would have otherwise received.

Redemption

Generally

We may not redeem the Series E Preferred Stock prior to June 10, 2026, except as described below under “— Special Optional Redemption” and “— Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.” On and after June 10, 2026, upon no fewer than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ written notice, we may, at our option, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or from time to time in part, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of redemption (other than any dividend with a record date before the applicable redemption date and a dividend payment date after the applicable redemption date, which will be paid on the dividend payment date notwithstanding prior redemption of such shares).

We will give notice of redemption by mail to each holder of record of Series E Preferred Stock at the address shown on our stock transfer books. A failure to give notice of redemption or any defect in the notice or in its mailing will not affect the validity of the redemption of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Any notice of any redemption may, at our discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a securities offering or other corporate transaction. Each notice will state the following, in addition to any

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information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series E Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading:

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the redemption date;

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the redemption price;

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the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed;

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the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;

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the procedures for surrendering non-certificated shares for payment of the redemption price; and

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that dividends on the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date.

If we redeem fewer than all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by any holder, the notice of redemption mailed to such stockholder will also specify the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that we will redeem from each stockholder. In this case, we will determine the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by lot.

If we elect to redeem any of the Series E Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control (as defined below under “— Special Optional Redemption”) and we intend for such redemption to occur prior to the applicable Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below under “— Conversion Rights”), our redemption notice will also state that the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to which the notice relates will not be able to tender such shares of Series E Preferred Stock for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each share of Series E Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is selected for redemption prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date.

If we have given a notice of redemption and have paid or set apart sufficient assets for the redemption for the benefit of the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, those shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accrue and all other rights of the holders of those shares of Series E Preferred Stock will terminate. The holders of those shares of Series E Preferred Stock will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their shares and any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to (but not including) the redemption date.

The holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the redemption of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock between such dividend record date and the corresponding dividend payment date or our default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided above and in connection with a redemption pursuant to our special optional redemption, we will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on shares of Series E Preferred Stock for which notice of redemption has been given.

The Series E Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions, except as provided under “— Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” below. In order to ensure that we continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT, the Series E Preferred Stock will be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer in the Articles Supplementary and Article VII of our charter.

Subject to applicable law, and the restrictions set forth in the terms of our Series E Preferred Stock and the terms of any other class or series of our preferred stock on our repurchase of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, we may purchase shares of Series E Preferred Stock in the open market, by tender or by private agreement. Any shares of Series E Preferred Stock that we reacquire will return to the status of authorized but unissued shares of our preferred stock.

Special Optional Redemption

In the event of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, upon not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the

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first date on which such Change of Control occurred by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the date of redemption (other than any dividend with a record date before the applicable redemption date and a dividend payment date after the applicable redemption date, which will be paid on the dividend payment date notwithstanding prior redemption of such shares). If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we exercise our special optional redemption right by providing a notice of redemption with respect to some or all of the Series E Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right), the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below under “— Conversion Rights” in respect of their shares called for redemption.

We will mail to you, if you are a record holder of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock, a notice of redemption no fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the redemption date. We will send the notice to your address shown on our stock transfer books. A failure to give notice of redemption or any defect in the notice or in its mailing will not affect the validity of the redemption of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice will state the following, in addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series E Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading:

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the redemption date;

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the redemption price;

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the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed;

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the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;

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the procedures for surrendering non-certificated shares for payment of the redemption price;

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that the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are being redeemed pursuant to our special optional redemption right in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control and a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control;

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that the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to which the notice relates will not be able to tender such shares of Series E Preferred Stock for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each share of Series E Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date; and

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that dividends on the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date.

If we redeem fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by any holder pursuant to the special optional redemption right, the notice of redemption mailed to each stockholder will also specify the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that we will redeem from each stockholder. In this case, we will determine the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by lot.

If we have given a notice of redemption and have paid or set apart sufficient assets for the redemption for the benefit of the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, those shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accrue and all other rights of the holders of those shares of Series E Preferred Stock will terminate. The holders of those shares of Series E Preferred Stock will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their shares and any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to (but not including) the redemption date.

The holders of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the redemption of the Series E Preferred Stock between such dividend record date and the corresponding dividend payment date or our default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided above, we will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series E Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption has been given.

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A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

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the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of our capital stock entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all of our shares entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all capital stock that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

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following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor the consolidated acquiring or surviving consolidated entity has a class of common securities (or ADRs representing such securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE American or NASDAQ or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or NASDAQ.

Conversion Rights

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our right to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described under “— Redemption,” prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date) to convert some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder, or the Change of Control Conversion Right, on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted, or the Common Stock Conversion Consideration (as defined below), equal to the lesser of:

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the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a record date for a share of Series E Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series E Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price; and

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3.2916, or the Share Cap, subject to certain adjustments as described below.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any stock splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of our common stock to existing holders of our common stock), subdivisions or combinations, in each case, a Stock Split, with respect to our common stock.

The adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Stock Split will be the number of shares of our common stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Stock Split by (ii) a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding after giving effect to such Stock Split and (b) the denominator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such Stock Split.

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below), as applicable) issuable in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right shall not exceed 13,166,400 shares of common stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) or 15,141,360 shares of common stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full, subject to increase on a pro rata basis if we issue additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock, or the Exchange Cap. The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Stock Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustment to the Share Cap and for additional issuances of shares of Series E Preferred Stock in subsequent offerings, if any.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof), or the Alternative Form Consideration, a holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will receive upon conversion of such shares of

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Series E Preferred Stock, per share of Series E Preferred Stock held, the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control if such holder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control, or the Alternative Conversion Consideration (the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Change of Control, is referred to as the “Conversion Consideration”).

If the holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the consideration that the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will receive will be the form and proportion of the aggregate consideration elected by the holders of our common stock who participated in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Change of Control.

We will not issue fractional shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock. Instead, we will pay the cash value of such fractional shares based upon the Common Stock Price used in determining the Common Stock Conversion Consideration for such Change of Control.

Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, provided we have not then exercised our right to redeem all shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to the redemption provisions described above, we will provide to holders of Series E Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control that describes the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. This notice will state the following:

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the events constituting the Change of Control;

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the date of the Change of Control;

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the last date on which the holders of Series E Preferred Stock may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right;

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the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price;

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the Change of Control Conversion Date;

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that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem all or any portion of the Series E Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our regular redemption right or our special optional redemption right), holders will not be able to convert shares of Series E Preferred Stock and such shares will be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if such shares have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right;

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if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series E Preferred Stock;

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the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent; and

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the procedures that the holders of Series E Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right.

We will issue a press release for publication on or in the Wall Street Journal, Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first business day following any date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.

To exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, a holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date,

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the certificates (if any) representing shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to our transfer agent. The conversion notice must state:

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the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date;

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the number or percentage of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted; and

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that the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Series E Preferred Stock.

The “Change of Control Conversion Date” is the date the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are to be converted, which will be a business day selected by us that is no fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.

The “Common Stock Price” will be (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of our common stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of our common stock or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of our common stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per share of our common stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for our common stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control, if our common stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

Holders of Series E Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to our transfer agent prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal must state:

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the number of withdrawn shares of Series E Preferred Stock;

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if certificated shares of Series E Preferred Stock have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn shares of Series E Preferred Stock; and

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the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form, the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company, or DTC.

Shares of Series E Preferred Stock as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem such shares of Series E Preferred Stock, whether pursuant to our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right. Holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not have the right to convert any shares that we have elected to redeem prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. Accordingly, if we have provided a redemption notice with respect to some or all of the Series E Preferred Stock, holders of any Series E Preferred Stock that we have called for redemption will not be permitted to exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right in respect of any of their shares that have been called for redemption, and such shares of Series E Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the redemption date.

We will deliver all securities, cash and any other property owing upon conversion no later than the third business day following the Change of Control Conversion Date. In connection with the exercise of

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any Change of Control Conversion Right, we will comply with all federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of shares of Series E Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series E Preferred Stock, no holder of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such shares of Series E Preferred Stock for shares of our common stock to the extent that receipt of such common stock would cause such holder (or any other person) to exceed the share ownership limits contained in our charter and the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock, unless we provide an exemption from this limitation for such holder. See “— Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer,” below.

These Change of Control conversion and redemption features may make it more difficult for a party to take over our company or discourage a party from taking over our company. See “Risk Factors — You may not be permitted to exercise conversion rights upon a Change of Control. If exercisable, the Change of Control conversion feature of the Series E Preferred Stock may not adequately compensate you, and the Change of Control conversion and redemption features of the Series E Preferred Stock may make it more difficult for a party to take over our company or discourage a party from taking over our company.”

Except as provided in the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control, the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

Voting Rights

Holders of Series E Preferred Stock generally will have no voting rights, except as set forth in the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock.

Whenever dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock are in arrears for six quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, or a Preferred Dividend Default, the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be increased by two (if not already increased by reason of similar arrearage with respect to any Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) and holders of Series E Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with the holders of any other class or series of our Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, such classes and series of our Parity Stock, together with our Series E Preferred Stock, our Voting Parity Stock, will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our board of directors, or the Preferred Stock Directors, at a special meeting of stockholders called by the holders of at least 33% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock or the holders of at least 33% of the outstanding shares of our Voting Parity Stock if the request is received 90 or more days before the next annual meeting of stockholders, or, if the request is received less than 90 days prior to the next annual meeting of stockholders, at the next annual meeting of stockholders or, at our sole discretion, a separate special meeting of stockholders to be held no later than 90 days after our receipt of such request, and thereafter at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders until all dividends accumulated on the Series E Preferred Stock for the past dividend periods and the then-current dividend period have been paid in full. The Preferred Stock Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Voting Parity Stock (voting together as a single class) in the election of such directors, to serve until our next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until such directors’ right to hold the office terminates as described below, whichever occurs earlier.

If and when all accumulated dividends in arrears for all past dividend periods and dividends for the then-current dividend period on the Series E Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will immediately be divested of the voting rights described above (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default) and, if all accumulated dividends in arrears and the dividends for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full on all classes or series of our Voting Parity Stock, the term of office of each Preferred Stock Director so elected will immediately terminate and the number of directors will be reduced accordingly. Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time, but only for cause (as defined in our charter), by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock (when they have the voting rights described above) and any other class or series of Voting

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Parity Stock (voting together as a single class). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default continues, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Stock Director may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in office or, if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights described above and the holders of all other classes or series of our Voting Parity Stock (voting together as a single class). The Preferred Stock Directors will each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.

So long as any Series E Preferred Stock remains outstanding, we will not:

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authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or reclassify any authorized shares of our capital stock into any such senior shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such senior equity securities, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and all other classes and series of our Voting Parity Stock, voting together as a single class; or

•

amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our charter (including the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock), whether by merger, consolidation, conversion or otherwise, in each case in such a way that would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series E Preferred Stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class).

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, with respect to the occurrence of a merger, consolidation, conversion or a sale or lease of all or substantially all of our assets, so long as shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock receive shares of, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for shares of, capital stock or other securities with rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers substantially similar, taken as a whole, to the Series E Preferred Stock, then the occurrence of any such event will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, privileges or voting powers of the Series E Preferred Stock. In addition, any increase in the amount of authorized Series E Preferred Stock or the creation or issuance, or increase in the amounts authorized, of any other class or series of our Parity Stock or Junior Stock, will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series E Preferred Stock.

In addition, the voting provisions above will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, we have redeemed all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

In any matter in which the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to vote separately as a single class, each such holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder. If the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock and any other class or series of our Voting Parity Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class on any matter, the Series E Preferred Stock and the shares of the other class or series of our Voting Parity Stock will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference.

Information Rights

During any period in which we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will (i) transmit by mail or other permissible means under the Exchange Act to all holders of Series E Preferred Stock as their names and addresses appear in our record books and without cost to such holders, copies of the Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject thereto (other than any exhibits that would have been required) and (ii) within 15 days following written request, supply copies of such reports to any prospective holder of the Series E Preferred Stock. We will mail (or otherwise provide) the reports to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock within 15 days after the

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respective dates by which we would have been required to file such reports with the SEC if we were subject to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

Preemptive Rights

No holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall, as the holders, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for our common stock or any other security of our company.

Book-Entry Procedures

DTC will act as securities depositary for the Series E Preferred Stock, which will only be issued in the form of global securities held in book-entry form.

Title to book-entry interests in the Series E Preferred Stock will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of DTC in accordance with its procedures. Book-entry interests in the securities may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for these purposes by DTC. Each person owning a beneficial interest in the Series E Preferred Stock must rely on the procedures of DTC and the participant through which such person owns its interest to exercise its rights as a holder of the Series E Preferred Stock.

DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC facilitates the settlement of transactions amongst participants through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations, some of whom and/or their representatives own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (or Indirect Participants). The rules applicable to DTC and its Direct and Indirect Participants are on file with the SEC.

When you purchase shares of the Series E Preferred Stock within the DTC system, the purchase must be by or through a Direct Participant. The Direct Participant will receive a credit for the shares of Series E Preferred Stock on DTC’s records. You, as the actual owner of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, are the “beneficial owner.” Your beneficial ownership interest will be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records, but DTC will have no knowledge of your individual ownership. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts shares of Series E Preferred Stock are credited.

You will not receive written confirmation from DTC of your purchase. The Direct or Indirect Participants through whom you purchased the shares of Series E Preferred Stock should send you written confirmations providing details of your transactions, as well as periodic statements of your holdings. The Direct and Indirect Participants are responsible for keeping an accurate account of the holdings of their customers like you.

Transfers of ownership interests held through Direct and Indirect Participants will be accomplished by entries on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of the beneficial owners.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

We understand that, under DTC’s existing practices, in the event that we request any action of the holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security such as you desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under our charter, DTC would authorize the Direct Participants holding the relevant shares to take such action, and those Direct Participants and any Indirect Participants would

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authorize beneficial owners owning through those Direct and Indirect Participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Any redemption notices with respect to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are being redeemed, DTC will reduce each Direct Participant’s holdings of shares of Series E Preferred Stock in accordance with its procedures.

In those instances where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. itself will consent or vote with respect to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants whose accounts the Series E Preferred Stock are credited to on the record date, which are identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

Dividends and distributions on the shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be made directly to DTC’s nominee (or its successor, if applicable). DTC’s practice is to credit participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that payment date.

Payments by Direct and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” These payments will be the responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, us or any agent of ours.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Additionally, we may decide to discontinue the book-entry only system of transfers with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock. In that event, we will print and deliver certificates in fully registered form for the Series E Preferred Stock. If DTC notifies us that it is unwilling to continue as securities depositary, or it is unable to continue or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days after receiving such notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, we will issue the Series E Preferred Stock in definitive form, at our expense, upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, such global security.

According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has been provided to the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the Series E Preferred Stock will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading among DTC’s Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

Our charter contains, and the Articles Supplementary will contain, restrictions on the ownership and transfer of the Series E Preferred Stock that are intended to assist us in complying with the requirements for qualification as a REIT. The relevant sections of the Articles Supplementary will provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of the Series E Preferred Stock, or the Series E Preferred Stock Ownership Limit. A person or entity who, but for the transfer to a trust described below, would have been a beneficial or constructive and, if appropriate in the context, the record owner of the Series E Preferred Stock, is referred to as a “purported owner.”

Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit (prospectively or retroactively) with respect to a particular stockholder if:

•

Our board of directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such stockholder as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no individual’s beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock will result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT;

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•

such stockholder provides our board of directors with information including, to the extent necessary, representations and undertakings satisfactory to our board of directors in its reasonable discretion that demonstrates that such stockholder does not and will not own, actually or constructively, an interest in a tenant of ours (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by us) that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code) in such tenant (or our board of directors determines that revenue derived from such tenant will not affect our ability to qualify as a REIT); and

•

such stockholder agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings may result in such stockholder’s shares of Series E Preferred Stock being automatically transferred to a charitable trust.

As a condition of its waiver, our board of directors may require the applicant to submit such information as the board of directors may reasonably need to make the determination regarding our REIT qualification and an opinion of counsel or Internal Revenue Service ruling satisfactory to our board of directors with respect to our REIT qualification and may impose such conditions and restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such an exception.

In connection with the waiver of the Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit or at any other time, our board of directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit for all other persons and entities; provided, however, that any decreased Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit will not be effective for any stockholder whose percentage ownership of Series E Preferred Stock is in excess of such decreased Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit at the time such limit is decreased, until such time as such stockholder’s percentage of ownership of Series E Preferred Stock equals or falls below the decreased Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit, but any further acquisition of Series E Preferred Stock will be in violation of the reduced Series E Preferred Stock Ownership Limit; and the Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit may not be increased if, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals (including certain entities) could beneficially own or constructively own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares of our stock then outstanding. Prior to any increase or decrease of the Series E Preferred Stock ownership limit, our board of directors may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer must give written notice immediately to us or, in the case of an attempted or proposed transaction, give us at least 15 days prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

If any transfer of shares of Series E Preferred Stock or other event occurs which, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares of Series E Preferred Stock in excess or in violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then that number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate such limitations (rounded up to the nearest whole share), will be deemed to be transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the purported owner will not acquire any rights in such shares of Series E Preferred Stock. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported owner, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary of the trust. The Articles Supplementary will provide that, if the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the Series E Preferred Stock Ownership Limit or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors, then the transfer of that number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that otherwise would cause a person to violate the Series E Preferred Stock Ownership Limit will be void.

Shares of Series E Preferred Stock transferred to the trustee are deemed to be offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price per share paid for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares of Series E Preferred

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Stock at market price, the last reported sales price on the NYSE on the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of Series E Preferred Stock to the trust) and (2) the market price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. We may reduce the amount payable to the purported owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the purported owner and are owed by the purported owner to the trustee, as discussed above. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported owner, and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such Series E Preferred Stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the Series E Preferred Stock Ownership Limit. After that, the trustee must distribute to the purported owner an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported owner for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the last reported sales price on the NYSE on the date of such event) and (2) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. The purported owner has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

The trustee shall be designated by us and shall be unaffiliated with us and with any purported owner. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to the shares held in trust, and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to such shares.

Any beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of Series E Preferred Stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of Series E Preferred Stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, provide us with a completed questionnaire containing the information regarding their ownership of such shares, as set forth in the applicable Treasury Regulations. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of Series E Preferred Stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of Series E Preferred Stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner shall, on request, be required to disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such stockholder’s actual and constructive ownership of shares of Series E Preferred Stock on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Series E Preferred Stock Ownership Limit.

In addition, as discussed in “Description of Common Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in the accompanying prospectus, our charter generally prohibits any stockholder from beneficially or constructively owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock, and imposes certain other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock.

Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from these ownership limits. However, our board of directors may not grant an exemption to any person unless our board of directors obtains such representations, covenants and understandings as our board of directors may deem appropriate in order to determine that granting the exemption would not result in our losing our qualification as a REIT. As a condition of granting the exemption, our board of directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of directors, in its sole discretion in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT.

Listing

We intend to list the Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE under the symbol “RC PRE.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is, and for the Series E Preferred Stock will be, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

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UNDERWRITING

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase from us, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock set forth opposite its name below:

Underwriters	Number of Underwritten Securities
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.	​	1,200,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC	​	1,200,000
Piper Sandler & Co.	​	800,000
B. Riley Securities, Inc.	​	200,000
BTIG LLC	​	200,000
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.	​	200,000
Wedbush Securities Inc.	​	200,000
Total	​	4,000,000

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase shares of Series E Preferred Stock included in this offering are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock if they purchase any of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock. The underwriters’ obligations to purchase the shares of Series E Preferred Stock from us are several and not joint.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of Series E Preferred Stock directly to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at the public offering price minus a concession not to exceed $0.50 per share. The underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed $0.45 per share. After the initial offering of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to the public, the public offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters.

The shares of Series E Preferred Stock consist of a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to apply to list the shares of Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE under the symbol “RC PRE.” If the listing is approved, we expect trading of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to begin within the 30-day period after the shares are first issued. Even if the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are listed, there may be little or no secondary market for the shares. The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that, following completion of this offering, one or more underwriters intend to make a market in the shares of Series E Preferred Stock after the initial offering, although they are under no obligation to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making activities at any time without notice. We can give no assurance as to development, maintenance or liquidity of any trading market for the shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

The underwriters hold an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 600,000 additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.

The following table shows the total underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

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​	Per Share			Without Option			With Option
Public offering price	​	$	25.00	​	$	100,000,000	​	$	115,000,000
Underwriting discount	​	$	0.7875	​	$	3,150,000	​	$	3,622,500
Proceeds, before expenses, to us	​	$	24.2125	​	$	96,850,000	​	$	111,377,500

Certain expenses associated with the offer and the sale of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, exclusive of the underwriting discount, are estimated to be approximately $450,000 and will be paid by us. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for filing fees and the reasonable fees and other disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with any required Blue Sky filings and the filing for review of the public offering of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (up to $10,000 collectively).

In connection with this offering, the representatives of the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of Series E Preferred Stock in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves sales of shares in excess of the principal amount of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a short position. Covering transactions involve purchases of the shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of shares made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares while this offering is in progress.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the underwriters, in covering short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchase shares originally sold by the syndicate member.

Any of these activities may cause the price of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the absence of such activities. These activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of those liabilities.

We have agreed that, for a period of 60 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, we will not, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, directly or indirectly, issue, offer, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, preferred stock ranking on parity with or senior to the Series E Preferred Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Series E Preferred Stock or shares of preferred stock ranking in parity with or senior to the Series E Preferred Stock, or the Related Securities; file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, preferred stock ranking on parity with or senior to the Series E Preferred Stock or any Related Securities (other than any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act to register securities to be sold to the underwriters pursuant to the underwriting agreement); enter into any swap, hedge, short sale, derivative, put or call or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, preferred stock ranking in parity with or senior to the Series E Preferred Stock or any Related Securities; or publicly announce an intention to effect any of the foregoing.

Conflicts of Interest

Certain of the underwriters have performed and may continue to perform investment banking, commercial banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they receive customary fees. The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive customary fees. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of

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investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Extended Settlement

We expect that delivery of the Series E Preferred Stock will be made to investors on or about the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (such settlement being referred to as “T+5”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade shares of Series E Preferred Stock prior to their delivery will be required, by virtue of the fact that the shares of Series E Preferred Stock initially settle in T+5, to specify an alternate settlement arrangement at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Series E Preferred Stock who wish to trade the Series E Preferred Stock prior to their date of delivery hereunder should consult their advisors.

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ADDITIONAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion supplements the discussion under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus. The following is a summary of certain additional federal income tax considerations with respect to the ownership of the Series E Preferred Stock.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of the Series E Preferred Stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding the Series E Preferred Stock will depend on the stockholder’s particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging or otherwise disposing of the Series E Preferred Stock.

Redemption of Series E Preferred Stock

Whenever we redeem any Series E Preferred Stock, the treatment accorded to any redemption by us for cash (as distinguished from a sale, exchange or other disposition) of our Series E Preferred Stock to a holder of such Series E Preferred Stock can only be determined on the basis of the particular facts as to each holder at the time of redemption. In general, a holder of our Series E Preferred Stock will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount received by the holder of such Series E Preferred Stock upon the redemption (less any portion thereof attributable to accumulated and declared but unpaid dividends, which will be taxable as a dividend to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits) and such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of Series E Preferred Stock redeemed (provided the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are held as a capital asset) if such redemption (i) results in a “complete termination” of the holder’s interest in all classes of our shares under Section 302(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the holder of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock under Section 302(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. In applying these tests, there must be taken into account not only any shares of Series E Preferred Stock being redeemed, but also such holder’s ownership of other classes of our stock and any options (including stock purchase rights) to acquire any of the foregoing. The holder of our Series E Preferred Stock also must take into account any such securities (including options) which are considered to be owned by such holder by reason of the constructive ownership rules set forth in Sections 318 and 302(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

If the holder of Series E Preferred Stock owns (actually or constructively) none of our voting shares, or owns an insubstantial amount of our voting shares, based upon current law, it is probable that the redemption of shares of Series E Preferred Stock from such a holder would be considered to be “not essentially equivalent to a dividend.” However, whether a distribution is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” depends on all of the facts and circumstances and a holder of our Series E Preferred Stock intending to rely on any of these tests at the time of redemption should consult its tax advisor to determine their application to its particular situation.

If the redemption does not meet any of the tests under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code, then the redemption proceeds received from our Series E Preferred Stock will be treated as a distribution on our shares as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders — Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus. If the redemption of a holder’s shares of Series E Preferred Stock is taxed as a dividend, the adjusted basis of such holder’s redeemed Series E Preferred Stock will be transferred to any other shares held by the holder. If the holder owns no other shares, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person, or it may be lost entirely.

Conversion of Our Series E Preferred Stock into Common Stock

U.S. Stockholders

Except as provided below, a U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of our Series E Preferred Stock into our common stock. Except as provided below, a U.S. stockholder’s basis and holding period in the common stock received upon conversion generally will be the same as those of the converted Series E Preferred Stock (but the basis will be reduced by the portion of

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adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share of common stock exchanged for cash). Any common stock received in a conversion that is attributable to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the converted Series E Preferred Stock will be treated as a distribution on our shares as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders — Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus. Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional common share generally will be treated as a payment in a taxable exchange for such fractional common share, and gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional common share deemed exchanged. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the Series E Preferred Stock for more than one year. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders — Dispositions of Our Common Stock” in the accompanying prospectus. U.S. stockholders should consult with their tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such holder exchanges common stock received on a conversion of Series E Preferred Stock for cash or other property.

In addition, under certain circumstances, a holder of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right to convert some or all of the holder’s Series E Preferred Stock into the Alternative Form Consideration — i.e., an amount of cash, securities or other property or assets that such holder would have received upon the Change of Control had such holder converted the holder’s Series E Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (see “Description of the Series E Preferred Stock — Conversion Rights — Conversion” in this prospectus supplement). If a U.S. stockholder receives the Alternative Form Consideration (in lieu of shares of our common stock) in connection with the conversion of the stockholder’s shares of Series E Preferred Stock, the tax treatment of the receipt of any such other consideration will depend on the nature of the consideration and the structure of the transaction that gives rise to the Change of Control, and it may be a taxable exchange. U.S. stockholders converting their shares of Series E Preferred Stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any such conversion and of the ownership and disposition of the consideration received upon any such conversion.

Non-U.S. Stockholders

Except as provided below, a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of our Series E Preferred Stock into our common stock, provided our Series E Preferred Stock does not constitute a U.S. real property interest, or USRPI. Even if our Series E Preferred Stock does constitute a USRPI, provided our common stock also constitutes a USRPI, a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon a conversion of our Series E Preferred Stock into our common stock provided certain reporting requirements are satisfied. Except as provided below, a non-U.S. stockholder’s basis and holding period in the common stock received upon conversion will be the same as those of the converted Series E Preferred Stock (but the basis will be reduced by the portion of adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share of common stock exchanged for cash). Any common stock received in a conversion that is attributable to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the converted Series E Preferred Stock will be treated as a distribution on our shares as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders — Ordinary Dividends” in the accompanying prospectus. Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional common share generally will be treated as a payment in a taxable exchange for such fractional common share as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders — Dispositions of Our Common Stock” in the accompanying prospectus. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult with their tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such holder exchanges common stock received on a conversion of Series E Preferred Stock for cash or other property.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP. In addition, the description of U.S. federal income tax consequences contained in the section of the accompanying prospectus entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” as supplemented by the section in this prospectus supplement entitled “Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” is based on the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Alston & Bird LLP. Alston & Bird LLP has in the past provided, and may continue to provide, legal services to us and our subsidiaries.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from Ready Capital Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of Ready Capital Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements of Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from the company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on June 1, 2021 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC in connection with this offering. In addition, we file annual, quarterly, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our reference to the SEC’s website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. If a reference is made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the filed copy of the contract or document.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is part of this prospectus supplement. Later information filed with the SEC prior to the completion of this offering will update and supersede this information.

This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below, all of which have been previously filed with the SEC:

Document	Period
Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35808)	Year ended December 31, 2020
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-35808)	Quarter ended March 31, 2021
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	February 10, 2021
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	February 17, 2021
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	March 1, 2021
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	March 17, 2021
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808) and Form 8-K/A (File No. 001-35808)	March 19, 2021 (Form 8-K) June 1, 2021 (Form 8-K/A)
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	April 16, 2021
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	May 20, 2021
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-35808)	April 30, 2021
Description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (“Form 8-A”) as updated by Exhibit 4.12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“Exhibit 4.12”) (File No. 001-35808)	February 6, 2013 (Form 8-A) March 15, 2021 (Exhibit 4.12)

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement additional documents that we may file (but not furnish) with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until the completion of this offering. Any statement in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or a filing we made or make with the SEC that adds to, updates or changes information contained in an earlier document shall be deemed to modify and supersede such information in the earlier document.

You may obtain copies of any of these filings by contacting us as described below, or through contacting the SEC or accessing its website as described above. Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge, excluding all exhibits unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, by requesting them in writing, by telephone or via the Internet at:

Ready Capital Corporation
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 50th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (212) 257-4600
Website: http://www.readycapital.com

The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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PROSPECTUS

$1,000,000,000

READY CAPITAL CORPORATION

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities,
Warrants and Rights

We may from time to time offer, in one or more series or classes, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, the following securities:

•

shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

•

shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

•

depositary shares representing entitlement to all rights and preferences of fractions of shares of preferred stock of a specified series and represented by depositary receipts;

•

debt securities

•

warrants to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares; or

•

rights to purchase common stock.

We refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and rights, collectively, as the “securities” in this prospectus. The securities will have an aggregate initial offering price of up to $1,000,000,000, or its equivalent in a foreign currency based on the exchange rate at the time of sale, in amounts, at initial prices and on terms determined at the time of the offering.

The specific terms of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include, as applicable: (i) in the case of our common stock, any public offering price; (ii) in the case of our preferred stock, the specific designation and any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any public offering price; (iii) in the case of depositary shares, the fractional share of preferred stock represented by each such depositary share; (iv) in the case of warrants, the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability; and (v) in the case of rights, the number being issued, the exercise price and the expiration date.

The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such prospectus supplement. It is important that you read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.

We may offer the securities directly, through agents, or to or through underwriters. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the names of any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 8 for more information on this topic. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RC.”

Investing in shares of our common stock involves risks. You should carefully read the risk factors described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, before investing in our shares.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Prospectus dated August 4, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

​	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	​	1
SUMMARY INFORMATION	​	2
RISK FACTORS	​	3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	​	4
USE OF PROCEEDS	​	6
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS	​	7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	​	8
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES	​	9
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	​	10
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	​	15
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	​	17
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	​	19
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	​	22
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS	​	23
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS	​	24
THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT	​	28
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS	​	32
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES	​	65
LEGAL MATTERS	​	66
EXPERTS	​	67
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	​	68
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	​	69

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement. Under this shelf registration statement, we may sell any combination of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, and rights. You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read carefully the entirety of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, we use the terms “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” to refer to Ready Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries; references in this prospectus to “Operating Partnership” refer to Sutherland Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a subsidiary of Ready Capital Corporation; and references in this prospectus to “our Manager” refer to Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

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SUMMARY INFORMATION

Our Company

We are a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances, and services small balance commercial loans, or SBC loans, loans guaranteed by the SBA, residential mortgage loans, and to a lesser extent, MBS, collateralized primarily by SBC loans, or other real estate-related investments. Our loans generally range in original principal amounts up to $35 million and are used by businesses to purchase real estate used in their operations or by investors seeking to acquire small multi-family, office, retail, mixed use or warehouse properties. Our origination and acquisition platforms consist of the following four operating segments:

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Acquisitions.   We acquire performing and non-performing SBC loans as part of our business strategy. We hold performing SBC loans to term, and we seek to maximize the value of the non-performing SBC loans acquired by us through borrower-based resolution strategies. We typically acquire non-performing loans at a discount to their unpaid principal balance, or UPB, when we believe that resolution of the loans will provide attractive risk-adjusted returns. We also acquire purchased future receivables through our Knight Capital platform.

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SBC Originations.   We originate SBC loans secured by stabilized or transitional investor properties using multiple loan origination channels through our wholly-owned subsidiary, ReadyCap Commercial, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ReadyCap Holdings, LLC. These originated loans are generally held-for-investment or placed into securitization structures. Additionally, as part of this segment, we originate and service multi-family loan products under the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation’s Small Balance Loan Program, or the Freddie Mac program. These originated loans are held for sale, then sold to Freddie Mac.

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SBA Originations, Acquisitions and Servicing.   We acquire, originate and service owner-occupied loans guaranteed by the SBA under its Section 7(a) loan program through our wholly-owned subsidiary, ReadyCap Lending, LLC. We hold an SBA license as one of only 14 non-bank Small Business Lending Companies and have been granted preferred lender status by the SBA. These originated loans are either held-for-investment, placed into securitization structures, or sold.

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Residential Mortgage Banking.   We operate our residential mortgage loan origination segment through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GMFS, LLC, or GMFS. GMFS originates residential mortgage loans eligible to be purchased, guaranteed or insured by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, USDA and VA through retail, correspondent and broker channels. These originated loans are then sold to third parties, primarily agency lending programs.

We are externally managed and advised by our Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement between us and our Manager, our Manager is responsible for our investment strategies and decisions and our day-to-day operations.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We also intend to continue to operate our business in a manner that will permit us to maintain our exclusion from qualification as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “RC.”

Our Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 50th Floor, New York, NY 10020. Our telephone number is (212) 257-4600. Our website is www.readycapital.com. The information on our website is not considered part of this prospectus.

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described in the section “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC), as well as other information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and other documents that are incorporated by reference herein or therein, before purchasing any securities offered hereby. Each of the risks described could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In such case, you could lose all or a portion of your original investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 68 of this prospectus.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act) and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations, financial condition, liquidity, plans, and objectives. When we use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking:

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our investment objectives and business strategy;

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our ability to obtain future financing arrangements;

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our expected leverage;

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our expected investments;

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estimates or statements relating to, and our ability to make, future distributions;

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our ability to compete in the marketplace;

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the availability of attractive risk-adjusted investment opportunities in small to medium balance commercial loans (or SBC loans), loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (or the SBA) under its Section 7(a) loan program (or the SBA Section 7(a) Program), mortgage backed securities (or MBS), residential mortgage loans and other real estate-related investments that satisfy our investment objectives and strategies;

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our ability to borrow funds at favorable rates;

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market, industry and economic trends;

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recent market developments and actions taken and to be taken by the U.S. Government, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Depositary Insurance Corporation (or FDIC), the Federal National Mortgage Association (or Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (or Freddie Mac), the Government National Mortgage Association (or Ginnie Mae), Federal Housing Administration Mortgagee, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the SEC;

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mortgage loan modification programs and future legislative actions;

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our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT;

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our ability to maintain our exclusion from qualification under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or 1940 Act);

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projected capital and operating expenditures;

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availability of qualified personnel;

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prepayment rates; and

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projected default rates.

Our beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control, including:

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the factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, including those set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Business” in such report;

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applicable regulatory changes;

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risks associated with acquisitions, including the acquisition of Owens Realty Mortgage, Inc. (or ORM) and Knight Capital LLC (or Knight Capital);

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risks associated with achieving expected revenue synergies, cost savings and other benefits from acquisitions, including the acquisition of ORM and Knight Capital, and the increased scale of our Company;

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the severity and duration of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic;

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the impact of COVID-19 on our business and operations, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources;

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the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our borrowers, the real estate industry, and the United States and global economies;

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actions taken by governmental authorities to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact;

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general volatility of the capital markets;

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changes in our investment objectives and business strategy;

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the availability, terms and deployment of capital;

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the availability of suitable investment opportunities;

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our dependence on our Manager and its personnel and our ability to find a suitable replacement if we or our Manager were to terminate the management agreement we have entered into with our Manager;

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changes in our assets, interest rates or the general economy;

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increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our investments;

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changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, the yield curve or prepayment rates;

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changes in prepayments of our assets;

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limitations on our business as a result of our qualification as a REIT; and

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the degree and nature of our competition, including competition for SBC loans, MBS, residential mortgage loans and other real estate-related investments that satisfy our investment objectives and strategies.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities to originate or acquire target assets, repay indebtedness or for general corporate purposes. Further details relating to the use of the net proceeds will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

If the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is used by selling securityholders for the resale of any securities registered thereunder pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be entered into by the company with such selling securityholders or otherwise, information about such selling securityholders, their beneficial ownership of the securities and their relationship with the company will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into such registration statement.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the securities to investors directly or through agents. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters and agents in any distribution contemplated hereby may from time to time be designated on terms to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters or agents could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and any other method permitted by law. Securities may be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (a) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of the securities as agent but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (c) a special offering, an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable NYSE or other stock exchange rules; (d) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (e) “at the market” offerings or sales “at the market,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; (f) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers; or (g) through a combination of any of these methods. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of these securities which is not expected to exceed those customary in the types of transactions involved.

Underwriters or agents may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed in relation to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as our agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters or agents may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or the agents and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters or agents to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us or our Manager to indemnification against and contribution toward civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (or FINRA) the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be; however, it is anticipated that the maximum commission or discount to be received in any particular offering of securities will be less than this amount.

Any securities issued hereunder (other than common stock) will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.

The underwriters and the agents and their respective affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our Manager in the ordinary course of business.

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the material terms of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants and rights that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to Maryland law and our charter (or charter) and bylaws. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Our charter provides that we may issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 140 shares are classified and designated as shares of 12.5% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock. Our charter authorizes our board of directors (or our Board) to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series without stockholder approval. As of July 23, 2020, we had 54,872,789 shares of common stock outstanding and 1,175,205 Operating Partnership units (or OP units) held by outside limited partners, which are exchangeable, on a one for-one basis, into cash or, at our option, for shares of our common stock. Under Maryland law, our stockholders are not generally liable for our debts or obligations.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following summary description of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law (or MGCL) and to our charter and bylaws. For a more complete understanding of our common stock, we encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, as well as our charter and our bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Shares of Common Stock

All of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights, if any, of holders of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such shares of common stock out of assets legally available therefor if, as and when authorized by our Board and declared by us, and the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities.

The shares of common stock offered by this prospectus were issued by us and do not represent any interest in or obligation of our Manager or any of its affiliates.

Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, redemption or sinking fund rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our Company and have no appraisal rights unless our Board determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, and to the rights of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, shares of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of our stock, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of shares of common stock will possess the exclusive voting power. A plurality of the votes cast in the election of directors is sufficient to elect a director and there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge or consolidate with, or convert into, another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless the action is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is specified in the corporation’s charter. Our charter provides that these actions (other than amendments to the provisions of our charter related to the vote required to remove a director and the restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock and the vote required to amend these provisions, which must be declared advisable by our Board and approved by at least two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment) must be approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares of Stock

Our charter authorizes our Board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of stock that have priority with respect to voting rights or dividends or upon liquidation over our common stock, and authorizes us to issue the newly-classified shares.

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Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our Board is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to the express terms of any class or series of our stock outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Our Board may take these actions without stockholder approval unless stockholder approval is required by the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Therefore, our Board could authorize the issuance of shares of common or preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common and Preferred Stock

We believe that the power of our Board to approve amendments to our charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock, to authorize and to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and thereafter to authorize the issuance of such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the additional shares of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such approval is required by the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our Board does not intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the Internal Revenue Code) shares of our stock must be owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which we made an election to be taxed as a REIT) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which we make an election to be taxed as a REIT).

To assist us in complying with such limitations on the concentration of ownership, among other purposes, our charter provides that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock (or the common share ownership limit), or 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our capital stock (or the aggregate share ownership limit). We refer to the common share ownership limit and the aggregate share ownership limit collectively as the “ownership limit.” A person or entity that becomes subject to the ownership limit by virtue of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as described below, is referred to as a “purported transferee” if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner or solely a beneficial owner of shares of our stock.

The constructive ownership rules under the Internal Revenue Code are complex and may cause shares of stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our capital stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, shares of our stock by an individual or entity), could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of the ownership limit.

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Our Board may, in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions as it may determine and the receipt of certain representations and undertakings, prospectively or retroactively, waive the ownership limit or establish a different limit on ownership, or excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our Company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition of its waiver, our Board may, but is not required to, require an opinion of counsel or the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) ruling satisfactory to the Board with respect to its qualification as a REIT.

In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, our Board may from time to time increase the ownership limit for one or more persons or entities and decrease the ownership limit for all other persons and entities unless, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could beneficially own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares then outstanding or our Company would be “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, is in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person’s or entity’s percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of shares of our common stock or stock of any other class or series, as applicable, in excess of such percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series will be in violation of the ownership limit.

Our charter further prohibits:

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any person from beneficially or constructively owning, applying certain attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, shares of our stock that would result in our Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause our Company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and

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any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution).

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limit or any of the foregoing restrictions relating to transferability and ownership must immediately give written notice to our Company or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days’ prior written notice and provide our Company with such other information as our Company may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

If any transfer of shares of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. In addition, if any purported transfer of shares of our stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limit or an excepted holder limit established by our Board or in our Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause our Company to violate such restrictions will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by our Company and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported transferee, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary by the trust. If the transfer to the trust as

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described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limit or excepted holder limit or our Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then our charter provides that the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the purported transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

Shares of stock transferred to the trustee of the charitable trust are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accepts such offer. We may reduce the amount payable to the purported transferee by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the purported transferee and are owed by the purported transferee to the trustee. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee of the charitable trust has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates, the trustee of the charitable trust must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported transferee and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares of stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the purported transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares (or, if the purported transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust, the market price of the shares on the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of stock to the trust) and (2) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the purported transferee will be immediately paid to the beneficiary of the trust, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon. In addition, if, prior to discovery by our Company that shares of stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a purported transferee, then such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and to the extent that the purported transferee received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such purported transferee was entitled to receive, such excess amount will be paid to the trustee upon demand. The purported transferee has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

The trustee of the charitable trust will be designated by our Company and will be unaffiliated with our Company and with any purported transferee. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary of the trust, all dividends and other distributions paid by our Company with respect to the shares held in trust and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares held in trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee.

Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority, at the trustee’s sole discretion:

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to rescind as void any vote cast by a purported transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and

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to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary of the trust.

However, if our Company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

In addition, if our Board determines in good faith that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that would violate the restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock or that a person intends or has attempted to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of stock in violation of such restrictions (whether or not such violation is intended), our Board will take such action as it deems advisable

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to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including causing our Company to redeem the shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on its books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give our Company written notice, stating the stockholder’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the stockholder beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner must provide our Company with such additional information as our Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholder’s beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. In addition, each stockholder must provide our Company with such information as our Company may request in good faith in order to determine its qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

These restrictions relating to ownership and transfer will not apply if our Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC acts as our transfer agent and registrar for our shares of common stock and OP units.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

General

Our charter provides that we may issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 140 shares are classified and designated as shares of 12.5% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock. As of the date of this prospectus, we had no outstanding shares of preferred stock.

We may issue preferred stock. Preferred stock may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to or separate from the securities. The following description of the preferred stock sets forth general terms and provisions of the preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The statements below describing the preferred stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our charter and bylaws and any applicable designation designating terms of a series of preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, dividend rights and other rights of holders of common stock. Although our Board does not have this intention at the present time, it or a duly authorized committee could establish another series of preferred stock, that could, depending on the terms of the series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for the common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the holders thereof.

Terms

Subject to the limitations prescribed by our charter, our Board is authorized to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series of preferred stock, our Board is required by the MGCL and our charter to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred stock offered thereby for the specific terms thereof, including:

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the designation of the class and/or series of preferred stock;

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the number of shares of the preferred stock, the liquidation preference per share of the preferred stock and the offering price of the preferred stock;

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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment day(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to the preferred stock;

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the date from which dividends on the preferred stock shall accumulate, if applicable;

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the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock;

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the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;

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the provision for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock;

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any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;

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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock may or will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price or manner of calculation thereof;

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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

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whether interests in the shares of preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

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any limitations on ownership and restrictions on transfer;

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any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior or equal to the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;

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•

a discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the preferred stock.

The terms of each class or series of preferred stock will be described in any prospectus supplement related to such class or series of preferred stock and will contain a discussion of any material Maryland law and may describe certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock.

Restrictions on Ownership

In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be taxed as a REIT has been made). Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock, including preferred stock. See “Description of Common Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” for more detail regarding the restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock. The amended or supplementary articles for each series of preferred stock may contain additional provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of the preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to a series of preferred stock.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

We will name the registrar and transfer agent for the preferred stock in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares rather than full shares of preferred stock. In the event such option is exercised, each of the depositary shares will represent ownership of and entitlement to all rights and preferences of a fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specified class or series (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights). The applicable fraction will be specified in a prospectus supplement. The shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the applicable prospectus supplement, under a deposit agreement, among our company, the depositary and the holders of the certificates evidencing depositary shares, or depositary receipts. Depositary receipts will be delivered to those persons purchasing depositary shares in the offering. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges. The form of the deposit agreement and the form of the depositary receipt will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the deposit agreement and the form of designation for the applicable class or series of preferred stock. While the deposit agreement relating to a particular class or series of preferred stock may have provisions applicable solely to that class or series of preferred stock, all deposit agreements relating to preferred stock we issue will include the following provisions:

Dividends and Other Distributions

Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preferred stock of a class or series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that class or series of preferred stock an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share that the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable class or series of preferred stock and any money or other property to which the depositary shares relate.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of shares of preferred stock held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a class or series of preferred stock are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.

Voting

Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of a class or series of preferred stock to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.

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Liquidation Preference

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares (or fraction of a share) of preferred stock which is represented by the depositary share.

Conversion

If shares of a class or series of preferred stock are convertible into common stock or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that class or series of preferred stock will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the shares of common stock or other securities or property into which the number of shares (or fractions of shares) of preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the preferred stock to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the preferred stock to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the whole or fractional shares of preferred stock to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

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all outstanding depositary shares to which it relates have been redeemed or converted; or

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the depositary has made a final distribution to the holders of the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Miscellaneous

There will be provisions: (1) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate; (2) regarding compensation of the depositary; (3) regarding resignation of the depositary; (4) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (generally limited to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (5) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee, which we may amend or supplement from time to time, or the indenture. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture including references to the applicable section of the indenture. It does not state the indenture in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities. Except as otherwise defined herein, terms used in this description but not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the indenture. When we refer to “we,” “our,” and “us,” in this section, we are referring to Ready Capital Corporation excluding its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated herein. The form of the indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and you may inspect it at the office of the trustee at 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul MN 55107. The indenture is subject to, and is governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. If we issue the debt securities under a different indenture, we will file it and incorporate it by reference into the registration statement and describe it in a prospectus supplement.

General

The debt securities will be our direct obligations and may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and may be either secured or unsecured. The indenture does not limit the principal amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities in one or more series. A supplemental indenture will set forth specific terms of each series of debt securities. There will be a prospectus supplement relating to each particular series of debt securities. Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to each particular series of debt securities, offered thereby for the specific terms thereof, including:

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the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities;

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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of a series of debt securities which we may issue;

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the date or dates on which principal of the debt securities will be payable and the amount of principal which will be payable;

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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, as well as the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, the persons to whom interest will be payable, if other than the registered holders on the record date, and the record date for the interest payable on any payment date;

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the currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be paid.

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the place or places where principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable and where debt securities which are in registered form can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

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any provisions regarding our right to prepay debt securities or of holders to require us to prepay debt securities;

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the right, if any, of holders of the debt securities to convert them into common stock or other securities, including any provisions intended to prevent dilution as a result of the conversion rights;

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any provisions requiring or permitting us to make payments to a sinking fund which will be used to redeem debt securities or a purchase fund which will be used to purchase debt securities;

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any index or formula used to determine the required payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any;

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the percentage of the principal amount of the debt securities which is payable if maturity of the debt securities is accelerated because of a default;

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any special or modified events of default or covenants with respect to the debt securities;

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any security or collateral provisions; and

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any other material terms of the debt securities.

The indenture does not contain any restrictions on the payment of dividends or the repurchase of our securities or any financial covenants. However, supplemental indentures relating to a particular series of debt securities may contain provisions of that type.

We may issue debt securities at a discount from their stated principal amount. A prospectus supplement may describe certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to a debt security issued with original issue discount.

If the principal of, premium, if any, or interest with regard to any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency, we will describe in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities any restrictions on currency conversions, tax considerations or other material restrictions with respect to that issue of debt securities.

Form of Debt Securities

We may issue debt securities in certificated or uncertificated form, in registered form with or without coupons or in bearer form with coupons, if applicable.

We may issue debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global certificates evidencing all or a portion of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series. We may deposit the global certificates with depositaries, and the certificates may be subject to restrictions upon transfer or upon exchange for debt securities in individually certificated form.

Events of Default and Remedies

An event of default with respect to each series of debt securities will include:

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our default in payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of any series beyond any applicable grace period;

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our default for 30 days or a period specified in a supplemental indenture, which may be no period, in payment of any installment of interest due with regard to debt securities of any series;

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our default for 60 days or a period specified in a supplemental indenture, which may be no period after notice in the observance or performance of any other covenants in the indenture; and

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certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any) if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of the series to do so.

The indenture provides that if any event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of a series of debt securities then outstanding may declare the principal of and accrued interest, if any, on that series of debt securities to be due and payable immediately by written notice to us. However, if we cure all defaults (except the failure to pay principal, premium or interest which became due solely because of the acceleration) and certain other conditions are met, that declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of debt securities.

The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of a series of debt securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the indenture.

A supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of debt securities may modify these events of default or include other events of default.

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A prospectus supplement will describe any additional or different events of default which apply to any series of debt securities.

Modification of the Indenture

We and the trustee may:

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without the consent of holders of debt securities, modify the indenture to cure errors or clarify ambiguities as evidenced in an officers’ certificate;

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with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities which are outstanding under the indenture, modify the indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities generally; and

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with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities, modify any supplemental indenture relating solely to that series of debt securities or the rights of the holders of that series of debt securities.

However, we may not:

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extend the fixed maturity of any debt securities, reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest, if any, on any debt securities, reduce the principal amount of any debt securities or the premium, if any, on any debt securities, impair or affect the right of a holder to institute suit for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, with regard to any debt securities, change the currency in which any debt securities are payable or impair the right, if any, to convert any debt securities into common stock or any of our other securities, without the consent of each holder of debt securities who will be affected; or

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reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities required to consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver, without the consent of the holders of all the then outstanding debt securities or outstanding debt securities of the series which will be affected.

Mergers and Other Transactions

We may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity, or transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another person, unless: (1) the entity formed by the consolidation or into which we are merged, or which acquires or leases our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, assumes by a supplemental indenture all our obligations with regard to outstanding debt securities and our other covenants under the indenture; (2) with regard to each series of debt securities, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, with respect to that series of debt securities, and no event which would become an event of default, will have occurred and be continuing and (3) we deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture with respect to the merger or consolidation have been complied with.

Governing Law

The indenture, each supplemental indenture, and the debt securities issued under them is or will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares or attached to, or separate from, such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company as warrant agent, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The form of warrant agreement and the form of the warrant certificate will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not act for or on behalf of warrant holders. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that may be offered under this registration statement. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:

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the title of such warrants;

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the aggregate number of such warrants;

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the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

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the type and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

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the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security;

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the date, if any, on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

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the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

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the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

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any anti-dilution protection;

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a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

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any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exercise and exchange of such warrants.

Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations and warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise or to any dividend payments or voting rights as to which holders of the shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon such exercise may be entitled.

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, at such exercise price as shall, in each case, be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the expiration date set forth in applicable prospectus supplement, unexercised warrants will be void.

Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants are presented for exercise with respect to a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to our stockholders for the purchase of shares of common stock or preferred stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The form of rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights to be issued, including the following, where applicable:

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the date for determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

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the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of such rights and the exercise price;

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the aggregate number of rights being issued;

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the date, if any, on and after which such rights may be transferable separately;

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the date on which the right to exercise such rights shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

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any special U.S. federal income tax consequences; and

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any other terms of such rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of such rights.

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND
OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

The following description of certain provisions of Maryland law is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the MGCL and to our charter and bylaws. For a more complete understanding of our capital stock, we encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, as well as our charter and our bylaws, copies of which incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Our Board of Directors

Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of directors we have may be established only by our Board but may not be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL (which is one) and not more than 15. Pursuant to our charter, we have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on our Board. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Each of our directors will be elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of shares of our common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors, and directors will be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote will generally be able to elect all of our directors.

Removal of Directors

Our charter provides that, subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed with or without cause but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our Board to fill vacancies on our Board, precludes stockholders from (i) removing incumbent directors except upon a substantial affirmative vote and (ii) filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.

Business Combinations

Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” ​(including a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in certain circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of such an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must generally be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. Our Board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by it.

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These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Pursuant to the statute, our Board has by resolution exempted business combinations (i) between us and our affiliates and (ii) between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by our Board (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person). Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and any person described above. As a result, any person described above may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interest of our stockholders, without compliance by our Company with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute.

If our Board opted back in to the business combination statute or failed to first approve a business combination, the business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of our Company and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Control Share Acquisitions

The MGCL provides that holders of “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights with respect to such shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, excluding shares of stock in a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of such shares in the election of directors: (i) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (ii) an officer of the corporation or (iii) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer, or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (A) one-tenth or more but less than one-third; (B) one- third or more but less than a majority; or (C) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares that the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition directly or indirectly, of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses and making an “acquiring person statement” as described in the MGCL), may compel our Board to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an “acquiring person statement” as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or, if a meeting of stockholders is held at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of the meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply to (a) shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

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Subtitle 8

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its Board and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of the following five provisions:

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a classified board;

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a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;

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a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;

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a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors in office and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and

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a majority requirement for the calling of a stockholder requested special meeting of stockholders.

Pursuant to our charter and bylaws, we have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 that requires that vacancies on our Board may be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (i) require the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors for the removal of any director from the Board, with or without cause, (ii) vest in the Board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (iii) require, unless called by our chairman of the Board, our chief executive officer, our president or the Board, the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such a meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders. We currently do not have a classified board.

Meetings of Stockholders

Pursuant to our bylaws, a meeting of our stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business will be held annually on a date and at the time and place set by our Board. The chairman of our Board, our chief executive officer and president or our Board may call a special meeting of our stockholders. Subject to the provisions of our bylaws, a special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be brought before a meeting of the stockholders will also be called by our secretary upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting and containing the information required by our bylaws. Our secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary is required to prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.

Amendment to Our Charter and Bylaws

Except for amendments to the provisions of our charter relating to the vote required to remove a director and the restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our shares of stock and amendments to the vote required to amend such provisions (each of which requires the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) and amendments requiring the approval only of our Board, our charter generally may be amended only if declared advisable by our Board and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Our Board has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

Dissolution of Our Company

The dissolution of our Company must be declared advisable by a majority of our entire Board and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

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Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of our Board or (iii) by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving advance notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our Board may be made only (i) by or at the direction of our Board or (ii) provided that the meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving advance notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of such nominee and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

Our charter and bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders, including business combination provisions, supermajority vote requirements and advance notice requirements for director nominations and stockholder proposals. Likewise, if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded or if we were to opt in to the classified board or other provisions of Subtitle 8, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

Exclusive Forum

Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors or officers or other employees to our Company or to our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This provision does not cover claims made by stockholders pursuant to the securities laws of the United States, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Indemnification and Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

REIT Qualification

Our charter provides that our Board may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

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THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of material provisions in the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership, including amendments thereto, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

We conduct substantially all of our business through Sutherland Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as our Operating Partnership. We are the general partner of our Operating Partnership and hold OP units that correspond to the number of shares of common stock we have outstanding from time to time.

Although all of our assets are currently held through the Operating Partnership, we may in the future elect for various reasons to hold certain of our assets directly rather than through our Operating Partnership.

Our Operating Partnership is structured to make distributions with respect to OP units that will be equivalent to the distributions made to our common stockholders. Finally, our Operating Partnership is structured to permit limited partners in the Operating Partnership, through the exercise of their redemption rights, to exchange their OP units for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis (in a taxable transaction) and achieve liquidity for their investment.

Management

We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and are liable for its obligations. As the sole general partner, we have full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the management and control of our Operating Partnership, including the ability to cause our Operating Partnership to enter into certain major transactions, including a merger of our Operating Partnership or a sale of substantially all of its assets. The OP units will have no voting rights. Our Operating Partnership is under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners or our stockholders in deciding whether to cause our Operating Partnership to take or decline to take any actions. As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, our consent is required for any amendment to the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership. Additionally, without the consent of the limited partners, we may amend the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership in any respect, implement mergers involving our Operating Partnership or sales of all or substantially all of its assets. Through the exercise of these powers, we would be authorized, without the consent of limited partners, to implement a transaction such as a merger involving our Operating Partnership that could result in the conversion of outstanding OP units into cash, shares of our common stock or other securities. The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership only requires that, in such circumstances, limited partners receive cash, shares of our common stock or other securities having a fair market or net asset value, as the case may be, equal to the net asset value of the OP units being converted as of the month end period immediately prior to such conversion. The limited partners have no power to remove the general partner without the general partner’s consent.

Capital Contributions

If our Operating Partnership requires additional funds at any time in excess of capital contributions made by us, we may borrow funds from a financial institution or other lender and lend such funds to our Operating Partnership on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to our borrowing of such funds. In addition, we are authorized to cause our Operating Partnership to issue partnership interests for less than fair market value if we conclude in good faith that such issuance is in the best interest of our Operating Partnership and our stockholders.

Operations

The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership provides that our Operating Partnership is to be operated in a manner that will (1) enable us to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (2) avoid any U.S. federal income or excise tax liability and (3) ensure that

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our Operating Partnership will not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation for purposes of Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership provides that our Operating Partnership will distribute cash flow from operations to the partners of our Operating Partnership in accordance with its relative percentage interests on at least a quarterly basis in amounts determined by us as the general partner such that a holder of one OP unit will receive the same amount of annual cash flow distributions from our Operating Partnership as the amount of annual distributions paid to the holder of one share of our common stock.

Similarly, the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership provides that taxable income and loss is allocated to the partners of our Operating Partnership in accordance with their relative percentage interests, subject to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the corresponding regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, or the Treasury Regulations.

Upon the liquidation of our Operating Partnership, after payment of debts and obligations, any remaining assets of our Operating Partnership will be distributed to partners with positive capital accounts in accordance with their respective positive capital account balances.

Reimbursement of Expenses

We will not receive any compensation for our services as general partner of our Operating Partnership. In addition to the administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by our Operating Partnership in acquiring and holding our assets, our Operating Partnership will pay all of our administrative costs and expenses and such expenses will be treated as expenses of our Operating Partnership. Such expenses will include:

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all expenses relating to our formation and continuity of existence;

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all expenses relating to any offerings and registrations of securities;

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all expenses associated with our preparation and filing of any periodic reports under federal, state or local laws or regulations;

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all expenses associated with our compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and

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all other operating or administrative costs of ours incurred in the ordinary course of its business.

Redemption of OP Units

Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, holders of OP units, other than us or our subsidiaries, have the right to cause our Operating Partnership to redeem their OP units for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of our common stock. The fair market value of the common stock for this purpose will be equal to the average of the closing trading price of a share of our common stock on a U.S. national securities exchange for the ten trading days before the day on which the redemption notice is given to our Operating Partnership. In addition, the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership also provides that we have the right to exchange OP units offered for redemption, on a one-for-one basis, for shares of common stock. Redemption rights of OP unit holders may not be exercised, however, if and to the extent that the delivery of shares upon such exercise would (i) result in any person owning shares in excess of our ownership limits, (ii) result in shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons or (iii) result in us being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Mandatory Redemption Rights

We (and our Operating Partnership) do not have a mandatory redemption policy. However, as the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership, we may, without the consent of the limited partners, amend the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership in any respect, implement mergers involving our Operating Partnership or sales of all or substantially all of its assets. Through the exercise of these powers,

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we would be authorized, without the consent of limited partners, to implement a transaction such as a merger involving our Operating Partnership, that could result in the mandatory conversion of outstanding OP units into cash, shares of our common stock or other securities. The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership only requires that, in such circumstances, limited partners receive cash, shares of our common stock or other securities having a fair market or net asset value, as the case may be, equal to the net asset value of the OP units being converted as of the month end period immediately prior to such conversion. See “— General.”

Distributions

Our current policy is to pay quarterly distributions which will allow us to satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our undistributed income. Any distributions we and our Operating Partnership make will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon our earnings and financial condition, maintenance of our REIT qualification, restrictions on making distributions under Maryland law and such other factors as our Board deems relevant. Our earnings and financial condition will be affected by various factors, including the net interest and other income from our portfolio, our operating expenses and any other expenditures.

Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss

Net income and net loss of our Operating Partnership are determined and allocated with respect to each fiscal year of our Operating Partnership as of the end of the year. Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership, an allocation of a share of net income or net loss is treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing net income or net loss. Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership, net income and net loss are allocated to the holders of OP units holding the same class or series of OP units in accordance with their respective percentage interests in the class or series at the end of each fiscal year. The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership contains provisions for special allocations intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Except as otherwise required by the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership or Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations, each operating partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction is allocated among the limited partners of our Operating Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same manner as its correlative item of book income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to the partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership. In addition, under Section 704(c) of Internal Revenue Code, items of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to appreciated or depreciated property which is contributed to a partnership, such as our Operating Partnership, in a tax-free transaction must be specially allocated among the partners in such a manner so as to take into account such variation between tax basis and fair market value. Our Operating Partnership will allocate tax items to the holders of OP units taking into consideration the requirements of Section 704(c). See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Transferability of Interests

We will not be able to (1) voluntarily withdraw as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, or (2) transfer our general partner interest in our Operating Partnership (except to a wholly-owned subsidiary), unless the transaction in which such withdrawal or transfer occurs results in the limited partners receiving or having the right to receive an amount of cash, securities or other property equal in value to the amount they would have received if they had exercised their redemption rights immediately prior to such transaction. Any limited partners will not be able to transfer their OP units, in whole or in part, without our written consent as the general partner of the partnership except where the limited partner becomes incapacitated.

Fiduciary Responsibilities

Our directors and officers have duties under applicable Maryland law to manage us in a manner consistent with our best interests. At the same time, the general partner of our Operating Partnership has fiduciary duties under Delaware law to manage our Operating Partnership in a manner beneficial to our Operating Partnership and its OP unitholders. Our duties, as the general partner of our Operating Partnership,

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to our Operating Partnership and its OP unitholders, therefore, may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to our stockholders. We will be under no fiduciary obligation to give priority to the OP unitholders of our Operating Partnership or to our stockholders in deciding whether to cause our Operating Partnership to take or decline to take any actions.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

The partnership agreement expressly limits our liability by providing that neither we, as the general partner of our Operating Partnership, nor any of our directors or officers, will be liable or accountable in damages to our Operating Partnership, the OP unitholders or assignees for errors in judgment, mistakes of fact or law or for any act or omission if we, or such director or officer, acted in good faith. In addition, our Operating Partnership is required to indemnify us, and our officers, directors, employees, agents and designees to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law from and against any and all claims arising from operations of our Operating Partnership, except (1) for willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (2) for any transaction for which the indemnified party received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the partnership agreement, or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the indemnified party had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Our Operating Partnership also must pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses of any such person upon its receipt of a written affirmation of the person’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to repay any amounts paid or advanced if it is ultimately determined that the person did not meet the standard of conduct for indemnification.

Term

Our Operating Partnership will continue perpetually, unless earlier terminated in the following circumstances:

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a final and non-appealable judgment is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction ruling that the general partner is bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and non-appealable order for relief is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction against the general partner, in each case under any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws as now or hereafter in effect, unless prior to the entry of such order or judgment, a majority in interest of the remaining outside limited partners agree in writing, in their sole and absolute discretion, to continue the business of our Operating Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of a date prior to the date of such order or judgment, of a successor general partner;

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an election to dissolve our Operating Partnership made by the general partner in its sole and absolute discretion;

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entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our Operating Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act;

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the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our Operating Partnership or a related series of transactions that, taken together, result in the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our Operating Partnership;

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the redemption (or acquisition by the general partner) of all OP units other than OP units held by the general partner; or

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the incapacity or withdrawal of the general partner, unless all of the remaining partners in their sole and absolute discretion agree in writing to continue the business of the partnership and to the appointment, effective as of a date prior to the date of such incapacity, of a substitute general partner.

Tax Matter

Our partnership agreement provides that we, as the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership, are the tax matters partner of the Operating Partnership and, as such, we have authority to handle tax audits and to make tax elections under Internal Revenue Code on behalf of our Operating Partnership.

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT and the acquisition, holding, and disposition of our common stock. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the Treasury Regulations, current administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS (including administrative interpretations and practices expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings) and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. No advance ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this summary. The summary is also based upon the assumption that the operation of our company, and of our subsidiaries and other lower-tier and affiliated entities, including our operating partnership will, in each case, be in accordance with its applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only, and does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular stockholder in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to stockholders subject to special tax rules, such as:

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U.S. expatriates;

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persons who mark-to-market our common stock;

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subchapter S corporations;

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U.S. stockholders (as defined below) who are U.S. persons (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

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financial institutions;

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insurance companies;

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broker-dealers;

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regulated investment companies;

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trusts and estates;

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persons who hold our common stock on behalf of another person as nominees;

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holders who receive our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

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persons holding our common stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;

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persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

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persons holding our common stock through a partnership or similar pass-through entity;

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persons holding a 10% or more (by vote or value) beneficial interest in our company;

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tax exempt organizations, except to the extent discussed below in “— Taxation of Our Company — Taxation of Tax Exempt U.S. Stockholder;” and

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non-U.S. persons (as defined below), except to the extent discussed below in “— Taxation of Our Company — Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholder.”

This summary assumes that stockholders will hold our common stock as capital assets, which generally means as property held for investment. For the purposes of this summary, a U.S. person is a beneficial owner of our common stock who for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

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a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

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a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia);

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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

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any trust if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

The tax treatment of partners in a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally) is a function of the nature of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships investing in our common stock or persons investing in our common stock through a partnership should consult their own tax advisors regarding the taxation of such investment.

For the purposes of this summary, a U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is a U.S. person. A tax exempt organization is a U.S. person who is exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 401(a) or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the purposes of this summary, a non-U.S. person is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is neither a U.S. stockholder nor an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and a non-U.S. stockholder is a holder of our common stock who is a non-U.S. person.

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDER’S PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU, IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES, OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Taxation of Our Company

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has enabled us to qualify as a REIT, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner that will allow us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

The law firm of Clifford Chance US LLP has acted as our counsel in connection with the filing of this prospectus. We will receive an opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011, we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and our proposed method of operation, as represented by our management and our Manager in their certificate of representations supporting the opinion, will enable us continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, including that all factual representations and statements set forth in all relevant documents, records and instruments are true and correct and that we will at all times operate in accordance with the method of operation described in our organizational documents. Additionally, the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP is conditioned upon factual representations and covenants made by us and our management in the certificate of representations referenced above and by ZAIS Financial Corp., or ZAIS Financial, and its management in a certificate of representations provided by ZAIS Financial, ZAIS Financial Partners, L.P. and ZAIS REIT Management, LLC, dated as of October 31, 2016, regarding our organization, assets, past, present and future conduct of our business operations and other items regarding our ability to meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT, and assumes that such representations and covenants are accurate and complete and that we will take no action inconsistent with our qualification as a REIT. In addition, to the extent we make certain investments, such as investments in mortgage loan securitizations, the accuracy of such opinion will also depend on the accuracy of certain opinions rendered to us in connection with such transactions. While we believe that we are organized and have operated and intend to continue to operate so that we will

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qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances or applicable law, no assurance can be given by Clifford Chance US LLP or us that we will so qualify for any particular year. Clifford Chance US LLP will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of shares of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. Clifford Chance US LLP’s opinion does not foreclose the possibility that we may have to utilize one or more REIT savings provisions discussed below, which could require the payment of a deficiency dividend or an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to maintain our REIT qualification.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual results of operations, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, our compliance with which has not been reviewed by Clifford Chance US LLP. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT may depend in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain entities in which we invest, which entities have not been reviewed by Clifford Chance US LLP. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset and income tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets directly or indirectly owned by us or which serve as security for loans made by us. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below, under “— Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” While we believe we have operated as and intend to continue to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “— Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and, therefore, will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that results generally from investment in a corporation. Rather, income generated by a REIT generally is taxed only at the stockholder level, upon a distribution of dividends by the REIT.

U.S. stockholders (as defined above) who are individuals are generally taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 20% (the same as long term capital gains), thereby substantially reducing, though not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has historically applied to corporate dividends. With limited exceptions, however, dividends received by individual U.S. stockholders from our company or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are not eligible for the reduced qualified dividend rate. However, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, non-corporate U.S. taxpayers may deduct up to 20% of certain qualified business income, including “qualified REIT dividends” ​(generally, dividends received by a REIT stockholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), subject to certain limitations. Assuming relevant holding period requirements and other applicable requirements are satisfied, this results in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such income for non-corporate U.S. taxpayers. U.S. individual and certain other non-corporate U.S. stockholders may also be subject to an additional Medicare tax at a rate of 3.8%.

Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to the stockholders of the REIT, subject to special rules for certain items, such as capital gains, recognized by REITs. See “— Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders.” Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, however, we will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as follows:

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•

We will be taxed at regular U.S. federal corporate rates (currently 21%) on any undistributed income, including undistributed net capital gains.

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For taxable years prior to 2018, we may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, if any.

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We and our taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, may not use net operating losses generated beginning in 2021 to offset more than 80% of our or our TRSs’ taxable income (prior to the application of the dividends paid deduction). Net operating losses generated beginning in 2021 can be carried forward indefinitely but can no longer be carried back.

If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “Requirements for Qualification as a REIT — Prohibited Transactions” and “Requirements for Qualification as a REIT — Foreclosure Property” below.

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If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the net income from the sale or operation of the property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 21%).

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If we derive “excess inclusion income” from an interest in certain mortgage loan securitization structures (i.e., from a taxable mortgage pool or a residual interest in a REMIC), we could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a 21% rate to the extent that such income is allocable to specified types of tax-exempt stockholders known as “disqualified organizations” that are not subject to unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI. Similar rules may apply if we own an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool through a subsidiary REIT of our operating partnership. To the extent that we own a REMIC residual interest or a taxable mortgage pool through a TRS, we will not be subject to this tax directly, but will indirectly bear such tax economically as the shareholder of such TRS. See “Requirements for Qualification as a REIT — Excess Inclusion Income” below.

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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (i) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (B) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (ii) a fraction intended to reflect profitability.

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If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, other than a failure of the 5% or 10% REIT asset tests that do not exceed a statutory de minimis amount as described more fully below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests.

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If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

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If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% our REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods (or the required distribution), we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (A) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years), plus (B) retained amounts on which income tax is paid at the corporate level.

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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our stockholders, as described below in “— Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.”

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A 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and expense that are directly or constructively paid between us and any TRS that we may own if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts the reported amounts of these items.

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If we acquire appreciated assets from a C corporation that is not a REIT in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable on any gain from the disposition of such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date they were acquired by us over the basis of such assets on such date if we dispose of the assets during the five-year period following our acquisition of such assets from the C corporation. The results described in this paragraph assume that the C corporation will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

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We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, and would be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax that we paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the stockholder’s basis in our common stock by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain that we designated and that the shareholder included in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid with respect to that income.

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We will have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier entities that are domestic subchapter C corporations treated as TRSs, including ReadyCap Holdings, LLC, or ReadyCap, Ready Capital TRS I, LLC, or RC TRS I, Girod REO, LLC, or Girod, Zalanta Resort at the Village, LLC, or Zalanta TRS, Loan Star Golf, Inc., or Lone Star TRS, and RC Knight Holdings, LLC, or Knight, the earnings of which will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

In addition, we may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including state, local, and foreign income, franchise property and other taxes. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

(i)

that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

(ii)

the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

(iii)

that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to REITs;

(iv)

that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

(v)

the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

(vi)

in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” ​(as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified entities);

(vii)

that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been terminated or revoked;

(viii)

that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year;

(ix)

that uses the calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and

(x)

that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

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The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (i) through (iv) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (v) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (v) and (vi) do not need to be satisfied for the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT has been made. We believe that we have outstanding common stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy the requirements described in conditions (v) and (vi). In addition, our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (v) and (vi) above.

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our shares of stock, in which the record holders are to disclose the actual owners of the shares (that is, the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by our company). A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be maintained as part of our records. Failure by our company to comply with these record-keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and after exercising reasonable diligence would not have known that condition (vi) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied such condition. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information.

With respect to condition (viii), we believe that we have not had any non-REIT earnings and profits. With respect to condition (ix), we have adopted December 31 as our taxable year end and thereby satisfy this requirement.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests

In the case of a REIT that is a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as our operating partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnership’s assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, the determination of a REIT’s interest in partnership assets will be based on the REIT’s proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest is treated as assets and items of income of our company for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described below. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnership’s assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control or only limited influence over the partnership.

As discussed in greater detail in “— Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships” below, our investment in a partnership involves special tax considerations. For example, it is possible that the IRS could treat a subsidiary partnership of ours as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this case, the subsidiary partnership would be subject to entity-level tax and the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, possibly causing us to fail the requirements to qualify as a REIT. See “— Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships — Entity Classification” and “— Failure to Qualify” below. In addition, special rules apply in the case of appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership. In general terms, these rules require that certain items of income, gain, loss and deduction associated with the contributed property be allocated to the contributing partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, these rules could adversely affect us. See “— Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships — Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Properties” below.

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Disregarded Subsidiaries

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs, as summarized below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS, that is wholly owned by a REIT, by other disregarded subsidiaries of a REIT or by a combination of the two. Limited liability companies that are wholly owned by a single member that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.” In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of our company), the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See “— Asset Tests” and “— Gross Income Tests.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

A REIT, in general, may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an entity would generally be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow generated by us and our subsidiaries in the aggregate and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We have elected, together with each of ReadyCap, RC TRS I, Girod, Zalanta TRS, Lone Star TRS, and Knight, for each such entity to be treated as a TRS, and we may make TRS elections with respect to certain other entities we may form in the future. We hold a significant amount of our assets in our TRSs. For example, as a result of ReadyCap’s SBLC license, ReadyCap’s ability to distribute cash and other assets is subject to significant limitations, and as a result, ReadyCap is required to hold certain assets that would be qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, would generate qualifying income for purposes of the REIT 75% income tests, and would not be subject to corporate taxation if held by our operating partnership. In addition, we intend that loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to the 100% tax on “prohibited transactions” will be originated or sold by a TRS. Furthermore, loans that are to be modified may be held by a TRS on the date of their modification and for a period of time thereafter. Finally, some or all of the real estate properties that we may from time to time acquire by foreclosure or other procedure will likely be held in one or more TRSs.

The Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder provide a specific exemption from U.S. federal income tax that applies to a non-U.S. corporation that restricts its activities in the U.S. to trading in stock and securities (or any activity closely related thereto) for its own account whether such trading (or such other activity) is conducted by such a non-U.S. corporation or its employees through a resident broker, commission agent, custodian or other agent. Certain U.S. stockholders of such a non-U.S. corporation are required to include in their income currently their proportionate share of the earnings of such a corporation, whether or not such earnings are distributed. We may invest in certain non-U.S. corporations with which we will jointly make a TRS election which will be organized as Cayman Islands companies and will either rely on such exemption or otherwise operate in a manner so that such non-U.S. corporations will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their net income. Therefore, despite such contemplated entities’ status as TRSs, such entities should generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on their earnings. However, we will likely be required to include in our income, on a current basis, the earnings of any such TRSs. This could affect our ability to comply with the REIT income tests and distribution requirement. See “— Gross Income Tests” and “— Annual Distribution Requirements.”

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A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS in which the REIT holds an interest or as receiving any income that the TRS earns. Rather, the stock issued by the TRS is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT generally recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives from the TRS. This treatment can affect the gross income and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT, as described below. Because a parent REIT does not include the assets and income of any such TRS in determining the parent REIT’s compliance with the REIT requirements, such TRSs may be used by the parent REIT to indirectly undertake activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude the parent REIT from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries or render commercially unfeasible (for example, activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as non-qualifying fee or hedging income or inventory sales, or transactions subject to the penalty tax on “prohibited transactions” described below). If dividends are paid to us by a TRS, then a portion of the dividends that we distribute to stockholders who are taxed at individual rates generally will be eligible for taxation at preferential qualified dividend income tax rates rather than at ordinary income rates. See “— Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders” and “— Annual Distribution Requirements.” Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, deductions for interest paid on any debt incurred by a TRS, including loans that are made by an affiliated REIT, may be limited to the sum of (i) the interest income of the TRS for the taxable year, and (ii) 30% (50% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2018 and before January 1, 2021) of the adjusted taxable income of the TRS for that year (although the TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the disallowed interest amount). Since this limitation generally only applies to interest expense to the extent it exceeds a TRS’s interest income, the limitation may not have a significant impact on TRSs that primarily hold debt investments. In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between a REIT, its tenants and/or the TRS, that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to continue to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we will not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.

We intend to hold a significant amount of assets in our TRSs, subject to the limitation that securities in TRSs may not represent more than 20% (25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2018) of our assets. In general, we intend that SBC loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to a 100% tax on certain “prohibited transactions” will be originated or sold by a TRS. The TRS through which any such sales are made may be treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a dealer, the TRS would in general mark all the loans it holds, other than loans that are not held by primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the TRS’s trade or business, on the last day of each taxable year to their market value, and would recognize ordinary income or loss on such loans with respect to such taxable year as if they had been sold for that value on that day. In addition, such TRS may elect to be subject to the mark-to-market regime described above in the event that the TRS is properly classified as a “trader” as opposed to a “dealer” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Taxable Mortgage Pools

An entity, or a portion of an entity, is classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the Internal Revenue Code if:

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substantially all of its assets consist of debt obligations or interests in debt obligations;

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more than 50% of those debt obligations are real estate mortgage loans or interests in real estate mortgage loans as of specified testing dates;

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the entity has issued debt obligations that have two or more maturities; and

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the payments required to be made by the entity on its debt obligations “bear a relationship” to the payments to be received by the entity on the debt obligations that it holds as assets.

Under Treasury Regulations, if less than 80% of the assets of an entity (or a portion of an entity) consist of debt obligations, these debt obligations are considered not to comprise “substantially all” of its assets, and therefore the entity would not be treated as a taxable mortgage pool. We have entered into

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transactions, and may enter into additional transactions in the future, that result in us, our operating partnership or a portion of our assets being treated as a “taxable mortgage pool” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to the extent structured in a manner other than a REMIC. Specifically, we may securitize SBC loans, residential or commercial loans that we acquire and certain securitizations may result in us owning interests in a taxable mortgage pool. We would be precluded from holding equity interests in such a securitization through our operating partnership at any time that our operating partnership is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we have entered into these transactions through a qualified REIT subsidiary of our subsidiary REIT of our operating partnership, and we would likely enter into any similar future transactions through a subsidiary REIT. We are generally precluded from selling to outside investors equity interests in such a securitization or from selling any debt securities issued in connection with such a securitization that might be considered to be equity interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A taxable mortgage pool generally is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, special rules apply to a REIT, a portion of a REIT, or a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool. If a REIT, including a subsidiary REIT formed by our operating partnership, owns directly, or indirectly through one or more qualified REIT subsidiaries or other entities that are disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 100% of the equity interests in the taxable mortgage pool, the taxable mortgage pool will be a qualified REIT subsidiary and, therefore, ignored as an entity separate from the REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and would not generally affect the tax qualification of the REIT. Rather, the consequences of the taxable mortgage pool classification would generally, except as described below, be limited to the REIT’s stockholders. See “— Annual Distribution Requirements — Excess Inclusion Income.” If our subsidiary REIT or any other subsidiary REIT of our operating partnership owns less than 100% of the ownership interests in a subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool, the foregoing rules would not apply. Rather, the subsidiary would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and would be subject to corporate income tax. In addition, this characterization would alter the REIT income and asset test calculations of such a subsidiary REIT and could adversely affect such REIT’s compliance with those requirements, which, in turn, could affect our compliance with the REIT requirements. We believe that our subsidiary REIT has held and will continue to hold all of the equity interests in the securitizations described above that is treated as a taxable mortgage pool, and we do not expect that we, or any subsidiary REIT owned by our operating partnership, would form any subsidiary that would become a taxable mortgage pool, in which we own some, but less than all, of the ownership interests, and we intend to monitor the structure of any taxable mortgage pools in which we have an interest to ensure that they will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT. However, no assurance can be provided that the IRS could not successfully challenge our ownership of 100% of the equity in such taxable mortgage pool, which would adversely impact the ability our subsidiary REIT to qualify as a REIT and would adversely impact our REIT qualification.

In addition, our operating partnership currently holds interests in certain existing securitizations that were structured so as to not be treated as taxable mortgage pools. If the IRS were to successfully assert that any such securitization is a taxable mortgage pool, the assets held in the securitization would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, and we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

Subsidiary REITs

Our operating partnership holds certain assets through a subsidiary REIT, and may establish one or more additional subsidiary REITs to hold certain assets and conduct certain activities. EAch such subsidiary REIT is be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and are not be treated as owning the assets of such subsidiary REIT or recognizing the income recognized by such subsidiary REIT. Each such subsidiary REIT is generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as us and will be subject to the same gross income tests, asset tests and other REIT qualification requirements and considerations as are applicable to us.

The stock of our subsidiary REIT is a qualifying asset to us for the purpose of the 75% asset test so long as the subsidiary REIT continues to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “— Asset Tests.” Dividends received by our operating partnership from a subsidiary REIT are qualifying income to us for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. See “— Gross Income

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Tests — Dividend Income.” We may capitalize a subsidiary REIT with debt in addition to equity. Such debt (which is issued by non-publicly offered REITs) will generally not be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. See “— Asset Tests.” Interest paid to us on such debt will generally be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not the 75% gross income test. See “— Gross Income Tests — Interest Income.”

Gross Income Tests

In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy two gross income tests. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real property,” dividends received from and gains from the disposition of shares of other REITs, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of MBS), and gains from the sale of real estate assets, (other than income or gains with respect to debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are not otherwise secured by real property), as well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. We intend to monitor the amount of our non-qualifying income and manage our portfolio of assets to comply with the gross income tests, but we cannot assure you that we will be successful in the effort.

For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, a REIT is deemed to have earned a proportionate share of the income earned by any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which it owns an interest, which share is determined by reference to its capital interest in such entity, and is deemed to have earned the income earned by any qualified REIT subsidiary or other disregarded subsidiary.

Interest Income

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and personal property, the value of the personal property securing the mortgage exceeds 15% of the value of all property securing the mortgage and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the personal property, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. If a mortgage is secured by both real property and personal property and the value of the personal property does not exceed 15% of the aggregate value of the property securing the mortgage at the time we acquire or commit to acquire the mortgage, the mortgage is treated as secured solely by real property for this purpose. Thus, there is no apportionment for purposes of the asset tests or the gross income tests if the fair market value of personal property securing the loan does not exceed 15% of the fair market value of all property securing the loan. Even if a loan is not secured by real property or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

To the extent that a REIT is required to apportion its annual interest income to the real property security, the apportionment is based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the real property securing the loan, determined when the REIT commits to acquire the loan, and the denominator of which is the highest “principal amount” of the loan during the year. In IRS Revenue Procedure 2014-51 the IRS interpret the principal amount” of the loan to be the face amount of the loan, despite the Internal Revenue Code requiring taxpayers to treat gain attributable to any market discount, that is the difference between the purchase price of the loan and its face amount, for all purposes (other than certain withholding and information reporting purposes) as interest.

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To the extent the face amount of any loan that we hold that is secured by both real property and other property exceeds the value of the real property securing such loan, the interest apportionment rules described above may apply to certain of our loan assets unless the loan is secured solely by real property and personal property and the value of the personal property does not exceed 15% of the value of the property securing the loan. Thus, depending upon the value of the real property securing our mortgage loans and their face amount, and the other sources of our gross income generally, we may fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test. In addition, although we will endeavor to accurately determine the values of the real property securing our loans at the time we acquire or commit to acquire such loans, such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination and will be determined based on the information available to us at such time. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our valuations of such assets and such revaluations resulted in a higher portion of our interest income being apportioned to property other than real property, we could fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test. If we do not meet this test, we could potentially lose our REIT qualification or be required to pay a penalty tax to the IRS. Furthermore, prior to 2016, the apportionment rules described above applied to any debt instrument that was secured by real and personal property if the principal amount of the loan exceeded the value of the real property securing the loan. As a result, prior to 2016, these apportionment rules applied to mortgage loans held by us even if the personal property securing the loan did not exceed 15% of the total property securing the loan. We, and our predecessor Sutherland Asset Management Corporation that merged into ZAIS Financial, which we refer to as Pre-Merger Sutherland, have held significant mortgage loans that are secured by both real property and personal property. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the application of these rules to either us or Pre-Merger Sutherland, such company could fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test, which could cause us or Pre-Merger Sutherland to fail to qualify as a REIT. In addition, although we will endeavor to accurately determine the values of the real property securing our loans at the time we acquire or commit to acquire such loans, such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination and will be determined based on the information available to us at such time. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our valuations of such assets and such revaluations resulted in a higher portion of our interest income being apportioned to property other than real property, we could fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test. If we do not meet this test, we could potentially lose our REIT qualification or be required to pay a penalty tax to the IRS.

In addition, if we modify a distressed debt investment of ours by an agreement with the borrower, and if the modification is treated as a “significant modification” under the applicable Treasury regulations, the modified debt will be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may generally be required to reapportion the interest income to the real property security based on the value of the real property at the time of the modification, which may have reduced considerably. In Revenue Procedure 2014-51, the IRS provided a safe harbor under which a REIT is not required to reapportion the interest income on a mortgage loan upon a modification of the loan if the modification was occasioned by a default or would present a substantially reduced risk of default, and certain other requirements are met. Revenue Procedure 2014-51 may therefore allow us to modify certain of our distressed debt investments without adversely affecting the qualification of interest income from such debt investments for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, we may enter into modifications of distressed debt investments that do not qualify for the safe harbor provided in Revenue Procedure 2014-51, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy the 75% gross income test.

We believe that substantially all of the interest, OID, and market discount income that we receive from debt instruments is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income tests. However, a significant portion of the loans that we hold have a loan amount in excess of the value of the real property securing the loan. As a result, if the value of personal property equals or exceeds 15% of the total fair market value and the apportionment rules apply, income from such loans is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent of the ratio of the fair market value of the real property over the highest unpaid balance of the loan in the taxable year. In addition, we hold certain assets, including unsecured loans, loans secured by assets other than real property, and loans issued by our TRSs, and we may acquire certain assets, including interests in MBS secured by assets other than real property, that do not generate qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Accordingly, our ability to invest in such assets is limited. Furthermore, although we intend to monitor the income generated by these assets so as to satisfy the 75% gross income test, no assurance can be provided that we will be successful in this regard. Accordingly, our investment in such assets could cause us to fail to satisfy the REIT gross income tests, which could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.

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Prior to Pre-Merger Sutherland’s formation transactions, the predecessor of our operating partnership had accounted for its interest in certain SBC securitizations as an interest in a single debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In connection with Pre-Merger Sutherland’s formation transactions, the predecessor to our operating partnership was treated as terminating for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and our operating partnership was treated as a new partnership that acquired the assets of such predecessor for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Beginning with such transactions, our operating partnership has properly accounted for its interests in these securitizations as interests in the underlying loans for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Since we did not have complete information regarding the tax basis of each of the loans held by our operating partnership at the time of the REIT formation transactions, our computation of taxable income with respect to these interests could be subject to adjustment by the IRS. While we believe that any such adjustment would not be significant in amount, the resulting redetermination of our gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes could cause us to fail to satisfy the REIT gross income tests, which could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT. In addition, if any such adjustment resulted in an increase to our REIT taxable income, we could be required to pay a deficiency dividend in order to maintain our REIT qualification. See “— Annual Distribution Requirements.”

We have and may continue to invest in RMBS that are either pass-through certificates or CMOs. We expect that such RMBS are treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as regular interests in a REMIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that substantially all of the interest income, OID and market discount from our RMBS will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of RMBS treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest, OID and market discount on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of RMBS treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of its interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities. In connection with the expanded HARP program, the IRS issued guidance providing that, among other things, if a REIT holds a regular or residual interest in an “eligible REMIC” that informs the REIT that at least 80% of the REMIC’s assets constitute real estate assets, then the REIT may treat 80% of the gross income received with respect to the interest in the REMIC as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. For this purpose, a REMIC is an “eligible REMIC” if (i) the REMIC has received a guarantee from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that will allow the REMIC to make any principal and interest payments on its regular and residual interests and (ii) all of the REMIC’s mortgages and pass-through certificates are secured by interests in single-family dwellings. If we were to acquire an interest in an eligible REMIC less than 95% of the assets of which constitute real estate assets, the IRS guidance described above may generally allow us to treat 80% of the gross income derived from the interest as qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. However, the remaining portion of such income would not generally be qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test, which could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. We expect that substantially all of our income from RMBS will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

We believe that the interest, OID, and market discount income that we receive from our RMBS generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. However, to the extent that we own non-REMIC CMO obligations or other debt instruments secured by mortgage loans (rather than by real property) or secured by non-real estate assets, or debt securities that are not secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property, the interest income received with respect to such securities generally will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. In addition, the loan amount of a mortgage loan that we own may exceed the value of the real property securing the loan. In that case, income from the loan will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but the interest attributable to the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the real property securing the loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

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We may purchase Agency RMBS through TBAs and we may recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Consequently, our ability to enter into dollar roll transactions and other dispositions of TBA could be limited. No assurance can be given that the IRS will treat such income as qualifying income. We do not expect such income to adversely affect our ability to meet the 75% gross income test. In the event that such income were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if such income when added to any other non-qualifying income exceeded 25% of our gross income.

We may also hold excess MSRs, which means the portion of an MSR that exceeds the arm’s length fee for services performed by the mortgage servicer. In certain private letter rulings, the IRS ruled that interest received by a REIT from excess MSRs meeting certain requirements will be considered interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the analysis adopted by the IRS in that private letter ruling and based on advice of counsel, we intend to treat income from any excess MSRs that meet the requirements provided in the private letter ruling as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter ruling described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that such income does not qualify for purposes of the 75% and/or 95% gross income tests, which, if such income together with other income we earn that does not qualify for the 75% or 95% gross income test, as applicable, exceeded 25% or 5% of our gross income, could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “— Gross Income Tests — Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “Failure to Qualify as a REIT.” We hold MSRs other than excess MSRs in a TRS in order to avoid recognizing non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

Phantom Income

Due to the nature of the assets in which we will invest, we may be required to recognize taxable income from certain of our assets in advance of our receipt of cash flow on or proceeds from disposition of such assets, which we refer to as “phantom income,” and we may be required to report taxable income in early periods that exceeds the economic income ultimately realized on such assets.

We have and may continue to acquire debt instruments, including SBC Loans, mortgage loans, and MBS, in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount will nevertheless generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We expect to accrue market discount on a constant yield to maturity of the debt instrument, based generally on the assumption that all future payments on the debt instrument will be made. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal on the debt instrument is received, unless we elect to include accrued market discount in incomes as it accrues. Principal payments on certain loans are made monthly, and consequently accrued market discount may have to be included in income each month as if the debt instrument would ultimately be collected in full. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus any market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions in subsequent years. In certain cases, we may be able to cease accruing interest income with respect to a debt instrument, to the extent there is reasonable doubt as to our ability to collect such interest income. However, if we recognize insufficient interest income, and the IRS were to successfully assert that we did not accrue the appropriate amount of income with respect to such a debt instrument in a given taxable year, we may be required to increase our taxable income with respect to such year, which could cause us to be required to pay a deficiency dividend or a tax on undistributed income, or fail to qualify as a REIT.

Some of the MBS and other debt instruments that we purchase will likely have been issued with OID. We will be required to accrue OID based on a constant yield method and income will accrue on the debt instruments based on the assumption that all future payments on such debt instruments will be made. If such debt instruments turn out not to be fully collectible, an offsetting loss will only become available in a later

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year when uncollectiblity is provable. Moreover, such loss will likely be treated as a capital loss in the hands of our operating partnership, and the utility of that deduction would therefore depend on our having capital gain in that later year or thereafter. In addition, we may also acquire distressed debt investments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding debt are “significant modifications” under the applicable Treasury Regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us at a gain in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower, with gain recognized by us to the extent that the principal amount of the modified debt exceeds our cost of purchasing it prior to modification. To the extent that such modifications are made with respect to a debt instrument held by a TRS treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such TRS would be required at the end of each taxable year, including the taxable year in which any such modification were made, to mark the modified debt obligation to its fair market value as if the debt obligation were sold. In that case, such TRS would recognize a loss at the end of the taxable year in which the modification were made to the extent the fair market value of such debt obligation were less than its principal amount after the modification. We may also be required under the terms of the indebtedness that we incur to use cash received from interest payments to make principal payment on that indebtedness, with the effect that we will recognize income but will not have a corresponding amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We also may hold excess MSRs. Based on IRS guidance concerning the classification of MSRs, we intend to treat such excess MSRs as ownership interests in the interest payments made on the underlying mortgage loans, akin to an “interest only” strip. Under this treatment, for purposes of determining the amount and timing of taxable income, each excess MSR is treated as a bond that was issued with OID on the date we acquired such excess MSR. In general, we are required to accrue OID based on the constant yield to maturity of each excess MSR, and to treat such OID as taxable income in accordance with the applicable U.S. federal income tax rules. The constant yield of an excess MSR is determined, and is taxed, based on a prepayment assumption regarding future payments due on the mortgage loans underlying the excess MSR. If the mortgage loans underlying an excess MSR prepay at a rate different than that under the prepayment assumption, our recognition of OID will be either increased or decreased depending on the circumstances. Thus, in a particular taxable year, we may be required to accrue an amount of income in respect of an excess MSR that exceeds the amount of cash collected in respect of that excess MSR. Furthermore, it is possible that, over the life of the investment in an excess MSR, the total amount we pay for, and accrue with respect to, the excess MSR may exceed the total amount we collect on such excess MSR. No assurance can be given that we will be entitled to a deduction for such excess, meaning that we may be required to recognize phantom income over the life of an excess MSR.

In addition to the rules described above, we are generally required to include certain amounts in income no later than the time that the amounts are reflected on our financial statements, subject to an exception for MSRs and certain other exceptions. This rule could cause us to be required to take income into account earlier than under the general tax principles otherwise discussed herein.

Due to each of these potential differences between income recognition or expense deduction and related cash receipts or disbursements, there is a significant risk that we may have substantial taxable income in excess of cash available for distribution. In that event, we may need to borrow funds or take other actions to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements for the taxable year in which this “phantom income” is recognized. See “— Annual Distribution Requirements.”

Dividend Income

We may receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions are generally classified as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Any dividends received by us from a REIT is qualifying income in our hands for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Income inclusions under Code rules relating to “controlled foreign corporations” and “passive foreign investment companies” with respect to certain equity investments in a foreign TRS or other non-U.S. corporation in which we may hold an equity interest are technically neither dividends nor any of the other enumerated categories of income specified in the 95% gross income test for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In Revenue Procedure 2018-48, the IRS stated that such income inclusions will be treated as qualifying

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income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and that certain foreign currency gains related thereto would be disregarded in applying the 95% gross income test.

Hedging Transactions

We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, swaptions, financial futures, and options. Under the Internal Revenue Code, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge its interest rate risks will generally be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests if (i) the instrument (A) hedges interest rate risk or foreign currency exposure on liabilities used to carry or acquire real estate assets or (B) hedges risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests, or (C) hedges an instrument described in clause (A) or (B) for a period following the extinguishment of the liability or the disposition of the asset that was previously hedged by the hedged instrument, and (ii) such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Any income from other hedges would generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in this regard.

Rents from Real Property

Rents we receive from leasing real property or interests therein qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income tests described above, only if several conditions are met, including the following. If rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under any particular lease, then the portion of the rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. The determination of whether an item of personal property constitutes real or personal property under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code is subject to both legal and factual considerations and is therefore subject to different interpretations.

In addition, in order for rents received by us to qualify as “rents from real property,” the rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of sales or if it is based on the net income of a tenant which derives substantially all of its income with respect to such property from subleasing of substantially all of such property, to the extent that the rents paid by the subtenants would qualify as rents from real property, if earned directly by our company. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render certain services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from which we derive no income or through a TRS. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payment for such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property. In such a case, only the amounts for non-customary services are not treated as rents from real property and the provision of the services does not disqualify the related rent.

Rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively own, (i) in the case of any tenant which is a corporation, stock possessing 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such tenant, or (ii) in the case of any tenant which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of such tenant. We monitor the income we receive from the rental of real property to determine if the rent is treated as paid by an entity that is treated as related to us for purposes of these rules. However, the attribution rules that apply for purposes of the above rules are complex. In order to determine whether we are deemed to hold an interest in the tenant under these attribution rules, we may be required to rely on information that we obtain from our shareholders and other third parties regarding potential relationships that could cause us to be treated as owning an interest in

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such tenants. No assurance can be provided that we will have access to all information necessary to make this determination, and as a result no assurance can be provided that the rental income we receive will not be treated as received from related parties under these rules, which could adversely impact our ability to qualify as a REIT.

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

We intend to monitor our sources of income, including any non-qualifying income received by us, and manage our assets so as to ensure our compliance with the gross income tests. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to satisfy the gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and, following the identification of such failure, we set forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests in a schedule for the taxable year filed in accordance with the Treasury Regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “— Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed upon the profit attributable to the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

We, at the close of each calendar quarter, must also satisfy multiple tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property (such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property), personal property leased with real property if rents attributable to the personal property do not exceed 15% of total rents, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, interests in mortgages in real property or on interests in real property, debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs, interests in obligations secured by both real property and personal property if the fair market value of the personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all property securing such mortgage, and certain kinds of MBS and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the additional asset tests described below. Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our gross assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either (a) voting power (the “10% voting test”) or (b) value (the “10% value test”). Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs held by us may not exceed 20% (25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2018) of the value of our gross assets. Fifth, not more than 25% of the value of our gross assets is represented by nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments.

The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to stock and securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries. The 10% value test does not apply to certain “straight debt” and other excluded securities, as described in the Internal Revenue Code, including any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, (i) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of applying the 10% value test; (ii) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and (iii) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.

For purposes of the 10% value test, “straight debt” means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand on a specified date a sum certain in money if (i) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, (ii) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s discretion, or similar factors other than certain contingencies relating to the timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as described in the Internal Revenue Code and (iii) in the case of an issuer which is

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a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our “controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which (A) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (B) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities (including, for the purposes of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).

After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire assets during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. If we fail the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test or 10% value test at the end of any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) to cure such a violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps, including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset test (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred) and paying a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate income tax rate (currently 21%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset test.

We believe that the majority of the SBC loans and MBS that we intend to own generally are qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. However, certain of the assets that we hold or intend to hold, including debt instruments secured by non-real estate assets, unsecured debt, debt securities issued by C corporations or other fixed-income securities that are not secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, or non-real estate ABS or other debt instruments secured by mortgage loans (rather than by real property), will generally not be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.

A real estate mortgage loan that we own generally will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test if, on the date that we acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the value of the real property securing the loan (which, beginning in 2016, includes for these purposes personal property securing the loan if such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all of the property securing such loan) is equal to or greater than the principal amount of the loan or the loan either is secured only by real property or in the case of a loan secured by real and personal property, the value of the personal property securing the loan does not exceed 15% of the value of all property securing the loan. In the event that we invest in a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and personal property the value of which is more than 15% of the value of all property securing the loan (and, beginning in 2016, the fair market value of the other property securing the loan exceeds 15% of the total fair market value of all of the property securing such loan), Revenue Procedure 2014-51, may apply to determine what portion of the mortgage loan will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. Pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2014-51, the IRS has announced that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as a real estate asset if the REIT treats the loan as a real estate asset in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the value of the loan or (2) the greater of (i) the current value of the real property securing the loan or (ii) the value of the real property securing the loan at the relevant testing date (generally, the date the REIT commits to make the loan or to purchase the loan, as the case may be). This safe harbor, if it applied to us, would help us comply with the REIT asset tests following the acquisition of distressed debt if the value of the real property securing the loan were to subsequently decline.

In addition, if we modify a distressed debt investment of ours by an agreement with the borrower, and if the modification is treated as a “significant modification” under the applicable Treasury regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may generally be required to redetermine the portion of the loan that is treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests. In Revenue Procedure 2014-51, the IRS has provided a safe harbor under which a REIT is not required to redetermine the value of real property securing a mortgage loan for purposes of the REIT asset tests in the event of a significant modification of the loan if the

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modification meets certain requirements. See “— Income Tests — Interest Income.” However, we may enter into modifications of distressed debt investments that do not qualify for the safe harbor provided in Revenue Procedure 2014-51, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in mortgage loans cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

A significant portion of our assets may be held from time to time in TRSs. While we intend to manage our affairs so as to satisfy the 20% (25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2018) TRS limitation described above, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in all market circumstances. In order to satisfy this TRS limitation, we have been required to and may in the future be required to acquire assets that we otherwise would not acquire, liquidate or restructure assets that we hold through ReadyCap or any of our TRSs, or otherwise engage in transactions that we would not otherwise undertake absent the requirements for REIT qualifications. Each of these actions could reduce the distributions available to our stockholders. In addition, we and our subsidiary REIT have made loans to our TRSs that meet the requirements to be treated as qualifying investments of new capital, which is generally treated as a real estate asset under the Code. Because such loans are treated as real estate assets for purposes of the REIT requirements, we do not treat these loans as TRS securities for purposes of the TRS asset limitation, which is consistent with private rulings issues by the IRS. However, no assurance can be provided that the IRS may not successfully assert that such loans should be treated as securities of our or our subsidiary REIT’s TRSs, which could adversely impact our qualification as a REIT. In addition, ReadyCap has issued notes with respect to which we have provided certain financial guarantees and other credit support. We believe that, notwithstanding the credit support that we have provided with respect to these note issuances, these note issuances should be treated as borrowings of ReadyCap for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, if the IRS were to successfully assert that these note issuances should be characterized as note issuances by us, rather than ReadyCap we could fail to satisfy the 20% TRS limitation (25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2018). Moreover, no assurance can be provided that we will be able to successfully manage our asset composition in a manner that causes us to satisfy this TRS limitation each quarter, and our failure to satisfy this limitation could result in our failure to qualify as a REIT.

Our TRSs may need to make dividend distributions to us at times when it may not be preferable to do so in order to satisfy the requirement that securities issued by TRSs do not exceed 20% (25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 and before January 1, 2018) of the value of our assets. We may, in turn, distribute all or a portion of such dividends to our stockholders at times when we might not otherwise wish to declare and pay such dividends. See “— Annual Distribution Requirements.” Distributions from a TRS will generally not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. As a result, it is possible that we may wish to cause a TRS to distribute a dividend in order to reduce the value of our TRS securities below 20% of our assets, but be unable to do so without violating the 75% gross income test. In addition, because the 75% gross income test in an annual test and the amount of distributions of a TRS that are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes depends on the earnings and profit of such TRS throughout the taxable year, it is not always possible for us to precisely determine how a distribution from a TRS will impact our compliance with the 75% gross income test for the year. Although there are other measures we can take in such circumstances in order to remain in compliance with the requirements for qualification as a REIT, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with both of these tests in all market conditions.

We believe that our holdings of loans and other securities will be structured in a manner that will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in this effort. In this regard, to determine compliance with these requirements, we will need to estimate the value of our assets. We may not obtain independent appraisals to support our conclusions concerning the values of our assets, and the values of some of our assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination and are subject to change in the future. Although we will be prudent in making estimates as to the value of our assets, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with the determinations and assert that a different value is applicable, in which case we might not satisfy the 75% asset test and the other asset tests and could fail to qualify as a REIT. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset tests.

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Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers cause a violation of the REIT asset tests. Moreover, regulations may affect the debt characterizations of our intercompany obligations.

Treatment of Specific Investments and Transactions

REMICs

The Internal Revenue Code provides that a regular or a residual interest in a REMIC is generally treated as a real estate asset for the purposes of the REIT asset tests, and any amount includible in our gross income with respect to such an interest is generally treated as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purposes of the REIT gross income tests. If, however, less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC in which we hold an interest consist of real estate assets (determined as if we held such assets), we will be treated as holding our proportionate share of the assets of the REMIC for the purpose of the REIT asset tests and receiving directly our proportionate share of the income of the REMIC for the purpose of determining the amount of income from the REMIC that is treated as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property. In connection with the expanded HARP program, the IRS issued guidance providing that, among other things, if a REIT holds a regular interest in an “eligible REMIC,” or a residual interest in an “eligible REMIC” that informs the REIT that at least 80% of the REMIC’s assets constitute real estate assets, then (i) the REIT may treat 80% of the value of the interest in the REMIC as a real estate asset for the purpose of the REIT asset tests and (ii) the REIT may treat 80% of the gross income received with respect to the interest in the REMIC as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. For this purpose, a REMIC is an “eligible REMIC” if (i) the REMIC has received a guarantee from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that will allow the REMIC to make any principal and interest payments on its regular and residual interests and (ii) all of the REMIC’s mortgages and pass-through certificates are secured by interests in single-family dwellings. If we were to acquire an interest in an eligible REMIC less than 95% of the assets of which constitute real estate assets, the IRS guidance described above may generally allow us to treat 80% of its interest in such a REMIC as a qualifying real estate asset for the purpose of the REIT asset tests and 80% of the gross income derived from the interest as qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. Although the portion of the income from such a REMIC interest that does not qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test would likely be qualifying income for the purpose of the 95% REIT gross income test, the remaining 20% of the REMIC interest generally would not qualify as a real estate asset, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, owning such a REMIC interest could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

Repurchase Transactions

We may enter into repurchase agreements under which we will nominally sell certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets. We believe that we will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such repurchase agreement and the repurchase agreement will be treated as a secured lending transaction notwithstanding that we may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could successfully assert that we did not own the assets during the term of the repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

TBAs

We may have exposure to Agency RMBS through TBAs. As with any forward purchase contract, the value of the underlying Agency RMBS may decrease between the contract date and the settlement date, which may result in the recognition of income, gain or loss. The law is unclear regarding whether TBAs are qualifying assets for the REIT 75% asset test and whether income or gains from the dispositions of TBAs, through “dollar roll” transactions or otherwise, constitute qualifying income for purposes of the REIT 75% gross income test. Accordingly, our ability to purchase Agency RMBS through TBAs or to dispose of TBAs through these transactions or otherwise, could be limited. We do not expect TBAs to adversely affect its ability to meet the REIT gross income and assets tests. No assurance can be given that the IRS would treat

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TBAs as qualifying assets or treat income and gains from the disposition of TBAs as qualifying income for these purposes, and, therefore, our ability to invest in such assets could be limited.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(a)

the sum of:

•

90% of our “REIT taxable income” ​(computed without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gains); and

•

90% of our net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property (as described below);

minus

(b)

the sum of specified items of non-cash income that exceeds a specified percentage of our income.

These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate or in the following taxable year if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in any such month and are actually paid before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by each stockholder on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and be paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided that such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such taxable year. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary U.S. federal corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In addition, we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income and receive a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the tax paid by us. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock in us by the difference between the designated amounts included in their long-term capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to their proportionate shares.

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior periods) and (y) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid corporate income tax. We may be subject to the 4% excise tax for certain taxable years.

In addition, if we were to recognize “built-in gain” ​(as defined below) on the disposition of any assets acquired from a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the assets was determined by reference to the C corporation’s basis (for instance, if the assets were acquired in a tax-free reorganization or contribution), we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the built-in gain net of the tax we would pay on such gain. See “— Tax on Built-In Gains” below.

It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (i) the actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries and (ii) the inclusion of items in income by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to receipt of such income in cash. For example, we may acquire debt instruments or notes whose face value may exceed its issue price as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, market discount bonds such that we will be required to include in our income a portion of income each year that such instrument is held before we receive any corresponding cash. Similarly, if we engage in modifications of distressed debt investments that are treated as “significant modifications,” the modified debt may be considered to have

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been reissued to us at a gain in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could cause us to recognize gain without any corresponding receipt of cash. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, we generally are required to include certain amounts in income no later than the time that the amounts are reflected on our financial statements, which could cause us to be required to take income into account earlier than under general tax principles. See “— Gross Income Tests — Phantom Income” above. In the event that such timing differences occur, to meet our distribution requirements it might be necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, use cash reserves, liquidate non-cash assets at rates or times that we regard as unfavorable or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends. In the case of a taxable stock dividend, stockholders would be required to include the dividend as income and would be required to satisfy the tax liability associated with the distribution with cash from other sources, including sales of our common stock. Both a taxable stock distribution and sale of common stock resulting from such distribution could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Under certain circumstances, it is possible that the IRS could assert that our net income for a taxable year was greater than we believed it to be. If the IRS were successful in asserting such an adjustment, the adjustment could cause us to fail to satisfy the distribution requirements for such taxable year if our distributions with respect to such taxable year were not sufficient after taking into account the increase in our net income. In such event, we may be able to rectify such failure to meet the distribution requirements by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the year that was subject to the adjustment. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing our qualification as a REIT or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we would be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

Tax on Built-In Gains

If we acquire appreciated assets from a subchapter C corporation in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation, and if we subsequently dispose of any such assets during the five-year period following the acquisition of the assets from the C corporation, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that they were acquired by us over the basis of such assets on such date, which we refer to as built-in gains. Similarly, to the extent that any C corporation holds an interest in an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (either directly or through one or more other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and we acquire appreciated assets from such partnership in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the partnership, the underlying C corporation’s proportionate share of such assets will be treated as contributed by a C corporation and therefore will be subject to the tax on built-in gains. However, the built-in gains tax will not apply if the C corporation elects to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

As part of the formation of Pre-Merger Sutherland, certain persons who are treated as C corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have contributed assets to Pre-Merger Sutherland in exchange for stock. We believe that any such contributors who were treated as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any person treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes with one or more direct or indirect C corporation partners) contributed assets with a de minimis amount of built-in gains. As a result, although it is possible that a portion of the assets contributed to Pre-Merger Sutherland in connection with its formation may be subject to the built-in gains tax, we expect that the built-in gains resulting from such assets should generally be de minimis.

Recordkeeping Requirements

We are required to maintain records and request on an annual basis information from specified stockholders. These requirements are designed to assist us in determining the actual ownership of our outstanding stock and maintaining our qualifications as a REIT.

Excess Inclusion Income

If we, our operating partnership or a subsidiary REIT owned by our operating partnership, acquire a residual interest in a REMIC, we may realize excess inclusion income. In addition, if we, our operating

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partnership or a subsidiary REIT owned by our operating partnership is deemed to have issued debt obligations having two or more maturities, the payments on which correspond to payments on mortgage loans owned by us, such arrangement will be treated as a taxable mortgage pool for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “— Effect of Subsidiary Entities — Taxable Mortgage Pools.” We may securitize SBC loans that we acquire and certain securitizations may result in us owning interests in a taxable mortgage pool. We would be precluded from holding equity interests in such a securitization through our operating partnership. Accordingly, we would likely form such securitizations as qualified REIT subsidiaries of a subsidiary REIT of our operating partnership, and will be precluded from selling to outside investors equity interests in such securitizations or from selling any debt securities issued in connection with such securitizations that might be considered to be equity interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are taxed at the highest corporate income tax rate on a portion of the income, referred to as “excess inclusion income,” arising from a taxable mortgage pool that is allocable to the percentage of our shares held in record name by “disqualified organizations,” which are generally certain cooperatives, governmental entities and tax-exempt organizations that are exempt from tax on UBTI. To the extent that common stock owned by “disqualified organizations” is held in record name by a broker/dealer or other nominee, the broker/ dealer or other nominee would be liable for the corporate level tax on the portion of our excess inclusion income allocable to the common stock held by the broker/dealer or other nominee on behalf of the “disqualified organizations.” Disqualified organizations may own our stock. Because this tax would be imposed on our company, all of our investors, including investors that are not disqualified organizations, will bear a portion of the tax cost associated with the classification of our company or a portion of our assets as a taxable mortgage pool. A RIC or other pass-through entity owning our common stock in record name will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rate on any excess inclusion income allocated to their owners that are disqualified organizations.

In addition, if we realize excess inclusion income and allocate it to stockholders, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of our stockholders. If the stockholder is a tax-exempt entity and not a disqualified organization, then this income is fully taxable as UBTI under Section 512 of the Internal Revenue Code. If the stockholder is a foreign person, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding on this income without reduction or exemption pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty. If the stockholder is a REIT, a RIC, common trust fund or other pass-through entity, the stockholder’s allocable share of our excess inclusion income could be considered excess inclusion income of such entity. Accordingly, such investors should be aware that a significant portion of our income may be considered excess inclusion income. Finally, if a subsidiary REIT of our operating partnership through which we hold taxable mortgage pool securitizations were to fail to qualify as a REIT, our taxable mortgage pool securitizations will be treated as separate taxable corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes that could not be included in any consolidated corporate tax return.

We have engaged in certain securitization transactions that are treated as taxable mortgage pools for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described under “— Effect of Subsidiary Entities — Taxable Mortgage Pools.” Although we believe that such transactions are structured in a manner so that they should not cause any portion of the distributions in our shares to be treated as excess inclusion income, no assurance can be provided that the IRS would not assert a contrary position.

Prohibited Transactions

Net income we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, in the ordinary course of a trade or business by a REIT, by a lower-tier partnership in which the REIT holds an equity interest or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to the REIT. We intend to conduct our operations so that any asset that we or a subsidiary REIT owns that could be treated as held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our business qualifies for certain safe harbor provisions that prevent the application of this prohibited transaction tax. However, no assurance can be provided that such safe harbor provisions will apply. In addition, whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. If we were to sell a mortgage loan to a third party, depending on the circumstances of the sale, it is possible that the sale could be treated as a prohibited transaction. As a result, no assurance can be given that any securities or

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loans that we may dispose of will not be treated as property held-for-sale to customers. The Internal Revenue Code provides certain safe harbors under which disposition of assets are not treated as prohibited transactions. However, there can be no assurance that any disposition of our assets would comply with these safe-harbor provisions. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (i) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the REIT having bid on the property at foreclosure or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (ii) for which the related loan or lease was acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (iii) for which such REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. REITs generally are subject to tax at the maximum U.S. federal corporate rate (currently 21%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property in the hands of the selling REIT. We do not anticipate that we will receive any income from foreclosure property that is not qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, but, if we receive any such income, we intend to elect to treat the related property as foreclosure property. Property is not eligible for the election to be treated as foreclosure property if the loan with respect to which the default occurs or is imminent is acquired by a REIT with an intent to foreclose, or when the REIT knows or has reason to know that default would occur. We may acquire distressed debt instruments. If we acquire a distressed debt instrument when we know or have reason to know that a default may occur, we likely would not be permitted to make a foreclosure property election with such property.

Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships

General

We hold investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including our operating partnership and potentially equity interests in lower-tier partnerships. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are subject to tax on these items without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include in our income our proportionate share of these partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests, based on our capital interest in such partnership. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include our proportionate share of assets held by subsidiary partnerships, based on our capital interest in such partnerships (other than for purposes of the 10% value test, for which the determination of our interest in partnership assets will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership excluding, for these purposes, securities excluded under the Internal Revenue Code). Consequently, to the extent that we hold an equity interest in a partnership, the partnership’s assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control, or only limited influence, over the partnership.

Entity Classification

The investment by us in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships as a partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any of these entities were treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation and, therefore, could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income.

Pursuant to Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code, a partnership that does not elect to be treated as a corporation nevertheless will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is a

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“publicly traded partnership” and it does not receive at least 90% of its gross income from certain specified sources of “qualifying income” within the meaning of that section. A “publicly traded partnership” is any partnership (i) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or (ii) the interests in which are readily tradable on a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof.” Although operating partnership units of our operating partnership are not traded on an established securities market, there is a significant risk that the right of a holder of such operating partnership units to redeem the units for our common stock could cause the operating partnership units to be considered readily tradable on the substantial equivalent of a secondary market. Under the relevant Treasury Regulations, interests in a partnership will not be considered readily tradable on a secondary market or on the substantial equivalent of a secondary market if the partnership qualifies for specified “safe harbors,” which are based on the specific facts and circumstances relating to the partnership. Although our operating partnership expects to qualify for one of these safe harbors in all taxable years, we cannot provide any assurance that surviving partnership will, in each of its taxable years, qualify for one of these safe harbors.

If our operating partnership were taxable as a corporation, the character of our assets and items of our gross income would change and could preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests (particularly the tests generally preventing a REIT from owning more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of the value of the securities, of a corporation) or the gross income tests as discussed in “— Requirements for Qualification as a REIT,” “— Asset Tests” and “— Gross Income Tests” above, and in turn could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See “— Failure to Qualify,” below, for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, any change in the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.

Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Properties

The partnership agreement of our operating partnership generally provides that, after allocations to the holder of the Class A Special Unit, items of operating income and loss will be allocated to the holders of units in proportion to the number of units held by each holder. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partnership with respect to such item. Our operating partnership’s allocations of income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Under Section 704(c), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value (or the book value) of the contributed property and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of the contribution (or a book-tax difference). Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect partnership capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.

The partnership agreement requires that allocations with respect to any property contributed to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units in a tax-deferred transaction be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, any gain recognized on the sale of any such properties would generally be allocated to the partner who contributed the property to our operating partnership to the extent of the book-tax difference at the time of such contribution. As a result, in the event that any such properties are sold, the partner who contributed such assets to our operating partnership or, in certain cases, a successor to such partner, which may include us, could be allocated gain in excess of its corresponding book gain (or taxable loss that is less than such person’s corresponding economic or book loss), with a corresponding benefit to the partners who did not contribute such assets to our operating partnership. These provisions will also apply to revaluations of our operating partnership’s assets in connection with our operating partnership’s issuance of additional operating

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partnership units. The application of Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to a partnership such as our operating partnership that holds numerous loan securities can be complex and may require the adoption of certain conventions or methods that could be subject to challenge by the IRS. If any taxable income or loss of our operating partnership were subject to reallocation, such a reallocation could adversely impact our ability to qualify as a REIT or require us to pay a deficiency dividend in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

In connection with the formation of Pre-Merger Sutherland, certain persons were treated as contributing assets to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore we are subject to the allocation provisions described above to the extent of any book-tax difference in our assets at the time of each such contribution. These allocation provisions could result in us having taxable income that is in excess of our economic or book income as well as our cash distributions from our operating partnership, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements or result in a greater portion of our distributions being treated as taxable dividend income.

Failure to Qualify as a REIT

In the event that we violate a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, we may nevertheless continue to qualify as a REIT under specified relief provisions available to us to avoid such disqualification if (i) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, (ii) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy a requirement for qualification as a REIT and (iii) the violation does not include a violation under the gross income or asset tests described above (for which other specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision reduces the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and none of the relief provisions of the Internal Revenue Code apply, we will be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this situation, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions to our stockholders will generally be taxable in the case of U.S. stockholders (as defined above) who are individuals at a maximum rate of 20%, and dividends in the hands of our corporate U.S. stockholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under the specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following a year during which qualification was lost. Additionally, certain exemptions from U.S. taxation provided to our non-U.S. shareholders may not be available if we fail to qualify as a REIT. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to statutory relief.

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. stockholders that are not tax-exempt organizations. If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our common stock should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock by the partnership.

Distributions

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will generally be taken into account by them as ordinary dividend income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect to our common stock constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any, and then to our common stock. Dividends received from REITs are generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income rates applicable to individual U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from taxable subchapter C corporations.

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However, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code, non-corporate taxpayers may deduct up to 20% of certain qualified business income, including “qualified REIT dividends” ​(generally, dividends received by a REIT stockholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), subject to certain limitations, resulting in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such income. Pursuant to recently finalized Treasury regulations, in order for a dividend paid by a REIT to be eligible to be treated as a “qualified REIT dividend,” the U.S. stockholder must meet two holding period-related requirements. First, the U.S. stockholder must hold the REIT stock for a minimum of 46 days during the 91-day period that begins 45 days before the date on which the REIT stock becomes ex-dividend with respect to the dividend. Second, the qualifying portion of the REIT dividend is reduced to the extent that the U.S. stockholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. In addition, proposed Treasury regulations provide that shareholders of RICs are also entitled to the 20% deduction with respect to certain “Section 199A dividends” that are attributable to qualified REIT dividends received by such RICs. Although these proposed Treasury regulations are not currently effective, taxpayers may rely on them pending their finalization or withdrawal. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning the applicability of these rules and any limitations on the ability to deduct all or a portion of dividends received on our securities. As discussed above, if we realize excess inclusion income and allocate it to a taxable U.S. stockholder, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of such stockholder.

In addition, distributions from us that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed to U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that they do not exceed the actual net capital gain of our company for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the U.S. stockholder has held our stock. To the extent that we elect under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to retain our net capital gains, U.S. stockholders will be treated as having received, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for taxes paid by us on such retained capital gains. U.S. stockholders will increase their adjusted tax basis in our common stock by the difference between their allocable share of such retained capital gain and their share of the tax paid by us. Corporate U.S. stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders who are individuals, and 21% for corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for U.S. stockholders who are individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions. Distributions from us in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. stockholder’s shares of our common stock in respect of which the distributions were made, but rather will reduce the adjusted tax basis of these shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a U.S. stockholder’s shares of our common stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. See also “Medicare Tax on Unearned Income” below.

In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year and payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us before the end of January of the following calendar year.

With respect to U.S. stockholders who are taxed at the rates applicable to individuals, we may elect to designate a portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. stockholders as “qualified dividend income.” A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to non corporate U.S. stockholders as capital gain, provided that the U.S. stockholder has held the common stock with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121 day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such common stock became ex dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:

(i)

the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from non REIT C corporations (including TRSs in which we may own an interest);

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(ii)

the excess of any “undistributed” REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income; and

(iii)

the excess of any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in gain asset that was acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a non REIT C corporation over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such built in gain.

Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of (i) above if the dividends are received from a domestic C corporation (other than a REIT or a RIC), ReadyCap, RC TRS I, Girod, Zalanta TRS, Lone Star TRS, Knight, and any other TRSs that we may own, or a “qualified foreign corporation” and specified holding period requirements and other requirements are met.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that must be made in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “— Taxation of Our Company” and “— Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor do they affect the character of any distributions that are actually made by us, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

In general, a U.S. stockholder will realize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock at the time of the disposition. In general, a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis will equal the U.S. stockholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. stockholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns of capital. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20%, if such shares were held for more than 12 months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (up to 37% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026 if such shares were held for 12 months or less). Gains recognized by U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 21%, whether or not classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for non-corporate holders) to a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate holder on the sale of REIT stock or depositary shares that would correspond to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.”

Holders are advised to consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of our common stock held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our common stock by a U.S. stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions received from us that were required to be treated by the U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gain.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations

Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our common stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our common stock. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. stockholder that elects to treat capital gain

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dividends, qualified dividend income or capital gains from the disposition of stock as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amounts.

Medicare Tax on Unearned Income

Certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common stock. The temporary 20% deduction currently allowed by Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to ordinary REIT dividends received by non-corporate taxpayers, is allowed only for Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code and thus is not allowed as a deduction allocable to such dividends for purposes of determining the amount of net investment income subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax, which is imposed under Section 2A of the Internal Revenue Code. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding this tax on net investment income.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders

U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their UBTI. While many investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that regular distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (i) a tax exempt U.S. stockholder has not held our common stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (that is, where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax exempt stockholder), (ii) our common stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business and (iii) we do not hold an asset that gives rise to “excess inclusion income,” (se “— Annual Distribution Requirements — Excess Inclusion Income”) distributions from us and income from the sale of our common stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax exempt U.S. stockholder. As previously noted, we may engage in transactions that would result in a portion of our dividend income being considered “excess inclusion income” and, accordingly, it is possible that a portion of our dividends received by a tax-exempt stockholder may be treated as UBTI. Tax exempt U.S. stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, and supplemental unemployment benefit trusts exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), and (c)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust (i) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (A) either (x) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (y) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of such stock; and (B) we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that stock owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” ​(as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities), as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts. Certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock should generally prevent a U.S. tax exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock, or us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax exempt U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning our stock.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders of our common stock. The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selective and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation. Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of ownership of our common stock.

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For most non-U.S. persons, an investment in a REIT that invests principally in mortgage loans and MBS is not the most tax-efficient way to invest in such assets. That is because receiving distributions of income derived from such assets in the form of REIT dividends subjects most non-U.S. persons to withholding taxes that direct investment in those asset classes, and the direct receipt of interest and principal payments with respect to them, would not. The principal exceptions are foreign sovereigns and their agencies and instrumentalities, which may be exempt from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the Internal Revenue Code, and certain foreign pension funds or similar entities able to claim an exemption from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the Internal Revenue Code such as “qualified foreign pension funds,” as discussed below, or the terms of a bilateral tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States.

Ordinary Dividends

Subject to the discussion below under “— Capital Gain Dividends”, dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders payable out of our earnings and profits which are not attributable to gains from dispositions of “U.S. real property interests” or designated as capital gains dividends and are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. In addition, any portion of the dividends paid to non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as excess inclusion income will not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding tax or a reduced treaty rate. As previously noted, we may engage in transactions that could result in a portion of our dividends being considered excess inclusion income, and accordingly, a portion of our dividend income may not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding rate or a reduced treaty rate. In the case of a taxable stock dividend with respect to which any withholding tax is imposed on a non-U.S. stockholder, we may have to withhold or dispose of part of the shares otherwise distributable in such dividend and use such withheld shares or the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed.

In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends, and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on the income after the application of the income tax in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.

Non-Dividend Distributions

Unless (i) our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest, or USRPI, or (ii) either (A) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (B) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year), distributions by us which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Because our stock is expected to be regularly traded, our common stock will not constitute USRPI with respect to a holder unless such holder holds more than 10% of our stock. If it cannot be determined at the time at which a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits.

If our common stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions by us in excess of the sum of our earnings and profits plus the non-U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type (such as, an

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individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits. Because our stock is expected to be regularly traded, non-dividend distributions by us to a holder are generally not subject to FIRPTA unless such holder holds more than 10% of our stock. Non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from federal income and withholding tax under FIRPTA on such distributions by us.

Capital Gain Dividends

Under FIRPTA, a distribution made by us to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% of the amount of capital gain dividends to the extent the dividends constitute USRPI capital gains. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. The 21% withholding tax will not apply to any capital gain dividend (i) with respect to any class of our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the U.S. if the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 10% of such class of stock at any time during the one year period ending on the date of such dividend or (ii) received by certain non-U.S. publicly traded investment vehicles. Instead any capital gain dividend received by such a stockholder will be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed above under “— Ordinary Dividends.” Also, the branch profits tax will not apply to such a distribution. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States, although no assurance can be provided in this regard. In addition, non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from income and withholding tax under FIRPTA on distributions from us to the extent attributable to USRPI capital gains.

A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held the underlying asset solely as a creditor, although the holding of a shared appreciation mortgage loan would not be solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder from a REIT that are not USRPI capital gains are generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless either (i) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year).

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

Unless our common stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of the stock by a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the U.S., excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor and applying certain rules that exclude certain assets from tis calculation. No assurance can be provided that 50% or more of our assets will not consist of interests in real property located in the U.S. for purposes of this test.

Even if our shares of common stock otherwise would be a USRPI under the foregoing test, our shares of common stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity is, among others, a REIT in which, at all times during a specified testing period (generally the lesser of the five year period ending on the date of disposition of the REIT’s shares of common stock or the period of the REIT’s existence), less than 50% in value of its outstanding shares of common stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders.

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The following rules simplify such determination:

•

In the case of a publicly traded REIT, a person holding less than 5% of a publicly traded class of stock at all times during the testing period is treated as a US person unless the REIT has actual knowledge that such person is not a US person.

•

In the case of REIT stock held by a publicly traded REIT or certain publicly traded or open-ended regulated investment companies (RICs), the REIT or RIC will be treated as a US person if the REIT or RIC is domestically controlled and will be treated as a non-US person otherwise.

•

In the case of REIT stock held by a REIT or RIC not described in the previous rule, the REIT or RIC is treated as a US person or a non-US person on a look-through basis.

We may be a domestically controlled REIT, in which case the sale of our common stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because our stock is expected to be widely held, we cannot assure investors that we will be a domestically controlled REIT.

Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT, and our stock is treated as USRPI, a non-U.S. stockholder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless will generally not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that (i) our common stock owned is of a class that is “regularly traded,” as defined by the applicable Treasury Regulation, on an established securities market, and (ii) the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 10% or less of our outstanding stock of that class at all times during a specified testing period. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States, although no assurance can provided in this regard. In addition, even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT and our common stock is not regularly traded on an established securities market, non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from tax under FIRPTA on the sale of our common stock.

If gain on the sale of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our common stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the U.S. to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (i) if the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (ii) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S., the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

We will report to our U.S. stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide his or her correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distribution to any U.S. stockholder who fails to certify their non-foreign status.

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. stockholder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. stockholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding unless

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applicable certification requirements are met. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the U.S. is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. stockholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

Legislation enacted in 2010 (commonly known as foreign account tax compliance act, or FATCA) and existing guidance issued thereunder generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends in respect of Common Shares held by or through (1) a foreign financial institution (as that term is defined in Section 1471(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code) unless that foreign financial institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and disclose information regarding U.S. account holders of that foreign financial institution (including certain account holders that are foreign entities that have U.S. owners) and satisfies other requirements, and (2) specified other non-U.S. entities unless such an entity provides the payor with a certification identifying the direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity and complies with other requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common shares is held will affect the determination of whether withholding is required. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. Holders of our stock are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisor regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their particular circumstances.

Tax Shelter Regulations

In certain circumstances, a holder of common stock who disposes of an interest in a transaction resulting in the recognition by such common stock of significant losses in excess of certain threshold amounts may be obligated to disclose its participation in such transaction (or a reportable transaction) in accordance with recently issued regulations governing tax shelters and other potentially tax-motivated transactions (or the Tax Shelter Regulations). Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation under the Tax Shelter Regulations with respect to the disposition of common stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business, own property or reside. The state, local or foreign tax treatment of our company and our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes incurred by us would not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our common stock.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our stockholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our shares of common stock.

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We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be issued, nor is the long-term impact of proposed tax reforms (including future reforms that may be part of any enacted tax reform) on the mortgage industry clear. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal tax laws on an investment in our shares.

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BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depositary. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for the global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by the depositary or any nominee of such depositary to a successor depositary or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depositary, who are called “participants.” Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if the securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to the depositary’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.

Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us, our officers and board members or any trustee, paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest, dividend or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security for such securities as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Clifford Chance US LLP will pass upon the validity of the shares of the securities we are offering under this prospectus and certain U.S. federal income tax matters. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

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EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Ready Capital Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. and the effectiveness of Ready Capital Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. We maintain a web site at www.readycapital.com. The information on our web site is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus. Our securities are listed on the NYSE and all such material filed by us with the NYSE also can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 11 Wall Street, New York 10005.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information concerning our Company and the securities, reference is made to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference herein is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about us, our business and our finances.

Document	Period
Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35808)	Year ended December 31, 2019
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (File No. 001-35808)	Year ended December 31, 2019
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-35808)	Quarter ended March 31, 2020
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	January 7, 2020
Form 12b-25 (File No. 001-35808)	April 30, 2020
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	June 24, 2020
Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35808)	July 20, 2020
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-35808)	May 14, 2020
Description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (“Form 8-A”) as updated by Exhibit 4.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (“Exhibit 4.11”) (File No. 001-35808)	February 6, 2013 (Form 8-A) March 12, 2020 (Exhibit 4.11)

All documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, and any previously filed documents. In addition, all documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of any of the securities covered under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any previously filed documents.

All of the documents that are incorporated by reference are available at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, if you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should be addressed to Andrew Ahlborn, the Company’s Secretary, at Ready Capital Corporation, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 50th Floor, New York, NY 10020, telephone number (212) 257-4600.

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READY CAPITAL CORPORATION

4,000,000 Shares

6.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Book Running Managers

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
                    A Stifel Company

Morgan Stanley

Piper Sandler

Co-Managers

B. Riley Securities

BTIG

Ladenburg Thalmann

Wedbush Securities

June 3, 2021