MFA Financial, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA) today provided its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024:

  • MFA generated GAAP net income for the first quarter of $15.0 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted common share.
  • Distributable earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, were $36.1 million, or $0.35 per common share. MFA paid a regular cash dividend of $0.35 per common share on April 30, 2024.
  • GAAP book value at March 31, 2024 was $13.80 per common share. Economic book value, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $14.32 per common share.
  • Total economic return was 0.7% for the first quarter.
  • Net interest spread averaged 2.06% and net interest margin was 2.88%.
  • MFA closed the quarter with unrestricted cash of $306.3 million.

Commenting on the quarter, Craig Knutson, MFA’s CEO and President, stated: “Although our book value was modestly impacted by higher interest rates, we are pleased to report strong distributable earnings for the opening months of 2024. We acquired or originated $652 million of residential mortgage loans during the quarter with an average coupon of approximately 10%. This includes over $400 million of new business purpose loans originated by our wholly-owned subsidiary Lima One Capital. We completed one securitization during the quarter and again benefited from our $3.2 billion interest rate swap position, which generated a net positive carry of $29 million. As a result of our disciplined risk management strategies, our net interest spread and net interest margin each remained healthy at 2.06% and 2.88%, respectively.”

Mr. Knutson continued: “During the quarter, we repurchased $40 million of our convertible senior notes due in June, reducing the outstanding balance to less than $170 million. In January, we issued $115 million of 8.875% senior unsecured notes due in February 2029. Last month, we issued an additional $75 million of 9.00% senior unsecured notes due in August 2029. We continue to maintain a substantial cash position in order to protect our balance sheet from further interest rate or credit spread volatility. We believe we are well-situated to take advantage of market opportunities that may arise.”

Q1 2024 Portfolio Activity

  • Loan acquisitions were $651.8 million, including $465.4 million of funded originations of business purpose loans (including draws on Transitional loans) and $186.4 million of Non-QM loan acquisitions, bringing MFA’s residential whole loan balance to $9.1 billion.
  • Lima One funded $301.7 million of new business purpose loans with a maximum loan amount of $429.8 million. Further, $163.7 million of draws were funded on previously originated Transitional loans. Lima One generated $7.9 million of origination, servicing, and other fee income.
  • Asset dispositions included $60.6 million UPB of Non-QM loans and $110.4 million UPB of SFR loans. Inclusive of the reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses, the Company recorded a net gain of $2.0 million.
  • MFA continued to reduce its REO portfolio, selling 73 properties in the first quarter for aggregate proceeds of $24.2 million and generating $2.0 million of gains.
  • 60+ day delinquencies (measured as a percentage of UPB) for Purchased Performing Loans increased to 4.3% from 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Combined Purchased Credit Deteriorated and Purchased Non-Performing 60+ day delinquencies declined to 24.3% from 24.5% in the fourth quarter.
  • MFA completed one loan securitization during the quarter, collateralized by $192.5 million UPB of Transitional loans, bringing its securitized debt to approximately $4.8 billion.
  • MFA maintained its position in interest rate swaps at a notional amount of approximately $3.2 billion. At March 31, 2024, these swaps had a weighted average fixed pay interest rate of 1.86% and a weighted average variable receive interest rate of 5.34%.
  • MFA estimates the net effective duration of its investment portfolio at March 31, 2024 rose to 0.98 from 0.91 at December 31, 2023.
  • MFA’s Debt/Net Equity Ratio was 4.6x and recourse leverage was 1.8x at March 31, 2024.

Webcast

MFA Financial, Inc. plans to host a live audio webcast of its investor conference call on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its first quarter 2024 financial results. The live audio webcast will be accessible to the general public over the internet at http://www.mfafinancial.com through the “Webcasts & Presentations” link on MFA’s home page. Earnings presentation materials will be posted on the MFA website prior to the conference call and an audio replay will be available on the website following the call.

About MFA Financial, Inc.

MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE: MFA) is a leading specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities and other real estate assets. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lima One Capital, MFA also originates and services business purpose loans for real estate investors. MFA has distributed $4.7 billion in dividends to stockholders since its initial public offering in 1998. MFA is an internally-managed, publicly-traded real estate investment trust.

The following table presents MFA’s asset allocation as of March 31, 2024, and the first quarter 2024 yield on average interest-earning assets, average cost of funds and net interest rate spread for the various asset types.

Table 1 - Asset Allocation

At March 31, 2024

 

Purchased Performing Loans (1)

 

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans (2)

 

Purchased Non-Performing Loans

 

Securities, at fair value

 

Real Estate Owned

 

Other,

net (3)

 

Total

(Dollars in Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value/Carrying Value

 

$

8,025

 

 

$

412

 

 

$

682

 

 

$

737

 

 

$

106

 

 

$

607

 

 

$

10,569

 

Financing Agreements with Non-mark-to-market Collateral Provisions

 

 

(1,102

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,102

)

Financing Agreements with Mark-to-market Collateral Provisions

 

 

(1,519

)

 

 

(139

)

 

 

(222

)

 

 

(606

)

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,509

)

Securitized Debt

 

 

(4,300

)

 

 

(228

)

 

 

(257

)

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,794

)

Senior Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(280

)

 

 

(280

)

Net Equity Allocated

 

$

1,104

 

 

$

45

 

 

$

203

 

 

$

131

 

 

$

74

 

 

$

327

 

 

$

1,884

 

Debt/Net Equity Ratio (4)

 

6.3 x

 

8.2 x

 

2.4 x

 

4.6 x

 

0.4 x

 

 

 

4.6 x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yield on Average Interest Earning Assets (5)

 

 

6.50

%

 

 

5.95

%

 

 

8.91

%

 

 

7.24

%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

6.58

%

Less Average Cost of Funds (6)

 

 

(4.56

)

 

 

(2.87

)

 

 

(3.78

)

 

 

(4.00

)

 

 

(6.40

)

 

 

 

 

(4.52

)

Net Interest Rate Spread

 

 

1.94

%

 

 

3.08

%

 

 

5.13

%

 

 

3.24

%

 

 

(6.40

)%

 

 

 

 

2.06

%

(1)

Includes $3.8 billion of Non-QM loans, $2.5 billion of Transitional loans, $1.6 billion of Single-family rental loans, $66.0 million of Seasoned performing loans, and $54.7 million of Agency eligible investor loans. At March 31, 2024, the total fair value of these loans is estimated to be $8.0 billion.

(2)

At March 31, 2024, the total fair value of these loans is estimated to be $431.3 million.

(3)

Includes $306.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, $222.9 million of restricted cash, and $19.8 million of capital contributions made to loan origination partners, as well as other assets and other liabilities.

(4)

Total Debt/Net Equity ratio represents the sum of borrowings under our financing agreements as a multiple of net equity allocated.

(5)

Yields reported on our interest earning assets are calculated based on the interest income recorded and the average amortized cost for the quarter of the respective asset. At March 31, 2024, the amortized cost of our Securities, at fair value, was $715.4 million. In addition, the yield for residential whole loans was 6.62%, net of one basis point of servicing fee expense incurred during the quarter. For GAAP reporting purposes, such expenses are included in Loan servicing and other related operating expenses in our statement of operations.

(6)

Average cost of funds includes interest on financing agreements, Convertible Senior Notes, 8.875% Senior Notes, and securitized debt. Cost of funding also includes the impact of the net carry (the difference between swap interest income received and swap interest expense paid) on our interest rate swap agreements (or Swaps). While we have not elected hedge accounting treatment for Swaps and accordingly net carry is not presented in interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations, we believe it is appropriate to allocate net carry to the cost of funding to reflect the economic impact of our Swaps on the funding costs shown in the table above. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, this decreased the overall funding cost by 131 basis points for our overall portfolio, 132 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 134 basis points for our Purchased Performing Loans, 129 basis points for our Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans, 102 basis points for our Purchased Non-Performing Loans and 179 basis points for our Securities, at fair value.

The following table presents the activity for our residential mortgage asset portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Table 2 - Investment Portfolio Activity Q1 2024

(In Millions)

 

December 31, 2023

 

Runoff (1)

 

Acquisitions (2)

 

Other (3)

 

March 31, 2024

 

Change

Residential whole loans and REO

 

$

9,151

 

$

(414

)

 

$

652

 

$

(164

)

 

$

9,225

 

$

74

 

Securities, at fair value

 

 

746

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

737

 

 

(9

)

Totals

 

$

9,897

 

$

(422

)

 

$

652

 

$

(165

)

 

$

9,962

 

$

65

 

(1)

Primarily includes principal repayments and sales of REO.

(2)

Includes draws on previously originated Transitional loans.

(3)

Primarily includes sales, changes in fair value and changes in the allowance for credit losses.

The following tables present information on our investments in residential whole loans:

Table 3 - Portfolio Composition/Residential Whole Loans

 

 

Held at Carrying Value

 

Held at Fair Value

 

Total

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

March 31,

2024

 

December 31,

2023

 

March 31,

2024

 

December 31,

2023

 

March 31,

2024

 

December 31,

2023

Purchased Performing Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-QM loans

 

$

816,617

 

 

$

843,884

 

 

$

3,021,769

 

$

2,961,693

 

$

3,838,386

 

 

$

3,805,577

 

Transitional loans (1)

 

 

29,098

 

 

 

35,467

 

 

 

2,465,674

 

 

2,326,029

 

 

2,494,772

 

 

 

2,361,496

 

Single-family rental loans

 

 

148,943

 

 

 

172,213

 

 

 

1,430,021

 

 

1,462,583

 

 

1,578,964

 

 

 

1,634,796

 

Seasoned performing loans

 

 

66,065

 

 

 

68,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66,065

 

 

 

68,945

 

Agency eligible investor loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,654

 

 

55,779

 

 

54,654

 

 

 

55,779

 

Total Purchased Performing Loans

 

$

1,060,723

 

 

$

1,120,509

 

 

$

6,972,118

 

$

6,806,084

 

$

8,032,841

 

 

$

7,926,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

 

$

423,647

 

 

$

429,726

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

423,647

 

 

$

429,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

$

(19,612

)

 

$

(20,451

)

 

$

 

$

 

$

(19,612

)

 

$

(20,451

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Non-Performing Loans

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

681,789

 

$

705,424

 

$

681,789

 

 

$

705,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Residential Whole Loans

 

$

1,464,758

 

 

$

1,529,784

 

 

$

7,653,907

 

$

7,511,508

 

$

9,118,665

 

 

$

9,041,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of loans

 

 

6,148

 

 

 

6,326

 

 

 

19,561

 

 

19,075

 

 

25,709

 

 

 

25,401

 

(1)

As of March 31, 2024 includes $1.3 billion of loans collateralized by one-to-four family residential properties, including $506.5 million of loans collateralized by new construction projects at origination, and $1.2 billion of loans collateralized by multi-family properties. As of December 31, 2023 includes $1.2 billion of loans collateralized by one-to-four family residential properties and $1.2 billion of loans collateralized by multi-family properties.

Table 4 - Yields and Average Balances/Residential Whole Loans

 

 

For the Three-Month Period Ended

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

March 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

Interest

 

Average Balance

 

Average Yield

 

Interest

 

Average Balance

 

Average Yield

 

Interest

 

Average Balance

 

Average Yield

Purchased Performing Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-QM loans

 

$

55,861

 

$

4,149,257

 

5.39

%

 

$

51,997

 

$

4,111,425

 

5.06

%

 

$

44,089

 

$

3,803,154

 

4.64

%

Transitional loans

 

 

53,216

 

 

2,448,951

 

8.69

%

 

 

48,358

 

 

2,249,974

 

8.60

%

 

 

28,227

 

 

1,473,420

 

7.66

%

Single-family rental loans

 

 

27,102

 

 

1,746,058

 

6.21

%

 

 

25,598

 

 

1,702,940

 

6.01

%

 

 

21,313

 

 

1,518,741

 

5.61

%

Seasoned performing loans

 

 

1,124

 

 

67,713

 

6.64

%

 

 

1,191

 

 

71,207

 

6.69

%

 

 

1,090

 

 

81,388

 

5.36

%

Agency eligible investor loans

 

 

517

 

 

68,490

 

3.02

%

 

 

512

 

 

69,436

 

2.95

%

 

 

2,857

 

 

380,763

 

3.00

%

Total Purchased Performing Loans

 

 

137,820

 

 

8,480,469

 

6.50

%

 

 

127,656

 

 

8,204,982

 

6.22

%

 

 

97,576

 

 

7,257,466

 

5.38

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

 

 

6,355

 

 

427,267

 

5.95

%

 

 

7,051

 

 

434,650

 

6.49

%

 

 

7,138

 

 

466,123

 

6.13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Non-Performing Loans

 

 

13,490

 

 

605,573

 

8.91

%

 

 

15,080

 

 

624,910

 

9.65

%

 

 

14,796

 

 

699,730

 

8.46

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Residential Whole Loans

 

$

157,665

 

$

9,513,309

 

6.63

%

 

$

149,787

 

$

9,264,542

 

6.47

%

 

$

119,510

 

$

8,423,319

 

5.68

%

Table 5 - Net Interest Spread/Residential Whole Loans

 

 

For the Three-Month Period Ended

 

 

March 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

 

March 31, 2023

Purchased Performing Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

6.50

%

 

6.22

%

 

5.38

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

4.56

%

 

4.43

%

 

3.95

%

Net Interest Spread

 

1.94

%

 

1.79

%

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

5.95

%

 

6.49

%

 

6.13

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

2.87

%

 

2.68

%

 

2.23

%

Net Interest Spread

 

3.08

%

 

3.81

%

 

3.90

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Non-Performing Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

8.91

%

 

9.65

%

 

8.46

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

3.78

%

 

3.63

%

 

3.53

%

Net Interest Spread

 

5.13

%

 

6.02

%

 

4.93

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Residential Whole Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

6.63

%

 

6.47

%

 

5.68

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

4.43

%

 

4.29

%

 

3.82

%

Net Interest Spread

 

2.20

%

 

2.18

%

 

1.86

%

(1)

Reflects annualized interest income on Residential whole loans divided by average amortized cost of Residential whole loans. Excludes servicing costs.

(2)

Reflects annualized interest expense divided by average balance of agreements with mark-to-market collateral provisions (repurchase agreements), agreements with non-mark-to-market collateral provisions, and securitized debt. Cost of funding shown in the table above includes the impact of the net carry (the difference between swap interest income received and swap interest expense paid) on our Swaps. While we have not elected hedge accounting treatment for Swaps, and, accordingly, net carry is not presented in interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations, we believe it is appropriate to allocate net carry to the cost of funding to reflect the economic impact of our Swaps on the funding costs shown in the table above. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, this decreased the overall funding cost by 132 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 134 basis points for our Purchased Performing Loans, 129 basis points for our Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans, and 102 basis points for our Purchased Non-Performing Loans. For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, this decreased the overall funding cost by 140 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 142 basis points for our Purchased Performing Loans, 143 basis points for our Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans, and 102 basis points for our Purchased Non-Performing Loans. For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, this decreased the overall funding cost by 127 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 129 basis points for our Purchased Performing Loans, 171 basis points for our Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans, and 77 basis points for our Purchased Non-Performing Loans.

Table 6 - Credit-related Metrics/Residential Whole Loans

March 31, 2024

 

 

Fair Value / Carrying Value

 

Unpaid Principal Balance (“UPB”)

 

Weighted Average Coupon (2)

 

Weighted Average Term to Maturity (Months)

 

Weighted Average LTV Ratio (3)

 

Weighted Average Original FICO (4)

 

Aging by UPB

 

60+ DQ %

 

60+

LTV (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Due Days

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

30-59

 

 

60-89

 

90+

 

 

Purchased Performing Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-QM loans

 

$

3,836,705

 

$

4,059,991

 

6.02

%

 

342

 

65

%

 

734

 

$

3,814,533

 

$

115,484

 

$

41,428

 

$

88,546

 

3.2

%

 

65.2

%

Transitional loans (1)

 

 

2,493,073

 

 

2,502,067

 

9.45

 

 

9

 

64

 

 

747

 

 

2,306,508

 

 

44,621

 

 

18,459

 

 

132,479

 

6.0

 

 

65.9

 

Single-family rental loans

 

 

1,574,322

 

 

1,665,788

 

6.52

 

 

331

 

69

 

 

738

 

 

1,571,772

 

 

17,395

 

 

6,452

 

 

70,169

 

4.6

 

 

111.0

 

Seasoned performing loans

 

 

66,045

 

 

72,658

 

4.77

 

 

140

 

28

 

 

725

 

 

70,016

 

 

1,271

 

 

43

 

 

1,328

 

1.9

 

 

24.6

 

Agency eligible investor loans

 

 

54,654

 

 

66,297

 

3.44

 

 

329

 

66

 

 

757

 

 

65,064

 

 

523

 

 

223

 

 

487

 

1.1

 

 

71.7

 

Total Purchased Performing Loans

 

$

8,024,799

 

$

8,366,801

 

7.11

%

 

238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

 

$

412,077

 

$

499,761

 

4.85

%

 

265

 

58

%

 

N/A

 

$

373,341

 

$

46,972

 

$

16,784

 

$

62,664

 

15.9

%

 

64.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased Non-Performing Loans

 

$

681,789

 

$

753,035

 

5.24

%

 

268

 

60

%

 

N/A

 

$

437,507

 

$

90,223

 

$

31,434

 

$

193,871

 

29.9

%

 

69.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans, total or weighted average

 

$

9,118,665

 

$

9,619,597

 

6.21

%

 

227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.9

%

 

 

(1)

As of March 31, 2024 Transitional loans includes $1.2 billion of loans collateralized by multi-family properties with a weighted average term to maturity of 12 months and a weighted average LTV ratio of 63%.

(2)

Weighted average is calculated based on the interest bearing principal balance of each loan within the related category. For loans acquired with servicing rights released by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation do not reflect loan servicing fees. For loans acquired with servicing rights retained by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation are net of servicing fees.

(3)

LTV represents the ratio of the total unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated value of the collateral securing the related loan as of the most recent date available, which may be the origination date. For Transitional loans, the LTV presented is the ratio of the maximum unpaid principal balance of the loan, including unfunded commitments, to the estimated “after repaired” value of the collateral securing the related loan, where available. For certain Transitional loans, totaling $608.9 million at March 31, 2024, an after repaired valuation was not obtained and the loan was underwritten based on an “as is” valuation. The weighted average LTV of these loans based on the current unpaid principal balance and the valuation obtained during underwriting, is 67% at March 31, 2024. Excluded from the calculation of weighted average LTV are certain low value loans secured by vacant lots, for which the LTV ratio is not meaningful. 60+ LTV has been calculated on a consistent basis.

(4)

Excludes loans for which no Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) score is available.

Table 7 - Shock Table

The information presented in the following “Shock Table” projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on the value of our portfolio, including the impact of Swaps and securitized debt, based on the assets in our investment portfolio at March 31, 2024. Changes in portfolio value are measured as the percentage change when comparing the projected portfolio value to the base interest rate scenario at March 31, 2024.

Change in Interest Rates

 

Percentage Change

in Portfolio Value

 

Percentage Change

in Total Stockholders’ Equity

+100 Basis Point Increase

 

(1.22

)%

 

(6.96

)%

+ 50 Basis Point Increase

 

(0.55

)%

 

(3.15

)%

Actual at March 31, 2024

 

%

 

%

- 50 Basis Point Decrease

 

0.43

%

 

2.47

%

-100 Basis Point Decrease

 

0.75

%

 

4.28

%

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

March 31,

2024

 

December 31,

2023

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans, net ($7,653,907 and $7,511,508 held at fair value, respectively) (1)

 

$

9,118,665

 

 

$

9,041,292

 

Securities, at fair value

 

 

736,950

 

 

 

746,090

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

306,266

 

 

 

318,000

 

Restricted cash

 

 

222,905

 

 

 

170,211

 

Other assets

 

 

489,344

 

 

 

497,097

Total Assets

 

$

10,874,130

 

 

$

10,772,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Financing agreements ($4,641,438 and $4,633,660 held at fair value, respectively)

 

$

8,685,916

 

 

$

8,536,745

 

Other liabilities

 

 

304,027

 

 

 

336,030

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

8,989,943

 

 

$

8,872,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 7.5% Series B cumulative redeemable; 8,050 shares authorized; 8,000 shares issued and outstanding ($200,000 aggregate liquidation preference)

 

$

80

 

 

$

80

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 6.5% Series C fixed-to-floating rate cumulative redeemable; 12,650 shares authorized; 11,000 shares issued and outstanding ($275,000 aggregate liquidation preference)

 

 

110

 

 

 

110

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 874,300 and 874,300 shares authorized; 102,082 and 101,916 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

 

1,021

 

 

 

1,019

 

Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par

 

 

3,703,242

 

 

 

3,698,767

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(1,839,792

)

 

 

(1,817,759

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

19,526

 

 

 

17,698

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,884,187

 

 

$

1,899,915

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

10,874,130

 

 

$

10,772,690

 

(1)

Includes approximately $5.7 billion and $5.7 billion of Residential whole loans transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans

 

$

157,665

 

 

$

119,510

 

Securities, at fair value

 

 

12,992

 

 

 

7,308

 

Other interest-earning assets

 

 

1,163

 

 

 

2,351

 

Cash and cash equivalent investments

 

 

5,011

 

 

 

3,036

 

Interest Income

 

$

176,831

 

 

$

132,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed and other collateralized financing arrangements

 

$

123,442

 

 

$

88,880

 

Other interest expense

 

 

5,575

 

 

 

3,956

 

Interest Expense

 

$

129,017

 

 

$

92,836

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

$

47,814

 

 

$

39,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Residential Whole Loans

 

$

460

 

 

$

13

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Other Assets

 

 

(1,109

)

 

 

 

Net Interest Income after Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses

 

$

47,165

 

 

$

39,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income/(Loss), net:

 

 

 

 

Net gain/(loss) on residential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings

 

$

(11,513

)

 

$

129,174

 

Impairment and other net gain/(loss) on securities and other portfolio investments

 

 

(4,776

)

 

 

2,931

 

Net gain/(loss) on real estate owned

 

 

991

 

 

 

3,942

 

Net gain/(loss) on derivatives used for risk management purposes

 

 

49,941

 

 

 

(21,208

)

Net gain/(loss) on securitized debt measured at fair value through earnings

 

 

(22,462

)

 

 

(51,725

)

Lima One - origination, servicing and other fee income

 

 

7,928

 

 

 

8,976

 

Net realized gain/(loss) on residential whole loans held at carrying value

 

 

418

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

 

1,875

 

 

 

3,014

 

Other Income/(Loss), net

 

$

22,402

 

 

$

75,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and Other Expense:

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

25,468

 

 

$

20,630

 

Other general and administrative expense

 

 

13,044

 

 

 

10,233

 

Loan servicing, financing and other related costs

 

 

7,042

 

 

 

9,539

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

800

 

 

 

1,300

 

Operating and Other Expense

 

$

46,354

 

 

$

41,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

$

23,213

 

 

$

72,784

 

Less Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement

 

$

8,219

 

 

$

8,219

 

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities

 

$

14,994

 

 

$

64,565

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings/(Loss) per Common Share

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.63

 

Diluted Earnings/(Loss) per Common Share

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.62

 

Segment Reporting

At March 31, 2024, the Company’s reportable segments include (i) mortgage-related assets and (ii) Lima One. The Corporate column in the table below primarily consists of corporate cash and related interest income, investments in loan originators and related economics, general and administrative expenses not directly attributable to Lima One, interest expense on unsecured convertible senior notes, securitization issuance costs, and preferred stock dividends.

The following tables summarize segment financial information, which in total reconciles to the same data for the Company as a whole:

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Mortgage-Related Assets

 

Lima One

 

Corporate

 

Total

Three months ended March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

$

95,400

 

 

$

78,089

 

 

$

3,342

 

 

$

176,831

 

Interest Expense

 

 

69,259

 

 

 

54,183

 

 

 

5,575

 

 

 

129,017

 

Net Interest Income/(Expense)

 

$

26,141

 

 

$

23,906

 

 

$

(2,233

)

 

$

47,814

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Residential Whole Loans

 

 

460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

460

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Other Assets

 

 

(1,109

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,109

)

Net Interest Income/(Expense) after Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses

 

$

25,492

 

 

$

23,906

 

 

$

(2,233

)

 

$

47,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain/(loss) on residential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings

 

$

(8,699

)

 

$

(2,814

)

 

$

 

 

$

(11,513

)

Impairment and other net gain/(loss) on securities and other portfolio investments

 

 

(4,776

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,776

)

Net gain on real estate owned

 

 

1,256

 

 

 

(265

)

 

 

 

 

 

991

 

Net gain/(loss) on derivatives used for risk management purposes

 

 

36,158

 

 

 

13,783

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,941

 

Net gain/(loss) on securitized debt measured at fair value through earnings

 

 

(11,576

)

 

 

(10,886

)

 

 

 

 

 

(22,462

)

Lima One - origination, servicing and other fee income

 

 

 

 

 

7,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,928

 

Net realized gain/(loss) on residential whole loans held at carrying value

 

 

418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

418

 

Other, net

 

 

959

 

 

 

504

 

 

 

412

 

 

 

1,875

 

Other Income/(Loss), net

 

$

13,740

 

 

$

8,250

 

 

$

412

 

 

$

22,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

 

 

$

12,124

 

 

$

13,344

 

 

$

25,468

 

Other general and administrative expense

 

 

6

 

 

 

5,637

 

 

 

7,401

 

 

 

13,044

 

Loan servicing, financing and other related costs

 

 

5,270

 

 

 

519

 

 

 

1,253

 

 

 

7,042

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

$

33,956

 

 

$

13,076

 

 

$

(23,819

)

 

$

23,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

8,219

 

 

$

8,219

 

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities

 

$

33,956

 

 

$

13,076

 

 

$

(32,038

)

 

$

14,994

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Mortgage-Related Assets

 

Lima One

 

Corporate

 

Total

March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

6,319,998

 

$

4,196,761

 

$

357,371

 

$

10,874,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

6,370,237

 

$

4,000,932

 

$

401,521

 

$

10,772,690

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to non-GAAP Distributable Earnings

“Distributable earnings” is a non-GAAP financial measure of our operating performance, within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Distributable earnings is determined by adjusting GAAP net income/(loss) by removing certain unrealized gains and losses, primarily on residential mortgage investments, associated debt, and hedges that are, in each case, accounted for at fair value through earnings, certain realized gains and losses, as well as certain non-cash expenses and securitization-related transaction costs. The transaction costs are primarily comprised of costs only incurred at the time of execution of our securitizations and include costs such as underwriting fees, legal fees, diligence fees, bank fees and other similar transaction related expenses. These costs are all incurred prior to or at the execution of our securitizations and do not recur. Recurring expenses, such as servicing fees, custodial fees, trustee fees and other similar ongoing fees are not excluded from distributable earnings. Management believes that the adjustments made to GAAP earnings result in the removal of (i) income or expenses that are not reflective of the longer term performance of our investment portfolio, (ii) certain non-cash expenses, and (iii) expense items required to be recognized solely due to the election of the fair value option on certain related residential mortgage assets and associated liabilities. Distributable earnings is one of the factors that our Board of Directors considers when evaluating distributions to our shareholders. Accordingly, we believe that the adjustments to compute Distributable earnings specified below provide investors and analysts with additional information to evaluate our financial results.

Distributable earnings should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Distributable earnings does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for net income or cash flows from operating activities, each as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our GAAP net income/(loss) used in the calculation of basic EPS to our non-GAAP Distributable earnings for the quarterly periods below:

 

 

Quarter Ended

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

March 31,

2024

 

December 31,

2023

 

September 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

March 31,

2023

GAAP Net income/(loss) used in the calculation of basic EPS

 

$

14,827

 

 

$

81,527

 

 

$

(64,657

)

 

$

(34,146

)

 

$

64,565

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized and realized gains and losses on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans held at fair value

 

 

11,513

 

 

 

(224,272

)

 

 

132,894

 

 

 

130,703

 

 

 

(129,174

)

Securities held at fair value

 

 

4,776

 

 

 

(21,371

)

 

 

13,439

 

 

 

3,698

 

 

 

(2,931

)

Residential whole loans and securities at carrying value

 

 

(418

)

 

 

332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

(23,182

)

 

 

97,400

 

 

 

(9,433

)

 

 

(37,018

)

 

 

40,747

 

Securitized debt held at fair value

 

 

20,169

 

 

 

108,693

 

 

 

(40,229

)

 

 

(30,908

)

 

 

48,846

 

Investments in loan origination partners

 

 

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

722

 

 

 

872

 

 

 

 

Expense items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

1,300

 

 

 

1,300

 

Equity based compensation

 

 

6,243

 

 

 

3,635

 

 

 

4,447

 

 

 

3,932

 

 

 

3,020

 

Securitization-related transaction costs

 

 

1,340

 

 

 

2,702

 

 

 

3,217

 

 

 

2,071

 

 

 

4,602

 

Total adjustments

 

 

21,241

 

 

 

(31,827

)

 

 

105,857

 

 

 

74,650

 

 

 

(33,590

)

Distributable earnings

 

$

36,068

 

 

$

49,700

 

 

$

41,200

 

 

$

40,504

 

 

$

30,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP earnings/(loss) per basic common share

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.80

 

 

$

(0.64

)

 

$

(0.34

)

 

$

0.63

 

Distributable earnings per basic common share

 

$

0.35

 

 

$

0.49

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

0.30

 

Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share

 

 

103,173

 

 

 

102,266

 

 

 

102,255

 

 

 

102,186

 

 

 

102,155

 

The following table presents our non-GAAP Distributable earnings by segment for the quarterly periods below:

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Mortgage-Related Assets

 

Lima One

 

Corporate

 

Total

Three months ended March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Net income/(loss) used in the calculation of basic EPS

 

$

33,956

 

 

$

13,062

 

 

$

(32,191

)

 

$

14,827

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized and realized gains and losses on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans held at fair value

 

 

8,699

 

 

 

2,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,513

 

Securities held at fair value

 

 

4,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,776

 

Residential whole loans and securities at carrying value

 

 

(418

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(418

)

Interest rate swaps

 

 

(17,068

)

 

 

(6,114

)

 

 

 

 

 

(23,182

)

Securitized debt held at fair value

 

 

9,591

 

 

 

10,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,169

 

Investments in loan origination partners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

Equity based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

5,982

 

 

 

6,243

 

Securitization-related transaction costs

 

 

197

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

1,340

 

Total adjustments

 

$

5,777

 

 

$

8,339

 

 

$

7,125

 

 

$

21,241

 

Distributable earnings

 

$

39,733

 

 

$

21,401

 

 

$

(25,066

)

 

$

36,068

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Mortgage-Related Assets

 

Lima One

 

Corporate

 

Total

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Net income/(loss) used in the calculation of basic EPS

 

$

93,071

 

 

$

14,111

 

 

$

(25,655

)

 

$

81,527

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized and realized gains and losses on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans held at fair value

 

 

(170,935

)

 

 

(53,337

)

 

 

 

 

 

(224,272

)

Securities held at fair value

 

 

(21,371

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,371

)

Residential whole loans and securities at carrying value

 

 

332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

332

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

72,741

 

 

 

24,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,400

 

Securitized debt held at fair value

 

 

73,779

 

 

 

34,914

 

 

 

 

 

 

108,693

 

Investments in loan origination partners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

254

 

Expense items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

Equity based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

3,503

 

 

 

3,635

 

Securitization-related transaction costs

 

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,557

 

 

 

2,702

 

Total adjustments

 

$

(45,309

)

 

$

7,168

 

 

$

6,314

 

 

$

(31,827

)

Distributable earnings

 

$

47,762

 

 

$

21,279

 

 

$

(19,341

)

 

$

49,700

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Book Value per Common Share to non-GAAP Economic Book Value per Common Share

“Economic book value” is a non-GAAP financial measure of our financial position. To calculate our Economic book value, our portfolios of Residential whole loans and securitized debt held at carrying value are adjusted to their fair value, rather than the carrying value that is required to be reported under the GAAP accounting model applied to these financial instruments. These adjustments are also reflected in the table below in our end of period stockholders’ equity. Management considers that Economic book value provides investors with a useful supplemental measure to evaluate our financial position as it reflects the impact of fair value changes for all of our investment activities, irrespective of the accounting model applied for GAAP reporting purposes. Economic book value does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for Stockholders’ Equity, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our GAAP book value per common share to our non-GAAP Economic book value per common share as of the quarterly periods below:

 

 

Quarter Ended:

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

March 31,

2024

 

December 31,

2023

 

September 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

March 31,

2023

GAAP Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,884.2

 

 

$

1,899.9

 

 

$

1,848.5

 

 

$

1,944.8

 

 

$

2,018.6

 

Preferred Stock, liquidation preference

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

GAAP Stockholders’ Equity for book value per common share

 

 

1,409.2

 

 

 

1,424.9

 

 

 

1,373.5

 

 

 

1,469.8

 

 

 

1,543.6

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value adjustment to Residential whole loans, at carrying value

 

 

(35.4

)

 

 

(35.6

)

 

 

(85.3

)

 

 

(58.3

)

 

 

(33.9

)

Fair value adjustment to Securitized debt, at carrying value

 

 

88.4

 

 

 

95.6

 

 

 

122.5

 

 

 

129.8

 

 

 

122.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity including fair value adjustments to Residential whole loans and Securitized debt held at carrying value (Economic book value)

 

$

1,462.2

 

 

$

1,484.9

 

 

$

1,410.7

 

 

$

1,541.3

 

 

$

1,632.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP book value per common share

 

$

13.80

 

 

$

13.98

 

 

$

13.48

 

 

$

14.42

 

 

$

15.15

 

Economic book value per common share

 

$

14.32

 

 

$

14.57

 

 

$

13.84

 

 

$

15.12

 

 

$

16.02

 

Number of shares of common stock outstanding

 

 

102.1

 

 

 

101.9

 

 

 

101.9

 

 

 

101.9

 

 

 

101.9

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this press release or other written or oral communications, statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” the negative of these words or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results with respect to MFA’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. Among the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements that we make are: general economic developments and trends and the performance of the housing, real estate, mortgage finance, broader financial markets; inflation, increases in interest rates and changes in the market (i.e., fair) value of MFA’s residential whole loans, MBS, securitized debt and other assets, as well as changes in the value of MFA’s liabilities accounted for at fair value through earnings; the effectiveness of hedging transactions; changes in the prepayment rates on residential mortgage assets, an increase of which could result in a reduction of the yield on certain investments in its portfolio and could require MFA to reinvest the proceeds received by it as a result of such prepayments in investments with lower coupons, while a decrease in which could result in an increase in the interest rate duration of certain investments in MFA’s portfolio making their valuation more sensitive to changes in interest rates and could result in lower forecasted cash flows; credit risks underlying MFA’s assets, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates on the mortgage loans in MFA’s residential whole loan portfolio; MFA’s ability to borrow to finance its assets and the terms, including the cost, maturity and other terms, of any such borrowings; implementation of or changes in government regulations or programs affecting MFA’s business; MFA’s estimates regarding taxable income, the actual amount of which is dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in the amount of interest income and financing costs, the method elected by MFA to accrete the market discount on residential whole loans and the extent of prepayments, realized losses and changes in the composition of MFA’s residential whole loan portfolios that may occur during the applicable tax period, including gain or loss on any MBS disposals or whole loan modifications, foreclosures and liquidations; the timing and amount of distributions to stockholders, which are declared and paid at the discretion of MFA’s Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, MFA’s taxable income, its financial results and overall financial condition and liquidity, maintenance of its REIT qualification and such other factors as MFA’s Board of Directors deems relevant; MFA’s ability to maintain its qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; MFA’s ability to maintain its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or the “Investment Company Act”), including statements regarding the concept release issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) relating to interpretive issues under the Investment Company Act with respect to the status under the Investment Company Act of certain companies that are engaged in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related interests; MFA’s ability to continue growing its residential whole loan portfolio, which is dependent on, among other things, the supply of loans offered for sale in the market; targeted or expected returns on our investments in recently-originated mortgage loans, the performance of which is, similar to our other mortgage loan investments, subject to, among other things, differences in prepayment risk, credit risk and financing costs associated with such investments; risks associated with the ongoing operation of Lima One Holdings, LLC (including, without limitation, unanticipated expenditures relating to or liabilities arising from its operation (including, among other things, a failure to realize management’s assumptions regarding expected growth in business purpose loan (BPL) origination volumes and credit risks underlying BPLs, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates on the BPLs originated by Lima One)); expected returns on MFA’s investments in nonperforming residential whole loans (“NPLs”), which are affected by, among other things, the length of time required to foreclose upon, sell, liquidate or otherwise reach a resolution of the property underlying the NPL, home price values, amounts advanced to carry the asset (e.g., taxes, insurance, maintenance expenses, etc. on the underlying property) and the amount ultimately realized upon resolution of the asset; risks associated with our investments in MSR-related assets, including servicing, regulatory and economic risks; risks associated with our investments in loan originators; risks associated with investing in real estate assets generally, including changes in business conditions and the general economy; and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, assumptions and expectations of MFA’s future performance, taking into account information currently available. Readers and listeners are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect MFA. Except as required by law, MFA is not obligated to, and does not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Category: Earnings

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