BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
10-Ks and 10-Qs
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
Commission File Number
: 001-32171
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Bimini Capital Management, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Maryland
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72-1571637
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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3305 Flamingo Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(772) 231-1400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act
:
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Title of Each Class
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Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
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No
ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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Smaller Reporting Company
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
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No
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As of March 24, 2011, there were 9,842,099 shares of the Registrant’s Class A Common Stock outstanding. The aggregate market value of the Class A Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (9,018,281 shares) at June 30, 2010 was approximately $8.5 million. The aggregate market value was calculated by using the last sale price of the Class A Common Stock as of that date. As of June 30, 2010, the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Class B Common Stock by non-affiliates (20,760 shares) was $1,000. As of June 30, 2010, the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Class C Common Stock held by non-affiliates (31,938 shares) was $1,500. The market value of the Class B and Class C Common Stock is based on their initial purchase price.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the
Registrant’s
definitive Proxy Statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
INDEX
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PART I
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ITEM 1. Business.
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4 | |||
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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
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29 | |||
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ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
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41 | |||
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ITEM 2. Properties.
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41 | |||
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ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings.
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42 | |||
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ITEM 4. Reserved.
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43 | |||
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PART II
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ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
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44 | |||
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ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data.
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46 | |||
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ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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47 | |||
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ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
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57 | |||
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ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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58 | |||
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ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
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88 | |||
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ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures.
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88 | |||
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ITEM 9B. Other Information.
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88 | |||
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PART III
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ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
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89 | |||
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ITEM 11. Executive Compensation.
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89 | |||
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ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
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89 | |||
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ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
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89 | |||
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ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
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89 | |||
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PART IV
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ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
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90 | |||
Overview
Bimini Capital Management, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Bimini Capital” and, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we” or “us”), is primarily in the business of investing in mortgage-backed securities. We are organized and operate as a real estate investment trust, or (“REIT”), for federal income tax purposes, and our corporate structure includes a qualified REIT subsidiary and a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). Bimini Capital’s website is located at
http://www.biminicapital.com
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From November 3, 2005 to June 30, 2007, we operated a mortgage banking business through the TRS. This entity ceased originating mortgages through two of their production channels during the second quarter of 2007 and the third, the retail loan production channel, was sold. No mortgage loans were originated after June 30, 2007.
History
We were originally formed in September 2003 as Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc. (“Bimini Mortgage”) for the purpose of creating and managing a leveraged investment portfolio consisting of residential mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”). Through November 2, 2005, we operated solely as a REIT.
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On November 3, 2005, Bimini Mortgage acquired Opteum Financial Services, LLC (“OFS”). This entity was renamed Orchid Island TRS, LLC (“OITRS”) effective July 3, 2007 and then renamed Mortco TRS, LLC (“Mortco”) effective March 8, 2011. Hereinafter, any historical mention, discussion or references to Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, OFS or to OITRS (such as in previously filed documents or Exhibits) now means Mortco TRS, LLC or “Mortco.” Upon closing of the transaction, Mortco became a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.
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On February 10, 2006, Bimini Mortgage changed its name to Opteum Inc. (“Opteum”).
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On April 18, 2007, the Board of Managers of Mortco, at the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company, approved the closure of Mortco’s wholesale and conduit mortgage loan origination channels in the second quarter of 2007. Also, during the second and third quarters of 2007, substantially all of the other operating assets of Mortco were sold and the proceeds were primarily used to repay secured indebtedness.
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On September 28, 2007, Opteum changed its name to Bimini Capital Management, Inc.
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Structure
Bimini Capital has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Our qualification as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on an annual or in some cases quarterly basis, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels and the diversity of ownership of our shares.
Mortco has been treated as a TRS since its acquisition, and is taxed separately from the REIT.
As used in this document, discussions related to “Bimini Capital,” the parent company, the registrant, and the REIT qualifying activities or the general management of our portfolio of MBS refer to “Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and its qualified REIT subsidiary” Further, discussions related to our taxable REIT subsidiary or non-REIT eligible assets refer to Mortco and its consolidated subsidiaries. Discussions relating to the “Company” refer to the consolidated entity (the combination of Bimini Capital, its qualified REIT subsidiary, and Mortco).
Description of Our Business
Investment Objective
We manage a portfolio of agency mortgage-backed securities and structured mortgage-backed securities. We intend to generate income derived from the net interest margin of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio, levered predominantly under repurchase agreement funding, net of associated hedging costs, and the interest income derived from our unlevered portfolio of structured mortgage-backed securities. We seek to minimize the volatility of both the income generated by our portfolio and the value of our portfolio of securities through our capital allocation, asset selection, interest rate risk management and liquidity management. However, there can be no assurance we will be able to do so consistently, or at all. Our Board of Directors may change our investment strategy without prior notice to you or a vote of our stockholders.
Portfolio Composition
The primary assets in our current portfolio of mortgage related securities are fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (“ARM’s”), hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (“hybrid ARM’s”) and structured mortgage-backed securities. The primary structured mortgage-backed securities in our portfolio are interest only and inverse interest only securities, although we may also employ other types of structured MBS. The mortgage related securities we acquire are obligations issued by federal agencies or federally chartered entities, primarily Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae.
We seek to own securities with well documented and understood prepayment histories and characteristics, with the investment goal of minimizing the volatility of our earnings resulting from the effect of volatile prepayments of the mortgage loans underlying our securities. Our diversified portfolio will generally be comprised of a high percentage of securities with borrower and/or loan characteristics that we expect will result in lower sensitivity to available refinancing incentives. Examples would be pools of mortgage-backed securities collateralized by mortgages with lower loan balances, newly originated fixed-rate and hybrid ARM securities or lower coupon mortgages, among others. We may also own securities with higher sensitivity to available refinancing incentives, but in both cases we seek securities with prepayment characteristics that are more predictable.
Borrowers with low loan balances have a lower economic incentive to refinance and have historically prepaid at lower rates than borrowers with larger loan balances. The reduced incentive to refinance is caused by two factors: borrowers with low loan balances will have smaller interest savings because overall interest payments are smaller on their loans; and closing costs for refinancings, which are generally not proportionate to the size of a loan, make refinancing of smaller loans less attractive as it takes a longer period of time for the interest savings to cover the cost of refinancing.
Agency pools collateralized by newly originated loans generally experience slower prepayments because borrowers are required to pay fees each time they originate a new low or refinance an existing one and, absent material changes in prevailing interest rates, the out-of-pocket costs discourage the borrower from refinancing. Typically such costs are recouped over time by way of interest cost savings. Loans to borrowers with low relative interest rates tend to refinance less often simply because they have little or no economic incentive to do. Prepayments on such loans tend to be limited to instances where the borrower moves and sells the property, thus resulting in an early prepayment of the loan.
Our structured mortgage-backed securities will generally be collateralized by loans similar to those described above. However, securities such as interest only or inverse interest only securities receive cash flows associated with the interest paid by the underlying loans, and do not entitle the holder to receive any principal payments. Also, inverse interest only securities have coupon rates that are affected by the level of one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), and will move in the opposite direction of LIBOR. Accordingly, when LIBOR goes up, the coupon on such securities will go down, and vice versa.
We have created and will attempt to maintain a diversified portfolio to avoid undue geographic, loan originator, and other types of concentrations. By maintaining essentially all of our assets in government or government-sponsored or chartered enterprises and government or federal agencies, which now carry a more explicit guarantee of the federal government as to payment of principal and interest, we believe we can significantly reduce our exposure to losses from credit risk. We intend to acquire assets that will enable us to be exempt from the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Legislation may be proposed to change the relationship between certain agencies, such as Fannie Mae and the federal government. This may have the effect of reducing the actual or perceived credit quality of mortgage related securities issued by these agencies. As a result, such legislation could increase the risk of loss on investments in Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities. We currently intend to continue to invest in such securities, even if such agencies' relationships with the federal government change.
Capital Allocation Strategy
We intend to deploy our capital using two core strategies, which are to create and maintain a levered mortgage-backed securities portfolio and an unlevered structured mortgage-backed securities portfolio. The leverage applied to the mortgage-backed securities portfolio will typically be less than twelve to one. The capital applied to the two portfolios will vary over time and will be managed in an effort to maintain not only the level of income generated by the combined portfolios, but also the stability of the income stream, to the extent we can do so. Capital will be allocated in such a way so as to assist management in attempts to maintain the stability of the value of the combined portfolios. Typically, but not always, structured mortgage-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities exhibit materially different sensitivities to movements in interest rates, and to the extent they do so, may protect us against declines in the market value of our combined portfolio. However, there can be no assurance management will be able to achieve such stability consistently, or at all. Finally, we will allocate our capital between the two strategies so as to assist with our interest rate risk management efforts with respect to the levered portfolio and our liquidity management. The unlevered portfolio does not require unencumbered cash or cash equivalents to be maintained so as to meet price related margin calls associated with our repo borrowings. To the extent more capital is deployed in the unlevered portfolio, our liquidity needs will generally be less.
We intend to continue to maintain our status as a REIT and operate in a manner that will not subject us to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In order to avoid being subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, we must maintain at least 55% of our assets in qualifying real estate assets (the “Investment Company Test”). For purposes of this test, structured mortgage-backed securities are non-qualifying real estate assets. Accordingly, while we have no explicit limitation on the amount of our capital we will deploy to the unlevered structured mortgage-backed securities portfolio, we will deploy our capital in such a way so as to avoid regulation under the Investment Company Act.
Interest Rate Risk Management – Levered MBS Portfolio
We believe the primary risk inherent in our investments is the effect of movements in interest rates. This risk arises because the effects of interest rate changes on our borrowings differ from the effects of interest rate changes on the income from, or value of, our investments. We therefore follow an interest rate risk management program designed to offset the potential adverse effects resulting from the rate adjustment limitations on our mortgage related securities. We seek to minimize differences between interest rate indices and interest rate adjustment periods of our adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities and related borrowings by matching the terms of assets and related liabilities both as to maturity and to the underlying interest rate index used to calculate interest rate charges.
Our interest rate risk management program encompasses a number of procedures, including the following:
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Monitoring and adjusting, if necessary, the interest rate sensitivity of our mortgage related securities compared with the interest rate sensitivities of our borrowings.
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Attempting to structure our repurchase agreements that fund our purchases of pass through mortgage-backed securities (“PT MBS”) to have a range of different maturities and interest rate adjustment periods. We attempt to structure these repurchase agreements to match the reset dates on our PT MBS when possible. At December 31, 2010, the weighted average months to reset of our adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities was 3.35 months and the weighted average reset on the corresponding repurchase agreements was 28 days; and
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Actively managing, on an aggregate basis, the interest rate indices and interest rate adjustment periods of our mortgage related securities compared to the interest rate indices and adjustment periods of our borrowings. Our liabilities under our repurchase agreements are all LIBOR-based, and we, among other considerations, select our adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities to favor LIBOR indexes.
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As a result, we expect to be able to adjust the average maturities and reset periods of our borrowings on an ongoing basis by changing the mix of maturities and interest rate adjustment periods as borrowings mature or are renewed. Through the use of these procedures, we attempt to reduce the risk of differences between interest rate adjustment periods of our adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities and our related borrowings.
We may from time to time use derivative financial instruments to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with our borrowings. We may enter into swap or cap agreements, option, put or call agreements, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments to hedge indebtedness that we may incur. These contracts would be intended to more closely match the effective maturity of, and the interest received on, our assets with the effective maturity of, and the interest owed on, our liabilities. However, no assurances can be given that interest rate risk management strategies can successfully be implemented.
Structured mortgage-backed securities in our unlevered portfolio generally exhibit sensitivities to movements in interest rates that are different than the securities we typically own in our levered portfolio; to the extent this occurs, it may provide some protection against declines in the market value of our combined portfolio that result from adverse interest rate movements. The inability to match closely the maturities and interest rates of our assets and liabilities, or the inability to protect adequately against declines in the market value of our assets, could result in losses.
Liquidity Management Strategy
As a result of our extensive use of leverage, we must manage our portfolio and operations so as to maintain the liquidity needed to meet price related margin calls associated with the assets pledged to obtain such leverage. This is accomplished by the following measures:
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Owning securities with lower anticipated levels of prepayments so as to avoid excessive margin calls when monthly prepayments are announced. Prepayment speeds are typically made available prior to the receipt of the related cash flows, thus causing the market value of the related security to decrease prior to the receipt of the associated cash. This gives rise to a temporary collateral deficiency and generally results in margin calls by lenders.
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Obtaining funding arrangements whereby prepayment related margin calls are deferred or waived in exchange for payments to the lender tied to the dollar amount of the collateral deficiency and a pre-determined interest rate.
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Maintaining larger balances of cash or unencumbered assets to meet margin calls.
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Proactively making margin calls on our credit counterparties when we have an excess of collateral pledged against our borrowings by actively monitoring the asset prices and collateral levels for assets pledged against such borrowings.
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Reducing our leverage.
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Redeploying capital from our levered mortgage-backed securities portfolio to our unlevered structured mortgage-backed securities portfolio.
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While our current financial condition prohibits us from obtaining funding arrangements whereby capital deficiency related margin calls can be deferred or waived, we continue to employ all of the measures detailed above so as to maintain our liquidity.
Repurchase Agreement Trading, Clearing and Administrative Services
We have engaged AVM, L.P. (a securities broker-dealer) and III Associates (a registered investment adviser affiliated with AVM), to provide us with repurchase agreement trading, clearing and administrative services. AVM acts as our clearing agent. III Associates acts as our agent and adviser in arranging for third parties to enter into repurchase agreements with us, executes and maintains records of our repurchase transactions and assists in managing the margin arrangements between us and our counterparties for each of our repurchase agreements.
Description of Mortgage Related Securities
Mortgage-Backed Securities
Pass-Through Certificates
. We intend to invest in PT certificates, which are securities representing interests in pools of mortgage loans secured by residential real property in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are generally made monthly. In effect, these securities PT the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans that underlie the securities, net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. PT certificates can be divided into various categories based on the characteristics of the underlying mortgages, such as the term or whether the interest rate is fixed or variable.
A key feature of most mortgage loans is the ability of the borrower to repay principal earlier than scheduled. This is called a prepayment. Prepayments arise primarily due to sale of the underlying property, refinancing, or foreclosure. Prepayments result in a return of principal to pass-through certificate holders. This may result in a lower or higher rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. This is generally referred to as prepayment uncertainty. If a security purchased at a premium prepays at a higher-than-expected rate, then the value of the premium would be eroded at a faster-than-expected rate. Similarly, if a discount mortgage prepays at a lower-than-expected rate, the amortization towards par would be accumulated at a slower-than-expected rate. The possibility of these undesirable effects is sometimes referred to as "prepayment risk."
In general, declining interest rates tend to increase prepayments, and rising interest rates tend to slow prepayments. Like other fixed-income securities, when interest rates rise, the value of mortgage related securities generally declines. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of mortgage related securities and may shorten or extend the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. If interest rates rise, our holdings of mortgage related securities may experience reduced returns if the borrowers of the underlying mortgages pay off their mortgages later than anticipated. This is generally referred to as extension risk.
The payment of principal and interest on mortgage PT securities issued by Ginnie Mae, but not the market value, is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the federal government. Payment of principal and interest on mortgage PT certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but not the market value, is guaranteed by the respective agency issuing the security.
The mortgage loans underlying pass-through certificates can generally be classified in the following five categories:
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Fixed-Rate Mortgages
. As of December 31, 2010, 37.0% of our portfolio consisted of fixed-rate MBS. Fixed-rate mortgages are those where the borrower pays an interest rate that is constant throughout the term of the loan. Traditionally, most fixed-rate mortgages have an original term of 30 years. However, shorter terms (also referred to as final maturity dates) have become common in recent years. Because the interest rate on the loan never changes, even when market interest rates change, over time there can be a divergence between the interest rate on the loan and current market interest rates. This in turn can make a fixed-rate mortgages price sensitive to market fluctuations in interest rates. In general, the longer the remaining term on the mortgage loan, the greater the price sensitivity.
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
. As of December 31, 2010, 0.0% of our portfolio consisted of collateralized mortgage obligations. Collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMOs, are a type of mortgage-backed security. Interest and principal on a CMO are paid, in most cases, on a monthly basis. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans, but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities issued directly by or under the auspices of Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. CMOs are structured into multiple classes, with each class bearing a different stated maturity. Monthly payments of principal, including prepayments, are first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class. Investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the first class has been retired. Generally, fixed-rate mortgages are used to collateralize CMOs. However, the CMO tranches need not all have fixed-rate coupons. Some CMO tranches have floating rate coupons that adjust based on market interest rates, subject to some limitations. Such tranches, often called "CMO floaters," can have relatively low price sensitivity to interest rates.
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Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
. As of December 31, 2010, 47.7% of our portfolio consisted of adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (“ARMs”). ARMs, are those for which the borrower pays an interest rate that varies over the term of the loan. The interest rate usually resets based on market interest rates, although the adjustment of such an interest rate may be subject to certain limitations. Traditionally, interest rate resets occur at regular set intervals (for example, once per year). We will refer to such ARMs as "traditional" ARMs. Because the interest rates on ARMs fluctuate based on market conditions, ARMs tend to have interest rates that do not deviate from current market rates by a large amount. This in turn can mean that ARMs have less price sensitivity to interest rates.
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Hybrid Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
. As of December 31, 2010, 2.1% of our portfolio consisted of hybrid ARMs. Hybrid ARMs have a fixed-rate for the first few years of the loan, often three, five, or seven years, and thereafter reset periodically like a traditional ARM. Effectively such mortgages are hybrids, combining the features of a pure fixed-rate mortgage and a "traditional" ARM. Hybrid ARMs have price sensitivity to interest rates similar to that of a fixed-rate mortgage during the period when the interest rate is fixed and similar to that of an ARM when the interest rate is in its periodic reset stage. However, because many hybrid ARMs are structured with a relatively short initial time span during which the interest rate is fixed, even during that segment of its existence, the price sensitivity may be high.
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Balloon Maturity Mortgages
. As of December 31, 2010, 0.0% of our portfolio consisted of balloon maturity MBS. Balloon maturity mortgages are a type of fixed-rate mortgage where all or most of the principal amount is due at maturity, rather than paid down, or amortized, over the life of the loan. These mortgages have a static interest rate for the life of the loan. However, the term of the loan is usually quite short, typically less than seven years. As the balloon maturity mortgage approaches its maturity date, the price sensitivity of the mortgage declines.
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Interest Only Securities (“IO”).
As of December 31, 2010, 3.5% of our portfolio consisted of IO securities. IO securities represent the stream of interest payments on a pool of mortgages, either fixed-rate mortgages or hybrid ARMs; holders of IO securities have no claim to any principal payments. The value of IOs depends primarily on two factors; prepayments and interest rates. Prepayments on the underlying pool of mortgages reduce the stream of interest payments going forward, hence IOs are highly sensitive to the rate at which the mortgages in the pool are prepaid. IOs are also sensitive to changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates reduces the present value of future interest payments on a pool of mortgages. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates has a tendency to reduce prepayments, which increases the expected absolute amount of future interest payments.
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Inverse Interest Only Securities (“IIO”).
As of December 31, 2010, 9.7% of our portfolio consisted of IIO securities.
IIO securities represent the stream of interest payments on a pool of mortgages, either fixed-rate mortgages or hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages; holders of IIO securities have no claim to any principal payments. The value of IIOs depends primarily on three factors; prepayments, LIBOR rates and term interest rates. Prepayments on the underlying pool of mortgages reduce the stream of interest payments, hence IIOs are highly sensitive to the rate at which the mortgages in the pool are prepaid. The coupon IIO securities are derived from both the coupon interest rate on the underlying pool of mortgages and one month LIBOR. IIO securities are typically created in conjunction with a floating rate CMO which has a principal balance and which is entitled to receive all of the principal payments on the underlying pool of mortgages. The coupon on the floating rate CMO is also based on one month LIBOR. Typically, the coupon on the floating rate CMO and the IIO, when combined, equal the coupon on the pool of underlying mortgages. The coupon on the pool of underlying mortgages typically represents a cap or ceiling on the combined coupons of the floating rate CMO and the IIO. Accordingly, when the value of one month LIBOR increases, the coupon of the floating rate CMO will increase and the coupon on the IIO will decrease. When the value of one month LIBOR falls, the opposite is true. Accordingly, the value of IIO securities are sensitive to the level of one month LIBOR and expectations by market participants of future movements in the level of one month LIBOR. IIO securities are also sensitive to changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates reduces the present value of future interest payments on a pool of mortgages. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates has a tendency to reduce prepayments, which increases the expected absolute amount of future interest payments.
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Principal Only Securities (“PO”).
As of December 31, 2010, 0.0% of our portfolio consisted of PO securities. PO securities represent the stream of principal payments on a pool of mortgages; holders of PO securities have no claim to any interest payments, although the ultimate amount of principal to be received over time is known – it equals the principal balance of the underlying pool of mortgages. What is not known is the timing of the receipt of the principal payments. The value of POs depends primarily on two factors; prepayments and interest rates. Prepayments on the underlying pool of mortgages accelerate the stream of principal repayments, hence POs are highly sensitive to the rate at which the mortgages in the pool are prepaid. POs are also sensitive to changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates reduces the present value of future principal payments on a pool of mortgages. Further, an increase in interest rates also has a tendency to reduce prepayments, which decelerates, or pushes further out in time, the ultimate receipt of the principal payments. The opposite is true when interest rates decline.
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The following table shows the breakdown of mortgage loans underlying our MBS portfolio as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
(in thousands)
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December 31,
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2010
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2009
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Carrying Value
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% of Total
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Carrying Value
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% of Total
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Pass-Through Certificates:
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Adjustable-rate Mortgages
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$ | 64,458 | 47.7 | $ | 32,598 | 27.2 | ||||||||||
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Fixed-rate Mortgages
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50,013 | 37.0 | 5,241 | 4.4 | ||||||||||||
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Hybrid ARMs
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2,783 | 2.1 | 67,036 | 56.0 | ||||||||||||
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Total Pass-Through Certificates
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117,254 | 86.8 | 104,875 | 87.6 | ||||||||||||
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Structured Mortgage Certificates:
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Interest Only MBS
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4,772 | 3.5 | 6,077 | 5.1 | ||||||||||||
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Inverse IO MBS
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13,107 | 9.7 | 8,716 | 7.3 | ||||||||||||
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Total Structured Mortgage Certificates
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17,879 | 13.2 | 14,793 | 12.4 | ||||||||||||
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Totals
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$ | 135,133 | 100.0 | $ | 119,668 | 100.0 | ||||||||||
As of December 31, 2010, 76.6% and 19.0% of our portfolio was issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, our portfolio had a weighted average coupon of 4.04%. The constant prepayment rate (CPR) for the portfolio, which reflects the annualized proportion of principal that was prepaid, was 29.84% for December 2010. The effective duration for the portfolio was 1.024 as of December 31, 2010. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to movements in interest rates. Effective duration captures both the movement in interest rates and the fact that the cash flows of a mortgage related security are altered when interest rates move.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes the material federal income tax consequences to stockholders of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A Common Stock. The tax treatment of stockholders will vary depending upon the stockholder’s particular situation, and this discussion addresses only stockholders that hold shares of our common stock as a capital asset for U.S. federal income tax purposes and does not address all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances. This section also does not address all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to certain types of stockholders to which special provisions of the federal income tax laws apply, including:
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dealers in securities or currencies;
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;
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banks;
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tax-exempt organizations (except to the extent described below in “—Taxation of Holders of our Class A Common Stock—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders”);
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certain insurance companies;
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persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
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persons that hold common stock as a hedge against interest rate or currency risks or as part of a straddle or conversion transaction; and
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stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
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This summary is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions. This summary describes the provisions of these sources of law in a general manner, and as they are currently in effect. All of these sources of law may change at any time, and any change in the law may apply retroactively.
Taxation of Holders of our Class A Common Stock
The following is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A Common Stock.
We urge each shareholder to consult with their own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences to them of the ownership and disposition of our Class A Common Stock and of our election to be taxed as a REIT, specifically regarding the federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences of such ownership, disposition and election, and regarding potential changes in applicable tax laws.
Taxation of Our Company
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax laws commencing with our initial short taxable year ended on December 31, 2003. We believe that we are organized and we have operated in such a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the federal income tax laws, and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner, but no assurance can be given that we will operate in a manner so as to remain qualified as a REIT. This section discusses, in a general manner, the laws governing the federal income tax treatment of a REIT. These laws are highly technical and complex.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the REIT taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. The benefit of that tax treatment is that it avoids the double taxation, or taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels, that generally applies to distributions by a corporation to its stockholders. However, we will be subject to federal tax in the following circumstances:
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We will pay federal income tax on taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders during, or within a specified time period after, the calendar year in which the income is earned.
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We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on any items of tax preference that we do not distribute or allocate to stockholders.
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We will pay income tax at the highest corporate rate on:
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net income from the sale or other disposition of property acquired through foreclosure, or foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, and
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other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property.
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We will pay a 100% tax on our net income from sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.
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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as described below under “— Requirements for Qualification — Gross Income Tests,” and nonetheless continue to qualify as a REIT because we meet other requirements, we will pay a 100% tax on:
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the greater of (i) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (ii) the amount by which 95% of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying under the 95% gross income test, multiplied by
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a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
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In the event of a more than de minimis failure of any of the asset tests, as described below under “—Requirement for Qualification — Asset Tests,” as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we file a description of the assets that caused such failure with the IRS, and we dispose of the assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure, we will pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy any of the asset tests.
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In the event of a failure to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests or the asset tests, as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, 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 a calendar year at least the sum of:
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85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year,
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95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year, and
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any undistributed taxable income required to be distributed from earlier periods,
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we will pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amount we actually distributed.
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We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent that we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) and would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid.
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We will be subject to a 100% excise tax on transactions between us and a TRS that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis.
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If we acquire any asset from a C corporation, or a corporation that generally is subject to full corporate-level tax, in a merger or other transaction in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by reference either to the C corporation’s basis in the asset or to another asset, we will pay tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable if we recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the 10-year period after we acquire the asset. The amount of gain on which we will pay tax is the lesser of:
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the amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or disposition, and
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the amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold the asset at the time we acquired it.
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If we own a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or (“REMIC”), we will be taxed at the highest corporate rate on the portion of any excess inclusion income that we derive from the REMIC residual interests equal to the percentage of our stock that is held by “disqualified organizations.” Similar rules may apply if we own an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool. To the extent that we own a REMIC residual interest or an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool through a TRS, we will not be subject to this tax. For a discussion of “excess inclusion income,” see “—Requirements for Qualification —Taxable Mortgage Pools.” A “disqualified organization” includes:
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the United States;
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any state or political subdivision of the United States;
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any foreign government;
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any international organization;
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any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing;
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any other tax-exempt organization, other than a farmer’s cooperative described in section 521 of the Code, that is exempt both from income taxation and from taxation under the unrelated business taxable income provisions of the Code; and
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any rural electrical or telephone cooperative.
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We do not currently hold, and do not intend to hold, REMIC residual interests or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools, at the REIT level.
Requirements for Qualification
Organizational Requirements
A REIT is a corporation, trust, or association that meets each of the following requirements:
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It is managed by one or more trustees or directors.
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(2)
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Its beneficial ownership is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest.
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(3)
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It would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for the REIT provisions of the federal income tax laws.
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It is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to special provisions of the federal income tax laws.
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At least 100 persons are beneficial owners of its shares or ownership certificates.
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Not more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares or ownership certificates is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, which the federal income tax laws define to include certain entities, during the last half of any taxable year.
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It elects to be a REIT, or has made such election for a previous taxable year, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS that must be met to elect and maintain REIT status.
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It meets certain other qualification tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the distribution of its income.
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We must meet requirements 1 through 4 during our entire taxable year and must meet requirement 5 during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Requirements 5 and 6 applied to us beginning with our 2004 taxable year. If we comply with all the requirements for ascertaining the ownership of our outstanding stock in a taxable year and have no reason to know that we violated requirement 6, we will be deemed to have satisfied requirement 6 for that taxable year. For purposes of determining share ownership under requirement 6, an “individual” generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation, or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes. An “individual,” however, generally does not include a trust that is a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust under the federal income tax laws, and beneficiaries of such a trust will be treated as holding our stock in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes of requirement 6.
We believe that we have issued sufficient stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy requirements 5 and 6. In addition, our charter restricts the ownership and transfer of our stock so that we should continue to satisfy these requirements.
Qualified REIT Subsidiaries
. A corporation that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary” is not treated as a corporation separate from its parent REIT. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of a “qualified REIT subsidiary” are treated as assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of the REIT. A “qualified REIT subsidiary” is a corporation with all of the capital stock being owned by the REIT and that has not elected to be a TRS. Thus, in applying the requirements described herein, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” that we own will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of such subsidiary will be treated as our assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit.
Other Disregarded Entities and Partnerships
. An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a partnership, or limited liability company that has a single owner, generally is not treated as an entity separate from its parent for federal income tax purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners generally is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership that has other partners, the REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and as earning its allocable share of the gross income of the partnership for purposes of the applicable REIT qualification tests. For purposes of the 10% value test (described in “— Asset Tests”), our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the equity interests and certain debt securities issued by the partnership. For all of the other asset and income tests, our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the capital interests in the partnership. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, and items of income of any partnership, joint venture, or limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes in which we acquire an interest, directly or indirectly, will be treated as our assets and gross income for purposes of applying the various REIT qualification requirements.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
. A REIT is permitted to own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. The subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 25% (20% for taxable years prior to 2009) of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs.
A TRS will pay income tax at regular corporate rates on any income that it earns. In addition, the TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We have elected to treat Mortco as a TRS. Our TRS is subject to corporate income tax on its taxable income. We believe that all transactions between us and our TRS have been and will be conducted on an arm’s-length basis.
Taxable Mortgage Pools. An entity, or a portion of an entity, may be classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the 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.
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Under U.S. 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 may make investments or enter into financing and securitization transactions that give rise to our being considered to be, or to own an interest in, one or more taxable mortgage pools. Where an entity, or a portion of an entity, is classified as a taxable mortgage pool, it is generally treated as a taxable corporation for 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. The portion of the REIT’s assets, held directly or through a qualified REIT subsidiary, that qualifies as a taxable mortgage pool is treated as a qualified REIT subsidiary that is not subject to corporate income tax, and the taxable mortgage pool classification does not affect the tax status 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. The Treasury Department has yet to issue regulations governing the tax treatment of the stockholders of a REIT that owns an interest in a taxable mortgage pool.
A portion of our income from a taxable mortgage pool arrangement, which might be non-cash accrued income, or “phantom” taxable income, could be treated as “excess inclusion income.” Excess inclusion income is an amount, with respect to any calendar quarter, equal to the excess, if any, of (i) income allocable to the holder of a REMIC residual interest or taxable mortgage pool interest over (ii) the sum of an amount for each day in the calendar quarter equal to the product of (a) the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the quarter multiplied by (b) 120% of the long-term federal rate (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each calendar quarter and properly adjusted for the length of such quarter). This non-cash or “phantom” income is subject to the distribution requirements that apply to us and could therefore adversely affect our liquidity. See “— Distribution Requirements.”
Our excess inclusion income would be allocated among our stockholders. A stockholder’s share of excess inclusion income (i) would not be allowed to be offset by any net operating losses otherwise available to the stockholder, (ii) would be subject to tax as unrelated business taxable income in the hands of most types of stockholders that are otherwise generally exempt from federal income tax, and (iii) would result in the application of U.S. federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction for any otherwise applicable income tax treaty, to the extent allocable to most types of foreign stockholders. See “—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders” and “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders.” The manner in which excess inclusion income would be allocated among shares of different classes of our stock or how such income is to be reported to stockholders is not clear under current law. Tax-exempt investors, foreign investors, and taxpayers with net operating losses should carefully consider the tax consequences described above and are urged to consult their tax advisors in connection with their decision to invest in our stock.
If we were to own less than 100% of the ownership interests in an entity that is classified as a taxable mortgage pool, the foregoing rules would not apply. Rather, the entity would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, and its income would be subject to corporate income tax. In addition, this characterization would alter our REIT income and asset test calculations and could adversely affect our compliance with those requirements. We currently do not own, and currently do not intend to own, some, but less than all, of the ownership interests in an entity that is or will become a taxable mortgage pool, 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 status as a REIT.
Gross Income Tests
We must satisfy two gross income tests annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of defined types of income that we derive, directly or indirectly, from investments relating to real property or mortgage loans on real property or qualified temporary investment income. Qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test generally includes:
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rents from real property;
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interest on debt secured by a mortgage on real property, or on interests in real property;
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dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, shares in other REITs;
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gain from the sale of real estate assets;
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amounts, such as commitment fees, received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property, unless such amounts are determined by income and profits;
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income derived from a REMIC in proportion to the real estate assets held by the REMIC, unless at least 95% of the REMIC’s assets are real estate assets, in which case all of the income derived from the REMIC; and
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income derived from the temporary investment of new capital that is attributable to the issuance of our stock or a public offering of our debt with a maturity date of at least five years and that we receive during the one-year period beginning on the date on which we received such new capital.
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Second, in general, at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, other types of interest and dividends, gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities or any combination of these. Gross income from our sale of property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in both income tests. Income and gain from “hedging transactions,” as defined in “— Hedging Transactions,” that we entered into on or before July 30, 2008 to hedge indebtedness incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets and that are clearly and timely identified as such are excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of the 95% gross income test (but are non qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test). Income and gain from hedging transactions to hedge indebtedness incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets and that are clearly and timely identified as such entered into after July 30, 2008 are excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. In addition, certain foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008 will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. See “—Foreign Currency Gain.” We will monitor the amount of our nonqualifying income and we will manage our portfolio to comply at all times with the gross income tests. The following paragraphs discuss the specific application of the gross income tests to us.
Interest
. The term “interest,” as defined for purposes of both gross income tests, generally excludes any amount that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, interest generally includes the following:
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an amount that is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales; and
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an amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor, as long as the debtor derives substantially all of its income from the real property securing the debt from leasing substantially all of its interest in the property, and only to the extent that the amounts received by the debtor would be qualifying “rents from real property” if received directly by a REIT.
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If a loan contains a provision that entitles a REIT to a percentage of the borrower’s gain upon the sale of the real property securing the loan or a percentage of the appreciation in the property’s value as of a specific date, income attributable to that loan provision will be treated as gain from the sale of the property securing the loan, which generally is qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.
Interest on debt secured by a mortgage on real property or on interests in real property, including, for this purpose, discount points, prepayment penalties, loan assumption fees, and late payment charges that are not compensation for services, generally is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, if the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as of the date the REIT agreed to originate or acquire the loan and the loan is secured by property other than real property, a portion of the interest income from such loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The portion of the interest income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be equal to the portion of the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real property — that is, the amount by which the loan exceeds the value of the real estate that is security for the loan.
We primarily own Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). Other than income from imbedded derivative instruments as described below, all of the income on our Agency RMBS is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The Agency RMBS are treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as interests in a REMIC for federal income tax purposes. In the case of Agency RMBS treated as interests in grantor trusts, such as our whole-pool pass-through securities, we are treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans is 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 Agency RMBS treated as interests in a REMIC, such as our CMOs, IOs, POs and IIOs, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 95% 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 holders of the related REMIC securities. We believe that substantially all of our income from Agency RMBS is qualifying income for the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
The interest, original issue discount, and market discount income that we receive from our Agency RMBS generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. However, as discussed above, if the fair market value of the real estate securing any of our loans is less than the principal amount of the loan, a portion of the income from that loan will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not the 75% gross income test.
Dividends.
Our share of any dividends received from any corporation (including any TRS, but excluding any REIT) in which we own an equity interest will qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Our share of any dividends received from any other REIT in which we own an equity interest will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.
Fee Income.
Fee income generally is qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if it is received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property and the fees are not determined by income and profits. Other fees generally are not qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS are not included for purposes of the gross income tests.
Foreign Currency Gain
. Certain foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008 are excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. “Real estate foreign exchange gain” is excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Real estate foreign exchange gain generally includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interest in real property and certain foreign currency gain attributable to certain “qualified business units” of a REIT. “Passive foreign exchange gain” is excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Passive foreign exchange gain generally includes real estate foreign exchange gain as described above, and also includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) debt obligations. Because passive foreign exchange gain includes real estate foreign exchange gain, real estate foreign exchange gain is excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income test. These exclusions for real estate foreign exchange gain and passive foreign exchange gain do not apply to foreign currency gain derived from dealing, or engaging in substantial and regular trading, in securities. Such gain is treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
Rents from Real Property
. Except for the real property that we own for use in the operation of our business, we do not hold and do not intend to acquire any real property. However, we may acquire real property or an interest therein in the future. To the extent that we acquire real property or an interest therein, rents we receive will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if the following conditions are met:
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First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of receipts or sales.
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Second, rents we receive from a “related party tenant” will not qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests unless the tenant is a TRS, at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space and the rent is not attributable to a modification of a lease with a controlled TRS (i.e., a TRS in which we own directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the stock). A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the tenant.
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Third, 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 the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property.
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Fourth, we generally must not operate or manage our real property or furnish or render noncustomary services to our tenants, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not derive revenue. However, we may provide services directly to tenants if the services are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not considered to be provided for the tenants’ convenience. In addition, we may provide a minimal amount of “noncustomary” services to the tenants of a property, other than through an independent contractor, as long as our income from the services does not exceed 1% of our income from the related property. Furthermore, we may own up to 100% of the stock of a TRS, which may provide customary and noncustomary services to tenants without tainting its rental income from the related properties.
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Hedging Transactions
. From time to time, we enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Income and gain from “hedging transactions” entered into on or before July 30, 2008 is excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test (but is treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test). Income and gain from hedging transactions entered into after July 30, 2008 are excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. A “hedging transaction” includes any transaction entered into in the normal course of our trade or business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate changes, price changes, or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets. A “hedging transaction” also includes any transaction entered into after July 30, 2008 primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which generates such income or gain). We are required to clearly identify any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into and satisfy other identification requirements. To the extent that we hedge or for other purposes, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We have structured and intend to continue to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.
Prohibited Transactions
. A REIT incurs a 100% tax on the net income (including foreign currency gain recognized after July 30, 2008) derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We believe that none of our assets will be held primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any of our assets will not be in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a REIT holds an asset “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular asset. Nevertheless, we will attempt to comply with the terms of safe-harbor provisions in the federal income tax laws prescribing when an asset sale will not be characterized as a prohibited transaction. We cannot assure you, however, that we can comply with the safe-harbor provisions or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.”
Foreclosure Property.
We are subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any income (including foreign currency gain recognized after July 30, 2008) from foreclosure property, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, less expenses directly connected with the production of that income. However, gross income from foreclosure property will qualify under the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Foreclosure property is any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property incident to such real property:
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that is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid on such property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on indebtedness that such property secured;
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for which the related loan or lease was acquired by the REIT at a time when the default was not imminent or anticipated; and
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for which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property.
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However, a REIT will not be considered to have foreclosed on a property where the REIT takes control of the property as a mortgagee-in-possession and cannot receive any profit or sustain any loss except as a creditor of the mortgagor. Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable year following the taxable year in which the REIT acquired the property, or longer if an extension is granted by the Secretary of the Treasury. This grace period terminates and foreclosure property ceases to be foreclosure property on the first day:
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on which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms, will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test;
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on which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion of a building or any other improvement, where more than 10% of the construction was completed before default became imminent; or
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which is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the property and the property is used in a trade or business which is conducted by the REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income.
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Failure to Satisfy Gross Income Tests.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the gross income tests for any taxable year, we nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for that year if we qualify for relief under certain provisions of the federal income tax laws. Those relief provisions generally will be available if:
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our failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and
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following such failure for any taxable year, a schedule of the sources of our income is filed with the IRS.
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We cannot predict, however, whether in all circumstances we would qualify for the relief provisions. In addition, as discussed above in “— Taxation of Our Company,” even if the relief provisions apply, we would incur a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of (i) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (ii) the amount by which 95% of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying under the 95% gross income test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
Asset Tests
To qualify as a REIT, we also must satisfy the following asset tests at the end of each quarter of each taxable year. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must consist of:
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cash or cash items, including certain receivables;
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government securities;
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interests in real property, including leaseholds and options to acquire real property and leaseholds;
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interests in mortgage loans secured by real property;
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stock in other REITs;
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investments in stock or debt instruments during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or public offerings of debt with at least a five-year term; and
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regular or residual interests in a REMIC. However, if less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC consists of assets that are qualifying real estate-related assets under the federal income tax laws, determined as if we held such assets, we will be treated as holding directly our proportionate share of the assets of such REMIC.
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Second, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class, the value of our interest in any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
Third, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class, we may not own more than 10% of the voting power or value of any one issuer’s outstanding securities.
Fourth, no more than 25% (20% for taxable years prior to 2009) of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of one or more TRSs.
Fifth, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of TRSs and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries and other assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.
For purposes of the second and third asset tests, the term “securities” does not include stock in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary or TRS, mortgage loans that constitute real estate assets, or equity interests in a partnership. For purposes of the 10% value test, the term “securities” does not include:
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“Straight debt” securities, which is defined as a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money if (i) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, and (ii) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s discretion, or similar factors. “Straight debt” securities do not include any securities issued by a partnership or a corporation in which we or any controlled TRS (i.e., a TRS in which we own directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the stock) hold non-“straight debt” securities that have an aggregate value of more than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities. However, “straight debt” securities include debt subject to the following contingencies:
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a contingency relating to the time of payment of interest or principal, as long as either (i) there is no change to the effective yield of the debt obligation, other than a change to the annual yield that does not exceed the greater of 0.25% or 5% of the annual yield, or (ii) neither the aggregate issue price nor the aggregate face amount of the issuer’s debt obligations held by us exceeds $1 million and no more than 12 months of unaccrued interest on the debt obligations can be required to be prepaid; and
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a contingency relating to the time or amount of payment upon a default or prepayment of a debt obligation, as long as the contingency is consistent with customary commercial practice.
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Any loan to an individual or an estate.
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Any “section 467 rental agreement,” other than an agreement with a related party tenant.
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Any obligation to pay “rents from real property.”
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Certain securities issued by governmental entities.
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Any security issued by a REIT.
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Any debt instrument of an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes to the extent of our interest as a partner in the partnership.
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Any debt instrument of an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes not described in the preceding bullet points if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income, excluding income from prohibited transactions, is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test described above in “—Requirements for Qualification — Gross Income Tests.”
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The asset tests described above are based on our gross assets. We believe that our Agency RMBS qualify as real estate assets or as government securities.
We enter into sale and repurchase agreements under which we nominally sell certain of our Agency RMBS to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets in exchange for a purchase price that reflects a financing charge. Based on positions the IRS has taken in analogous situations, we believe that we are treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the Agency RMBS that are the subject of such agreements notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the Agency RMBS during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will seek to manage our portfolio to comply at all times with such tests. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in this effort. In this regard, to determine our compliance with these requirements, we will need to value our investment in our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. Although we will seek to be prudent in making these estimates, there can be no assurances that the IRS might not disagree with these determinations and assert that a lower value is applicable. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT status if:
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we satisfied the asset tests at the end of the preceding calendar quarter; and
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the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more non-qualifying assets.
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If we did not satisfy the condition described in the second item above, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.
In the event that, at the end of any calendar quarter, we violate the second or third asset tests described above, we will not lose our REIT status if (i) the failure is de minimis (up to the lesser of 1% of our assets or $10 million) and (ii) we dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure. In the event of a more than de minimis failure of any of the asset tests, as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will not lose our REIT status if we (i) dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure, (ii) file a description of the assets that caused such failure with the IRS, and (iii) pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests.
We currently believe that our assets satisfy the foregoing asset test requirements. However, no independent appraisals have been or will be obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our assets and securities, or in many cases, the real estate collateral for the mortgage loans that support our Agency RMBS. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination. As a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our ownership of securities and other assets violates one or more of the asset tests applicable to REITs.
Distribution Requirements
Each taxable year we must distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends and deemed distributions of retained capital gain, to our stockholders in an aggregate amount at least equal to:
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the sum of
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90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain or loss, and
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90% of our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property, minus
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the sum of certain items of non-cash income.
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We must pay such distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if we declare the distribution before we timely file our federal income tax return for the year and pay the distribution on or before the first regular dividend payment date after such declaration.
In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro-rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.
We will pay federal income tax on taxable income, including net capital gain, which we do not distribute to stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to distribute during a calendar year, or by the end of January of the following calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, at least the sum of:
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85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year,
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95% of our REIT capital gain income for such year, and
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any undistributed taxable income from prior periods,
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We will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts we actually distribute. We may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gain we receive in a taxable year. If we so elect, we will be treated as having distributed any such retained amount for purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise tax described above. We intend to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT taxable income. Possible examples of those timing differences include the following:
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Because we may deduct capital losses only to the extent of our capital gains, we may have taxable income that exceeds our economic income.
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We will recognize taxable income in advance of the related cash flow if any of our RMBS are deemed to have original issue discount. We generally must accrue original issue discount based on a constant yield method that takes into account projected prepayments but that defers taking into account credit losses until they are actually incurred.
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We may recognize taxable market discount income when we receive the proceeds from the disposition of, or principal payments on, loans that have a stated redemption price at maturity that is greater than our tax basis in those loans, although such proceeds often will be used to make non-deductible principal payments on related borrowings.
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We may recognize taxable income without receiving a corresponding cash distribution if we foreclose on or make a significant modification to a loan, to the extent that the fair market value of the underlying property or the principal amount of the modified loan, as applicable, exceeds our basis in the original loan.
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We may recognize taxable income from any residual interests in REMICs or retained ownership interests in mortgage loans subject to collateralized mortgage obligation debt.
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Although several types of non-cash income are excluded in determining the annual distribution requirement, we will incur corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax with respect to those non-cash income items if we do not distribute those items on a current basis. As a result of the foregoing, we may have less cash than is necessary to distribute all of our taxable income and thereby avoid corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or issue additional common or preferred stock.
Under certain circumstances, we may be able to correct a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our stockholders in a later year. We may include such deficiency dividends in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Although we may be able to avoid income tax on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction we take for deficiency dividends.
Recordkeeping Requirements
We must maintain certain records in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, to avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. We believe we fully comply with these requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. In addition, there are relief provisions for a failure of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described in “— Requirements for Qualification — Gross Income Tests” and “— Requirements for Qualification — Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and no relief provision applies, we would be subject to federal income tax and any applicable alternative minimum tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. In calculating our taxable income in a year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be able to deduct amounts paid out to stockholders. In fact, we would not be required to distribute any amounts to stockholders in that year. In such event, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to stockholders would be taxable as ordinary income. Subject to certain limitations of the federal income tax laws, corporate stockholders might be eligible for the dividends received deduction and domestic non-corporate stockholders might be eligible for the reduced federal income tax rate of 15% on such dividends. Unless we qualified for relief under specific statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we ceased to qualify as a REIT. We cannot predict whether in all circumstances we would qualify for such statutory relief.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
The term “U.S. stockholder” means a holder of our common stock that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is:
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a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation or partnership (including an entity treated as a corporation or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any of its states or the District of Columbia;
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an estate whose income is subject to 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.
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As long as we qualify as a REIT, a taxable “U.S. stockholder” must take into account as ordinary income distributions made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends or retained long-term capital gain. A U.S. stockholder will not qualify for the dividends received deduction generally available to corporations. In addition, dividends paid by a REIT to a U.S. stockholder generally will not qualify for the 15% tax rate for “qualified dividend income.” Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by domestic C corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations to most U.S. noncorporate stockholders. Because we are not generally subject to federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders, our dividends generally will not be eligible for the new 15% rate on qualified dividend income. As a result, our ordinary REIT dividends will continue to be taxed at the higher tax rate applicable to ordinary income. Currently, the highest marginal individual income tax rate on ordinary income is 35%. However, the 15% tax rate for qualified dividend income will apply to our ordinary REIT dividends, if any, that are (i) attributable to dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as our TRSs, and (ii) attributable to income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income). In general, to qualify for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, a stockholder must hold our common stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which our stock becomes ex-dividend.
If we declare a distribution in October, November, or December of any year that is payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month, such distribution shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the distribution during January of the following calendar year. These dividends are referred to as “January dividends.”
A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends as long-term capital gain without regard to the period for which the U.S. stockholder has held its common stock. We generally will designate our capital gain dividends as either 15% or 25% rate distributions. See “—Capital Gains and Losses.” A corporate U.S. stockholder, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as a preference item.
We may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gain that we recognize in a taxable year. In that case, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain. The U.S. stockholder would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. The U.S. stockholder would increase the basis in its common stock by the amount of its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain, minus its share of the tax we paid.
A U.S. stockholder will not incur tax on a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the distribution does not exceed the adjusted basis of the U.S. stockholder’s common stock. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of such common stock. A U.S. stockholder will recognize a distribution in excess of both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in his or her common stock as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the common stock has been held for one year or less, assuming the common stock is a capital asset in the hands of the U.S. stockholder.
Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses; instead, these losses are generally carried over by us for potential offset against our future REIT taxable income or realized capital gains, respectively. Taxable distributions from us and gain from the disposition of the common stock will not be treated as passive activity income and, therefore, stockholders generally will not be able to apply any “passive activity losses,” such as losses from certain types of limited partnerships in which the stockholder is a limited partner, against such income. In addition, taxable distributions from us and gain from the disposition of our common stock generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitations. We will notify stockholders after the close of our taxable year as to the portions of the distributions attributable to that year that constitute ordinary income, return of capital, and capital gain.
Our excess inclusion income generally will be allocated among our stockholders to the extent that it exceeds our REIT taxable income in a particular year. A stockholder’s share of excess inclusion income would not be allowed to be offset by any net operating losses otherwise available to the stockholder.
Taxation of U.S. Stockholders on the Disposition of Common Stock
In general, a U.S. stockholder who is not a dealer in securities must treat any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of our common stock as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the common stock for more than one year and otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, a U.S. stockholder must treat any loss upon a sale or exchange of common stock held by such stockholder for six-months or less as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends and any other actual or deemed distributions from us that such U.S. stockholder treats as long-term capital gain. All or a portion of any loss that a U.S. stockholder realizes upon a taxable disposition of the common stock may be disallowed if the U.S. stockholder purchases substantially identical common stock within 30 days before or after the disposition.
Capital Gains and Losses
A taxpayer generally must hold a capital asset for more than one year for gain or loss derived from its sale or exchange to be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. The highest marginal individual income tax rate currently is 35%. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain applicable to non-corporate taxpayers is currently 15%. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange of “section 1250 property,” or depreciable real property, is 25% to the extent that such gain would have been treated as ordinary income if the property were “section 1245 property.” With respect to distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends and any retained capital gain that we are deemed to distribute, we generally may designate whether such a distribution is taxable to our non-corporate stockholders at a 15% or 25% rate. Thus, the tax rate differential between capital gain and ordinary income for non-corporate taxpayers may be significant. In addition, the characterization of income as capital gain or ordinary income may affect the deductibility of capital losses. A non-corporate taxpayer may deduct capital losses not offset by capital gains against its ordinary income only up to a maximum annual amount of $3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals filing separate returns). A non-corporate taxpayer may carry forward unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate taxpayer must pay tax on its net capital gain at ordinary corporate rates. A corporate taxpayer may deduct capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses being carried back three years and forward five years.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts and annuities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income. While many investments in real estate generate unrelated business taxable income, the IRS has issued a published ruling that dividend distributions from a REIT to an exempt employee pension trust do not constitute unrelated business taxable income, provided that the exempt employee pension trust does not otherwise use the shares of the REIT in an unrelated trade or business of the pension trust. Based on that ruling, amounts that we distribute to tax-exempt stockholders generally should not constitute unrelated business taxable income. However, if a tax-exempt stockholder were to finance its investment in our common stock with debt, a portion of the income that it receives from us would constitute unrelated business taxable income pursuant to the “debt-financed property” rules. In addition, our dividends that are attributable to excess inclusion income will constitute unrelated business taxable income in the hands of most tax-exempt stockholders. Furthermore, social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans that are exempt from taxation under special provisions of the federal income tax laws are subject to different unrelated business taxable income rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions that they receive from us as unrelated business taxable income. Finally, in certain circumstances, a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust that owns more than 10% of our stock is required to treat a percentage of the dividends that it receives from us as unrelated business taxable income. Such percentage is equal to the gross income that we derive from an unrelated trade or business, determined as if we were a pension trust, divided by our total gross income for the year in which we pay the dividends. That rule applies to a pension trust holding more than 10% of our stock only if:
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the percentage of our dividends that the tax-exempt trust would be required to treat as unrelated business taxable income is at least 5%;
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we qualify as a REIT by reason of the modification of the rule requiring that no more than 50% of our stock be owned by five or fewer individuals that allows the beneficiaries of the pension trust to be treated as holding our stock in proportion to their actuarial interests in the pension trust; and
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either: (i) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock or (ii) a group of pension trusts individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our stock.
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Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The term “non-U.S. stockholder” means a holder of our common stock that is not a U.S. stockholder or a partnership (or entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes). The rules governing federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships, and other non-U.S. stockholders are complex. This section is only a general summary of such rules.
We urge non-U.S. stockholders to consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, foreign, state, and local income tax laws on ownership of our stock, including any reporting requirements.
A non-U.S. stockholder that receives a distribution that is not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests, as defined below, and that we do not designate as a capital gain dividend or retained capital gain will recognize ordinary income to the extent that we pay the distribution out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. A withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution ordinarily will apply unless an applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates the tax. However, if a distribution 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 federal income tax on the distribution at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed on distributions and also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate non-U.S. stockholder. We plan to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any ordinary dividend paid to a non-U.S. stockholder unless either:
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a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate with us, or
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the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is effectively connected income.
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However, reduced treaty rates are not available to the extent that the income allocated to the foreign stockholder is excess inclusion income. Our excess inclusion income generally will be allocated among our stockholders to the extent that it exceeds our REIT taxable income in a particular year.
A non-U.S. stockholder will not incur U.S. tax on a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the excess portion of the distribution does not exceed the adjusted basis of its common stock. Instead, the excess portion of the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of that common stock. A non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax on a distribution that exceeds both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the adjusted basis of the common stock, if the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise would be subject to tax on gain from the sale or disposition of its common stock, as described below. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, by filing a U.S. tax return, a non-U.S. stockholder may obtain a refund of amounts that we withhold if we later determine that a distribution in fact exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, a non-U.S. stockholder could incur tax on distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of “United States real property interests” under special provisions of the federal income tax laws known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). The term “United States real property interests” includes interests in real property and shares in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in real property. We do not expect to make significant distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests. Moreover, any distributions that are attributable to our sale of real property will not be subject to FIRPTA, but instead will be treated as ordinary dividends as long as (1) our shares of common stock are “regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States and (2) the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of the class of our stock on which the distribution is made during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. If, however, we were to make a distribution that is attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests and a non-U.S. stockholder were subject to FIRPTA on that distribution, the non-U.S. stockholder would be taxed on the distribution as if such amount were effectively connected with a U.S. business of the non-U.S. Holder. A non-U.S. stockholder thus would be taxed on such a distribution at the normal capital gains rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of a nonresident alien individual. A non-U.S. corporate stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption also could be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on such a distribution. We must withhold 35% of any distribution that we could designate as a capital gain dividend. A non-U.S. stockholder would receive a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability for any amount we withhold.
A non-U.S. stockholder should not incur a tax under FIRPTA on gains from the disposition of our common stock because we are not and do not expect to be a U.S. real property holding corporation, or a corporation the fair market value of whose U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of its stock. In addition, even if we were to become a U.S. real property holding corporation, a non-U.S. stockholder would not incur tax under FIRPTA with respect to gain realized upon a disposition of our common stock as long as at all times non-U.S. persons hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% in value of our outstanding stock. Moreover, even if we are treated as a U.S. real property holding corporation, a non-U.S. stockholder that owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less of our common stock at all times during a specified testing period would not incur tax under FIRPTA on gain from the disposition of our common stock if the class of stock held is “regularly traded” on an established securities market. However, a non-U.S. stockholder generally will incur tax on gain not subject to FIRPTA if:
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the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business, 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
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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 United States, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will incur a tax of 30% on his or her capital gains.
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Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding
We will report to our stockholders and to the IRS the amount of dividends we pay during each calendar year, whether those dividends are taxable or return-of-capital, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% with respect to distributions unless the holder:
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is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or
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provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.
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A stockholder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder’s income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to us.
Backup withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. stockholder provided that the non-U.S. stockholder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient. Payments of the net proceeds from a disposition or a redemption effected outside the U.S. by a non-U.S. stockholder made by or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker 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. Payment of the net proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of common shares made by or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. stockholder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the shareholder’s federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
As described above, we may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by a REIT. A corporation will not qualify as a TRS if it directly or indirectly operates or manages any hotels or health care facilities or provides rights to any brand name under which any hotel or health care facility is operated, except to the extent such facility is managed by an “eligible independent contractor” on behalf of the TRS.
We and our corporate subsidiary must elect for the subsidiary to be treated as a TRS. A corporation of which a qualifying TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 25% of the value of our assets may consist of securities of one or more TRSs, and no more than 25% of the value of our assets may consist of the securities of TRSs and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries and other assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.
The TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to us to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and us or our tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis.
We have elected to treat Mortco as a TRS. Mortco is subject to corporate income tax on its taxable income. We believe that all transactions between Bimini Capital and Mortco have been and will be conducted on an arm’s-length basis.
Potential Limitation on Use of Net Operating Losses
As of December 31, 2010, Mortco had a federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $272.9 million, which will be available to offset future taxable income of Mortco, subject to the limitations described below. No assurance can be provided that Mortco will have future taxable income to benefit from its NOL carryforwards. In addition, Mortco’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards may be limited by Section 382 of the Code, if Mortco undergoes an “ownership change” as defined in that section. Generally, there is an “ownership change” if, at any time, one or more 5.0% stockholders (as defined in the Code) have aggregate increases in their ownership of the corporation of more than 50 percentage points looking back over the relevant testing period, which can occur as a result of direct and indirect acquisitions and certain dispositions of stock by the corporation’s 5.0% stockholders. Because Mortco is wholly owned by us, these definitions are generally applied at the REIT level. If an “ownership change” occurs, Mortco’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards to reduce its taxable income in a future year would generally be limited to an annual amount, or the “Section 382 Limitation,” equal to the fair value of Mortco immediately prior to the Ownership Change multiplied by an interest rate specified by the IRS in published revenue rulings. In the event of an “ownership change,” NOL carryforwards that exceed the Section 382 Limitation in any year will continue to be allowed as carryforwards for the remainder of the carryforward period, and such NOL carryfowards can be used to offset taxable income for years within the carryforward period subject to the Section 382 Limitation in each year. However, if the carryforward period for any NOL carryforwards were to expire before that loss was fully utilized, the unused portion of that loss would be lost.
Our Board of Directors has set the general ownership limit applicable to our Class A Common stock at 4.98%. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may allow certain shareholders to own up to a 9.8% limit. This ownership limit is intended, in part, to preserve the benefit of the Mortco’s NOL carryforwards for tax purposes, as well as any NOL carryforwards at the REIT level. However, there is no guarantee that Mortco will not experience an “ownership change,” in which case its ability to offset its taxable income with its NOL carryforwards will be significantly limited.
Sunset of Reduced Tax Rate Provisions
Several of the tax considerations described herein are subject to a sunset provision in the Code as it is presently written. Based on tax laws enacted in December 2010, the sunset provisions generally provide that, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain provisions that are currently in the Code will revert back to a prior version of those provisions. These provisions include provisions related to the reduced maximum income tax rate for long term capital gains of 15% (rather than 20%) for taxpayers taxed at individual rates, the application of the 15% tax rate to qualified dividend income, and certain other tax rate provisions described herein. The impact of this reversion is not discussed herein. Consequently, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of sunset provisions on an investment in our common stock.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and/or our stockholders may be subject to taxation by various states, localities or foreign jurisdictions, including those in which we or a stockholder transacts business, owns property or resides. We may own properties located in numerous jurisdictions and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. The state, local and foreign tax treatment may differ from the federal income tax treatment described above. Consequently, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws upon an investment in the common stock.
COMPETITION
We operate in the mortgage-REIT industry. We believe that our principal competition in the acquisition and holding of the types of mortgage-backed securities we purchase are financial institutions such as banks, savings and loans, life insurance companies, institutional investors such as mutual funds and pension funds, and certain other mortgage REITs. Many of our competitors have greater financial resources and access to capital than we do and may not be subject to the same regulatory constraints (i.e., REIT compliance or maintaining an exemption under the Investment Company Act) as us. Our competitors, as well as additional competitors which may emerge in the future, may increase the competition for the acquisition of mortgage-backed securities, which in turn may result in higher prices and lower yields on assets.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), as amended, and its rules and regulations. The Exchange Act requires us to file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Copies of these reports, proxy statements, and other information can be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, on official business days during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. These materials may be obtained electronically by accessing the SEC’s home page at
http://www.sec.gov
.
Our website can be found at
www.biminicapital.com
. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are made available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
No assurance can be given that the actions taken by the U.S. Government for the purpose of seeking to stabilize the financial and credit markets and stimulate the economy will achieve the intended effect on, or benefit to, our business, and further government or market developments could adversely affect us.
In response to the financial issues affecting the banking system, the financial and housing markets and the economy as a whole, the U.S. Government has implemented a number of initiatives intended to bolster the banking system, the financial and housing markets and the economy as a whole.
No assurance can be given that these initiatives will have a beneficial impact on the banking system, financial market or housing market. To the extent the markets do not respond favorably to these initiatives or if these initiatives do not function as intended, the pricing, supply, liquidity and value of our assets and the availability of financing on attractive terms may be materially adversely affected.
In addition, because the programs are designed, in part, to provide liquidity to restart the market for certain assets we typically invest in, the establishment of these programs may result in increased competition for these assets. It is also possible that our competitors may utilize the programs which would provide them with attractive debt and equity capital funding from the U.S. Government. In addition, the U.S. Government, the Federal Reserve, the Treasury and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken or are considering taking other actions to address the financial crisis. We cannot predict whether or when such actions may occur, and such actions could have a dramatic impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Interest rate mismatches between our Agency RMBS and our borrowings used to fund purchases of our Agency RMBS may reduce our net interest margin during periods of changing interest rates, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Our portfolio includes Agency RMBS backed by ARMs, hybrid ARMs, and fixed-rate mortgages and the mix of these securities in the portfolio may be increased or decreased over time. Additionally, the interest rates on ARMs and hybrid ARMS may vary over time based on changes in a short-term interest rate index, of which there are many.
We finance our acquisitions of Agency RMBS with short-term financing ARMs that have interest rates based on indices and repricing terms similar to, but perhaps with shorter maturities than, the interest rate indices and repricing terms of these securities. During periods of rising short-term interest rates, the income we earn on our Agency RMBS will not change (with respect to Agency RMBS backed by fixed-rate mortgage loans) or will not increase at the same rate (with respect to Agency RMBS backed by ARMs and hybrid ARMs) as our related financing costs, which may reduce our net interest margin or result in losses.
Interest rate fluctuations will also cause variances in the yield curve, which illustrates the relationship between short-term and longer-term interest rates. If short-term interest rates rise disproportionately relative to longer-term interest rates (a flattening of the yield curve) or exceed long-term interest rates (an inversion of the yield curve), our borrowing costs may increase more rapidly than the interest income earned on the related Agency RMBS because the related Agency RMBS may bear interest based on longer-term rates than our borrowings. Consequently, a flattening or inversion of the yield curve may reduce our net interest margin or result in losses.
Additionally, to the extent cash flows from Agency RMBS are reinvested in new Agency RMBS, the spread between the yields of the new Agency RMBS and available borrowing rates may decline, which could reduce our net interest margin or result in losses. Any one of the foregoing risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We depend primarily on two individuals to operate our business, and the loss of one or both of such persons could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We depend substantially on two individuals, Robert E. Cauley, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and G. Hunter Haas, our President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to manage our business. We depend on the diligence, experience and skill of Mr. Cauley and Mr. Haas in managing all aspects of our business, including the selection, acquisition, structuring and monitoring of securities portfolios and associated borrowings. Although we have entered into contracts and compensation arrangements with Mr. Cauley and Mr. Haas that encourage their continued employment, those contracts may not prevent either Mr. Cauley or Mr. Haas from leaving our company. The loss of either of them could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. Government, may adversely affect our business.
The payments we receive on the Agency RMBS in which we invest depend upon a steady stream of payments on the mortgages underlying the securities and are guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Ginnie Mae is part of a U.S. Government agency and its guarantees are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are U.S. Government-sponsored entities, or GSEs, but their guarantees are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Since 2007, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have reported substantial losses and a need for substantial amounts of additional capital. In response to the deteriorating financial condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the recent credit market disruption, Congress and the U.S. Treasury undertook a series of actions to stabilize these GSEs and the financial markets generally. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was signed into law on July 30, 2008, and established the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, with enhanced regulatory authority over, among other things, the business activities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the size of their portfolio holdings. On September 7, 2008, in response to the deterioration in the financial condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FHFA placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, which is a statutory process pursuant to which the FHFA will operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as conservator in an effort to stabilize the entities, and together with the U.S. Treasury and the U.S. Federal Reserve, has undertaken actions designed to boost investor confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, support the availability of mortgage financing and protect taxpayers. Appointing FHFA as conservator of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allows the FHFA to control the actions of the two GSEs without forcing them to liquidate, which would be the case under receivership. In addition, the U.S. Treasury has taken steps to capitalize and provide financing to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and agreed to purchase direct obligations and Agency RMBS issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. For a more detailed description of the actions taken by the U.S. Government with respect to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Trends and Recent Market Impacts.”
Shortly after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed in federal conservatorship, the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, in announcing the actions, noted that the guarantee structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac required examination, and that changes in the structures of the entities were necessary to reduce risk to the financial system. The future roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be significantly reduced and the nature of their guarantees could be eliminated or considerably limited relative to historical measurements. Any changes to the nature of the guarantees provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could redefine what constitutes Agency RMBS and could have broad adverse market implications as well as negatively impact us.
The problems faced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac resulting in their being placed into federal conservatorship have stirred debate among some federal policy makers regarding the continued role of the U.S. Government in providing liquidity for the residential mortgage market. Following expiration of the current authorization, each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be dissolved and the U.S. Government could decide to stop providing liquidity support of any kind to the mortgage market. If Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac were eliminated, or their structures were to change radically, we would not be able to acquire Agency RMBS from these companies, which would drastically reduce the amount and type of Agency RMBS available for investment, which are our only targeted investments.
Our income could be negatively affected in a number of ways depending on the manner in which related events unfold. For example, the current credit support provided by the U.S. Treasury to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and any additional credit support it may provide in the future, could have the effect of lowering the interest rate we receive from Agency RMBS, thereby tightening the spread between the interest we earn on our portfolio of targeted investments and our cost of financing that portfolio. A reduction in the supply of Agency RMBS could also increase the prices of Agency RMBS we seek to acquire by reducing the spread between the interest we earn on our portfolio of targeted assets and our cost of financing that portfolio.
As indicated above, recent legislation has changed the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. Government and requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce the amount of mortgage loans they own or the amount of Agency RMBS they guaranty. The effects of the actions taken by the U.S. Government remain uncertain. Furthermore, the scope and nature of the actions that the U.S. Government will ultimately take are unknown and will continue to evolve. Future legislation could further change the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. Government, and could also nationalize or eliminate these GSEs entirely. Any law affecting these GSEs may create market uncertainty and have the effect of reducing the actual or perceived credit quality of securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, such laws could increase the risk of loss on investments in Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac Agency RMBS. It is also possible that such laws could adversely impact the market for such securities and spreads at which they trade. All of the foregoing could materially adversely affect the pricing, supply, liquidity and value of our target assets and otherwise materially adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Increased levels of prepayments on the mortgages underlying our Agency RMBS might decrease net interest income or result in a net loss, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Prepayment rates generally increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise, but changes in prepayment rates are difficult to predict. Prepayment rates also may be affected by other factors, including, without limitation, conditions in the housing and financial markets, general economic conditions and the relative interest rates on ARMS, hybrid ARMs and fixed-rate mortgage loans. When we acquire Agency RMBS, we anticipate that the underlying mortgages will prepay at a projected rate, generating an expected yield. When borrowers prepay their mortgage loans faster than expected, it results in corresponding prepayments on the related Agency RMBS that are faster than expected. Faster-than-expected prepayments could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders in various ways, including the following:
A portion of our Agency RMBS backed by ARMs and hybrid ARMs may initially bear interest at rates that are lower than their fully indexed rates, which are equivalent to the applicable index rate plus a margin. If an Agency RMBS backed by ARMs or hybrid ARMs is prepaid prior to or soon after the time of adjustment to a fully-indexed rate, we will have held that Agency RMBS while it was less profitable and lost the opportunity to receive interest at the fully indexed rate over the remainder of its expected life.
If we are unable to acquire new Agency RMBS to replace the prepaid Agency RMBS, our returns on capital may be lower than if we were unable to quickly acquire new Agency RMBS.
While we seek to minimize prepayment risk, we must balance prepayment risk against other risks and the potential returns of each investment. No strategy can completely insulate us from prepayment or other such risks.
Mortgage loan modification programs and future legislative action may adversely affect the value of, and the returns on, our Agency RMBS, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
During the second half of 2008, the U.S. Government, through the Federal Housing Authority, or FHA, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, commenced implementation of programs designed to provide homeowners with assistance in avoiding residential mortgage loan foreclosures. One such program is the Hope for Homeowners program, which is effective from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011 and will enable certain distressed borrowers to refinance their mortgages into FHA-insured loans. The programs may involve, among other things, the modification of mortgage loans to reduce the principal amount of the loans or the rate of interest payable on the loans, or to extend the payment terms of the loans.
In addition, in February 2008 the U.S. Treasury announced the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, or HASP, which is multi-faceted plan intended to prevent residential mortgage foreclosures by, among other things:
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allowing certain homeowners whose homes are encumbered by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac conforming mortgages to refinance those mortgages into lower interest rate mortgages with either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
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creating the Homeowner Stability Initiative, which is intended to utilize various incentives for banks and mortgage servicers to modify residential mortgage loans with the goal of reducing monthly mortgage principal and interest payments for certain qualified homeowners; and
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allowing judicial modifications of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming residential mortgages loans during bankruptcy proceedings.
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It is likely that these loan modification programs would result in increased prepayments on some Agency RMBS. These loan modification programs, as well as legislative or regulatory actions, including amendments to the bankruptcy laws that result in the modification of outstanding mortgage loans, may adversely affect the value of, and the returns on, the Agency RMBS in which we invest, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Valuations of some of our assets are inherently uncertain, may be based on estimates, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may differ from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these assets existed.
In many cases, our determination of the fair value of our assets is based on valuations provided by third-party dealers and pricing services. However, valuations of certain assets are often difficult to obtain or are unreliable. Therefore, we can and do value assets, to the extent third-party valuations are not reasonably available, based upon our judgment. Our valuations, for many reasons, may differ from those that could be obtained from third-party dealers and pricing services. In general, dealers and pricing services heavily disclaim their valuations. Additionally, dealers may claim to furnish valuations only as an accommodation and without special compensation, and so they may disclaim any and all liability for any direct, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of any inaccuracy or incompleteness in valuations, including any act of negligence or breach of any warranty. Depending on the complexity and illiquidity of an asset, valuations of the same asset can vary substantially from one dealer or pricing service to another. The valuation process has been particularly difficult recently as market events have made valuations of certain assets more difficult and unpredictable and the disparity of valuations provided by third-party dealers has widened.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders could be materially adversely affected if our fair value determinations of these assets were materially higher than the values that would exist if a ready market existed for these assets.
We may incur increased borrowing costs which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Our borrowing costs under repurchase agreements are generally adjustable and correspond to short-term interest rates, such as LIBOR or a short-term Treasury index, plus or minus a margin. The margins on these borrowings over or under short-term interest rates may vary depending upon a number of factors, including, without limitation:
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the movement of interest rates;
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the availability of financing in the market; and
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the value and liquidity of our Agency RMBS.
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Most of our borrowings are collateralized borrowings in the form of repurchase agreements. If the interest rates on these repurchase agreements increase, our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Interest rate caps on the ARMs and hybrid ARMs backing our Agency RMBS may reduce our net interest margin during periods of rising interest rates, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
ARMs and hybrid ARMs are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps. Periodic interest rate caps limit the amount an interest rate can increase during any given period. Lifetime interest rate caps limit the amount an interest rate can increase through the maturity of the loan. Our borrowings typically are not subject to similar restrictions. Accordingly, in a period of rapidly increasing interest rates, our financing costs could increase without limitation while caps could limit the interest we earn on the ARMs and hybrid ARMs backing our Agency RMBS. This problem is magnified for ARMs and hybrid ARMs that are not fully indexed. Further, some ARMs and hybrid ARMs may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in a portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. As a result, we may receive less interest income on Agency RMBS backed by ARMs and hybrid ARMs than necessary to pay interest on our related borrowings. Interest rate caps on Agency RMBS backed by ARMs and hybrid ARMs could reduce our net interest margin if interest rates were to increase beyond the level of the caps, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Our leverage strategy could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders
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Under normal market conditions, we generally seek to borrow between eight and 12 times the amount of our equity, although at times our borrowings may be above or below this range. We incur this indebtedness by borrowing against a substantial portion of the market value of our Agency RMBS. Our total indebtedness, however, is not expressly limited by our policies and will depend on our and our prospective lenders’ estimates of the stability of our portfolio’s cash flow. As a result, there is no limit on the amount of leverage that we may incur. We face the risk that we might not be able to meet our debt service obligations or a lender’s margin requirements from our income and, to the extent we cannot, we might be forced to liquidate some of our Agency RMBS at unfavorable prices. Our use of leverage could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation and our ability to pay distribution to our stockholders. For example:
A majority of our borrowings are secured by our Agency RMBS, generally under repurchase agreements. A decline in the market value of the Agency RMBS used to secure these debt obligations could limit our ability to borrow or result in lenders requiring us to pledge additional collateral to secure our borrowings. In that situation, we could be required to sell Agency RMBS under adverse market conditions in order to obtain the additional collateral required by the lender. If these sales are made at prices lower than the carrying value of the Agency RMBS, we would experience losses.
A default under an Agency RMBS that constitutes collateral for a loan could result in an involuntary liquidation of the Agency RMBS, including any cross-collateralized Agency RMBS. This would result in a loss to us of the difference between the value of the Agency RMBS upon liquidation and the amount borrowed against the Agency RMBS.
To the extent we are compelled to liquidate qualified REIT assets to repay debts, our compliance with the REIT rules regarding our assets and our sources of income could be negatively affected, which could jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. Losing our REIT qualification would cause us to lose tax advantages applicable to REITs and would decrease profitability and distributions to stockholders.
If we experience losses as a result of our leverage policy, such losses would reduce the amounts available for distribution to stockholders.
We depend on borrowings to purchase our Agency RMBS and reach our desired amount of leverage. If we fail to obtain or renew sufficient funding on favorable terms or at all, we will be limited in our ability to acquire Agency RMBS, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We depend on borrowings to fund acquisitions of Agency RMBS and reach our desired amount of leverage. Accordingly, our ability to achieve our investment and leverage objectives depends on our ability to borrow money in sufficient amounts and on favorable terms. In addition, we must be able to renew or replace our maturing borrowings on a continuous basis. The current dislocation and weakness in the broader mortgage markets could adversely affect one or more of our potential lenders and could cause one or more of our potential lenders to be unwilling or unable to provide us with financing. This could potentially increase our financing costs and reduce our liquidity. If we cannot renew or replace maturing borrowings on favorable terms or at all, we may have to sell our Agency RMBS under adverse market conditions, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Adverse market developments could cause our lenders to require us to pledge additional assets as collateral. If our assets were insufficient to meet these collateral requirements, we might be compelled to liquidate particular assets at inopportune times and at unfavorable prices, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Adverse market developments, including a sharp or prolonged rise in interest rates, a change in prepayment rates or increasing market concern about the value or liquidity of one or more types of Agency RMBS, might reduce the market value of our portfolio, which might cause our lenders to require us to post additional collateral. Any requirement for additional collateral might compel us to liquidate our assets at inopportune times and at unfavorable prices, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Our use of repurchase agreements to borrow funds may give our lenders greater rights in the event that either we or any of our lenders file for bankruptcy, which may make it difficult for us to recover our collateral in the event of a bankruptcy filing.
Our borrowings under repurchase agreements may qualify for special treatment under the bankruptcy code, giving our lenders the ability to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the bankruptcy code and to take possession of and liquidate our collateral under the repurchase agreements without delay if we file for bankruptcy. Furthermore, the special treatment of repurchase agreements under the bankruptcy code may make it difficult for us to recover our pledged assets in the event that any of our lenders files for bankruptcy. Thus, the use of repurchase agreements exposes our pledged assets to risk in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either our lenders or us.
Because the assets that we acquire might experience periods of illiquidity, we might be prevented from selling our Agency RMBS at favorable times and prices, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Although we generally plan to hold our Agency RMBS until maturity, there may be circumstances in which we sell certain of these securities. Agency RMBS generally experience periods of illiquidity. Such conditions are more likely to occur for structured RMBS because such securities are generally traded in markets much less liquid than the non-structured Agency RMBS market. As a result, we may be unable to dispose of our Agency RMBS at advantageous times and prices or in a timely manner. The lack of liquidity might result from the absence of a willing buyer or an established market for these assets, as well as legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The illiquidity of Agency RMBS could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Hedging against interest rate exposure may not completely insulate us from interest rate risk and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
To the extent consistent with our qualification as a REIT, we may enter into interest rate cap or swap agreements or pursue other hedging strategies, including the purchase of puts, calls or other options and futures contracts in order to hedge the interest rate risk of our portfolio. Our hedging activity will vary in scope based on the level and volatility of interest rates and principal prepayments, the type of Agency RMBS we hold, and other changing market conditions. Hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:
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hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates;
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available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;
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the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;
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certain types of hedges may expose us to risk of loss beyond the fee paid to initiate the hedge;
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the amount of income that a REIT may earn from certain hedging transactions is limited by federal income tax provisions governing REITs;
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the credit quality of the counterparty on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and
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the counterparty in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay.
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Because of the foregoing risks, our hedging activity could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We may not be able to purchase interest rate caps on terms or prices that reduce our interest rate and prepayment risks, which could cause us to suffer a loss in the event of significant changes in interest rates.
Our policies permit us to purchase interest rate caps to help us reduce our interest rate and prepayment risks associated with investments in Agency RMBS. This strategy helps us reduce our exposure to significant changes in interest rates. A cap contract is ultimately of no benefit to us unless interest rates exceed the cap rate. If we purchase interest rate caps but do not experience a corresponding increase in interest rates, the costs of buying the caps would reduce our earnings. Alternatively, we may decide not to enter into a cap transaction due to its expense, and we could suffer losses if interest rates later rise substantially. Any one of these outcomes could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We rely on analytical models and other data to analyze potential asset acquisition and disposition opportunities and to manage our portfolio. Such models and other data may be incorrect, misleading or incomplete, which could cause us to purchase assets that do not meet our expectations or to make asset management decisions that are not in line with our strategy.
We rely on analytical models and information and data supplied by third parties. These models and data may be used to value assets or potential asset acquisitions and dispositions and also in connection with our asset management activities. If our models and data prove to be incorrect, misleading or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon could expose us to potential risks. Our reliance on models and data may induce us to purchase certain assets at prices that are too high, to sell certain other assets at prices that are too low, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging activities that are based on faulty models and data may prove to be unsuccessful.
Some models, such as prepayment models, may be predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. For example, such models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses. In addition, the predictive models used by us may differ substantially from those models used by other market participants, with the result that valuations based on these predictive models may be substantially higher or lower for certain assets than actual market prices. Furthermore, because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data, and, in the case of predicting performance in scenarios with little or no historical precedent (such as extreme broad-based declines in home prices, or deep economic recessions or depressions), such models must employ greater degrees of extrapolation, and are therefore more speculative and of more limited reliability.
All valuation models rely on correct market data input. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded valuation model, the resulting valuations will be incorrect. However, even if market data is inputted correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for securities with complex characteristics or whose values are particularly sensitive to various factors. If our market data inputs are incorrect or our model prices differ substantially from market prices, our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders could be materially adversely affected.
We may change our investment strategy and asset allocation without notice or stockholder consent, which may result in riskier investments.
Our Board of Directors has the authority to change our investment strategy or asset allocation at any time without notice to or consent from our stockholders. To the extent that our investment strategy changes in the future, we may make investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the investments described in this annual report. A change in our investment strategy may increase our exposure to interest rate and real estate market fluctuations. Furthermore, a change in our asset allocation could result in our allocating assets in a different manner than as described in this annual report.
Hedging instruments often are not traded on regulated exchanges, guaranteed by an exchange or a clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or foreign governmental authorities and involve risks and costs.
The cost of using hedging instruments increases as the period covered by the instrument increases and during periods of rising and volatile interest rates. We may increase our hedging activity and thus increase our hedging costs during periods when interest rates are volatile or rising and hedging costs have increased.
In addition, hedging instruments involve risk since they often are not traded on regulated exchanges, guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or foreign governmental authorities. Consequently, there are no requirements with respect to record keeping, financial responsibility or segregation of customer funds and positions. Furthermore, the enforceability of agreements underlying derivative transactions may depend on compliance with applicable statutory and commodity and other regulatory requirements and, depending on the identity of the counterparty, applicable international requirements. The business failure of a hedging counterparty with whom we enter into a hedging transaction most likely will result in a default. Default by a party with whom we enter into a hedging transaction may result in the loss of unrealized profits and force us to cover our resale commitments, if any, at the then current market price. In addition, we may not always be able to dispose of or close out a hedging position without the consent of the hedging counterparty, and we may not be able to enter into an offsetting contract to cover our risk. We cannot assure you that a liquid secondary market will exist for hedging instruments purchased or sold, and we may be required to maintain a position until exercise or expiration, which could result in losses.
We may enter into derivative contracts that could expose us to unexpected economic losses in the future.
Swaps and certain options and other custom instruments are subject to the risk of non-performance by the swap or option counterparty, including risks relating to the creditworthiness of the counterparty. In addition, we also are subject to the risk of the failure of any of the exchanges or clearing houses on which we trade. To the extent consistent with our qualification as a REIT, we may enter into swap agreements, including interest rate swaps. Swap agreements can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease exposure to long term or short term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices, baskets of equity securities, or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. We are not precluded from any particular form of swap or option agreement if we determine it is consistent with our investment objectives and policies.
Swap agreements tend to shift investment exposure from one type of investment to another. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of our portfolio. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in the specific interest rate, currency, individual equity values or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from us. If a swap agreement calls for payments or collateral transfers by us, we must be prepared to make such payments and transfers when due. Additionally, if a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of swap agreements with the counterparty can be expected to decline, potentially resulting in losses by us.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and certain commodity exchanges have established limits referred to as speculative position limits or position limits on the maximum net long or net short position that any person or group of persons may hold or control in particular futures and options. Limits on trading in options contracts also have been established by the various options exchanges. It is possible that trading decisions may have to be modified and that positions held may have to be liquidated to avoid exceeding such limits. Such modification or liquidation, if required, could adversely affect our operations and profitability.
Part of our investment strategy involves entering into derivative contracts that could require us to fund cash payments in the future under certain circumstances, such as the early termination of the derivative agreement caused by any event of default or other early termination event, or the decision by a counterparty to request margin securities it is contractually owed under the terms of the derivative contract. The amount due would be equal to the unrealized loss of the open derivative positions with the respective counterparty and could also include other fees and charges. These potential payments will be contingent liabilities and therefore may not appear on our balance sheet. The economic losses will be reflected in our financial results of operations, and our ability to fund these obligations will depend on the liquidity of our assets and access to capital at the time, and the need to fund these obligations could adversely impact our financial condition.
Competition might prevent us from acquiring Agency RMBS at favorable yields, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Our net income largely depends on our ability to acquire Agency RMBS at favorable spreads over our borrowing costs. In acquiring Agency RMBS, we compete with other REITs, investment banking firms, savings and loan associations, banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, other lenders and other entities that purchase Agency RMBS, many of which have greater financial resources than we do. Additionally, we may also compete with the U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury to the extent that those entities purchase Agency RMBS pursuant to their respective Agency RMBS purchase programs. Additionally, many of our competitors are not subject to REIT tax compliance or required to maintain an exemption from the Investment Company Act. As a result, we may not be able to acquire sufficient Agency RMBS at favorable spreads over our borrowing costs, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Terrorist attacks against the United States or U.S. businesses or armed conflicts may directly impact the property underlying our Agency RMBS or the securities markets in general. Losses resulting from these types of events are generally not insured. Also, any of these events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result in increased volatility in the United States and worldwide financial markets and economies. They also could result in economic uncertainty in the United States or abroad. Adverse economic conditions could harm the value of the property underlying our Agency RMBS or the securities markets in general, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We are highly dependent on communications and information systems operated by third parties, and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Our business is highly dependent on communications and information systems that allow us to monitor, value, buy, sell, finance and hedge our investments. These systems are operated by third parties and, as a result, we have limited ability to ensure continued operation. In the event of systems failure or interruption, we will have limited ability to affect the timing and success of systems restoration. Any failure or interruption of our systems could cause delays or other problems in our securities trading activities, including Agency RMBS trading activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
If we issue debt securities, our operations may be restricted and we will be exposed to additional risk.
If we decide to issue debt securities in the future, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Class A Common Stock. We, and indirectly our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Holders of debt securities may be granted specific rights, including but not limited to, the right to hold a perfected security interest in certain of our assets, the right to accelerate payments due under the indenture, rights to restrict dividend payments, and rights to approve the sale of assets. Such additional restrictive covenants and operating restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
If we fail to maintain relationships with AVM, L.P. and its affiliate, III Associates, or if we do not establish relationships with other repurchase agreement trading, clearing and administrative service providers, our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
We have engaged AVM, L.P. and its affiliate, III Associates, to provide us with certain repurchase agreement trading, clearing and administrative services. If we are unable to maintain our relationships with AVM and III Associates or we are unable to establish successful relationships with other repurchase agreement trading, clearing and administrative service providers, our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
LEGAL AND TAX RISKS
If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax as a regular corporation and may face a substantial tax liability.
We intend to operate in a manner that allows us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. However, REIT qualification involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (some on an annual or quarterly basis) established under technical and complex provisions of the Code, as amended, or regulations under the Code, for which only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. The determination that we qualify as a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be totally within our control. For instance, a lack of access to adequate financing may prevent us from maintaining a portfolio of sufficient size to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements. Such could be the case when market conditions become severely distressed and/or the Company’s financial condition deteriorates materially. Accordingly, it is not certain we will be able to qualify and remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Even a technical or inadvertent violation of the REIT requirements could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Furthermore, Congress or the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, might change the tax laws or regulations and the courts might issue new rulings, in each case potentially having a retroactive effect that could make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, then:
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we would be taxed as a regular domestic corporation, which, among other things, means that we would be unable to deduct distributions to stockholders in computing taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates;
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any resulting tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to stockholders, and could force us to liquidate assets at inopportune times, causing lower income or higher losses than would result if these assets were not liquidated; and
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unless we were entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, we would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the subsequent four taxable years following the year during which we lost our REIT qualification, and our cash available for distribution to its stockholders therefore would be reduced for each of the years in which we do not qualify as a REIT.
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Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow. We may also be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and property. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.
To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, our sources of income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. We may also be required to make distributions to our stockholders at unfavorable times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Thus, compliance with REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely with the goal of maximizing profits.
In addition, the REIT provisions of the Code impose a 100% tax on income from "prohibited transactions." Prohibited transactions generally include sales of assets that constitute inventory or other property held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property. This 100% tax could impact our ability to sell mortgage-related securities at otherwise opportune times if we believe such sales could result in our being treated as engaging in prohibited transactions. However, we would not be subject to this tax if we were to sell assets through a taxable REIT subsidiary. We will also be subject to a 100% tax on certain amounts if the economic arrangements between us and our taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively, which could in turn leave us more exposed to the effects of adverse changes in interest rates.
The REIT provisions of the Code may substantially limit our ability to hedge mortgage-related securities and related borrowings by generally requiring us to limit our income in each year from qualified hedges, together with any other income not generated from qualified REIT real estate assets, to less than 25% of our gross income. In addition, we must limit our aggregate gross income from non-qualified hedges, fees, and certain other non-qualifying sources, to less than 5% of our annual gross income. As a result, we may in the future have to limit the use of hedges or implement hedges through a taxable REIT subsidiary. This could result in greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to incur. If we fail to satisfy the 25% or 5% limitations, unless our failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we meet certain other technical requirements, we could lose our REIT qualification. Even if our failure was due to reasonable cause, we may have to pay a penalty tax equal to the amount of income in excess of certain thresholds, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
Dividends paid by REITs are not qualified dividends eligible for reduced tax rates.
In general, the current maximum federal income tax rate for “qualified dividends” paid to individual U.S. stockholders is 15%. Dividends paid by REITs, however, are generally not qualified dividends eligible for the reduced rates. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends, which are usually qualified dividends, could cause stockholders who are individuals to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stock of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our Class A Common Stock.
To maintain our REIT qualification, we may be forced to borrow funds on unfavorable terms or sell our MBS portfolio securities at unfavorable prices to make distributions to our stockholders.
As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our annual net taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to our stockholders. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under the Code. From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our income for financial reporting purposes from, among other things, amortization of capitalized purchase premiums, or our net taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to our stockholders. If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds, sell a portion of our mortgage-related securities at unfavorable prices or find other sources of funds in order to meet the REIT distribution requirements and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax. These other sources could increase our costs or reduce equity and reduce amounts available to invest in mortgage-related securities.
Reliance on legal opinions or statements by issuers of mortgage-related securities could result in a failure to comply with REIT gross income or asset tests.
When purchasing mortgage-related securities, we may rely on opinions of counsel for the issuer or sponsor of such securities, or statements made in related offering documents, for purposes of determining whether and to what extent those securities constitute REIT real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests and produce income which qualifies under the REIT gross income tests. The inaccuracy of any such opinions or statements may adversely affect our REIT qualification and could result in significant corporate-level tax.
Possible legislative or other actions affecting REITs could adversely affect us and our stockholders.
The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. Our business may be harmed by changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, including changes to securities laws and changes to the Code provisions applicable to the taxation of REITs. New legislation may be enacted into law, or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, any of which could adversely affect us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect.
We may recognize excess inclusion income that would increase the tax liability of our stockholders.
If we recognize excess inclusion income and that is allocated to our stockholders, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of our stockholders. If the stockholder is a tax-exempt entity, then this income would be fully taxable as unrelated business taxable income under Section 512 of the Code. If the stockholder is a foreign person, such income would be subject to federal income tax withholding without reduction or exemption pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty. In addition, to the extent our stock is owned by tax-exempt "disqualified organizations," such as government-related entities that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income, although Treasury regulations have not yet been drafted to clarify the law, we may incur a corporate level tax at the highest applicable corporate tax rate on the portion of our excess inclusion income that is allocable to such disqualified organizations.
Excess inclusion income could result if we hold a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC. Excess inclusion income also could be generated if we were to issue debt obligations with two or more maturities and the terms of the payments on these obligations bore a relationship to the payments received on our mortgage-related securities securing those debt obligations (i.e., if we were to own an interest in a taxable mortgage pool). However, Treasury regulations have not been issued regarding the allocation of excess inclusion income to stockholders of a REIT that owns an interest in a taxable mortgage pool. We do not expect to acquire significant amounts of residual interests in REMICs, other than interests already owned by our taxable REIT subsidiary, which is treated as a separate taxable entity for these purposes. We intend to structure borrowing arrangements in a manner designed to avoid generating significant amounts of excess inclusion income. We do, however, expect to enter into various repurchase agreements that have differing maturity dates and afford the lender the right to sell any pledged mortgaged securities if we should default on our obligations.
A portion of our distributions may be deemed a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The amount of our distributions to the holders of our Class A Common Stock in a given year may not correspond to REIT taxable income for that year. To the extent our distributions exceed our REIT taxable income, the distribution will be treated as a return of capital for federal income tax purposes. A return of capital distribution will not be taxable to the extent of a stockholder's tax basis in our shares but will reduce a stockholder's basis in our shares of Class A Common Stock.
Our reported GAAP financial results differ from the taxable income results that drive our dividend distributions.
Our dividend distributions are driven by the dividend distribution requirements under the REIT tax laws and our profits as calculated for tax purposes pursuant to the Code. Our reported results for GAAP purposes may differ materially from both our cash flows and our REIT taxable income. As a result of the significant differences between GAAP and REIT taxable income accounting, stockholders and analysts must undertake a complex analysis to understand our tax results and dividend distribution requirements. This complexity may hinder the trading of our stock or may lead observers to misinterpret our results.
Legislation related to corporate governance has increased our costs of compliance and our liability.
Enacted and proposed laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and disclosure requirements applicable to public companies, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, have increased the costs of corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices. These costs may increase in the future due to our continuing implementation of compliance programs mandated by these requirements. In addition, these new laws, rules and regulations create new legal bases for administrative enforcement, civil and criminal proceedings against us in case of non-compliance, thereby increasing our risks of liability and potential sanctions.
Failure to maintain an exemption from the Investment Company Act would harm our results of operations
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We intend to conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we fail to qualify for this exemption, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced and we would be unable to conduct our business. The Investment Company Act exempts entities that are primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on, and interests in, real estate. Under the current interpretation of the SEC staff, in order to qualify for this exemption, we must maintain at least 55% of our assets directly in these qualifying real estate interests, with at least 25% of remaining assets invested in real estate-related securities. Mortgage-related securities that do not represent all of the certificates issued with respect to an underlying pool of mortgages may be treated as separate from the underlying mortgage loans and, thus, may not qualify for purposes of the 55% requirement. Therefore, our ownership of these mortgage-related securities is limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act.
In satisfying the 55% requirement under the Investment Company Act, we treat as qualifying interests mortgage-related securities issued with respect to an underlying pool as to which we hold all issued certificates. If the SEC or its staff adopts a contrary interpretation of such treatment, we could be required to sell a substantial amount of our mortgage-related securities under potentially adverse market conditions. Further, in order to ensure that we at all times qualify for the exemption under the Investment Company Act, we may be precluded from acquiring mortgage-related securities whose yield is higher than the yield on mortgage-related securities that could be purchased in a manner consistent with the exemption. These factors may lower or eliminate our net income.
Mortco may be obligated to repurchase certain mortgage loans it originated if applicable underwriting requirements were not satisfied. Such repurchases could adversely affect the financial condition of Mortco and further limit its ability to repay amounts owed to us.
Prior to ceasing its operations in April 2007, Mortco originated residential mortgage loans. Those loans were typically sold to Fannie Mae, and the related mortgage servicing rights were typically sold to third-party servicing companies. Fannie Mae, servicing companies and certain investors have made repurchase claims to Mortco regarding certain residential mortgage loans that were originated by Mortco. These claims generally result from a default by a borrower under a loan followed by a rescission of mortgage insurance coverage due to an alleged underwriting deficiency. To date, Mortco has generally demonstrated compliance with underwriting requirements or otherwise resolved these demands without being required to repurchase loans or pay for losses incurred on the loans. However, if Mortco is required to repurchase loans or pay losses incurred by Fannie Mae, servicing companies, investors or other third parties on a significant number of loans, then the financial condition of Mortco and its already limited ability to repay debt that it owes to us will be adversely affected.
There may be a limited market for our Class A Common Stock in the future.
Until November 5, 2007, our Class A Common Stock was traded on the NYSE Euronext. Currently our Class A Common Stock is traded on the OTC bulletin board under the symbol “BMNM.OB”. We may apply to list our Class A Common Stock on another national securities market in the future, however, no assurance can be given that our Class A Common Stock will be approved for listing on such national securities market. Until such time that our Class A Common Stock is approved for listing on another national securities market, the ability to buy and sell our Class A Common Stock may be limited, and significant sales may depress or result in a decline in the market price of our Class A Common Stock. Additionally, until such time that our Class A Common Stock is approved for listing on another national securities market, our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional securities may be limited.
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Our executive offices and principal administrative offices are located at 3305 Flamingo Drive, Vero Beach, Florida, 32963, in an office building which we own. This property is suitable and adequate for our business as currently conducted.
We are involved in various lawsuits and claims, both actual and potential, including some that we have asserted against others, in which monetary and other damages are sought. Except as described below, these lawsuits and claims relate primarily to contractual disputes arising out of the ordinary course of our business. The outcome of such lawsuits and claims is inherently unpredictable. However, we believe that, in the aggregate, the outcome of all lawsuits and claims involving us will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular quarterly reporting period in which costs, if any, are recognized. See also Note
12 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
On June 14, 2007, a complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial District in and for Manatee County, Florida by Coast Bank of Florida against Mortco seeking monetary damages and specific performance and alleging breach of an alleged oral contract for allegedly failing to repurchase approximately fifty loans. A mediation hearing was held February 23, 2010. The parties continued settlement discussions for several months after the mediation but did not reach a settlement. On September 17, 2010 Coast Bank filed a motion for substitution of counsel and subsequently filed a motion for partial summary judgment arguing that the alleged oral contract is not subject to Florida’s statute of frauds. The parties have agreed that Mortco will file a cross-motion for summary judgment in which Mortco will seek a ruling that the alleged oral contract is barred by the statute of frauds. Both motions are scheduled to be argued on April 6, 2011. In the event that summary judgment is not granted in Mortco's favor, Mortco plans to continue to defend this matter vigorously.
On September 17, 2007, a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by William Kornfeld against Bimini Capital, certain of its current and former officers and directors, Flagstone Securities, LLC and BB&T Capital Markets alleging various violations of the federal securities laws and seeking class action certification. At a mediation held on February 12, 2010, the parties reached a tentative settlement of this matter for $2.35 million. The Company had accrued approximately $0.5 million related to the settlement. This amount represented the remainder of the $1.0 million retention that the Company was required to pay under the terms of its Directors and Officers insurance policy. On October 14, 2010, the remaining $0.4 million of the accrual was remitted to an escrow account established for the plaintiffs to be included in the settlement fund. The remainder of the settlement will be paid by the Company’s insurance carrier. A written stipulation of settlement was presented to the Court and a preliminary approval was granted on September 10, 2010. Notices were sent to members of the Class in order to provide the members of the class an opportunity to opt out of the settlement. Members had until November 11, 2010 to elect out of the settlement. A final fairness hearing was held December 9, 2010. Since the requisite percentage of members (5%) did not opt out of the settlement, the settlement became final. A Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice was issued by the Court on December 14, 2010.
A complaint was filed on December 23, 2009 in the Southern District of New York by R. Davis Howe against Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (“Bimini”), the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), and Hexagon Securities, LLC (“Hexagon”). (On December 8, 2010, Hexagon was dismissed from the action with prejudice.) The complaint alleges that Howe, a note-holder in Preferred Term Securities XX (“PreTSL XX”), suffered losses as a result of Bimini’s repurchase of all outstanding fixed/floating rate capital securities of Bimini Capital Trust II for less than par value from PreTSL XX in December 2009. The complaint alleged breach of the Indenture and breach of fiduciary duties by BNYM, and claims for tortuous interference with contract, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and “rescission/illegality” by Bimini. Plaintiff also alleged derivative claims brought in the name of Nominal Defendant PreTSL XX and BNYM as trustee. On March 4, 2011, the Court granted plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on its breach of contract claim against BNYM. The Court also granted defendants' motion for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff's derivative claims, including the claim for “rescission/illegality.” The parties’ motions for summary judgment as to all other claims were denied. On March 23, 2011, the parties reached a settlement of this matter, pursuant to which all claims will be dismissed with prejudice. Bimini’s contribution to the settlement is $400,000, which has been recorded as an accrued expense in the Company’s accompanying December 31, 2010 consolidated balance sheet.
A second complaint by a note-holder in PreTSL XX was filed on July 16, 2010 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, against the same defendants. The complaint, filed by Hildene Capital Management, LLC and Hildene Opportunities Fund, Ltd., alleges losses as a result of the same repurchase of securities from PreTSL XX by Bimini. The Hildene plaintiffs have alleged the same causes of action as Howe in the federal action. In addition, they have also alleged a cause of action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing (both directly and derivatively) against BNYM. The Hildene plaintiffs have agreed to stay this action pending resolution of the federal action. Bimini denies that the repurchase was improper and intends to defend the suit vigorously.
On March 2, 2011, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, formerly known as Opteum Financial Services, LLC and presently known as Mortco, LLC (“Opteum Financial”) and Opteum Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (“Opteum Acceptance”) (collectively referred to herein as “Opteum”) received a cover letter dated March 1, 2011 from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Mass Mutual”) enclosing a draft complaint against Opteum. In summary, Mass Mutual alleges that it purchased residential mortgage-backed securities offered by Opteum in August 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 and that Opteum made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of the securities in violation of Mass Gen. Laws Ch. 110A § 410(a)(2) (the “Massachusetts Blue Sky Law”). In its cover letter, Mass Mutual claims they are entitled to damages in excess of $25 million. However, no monetary demand is contained within the enclosed draft complaint, and the actual damages Mass Mutual claims to have incurred is uncertain.
Mass Mutual has not filed the complaint or initiated litigation. Pursuant to its request, on March 14, 2011 Mass Mutual and Opteum entered into a Tolling Agreement so that Mass Mutual could address its allegations against Opteum without incurring litigation costs. Mass Mutual has not yet contacted Opteum to schedule such discussions.
Opteum denies Opteum Financial or Opteum Acceptance, individually or collectively, made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of securities to Mass Mutual. As of March 23, 2011, Mass Mutual has taken no action to prosecute its claim against Opteum, and
the range of loss or potential loss, if any, cannot reasonably be estimated. Should Mass Mutual initiate litigation, Opteum will defend such litigation vigorously.
|
|
|
|
MARKET INFORMATION
Our Class A Common Stock is traded over-the-counter under the symbol “BMNM.OB”. As of December 31, 2010, we had 9,776,586 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, which were held by approximately 409 holders of record. The 409 holders of record include Cede & Co., which holds shares as nominee for The Depository Trust Company, which itself holds shares for the benefit of 80 beneficial owners of our Class A Common Stock.
The following table is a summary of historical price information and dividends declared and paid per common share. Over-the-counter quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retain mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. All amounts have been adjusted for the March 12, 2010 reverse stock split.
|
First Quarter
|
Second Quarter
|
Third Quarter
|
Fourth Quarter
|
Full Year
|
||||||||||||||||
|
2010
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
High
|
$ | 3.00 | $ | 1.74 | $ | 1.01 | $ | 0.95 | $ | 3.00 | ||||||||||
|
Low
|
0.80 | 0.74 | 0.77 | 0.74 | 0.74 | |||||||||||||||
|
Close
|
0.99 | 0.94 | 0.84 | 0.78 | 0.78 | |||||||||||||||
|
Dividends declared per share
|
- | 0.0600 | - | .0625 . | .1225 | |||||||||||||||
|
2009
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
High
|
$ | 0.80 | $ | 1.80 | $ | 3.50 | $ | 6.30 | $ | 6.30 | ||||||||||
|
Low
|
0.30 | 0.50 | 0.90 | 2.00 | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||
|
Close
|
0.50 | 1.00 | 2.80 | 2.40 | 2.40 | |||||||||||||||
|
Dividends declared per share
|
- | - | - | 7.00 | 7.00 | |||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2010, we had 31,938 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding, which were held by 2 holders of record and 31,938 shares of Class C Common Stock outstanding, which were held by one holder of record. There is no established public trading market for our Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock.
DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION POLICY
In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, we must make distributions to our stockholders each year in an amount at least equal to:
|
|
•
|
90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to our deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gains);
|
|
|
•
|
plus 90% of the excess of net income from foreclosure property over the tax imposed on such income by the Code;
|
|
|
•
|
minus any excess non-cash income that exceeds a percentage of our income.
|
In general, our distributions will be applied toward these requirements if paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if the distributions are declared before we timely file our tax return for that year, the distributions are paid on or before the first regular distribution payment following the declaration, and we elect on our tax return to have a specified dollar amount of such distributions treated as if paid in the prior year. Distributions declared by us in October, November or December of one taxable year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specific date in such a month are treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder during such taxable year, provided that the distribution is actually paid by us by January 31 of the following taxable year.
We anticipate that distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income to our stockholders, although a portion of such distributions may be designated by us as capital gain or may constitute a return of capital, as occurred in 2006 and 2007. We furnish annually to each of our stockholders a statement setting forth distributions paid during the preceding year and their characterization as ordinary income, return of capital or capital gains.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The plan documents for the plans described in the footnotes below are included as Exhibits to this Form 10-K, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The following table provides information as of December 31, 2010 regarding the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans.
|
Plan Category
|
Total number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
|
401,000 | (2 | ) | - | - | (3 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
- | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
401,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
|
(1)
|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders include the Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2003 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTI Plan”). This plan was approved by shareholders on December 18, 2003, prior to our initial public offering. The LTI Plan is a broad-based equity incentive plan that permits the grant of stock options, restricted stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards. Subject to adjustment upon certain corporate transactions or events, a maximum of 1,448,050 shares of Class A Common Stock (but no more than 10% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on any particular grant date) may be subject to awards under the LTI Plan.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents the aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock remaining to be issued upon settlement of phantom share awards granted pursuant to the LTI Plan and outstanding as of December 31, 2010.
|
|
(3)
|
Represents the maximum number of shares remaining available for future issuance under the terms of the LTI Plan irrespective of the 10% limitation described in footnote 1 above. Taking into account the 10% limitation and the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2010, there were no additional shares remaining available for future issuance under the terms of the LTI Plan as of December 31, 2010.
|
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company issued 125,773 and 49,748 shares of Class A Common Stock to Robert J. Dwyer and Frank E. Jaumot, respectively, in consideration for their service on the Company’s Board of Directors and on certain committees of the Board of Directors. The shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, contained in Section 4(2) thereof.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The table below presents share repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2010.
|
Class A Common Shares Repurchased
|
Weighted-average Per Share Price
|
Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs
a
|
Remaining Buyback Authority
a
|
||||
|
Amounts
|
Shares
|
||||||
|
October 2010
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
-
|
$
|
948,968
|
-
|
|
November 2010
|
218,007
|
$
|
0.86
|
218,007
|
$
|
760,400
|
-
|
|
December 2010
|
126,862
|
$
|
0.87
|
126,862
|
$
|
650,656
|
-
|
|
Three Months ended December 31, 2010
|
344,869
|
$
|
0.87
|
344,869
|
|||
a
On June 29, 2010, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to buy up to $1 million of its Class A Common Stock. The stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date.
Not Applicable.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described or incorporated by reference in “Part I - Item 1A - Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in reports that the Company files from time to time with the Commission, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.
Introduction
As used in this document, references to “Bimini Capital,” the parent company, the registrant, and to real estate investment trust (“REIT”) qualifying activities or the general management of Bimini Capital’s portfolio of MBS refer to “Bimini Capital Management, Inc.” and its wholly-owned qualified REIT subsidiary. Further, references to Bimini Capital’s taxable REIT subsidiary or non-REIT eligible assets refer to Mortco TRS, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries. This entity, which was previously named Opteum Financial Services, LLC, (referred to as “OFS”) was renamed Orchid Island TRS, LLC (referred to as “OITRS”) effective July 3, 2007 and then renamed Mortco TRS, LLC effective March 8, 2011. Hereinafter, any historical mention, discussion or references to Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, OFS or to OITRS (such as in previously filed documents or Exhibits) now means Mortco TRS, LLC or “Mortco.” References to the “Company” refer to the consolidated entity (the combination of Bimini Capital and its qualified REIT subsidiary, Orchid Island Capital, Inc., and Mortco).
Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (formerly Opteum Inc. and Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc.), was formed in September 2003 to invest primarily in but not limited to, residential mortgage related securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (more commonly known as Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (more commonly known as Freddie Mac) and the Government National Mortgage Association (more commonly known as Ginnie Mae). Bimini Capital will deploy its capital into two core strategies. The two strategies are a levered MBS portfolio and an unlevered structured MBS portfolio. The leverage applied to the MBS portfolio will typically be less than twelve to one. Bimini Capital manages its portfolio of agency MBS and structured MBS to generate income derived from the net interest margin of its MBS portfolio, levered predominantly under repurchase agreement funding, net of associated hedging costs, and the interest income derived from its unlevered portfolio of structured mortgage-backed securities. Bimini Capital treats its remaining junior subordinated notes as an equity capital equivalent. Bimini Capital is self-managed and self-advised and has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
On April 18, 2007, the Board of Managers of Mortco, at the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company, approved the closure of the wholesale and conduit mortgage loan origination channels. Both channels ceased accepting new applications for mortgage loans on April 20, 2007. On May 7, 2007, Mortco signed a binding agreement, later amended, to sell its retail mortgage loan origination channel to a third party. The transaction closed on September 30, 2007 and Mortco has not operated a mortgage loan origination business since that date. Mortco has been reported since the second quarter of 2007 as a discontinued operation following applicable accounting standards. Through September 30, 2010, most of the remaining assets and liabilities were considered to be contingent and were held by Mortco pursuant to the terms of the disposal of the operations. The disposal of the retained interests asset has been delayed as a result of the lingering effects of the financial market crisis and a significant lack of investor interest in such securities, even though the Company has made efforts to market such securities to previously active market participants. Because Mortco continues to hold these net assets, and the Company has not been able to dispose of them, the remnants of the old mortgage banking business are no longer classified as discontinued operations effective October 1, 2010, and the related assets and liabilities previously classified as held for sale have been reclassified to held and used for all periods presented.
DIVIDENDS TO STOCKHOLDERS
In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, Bimini Capital is required (among other provisions) to annually distribute dividends to its stockholders in an amount at least equal to, generally, 90% of Bimini Capital’s REIT taxable income. REIT taxable income is a term that describes Bimini Capital’s operating results calculated in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
Bimini Capital’s REIT taxable income is computed differently from net income as computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP net income"), as reported in the Company’s accompanying consolidated financial statements. Depending on the number and size of the various items or transactions being accounted for differently, the differences between REIT taxable income and GAAP net income can be substantial and each item can affect several reporting periods. Generally, these items are timing or temporary differences between years; for example, an item that may be a deduction for GAAP net income in the current year may not be a deduction for REIT taxable income until a later year. The most significant differences are as follows: the results of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary do not impact REIT taxable income, unrealized gains or losses on the trading securities portfolio do not impact REIT taxable income, and interest income on structured MBS securities is computed differently for REIT taxable income and GAAP.
As a REIT, Bimini Capital may be subject to a federal excise tax if Bimini Capital distributes less than 85% of its taxable income by the end of the calendar year. Accordingly, Bimini Capital’s dividends are based on its taxable income, as determined for federal income tax purposes, as opposed to its net income computed in accordance with GAAP (as reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements).
Results of Operations:
Net Income Summary
Consolidated net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $1.7 million, or $0.18 basic and diluted loss per share of Class A Common Stock, as compared to consolidated net income of $45.7 million, or $16.37 and $11.90 basic and diluted income per share, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decrease of $47.4 million was primarily the result of the gain on debt extinguishment of approximately $42.0 million reported by the Company during 2009. The balance of the decline was the result of net portfolio income decreasing by $7.0 million. As described in more detail below, the primary causes for the decrease in net portfolio income were a reduction in the average yield on structured MBS from 44% to 15%, resulting in associated interest income from the structured sub-portfolio declining $4.1 million, gains and losses on trading securities (both realized and mark to market related) declining from net gains of $4.8 million to net losses of $0.5 million, and offset by a reduction on the interest expense on the Company’s junior subordinated notes from $5.1 million to $2.1 million. Offsetting the adverse movement in earnings for the period was a $1.8 million increase in gains on retained interests, and other income and the reversal of the prior year’s income tax provision. Total expenses for the year increased $0.5 million, from $7.3 million to $7.8 million.
Net Portfolio Income
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the REIT generated $6.2 million of net portfolio interest income, consisting of $6.5 million of interest income from MBS assets offset by $0.3 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities. For the comparable period ended December 31, 2009, the REIT generated $10.5 million of net portfolio interest income, consisting of $11.0 million of interest income from MBS assets offset by $0.5 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities.
The tables below provide quarterly information. The first table displays our average balances, interest income, yield on assets, average repurchase agreement balances, interest expense, cost of funds, net interest income and net interest rate for each quarter of 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
(dollars in thousands)
|
Average MBS Held
|
Interest Income
|
Yield on Average MBS
|
Average Repurchase Agreements
|
Interest Expense
|
Average Cost of Funds
|
Net Portfolio Interest Income
|
Net Interest Spread
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
$ | 132,955 | $ | 1,497 | 4.51 | % | $ | 110,433 | $ | 88 | 0.32 | % | $ | 1,409 | 4.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
September 30, 2010
|
114,165 | 1,262 | 4.42 | % | 89,440 | 69 | 0.31 | % | 1,193 | 4.11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
June 30, 2010
|
99,856 | 1,810 | 7.25 | % | 74,163 | 53 | 0.29 | % | 1,757 | 6.96 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
March 31, 2010
|
110,914 | 1,898 | 6.85 | % | 88,495 | 68 | 0.31 | % | 1,830 | 6.54 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
112,973 | 1,785 | 6.32 | % | 80,904 | 60 | 0.29 | % | 1,725 | 6.03 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
September 30, 2009
|
100,386 | 2,882 | 11.48 | % | 65,712 | 69 | 0.42 | % | 2,813 | 11.06 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
June 30, 2009
|
92,949 | 2,683 | 11.55 | % | 72,312 | 105 | 0.58 | % | 2,578 | 10.97 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
March 31, 2009
|
131,756 | 3,674 | 11.16 | % | 111,715 | 254 | 0.91 | % | 3,420 | 10.25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Twelve Months Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
$ | 114,473 | $ | 6,467 | 5.65 | % | $ | 90,633 | $ | 278 | 0.31 | % | $ | 6,189 | 5.41 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
109,516 | 11,024 | 10.07 | % | 82,661 | 488 | 0.59 | % | 10,536 | 9.62 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
The second table below breaks out the income components into our respective sub-portfolios, consisting of structured MBS and PT MBS.
(dollars in thousands)
|
Average MBS Held
|
Interest Income
|
Realized Yield on Average MBS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
PT MBS
|
Structured MBS
|
Total
|
PT MBS
|
Structured MBS
|
Total
|
PT MBS
|
Structured MBS
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
$ | 114,570 | $ | 18,385 | $ | 132,955 | $ | 995 | $ | 502 | $ | 1,497 | 3.48 | % | 10.92 | % | 4.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
|
September 30, 2010
|
93,579 | 20,586 | 114,165 | 834 | 428 | 1,262 | 3.56 | % | 8.31 | % | 4.42 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
June 30, 2010
|
79,691 | 20,165 | 99,856 | 763 | 1,047 | 1,810 | 3.83 | % | 20.76 | % | 7.25 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
March 31, 2010
|
94,493 | 16,421 | 110,914 | 1,051 | 847 | 1,898 | 4.45 | % | 20.64 | % | 6.85 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
96,157 | 16,816 | 112,973 | 856 | 929 | 1,785 | 3.56 | % | 22.09 | % | 6.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
September 30, 2009
|
81,298 | 19,088 | 100,386 | 741 | 2,141 | 2,882 | 3.64 | % | 44.88 | % | 11.48 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
June 30, 2009
|
77,888 | 15,061 | 92,949 | 853 | 1,830 | 2,683 | 4.38 | % | 48.60 | % | 11.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
March 31, 2009
|
119,601 | 12,155 | 131,756 | 1,632 | 2,043 | 3,674 | 5.46 | % | 67.22 | % | 11.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Twelve Months Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
$ | 95,583 | $ | 18,890 | $ | 114,473 | $ | 3,643 | $ | 2,824 | $ | 6,467 | 3.81 | % | 14.95 | % | 5.65 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
93,736 | 15,780 | 109,516 | 4,082 | 6,942 | 11,024 | 4.35 | % | 44.00 | % | 10.07 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio yields and costs of borrowings presented in the tables above and the table on page 50 are calculated based on the average balances of the underlying investment portfolio/repurchase agreement balances and are annualized for the quarterly and year to date periods presented. Average balances for quarterly periods are calculated using two data points, the beginning and ending balances. Average balances for the year to date periods are calculated as the average of the average quarterly periods.
Interest Income and Average Earning Asset Yield
Average MBS were $114.5 million and $109.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Interest income was $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $11.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The yield on average MBS decreased from 10.07% for the year ended December 31, 2009 to 5.65% for the year ended December 31, 2010. Average MBS increased by $5.0 million, including an increase of $3.1 million in average structured MBS. Interest income decreased $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in interest income for 2010, when compared to 2009, was primarily driven by a decline in the yield of structured MBS, which averaged 44.00% for the year ended December 31, 2009, versus 14.95% for the year ended December 31, 2010. Also contributing to the decline in interest income was a decline in the average coupon on the PT MBS portfolio from 4.35% to 3.81%. The decrease in average yield reflects the change in economic conditions from the peak of the financial crisis, especially in early 2009, to far less stressed economic conditions in 2010. Prepayments of structured MBS increased substantially, to a large extent because of buy-out activity of the GSE’s – a clear sign of a distressed economy, and also because credit markets for residential mortgages were more active than they were in 2009.
Interest Expense on Repurchase Agreements and the Cost of Funds
Average outstanding repurchase agreements were $90.6 million and total interest expense was $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2009, average outstanding repurchase agreements were $82.7 million and total interest expense was $0.5 million. Our average cost of funds was 0.31% for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 0.59% for the year ended December 31, 2009. The cost of funds rate decreased by 28 basis points and the average outstanding repurchase agreements increased by $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased by $0.2 million, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2009, due to the decrease in the average cost of funds rate.
Since all of our repurchase agreements are short term, changes in market rates directly affect our interest expense. Our average cost of funds was 4 basis points above average one-month LIBOR and 21 basis points below average six-month LIBOR for the year ended December 31, 2010. The average term to maturity of the outstanding repurchase agreements decreased from 38 days at December 31, 2009 to 28 days at December 31, 2010. The table below provides quarterly information with respect to our repurchase agreements.
(in thousands)
|
Average Balance of Repurchase Agreements
|
Interest Expense
|
Average Cost of Funds
|
Average One-Month LIBOR
|
Average Six-Month LIBOR
|
Average Cost of Funds Relative to Average One-Month LIBOR
|
Average Cost of Funds Relative to Average Six-Month LIBOR
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
$ | 110,433 | $ | 88 | 0.32 | % | 0.26 | % | 0.47 | % | 0.06 | % | (0.15 | )% | ||||||||||||||
|
September 30, 2010
|
89,440 | 69 | 0.31 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.61 | % | 0.01 | % | (0.30 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
|
June 30, 2010
|
74,163 | 53 | 0.29 | % | 0.29 | % | 0.58 | % | - | (0.29 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
|
March 31, 2010
|
88,495 | 68 | 0.31 | % | 0.24 | % | 0.43 | % | 0.07 | % | (0.12 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
80,904 | 60 | 0.29 | % | 0.24 | % | 0.57 | % | 0.05 | % | (0.28 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
|
September 30, 2009
|
65,712 | 69 | 0.42 | % | 0.28 | % | 0.93 | % | 0.14 | % | (0.51 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
|
June 30, 2009
|
72,312 | 105 | 0.58 | % | 0.42 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.16 | % | (0.92 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
|
March 31, 2009
|
111,715 | 254 | 0.91 | % | 0.81 | % | 2.00 | % | 0.10 | % | (1.09 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
|
Twelve Months Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
$ | 90,633 | $ | 278 | 0.31 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.04 | % | (0.21 | )% | ||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
82,661 | 488 | 0.59 | % | 0.44 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.15 | % | (0.66 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
Junior Subordinated Notes
Interest expense on the Company’s junior subordinated debt securities was $2.1 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In two separate transactions during 2009, the Company was able to extinguish $76.3 million of its $103.1 million in outstanding junior subordinated notes. Interest expense decreased by $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009 due entirely to the reduced outstanding balance.
Gains and Losses
The Company reported losses of $0.5 million on trading securities for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to gains of $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a loss from fair value adjustments on its portfolio holdings totaling $1.3 million, compared to a gain of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company realized gains of $0.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, on sales proceeds totaling $105.2 million and $184.2 million, respectively.
The decrease in reported gains for the year ended December 31, 2010, versus the comparable period in 2009, were the result of the change in market conditions, particularly with respect to structured MBS securities. Structured MBS securities are more sensitive to prepayment levels on the underlying loans of the securities. Prepayment activity, in particular as a result of GSE buy-out activity related to delinquent loans, was substantially higher in 2010 versus 2009. Security prices from the previous quarter, reduced by current principal reductions, are used as the basis of determining gains and losses realized from the sale of securities.
Other Income
The Company reported gains of $2.2 million and $0.2 on retained interests in securitizations during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Retained interests in securitizations represent residual interests in loans originated or purchased by the Company’s closed mortgage origination business. Fluctuations in value of retained interests are primarily driven by projections of future interest rates (the forward LIBOR curve), the discount rate used to determine the present value of the residual cash flows and prepayment and loss estimates on the underlying mortgage loans.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, in two separate transactions, the Company extinguished $76.3 million of its junior subordinated debt. The Company recorded gains of approximately $42.0 million on these debt extinguishments.
Operating Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital’s total operating expenses were approximately $7.8 million, compared to approximately $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Consolidated operating expenses increased $0.5 in 2010 compared to 2009. The table below provides a breakdown of operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
(in thousands)
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
Change
|
||||||||||
|
Direct REIT operating expenses
|
$ | 595 | $ | 596 | $ | (1 | ) | |||||
|
Compensation and benefits
|
1,976 | 1,966 | 10 | |||||||||
|
Accounting and auditing fees
|
580 | 548 | 32 | |||||||||
|
Legal fees
|
2,700 | 1,632 | 1,068 | |||||||||
|
Directors’ fees and liability insurance
|
517 | 492 | 25 | |||||||||
|
Other G&A expenses
|
1,453 | 2,076 | (623 | ) | ||||||||
| $ | 7,821 | $ | 7,310 | $ | 511 | |||||||
Financial Condition:
Mortgage-Backed Securities
As of December 31, 2010, the MBS portfolio consisted of $135.1 million of agency or government MBS at fair value and had a weighted average coupon on assets of 4.04%. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we received principal repayments of $33.1 million, compared to $25.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The average prepayment speeds for the quarters ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were 28% and 26%, respectively
The following tables summarize certain characteristics of Bimini Capital’s agency and government mortgage related securities as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
(in thousands)
|
Asset Category
|
Fair
Value
|
Percentage of
Entire
Portfolio
|
Weighted
Average
Coupon
|
Weighted
Average
Maturity in
Months
|
Longest
Maturity
|
Weighted
Average Coupon
Reset in Months
|
Weighted
Average
Lifetime Cap
|
Weighted
Average
Periodic Cap
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Adjustable-Rate MBS
|
$ | 64,458 | 47.7 | % | 2.83 | % | 279 |
1-Jan-41
|
2.72 | 10.19 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Fixed-Rate MBS
|
50,013 | 37.0 | % | 4.90 | % | 178 |
1-Apr-36
|
n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Hybrid Adjustable-Rate MBS
|
2,783 | 2.1 | % | 5.18 | % | 295 |
1-Aug-35
|
18.03 | 10.18 | % | 2.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||
|
Total Mortgage-backed Pass-through
|
117,254 | 86.8 | % | 3.77 | % | 236 |
1-Jan-41
|
3.35 | 10.19 | % | 2.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||
|
Structured MBS
|
17,879 | 13.2 | % | 5.83 | % | 272 |
16-Nov-39
|
n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Mortgage Assets
|
$ | 135,133 | 100.0 | % | 4.04 | % | 241 |
1-Jan-41
|
3.35 | n/a | 2.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Adjustable-Rate MBS
|
$ | 32,598 | 27.2 | % | 3.75 | % | 261 |
1-Oct-35
|
4.87 | 11.16 | % | 10.34 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Fixed-Rate MBS
|
5,241 | 4.4 | % | 6.50 | % | 333 |
1-Oct-37
|
n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Hybrid Adjustable-Rate MBS
|
67,036 | 56.0 | % | 4.45 | % | 338 |
1-Dec-39
|
40.27 | 9.45 | % | 2.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||
|
Total Mortgage-backed Pass-through
|
104,875 | 87.6 | % | 4.33 | % | 314 |
1-Dec-39
|
28.69 | 10.01 | % | 4.40 | % | |||||||||||||||||
|
Structured MBS
|
14,793 | 12.4 | % | 5.59 | % | 240 |
25-Jan-39
|
n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Mortgage Assets
|
$ | 119,668 | 100.0 | % | 4.49 | % | 305 |
1-Dec-39
|
28.69 | n/a | 4.40 | % | |||||||||||||||||
(in thousands)
|
December 31, 2010
|
December 31, 2009
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Agency
|
Fair Value
|
Percentage of
Entire Portfolio
|
Fair Value
|
Percentage of
Entire Portfolio
|
||||||||||||
|
Fannie Mae
|
$ | 103,568 | 76.64 | % | $ | 108,775 | 90.9 | % | ||||||||
|
Freddie Mac
|
25,710 | 19.03 | % | 10,893 | 9.1 | % | ||||||||||
|
Ginnie Mae
|
5,855 | 4.33 | % | - | - | |||||||||||
|
Total Portfolio
|
$ | 135,133 | 100.00 | % | $ | 119,668 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
Entire Portfolio
|
December 31, 2010
|
December 31, 2009
|
||||||
|
Weighted Average Pass Through Purchase Price
|
$ | 104.44 | $ | 103.13 | ||||
|
Weighted Average Structured Purchase Price
|
$ | 5.46 | $ | 4.66 | ||||
|
Weighted Average Pass Through Current Price
|
$ | 105.29 | $ | 103.79 | ||||
|
Weighted Average Structured Current Price
|
$ | 5.98 | $ | 4.93 | ||||
|
Effective Duration
(1)
|
1.024 | 1.593 | ||||||
(1) Effective duration of 1.024 indicates that an interest rate increase of 1.0% would be expected to cause a 1.024% decrease in the value of the MBS in the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2010. An effective duration of 1.593 indicates that an interest rate increase of 1.0% would be expected to cause a 1.593% decline in the value of the MBS in the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2009. These figures include the structured securities in the portfolio.
The following table presents the constant prepayment rate (“CPR”) we experienced on our structured and PT MBS sub-portfolios, on an annualized basis, for the quarterly periods presented.
|
Three Months Ended,
|
Structured MBS Sub-Portfolio
|
PT MBS
Sub-Portfolio
|
Total Portfolio
|
|||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
34.5 | 11.7 | 28.3 | |||||||||
|
September 30, 2010
|
35.0 | 17.2 | 30.6 | |||||||||
|
June 30, 2010
|
44.9 | 27.8 | 42.1 | |||||||||
|
March 31, 2010
|
33.3 | 9.2 | 28.8 | |||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
26.9 | 26.0 | 26.1 | |||||||||
|
September 30, 2009
|
27.0 | 26.9 | 26.9 | |||||||||
|
June 30, 2009
|
22.0 | 9.1 | 11.7 | |||||||||
|
March 31, 2009
|
9.2 | 10.9 | 10.7 | |||||||||
Bimini Capital’s portfolio of PT MBS is typically comprised of ARMs fixed-rate MBS and hybrid ARMs. Bimini Capital seeks to acquire low duration assets that offer high levels of protection from mortgage prepayments. Although the duration of an individual asset can change as a result of changes in interest rates, Bimini Capital strives to maintain a PT MBS portfolio with an effective duration of less than 2.0. The stated contractual final maturity of the mortgage loans underlying Bimini Capital’s portfolio of PT MBS generally ranges up to 30 years. However, the effect of prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans tends to shorten the resulting cash flows from Bimini Capital’s investments substantially. Prepayments occur for various reasons, including refinancing of underlying mortgages and loan payoffs in connection with home sales.
The duration of Bimini Capital’s IO and IIO portfolio will vary greatly because of the structural features of the securities. While prepayment activity will always affect the cash flows associated with the securities, the interest only nature of IO’s may cause their durations to become extremely negative when prepayments are high, and less negative when prepayments are low. With respect to IIO’s, prepayments affect their durations in a similar fashion to that of IO’s, but the floating rate nature of their coupon (which is inversely related to the level of one month LIBOR) cause their price movements and model duration to be affected by changes in prepayments as well as one month LIBOR – both current and anticipated levels. As a result, the duration of IIO securities will also vary greatly.
Prepayments on the loans underlying Bimini Capital’s MBS can alter the timing of the cash flows from the underlying loans to the Company. As a result, Bimini Capital gauges the interest rate sensitivity of its assets by measuring their effective duration. While modified duration measures the price sensitivity of a bond to movements in interest rates, effective duration captures both the movement in interest rates and the fact that cash flows to a mortgage related security are altered when interest rates move. Accordingly, when the contract interest rate on a mortgage loan is substantially above prevailing interest rates in the market, the effective duration of securities collateralized by such loans can be quite low because of expected prepayments. Although some of the fixed-rate MBS in Bimini Capital’s portfolio are collateralized by loans with a lower propensity to prepay when the contract rate is above prevailing rates, their price movements track securities with like contract rates and therefore exhibit similar effective duration.
Bimini Capital faces the risk that the market value of its assets will increase or decrease at different rates than that of its liabilities, including its hedging instruments. Accordingly, the Company assesses its interest rate risk by estimating the duration of its assets and the duration of its liabilities. Bimini Capital generally calculates duration using various third party models. However, empirical results and different third party models may produce different duration numbers for the same securities.
The following sensitivity analysis shows the estimated impact on the fair value of Bimini Capital's interest rate-sensitive investments as of December 31, 2010, assuming rates instantaneously fall 100 basis points (“bps”), rise 100 bps and rise 200 bps:
(in thousands)
|
Fair Value
|
$ Change in Fair Value
|
% Change in Fair Value
|
|||||||||||
|
-100 BPS
|
+100 BPS
|
+200 BPS
|
-100 BPS
|
+100 BPS
|
+200 BPS
|
||||||||
|
Adjustable Rate MBS
|
$
|
64,458
|
$
|
1,030
|
$
|
(1,030)
|
$
|
(2,061)
|
1.60%
|
(1.60)%
|
(3.20)%
|
||
|
Fixed Rate MBS
|
50,013
|
1,573
|
(1,573)
|
(3,145)
|
3.14%
|
(3.14)%
|
(6.29)%
|
||||||
|
Hybrid Adjustable Rate MBS
|
2,783
|
30
|
(30)
|
(60)
|
1.07%
|
(1.07)%
|
(2.14)%
|
||||||
|
Structured MBS
|
17,879
|
(846)
|
846
|
1,693
|
(4.73)%
|
4.73%
|
9.47%
|
||||||
|
Portfolio Total
|
$
|
135,133
|
$
|
1,787
|
$
|
(1,787)
|
$
|
(3,573)
|
1.32%
|
(1.32)%
|
(2.64)%
|
||
The table below reflects the same analysis presented above but with the figures in the columns that indicate the estimated impact of a 100 bps fall or rise and a 200 bps rise adjusted to reflect the impact of convexity.
(in thousands)
|
Fair Value
|
$ Change in Fair Value
|
% Change in Fair Value
|
|||||||||||
|
-100 BPS
|
+100 BPS
|
+200 BPS
|
-100 BPS
|
+100 BPS
|
+200 BPS
|
||||||||
|
Adjustable Rate MBS
|
$
|
64,458
|
$
|
667
|
$
|
(1,177)
|
$
|
(2,695)
|
1.04%
|
(1.83)%
|
(4.18)%
|
||
|
Fixed Rate MBS
|
50,013
|
1,154
|
(1,812)
|
(3,858)
|
2.31%
|
(3.62)%
|
(7.71)%
|
||||||
|
Hybrid Adjustable Rate MBS
|
2,783
|
(20)
|
(49)
|
(117)
|
(0.71)%
|
(1.75)%
|
(4.20)%
|
||||||
|
Structured MBS
|
17,879
|
(2,594)
|
5,611
|
8,626
|
(14.51)%
|
31.38%
|
48.24%
|
||||||
|
Portfolio Total
|
$
|
135,133
|
$
|
(793)
|
$
|
2,573
|
$
|
1,956
|
(0.59)%
|
1.90%
|
1.45%
|
||
In addition to changes in interest rates, other factors impact the fair value of Bimini Capital's interest rate-sensitive investments and hedging instruments, such as the shape of the yield curve, market expectations as to future interest rate changes and other market conditions. Accordingly, in the event of changes in actual interest rates, the change in the fair value of Bimini Capital's assets would likely differ from that shown above and such difference might be material and adverse to Bimini Capital's stockholders.
Repurchase Agreements
As of December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital had established borrowing facilities in the repurchase agreement market with four counterparties which we believe are in excess of our needs. None of these lenders are affiliated with Bimini Capital. As of December 31, 2010, we had funding in place with two of those counterparties. These borrowings are secured by Bimini Capital’s MBS and bear interest rates that are based on a spread to LIBOR.
As of December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital had obligations outstanding under the repurchase agreements of approximately $113.6 million with a net weighted average borrowing cost of 0.32%. The remaining maturity of Bimini Capital’s outstanding repurchase agreement obligations ranged from 10 to 66 days, with a weighted average maturity of 28 days. Securing the repurchase agreement obligation as of December 31, 2010, are MBS with an estimated fair value, including accrued interest, of $117.6 million and a weighted average maturity of 237 months. Through March 23, 2011, the Company has been able to maintain its repurchase facilities with its counterparties with comparable terms to those that existed at December 31, 2010 with maturities through July 7, 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is our ability to turn non-cash assets into cash, purchase additional investments, repay principal and interest on borrowings, fund overhead, fulfill margin calls and pay dividends. Our principal immediate sources of liquidity include cash balances and unused borrowing capacity under repurchase agreements. Our balance sheet also generates liquidity on an on-going basis through payments of principal and interest we receive on our MBS portfolio, cash flows received by Mortco from the residual interests and the collection of servicing advances. Because our MBS portfolio consists entirely of government and agency securities, we do not anticipate having difficulty converting our assets to cash should our liquidity needs ever exceed our immediately available sources of cash.
Bimini Capital’s master repurchase agreements have no stated expiration, but can be terminated at any time at Bimini Capital’s option or at the option of the counterparty. However, once a definitive repurchase agreement under a master repurchase agreement has been entered into, it generally may not be terminated by either party. A negotiated termination can occur, but may involve a fee to be paid by the party seeking to terminate the repurchase agreement transaction.
Under our repurchase agreements, we may be required to pledge additional assets to our repurchase agreement counterparties in the event the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral, which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Similarly, if the estimated fair value of our pledged collateral increases due to changes in market interest rates or market factors, lenders may release collateral back to us. Through December 31, 2010, we did not have any margin calls on our repurchase agreements that we were not able to satisfy with either cash or additional pledged collateral. However, should prepayment speeds and/or market interest rates suddenly increase on the mortgages underlying our MBS, margin calls on our repurchase agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.
As a result of losses incurred during and after the period when the Mortco operated a mortgage loan origination business, the Company was forced to materially downsize its investment portfolio to raise cash, and was left with a depleted capital base. This period covered the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. One consequence of this development was the Company had progressively less access to funding via repurchase agreements and from fewer counterparties. The Company therefore opted to augment its existing leveraged MBS portfolio with alternative investments. The Company developed an alternative investment strategy utilizing structured MBS with comparable borrower and prepayment characteristics to the securities currently in the portfolio. Such securities are not funded in the repurchase market but instead are purchased directly, thus reducing – but not eliminating - the Company’s reliance on access to repurchase agreement funding. The leverage inherent in the securities replaces the leverage obtained by acquiring PT securities and funding them in the repurchase market. As described above, this strategy is now a core element of the Company’s investment strategy.
During 2009, the Company extinguished $76.3 million of trust preferred securities and recognized a gain of $42 million. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, $26.8 million of trust preferred securities bearing interest at an adjustable rate (3.8% at December 31, 2010) and maturing on 2035 remain outstanding.
Outlook
As mentioned above, during 2009, the Company executed two transactions whereby $74 million of its $100 million trust preferred debt was extinguished early. As a result, the Company’s balance sheet is substantially less leveraged and the associated interest charges have been reduced accordingly. The repurchase agreement funding markets have returned to a level of functionality so that most firms managing levered agency PT MBS portfolios have adequate access to funding. Further, the Company has been able to offset the necessity to access the repo funding market with its alternative investment strategy. The continued depressed state of the economy has forced the Federal Reserve to maintain extreme levels of accommodation available to the economy, namely low levels of the Federal Funds rate. This directly impacts the funding levels available to the Company. The combination of the low funding levels and the alternative investment strategy has enabled the Company to continue to generate net interest margins (“NIM”), above our historical average.
Nonetheless, the reduced size of the portfolio in relation to the Company’s operating expenses will constrain the earnings potential of the Company in the near term. Given the reduced size of its portfolio, even with the benefit of the alternative investment strategy, no assurance can be made of the Company’s ability to generate sufficient net interest income to cover all of its costs. The Company’s ability to generate sufficient net interest income to cover its costs will also be impacted by funding costs, which in turn will depend on how long funding rates will remain at current levels.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note
1 to the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
GAAP requires the Company’s management to make some complex and subjective decisions and assessments. The Company’s most critical accounting policies involve decisions and assessments which could significantly affect reported assets and liabilities, as well as reported revenues and expenses. The Company believes that all of the decisions and assessments upon which its financial statements are based were reasonable at the time made based upon information available to it at that time. Management has identified its most critical accounting policies to be the following:
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
The Company’s investments in MBS are classified as held for trading. Changes in fair value of securities held for trading are recorded through the statement of operations. The Company’s MBS have fair values determined by management based on the average of third-party broker quotes received and/or by independent pricing sources when available. Because the price estimates may vary to some degree between sources, management must make certain judgments and assumptions about the appropriate price to use to calculate the fair values for financial reporting purposes. Alternatively, management could opt to have the value of all of its positions in MBS determined by either an independent third-party pricing source or do so internally based on management’s own estimates. Management believes pricing on the basis of third-party broker quotes is the most consistent with the definition of fair value described in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
We finance the acquisition of our PT MBS through the use of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements.
INCOME RECOGNITION
All securities are either PT MBS securities, IO securities or IIO securities. Income on PT MBS securities is based on the stated interest rate of the security. Premium or discount present at the date of purchase is not amortized. For IIO and IO securities classified as held for trading, the income is accrued based on the carrying value and the effective yield. As cash is received it is first applied to accrued interest and then to reduce the carrying value. At each reporting date, the effective yield is adjusted prospectively from the reporting period based on the new estimate of prepayments. The new effective yield is calculated based on the carrying value at the end of the previous reporting period, the new prepayment estimates and the contractual terms of the security. Changes in fair value during the period are recorded in earnings and reported as (losses) gains on trading securities in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
INCOME TAXES
Bimini Capital has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. As further described below, Bimini Capital’s subsidiary, Mortco is a taxpaying entity for income tax purposes and is taxed separately from Bimini Capital. Bimini Capital will generally not be subject to federal income tax on its REIT taxable income to the extent that Bimini Capital distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and satisfies the ongoing REIT requirements, including meeting certain asset, income and stock ownership tests. A REIT must generally distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders, of which 85% generally must be distributed within the taxable year, in order to avoid the imposition of an excise tax. The remaining balance may be distributed up to the end of the following taxable year, provided the REIT elects to treat such amount as a prior year distribution and meets certain other requirements.
Mortco and its activities are subject to corporate income taxes and the applicable provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740,
Income Taxes
. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. To the extent management believes deferred tax assets will not be fully realized in future periods, a provision is recorded so as to reflect the net portion, if any, of the deferred tax asset management expects to realize.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As discussed above, Mortco previously pooled loans that it had originated or purchased and then sold them or securitized them to obtain long-term financing for its assets. Securitized loans were transferred to a trust where they served as collateral for asset-backed bonds, which the trust primarily issued to the public. Mortco held approximately $3.9 million of retained interests from securitizations as of December 31, 2010. In addition, Mortco retained the servicing related to the loans sold or securitized. While such servicing has been sold and or surrendered, advances made prior to such transactions continues to be collected as the underlying properties are liquidated.
The cash flows associated with Mortco’s securitization activities for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, were as follows:
(in thousands)
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Net servicing repayments
|
2,041 | 14,254 | ||||||
|
Cash flows received on retained interests
|
4,222 | 9,834 | ||||||
Not applicable.
Index to Financial Statements
|
Page
|
||||
|
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
|
59 | |||
|
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
60 | |||
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
62 | |||
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
63 | |||
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
64 | |||
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
65 | |||
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
67 | |||
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
|
|
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
|
|
|
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and
|
|
|
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
|
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on the assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.
The Company’s registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The report is included herein.
/s/ Robert E. Cauley
Robert E. Cauley
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ G. Hunter Haas
G. Hunter Haas IV
President, Chief Investment Officer,
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Bimini Capital Management, Inc.
Vero Beach, Florida
We have audited Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and subsidiaries (the ”Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the COSO criteria
.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended and our report dated March 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
West Palm Beach, Florida
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
March 24, 2011
Certified Public Accountants
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Bimini Capital Management, Inc.
Vero Beach, Florida
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended
,
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
West Palm Beach, Florida /s/ BDO USA, LLP
March 24, 2011
Certified Public Accountants
|
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
ASSETS:
|
||||||||
|
Mortgage-backed securities – held for trading
|
||||||||
|
Pledged to counterparties, at fair value
|
$ | 117,253,931 | $ | 104,875,798 | ||||
|
Unpledged, at fair value
|
17,879,409 | 14,792,697 | ||||||
|
Total mortgage-backed securities
|
135,133,340 | 119,668,495 | ||||||
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
2,830,584 | 6,469,795 | ||||||
|
Restricted cash
|
3,545,885 | 2,530,000 | ||||||
|
Retained interests in securitizations
|
3,927,777 | 5,934,499 | ||||||
|
Accrued interest receivable
|
1,049,577 | 1,075,052 | ||||||
|
Property and equipment, net
|
3,894,717 | 3,976,546 | ||||||
|
Prepaids and other assets, net
|
6,609,043 | 9,686,928 | ||||||
|
Total Assets
|
$ | 156,990,923 | $ | 149,341,315 | ||||
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
||||||||
|
LIABILITIES:
|
||||||||
|
Repurchase agreements
|
$ | 113,591,685 | $ | 100,271,206 | ||||
|
Junior subordinated notes due to Bimini Capital Trust II
|
26,804,440 | 26,804,440 | ||||||
|
Accrued interest payable
|
120,410 | 131,595 | ||||||
|
Dividends payable in cash
|
- | 1,877,944 | ||||||
|
Dividends payable in Class A common stock
|
- | 16,862,469 | ||||||
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
|
8,102,062 | 8,548,662 | ||||||
|
Total Liabilities
|
148,618,597 | 154,496,316 | ||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
|
||||||||
|
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
|
||||||||
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; designated, 1,800,000 shares as Class A Redeemable and 2,000,000 shares as Class B Redeemable; no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
- | - | ||||||
|
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 98,000,000 shares designated: 9,776,586 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2,763,779 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009
|
9,777 | 2,764 | ||||||
|
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares designated, 31,938 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 31,939 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009
|
32 | 32 | ||||||
|
Class C Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares designated, 31,938 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 31,939 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009
|
32 | 32 | ||||||
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
334,459,072 | 319,191,227 | ||||||
|
Accumulated deficit
|
(326,096,587 | ) | (324,349,056 | ) | ||||
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
|
8,372,326 | (5,155,001 | ) | |||||
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
|
$ | 156,990,923 | $ | 149,341,315 | ||||
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
||||||||
|
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Interest income
|
$ | 6,467,103 | $ | 11,024,210 | ||||
|
Interest expense
|
(278,060 | ) | (487,770 | ) | ||||
|
Net interest income, before interest on junior subordinated notes
|
6,189,043 | 10,536,440 | ||||||
|
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes
|
(2,118,486 | ) | (5,110,729 | ) | ||||
|
Net interest income
|
4,070,557 | 5,425,711 | ||||||
|
(Losses) gains on trading securities
|
(471,708 | ) | 4,761,104 | |||||
|
Losses on Eurodollar futures
|
(392,275 | ) | - | |||||
|
Net portfolio income
|
3,206,574 | 10,186,815 | ||||||
|
Other income:
|
||||||||
|
Gains on retained interests on securitizations
|
2,215,739 | 166,932 | ||||||
|
Other income
|
506,556 | 771,495 | ||||||
|
Gain on debt extinguishment
|
- | 42,026,708 | ||||||
|
Total other income
|
2,722,295 | 42,965,135 | ||||||
|
Expenses:
|
||||||||
|
Compensation and related benefits
|
1,976,019 | 1,966,188 | ||||||
|
Directors' fees and liability insurance
|
517,351 | 492,396 | ||||||
|
Audit, legal and other professional fees
|
3,280,422 | 2,179,273 | ||||||
|
Direct REIT operating expenses
|
594,719 | 595,574 | ||||||
|
Other administrative
|
1,452,889 | 2,076,471 | ||||||
|
Total expenses
|
7,821,400 | 7,309,902 | ||||||
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
(1,892,531 | ) | 45,842,048 | |||||
|
Income tax (benefit) provision
|
(145,000 | ) | 145,000 | |||||
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ | (1,747,531 | ) | $ | 45,697,048 | |||
|
Basic And Diluted Net (Loss) Income Per Share of:
|
||||||||
|
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 16.37 | |||
|
Diluted
|
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 11.90 | |||
|
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 16.37 | |||
|
Diluted
|
$ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 12.22 | |||
|
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
|
||||||||
|
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
9,644,850 | 2,759,821 | ||||||
|
Diluted
|
9,644,850 | 3,807,623 | ||||||
|
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
|
||||||||
|
Basic and Diluted
|
31,938 | 31,939 | ||||||
|
Dividends Declared Per Common Share:
|
||||||||
|
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
|
$ | 0.1225 | $ | 0.70 | ||||
|
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
|
$ | 0.1225 | $ | 0.70 | ||||
|
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Common Stock,
Amounts at par value
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Class A
|
Class B
|
Class C
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balances, January 1, 2009
|
$ | 2,621 | $ | 32 | $ | 32 | $ | 339,148,411 | $ | (370,046,104 | ) | $ | (30,895,008 | ) | ||||||||||
|
Net income
|
- | - | - | - | 45,697,048 | 45,697,048 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Dividends declared
|
- | - | - | (20,180,982 | ) | - | (20,180,982 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Issuance of Class A common shares for board compensation and equity plan share exercises
|
143 | - | - | 148,909 | - | 149,052 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Amortization of equity plan compensation
|
- | - | - | 74,889 | - | 74,889 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Balances, December 31, 2009
|
$ | 2,764 | $ | 32 | $ | 32 | $ | 319,191,227 | $ | (324,349,056 | ) | $ | (5,155,001 | ) | ||||||||||
|
Net loss
|
- | - | - | - | (1,747,531 | ) | (1,747,531 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Dividends paid in shares of Class A Common Stock
|
7,241 | - | - | 16,647,596 | - | 16,654,837 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Cash dividends declared
|
- | - | - | (1,276,929 | ) | - | (1,276,929 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
Issuance of Class A common shares for board compensation
|
176 | - | - | 160,162 | - | 160,338 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Class A shares repurchased and retired
|
(404 | ) | - | - | (348,940 | ) | - | (349,344 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
Amortization of equity plan compensation
|
- | - | - | 85,956 | - | 85,956 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Balances, December 31, 2010
|
$ | 9,777 | $ | 32 | $ | 32 | $ | 334,459,072 | $ | (326,096,587 | ) | $ | 8,372,326 | |||||||||||
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ | (1,747,531 | ) | $ | 45,697,048 | |||
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
|
||||||||
|
Stock based compensation and equity plan amortization
|
246,294 | 223,941 | ||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
206,929 | 468,540 | ||||||
|
Losses (gains) on trading securities
|
471,708 | (4,761,104 | ) | |||||
|
Gains on retained interests in securitizations
|
(2,215,739 | ) | (166,932 | ) | ||||
|
Gain on debt extinguishment
|
- | (42,026,708 | ) | |||||
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
|
Accrued interest receivable
|
25,475 | (187,516 | ) | |||||
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
2,878,429 | 19,486,325 | ||||||
|
Accrued interest payable
|
(11,185 | ) | 179,811 | |||||
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
|
(654,232 | ) | (2,363,323 | ) | ||||
|
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(799,852 | ) | 16,550,082 | |||||
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
|
From mortgage-backed securities investments:
|
||||||||
|
Purchases
|
(154,098,104 | ) | (152,804,373 | ) | ||||
|
Sales
|
105,152,495 | 184,173,880 | ||||||
|
Principal repayments
|
33,089,035 | 25,926,346 | ||||||
|
Principal payments received on retained interests in securitizations
|
4,222,462 | 9,833,693 | ||||||
|
Increase in restricted cash
|
(1,015,885 | ) | (2,530,000 | ) | ||||
|
Purchases of property and equipment
|
(5,624 | ) | (9,205 | ) | ||||
|
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(12,655,621 | ) | 64,590,341 | |||||
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
|
Proceeds from repurchase agreements
|
443,418,141 | 1,644,414,837 | ||||||
|
Principal payments on repurchase agreements
|
(430,097,662 | ) | (1,692,838,713 | ) | ||||
|
Cash paid to extinguish long-term debt
|
- | (32,509,426 | ) | |||||
|
Dividends paid in cash
|
(3,154,873 | ) | (1,440,570 | ) | ||||
|
Stock repurchases
|
(349,344 | ) | - | |||||
|
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
9,816,262 | (82,373,872 | ) | |||||
|
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(3,639,211 | ) | (1,233,449 | ) | ||||
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the year
|
6,469,795 | 7,703,244 | ||||||
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the year
|
$ | 2,830,584 | $ | 6,469,795 | ||||
|
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||||||
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
|
||||||||
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
||||||||
|
Cash paid during the year for:
|
||||||||
|
Interest
|
$ | 2,288,255 | $ | 5,044,964 | ||||
|
Income taxes
|
$ | 810,538 | $ | - | ||||
|
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
|
Dividends paid in shares of Class A Common Stock, net of shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to dividends paid related to stock incentive plans.
|
$ | 16,654,837 | $ | - | ||||
|
Assets and liabilities retired through debt extinguishment transaction:
|
||||||||
|
Investment in Bimini Capital Trust I
|
$ | - | $ | 1,550,000 | ||||
|
Investment in Bimini Capital Trust II
|
- | 742,560 | ||||||
|
Unamortized debt issuance costs
|
- | 495,150 | ||||||
|
Junior subordinated notes due to Bimini Capital Trust I
|
- | 34,050,000 | ||||||
|
Junior subordinated notes due to Bimini Capital Trust II
|
- | 10,680,014 | ||||||
|
Accrued interest payable due to Bimini Capital Trust I and II
|
- | 1,031,285 | ||||||
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
||||||||
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Organization and Business Description
Bimini Capital Management, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Bimini Capital”), was originally formed in September 2003 for the purpose of creating and managing a leveraged investment portfolio consisting of residential mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”). Bimini Capital has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a REIT, Bimini Capital is generally not subject to federal income tax on its REIT taxable income provided that it distributes to its stockholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income on an annual basis. In addition, a REIT must meet other provisions of the Code to retain its special tax status. Bimini Capital’s website is located at
http://www.biminicapital.com
.
On November 3, 2005, Bimini Mortgage acquired Opteum Financial Services, LLC (“OFS”). This entity was renamed Orchid Island TRS, LLC (“OITRS”) effective July 3, 2007 and then renamed Mortco TRS, LLC (“Mortco”) effective March 8, 2011. Hereinafter, any historical mention, discussion or references to Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, OFS or to OITRS (such as in previously filed documents or Exhibits) now means Mortco TRS, LLC or “Mortco.” Upon closing of the transaction, Mortco became a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.
As used in this document, discussions related to “Bimini Capital,” the parent company, the registrant, and to REIT qualifying activities or the general management of Bimini Capital’s portfolio of MBS refer to “Bimini Capital Management, Inc.” and its qualified REIT subsidiary. Discussions related to Bimini Capital’s taxable REIT subsidiary or non-REIT eligible assets refer to Mortco TRS, LLC (“Mortco”) and its consolidated subsidiaries. Discussions relating to “the Company” refer to the consolidated entity.
Liquidity
The financing market utilized by the Company to fund its MBS portfolio, as well as the market for MBS securities, have stabilized after undergoing unprecedented turmoil in 2008 and early 2009. However, conditions in the market, while stable, are far from the conditions that existed prior to the crisis. The Company has taken significant steps to reduce the leverage in its balance sheet, reduce its debt service costs, and diversify its access to repurchase agreement funding. The Company’s alternative investment strategy that utilizes structured MBS has been elevated to a core element of its investment strategy and liquidity management. However, the Company’s ability to utilize this element of our investment strategy is limited because such investments do not satisfy the asset criteria to meet Investment Company Act requirements. Further, if cash resources are, at any time, insufficient to satisfy the Company’s liquidity requirements, such as when cash flow from operations are materially negative, the Company may be required to pledge additional assets to meet margin calls, liquidate assets, sell additional debt or equity securities or pursue other financing alternatives.
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates affecting the accompanying financial statements include the fair values of MBS, Eurodollar futures contracts, retained interests and asset valuation allowances.
Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bimini Capital and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Orchid Island Capital, Inc. (a qualified REIT subsidiary) and Mortco, as well as the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Mortco. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
As further described in Note 8, Bimini Capital has a common share investment in a trust used in connection with the issuance of Bimini Capital’s junior subordinated notes. Pursuant to the applicable accounting guidance for variable interest entities, Bimini Capital’s common share investment in the trust has not been consolidated in the financial statements of Bimini Capital, and accordingly, this investment has been accounted for on the equity method.
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 220,
Comprehensive Income
, a statement of comprehensive income has not been included as the Company has no items of other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income (loss) is the same as net income (loss) for all periods presented.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash represents cash held on deposit as collateral with the repurchase agreement counterparties, which may be used to make principal and interest payments on the related repurchase agreements, and cash held by a broker as margin on Eurodollar futures contracts.
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. All non-interest bearing cash balances were fully insured at December 31, 2010 due to a temporary federal program in effect from December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2012. Under the program, there is no limit to the amount of insurance for eligible accounts. Beginning 2013, insurance coverage will revert to $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution, and our non-interest bearing cash balances may again exceed federally insured limits. Interest-bearing amounts on deposit
in
excess of
federally
insured
limits at December 31, 2010 approximated $1.3 million.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through (“PT”) certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations, interest only (“IO”) securities and inverse interest only (“IIO”) securities representing interest in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans (collectively, MBS). MBS transactions are recorded on the trade date.
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 320,
Investments - Debt and Equity Securities
, the Company classifies its investments in MBS into one of three categories: trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. All MBS securities held by Bimini Capital are reflected in the Company's financial statements at their estimated fair value.
The fair value of the Company’s investments in MBS is governed by FASB ASC Topic 820,
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
. The definition of fair value in FASB ASC Topic 820 focuses on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability either occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, occurs in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Estimated fair values for MBS are based on the average of third-party broker quotes received and/or independent pricing sources when available.
Income on MBS pass-through securities is based on the stated interest rate of the security. Premiums or discounts present at the date of purchase are not amortized. For interest only securities, the income is accrued based on the carrying value and the effective yield. Cash received is first applied to accrued interest and then to reduce the carrying value. At each reporting date, the effective yield is adjusted prospectively from the reporting period based on the new estimate of prepayments and the contractual terms of the security. For inverse interest only securities, effective yield and income recognition calculations also take into account the index value applicable to the security. Changes in fair value of MBS during the period are recorded in earnings and reported as (losses) gains on trading securities in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Retained Interests
Retained interests in the subordinated tranches of securities created in securitization transactions were recorded at fair value and presented separately on the balance sheet. Subsequent adjustments to fair value are reflected in earnings. Quoted market prices for these assets are generally not available, so the Company estimates fair value based on the present value of expected future cash flows using management’s best estimates of the key assumptions—expected credit losses, prepayment speeds, weighted-average life, and discount rates commensurate with the inherent risks of the asset.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, facilitate asset/liability strategies, and manage other exposures, and it may continue to do so in the future. The Company has elected to not treat any of its derivative financial instruments as hedges. FASB ASC Topic 815,
Derivatives and Hedging
, requires that all derivative investments be carried at fair value.
Financial Instruments
FASB ASC Topic 825,
Financial Instruments
, requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, either in the body of the financial statements or in the accompanying notes. MBS, Eurodollar futures contracts, mortgage loans held for sale and retained interests in securitization transactions are accounted for at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. The methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value for these instruments are presented in Note 15 of the financial statements.
The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, principal payments receivable, accrued interest receivable, repurchase agreements, accrued interest payable and accounts payable and other liabilities generally approximates their carrying value as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
It is impractical to estimate the fair value of the Company’s junior subordinated notes. Currently, there is a limited market for these types of instruments and the Company is unable to ascertain what interest rates would be available to the Company for similar financial instruments. Information regarding carrying amounts, effective interest rates and maturity dates for these instruments is presented in Note 8 to the financial statements.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net, consists of computer equipment with a depreciable life of 3 years, office furniture and equipment with depreciable lives of 8 to 20 years, land which has no depreciable life, and buildings and improvements with depreciable lives of 30 years. Property and equipment is recorded at acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Repurchase Agreements
The Company finances the acquisition of its PT MBS through the use of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. Although structured as a sale and repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement operates as a financing under which securities are pledged as collateral to secure a short-term loan equal in value to a specified percentage (generally between 90 and 95 percent) of the market value of the pledged collateral. While used as collateral, the borrower retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral, including the right to distributions. At the maturity of a repurchase agreement, the borrower is required to repay the loan and concurrently receive the pledged collateral from the lender or, with the consent of the lender, renew such agreement at the then prevailing financing rate. Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securities or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase agreements with such a lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBS pledged as collateral declines or as a result of principal amortization or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions.
The Company’s repurchase agreements typically have terms ranging from one month to six months at inception, with some having longer terms. Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase agreement at maturity, the Company must either refinance with another lender or be in a position to satisfy the obligation. If, during the term of a repurchase agreement, a lender should file for bankruptcy, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such lender. At December 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding balances under repurchase agreements with two lenders with a maximum amount at risk (the difference between the amount loaned to the Company, including interest payable, and the fair value of securities pledged by the Company as collateral, including accrued interest on such securities) of $3.9 million.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718,
Compensation – Stock Compensation
, to account for stock and stock-based awards. For stock and stock-based awards issued to employees, a compensation charge is recorded against earnings over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award. Payments pursuant to dividend equivalent rights, which are granted along with certain equity based awards, are charged to stockholders’ equity when declared. The Company applies a zero forfeiture rate for its equity based awards, as such awards have been granted to a limited number of employees and historical forfeitures have been minimal. A significant forfeiture, or an indication that significant forfeitures may occur, would result in a revised forfeiture rate which would be accounted for prospectively as a change in an estimate. For transactions with non-employees in which services are performed in exchange for the Company's common stock or other equity instruments, the transactions are recorded on the basis of the fair value of the service received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more readily measurable at the date of issuance.
Reverse Stock Split
On March 12, 2010, the Company executed a one-for-ten reverse stock split of its Class A, Class B and Class C common stock. Prior to effecting the reverse split, at December 31, 2009 the Company had 27,637,789 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 319,388 shares each of its Class B and Class C common stock outstanding. Further, in connection with the dividend paid on January 19, 2010, the Company issued an additional 72,414,462 shares of Class A common stock which brought the total shares outstanding of Class A common stock to 100,052,251 at January 19, 2010. Upon consummation of the reverse split, as of March 12, 2010 issued and outstanding shares of Class A, Class B and Class C common stock were 10,052,225, 31,938 and 31,938, respectively. All references in the accompanying financial statements to the number of common shares and per-share amounts for all periods have been restated to reflect the reverse stock split.
Earnings Per Share
The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 260,
Earnings Per Share
, which requires companies with complex capital structures, common stock equivalents or two (or more) classes of securities that participate in the declared dividends to present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on the face of the consolidated statement of operations. Basic EPS is calculated as income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the “if converted” method for common stock equivalents. However, the common stock equivalents are not included in computing diluted EPS if the result is anti-dilutive.
Outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, participating and convertible into Class A Common Stock, are entitled to receive dividends in an amount equal to the dividends declared on each share of Class A Common Stock if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, shares of the Class B Common Stock are included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method and, consequently, are presented separately from Class A Common Stock.
The shares of Class C Common Stock are not included in the basic EPS computation as these shares do not have participation rights. The outstanding shares of Class B and Class C Common Stock are not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the Class A Common Stock as the conditions for conversion into shares of Class A Common Stock were not met.
All basic and diluted weighted average share and per-share amounts in these financial statements have been adjusted for all periods presented to reflect the March 12, 2010 reverse stock split.
Income Taxes
Bimini Capital, including its wholly-owned qualified REIT subsidiary, has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. Bimini Capital will generally not be subject to federal income tax on its REIT taxable income to the extent that Bimini Capital distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and satisfies the ongoing REIT requirements, including meeting certain asset, income and stock ownership tests. A REIT must generally distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders, of which 85% generally must be distributed within the taxable year, in order to avoid the imposition of an excise tax. The remaining balance may be distributed up to the end of the following taxable year, provided the REIT elects to treat such amount as a prior year distribution and meets certain other requirements. At December 31, 2010, management believes that the Company has complied with Code requirements and Bimini Capital continues to qualify as a REIT. As further described in Note 13, Income Taxes, Mortco is a taxpaying entity for income tax purposes and is taxed separately from the REIT. The Company files federal and state tax returns for both the REIT and the taxable REIT subsidiary. Generally, returns for all periods after 2006 remain open for examination.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentations, including the reporting of Mortco as described below.
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company closed the mortgage wholesale and conduit mortgage loan origination channels of Mortco and subsequently sold substantially all of the operating assets of Mortco. Mortco has been reported since that date as a discontinued operation following applicable accounting standards. Through September 30, 2010, most of the remaining assets and liabilities were considered to be contingent and were held by Mortco pursuant to the terms of the disposal of the operations. The disposal of the retained interests asset has been delayed as a result of the lingering effects of the financial market crisis and a significant lack of investor interest in such securities, even though the Company has made efforts to market such securities to previously active market participants. Because Mortco continues to hold these net assets, and the Company has not been able to dispose of them, effective October 1, 2010, the related assets and liabilities previously classified as held for sale have been reclassified to held and used for all periods presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-11,
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives
, was issued to clarify the scope exception under
FASB ASC Topic 815-15,
Derivatives and Hedging – Embedded Derivatives
, for embedded credit derivative features to explain how to determine which features are considered to be embedded derivatives that should not be analyzed for potential bifurcation. The ASU also clarifies that the embedded credit derivative feature related to the transfer of credit risk only in the form of subordination is not subject to the application of
FASB ASC Topic 815-15 and articulates certain additional circumstances that do not qualify for the exception. The ASU also discusses the use of the fair value option for investments in a beneficial interest in a securitized financial asset. The ASU was effective at the beginning of the first fiscal quarter beginning after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. The implementation of this new accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09,
Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirement
s, which amends FASB ASC Topic 855,
Subsequent Events
, to address certain implementation issues related to an entity’s requirement to perform and disclose subsequent-events procedures. ASU 2010-09 requires SEC filers to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued and exempts SEC filers from disclosing the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The ASU was effective immediately upon issuance. The implementation of this new accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06,
Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements
, which amends FASB ASC Topic 820 to require additional disclosures related to the transfers in and out of the fair value hierarchy and the activity of Level 3 financial instruments. This ASU also provides clarification for the classification of financial instruments and the discussion of inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures and clarification were effective for interim and annual reporting periods after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures related to the activity of Level 3 financial instruments. Those disclosures are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those years. The Company has implemented all of the required disclosures and that implementation did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-02,
Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary – a Scope Clarification
, in response to practice issues entities encountered in applying the decrease in ownership provisions of FASB ASC Topic 810,
Consolidation
. The ASU clarifies that the decrease in ownership provisions of FASB ASC Topic 810-10 and related guidance apply to (a) a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business or nonprofit activity, (b) a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business or nonprofit activity for a non-controlling interest in an entity (including an equity method investee or joint venture) and (c) an exchange of a group of assets that constitutes a business or nonprofit activity for a non-controlling interest in an entity (including an equity method investee or joint venture). In addition, the ASU clarifies that the decrease in ownership guidance does not apply to sales of in-substance real estate or conveyances of oil and gas mineral rights, even if these transactions involve businesses. Finally, the ASU expands the disclosures required upon deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The Company adopted the guidance provided in this ASU on January 1, 2010. The implementation of this new accounting guidance did not have any impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-01,
Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash
,
a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force, w
hich amends the accounting guidance specified in FASB ASC Topic 500. The ASU seeks to eliminate diversity in practice by requiring classification of the stock portion of a dividend payment as a share issuance if there is a limit on the cash portion of the dividend payment. The Company applied this new accounting guidance for its dividend declared in November 2009 and paid in January 2010.
The following table presents the Company’s MBS portfolio as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
(
in thousands)
|
December 31
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Pass-Through Certificates:
|
||||||||
|
Hybrid Adjustable-rate Mortgages
|
$ | 2,783 | $ | 67,036 | ||||
|
Adjustable-rate Mortgages
|
64,458 | 32,598 | ||||||
|
Fixed-rate Mortgages
|
50,013 | 5,241 | ||||||
|
Total Pass-Through Certificates
|
117,254 | 104,875 | ||||||
|
Structured MBS Certificates:
|
||||||||
|
Structured MBS
|
17,879 | 14,793 | ||||||
|
Totals
|
$ | 135,133 | $ | 119,668 | ||||
The following table summarizes the Company’s MBS portfolio as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, according to their contractual maturities. Actual maturities of MBS investments are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities and are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal.
(in thousands)
|
December 31
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Less than one year
|
$ | - | $ | - | ||||
|
Greater than one year and less than five years
|
1,600 | 3,495 | ||||||
|
Greater than five years and less than ten years
|
9,077 | 1,800 | ||||||
|
Greater than or equal to ten years
|
124,456 | 114,373 | ||||||
|
Totals
|
$ | 135,133 | $ | 119,668 | ||||
The following table summarizes the Company’s residual interests in asset backed securities as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
(in thousands)
|
December 31,
|
|||||||||
|
Series
|
Issue Date
|
2010
|
2009
|
||||||
|
HMAC 2004-1
|
March 4, 2004
|
$ | 430 | $ | 757 | ||||
|
HMAC 2004-2
|
May 10, 2004
|
921 | 1,340 | ||||||
|
HMAC 2004-3
|
June 30, 2004
|
911 | 1,541 | ||||||
|
HMAC 2004-4
|
August 16, 2004
|
558 | 1,280 | ||||||
|
HMAC 2004-5
|
September 28, 2004
|
1,108 | 1,016 | ||||||
|
Total
|
$ | 3,928 | $ | 5,934 | |||||
The composition of property and equipment follows:
(in thousands)
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Land
|
$ | 2,247 | $ | 2,247 | ||||
|
Buildings and improvements
|
1,827 | 1,825 | ||||||
|
Computer equipment and software
|
265 | 261 | ||||||
|
Office furniture and equipment
|
248 | 248 | ||||||
| 4,587 | 4,581 | |||||||
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
692 | 604 | ||||||
|
Total
|
$ | 3,895 | $ | 3,977 | ||||
Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $87,000 in 2010 and $95,000 in 2009.
The composition of prepaid expenses and other assets follows:
(in thousands)
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Prepaid expenses
|
$ | 460 | $ | 342 | ||||
|
Surety bonds
|
1,197 | 2,010 | ||||||
|
Servicing advances – net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
|
||||||||
|
$256 at December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
2,660 | 4,701 | ||||||
|
Servicing sale receivable
|
936 | 936 | ||||||
|
Investment in Bimini Capital Trust II
|
804 | 804 | ||||||
|
Other
|
552 | 894 | ||||||
|
Total
|
$ | 6,609 | $ | 9,687 | ||||
Receivables are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the counterparty to make required payments. Management considers the following factors when determining the collectability of specific accounts: past transaction activity, current economic conditions and changes in payment terms. Amounts that the Company determines are no longer collectible are written off. Collections on amounts previously written off are included in income as received.
As of December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital had outstanding repurchase obligations of approximately $113.6 million with a net weighted average borrowing rate of 0.32%. These agreements were collateralized by MBS with a fair value, including accrued interest, of approximately $117.6 million. As of December 31, 2009, Bimini Capital had outstanding repurchase obligations of approximately $100.3 million with a net weighted average borrowing rate of 0.30%. These agreements were collateralized by MBS with a fair value of approximately $105.2 million.
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, Bimini Capital's repurchase agreements had remaining maturities as summarized below:
(in thousands)
|
OVERNIGHT
(1 DAY OR LESS)
|
BETWEEN 2 AND
30 DAYS
|
BETWEEN 31 AND
90 DAYS
|
GREATER THAN
90 DAYS
|
TOTAL
|
||||||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Agency-Backed Mortgage--Backed Securities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fair market value of securities sold, including accrued interest receivable
|
$ | - | $ | 75,175 | $ | 42,415 | $ | - | $ | 117,590 | ||||||||||
|
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with these securities
|
$ | - | $ | 73,014 | $ | 40,578 | $ | - | $ | 113,592 | ||||||||||
|
Net weighted average borrowing rate
|
- | 0.31 | % | 0.33 | % | - | 0.32 | % | ||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Agency-Backed Mortgage--Backed Securities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fair market value of securities sold, including accrued interest receivable
|
$ | - | $ | 67,599 | $ | 37,644 | $ | - | $ | 105,243 | ||||||||||
|
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with these securities
|
$ | - | $ | 65,120 | $ | 35,151 | $ | - | $ | 100,271 | ||||||||||
|
Net weighted average borrowing rate
|
- | 0.31 | % | 0.29 | % | - | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||||
Summary information regarding the Company’s amounts at risk with individual counterparties greater than 10% of the Company’s equity at December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
(in thousands)
|
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties
|
Amount
at Risk(1)
|
Weighted Average
Maturity of
Repurchase
Agreements
in Days
|
||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
||||||||
|
MF Global, Inc.
|
$ | 3,444 | 25 | |||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
||||||||
|
MF Global, Inc.
|
$ | 4,929 | 38 | |||||
(1) Equal to the fair value of securities sold, plus accrued interest income, minus the sum of repurchase agreement liabilities, plus accrued interest expense.
In connection with the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, during the second quarter of 2010, the Company economically hedged a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into derivative financial instrument contracts. The Company did not elect hedging treatment under the current accounting standards, and as such all gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2010 are reflected in earnings.
As of December 31, 2010, such instruments are comprised entirely of Eurodollar futures contracts. Eurodollar futures are cash settled futures contracts on an interest rate, with gains and losses credited and charged to the Company’s account on a daily basis. A minimum balance, or “margin”, is required to be maintained in the account on a daily basis. The Company is exposed to the changes in value of the futures by the amount of margin held by the broker. The total amount of margin at December 31, 2010 is approximately $223,000 and is reflected in restricted cash.
The Company’s Eurodollar futures contracts with notional amounts of $26 million are used to attempt to achieve a fixed interest rate related to its junior subordinated notes. The junior subordinated notes had a fixed-rate of interest until December 15, 2010, of 7.8575% and thereafter, through maturity in 2035, the rate will float at a spread of 3.50% over the prevailing three-month LIBOR rate. The Eurodollar futures contracts serve to effectively lock in a fixed LIBOR rate for a specified period of time. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has effectively locked in a weighted-average fixed LIBOR rate of 1.68% on $26 million of its junior subordinated notes through March 2013. The corresponding interest rate for the junior subordinated notes is 5.18%. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company had realized losses of approximately $392,000 on Eurodollar futures contracts.
As of December 31, 2008, Bimini Capital sponsored two statutory trusts, known as Bimini Capital Trust I (“BCTI”) and Bimini Capital Trust II (“BCTII”) of which 100% of the common equity is owned by the Company, formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred capital securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of such capital securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities of Bimini Capital. The debt securities held by each trust are the sole assets of that trust.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, Bimini Capital entered into agreements pursuant to which $51.6 million of the obligations under the trust preferred capital securities issued by BCTI and $24.7 million of the obligations under the trust preferred capital securities issued by BCTII were discharged for consideration totaling $32.5 million and costs and expenses of approximately $1.8 million. The Company recorded gains of approximately $42.0 million on these debt extinguishments.
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the remaining outstanding principal balance on the junior subordinated debt securities owed to BCTII is $26.8 million. The BCTII trust preferred securities and Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes had a fixed-rate of interest until December 15, 2010, of 7.8575% and thereafter, through maturity in 2035, the rate will float at a spread of 3.50% over the prevailing three-month LIBOR rate. As of December 31, 2010, the interest rate was 3.80% The BCTII trust preferred securities and Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes require quarterly interest distributions and are redeemable at Bimini Capital's option, in whole or in part and without penalty, beginning December 15, 2010. Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment of all present and future senior indebtedness.
The trust is a variable interest entity pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 810 because the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have adequate decision making ability over the trust's activities. Since Bimini Capital's investment in the trust's common equity securities was financed directly by the applicable trust as a result of its loan of the proceeds to Bimini Capital, that investment is not considered to be an equity investment at risk. Since Bimini Capital's common share investments in BCTII are not a variable interest, Bimini Capital is not the primary beneficiary of the trusts. Therefore, Bimini Capital has not consolidated the financial statements of BCTII into its financial statements.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements present Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes issued to the trust as a liability and Bimini Capital's investment in the common equity securities of BCTII as an asset. For financial statement purposes, Bimini Capital records payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes issued to BCTII as interest expense.
Authorized Shares
The total number of shares of capital stock which the Company has the authority to issue is 110,000,000 shares. The Board of Directors has the authority to classify any unissued shares by setting or changing in any one or more respects the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares.
Common Stock
Of the 100,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, 98,000,000 shares were designated as Class A Common Stock, 1,000,000 shares were designated as Class B Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares were designated as Class C Common Stock. Holders of shares of common stock have no sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of the Company’s securities. All common shares have a $0.001 par value.
Reverse Stock Split
On March 12, 2010, the Company executed a one-for-ten reverse stock split Class A, Class B and Class C common stock. All references in the accompanying financial statements to the number of common shares and per-share amounts for all periods have been restated to reflect the reverse stock split
Class A Common Stock
Each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of shares of Class A Common Stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of the Company's charter, as amended, regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board of Directors.
|
Class B Common Stock
|
Each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of common stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as one class in all matters except that any matters which would adversely affect the rights and preferences of Class B Common Stock as a separate class shall require a separate approval by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. Holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends on each share of Class B Common Stock in an amount equal to the dividends declared on each share of Class A Common Stock if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board of Directors.
Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically be converted into one share of Class A Common Stock on the first day of the fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter during which the Company's Board of Directors were notified that, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, the stockholders' equity attributable to the Class A Common Stock, calculated on a pro forma basis as if conversion of the Class B Common Stock (or portion thereof to be converted) had occurred, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, equals no less than $150.00 per share (adjusted equitably for any stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends or the like); provided, that the number of shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted into Class A Common Stock in any quarter shall not exceed an amount that will cause the stockholders' equity attributable to the Class A Common Stock calculated as set forth above to be less than $150.00 per share; provided further, that such conversions shall continue to occur until all shares of Class B Common Stock have been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock; and provided further, that the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Class B Common Stock shall not exceed 3% of the total shares of common stock outstanding prior to completion of an initial public offering of Bimini Capital's Class A Common Stock.
Class C Common Stock
No dividends will be paid on the Class C Common Stock. Holders of shares of Class C Common Stock are not entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, except that any matters that would adversely affect the rights and privileges of the Class C Common Stock as a separate class shall require the approval of a majority of the Class C Common Stock.
Each share of Class C Common Stock shall automatically be converted into one share of Class A Common Stock on the first day of the fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter during which the Company's Board of Directors were notified that, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, the stockholders' equity attributable to the Class A Common Stock, calculated on a pro forma basis as if conversion of the Class C Common Stock had occurred and giving effect to the conversion of all of the shares of Class B Common Stock as of such date, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, equals no less than $150.00 per share (adjusted equitably for any stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends or the like); provided, that the number of shares of Class C Common Stock to be converted into Class A Common Stock shall not exceed an amount that will cause the stockholders' equity attributable to the Class A Common Stock calculated as set forth above to be less than $150.00 per share; and provided further, that such conversions shall continue to occur until all shares of Class C Common Stock have been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and provided further, that the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Class C Common Stock shall not exceed 3% of the total shares of common stock outstanding prior to completion of an initial public offering of Bimini Capital's Class A Common Stock.
Issuances of Common Stock
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 9,781 shares of its Class A Common Stock to Bimini employees pursuant to the terms of the stock incentive plan phantom share grants. There were no shares issued during the year ended December 31, 2010 under the Company’s stock incentive plans.
During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company issued 175,521 and 133,296 shares, respectively, of its Class A Common Stock for payment of Director fees.
On January 19, 2010, the Company issued 7,241,446 shares of its Class A common stock in connection with a special dividend described more fully below.
There were no issuances of the Company's Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
Dividends
On November 9, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.50 per share cash dividend to the holders of its dividend eligible securities on the record date of November 16, 2009. The distribution totaling approximately $1.4 million was paid on November 20, 2009.
Also on November 9, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $6.50 per share special dividend to the holders of its dividend eligible securities on the record date of December 9, 2009. Subject to an aggregate cash limitation of approximately $1.9 million, stockholders had the option to make an election to receive payment of the dividend in cash or in shares of its Class A Common Stock. Stockholders that elected to receive the dividend entirely in shares received approximately 2.8 shares for each share held. Stockholders that elected to receive at least a portion of the dividend in cash received approximately $0.69 in cash and 2.5 shares for each share held. The distribution totaling approximately $1.9 million in cash and 7,241,446 in shares was paid on January 19, 2010.
A liability of $18.7 million was recorded in December 2009 related to the special dividend mentioned above. This liability consisted of both the cash portion of the dividend declared and the fair value of the shares of stock to be issued. The liability was settled in January 2010 for $1.9 million in cash and an increase in stockholders’ equity of $16.7 million, representing the fair value of the shares issued, net of shares withheld in satisfaction of payroll taxes on dividends paid with respect to the Company’s outstanding stock incentive plan shares.
On April 1, 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.03 per share cash dividend to the holders of its dividend eligible securities on the record date of April 15, 2010. The distribution totaling approximately $314,000 was paid on April 30, 2010.
On June 29, 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.03 per share cash dividend to the holders of its dividend eligible securities on the record date of July 15, 2010. The distribution totaling approximately $316,000 was paid on July 30, 2010.
On October 4, 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.03 per share cash dividend to the holders of its dividend eligible securities on the record date of October 15, 2010. The distribution totaling approximately $315,000 was paid on October 29, 2010
On December 8, 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.0325 per share cash dividend to the holders of its dividend eligible securities on the record date of December 23, 2010. The distribution totaling approximately $332,000 was paid on December 30, 2010.
Based on the year 2010 tax accounting for the REIT, the Company has determined that the dividends declared in 2010 are not taxable to the recipient, but will be treated by the recipient as a return of capital for tax purposes.
Preferred Stock
General
After the reclassification of authorized shares described above, there are 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, with a $0.001 par value per share. The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of any series of preferred stock previously authorized by the Board of Directors. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series of preferred stock, the Board of Directors is required by the Company’s charter to fix the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series.
Classified and Designated Shares
Pursuant to the Company’s supplementary amendment of its charter, effective November 3, 2005, and by resolutions adopted on September 29, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors classified and designated 1,800,000 shares of the authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.001 par value, as Class A Redeemable Preferred Stock and 2,000,000 shares of the authorized but unissued preferred stock as Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock.
Class A Redeemable Preferred Stock and Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock
The Class A Redeemable Preferred Stock and Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock rank equal to each other and shall have the same preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms; provided, however that the redemption provisions of the Class A Redeemable Preferred Stock and the Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock differ. Each outstanding share of Class A Redeemable Preferred Stock and Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock shall have one-fifth of a vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders (or such lesser fraction of a vote as would be required to comply with the rules and regulations of the NYSE relating to the Company’s right to issue securities without obtaining a stockholder vote). Holders of shares of preferred stock shall vote together with holders of shares of common stock as one class in all matters that would be subject to a vote of stockholders.
The previously outstanding shares of Class A Redeemable Preferred Stock were converted into Class A Common Stock on April 28, 2006. No shares of the Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock have ever been issued.
Ownership Limitations
Bimini Capital’s amended charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains certain restrictions on the number of shares of stock that a person may own. Bimini Capital’s amended charter contains a stock ownership limit that prohibits any person from acquiring or holding, directly or indirectly, applying attribution rules under the Code, shares of stock in excess of 4.98% of the total number or value of the outstanding shares of Bimini Capital’s common stock, whichever is more restrictive, or Bimini Capital’s stock in the aggregate. Bimini Capital’s amended charter further prohibits (i) any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of Bimini Capital’s stock that would result in Bimini Capital being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause Bimini Capital to fail to qualify as a REIT, and (ii) any person from transferring shares of Bimini Capital’s stock if such transfer would result in shares of Bimini Capital’s stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons. Bimini Capital’s Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the stock ownership limit. However, Bimini Capital’s Board of Directors may not grant such an exemption to any person whose ownership, direct or indirect, of an excess of 9.8% of the number or value of the outstanding shares of Bimini Capital’s stock (whichever is more restrictive) would result in Bimini Capital being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise would result in failing to qualify as a REIT. The person seeking an exemption must represent to the satisfaction of Bimini Capital’s Board of Directors that it will not violate the aforementioned restriction. The person also must agree that any violation or attempted violation of any of the foregoing restrictions will result in the automatic transfer of the shares of stock causing such violation to the trust (as defined below). Bimini Capital’s Board of Directors may require a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to Bimini Capital’s Board of Directors in its sole discretion, to determine or ensure Bimini Capital’s qualification as a REIT.
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of Bimini Capital’s stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or any person who would have owned shares of Bimini Capital’s stock that resulted in a transfer of shares to the trust in the manner described below, will be required to give notice immediately to Bimini Capital and provide Bimini Capital with such other information as Bimini Capital may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on the Company.
If any transfer of shares of Bimini Capital’s stock occurs which, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares of Bimini Capital’s stock in excess or in violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then that number of shares of Bimini Capital’s stock the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate such limitations (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the prohibited owner shall not acquire any rights in such shares. Such automatic transfer shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of such violative transfer. Shares of stock held in the trust shall be issued and outstanding shares of Bimini Capital’s stock. The prohibited owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the trust, shall have no rights to dividends and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of stock held in the trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by Bimini Capital that shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the trustee shall be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. The prohibited owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of stock held in the trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares of stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee shall have the authority (at the trustee's sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to the discovery by Bimini Capital that such shares have been transferred to the trust, and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if Bimini Capital has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.
Within 20 days after receiving notice from Bimini Capital that shares of Bimini Capital’s stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee shall sell the shares of stock held in the trust to a person, whose ownership of the shares will not violate any of the ownership limitations set forth in Bimini Capital’s amended charter. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The prohibited owner shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares or, if the prohibited owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price, as defined in Bimini Capital’s amended charter, of such shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (ii) the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the trust, in each case reduced by the costs incurred to enforce the ownership limits as to the shares in question. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner shall be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by Bimini Capital that shares of Bimini Capital’s stock have been transferred to the trust, such shares are sold by a prohibited owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (ii) to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive pursuant to the aforementioned requirement, such excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares of Bimini Capital’s stock held in the trust shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to Bimini Capital, or Bimini Capital’s designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the market price on the date Bimini Capital, or Bimini Capital’s designee, accept such offer. Bimini Capital shall have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of stock held in the trust. Upon such a sale to Bimini Capital, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner.
On December 18, 2003, Bimini Capital adopted the 2003 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2003 Plan”) to provide Bimini with the flexibility to use stock options and other awards as part of an overall compensation package to provide a means of performance-based compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel. The 2003 Plan was amended and restated in March 2004. Key employees, directors and consultants are eligible to be granted stock options, restricted stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards under the 2003 Plan. Subject to adjustment upon certain corporate transactions or events, a maximum of 1,448,050 shares of the Class A Common Stock (but not more than 10% of the Class A Common Stock outstanding on the date of grant) may be subject to stock options, shares of restricted stock, phantom shares and dividend equivalent rights under the 2003 Plan.
Phantom share awards represent a right to receive a share of Bimini's Class A Common Stock. These awards do not have an exercise price and are valued at the fair value of Bimini Capital’s Class A Common Stock at the date of the grant. The grant date value is being amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective award. The phantom shares vest, based on the employees’ continuing employment, following a schedule as provided in the grant agreements, for periods through March 15, 2015. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period. Compensation expense recognized for phantom shares was approximately $86,000 and $75,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Dividends paid on unsettled awards are charged to stockholders’ equity when declared.
A summary of phantom share activity during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is presented below:
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||||||||||
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Shares
|
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
|
Shares
|
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||
|
Nonvested, at January 1
|
102,000 | $ | 1.58 | 13,237 | $ | 5.79 | ||||||||||
|
Granted
|
302,000 | 0.97 | 102,000 | 1.58 | ||||||||||||
|
Vested
|
- | - | (8,197 | ) | 7.36 | |||||||||||
|
Forfeited
|
(3,000 | ) | 0.97 | (5,040 | ) | 3.24 | ||||||||||
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Nonvested, at December 31
|
401,000 | $ | 1.12 | 102,000 | $ | 1.58 | ||||||||||
As of December 31, 2010, there was approximately $348,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested phantom share awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 46.3 months. The intrinsic value of the outstanding phantom shares as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $313,000 and $245,000, respectively. All of the outstanding unvested awards at December 31, 2010 were granted with dividend participation rights.
Bimini Capital previously adopted the 2004 Performance Bonus Plan (the “Performance Bonus Plan”). The Performance Bonus Plan was an annual bonus plan that permitted the issuance of the Company’s Class A Common Stock in payment of stock-based awards made under the plan. The Performance Bonus Plan was terminated by the Board of Directors on April 1, 2010. No stock-based awards were made and no shares of the Company’s stock were issued under the Performance Bonus Plan.
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NOTE 11.
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SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN
|
Bimini Capital’s employees have the option to participate in the Bimini Capital Management, Inc., 401K Plan (the “Plan”). Under the terms of the Plan, eligible employees can make tax-deferred 401(k) contributions, and at Bimini Capital’s sole discretion, Bimini Capital can match the employees’ contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Bimini Capital made 401(k) matching contributions of approximately $29,000 and $34,000, respectively.
Outstanding Litigation
The Company is involved in various lawsuits and claims, both actual and potential, including some that it has asserted against others, in which monetary and other damages are sought. These lawsuits and claims relate primarily to contractual disputes arising out of the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The outcome of such lawsuits and claims is inherently unpredictable. However, management believes that, in the aggregate, the outcome of all lawsuits and claims involving the Company will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular period in which costs, if any, are recognized.
On June 14, 2007, a complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial District in and for Manatee County, Florida by Coast Bank of Florida against Mortco seeking monetary damages and specific performance and alleging breach of an alleged oral contract for allegedly failing to repurchase approximately fifty loans. A mediation hearing was held February 23, 2010. The parties continued settlement discussions for several months after the mediation but did not reach a settlement. On September 17, 2010 Coast Bank filed a motion for substitution of counsel and subsequently filed a motion for partial summary judgment arguing that the alleged oral contract is not subject to Florida’s statute of frauds. The parties have agreed that Mortco will file a cross-motion for summary judgment in which Mortco will seek a ruling that the alleged oral contract is barred by the statute of frauds. Both motions are scheduled to be argued on April 6, 2011. In the event that summary judgment is not granted in Mortco's favor, the Mortco plans to continue to defend this matter vigorously.
On September 17, 2007, a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by William Kornfeld against Bimini Capital, certain of its current and former officers and directors, Flagstone Securities, LLC and BB&T Capital Markets alleging various violations of the federal securities laws and seeking class action certification. At a mediation held on February 12, 2010, the parties reached a tentative settlement of this matter for $2.35 million. The Company had accrued approximately $0.5 million related to the settlement. This amount represented the remainder of the $1.0 million retention that the Company was required to pay under the terms of its Directors and Officers insurance policy. On October 14, 2010, the remaining $0.4 million of the accrual was remitted to an escrow account established for the plaintiffs to be included in the settlement fund. The remainder of the settlement will be paid by the Company’s insurance carrier. A written stipulation of settlement was presented to the Court and a preliminary approval was granted on September 10, 2010. Notices were sent to members of the Class in order to provide the members of the class an opportunity to opt out of the settlement. Members had until November 11, 2010 to elect out of the settlement. A final fairness hearing was held December 9, 2010. Since the requisite percentage of members (5%) did not opt out of the settlement, the settlement became final. A Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice was issued by the Court on December 14, 2010.
A complaint was filed on December 23, 2009 in the Southern District of New York by R. Davis Howe against Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (“Bimini”), the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), and Hexagon Securities, LLC (“Hexagon”). (On December 8, 2010, Hexagon was dismissed from the action with prejudice.) The complaint alleges that Howe, a note-holder in Preferred Term Securities XX (“PreTSL XX”), suffered losses as a result of Bimini’s repurchase of all outstanding fixed/floating rate capital securities of Bimini Capital Trust II for less than par value from PreTSL XX in December 2009. The complaint alleged breach of the Indenture and breach of fiduciary duties by BNYM, and claims for tortuous interference with contract, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and “rescission/illegality” by Bimini. Plaintiff also alleged derivative claims brought in the name of Nominal Defendant PreTSL XX and BNYM as trustee. On March 4, 2011, the Court granted plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on its breach of contract claim against BNYM. The Court also granted defendants' motion for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff's derivative claims, including the claim for “rescission/illegality.” The parties’ motions for summary judgment as to all other claims were denied. On March 23, 2011, the parties reached a settlement of this matter, pursuant to which all claims will be dismissed with prejudice. Bimini’s contribution to the settlement is $400,000, which has been recorded as an accrued expense in the Company’s accompanying December 31, 2010 consolidated balance sheet.
A second complaint by a note-holder in PreTSL XX was filed on July 16, 2010 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, against the same defendants. The complaint, filed by Hildene Capital Management, LLC and Hildene Opportunities Fund, Ltd., alleges losses as a result of the same repurchase of securities from PreTSL XX by Bimini. The Hildene plaintiffs have alleged the same causes of action as Howe in the federal action. In addition, they have also alleged a cause of action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing (both directly and derivatively) against BNYM. The Hildene plaintiffs have agreed to stay this action pending resolution of the federal action. Bimini denies that the repurchase was improper and intends to defend the suit vigorously.
On March 2, 2011, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, formerly known as Opteum Financial Services, LLC and presently known as Mortco, LLC (“Opteum Financial”) and Opteum Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (“Opteum Acceptance”) (collectively referred to herein as “Opteum”) received a cover letter dated March 1, 2011 from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Mass Mutual”) enclosing a draft complaint against Opteum. In summary, Mass Mutual alleges that it purchased residential mortgage-backed securities offered by Opteum in August 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 and that Opteum made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of the securities in violation of Mass Gen. Laws Ch. 110A § 410(a)(2) (the “Massachusetts Blue Sky Law”). In its cover letter, Mass Mutual claims they are entitled to damages of $25 million. However, no monetary demand is contained within the enclosed draft complaint, and the actual damages Mass Mutual claims to have incurred is uncertain.
Mass Mutual has not filed the complaint or initiated litigation. Pursuant to its request, on March 14, 2011 Mass Mutual and Opteum entered into a Tolling Agreement so that Mass Mutual could address its allegations against Opteum without incurring litigation costs. Mass Mutual has not yet contacted Opteum to schedule such discussions.
Opteum denies Opteum Financial or Opteum Acceptance, individually or collectively, made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of securities to Mass Mutual. As of March 23, 2011, Mass Mutual has taken no action to prosecute its claim against Opteum, and the range of loss, if any, or potential loss cannot reasonably be estimated. Should Mass Mutual initiate litigation, Opteum will defend such litigation vigorously.
Loans Sold to Investors
.
Generally, Mortco was not exposed to significant credit risk on its loans sold to investors. In the normal course of business, Mortco provided certain representations and warranties during the sale of mortgage loans which obligated it to repurchase loans which are subsequently unable to be sold through the normal investor channels. The repurchased loans were secured by the related real estate properties, and can usually be sold directly to other permanent investors. There can be no assurance, however, that Mortco will be able to recover the repurchased loan value either through other investor channels or through the assumption of the secured real estate.
Mortco recognized a liability for the estimated fair value of this obligation at the inception of each mortgage loan sale based on the anticipated repurchase levels and historical experience. Changes in this liability for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are presented below:
(in thousands
)
|
Years ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Balance—Beginning of year
|
$ | 5,149 | $ | 7,303 | ||||
|
Provision
|
48 | 468 | ||||||
|
Settlements
|
(110 | ) | (2,622 | ) | ||||
|
Balance—End of year
|
$ | 5,087 | $ | 5,149 | ||||
REIT Activities
REIT taxable income (loss), as generated by Bimini Capital’s qualifying REIT activities, is computed in accordance with the Code, which is different from the Company’s financial statement net income (loss) as computed in accordance with GAAP. Depending on the number and size of the various items or transactions being accounted for differently, the differences between Bimini Capital’s REIT taxable income (loss) and the Company’s financial statement net income (loss) can be substantial and each item can affect several years.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital's REIT taxable loss is estimated to be $5.6 million. During 2010, a GAAP financial statement gain on MBS sales of approximately $0.8 million was realized; for tax purposes, realized capital gains for this year was approximately $3.8 million. Since there are tax capital losses available to offset the tax capital gains, the tax gains did not impact the computation of REIT taxable loss for the year ended December 31, 2010.
During the year 2010, fair value adjustments on the MBS portfolio of approximately $(1.3) million were recorded on the GAAP financial statements; for tax purposes, these fair value adjustments will not be taken into account until the underlying security is sold. Other differences between GAAP financial statement results and REIT taxable income (loss) include the results of the taxable REIT subsidiary (which does not impact REIT taxable income), the different tax and book accounting methods used for calculating interest income, stock compensation, and depreciation and amortization.
As of December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital has approximately $53.5 million of remaining capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains, and it has a REIT tax net operating loss carryforward of approximately $6.3 million that is immediately available to offset future REIT taxable income. The capital loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2012, and the net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2028.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, Bimini Capital's REIT taxable income was approximately $40.1 million, prior to the application of the dividends paid deduction of $19.5 million and the utilization of $20.6 million of the REIT tax net operating loss carryforwards. These two items reduced REIT taxable income to zero, in accordance with the Code.
The utilization of the $20.6 million of REIT tax net operating loss carryforwards in 2009 resulted in an original estimate of $145,000 of alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) being due for the year 2009; however, tax legislation and regulations passed in early 2010 changed the computations of the AMT for 2009, reducing the ultimate AMT tax for Bimini Capital to zero. As a result, the tax provision of $145,000 recorded in 2009 was reversed in 2010, and is therefore reported as a tax benefit.
During 2009, Bimini Capital's most significant items and transactions being accounted for differently for REIT tax purposes than for GAAP purposes include: the loss from Mortco’s activities, which does not impact the REIT’s taxable income; interest on the MBS portfolio; the accounting for debt issuance costs; net gains realized on certain MBS sales; and the effect of equity plan stock awards. The interest on the MBS portfolio is being recognized on a different accounting method for tax purposes. The debt issuance costs are amortized over different periods for tax purposes, so the amount of unamortized debt issuance costs written-off as part of the cancellation of debt transaction was greater for tax purposes. Net gains on MBS sales for tax purposes are considered capital gains, so these gains have been offset by the REIT’s previously realized capital loss carryovers. The future deduction of equity plan stock compensation against REIT taxable income is uncertain as to the amount, because the tax impact is measured at the fair value of the shares as of a future date, and this amount may be greater or less than the financial statement expense already recognized by the Company. In addition, the tax treatment for dividends paid on unvested equity plan awards is to deduct them as compensation.
Taxable REIT Subsidiary
As a taxable REIT subsidiary, Mortco is a tax paying entity for income tax purposes and is taxed separately from Bimini Capital. Therefore, Mortco separately reports an income tax provision or benefit based on its own taxable activities. The income tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 differ from the amount determined by applying the statutory Federal rate of 35% to the pre-tax income or loss due primarily to the recording of, and adjustments to, the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.
During the year ended December 31, 2010, a portion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance was reversed, as the utilization of this portion of the deferred tax asset was deemed more likely than not to be realized, due to the utilization of tax net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards to offset estimated taxable income for the year then ended; therefore, there is no income tax provision for 2010 related to the results of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the net deferred tax asset generated by the net loss incurred is offset in its entirety by a deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and the amounts of the gross tax benefit generated by this loss is reduced by an offsetting valuation allowance of the same amount.
The net deferred tax assets and offsetting valuation allowances at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were approximately $101.5 million and $102.2 million, respectively. The net change in the allowance during the year 2010 of approximately $0.7 million was primarily related to the year 2010 taxable income of $1.3 million. The net change in the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2009 was approximately $1.2 million, primarily related to the reversal of certain timing differences which impacted the allowance by approximately $2.6 million, offset by an increase in the allowance for loss carryforwards of approximately $1.4 million.
The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income within Mortco. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, management believed that it was more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full benefits of all of the federal and state tax NOL carryforwards, which are the primary deferred tax assets of Mortco; therefore, an allowance for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets has been recorded in both years. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income or losses, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
As of December 31, 2010, Mortco had an estimated federal tax NOL carryforward of approximately $272.9 million, and estimated available state NOLs of approximately $63.8 million, which begin to expire in 2025, and are fully available to offset future taxable income.
During 2008, Mortco re-evaluated a previous tax position with regards to the taxability of excess inclusion income (“EII”). Mortco holds residual interests in various real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), which were issued in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Some of these REMICs generate EII, which is a specific type of taxable income, pursuant to specific provisions of the Code. Mortco based its previously-held tax position on advice received from tax consultants regarding the taxability of EII, including the aggregation (or non-aggregation) of the tax inputs from all REMICs owned for purposes of the EII tax computation. As a result of the year 2008 re-evaluation of the tax position, which included consulting with additional tax experts, Mortco concluded that it was no longer more likely than not that the tax position would be fully sustained upon examination, even though the exact computational methods and the ultimate EII tax due was still uncertain. Therefore, during 2008, Mortco recorded a tax provision for $1.5 million for taxes that may be due on EII; this provision amount was unchanged through June 30, 2010. Interest of $0.6 million was accrued on this tax provision through September 30, 2010.
Mortco continued to research all the tax issues relating to EII and its ownership of the REMICs, and during the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2010, it reached a tax filing position relating to this matter. As part of the filing of its year 2009 tax returns (filed in September 2010), Mortco included a notice of inconsistent treatment in its tax returns, reported EII taxable income of approximately $2.3 million, and paid $0.8 million of income tax, interest and penalties. Because of the continued uncertainty surrounding this tax matter, Mortco will continue to account for this tax issue as being more likely than not that the tax position would not be fully sustained upon examination. Therefore as of December 31, 2010, Mortco has an accrual of approximately $0.7 million for taxes that may be due in the future on EII income, and $0.6 million for interest and penalties.
Shares of Class B Common Stock, participating and convertible into Class A Common Stock, are entitled to receive dividends in an amount equal to the dividends declared on each share of Class A Common Stock if, and when, authorized and declared by the Board of Directors. Following the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 260, the Class B Common Stock is included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method, and consequently is presented separately from Class A Common Stock. Class B common shares are not included in the computation of diluted Class A EPS as the conditions for conversion to Class A shares were not met at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
The Class C common shares are not included in the basic EPS computation as these shares do not have participation rights. The Class C common shares are not included in the computation of diluted Class A EPS as the conditions for conversion to Class A shares were not met at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
The Company has dividend eligible stock incentive plan shares that were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. The basic and diluted per share computations for the year ended December 31, 2009 included a weighted average of 54,411 of these unvested incentive plan shares, as they have dividend participation rights. The stock incentive plan shares have no contractual obligation to share in losses. Since there is no such obligation, the incentive plan shares are not included in the basic and diluted EPS computations for the year ended December 31, 2010, because of the reported loss, even though they are participating securities.
The Company previously issued stock incentive plan shares that were not dividend eligible. For the year ended December 31, 2009, a weighted average 4,430 of such plan shares are included in the diluted per share computations. There were no such plan shares outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2010.
As discussed in Note 9, on November 9, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend giving stockholders the option to make an election to receive payment of the dividend in cash or in shares of its Class A Common Stock, subject to an aggregate cash limitation. These shares were not included in the calculation of basic weighted-average shares outstanding until January 19, 2010, the date they were issued. They were not included in the diluted per share calculation prior to issuance because their inclusion prior to this date would have been anti-dilutive.
The table below reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS.
(in thousands, except per-share information)
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
|
Basic and diluted EPS per Class A common share:
|
||||||||
|
(Loss) income available to Class A common shares
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | (1,741 | ) | $ | 45,174 | |||
|
Diluted
|
(1,741 | ) | 45,307 | |||||
|
Weighted average common shares:
|
||||||||
|
Class A common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
|
9,777 | 2,764 | ||||||
|
Unvested dividend-eligible stock incentive plan shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
|
- | 102 | ||||||
|
Effect of weighting
|
(132 | ) | (106 | ) | ||||
|
Weighted average shares-basic
|
9,645 | 2,760 | ||||||
|
Effect of dilutive stock incentive plan shares
|
- | 4 | ||||||
|
Effect of shares issued in 2010 as part of dividend declared in 2009
|
- | 1,044 | ||||||
|
Weighted average shares-diluted
|
9,645 | 3,808 | ||||||
|
(Loss) earnings per Class A common share:
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 16.37 | |||
|
Diluted
|
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 11.90 | |||
|
Basic and diluted EPS per Class B common share:
|
||||||||
|
(Loss) income available to Class B common shares
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | (6 | ) | $ | 523 | |||
|
Diluted
|
(6 | ) | 390 | |||||
|
Weighted average common shares:
|
||||||||
|
Class B common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
|
32 | 32 | ||||||
|
Effect of weighting
|
- | - | ||||||
|
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted
|
$ | 32 | $ | 32 | ||||
|
(Loss) earnings per Class B common share
|
||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 16.37 | |||
|
Diluted
|
$ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 12.22 | |||
Authoritative accounting literature establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability (an entry price). A fair value measure should reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including the assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset and the risk of nonperformance. Required disclosures include stratification of balance sheet amounts measured at fair value based on inputs the Company uses to derive fair value measurements. These strata include:
|
·
|
Level 1 valuations, where the valuation is based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets (which include exchanges and over-the-counter markets with sufficient volume),
|
|
·
|
Level 2 valuations, where the valuation is based on quoted market prices for similar instruments traded in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, and
|
|
·
|
Level 3 valuations, where the valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market, but observable based on Company-specific data. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates for assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques typically include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, but may also include the use of market prices of assets or liabilities that are not directly comparable to the subject asset or liability.
|
Mortgage-backed securities, retained interests, Eurodollar futures contracts and mortgage loans held for sale were recorded at fair value on a recurring basis during 2010 and 2009. When determining fair value measurements, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset. When possible, the Company looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets. When identical assets are not traded in active markets, the Company looks to market observable data for similar assets. Fair value measurements for the retained interests are generated by a model that requires management to make a significant number of assumptions.
The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
(in thousands)
|
Fair Value Measurements Using
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Fair Value Measurements
|
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
|
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
$ | 135,133 | $ | - | $ | 135,133 | $ | - | ||||||||
|
Eurodollar futures contracts
|
224 | 224 | - | - | ||||||||||||
|
Mortgage loans held for sale
|
40 | - | - | 40 | ||||||||||||
|
Retained interests
|
3,928 | - | - | 3,928 | ||||||||||||
|
December 31, 2009
|
$ | $ | ||||||||||||||
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
$ | 119,668 | $ | - | $ | 119,668 | $ | - | ||||||||
|
Mortgage loans held for sale
|
207 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 207 | |||||||||
|
Retained interests
|
5,934 | - | - | 5,934 | ||||||||||||
The following tables illustrates a rollforward for all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
(in thousands)
|
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
|
Retained Interests
|
|||||||
|
Beginning balance, January 1, 2009
|
$ | 464 | $ | 15,601 | ||||
|
Gain included in earnings
|
264 | 167 | ||||||
|
Collections, sale and settlements
|
(521 | ) | (9,834 | ) | ||||
|
Ending Balance, December 31, 2009
|
$ | 207 | $ | 5,934 | ||||
|
Gain included in earnings
|
73 | 2,216 | ||||||
|
Collections, sale and settlements
|
(240 | ) | (4,222 | ) | ||||
|
Ending Balance, December 31, 2010
|
$ | 40 | $ | 3,928 | ||||
Frank E. Jaumot is a shareholder in an accounting firm from which the Company received accounting and tax services during the year. Mr. Jaumot is both a director and a shareholder of Bimini Capital. Professional fees incurred with this firm were $101,000 and $112,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The following is a presentation of the quarterly results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
2010 Quarters Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||
|
March 31
|
June 30
|
September 30
|
December 31
|
|||||||||||||
|
Net portfolio interest income
|
$ | 1,830 | $ | 1,757 | $ | 1,193 | $ | 1,409 | ||||||||
|
Interest on junior subordinated notes
|
(550 | ) | (550 | ) | (550 | ) | (468 | ) | ||||||||
|
Other portfolio gains (losses)
|
(1,903 | ) | 811 | (693 | ) | 921 | ||||||||||
|
Net portfolio income (loss)
|
(623 | ) | 2,018 | (50 | ) | 1,862 | ||||||||||
|
Other income
|
1,459 | 120 | 1,525 | (382 | ) | |||||||||||
|
Expenses
|
(1,860 | ) | (1,768 | ) | (1,719 | ) | (2,475 | ) | ||||||||
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
(1,024 | ) | 370 | (244 | ) | (995 | ) | |||||||||
|
Income tax benefit
|
(15 | ) | - | (130 | ) | - | ||||||||||
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ | (1,009 | ) | $ | 370 | $ | (114 | ) | $ | (995 | ) | |||||
|
Net (loss) income per share of:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Class A Common Stock – basic and diluted
|
$ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | |||||
|
Class B Common Stock – basic and diluted
|
$ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | |||||
|
2009 Quarters Ended,
|
||||||||||||||||
|
March 31
|
June 30
|
September 30
|
December 31
|
|||||||||||||
|
Net portfolio interest income
|
$ | 3,420 | $ | 2,578 | $ | 2,813 | $ | 1,725 | ||||||||
|
Interest on junior subordinated notes
|
(2,090 | ) | (1,298 | ) | (1,058 | ) | (664 | ) | ||||||||
|
Other portfolio gains
|
1,694 | 1,533 | 1,274 | 260 | ||||||||||||
|
Net portfolio income
|
3,024 | 2,813 | 3,029 | 1,321 | ||||||||||||
|
Other income
|
1,699 | 30,290 | 764 | 10,212 | ||||||||||||
|
Expenses
|
(2,566 | ) | (1,244 | ) | (1,287 | ) | (2,213 | ) | ||||||||
|
Income before income taxes
|
2,157 | 31,859 | 2,506 | 9,320 | ||||||||||||
|
Income tax provision
|
- | - | - | 145 | ||||||||||||
|
Net income
|
$ | 2,157 | $ | 31,859 | $ | 2,506 | $ | 9,175 | ||||||||
|
Net income per share of:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Class A Common Stock
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | 0.81 | $ | 11.59 | $ | 0.87 | $ | 3.18 | ||||||||
|
Diluted
|
$ | 0.81 | $ | 11.57 | $ | 0.87 | $ | 1.30 | ||||||||
|
Class B Common Stock
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Basic
|
$ | 0.81 | $ | 11.59 | $ | 0.87 | $ | 3.22 | ||||||||
|
Diluted
|
$ | 0.81 | $ | 11.57 | $ | 0.87 | $ | 2.02 | ||||||||
We had no disagreements with our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on any matter of accounting principles or practices or financial statement disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report (the “evaluation date”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“the CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“the CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective as of the evaluation date (1) in ensuring that information regarding the Company and its subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, by our employees, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2) in providing reasonable assurance that information the Company must disclose in its periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods prescribed by the SEC’s rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Because of inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate due to change in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework.” Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that also audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and BDO USA, LLP’s attestation report on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting are included in Item 8.
None.
The information required by this Item 10 and not otherwise set forth below is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, which the Company expects to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after December 31, 2010 (the "Proxy Statement").
The Company's executive officers are appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that the sole member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, who is also the Chair of the Audit Committee, Robert J. Dwyer, is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company has also adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that is applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, as well as the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the committee charters for each of the committees of the Board of Directors, can be obtained from our Internet website at www.biminicapital.com and will be made available to any shareholder upon request. The Company intends to disclose any waivers from, or amendments to, the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers by posting a description of such waiver or amendment on our Internet Web site.
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement and to Part II, Item 5 of this Form 10-K.
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
a. Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements of the Company, together with the report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are set forth in Part II-Item 8 of this Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
The following information is filed as part of this Form 10-K:
|
Page
|
||||
|
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
|
60 | |||
|
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
61 | |||
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
63 | |||
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
64 | |||
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
66 | |||
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
|
67 | |||
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
69 | |||
b. Financial Statement Schedules.
Not applicable.
c. Exhibits.
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
2.1
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 29, 2005, filed with the SEC on September 30, 2005
|
|
3.1
|
Articles of Amendment and Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
|
|
3.2
|
Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2005
|
|
3.3
|
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 10, 2006, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2006
|
|
3.4
|
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
|
|
3.5
|
Certificate of Notice, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 28, 2008, filed with the SEC on February 1, 2008
|
|
3.6
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
|
|
†10.1
|
Employment Agreement between Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc. and Jeffrey J. Zimmer, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, dated April 12, 2004, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
|
|
†10.2
|
Employment Agreement between Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc. and Robert E. Cauley, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, dated April 12, 2004, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
|
|
†10.3
|
Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2003 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended September 28, 2007
|
|
†10.4
|
Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2004 Performance Bonus Plan, as amended September 28, 2007
|
|
†10.5
|
Form of Phantom Share Award Agreement
|
|
†10.6
|
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
|
|
†10.7
|
Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of June 29, 2007, by and among Opteum Inc., Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Peter R. Norden, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2007
|
|
10.8
|
Voting Agreement, among certain stockholders of Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc., Jeffrey J. Zimmer, Robert E. Cauley, Amber K. Luedke, George H. Haas, IV, Kevin L. Bespolka, Maureen A. Hendricks, W. Christopher Mortenson, Buford H. Ortale, Peter Norden, certain of Mr. Norden’s affiliates, Jason Kaplan, certain of Mr. Kaplan’s affiliates and other former owners of Opteum Financial Services, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(D) to the Schedule 13D, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2005
|
|
10.9
|
Membership Interest Purchase, Option and Investor Rights Agreement among Opteum Inc., Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of December 21, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 21, 2006, filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006
|
|
10.10
|
Seventh Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Orchid Island TRS, LLC, dated as of July 20, 2007, made and entered into by Opteum Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007
|
|
10.11
|
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, by and among Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Opteum Inc. and Prospect Mortgage Company, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 7, 2007, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2007
|
|
10.12
|
First Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated June 30, 2007, by and among Metrocities Mortgage, LLC – Opteum Division, Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Opteum Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2007
|
|
*21.1
|
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
|
|
*23.1
|
Consent of BDO USA, LLP
|
|
*24.1
|
Powers of Attorney
|
|
*31.1
|
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
*31.2
|
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
*32.1
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
*32.2
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
* Filed herewith.
† Management compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
|
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||
|
Date: March 24, 2011
|
By:
|
/s/ Robert E. Cauley | ||
|
Robert E. Cauley
|
||||
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 24, 2011
|
Signature
|
Capacity
|
||
| /s/ Robert E. Cauley | |||
|
Robert E. Cauley
|
Director, Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
|
||
| /s/ G. Hunter Haas | |||
|
G. Hunter Haas
|
President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
|
||
| /s/ Robert J. Dwyer | |||
|
Robert J. Dwyer
|
Director
|
||
| /s/ Frank E. Jaumot | |||
|
Frank E. Jaumot
|
Director
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
|
2.1
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 29, 2005, filed with the SEC on September 30, 2005
|
|
3.1
|
Articles of Amendment and Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
|
|
3.2
|
Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2005
|
|
3.3
|
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 10, 2006, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2006
|
|
3.4
|
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
|
|
3.5
|
Certificate of Notice, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 28, 2008, filed with the SEC on February 1, 2008
|
|
3.6
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
|
|
†10.1
|
Employment Agreement between Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc. and Jeffrey J. Zimmer, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, dated April 12, 2004, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
|
|
†10.2
|
Employment Agreement between Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc. and Robert E. Cauley, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, dated April 12, 2004, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
|
|
†10.3
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Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2003 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended September 28, 2007
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†10.4
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Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2004 Performance Bonus Plan, as amended September 28, 2007
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†10.5
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Form of Phantom Share Award Agreement
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†10.6
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Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
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†10.7
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Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of June 29, 2007, by and among Opteum Inc., Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Peter R. Norden, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2007
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10.8
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Voting Agreement, among certain stockholders of Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc., Jeffrey J. Zimmer, Robert E. Cauley, Amber K. Luedke, George H. Haas, IV, Kevin L. Bespolka, Maureen A. Hendricks, W. Christopher Mortenson, Buford H. Ortale, Peter Norden, certain of Mr. Norden’s affiliates, Jason Kaplan, certain of Mr. Kaplan’s affiliates and other former owners of Opteum Financial Services, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(D) to the Schedule 13D, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2005
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10.9
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Membership Interest Purchase, Option and Investor Rights Agreement among Opteum Inc., Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of December 21, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 21, 2006, filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006
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10.10
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Seventh Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Orchid Island TRS, LLC, dated as of July 20, 2007, made and entered into by Opteum Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007
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10.11
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Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, by and among Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Opteum Inc. and Prospect Mortgage Company, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 7, 2007, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2007
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10.12
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First Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated June 30, 2007, by and among Metrocities Mortgage, LLC – Opteum Division, Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Opteum Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2007
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*21.1
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Subsidiaries of the Registrant
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*23.1
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Consent of BDO USA, LLP
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*31.1
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Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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*31.2
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Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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*32.1
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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*32.2
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Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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* Filed herewith.
† Management compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part IItem 1. BusinessItem 1A. Risk FactorsItem 1B. Unresolved Staff CommentsItem 2. PropertiesItem 3. Legal ProceedingsItem 4. ReservedPart IIItem 5. Market For Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases Of Equity SecuritiesItem 6. Selected Financial DataItem 7. Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of OperationsItem 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskItem 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary DataNote 1. Organization and Significant Accounting PoliciesNote 2. Mortgage-backed SecuritiesNote 3. Retained InterestsNote 4. Property and EquipmentNote 5. Prepaid Expenses and Other AssetsNote 6. Repurchase AgreementsNote 7. Derivative Financial InstrumentsNote 8. Trust Preferred SecuritiesNote 9. Capital StockNote 10. Stock Incentive PlansNote 11. Savings Incentive PlanNote 12. Commitments and ContingenciesNote 13. Income TaxesNote 14. Earnings Per ShareNote 15. Fair ValueNote 16. Related Party TransactionsNote 17. Summarized Quarterly Results (unaudited)Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial DisclosureItem 9A. Controls and ProceduresItem 9B. Other InformationPart IIIItem 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate GovernanceItem 11. Executive CompensationItem 12. Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder MattersItem 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director IndependenceItem 14. Principal Accountant Fees and ServicesPart IVItem 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules