STWD 10-Q Quarterly Report March 31, 2018 | Alphaminr
STARWOOD PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

STWD 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2018

STARWOOD PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
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10-Q 1 stwd-20180331x10q.htm 10-Q stwd_Current folio_10Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 001-34436


Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland

27-0247747

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

591 West Putnam Avenue

Greenwich, Connecticut

06830

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(203) 422-7700


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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ☒

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of April 30, 2018 was 261,986,337.


Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements concerning our operations, economic performance and financial condition. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are developed by combining currently available information with our beliefs and assumptions and are generally identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance, which may be materially different from that expressed in, or implied by, any such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates.

These forward-looking statements are based largely on our current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or within our control, and which could materially affect actual results, performance or achievements. Factors that may cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·

factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Business”;

·

defaults by borrowers in paying debt service on outstanding indebtedness;

·

impairment in the value of real estate property securing our loans or in which we invest;

·

availability of mortgage origination and acquisition opportunities acceptable to us;

·

potential mismatches in the timing of asset repayments and the maturity of the associated financing agreements;

·

national and local economic and business conditions;

·

general and local commercial and residential real estate property conditions;

·

changes in federal government policies;

·

changes in federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations;

·

increased competition from entities engaged in mortgage lending and securities investing activities;

·

changes in interest rates; and

·

the availability of, and costs associated with, sources of liquidity.

In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurances that the results referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will in fact occur. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, changes to future results over time or otherwise.

2


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Part I

Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements

4

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

8

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10

Note 1 Business and Organization

10

Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

11

Note 3 Acquisitions and Divestitures

17

Note 4 Loans

18

Note 5 Investment Securities

23

Note 6 Properties

26

Note 7 Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

28

Note 8 Goodwill and Intangibles

29

Note 9 Secured Financing Agreements

31

Note 10 Unsecured Senior Notes

34

Note 11 Loan Securitization/Sale Activities

36

Note 12 Derivatives and Hedging Activity

37

Note 13 Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

39

Note 14 Variable Interest Entities

39

Note 15 Related-Party Transactions

40

Note 16 Stockholders’ Equity and Non-Controlling Interests

42

Note 17 Earnings per Share

44

Note 18 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

45

Note 19 Fair Value

45

Note 20 Income Taxes

49

Note 21 Commitments and Contingencies

49

Note 22 Segment Data

49

Note 23 Subsequent Events

54

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

55

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

76

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

79

Part II

Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

80

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

80

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

80

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

80

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

80

Item 5.

Other Information

80

Item 6.

Exhibits

81

3


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except share data)

As of

As of

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

286,155

$

369,448

Restricted cash

93,266

48,825

Loans held-for-investment, net

6,182,786

6,562,495

Loans held-for-sale, at fair value

723,733

745,743

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

74,463

74,403

Investment securities ($278,144 and $284,735 held at fair value)

514,463

718,203

Properties, net

2,988,864

2,647,481

Intangible assets ($24,945 and $30,759 held at fair value)

179,629

183,092

Investment in unconsolidated entities

160,112

185,503

Goodwill

140,437

140,437

Derivative assets

41,067

33,898

Accrued interest receivable

41,253

47,747

Other assets

467,320

138,140

Variable interest entity (“VIE”) assets, at fair value

49,233,307

51,045,874

Total Assets

$

61,126,855

$

62,941,289

Liabilities and Equity

Liabilities:

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

157,563

$

185,117

Related-party payable

31,781

42,369

Dividends payable

126,244

125,916

Derivative liabilities

57,600

36,200

Secured financing agreements, net

5,554,314

5,773,056

Unsecured senior notes, net

2,252,631

2,125,235

Secured borrowings on transferred loans, net

74,275

74,185

VIE liabilities, at fair value

48,167,760

50,000,010

Total Liabilities

56,422,168

58,362,088

Commitments and contingencies (Note 21)

Equity:

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity:

Preferred stock, $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

Common stock, $0.01 per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 267,135,302 issued and 261,955,162 outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and 265,983,309  issued and 261,376,424 outstanding as of December 31, 2017

2,671

2,660

Additional paid-in capital

4,728,183

4,715,246

Treasury stock (5,180,140 shares and 4,606,885 shares)

(104,194)

(92,104)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

75,310

69,924

Accumulated deficit

(243,438)

(217,312)

Total Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity

4,458,532

4,478,414

Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

246,155

100,787

Total Equity

4,704,687

4,579,201

Total Liabilities and Equity

$

61,126,855

$

62,941,289

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Revenues:

Interest income from loans

$

137,620

$

111,883

Interest income from investment securities

15,269

15,224

Servicing fees

26,067

14,102

Rental income

81,110

57,042

Other revenues

521

469

Total revenues

260,587

198,720

Costs and expenses:

Management fees

30,642

24,384

Interest expense

87,183

65,860

General and administrative

32,142

30,429

Acquisition and investment pursuit costs

377

671

Costs of rental operations

29,693

20,878

Depreciation and amortization

31,744

22,228

Loan loss allowance, net

1,538

(305)

Other expense

104

758

Total costs and expenses

213,423

164,903

Income before other income (loss), income taxes and non-controlling interests

47,164

33,817

Other income (loss):

Change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs

52,653

69,170

Change in fair value of servicing rights

(5,814)

(8,433)

Change in fair value of investment securities, net

(149)

(1,171)

Change in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale, net

7,800

10,593

(Loss) earnings from unconsolidated entities

(1,462)

2,987

Gain (loss) on sale of investments and other assets, net

10,660

(56)

Loss on derivative financial instruments, net

(16,859)

(4,349)

Foreign currency gain, net

13,549

4,864

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(5,916)

Other income, net

108

365

Total other income

60,486

68,054

Income before income taxes

107,650

101,871

Income tax (provision) benefit

(2,856)

983

Net income

104,794

102,854

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

(4,862)

(496)

Net income attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc .

$

99,932

$

102,358

Earnings per share data attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc.:

Basic

$

0.38

$

0.39

Diluted

$

0.38

$

0.39

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.48

$

0.48

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Net income

$

104,794

$

102,854

Other comprehensive income (net change by component):

Cash flow hedges

5

76

Available-for-sale securities

1,163

1,846

Foreign currency translation

4,218

2,007

Other comprehensive income

5,386

3,929

Comprehensive income

110,180

106,783

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

(4,862)

(496)

Comprehensive income attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc .

$

105,318

$

106,287

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except share data)

Total

Starwood

Accumulated

Property

Common stock

Additional

Other

Trust, Inc.

Non-

Par

Paid-in

Treasury Stock

Accumulated

Comprehensive

Stockholders’

Controlling

Total

Shares

Value

Capital

Shares

Amount

Deficit

Income

Equity

Interests

Equity

Balance, January 1, 2018

265,983,309

$

2,660

$

4,715,246

4,606,885

$

(92,104)

$

(217,312)

$

69,924

$

4,478,414

$

100,787

$

4,579,201

Proceeds from DRIP Plan

7,651

159

159

159

Common stock repurchased

573,255

(12,090)

(12,090)

(12,090)

Share-based compensation

598,701

6

4,762

4,768

4,768

Manager incentive fee paid in stock

545,641

5

10,978

10,983

10,983

Net income

99,932

99,932

4,862

104,794

Dividends declared, $0.48 per share

(126,058)

(126,058)

(126,058)

Other comprehensive income, net

5,386

5,386

5,386

VIE non-controlling interests

569

569

Contributions from non-controlling interests

366,691

366,691

Distributions to non-controlling interests

(2,962)

(2,962)

(226,435)

(229,397)

Sale of controlling interest in majority owned property asset

(319)

(319)

Balance, March 31, 2018

267,135,302

$

2,671

$

4,728,183

5,180,140

$

(104,194)

$

(243,438)

$

75,310

$

4,458,532

$

246,155

$

4,704,687

Balance, January 1, 2017

263,893,806

$

2,639

$

4,691,180

4,606,885

$

(92,104)

$

(115,579)

$

36,138

$

4,522,274

$

37,799

$

4,560,073

Proceeds from DRIP Plan

8,129

183

183

183

Equity offering costs

(12)

(12)

(12)

Equity component of 2023 Convertible Senior Notes issuance

3,755

3,755

3,755

Equity component of 2018 Convertible Senior Notes repurchase

(18,105)

(18,105)

(18,105)

Share-based compensation

514,379

5

3,154

3,159

3,159

Manager incentive fee paid in stock

418,016

4

9,543

9,547

9,547

Net income

102,358

102,358

496

102,854

Dividends declared, $0.48 per share

(125,479)

(125,479)

(125,479)

Other comprehensive income, net

3,929

3,929

3,929

VIE non-controlling interests

5,177

5,177

Distributions to non-controlling interests

(1,726)

(1,726)

Balance, March 31, 2017

264,834,330

$

2,648

$

4,689,698

4,606,885

$

(92,104)

$

(138,700)

$

40,067

$

4,501,609

$

41,746

$

4,543,355

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7


Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

Net income

$

104,794

$

102,854

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Amortization of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts on secured financing agreements and secured borrowings on transferred loans

5,167

4,686

Amortization of discounts and deferred financing costs on senior notes

3,869

6,093

Accretion of net discount on investment securities

(6,841)

(4,257)

Accretion of net deferred loan fees and discounts

(12,052)

(7,519)

Share-based compensation

4,768

3,159

Share-based component of incentive fees

10,983

9,547

Change in fair value of investment securities

149

1,171

Change in fair value of consolidated VIEs

(11,241)

(20,677)

Change in fair value of servicing rights

5,814

8,433

Change in fair value of loans held-for-sale

(7,800)

(10,593)

Change in fair value of derivatives

18,069

2,900

Foreign currency gain, net

(13,540)

(4,829)

(Gain) loss on sale of investments and other assets

(10,660)

56

Impairment charges

25

758

Loan loss allowance, net

1,538

(305)

Depreciation and amortization

31,412

21,297

Loss (earnings) from unconsolidated entities

1,462

(2,987)

Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities

2,675

2,643

Loss on extinguishment of debt

5,916

Origination and purchase of loans held-for-sale, net of principal collections

(245,027)

(445,690)

Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale

266,632

179,296

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Related-party payable, net

(10,588)

(11,821)

Accrued and capitalized interest receivable, less purchased interest

(9,412)

(19,611)

Other assets

(6,188)

(1,855)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

(31,612)

(14,686)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

92,396

(196,021)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Origination and purchase of loans held-for-investment

(900,937)

(621,135)

Proceeds from principal collections on loans

870,400

226,039

Proceeds from loans sold

145,273

37,079

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

10,434

Proceeds from principal collections on investment securities

219,230

76,050

Proceeds from sale of properties

51,093

Purchases and additions to properties and other assets

(7,056)

(2,435)

Distribution of capital from unconsolidated entities

21,255

3,127

Payments for purchase or termination of derivatives

(15,604)

(32,700)

Proceeds from termination of derivatives

11,773

17,331

Return of investment basis in purchased derivative asset

62

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

395,427

(286,148)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8


Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Proceeds from borrowings

$

1,515,241

$

1,205,691

Principal repayments on and repurchases of borrowings

(1,629,449)

(957,529)

Payment of deferred financing costs

(10,506)

(5,967)

Proceeds from common stock issuances

159

183

Payment of equity offering costs

(647)

Payment of dividends

(125,730)

(124,506)

Contributions from non-controlling interests

310

Distributions to non-controlling interests

(229,397)

(1,726)

Purchase of treasury stock

(12,090)

Issuance of debt of consolidated VIEs

7,948

4,759

Repayment of debt of consolidated VIEs

(57,289)

(57,445)

Distributions of cash from consolidated VIEs

13,730

30,956

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(527,073)

93,769

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(39,250)

(388,400)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

418,273

650,755

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

398

179

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

379,421

$

262,534

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid for interest

$

75,696

$

51,023

Income taxes paid

880

268

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

Dividends declared, but not yet paid

$

126,058

$

125,479

Consolidation of VIEs (VIE asset/liability additions)

1,089,881

1,127,952

Deconsolidation of VIEs (VIE asset/liability reductions)

875,240

1,528,137

Net assets acquired from consolidated VIEs

27,737

Contributions of Woodstar II Portfolio net assets from non-controlling interests

366,381

Loan principal collections temporarily held at master servicer

326,362

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

9


Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

1. Business and Organizatio n

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (“STWD” and, together with its subsidiaries, “we” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that commenced operations in August 2009, upon the completion of our initial public offering. We are focused primarily on originating, acquiring, financing and managing commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt investments, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), and other commercial real estate investments in both the U.S. and Europe. We refer to the following as our target assets: commercial real estate mortgage loans, preferred equity interests, CMBS and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. Our target assets may also include residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), certain residential mortgage loans, distressed or non-performing commercial loans, commercial properties subject to net leases and equity interests in commercial real estate. As market conditions change over time, we may adjust our strategy to take advantage of changes in interest rates and credit spreads as well as economic and credit conditions.

We have three reportable business segments as of March 31, 2018:

·

Real estate lending (the “Lending Segment”)—engages primarily in originating, acquiring, financing and managing commercial first mortgages, subordinated mortgages, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, CMBS, RMBS, certain residential mortgage loans, and other real estate and real estate-related debt investments in both the U.S. and Europe.

·

Real estate property (the “Property Segment”)—engages primarily in acquiring and managing equity interests in stabilized commercial real estate properties, including multifamily properties, that are held for investment.

·

Real estate investing and servicing (the “Investing and Servicing Segment”)—includes (i) a servicing business in the U.S. that manages and works out problem assets, (ii) an investment business that selectively acquires and manages unrated, investment grade and non-investment grade rated CMBS, including subordinated interests of securitization and resecuritization transactions, (iii) a mortgage loan business which originates conduit loans for the primary purpose of selling these loans into securitization transactions, and (iv) an investment business that selectively acquires commercial real estate assets, including properties acquired from CMBS trusts. This segment excludes the consolidation of securitization variable interest entities (“VIEs”).

We are organized and conduct our operations to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As such, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of our net income that is distributed to stockholders if we distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to our stockholders by prescribed dates and comply with various other requirements.

We are organized as a holding company and conduct our business primarily through our various wholly-owned subsidiaries. We are externally managed and advised by SPT Management, LLC (our “Manager”) pursuant to the terms of a management agreement. Our Manager is controlled by Barry Sternlicht, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Our Manager is an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, a privately-held private equity firm founded and controlled by Mr. Sternlicht.

10


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Balance Sheet Presentation of the Investing and Servicing Segment’s Variable Interest Entities

As noted above, the Investing and Servicing Segment operates an investment business that acquires unrated, investment grade and non-investment grade rated CMBS. These securities represent interests in securitization structures (commonly referred to as special purpose entities, or “SPEs”). These SPEs are structured as pass through entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), SPEs typically qualify as VIEs. These are entities that, by design, either (1) lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (2) have equity investors that do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses, or do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity.

Because the Investing and Servicing Segment often serves as the special servicer of the trusts in which it invests, consolidation of these structures is required pursuant to GAAP as outlined in detail below. This results in a consolidated balance sheet which presents the gross assets and liabilities of the VIEs. The assets and other instruments held by these VIEs are restricted and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the entity. Additionally, the obligations of the VIEs do not have any recourse to the general credit of any other consolidated entities, nor to us as the consolidator of these VIEs.

The VIE liabilities initially represent investment securities on our balance sheet (pre-consolidation). Upon consolidation of these VIEs, our associated investment securities are eliminated, as is the interest income related to those securities. Similarly, the fees we earn in our roles as special servicer of the bonds issued by the consolidated VIEs or as collateral administrator of the consolidated VIEs are also eliminated. Finally, an allocable portion of the identified servicing intangible associated with the eliminated fee streams is eliminated in consolidation.

Refer to the segment data in Note 22 for a presentation of the Investing and Servicing Segment without consolidation of these VIEs.

Basis of Accounting and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our consolidated subsidiaries and VIEs. Intercompany amounts have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows have been included.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “Form 10-K”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

Refer to our Form 10-K for a description of our recurring accounting policies. We have included disclosure in this Note 2 regarding principles of consolidation and other accounting policies that (i) are required to be disclosed quarterly, (ii) we view as critical, (iii) became significant since December 31, 2017 due to a corporate action or increase in the significance of the underlying business activity or (iv) changed upon adoption of an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

Variable Interest Entities

In addition to the Investing and Servicing Segment’s VIEs, certain other entities in which we hold interests are considered VIEs as the limited partners of these entities do not collectively possess (i) the right to remove the general partner without cause or (ii) the right to participate in significant decisions made by the partnership.

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We evaluate all of our interests in VIEs for consolidation. When our interests are determined to be variable interests, we assess whether we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation , defines the primary beneficiary as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant. We consider our variable interests as well as any variable interests of our related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary and we consolidate the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, we are not the primary beneficiary and do not consolidate the VIE.

To assess whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, we consider all facts and circumstances, including our role in establishing the VIE and our ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes: (i) identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE. The right to remove the decision maker in a VIE must be exercisable without cause for the decision maker to not be deemed the party that has the power to direct the activities of a VIE.

To assess whether we have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, we consider all of our economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that we apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by us.

Our purchased investment securities include CMBS which are unrated and non-investment grade rated securities issued by CMBS trusts. In certain cases, we may contract to provide special servicing activities for these CMBS trusts, or, as holder of the controlling class, we may have the right to name and remove the special servicer for these trusts. In our role as special servicer, we provide services on defaulted loans within the trusts, such as foreclosure or work-out procedures, as permitted by the underlying contractual agreements. In exchange for these services, we receive a fee. These rights give us the ability to direct activities that could significantly impact the trust’s economic performance. However, in those instances where an unrelated third party has the right to unilaterally remove us as special servicer without cause, we do not have the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the trust’s economic performance. We evaluated all of our positions in such investments for consolidation.

For securitization VIEs in which we are determined to be the primary beneficiary, all of the underlying assets, liabilities and equity of the structures are recorded on our books, and the initial investment, along with any associated unrealized holding gains and losses, are eliminated in consolidation. Similarly, the interest income earned from these structures, as well as the fees paid by these trusts to us in our capacity as special servicer, are eliminated in consolidation. Further, an allocable portion of the identified servicing intangible asset associated with the servicing fee streams, and the corresponding allocable amortization or change in fair value of the servicing intangible asset, are also eliminated in consolidation.

We perform ongoing reassessments of: (i) whether any entities previously evaluated under the majority voting interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to the VIE consolidation framework, and (ii) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding our involvement with a VIE causes our consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change.

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We elect the fair value option for initial and subsequent recognition of the assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs.  Interest income and interest expense associated with these VIEs are no longer relevant on a standalone basis because these amounts are already reflected in the fair value changes.  We have elected to present these items in a single line on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The residual difference shown on our condensed consolidated statements of operations in the line item “Change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs” represents our beneficial interest in the VIEs.

We separately present the assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs as individual line items on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs consist solely of obligations to the bondholders of the related CMBS trusts, and are thus presented as a single line item entitled “VIE liabilities.” The assets of our consolidated securitization VIEs consist principally of loans, but at times, also include foreclosed loans which have been temporarily converted into real estate owned (“REO”).  These assets in the aggregate are likewise presented as a single line item entitled “VIE assets.”

Loans comprise the vast majority of our securitization VIE assets and are carried at fair value due to the election of the fair value option.  When an asset becomes REO, it is due to nonperformance of the loan.  Because the loan is already at fair value, the carrying value of an REO asset is also initially at fair value.  Furthermore, when we consolidate a CMBS trust, any existing REO would be consolidated at fair value.  Once an asset becomes REO, its disposition time is relatively short. As a result, the carrying value of an REO generally approximates fair value under GAAP.

In addition to sharing a similar measurement method as the loans in a CMBS trust, the securitization VIE assets as a whole can only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated VIE.  The assets of our securitization VIEs are not individually accessible by the bondholders, which creates inherent limitations from a valuation perspective.  Also creating limitations from a valuation perspective is our role as special servicer, which provides us very limited visibility, if any, into the performing loans of a CMBS trust.

REO assets generally represent a very small percentage of the overall asset pool of a CMBS trust.  In a new issue CMBS trust there are no REO assets.  We estimate that REO assets constitute approximately 3% of our consolidated securitization VIE assets, with the remaining 97% representing loans.  However, it is important to note that the fair value of our securitization VIE assets is determined by reference to our securitization VIE liabilities as permitted under ASU 2014-13, Consolidation (Topic 810): Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity .  In other words, our VIE liabilities are more reliably measurable than the VIE assets, resulting in our current measurement methodology which utilizes this value to determine the fair value of our securitization VIE assets as a whole. As a result, these percentages are not necessarily indicative of the relative fair values of each of these asset categories if the assets were to be valued individually.

Due to our accounting policy election under ASU 2014-13, separately presenting two different asset categories would result in an arbitrary assignment of value to each, with one asset category representing a residual amount, as opposed to its fair value.  However, as a pool, the fair value of the assets in total is equal to the fair value of the liabilities.

For these reasons, the assets of our securitization VIEs are presented in the aggregate.

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Fair Value Option

The guidance in ASC 825, Financial Instruments , provides a fair value option election that allows entities to make an irrevocable election of fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain eligible financial assets and liabilities. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. The decision to elect the fair value option is determined on an instrument by instrument basis and must be applied to an entire instrument and is irrevocable once elected. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value pursuant to this guidance are required to be reported separately in our consolidated balance sheets from those instruments using another accounting method.

We have elected the fair value option for eligible financial assets and liabilities of our consolidated securitization VIEs, loans held-for-sale originated or acquired for future securitization, purchased CMBS issued by VIEs we could consolidate in the future and certain investments in marketable equity securities which, effective January 1, 2018, are now required to be carried at fair value through earnings. The fair value elections for VIE and securitization related items were made in order to mitigate accounting mismatches between the carrying value of the instruments and the related assets and liabilities that we consolidate at fair value. The fair value elections for mortgage loans held-for-sale were made due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Fair Value Measurements

We measure our mortgage‑backed securities, derivative assets and liabilities, domestic servicing rights intangible asset and any assets or liabilities where we have elected the fair value option at fair value. When actively quoted observable prices are not available, we either use implied pricing from similar assets and liabilities or valuation models based on net present values of estimated future cash flows, adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, market and/or other risk factors.

As discussed above, we measure the assets and liabilities of consolidated securitization VIEs at fair value pursuant to our election of the fair value option. The securitization VIEs in which we invest are “static”; that is, no reinvestment is permitted, and there is no active management of the underlying assets. In determining the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the securitization VIE, we maximize the use of observable inputs over unobservable inputs. Refer to Note 19 for further discussion regarding our fair value measurements.

Loans Held-for-Investment and Provision for Loan Losses

Loans that are held for investment are carried at cost, net of unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts, loan fees, and origination costs as applicable, unless the loans are deemed impaired. We evaluate each loan classified as held-for-investment for impairment at least quarterly. In connection with this evaluation, we assess the performance of each loan and assign a risk rating based on several factors, including risk of loss, loan-to-collateral value ratio (“LTV”), collateral performance, structure, exit plan, and sponsorship. Loans are rated “1” through “5”, from less risk to greater risk, in connection with this review.

Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. If a loan is considered to be impaired, we record an allowance through the provision for loan losses to reduce the carrying value of the loan to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective rate or the fair value of the collateral, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Actual losses, if any, could ultimately differ from these estimates.

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Cost Method Equity Investments

On January 1, 2018, ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , became effective prospectively for public companies with a calendar fiscal year.  This ASU requires entities to carry all investments in equity securities, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures, and limited liability companies, at fair value with changes in fair value recognized within net income. This ASU does not apply to equity method investments, investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, investments that result in consolidation of the investee or investments in certain investment companies.  For investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, an entity is permitted to elect a practicability exception, under which the investment will be measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes from orderly transactions of an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

Additionally, this ASU eliminated the requirement to assess whether an impairment of an equity investment is other than temporary. The impairment model for equity investments subject to this election is now a single-step model whereby an entity performs a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. If the qualitative assessment indicates that an impairment exists, the entity would estimate the fair value of the investment and recognize in net income an impairment loss equal to the difference between the fair value and the carrying amount of the equity investment.

Our equity investments within the scope of this ASU are limited to our cost method equity investments discussed in Note 7, with the exception of our FHLB stock which is outside the scope of this ASU, and to our marketable equity security discussed in Note 5 for which we had previously elected the fair value option.  Our cost method equity investments within the scope of this ASU do not have readily determinable fair values. Therefore, we have elected the practicability exception whereby we measure these investments at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes from orderly transactions of identical or similar investments of the same issuer.  Refer to Note 7 for further discussion.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, new accounting rules regarding revenue recognition became effective for public companies with a calendar fiscal year.  None of our significant revenue sources – interest income from loans and investment securities, loan servicing fees, and rental income – are within the scope of the new revenue recognition guidance.  The revenue recognition guidance also included revisions to existing accounting rules regarding the determination of whether a company is acting as a principal or agent in an arrangement and accounting for sales of nonfinancial assets where the seller has continuing involvement.  These additional revisions also did not materially impact the Company.

Earnings Per Share

We present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) amounts in our financial statements.  Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the maximum potential dilution that could occur from (i) our share-based compensation, consisting of unvested restricted stock (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), (ii) shares contingently issuable to our Manager, (iii) the “in-the-money” conversion options associated with our outstanding convertible senior notes (see Notes 10 and 17), and (iv) non-controlling interests that are redeemable with our common stock (see Note 16). Potential dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation if they have an anti-dilutive effect in the period.

Nearly all of the Company’s unvested RSUs and RSAs contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends and thus are participating securities. In addition, the non-controlling interests that are redeemable with our common stock are considered participating securities because they earn a preferred return indexed to the dividend rate on our common stock (see Note 16). Due to the existence of these participating securities, the two-class method of computing EPS is required, unless another method is determined to be more dilutive. Under the two-class method, undistributed earnings are reallocated between shares of common stock and participating securities.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the two-class method resulted in the most dilutive EPS calculation.

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Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us 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, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant and subjective estimate that we make is the projection of cash flows we expect to receive on our loans, investment securities and intangible assets, which has a significant impact on the amounts of interest income, credit losses (if any), and fair values that we record and/or disclose. In addition, the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are estimated using a discounted cash flows method is significantly impacted by the rates at which we estimate market participants would discount the expected cash flows.

Recent Accounting Developments

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which establishes a right-of-use model for lessee accounting which results in the recognition of most leased assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet of the lessee.  Lessor accounting was not significantly changed by this ASU.  This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2018 by applying a modified retrospective approach. Early application is permitted. We are in the process of assessing the impact this ASU will have on the Company.

On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , which mandates use of an “expected loss” credit model for estimating future credit losses of certain financial instruments instead of the “incurred loss” credit model that current GAAP requires.  The “expected loss” model requires the consideration of possible credit losses over the life of an instrument as opposed to only estimating credit losses upon the occurrence of a discrete loss event in accordance with the current “incurred loss” methodology.  This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application is permitted though no earlier than the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2018. Though we have not completed our assessment of this ASU, we expect the ASU to result in our recognition of higher levels of allowances for loan losses.  Our assessment of the estimated amount of such increases remains in process.

On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which simplifies the method applied for measuring impairment in cases where goodwill is impaired.  This ASU specifies that goodwill impairment will be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value (inclusive of goodwill) over its fair value, eliminating the requirement that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit be remeasured individually in connection with measurement of goodwill impairment.  This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2019 and is applied prospectively.  Early application is permitted.  We do not expect the application of this ASU to materially impact the Company.

On August 28, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities , which amends and simplifies existing guidance regarding the designation and measurement of designated hedging relationships. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. We do not expect the application of this ASU to materially impact the Company.

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3.  Acquisitions and Divestitures

Woodstar II Portfolio Acquisition

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we acquired 18 of the 27 affordable housing communities comprising our “Woodstar II Portfolio.”  The Woodstar II Portfolio is comprised of 6,109 units concentrated primarily in Central and South Florida and is 99% occupied.  The 18 affordable housing communities acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2018 comprise 4,057 units and were acquired for $404.7 million, including contingent consideration of $26.7 million (the “Q1 2018 Closing”). The properties acquired in the Q1 2018 Closing were recognized initially at their purchase price of $378.0 million plus capitalized acquisition costs of $3.6 million.  Contingent consideration of $26.7 million will be recognized when the contingency is resolved.  Government sponsored mortgage debt of $7.3 million with weighted average fixed annual interest rates of 2.88% and remaining weighted average terms of 17.7 years was assumed at closing.  We financed the Q1 2018 Closing utilizing new 10-year mortgage debt totaling $300.9 million with weighted average fixed annual interest rates of 3.82% (as set forth in Note 9).

In December 2017, we acquired eight of the affordable housing communities (the “Q4 2017 Closing”), which include 1,740 units, for $156.2 million, including contingent consideration of $10.8 million. We financed the Q4 2017 Closing utilizing 10-year mortgage debt totaling $116.7 million with a fixed 3.81% interest rate.

We effectuated the Woodstar II Portfolio acquisitions via a contribution of the properties by third parties (the “Contributors”) to SPT Dolphin Intermediate LLC (“SPT Dolphin”), a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  In exchange for the contribution, the Contributors received cash, Class A units of SPT Dolphin (the “Class A Units”) and rights to receive additional Class A Units if certain contingent events occur.  The Class A unitholders have the right, commencing six months from issuance, to redeem their Class A Units for consideration equal to the current share price of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, with the consideration paid in either cash or the Company’s common stock, at the determination of the Company.

The Q1 2018 Closing resulted in the Contributors receiving cash of $223.3 million, 6,979,089 Class A Units and rights to receive an additional 1,301,414 Class A Units if certain contingent events occur.  In aggregate, the Q1 2018 Closing and Q4 2017 Closing have resulted in the Contributors receiving cash of $308.1 million, 9,758,863 Class A Units and rights to receive an additional 1,800,335 Class A Units if certain contingent events occur.

Since substantially all of the fair value of the properties acquired was concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets, the Woodstar II Portfolio acquisitions were accounted for in accordance with the asset acquisition provisions of ASC 805, Business Combinations .

Master Lease Portfolio

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we sold two retail properties within the Master Lease Portfolio for $37.2 million, recognizing a gain on sale of $3.9 million, within gain on sale of investments and other assets in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 6 for further discussion of the Master Lease Portfolio.

Investing and Servicing Segment Property Portfolio

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, our Investing and Servicing Segment acquired the $27.7 million net assets of two commercial real estate properties from consolidated CMBS trusts for a total gross purchase price of $28.0 million.  These properties, aggregated with the controlling interests in 23 remaining commercial real estate properties acquired from CMBS trusts during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 for an aggregate acquisition price of $291.7 million, comprise the Investing and Servicing Segment Property Portfolio (the “REIS Equity Portfolio”).  When the properties are acquired from CMBS trusts that are consolidated as VIEs on our balance sheet, the acquisitions are reflected as repayment of debt of consolidated VIEs in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

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During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we sold three properties within the Investing and Servicing Segment for $15.1 million, recognizing a total gain on sale of $6.4 million, within gain on sale of investments and other assets in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. One of these properties was acquired by a third party which already held a $0.3 million non-controlling interest in the property.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, $1.3 million of the gain on sale was attributable to non-controlling interests.  No Investing and Servicing Segment properties were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

4. Loans

Our loans held-for-investment are accounted for at amortized cost and our loans held-for-sale are accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value, unless we have elected the fair value option. The following tables summarize our investments in mortgages and loans by subordination class as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Weighted

Weighted

Average Life

Carrying

Face

Average

(“WAL”)

March 31, 2018

Value

Amount

Coupon

(years)(1)

First mortgages (2)

$

5,438,170

$

5,459,593

6.4

%

2.2

Subordinated mortgages (3)

177,360

177,402

11.1

%

1.8

Mezzanine loans (2)

547,048

546,762

11.1

%

1.1

Other

26,076

29,660

8.6

%

3.6

Total loans held-for-investment

6,188,654

6,213,417

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, residential

662,971

642,752

6.2

%

6.6

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, commercial

60,762

60,850

5.0

%

10.0

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

74,463

75,000

6.5

%

2.0

Total gross loans

6,986,850

6,992,019

Loan loss allowance (loans held-for-investment)

(5,868)

Total net loans

$

6,980,982

$

6,992,019

December 31, 2017

First mortgages (2)

$

5,818,804

$

5,843,623

6.2

%

2.0

Subordinated mortgages (3)

177,115

177,386

10.8

%

1.9

Mezzanine loans (2)

545,299

545,355

11.0

%

1.1

Other

25,607

29,320

8.5

%

3.9

Total loans held-for-investment

6,566,825

6,595,684

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, residential

613,287

594,105

6.2

%

5.4

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, commercial

132,456

132,393

4.6

%

10.0

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

74,403

75,000

6.2

%

2.3

Total gross loans

7,386,971

7,397,182

Loan loss allowance (loans held-for-investment)

(4,330)

Total net loans

$

7,382,641

$

7,397,182


(1)

Represents the WAL of each respective group of loans as of the respective balance sheet date. The WAL of each individual loan is calculated using amounts and timing of future principal payments, as projected at origination or acquisition.

(2)

First mortgages include first mortgage loans and any contiguous mezzanine loan components because as a whole, the expected credit quality of these loans is more similar to that of a first mortgage loan.  The application of this methodology resulted in mezzanine loans with carrying values of $689.0 million and $851.1 million being classified as first mortgages as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

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(3)

Subordinated mortgages include B-Notes and junior participation in first mortgages where we do not own the senior A-Note or senior participation. If we own both the A-Note and B-Note, we categorize the loan as a first mortgage loan.

As of March 31, 2018, approximately $5.7 billion, or 92.8%, of our loans held-for-investment were variable rate and paid interest principally at LIBOR plus a weighted-average spread of 4.9%.

Our loans are typically collateralized by real estate. As a result, we regularly evaluate the extent and impact of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral property, as well as the financial and operating capability of the borrower. Specifically, a property’s operating results and any cash reserves are analyzed and used to assess (i) whether cash flow from operations is sufficient to cover the debt service requirements currently and into the future, (ii) the ability of the borrower to refinance the loan, and/or (iii) the property’s liquidation value. We also evaluate the financial wherewithal of any loan guarantors as well as the borrower’s competency in managing and operating the properties. In addition, we consider the overall economic environment, real estate sector, and geographic sub-market in which the borrower operates. Such impairment analyses are completed and reviewed by asset management and finance personnel who utilize various data sources, including (i) periodic financial data such as property operating statements, occupancy, tenant profile, rental rates, operating expenses, the borrower’s exit plan, and capitalization and discount rates, (ii) site inspections, and (iii) current credit spreads and discussions with market participants.

Our evaluation process, as described above, produces an internal risk rating between 1 and 5, which is a weighted average of the numerical ratings in the following categories: (i) sponsor capability and financial condition, (ii) loan and collateral performance relative to underwriting, (iii) quality and stability of collateral cash flows, and (iv) loan structure. We utilize the overall risk ratings as a concise means to monitor any credit migration on a loan as well as on the whole portfolio. While the overall risk rating is generally not the sole factor we use in determining whether a loan is impaired, a loan with a higher overall risk rating would tend to have more adverse indicators of impairment, and therefore would be more likely to experience a credit loss.

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The rating categories generally include the characteristics described below, but these are utilized as guidelines and therefore not every loan will have all of the characteristics described in each category:

Rating

Characteristics

1

Sponsor capability and financial condition—Sponsor is highly rated or investment grade or, if private, the equivalent thereof with significant management experience.

Loan collateral and performance relative to underwriting—The collateral has surpassed underwritten expectations.

Quality and stability of collateral cash flows—Occupancy is stabilized, the property has had a history of consistently high occupancy, and the property has a diverse and high quality tenant mix.

Loan structure—LTV does not exceed 65%. The loan has structural features that enhance the credit profile.

2

Sponsor capability and financial condition—Strong sponsorship with experienced management team and a responsibly leveraged portfolio.

Loan collateral and performance relative to underwriting—Collateral performance equals or exceeds underwritten expectations and covenants and performance criteria are being met or exceeded.

Quality and stability of collateral cash flows—Occupancy is stabilized with a diverse tenant mix.

Loan structure—LTV does not exceed 70% and unique property risks are mitigated by structural features.

3

Sponsor capability and financial condition—Sponsor has historically met its credit obligations, routinely pays off loans at maturity, and has a capable management team.

Loan collateral and performance relative to underwriting—Property performance is consistent with underwritten expectations.

Quality and stability of collateral cash flows—Occupancy is stabilized, near stabilized, or is on track with underwriting.

Loan structure—LTV does not exceed 80%.

4

Sponsor capability and financial condition—Sponsor credit history includes missed payments, past due payment, and maturity extensions. Management team is capable but thin.

Loan collateral and performance relative to underwriting—Property performance lags behind underwritten expectations. Performance criteria and loan covenants have required occasional waivers. A sale of the property may be necessary in order for the borrower to pay off the loan at maturity.

Quality and stability of collateral cash flows—Occupancy is not stabilized and the property has a large amount of rollover.

Loan structure—LTV is 80% to 90%.

5

Sponsor capability and financial condition—Credit history includes defaults, deeds‑in‑lieu, foreclosures, and/or bankruptcies.

Loan collateral and performance relative to underwriting—Property performance is significantly worse than underwritten expectations. The loan is not in compliance with loan covenants and performance criteria and may be in default. Sale proceeds would not be sufficient to pay off the loan at maturity.

Quality and stability of collateral cash flows—The property has material vacancy and significant rollover of remaining tenants.

Loan structure—LTV exceeds 90%.

20


As of March 31, 2018, the risk ratings for loans subject to our rating system, which excludes loans for which the fair value option has been elected, by class of loan were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Balance Sheet Classification

Loans Held-For-Investment

Loans

Transferred

% of

Risk Rating

First

Subordinated

Mezzanine

Loans Held-

As Secured

Total

Category

Mortgages

Mortgages

Loans

Other

For-Sale

Borrowings

Total

Loans

1

$

1,789

$

$

$

20,068

$

$

$

21,857

0.3

%

2

2,221,941

32,049

209,751

74,463

2,538,204

36.3

%

3

2,980,626

133,334

337,297

6,008

3,457,265

49.5

%

4

183,452

183,452

2.6

%

5

50,362

11,977

62,339

0.9

%

N/A

723,733

723,733

10.4

%

$

5,438,170

$

177,360

$

547,048

$

26,076

$

723,733

$

74,463

$

6,986,850

100.0

%

As of December 31, 2017, the risk ratings for loans subject to our rating system, which excludes loans for which the fair value option has been elected, by class of loan were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Balance Sheet Classification

Loans Held-For-Investment

Loans

Transferred

% of

Risk Rating

First

Subordinated

Mezzanine

Loans Held-

As Secured

Total

Category

Mortgages

Mortgages

Loans

Other

For-Sale

Borrowings

Total

Loans

1

$

2,003

$

$

$

20,267

$

$

$

22,270

0.3

%

2

2,462,268

11,927

137,803

2,611,998

35.4

%

3

3,183,592

165,188

407,496

5,340

74,403

3,836,019

51.9

%

4

120,479

120,479

1.6

%

5

50,462

50,462

0.7

%

N/A

745,743

745,743

10.1

%

$

5,818,804

$

177,115

$

545,299

$

25,607

$

745,743

$

74,403

$

7,386,971

100.0

%

After completing our impairment evaluation process as of March 31, 2018, we concluded that none of our loans were impaired and therefore no individual loan impairment charges were required on any individual loans, as we expect to collect all outstanding principal and interest.

21


In accordance with our policies, we record an allowance for loan losses equal to (i) 1.5% of the aggregate carrying amount of loans rated as a “4,” plus (ii) 5% of the aggregate carrying amount of loans rated as a “5, ” plus (iii) impaired loan reserves, if any.  The following table presents the activity in our allowance for loan losses (amounts in thousands):

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Allowance for loan losses at January 1

$

4,330

$

9,788

Provision for loan losses

1,538

(305)

Charge-offs

Recoveries

Allowance for loan losses at March 31

$

5,868

$

9,483

Recorded investment in loans related to the allowance for loan loss

$

245,791

$

499,539

The activity in our loan portfolio was as follows (amounts in thousands):

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Balance at January 1

$

7,382,641

$

5,946,274

Acquisitions/originations/additional funding

1,178,560

1,067,021

Capitalized interest (1)

16,253

15,079

Basis of loans sold (2)

(411,625)

(216,431)

Loan maturities/principal repayments

(1,225,815)

(230,931)

Discount accretion/premium amortization

12,052

7,519

Changes in fair value

7,800

10,593

Unrealized foreign currency translation gain

22,552

6,053

Change in loan loss allowance, net

(1,538)

305

Transfer to/from other asset classifications

102

603

Balance at March 31

$

6,980,982

$

6,606,085


(1)

Represents accrued interest income on loans whose terms do not require current payment of interest.

(2)

See Note 11 for additional disclosure on these transactions.

22


5. Investment Securities

Investment securities were comprised of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Carrying Value as of

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

RMBS, available-for-sale

$

240,853

$

247,021

CMBS, fair value option (1)

1,045,217

1,024,143

Held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities

236,319

433,468

Equity security, fair value

13,322

13,523

Subtotal Investment securities

1,535,711

1,718,155

VIE eliminations (1)

(1,021,248)

(999,952)

Total investment securities

$

514,463

$

718,203


(1)

Certain fair value option CMBS are eliminated in consolidation against VIE liabilities pursuant to ASC 810.

Purchases, sales and principal collections for all investment securities were as follows (amounts in thousands):

RMBS,

CMBS, fair

HTM

Equity

available-for-sale

value option

Securities

Security

Total

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Purchases (1)

$

$

$

$

$

Sales (2)

Principal collections

10,150

777

208,303

219,230

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Purchases (1)

$

$

$

$

$

Sales (2)

10,434

10,434

Principal collections

10,228

5,766

60,056

76,050


(1)

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we purchased $30.2 million and $57.4 million of CMBS, respectively, for which we elected the fair value option. Due to our consolidation of securitization VIEs, $30.2 million and $57.4 million, respectively, of this amount is eliminated and reflected as repayment of debt of consolidated VIEs in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

(2)

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we sold $7.9 million and $15.2 million of CMBS, respectively, for which we had previously elected the fair value option. Due to our consolidation of securitization VIEs, $7.9 million and $4.8 million, respectively, of this amount is eliminated and reflected as issuance of debt of consolidated VIEs in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

RMBS, Available-for-Sale

The Company classified all of its RMBS as available-for-sale as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. These RMBS are reported at fair value in the balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

23


The tables below summarize various attributes of our investments in available-for-sale RMBS as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Unrealized Gains or (Losses)

Recognized in AOCI

Purchase

Recorded

Gross

Gross

Net

Amortized

Credit

Amortized

Non-Credit

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair Value

Cost

OTTI

Cost

OTTI

Gains

Losses

Adjustment

Fair Value

March 31, 2018

RMBS

$

191,698

$

(9,897)

$

181,801

$

$

59,052

$

$

59,052

$

240,853

December 31, 2017

RMBS

$

199,029

$

(9,897)

$

189,132

$

(94)

$

58,011

$

(28)

$

57,889

$

247,021

Weighted Average Coupon (1)

Weighted Average
Rating

WAL
(Years) (2)

March 31, 2018

RMBS

3.0

%

CCC-

6.3

December 31, 2017

RMBS

2.8

%

B

6.4


(1)

Calculated using the March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 one-month LIBOR rate of 1.883% and 1.564%, respectively, for floating rate securities.

(2)

Represents the WAL of each respective group of securities as of the respective balance sheet date. The WAL of each individual security is calculated using projected amounts and projected timing of future principal payments.

As of March 31, 2018, approximately $202.2 million, or 84.0%, of RMBS were variable rate and paid interest at LIBOR plus a weighted average spread of 1.22%. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $207.0 million, or 83.8%, of RMBS were variable rate and paid interest at LIBOR plus a weighted average spread of 1.22%. We purchased all of the RMBS at a discount, a portion of which will be accreted into income over the expected remaining life of the security. The majority of the income from this strategy is earned from the accretion of this accretable discount.

The following table contains a reconciliation of aggregate principal balance to amortized cost for our RMBS as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Principal balance

$

355,083

$

366,711

Accretable yield

(51,794)

(55,712)

Non-accretable difference

(121,488)

(121,867)

Total discount

(173,282)

(177,579)

Amortized cost

$

181,801

$

189,132

The principal balance of credit deteriorated RMBS was $334.8 million and $345.5 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Accretable yield related to these securities totaled $45.6 million and $49.2 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

24


The following table discloses the changes to accretable yield and non-accretable difference for our RMBS during the three months ended March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands):

Non-Accretable

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Accretable Yield

Difference

Balance as of January 1, 2018

$

55,712

$

121,867

Accretion of discount

(2,819)

Principal write-downs, net

(1,478)

Purchases

Sales

OTTI

Transfer to/from non-accretable difference

(1,099)

1,099

Balance as of March 31, 2018

$

51,794

$

121,488

We have engaged a third party manager who specializes in RMBS to execute the trading of RMBS, the cost of which was $0.5 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, which has been recorded as management fees in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of any available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and for which OTTIs (full or partial) have not been recognized in earnings (amounts in thousands):

Estimated Fair Value

Unrealized Losses

Securities with a

Securities with a

Securities with a

Securities with a

loss less than

loss greater than

loss less than

loss greater than

12 months

12 months

12 months

12 months

As of March 31, 2018

RMBS

$

$

$

$

As of December 31, 2017

RMBS

$

10,321

$

643

$

(99)

$

(23)

As of March 31, 2018, there were no securities with unrealized losses.  As of December 31, 2017, there were three securities with unrealized losses reflected in the table above. After evaluating these securities and recording adjustments for credit-related OTTI, we concluded that the remaining unrealized losses reflected above were noncredit-related and would be recovered from the securities’ estimated future cash flows. We considered a number of factors in reaching this conclusion, including that we did not intend to sell the securities, it was not considered more likely than not that we would be forced to sell the securities prior to recovering our amortized cost, and there were no material credit events that would have caused us to otherwise conclude that we would not recover our cost. Credit losses, which represent most of the OTTI we record on securities, are calculated by comparing (i) the estimated future cash flows of each security discounted at the yield determined as of the initial acquisition date or, if since revised, as of the last date previously revised, to (ii) our amortized cost basis. Significant judgment is used in projecting cash flows for our non-agency RMBS. As a result, actual income and/or impairments could be materially different from what is currently projected and/or reported.

CMBS, Fair Value Option

As discussed in the “Fair Value Option” section of Note 2 herein, we elect the fair value option for the Investing and Servicing Segment’s CMBS in an effort to eliminate accounting mismatches resulting from the current or potential consolidation of securitization VIEs. As of March 31, 2018, the fair value and unpaid principal balance of CMBS where we have elected the fair value option, before consolidation of securitization VIEs, were $1.0 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively. The $1.0 billion fair value balance represents our economic interests in these assets. However, as a result of our consolidation of securitization VIEs, the vast majority of this fair value (all except $24.0 million at March 31, 2018) is eliminated against VIE liabilities before arriving at our GAAP balance for fair value option CMBS.

As of March 31, 2018, none of our CMBS where we have elected the fair value option were variable rate.

25


HTM Securities

The table below summarizes unrealized gains and losses of our investments in HTM securities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Net Carrying Amount

Gross Unrealized

Gross Unrealized

(Amortized Cost)

Holding Gains

Holding Losses

Fair Value

March 31, 2018

CMBS

$

215,847

$

3,927

$

(6,657)

$

213,117

Preferred interests

20,472

637

21,109

Total

$

236,319

$

4,564

$

(6,657)

$

234,226

December 31, 2017

CMBS

$

413,110

$

2,002

$

(7,779)

$

407,333

Preferred interests

20,358

647

21,005

Total

$

433,468

$

2,649

$

(7,779)

$

428,338

The table below summarizes the maturities of our HTM CMBS and our HTM preferred equity interests in limited liability companies that own commercial real estate as of March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands):

Preferred

CMBS

Interests

Total

Less than one year

$

119,073

$

$

119,073

One to three years

66,211

66,211

Three to five years

30,563

20,472

51,035

Thereafter

Total

$

215,847

$

20,472

$

236,319

Equity Security, Fair Value

During 2012, we acquired 9,140,000 ordinary shares from a related-party in Starwood European Real Estate Finance Limited (“SEREF”), a debt fund that is externally managed by an affiliate of our Manager and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The fair value of the investment remeasured in USD was $13.3 million and $13.5 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, our shares represent an approximate 2% interest in SEREF.

6. Propertie s

Our properties are held within the following portfolios:

Ireland Portfolio

The Ireland Portfolio is comprised of 11 net leased fully occupied office properties and one multifamily property all located in Dublin, Ireland, which the Company acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015.  The Ireland Portfolio, which collectively is comprised of approximately 600,000 square feet, includes total assets of $514.3 million and assumed debt of $283.0 million at acquisition. Following our acquisition, all assumed debt was immediately extinguished and replaced with new financing of $328.6 million from the Ireland Portfolio Mortgage.

Woodstar I Portfolio

The Woodstar I Portfolio is comprised of 32 affordable housing communities with 8,948 units concentrated primarily in the Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach metropolitan areas. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we acquired 18 of the 32 affordable housing communities of the Woodstar I Portfolio with the final 14 communities acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016 for an aggregate acquisition price of $421.5 million.  We assumed federal, state and county sponsored financing and other debt in connection with this acquisition.

26


Woodstar II Portfolio

The Woodstar II Portfolio is comprised of 27 affordable housing communities with 6,109 units concentrated primarily in Central and South Florida and is 99% occupied.  Refer to Note 3 for further discussion of the Woodstar II Portfolio.

Medical Office Portfolio

The Medical Office Portfolio is comprised of 34 medical office buildings acquired for a purchase price of $758.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.  These properties, which collectively comprise 1.9 million square feet, are geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. and primarily affiliated with major hospitals or located on or adjacent to major hospital campuses.

Master Lease Portfolio

In September 2017, we acquired 20 retail properties and three industrial properties (the “Master Lease Portfolio”) for a purchase price of $553.3 million, inclusive of $3.7 million of related transaction costs.  Concurrently with the acquisition, we leased the properties back to the seller under corporate guaranteed master net lease agreements with initial terms of 24.6 years and periodic rent escalations. These properties, which collectively comprise 5.3 million square feet, are geographically dispersed throughout the U.S., with more than 50% of the portfolio, by carrying value, located in Utah, Florida, Texas and Minnesota. We utilized $265.9 million in new financing in order to fund the acquisition.

Investing and Servicing Segment Property Portfolio

The REIS Equity Portfolio is comprised of 25 commercial real estate properties.  Refer to Note 3 for further discussion of the REIS Equity Portfolio.

The table below summarizes our properties held as of March, 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Depreciable Life

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Property Segment

Land and land improvements

0 – 15 years

$

675,856

$

585,915

Buildings and building improvements

5 – 45 years

2,092,139

1,838,266

Furniture & fixtures

3 – 7 years

40,888

31,028

Investing and Servicing Segment

Land and land improvements

0 – 15 years

87,536

86,711

Buildings and building improvements

3 – 40 years

219,552

212,094

Furniture & fixtures

2 – 5 years

1,399

1,036

Properties, cost

3,117,370

2,755,050

Less: accumulated depreciation

(128,506)

(107,569)

Properties, net

$

2,988,864

$

2,647,481

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we sold five operating properties for $52.3 million, recognizing a gain on sale of $10.3 million within gain on sale of investments and other assets in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.  One of these properties was acquired by a third party which already held a $0.3 million non-controlling interest in the property. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, $1.3 million of the gain on sale was attributable to non-controlling interests. No operating properties were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

27


7. Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

The table below summarizes our investments in unconsolidated entities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Participation /

Carrying value as of

Ownership % (1)

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Equity method:

Retail Fund

33%

$

107,189

$

110,704

Investor entity which owns equity in an online real estate company

50%

9,338

9,312

Equity interests in commercial real estate

50%

7,051

(2)

23,192

Equity interest in a residential mortgage originator

N/A

7,358

7,742

Various

25% - 50%

4,416

3,538

135,352

154,488

Cost method:

Equity interest in a servicing and advisory business

6%

6,207

12,234

Investment funds which own equity in a loan servicer and other real estate assets

4% - 6%

9,225

9,225

Various

0% - 3%

9,328

9,556

24,760

31,015

$

160,112

$

185,503


(1)

None of these investments are publicly traded and therefore quoted market prices are not available.

(2)

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, our preferred equity investment in a portfolio of student housing properties was redeemed in full for cash proceeds of $16.7 million.

As of March 31, 2018, the carrying value of our equity investment in a residential mortgage originator exceeded the underlying equity in net assets of such investee by $1.6 million. This difference is the result of the Company recording its investment in the investee at its acquisition date fair value, which included certain non-amortizing intangible assets not recognized by the investee.  Should the Company determine these intangible assets held by the investee are impaired, the Company will recognize such impairment loss through earning from unconsolidated entities in our statement of operations, otherwise, such difference between the carrying value of our equity investment in the residential mortgage originator and the underlying equity in the net assets of the residential mortgage originator will continue to exist.  Other than our equity interest in the residential mortgage originator, there were no differences between the carrying value of our equity method investments and the underlying equity in the net assets of the investees as of March 31, 2018.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we did not become aware of any observable price changes in our cost method investments that are within the scope of ASU 2016-01 or any indicators of impairment.

28


8. Goodwil l and Intangibles

Goodwill

Goodwill at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 represents the excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of LNR Property LLC (“LNR”) acquired on April 19, 2013. The goodwill recognized is attributable to value embedded in LNR’s existing platform, which includes a network of commercial real estate asset managers, work-out specialists, underwriters and administrative support professionals as well as proprietary historical performance data on commercial real estate assets.

Intangible Assets

Servicing Rights Intangibles

In connection with the LNR acquisition, we identified domestic servicing rights that existed at the purchase date, based upon the expected future cash flows of the associated servicing contracts. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 the balance of the domestic servicing intangible was net of $24.9 million and $28.2 million, respectively, which was eliminated in consolidation pursuant to ASC 810 against VIE assets in connection with our consolidation of securitization VIEs. Before VIE consolidation, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the domestic servicing intangible had a balance of $49.8 million and $59.0 million, respectively, which represents our economic interest in this asset.

Lease Intangibles

In connection with our acquisitions of commercial real estate, we recognized in-place lease intangible assets and favorable lease intangible assets associated with certain non-cancelable operating leases of the acquired properties.

The following table summarizes our intangible assets, which are comprised of servicing rights intangibles and lease intangibles, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

As of March 31, 2018

As of December 31, 2017

Gross Carrying

Accumulated

Net Carrying

Gross Carrying

Accumulated

Net Carrying

Value

Amortization

Value

Value

Amortization

Value

Domestic servicing rights, at fair value

$

24,945

$

$

24,945

$

30,759

$

$

30,759

In-place lease intangible assets

200,444

(75,070)

125,374

187,816

(65,351)

122,465

Favorable lease intangible assets

37,552

(8,242)

29,310

37,231

(7,363)

29,868

Total net intangible assets

$

262,941

$

(83,312)

$

179,629

$

255,806

$

(72,714)

$

183,092

29


The following table summarizes the activity within intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands):

Domestic

In-place Lease

Favorable Lease

Servicing

Intangible

Intangible

Rights

Assets

Assets

Total

Balance as of January 1, 2018

$

30,759

$

122,465

$

29,868

$

183,092

Acquisition of additional Woodstar II Portfolio properties

10,015

10,015

Acquisition of additional REIS Equity Portfolio properties

2,248

450

2,698

Amortization

(9,959)

(1,117)

(11,076)

Sales

(246)

(126)

(372)

Foreign exchange gain

876

235

1,111

Impairment (1)

(25)

(25)

Changes in fair value due to changes in inputs and assumptions

(5,814)

(5,814)

Balance as of March 31, 2018

$

24,945

$

125,374

$

29,310

$

179,629


(1)

Impairment of intangible lease assets is recognized within other expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table sets forth the estimated aggregate amortization of our in-place lease intangible assets and favorable lease intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter (amounts in thousands):

2018 (remainder of)

$

31,982

2019

22,532

2020

17,088

2021

14,780

2022

12,100

Thereafter

56,202

Total

$

154,684

30


9. Secured Financing Agreements

The following table is a summary of our secured financing agreements in place as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Carrying Value at

Current

Extended

Pledged Asset

Maximum

March 31,

December 31,

Maturity

Maturity (a)

Pricing

Carrying Value

Facility Size

2018

2017

Lender 1 Repo 1

(b)

(b)

LIBOR + 1.75% to 5.75%

$

1,495,507

$

2,000,000

$

1,024,845

$

1,137,654

Lender 2 Repo 1

Oct 2018

Oct 2020

LIBOR + 1.75% to 2.75%

238,904

500,000

172,632

238,428

Lender 3 Repo 1

N/A

N/A

N/A

75,291

Lender 4 Repo 2

Dec 2018

Dec 2020

LIBOR + 2.00% to 3.25%

642,531

1,000,000

(c)

215,240

215,372

Lender 6 Repo 1

Aug 2020

N/A

LIBOR + 2.00% to 2.75%

622,440

600,000

423,007

494,353

Lender 6 Repo 2

Oct 2022

Oct 2023

GBP LIBOR + 2.75%

466,322

359,780

359,780

332,815

Lender 9 Repo 1

Sep 2018

N/A

LIBOR + 1.65%

20,583

15,396

15,396

65,762

Lender 10 Repo 1

Mar 2020

Mar 2022

LIBOR + 2.00% to 2.75%

170,036

140,000

118,800

77,800

Lender 11 Repo 1

Jun 2019

Jun 2020

LIBOR + 2.75%

200,000

Lender 11 Repo 2

Sep 2018

Sep 2022

LIBOR + 2.25% to 2.75%

250,000

Lender 7 Secured Financing

Feb 2021

Feb 2023

LIBOR + 2.25%

(d)

650,000

(e)

Lender 8 Secured Financing

Aug 2019

N/A

LIBOR + 4.00%

12,379

75,000

8,066

15,617

Conduit Repo 2

Nov 2018

Nov 2019

LIBOR + 2.25%

15,909

200,000

12,000

40,075

Conduit Repo 3

Feb 2020

Feb 2021

LIBOR + 2.10%

26,294

150,000

19,725

26,895

Conduit Repo 4

Oct 2018

Oct 2020

LIBOR + 2.25%

100,000

MBS Repo 1

(f)

(f)

LIBOR + 1.90%

10,000

6,510

6,510

6,510

MBS Repo 2

Dec 2019

N/A

LIBOR + 1.90% to 2.45%

107,507

73,971

73,971

222,672

MBS Repo 3

(g)

(g)

LIBOR + 1.32% to 1.95%

342,771

234,082

234,082

224,150

MBS Repo 4

(h)

N/A

LIBOR + 1.90%

170,690

225,000

7,318

77,318

Investing and Servicing Segment Property Mortgages

Jun 2018 to
Jun 2026

N/A

Various

260,461

231,219

203,082

177,411

Ireland Portfolio Mortgage

May 2020

N/A

EURIBOR + 1.69%

506,213

359,344

359,344

349,900

Woodstar I Portfolio Mortgages

Nov 2025 to
Oct 2026

N/A

3.72% to 3.97%

366,522

276,748

276,748

276,748

Woodstar I Portfolio Government Financing

Mar 2026 to Jun 2049

N/A

1.00% to 5.00%

304,865

132,866

132,866

133,418

Woodstar II Portfolio Mortgages

Jan 2028 to Apr 2028

N/A

3.81% to 3.85%

522,601

417,669

417,669

116,745

Woodstar II Portfolio Government Financing

Jun 2030 to Apr 2046

N/A

1.00% to 3.00%

136,554

7,361

7,361

Medical Office Portfolio Mortgages

Dec 2021 to Feb 2022

Dec 2023 to Feb 2024

LIBOR + 2.50%

(i)

716,188

531,815

497,613

497,613

Master Lease Portfolio Mortgages

Oct 2027

N/A

4.36% to 4.38%

465,600

265,900

265,900

265,900

Term Loan A

Dec 2020

Dec 2021

LIBOR + 2.25%

(d)

959,442

300,000

300,000

300,000

Revolving Secured Financing

Dec 2020

Dec 2021

LIBOR + 2.25%

(d)

100,000

FHLB

Feb 2021

N/A

Various

662,971

445,000

445,000

445,000

$

9,243,290

$

9,847,661

5,596,955

5,813,447

Unamortized premium/(discount) net

2,539

2,559

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(45,180)

(42,950)

$

5,554,314

$

5,773,056


(a)

Subject to certain conditions as defined in the respective facility agreement.

(b)

Maturity date for borrowings collateralized by loans is September 2018 before extension options and September 2021 assuming exercise of extension options.  Borrowings collateralized by loans existing at maturity may remain outstanding until such loan collateral matures, subject to certain specified conditions and not to exceed September 2025.

(c)

The initial maximum facility size of $600.0 million may be increased to $1.0 billion at our option, subject to certain conditions.

31


(d)

Subject to borrower’s option to choose alternative benchmark based rates pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement.

(e)

The initial maximum facility size of $300.0 million may be increased to $650.0 million, subject to certain conditions.

(f)

Facility carries a rolling 11-month term which may reset monthly with the lender’s consent not to exceed December 2018. This facility carries no maximum facility size.  Amounts reflect the outstanding balance as of March 31, 2018.

(g)

Facility carries a rolling 12-month term which may reset monthly with the lender’s consent. Current maturity is March 2019. This facility carries no maximum facility size. Amounts reflect the outstanding balance as of March 31, 2018.

(h)

The date that is 270 days after the buyer delivers notice to seller, subject to a maximum date of September 2018.

(i)

Subject to a 25 basis point floor.

In the normal course of business, the Company is in discussions with its lenders to extend or amend any financing facilities which contain near term expirations.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we entered into two mortgage loans with aggregate maximum borrowings of $34.8 million to finance commercial real estate previously acquired by our Investing and Servicing Segment. As of March 31, 2018, these facilities carry a remaining weighted average term of 4.2 years with floating annual interest rates of LIBOR + 2.62%.

In February 2018, we amended the Lender 7 Secured Financing facility to extend the current maturity from July 2018 to February 2021, reduce the spread from LIBOR + 2.75% to LIBOR + 2.25% and decrease available borrowings from $450.0 million to $300.0 million while maintaining the option to upsize to $650.0 million, subject to certain conditions.

In February 2018, we amended the Conduit Repo 3 facility to extend the current maturity from February 2018 to February 2020.

In February 2018, we entered into mortgage loans with total borrowings of $300.9 million to finance the Q1 2018 Closing of our Woodstar II Portfolio. The loans carry 10-year terms and weighted average fixed annual interest rates of 3.82%.  Additional government sponsored mortgage loans of $7.3 million with weighted average fixed annual interest rates of 2.88% and remaining weighted average terms of 17.7 years were assumed at closing.

Our secured financing agreements contain certain financial tests and covenants. As of March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

32


The following table sets forth our five‑year principal repayments schedule for secured financings assuming no defaults and excluding loans transferred as secured borrowings. Our credit facilities generally require principal to be paid down prior to the facilities’ respective maturities if and when we receive principal payments on, or sell, the investment collateral that we have pledged. The amount reflected in each period includes principal repayments on our credit facilities that would be required if (i) we received the repayments that we expect to receive on the investments that have been pledged as collateral under the credit facilities, as applicable, and (ii) the credit facilities that are expected to have amounts outstanding at their current maturity dates are extended where extension options are available to us (amounts in thousands):

Repurchase

Other Secured

Agreements

Financing

Total

2018 (remainder of)

$

300,195

$

51,977

$

352,172

2019

292,055

98,062

390,117

2020

944,805

373,218

1,318,023

2021

191,260

682,640

873,900

2022

689,231

26,548

715,779

Thereafter

265,760

1,681,204

1,946,964

Total

$

2,683,306

$

2,913,649

$

5,596,955

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $5.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, of amortization of deferred financing costs from secured financing agreements was included in interest expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table sets forth our outstanding balance of repurchase agreements related to the following asset collateral classes as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Class of Collateral

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Loans held-for-investment

$

2,324,300

$

2,637,475

Loans held-for-sale

37,125

66,970

Investment securities

321,881

530,650

$

2,683,306

$

3,235,095

We seek to mitigate risks associated with our repurchase agreements by managing risk related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds and market value.  The margin call provisions under the majority of our repurchase facilities, consisting of 33% of these agreements, do not permit valuation adjustments based on capital markets activity.  Instead, margin calls on these facilities are limited to collateral-specific credit marks.  To monitor credit risk associated with the performance and value of our loans and investments, our asset management team regularly reviews our investment portfolios and is in regular contact with our borrowers, monitoring performance of the collateral and enforcing our rights as necessary.  For repurchase agreements containing margin call provisions for general capital markets activity, approximately 27% of these pertain to our loans held-for-sale, for which we manage credit risk through the purchase of credit index instruments.  We further seek to manage risks associated with our repurchase agreements by matching the maturities and interest rate characteristics of our loans with the related repurchase agreements.

33


10. Unsecured Senior Notes

The following table is a summary of our unsecured senior notes outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Remaining

Coupon

Effective

Maturity

Period of

Carrying Value at

Rate

Rate (1)

Date

Amortization

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

2018 Convertible Notes

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

369,981

2019 Convertible Notes

4.00

%

5.35

%

1/15/2019

0.8

years

341,363

341,363

2021 Senior Notes (February)

3.63

%

3.89

%

2/1/2021

2.8

years

500,000

2021 Senior Notes (December)

5.00

%

5.32

%

12/15/2021

3.7

years

700,000

700,000

2023 Convertible Notes

4.38

%

4.86

%

4/1/2023

5.0

years

250,000

250,000

2025 Senior Notes

4.75

%

5.04

%

3/15/2025

7.0

years

500,000

500,000

Total principal amount

2,291,363

2,161,344

Unamortized discount—Convertible Notes

(8,905)

(11,186)

Unamortized discount—Senior Notes

(19,497)

(16,654)

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(10,330)

(8,269)

Carrying amount of debt components

$

2,252,631

$

2,125,235

Carrying amount of conversion option equity components recorded in additional paid-in capital

$

21,636

$

31,638


(1)

Effective rate includes the effects of underwriter purchase discount and the adjustment for the conversion option on our convertible senior notes, the value of which reduced the initial liability and was recorded in additional paid‑in capital.

Senior Notes

On January 29, 2018, we issued $500.0 million of 3.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 February Notes”). The 2021 February Notes mature on February 1, 2021. Prior to November 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the 2021 February Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the applicable “make-whole” premium as of the applicable date of redemption.  On and after November 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the 2021 February Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof. In addition, prior to February 1, 2020, we may redeem up to 40% of the 2021 February Notes at the applicable redemption price using the proceeds of certain equity offerings. The 2021 February Notes were swapped to floating rate (see Note 12).

Convertible Senior Notes

In March 2018, we repaid the full outstanding principal amount of the 4.55% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) in cash upon their maturity. We recognized interest expense of $11.3 million and $19.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, from our unsecured convertible senior notes.

34


On March 29, 2017, we issued $250.0 million of 4.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Notes”).  The proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes were used to repurchase $230.0 million of the 2018 Notes for $250.7 million. The repurchase price was allocated between the fair value of the liability component and the fair value of the equity component of the 2018 Notes at the repurchase date. The portion of the repurchase price attributable to the equity component totaled $18.1 million and was recognized as a reduction of additional paid-in capital during the three months ended March 31, 2017. The portion of the repurchase price attributable to the liability component exceeded the net carrying amount of the liability component by $5.9 million, which was recognized as a loss on extinguishment of debt in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The following table details the conversion attributes of our Convertible Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands, except rates):

March 31, 2018

Conversion Spread Value - Shares (3)

Conversion

Conversion

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

Rate (1)

Price (2)

2018

2017

2018 Notes

N/A

N/A

1,200

2019 Notes

51.2214

$

19.52

1,209

2,020

2023 Notes

38.5959

$

25.91

1,209

3,220


(1)

The conversion rate represents the number of shares of common stock issuable per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes converted, as adjusted in accordance with the indentures governing the Convertible Notes (including the applicable supplemental indentures).

(2)

As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, the market price of the Company’s common stock was $20.95 and $22.58 per share, respectively.

(3)

The conversion spread value represents the portion of the Convertible Notes that are “in-the-money”, representing the value that would be delivered to investors in shares upon an assumed conversion.

The if-converted value of the 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Notes”) exceeded their principal amount by $25.0 million at March 31, 2018 as the closing market price of the Company’s common stock of $20.95 per share exceeded the implicit conversion price of $19.52 per share. However, the if‑converted value of the 2023 Notes was less than their principal amount by $47.9 million at March 31, 2018 as the closing market price of the Company’s common stock was less than the implicit conversion price of $25.91 per share.

The Company has asserted its intent and ability to settle the principal amount of the Convertible Notes in cash.  As such, only the conversion spread value, if any, is included in the computation of diluted EPS.

35


11. Loan Securitization/Sale Activities

As described below, we regularly sell loans and notes under various strategies. We evaluate such sales as to whether they meet the criteria for treatment as a sale—legal isolation, ability of transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred assets without constraint, and transfer of control.

Within the Investing and Servicing Segment, we originate commercial mortgage loans with the intent to sell these mortgage loans to VIEs for the purposes of securitization. These VIEs then issue CMBS that are collateralized in part by these assets, as well as other assets transferred to the VIE. In certain instances, we retain an interest in the VIE and/or serve as special servicer for the VIE. The following summarizes the fair value and par value of loans sold from our conduit platform, as well as the amount of sale proceeds used in part to repay the outstanding balance of the repurchase agreements associated with these loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Fair value of loans sold

$

266,632

$

179,296

Par value of loans sold

256,818

168,564

Repayment of repurchase agreements

193,844

126,518

Within the Lending Segment, we originate or acquire loans and then subsequently sell a portion, which can be in various forms including first mortgages, A-Notes, senior participations and mezzanine loans. Typically, our motivation for entering into these transactions is to effectively create leverage on the subordinated position that we will retain and hold for investment. In certain instances, we continue to service the loan following its sale. The following table summarizes our loans sold and loans transferred as secured borrowings by the Lending Segment net of expenses (amounts in thousands):

Loan Transfers

Loan Transfers Accounted

Accounted for as Secured

for as Sales

Borrowings

Face Amount

Proceeds

Face Amount

Proceeds

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

2018

$

146,400

$

145,273

$

$

2017

38,750

37,079

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, gains (losses) recognized by the Lending Segment on sales of loans were not material.

36


12. Derivatives and Hedging Activity

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions. Refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for further discussion of our risk management objectives and policies.

Designated Hedges

The Company does not generally elect to apply the hedge accounting designation to its hedging instruments.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company’s only designated hedges were comprised of two outstanding interest rate swaps that have been designated as cash flow hedges of the interest rate risk associated with forecasted interest payments.  As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of these cash flow hedges was not material.  Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 the impact of these cash flow hedges on our net income was not material and we did not recognize any hedge ineffectiveness in earnings associated with these cash flow hedges.


Non-designated Hedges

We have entered into a series of forward contracts whereby we agreed to sell an amount of foreign currency for an agreed upon amount of USD at various dates through March 2022. These forward contracts were entered into to economically fix the USD amounts of foreign denominated cash flows expected to be received by us related to certain foreign denominated loan investments and properties.

The following table summarizes our non-designated foreign exchange (“Fx”) forwards, interest rate contracts, and credit index instruments as of March 31, 2018 (notional amounts in thousands):

Type of Derivative

Number of Contracts

Aggregate Notional Amount

Notional Currency

Maturity

Fx contracts – Buy Euros ("EUR")

4

1,441

EUR

April 2018

Fx contracts – Sell Euros ("EUR") (1)

39

258,921

EUR

April 2018 – March 2022

Fx contracts – Buy Pounds Sterling ("GBP")

2

5,145

GBP

July 2019

Fx contracts – Sell Pounds Sterling ("GBP")

145

199,270

GBP

April  2018 – December 2021

Interest rate swaps – Paying fixed rates

21

853,671

USD

April 2019 – April 2028

Interest rate swaps – Receiving fixed rates

2

970,000

USD

January 2021 – March 2025

Interest rate caps

2

294,000

EUR

May 2020

Interest rate caps

11

128,464

USD

June 2018 – October 2021

Credit index instruments

8

49,000

USD

September 2058 – November 2059

Total

234


(1)

Includes 27 Fx contracts entered into to hedge our Euro currency exposure created by our acquisition of the Ireland Portfolio.  As of March 31, 2018, these contracts have an aggregate notional amount of €223.2 million and varying maturities through June 2020.

37


The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Fair Value of Derivatives

Fair Value of Derivatives

in an Asset Position (1) as of

in a Liability Position (2) as of

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps

$

30

$

25

$

$

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

30

25

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate contracts

40,026

27,234

17,373

2,781

Foreign exchange contracts

651

6,400

40,227

33,419

Credit index instruments

360

239

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

41,037

33,873

57,600

36,200

Total derivatives

$

41,067

$

33,898

$

57,600

$

36,200


(1)

Classified as derivative assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(2)

Classified as derivative liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Gain (Loss)

Gain (Loss)

Reclassified

Gain (Loss)

Recognized

from AOCI

Recognized

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

in OCI

into Income

in Income

Location of Gain (Loss)

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(effective portion)

(effective portion)

(ineffective portion)

Recognized in Income

2018

$

9

$

4

$

Interest expense

2017

$

47

$

(29)

$

Interest expense

Amount of Gain (Loss)

Recognized in Income for the

Derivatives Not Designated

Location of Gain (Loss)

Three Months Ended March 31,

as Hedging Instruments

Recognized in Income

2018

2017

Interest rate contracts

Loss on derivative financial instruments

$

6,237

$

1,468

Foreign exchange contracts

Loss on derivative financial instruments

(23,143)

(5,742)

Credit index instruments

Loss on derivative financial instruments

47

(75)

$

(16,859)

$

(4,349)

38


13. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The following tables present the potential effects of netting arrangements on our financial position for financial assets and liabilities within the scope of ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet—Offsetting , which for us are derivative assets and liabilities as well as repurchase agreement liabilities (amounts in thousands):

(iv)

Gross Amounts Not

Offset in the Statement

(ii)

(iii) = (i) - (ii)

of Financial Position

Gross Amounts

Net Amounts

Cash

(i)

Offset in the

Presented in

Collateral

Gross Amounts

Statement of

the Statement of

Financial

Received /

(v) = (iii) - (iv)

Recognized

Financial Position

Financial Position

Instruments

Pledged

Net Amount

As of March 31, 2018

Derivative assets

$

41,067

$

$

41,067

$

956

$

$

40,111

Derivative liabilities

$

57,600

$

$

57,600

$

956

$

55,086

$

1,558

Repurchase agreements

2,683,306

2,683,306

2,683,306

$

2,740,906

$

$

2,740,906

$

2,684,262

$

55,086

$

1,558

As of December 31, 2017

Derivative assets

$

33,898

$

$

33,898

$

6,523

$

$

27,375

Derivative liabilities

$

36,200

$

$

36,200

$

6,523

$

15,333

$

14,344

Repurchase agreements

3,235,095

3,235,095

3,235,095

$

3,271,295

$

$

3,271,295

$

3,241,618

$

15,333

$

14,344

14. Variable Interest Entities

Investment Securities

As discussed in Note 2, we evaluate all of our investments and other interests in entities for consolidation, including our investments in CMBS and our retained interests in securitization transactions we initiated, all of which are generally considered to be variable interests in VIEs.

Securitization VIEs consolidated in accordance with ASC 810 are structured as pass through entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders. The assets and other instruments held by these securitization entities are restricted and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the entity. Additionally, the obligations of the securitization entities do not have any recourse to the general credit of any other consolidated entities, nor to us as the primary beneficiary. The VIE liabilities initially represent investment securities on our balance sheet (pre-consolidation). Upon consolidation of these VIEs, our associated investment securities are eliminated, as is the interest income related to those securities. Similarly, the fees we earn in our roles as special servicer of the bonds issued by the consolidated VIEs or as collateral administrator of the consolidated VIEs are also eliminated. Finally, an allocable portion of the identified servicing intangible associated with the eliminated fee streams is eliminated in consolidation.

VIEs in which we are the Primary Beneficiary

The inclusion of the assets and liabilities of securitization VIEs in which we are deemed the primary beneficiary has no economic effect on us. Our exposure to the obligations of securitization VIEs is generally limited to our investment in these entities. We are not obligated to provide, nor have we provided, any financial support for any of these consolidated structures.

We also hold controlling interests in non-securitization entities that are considered VIEs, most of which were established to facilitate the acquisition of certain properties.  SPT Dolphin, the entity which holds the Woodstar II Portfolio, is a VIE because the third party interest holders do not carry kick-out rights or substantive participating rights.  We were deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE because we possess both the power to direct the activities of

39


the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and a significant economic interest in the entity.  This VIE had assets of $670.8 million and liabilities of $427.0 million as of March 31, 2018.  In total, our consolidated non-securitization VIEs had assets of $785.5 million and liabilities of $511.5 million as of March 31, 2018.

VIEs in which we are not the Primary Beneficiary

In certain instances, we hold a variable interest in a VIE in the form of CMBS, but either (i) we are not appointed, or do not serve as, special servicer or (ii) an unrelated third party has the rights to unilaterally remove us as special servicer without cause. In these instances, we do not have the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. In other cases, the variable interest we hold does not obligate us to absorb losses or provide us with the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could potentially be significant. For these structures, we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and we do not consolidate these VIEs.

As of March 31, 2018, two of our CDO structures were in default, which, pursuant to the underlying indentures, changes the rights of the variable interest holders. Upon default of a CDO, the trustee or senior note holders are allowed to exercise certain rights, including liquidation of the collateral, which at that time, is the activity which would most significantly impact the CDO’s economic performance. Further, when the CDO is in default, the collateral administrator no longer has the option to purchase securities from the CDO. In cases where the CDO is in default and we do not have the ability to exercise rights which would most significantly impact the CDO’s economic performance, we do not consolidate the VIE.  As of March 31, 2018, neither of these CDO structures were consolidated.

As noted above, we are not obligated to provide, nor have we provided, any financial support for any of our securitization VIEs, whether or not we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. As such, the risk associated with our involvement in these VIEs is limited to the carrying value of our investment in the entity. As of March 31, 2018, our maximum risk of loss related to securitization VIEs in which we were not the primary beneficiary was $24.0 million on a fair value basis.

As of March 31, 2018, the securitization VIEs which we do not consolidate had debt obligations to beneficial interest holders with unpaid principal balances of $4.7 billion. The corresponding assets are comprised primarily of commercial mortgage loans with unpaid principal balances corresponding to the amounts of the outstanding debt obligations.

We also hold passive non-controlling interests in certain unconsolidated entities that are considered VIEs. We are not the primary beneficiaries of these VIEs as we do not possess the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact their economic performance and therefore report our interests, which totaled $123.8 million as of March 31, 2018, within investment in unconsolidated entities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.  Our maximum risk of loss is limited to our carrying value of the investments.

15. Related-Party Transaction s

Management Agreement

We are party to a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with our Manager. Under the Management Agreement, our Manager, subject to the oversight of our board of directors, is required to manage our day to day activities, for which our Manager receives a base management fee and is eligible for an incentive fee and stock awards. Our Manager’s personnel perform certain due diligence, legal, management and other services that outside professionals or consultants would otherwise perform. As such, in accordance with the terms of our Management Agreement, our Manager is paid or reimbursed for the documented costs of performing such tasks, provided that such costs and reimbursements are in amounts no greater than those which would be payable to outside professionals or consultants engaged to perform such services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s-length basis. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for further discussion of this agreement.

40


In February 2018, our board of directors authorized an amendment to our Management Agreement to adjust the calculation of the base management fee and incentive fee to treat equity securities of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties or interests therein as issued common stock, effective December 28, 2017 (the “Amendment”). Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for further discussion of the Amendment.

Base Management Fee. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $17.5 million and $16.9 million, respectively, was incurred for base management fees. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were $17.5 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of unpaid base management fees included in related-party payable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Incentive Fee. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $9.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively, was incurred for incentive fees. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately $9.6 million and $22.0 million, respectively, of unpaid incentive fees were included in related-party payable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Expense Reimbursement. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $2.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, was incurred for executive compensation and other reimbursable expenses and recognized within general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately $4.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of unpaid reimbursable executive compensation and other expenses were included in related-party payable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Equity Awards. In certain instances, we issue RSAs to certain employees of affiliates of our Manager who perform services for us.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we granted 189,813 and 138,264 RSAs, respectively, at grant date fair values of $4.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Expenses related to the vesting of awards to employees of affiliates of our Manager were $0.5 million and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are reflected in general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. These shares generally vest over a three-year period.

Manager Equity Plan

In March 2017, we granted 1,000,000 RSUs to our Manager under the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Manager Equity Plan (“Manager Equity Plan”). In May 2015, we granted 675,000 RSUs to our Manager under the Manager Equity Plan. In connection with these grants and prior similar grants, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $2.9 million and $1.5 million within management fees in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of these grants.

In May 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. 2017 Manager Equity Plan (the “2017 Manager Equity Plan”) which replaced the Manager Equity Plan. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion.

Investments in Loans and Securities

In January 2018, the Company acquired a $130.0 million first mortgage participation from an unaffiliated third party, which bears interest at LIBOR plus 4.00%. The loan is secured by four U.S. power plants that each have long-term power purchase agreements with investment grade counterparties. The borrower is an affiliate of our Manager.

In February 2018, a GBP denominated first mortgage loan that we had co-originated with SEREF in November 2013, which was secured by Centre Point, an iconic tower located in Central London, England, was repaid in full.

In March 2018, the Company acquired a €55.0 million newly-originated loan participation from SEREF, which is secured by a luxury resort in Estepona, Spain.

41


Acquisitions from Consolidated CMBS Trusts

Our Investing and Servicing Segment acquires interests in properties for its REIS Equity Portfolio from CMBS trusts, some of which are consolidated as VIEs on our balance sheet.  Acquisitions from consolidated VIEs are reflected as repayment of debt of consolidated VIEs in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we acquired $27.7 million of net real estate assets from consolidated CMBS trusts for a gross purchase price of $28.0 million. Refer to Note 3 for further discussion of these acquisitions.  No real estate assets were acquired from consolidated CMBS trusts during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for further discussion of related-party agreements.

16. Stockholders’ Equity and Non-Controlling Interests

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 our board of directors declared the following dividend:

Declaration Date

Record Date

Ex-Dividend Date

Payment Date

Amount

Frequency

2/28/18

3/30/18

3/28/18

4/13/18

$

0.48

Quarterly

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no shares issued under our At-The-Market Equity Offering Sales Agreement.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, shares issued under the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “DRIP Plan”) were not material.

In February 2017, our board of directors extended the term of our $500.0 million common stock and Convertible Note repurchase program through January 2019.  Refer to Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for further information regarding the repurchase program. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased 573,255 shares of common stock for $12.1 million and no Convertible Notes under our repurchase program.  There were no share or Convertible Notes repurchases under the repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2017. The repurchase of the 2018 Notes discussed in Note 10 was not considered part of the repurchase program and therefore did not reduce our available capacity for future repurchases under the repurchase program. As of March 31, 2018, we had $250.1 million of remaining capacity to repurchase common stock and/or Convertible Notes under the repurchase program.

Equity Incentive Plans

In May 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2017 Manager Equity Plan and the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. 2017 Equity Plan (the “2017 Equity Plan”), which allow for the issuance of up to 11,000,000 stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSAs, RSUs or other equity-based awards or any combination thereof to the Manager, directors, employees, consultants or any other party providing services to the Company. The 2017 Manager Equity Plan succeeds and replaces the Manager Equity Plan and the 2017 Equity Plan succeeds and replaces the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Equity Plan (the “Equity Plan”) and the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Non-Executive Director Stock Plan (the “Non-Executive Director Stock Plan”).

The table below summarizes our share awards granted or vested under the Manager Equity Plan and 2017 Manager Equity Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

Grant Date

Type

Amount Granted

Grant Date Fair Value

Vesting Period

March 2017

RSU

1,000,000

$

22,240

3 years

May 2015

RSU

675,000

16,511

3 years

As of March 31, 2018, there were 10.3 million shares available for future grants under the 2017 Manager Equity Plan and the 2017 Equity Plan.

42


Schedule of Non-Vested Shares and Share Equivalents

2017

Weighted Average

2017

Manager

Grant Date Fair

Equity Plan

Equity Plan

Total

Value (per share)

Balance as of January 1, 2018

885,138

806,251

1,691,389

$

21.95

Granted

459,118

459,118

21.25

Vested

(263,886)

(139,583)

(403,469)

21.82

Forfeited

Balance as of March 31, 2018

1,080,370

666,668

1,747,038

21.80

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

As discussed in Note 3, in connection with our Woodstar II Portfolio acquisitions, we issued 9.8 million Class A Units in SPT Dolphin. Commencing six months from issuance, Class A Units are redeemable for consideration equal to the current share price of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, with the consideration paid in either cash or the Company’s common stock, at the determination of the Company.  In consolidation, the issued Class A Units are reflected as non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

To the extent SPT Dolphin has sufficient cash available, the Class A Units earn a preferred return indexed to the dividend rate of the Company’s common stock.  Any distributions made pursuant to this waterfall are recognized within net income attributable to non-controlling interests in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized net income attributable to non-controlling interests of $2.5 million associated with these Class A Units.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we acquired the non-controlling interest held by a third party in one of our consolidated REIS Equity Portfolio properties, which was carried at $0.3 million, for $3.3 million.  The excess of the consideration paid to acquire the non-controlling interest over the carrying value of the non-controlling interest was recorded as a reduction of stockholders’ equity during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

43


17. Earnings per Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income and the number of shares of common stock used in the computation of basic EPS and diluted EPS (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Basic Earnings

Income attributable to STWD common stockholders

$

99,932

$

102,358

Less: Income attributable to participating shares not already deducted as non-controlling interests

(721)

(899)

Basic earnings

$

99,211

$

101,459

Diluted Earnings

Income attributable to STWD common stockholders

$

99,932

$

102,358

Less: Income attributable to participating shares not already deducted as non-controlling interests

(721)

(899)

Add: Undistributed earnings to participating shares

Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating shares

Diluted earnings

$

99,211

$

101,459

Number of Shares:

Basic — Average shares outstanding

260,664

258,997

Effect of dilutive securities — Convertible Notes

1,209

3,220

Effect of dilutive securities — Contingently issuable shares

229

121

Effect of dilutive securities — Unvested non-participating shares

22

103

Diluted — Average shares outstanding

262,124

262,441

Earnings Per Share Attributable to STWD Common Stockholders:

Basic

$

0.38

$

0.39

Diluted

$

0.38

$

0.39

As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, participating shares of 11.3 million and 1.9 million, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted shares as their effect was already considered under the more dilutive two-class method used above. Such participating shares at March 31, 2018 included 9.8 million potential shares of our common stock issuable upon redemption of the Class A Units in SPT Dolphin, as discussed in Note 16.

Additionally, as of March 31, 2018, there were 27.1 million potential shares of common stock contingently issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes.  The Company has asserted its intent and ability to settle the principal amount of the Convertible Notes in cash.  As a result, this principal amount, representing 25.9 million shares at March 31, 2018, was not included in the computation of diluted EPS.  However, as discussed in Note 10, the conversion option associated with the 2019 Notes is “in-the-money” as the if-converted value of the 2019 Notes exceeded their principal amount by $25.0 million at March 31, 2018. The dilutive effect to EPS is determined by dividing this “conversion spread value” by the average share price. The “conversion spread value” is the value that would be delivered to investors in shares based on the terms of the Convertible Notes, upon an assumed conversion. In calculating the dilutive effect of these shares, the treasury stock method was used and resulted in a dilution of 1.2 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The conversion option associated with the 2023 Notes is “out-of-the-money” because the if-converted values of the 2023 Notes was less than their principal amount by $47.9 million at March 31, 2018; therefore, there was no dilutive effect to EPS.

44


18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The changes in AOCI by component are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Cumulative

Unrealized Gain

Effective Portion of

(Loss) on

Foreign

Cumulative Loss on

Available-for-

Currency

Cash Flow Hedges

Sale Securities

Translation

Total

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Balance at January 1, 2018

$

25

$

57,889

$

12,010

$

69,924

OCI before reclassifications

9

1,209

4,218

5,436

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

(4)

(46)

(50)

Net period OCI

5

1,163

4,218

5,386

Balance at March 31, 2018

$

30

$

59,052

$

16,228

$

75,310

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Balance at January 1, 2017

$

(26)

$

44,929

$

(8,765)

$

36,138

OCI before reclassifications

47

1,931

2,007

3,985

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

29

(85)

(56)

Net period OCI

76

1,846

2,007

3,929

Balance at March 31, 2017

$

50

$

46,775

$

(6,758)

$

40,067

The reclassifications out of AOCI impacted the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 as follows (amounts in thousands):

Amounts Reclassified from

AOCI during the Three Months

Affected Line Item

Ended March 31,

in the Statements

Details about AOCI Components

2018

2017

of Operations

Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate contracts

$

4

$

(29)

Interest expense

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:

Interest realized upon collection

46

85

Interest income from investment securities

Total reclassifications for the period

$

50

$

56

19. Fair Value

GAAP establishes a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the observability of inputs utilized in measuring financial assets and liabilities at fair value. GAAP establishes market-based or observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by valuation models using management assumptions in the absence of market inputs. The three levels of the hierarchy are described below:

Level I —Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level II —Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level I) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.

Level III —Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.

45


Valuation Process

We have valuation control processes in place to validate the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value including those derived from pricing models. These control processes are designed to assure that the values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible.  Refer to Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for further discussion of our valuation process.

We determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis in accordance with the methodology described in our Form 10-K.

Fair Value Disclosures

The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets by their level in the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2018

Total

Level I

Level II

Level III

Financial Assets:

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option

$

723,733

$

$

$

723,733

RMBS

240,853

240,853

CMBS

23,969

23,969

Equity security

13,322

13,322

Domestic servicing rights

24,945

24,945

Derivative assets

41,067

41,067

VIE assets

49,233,307

49,233,307

Total

$

50,301,196

$

13,322

$

41,067

$

50,246,807

Financial Liabilities:

Derivative liabilities

$

57,600

$

$

57,600

$

VIE liabilities

48,167,760

45,962,026

2,205,734

Total

$

48,225,360

$

$

46,019,626

$

2,205,734

December 31, 2017

Total

Level I

Level II

Level III

Financial Assets:

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option

$

745,743

$

$

$

745,743

RMBS

247,021

247,021

CMBS

24,191

24,191

Equity security

13,523

13,523

Domestic servicing rights

30,759

30,759

Derivative assets

33,898

33,898

VIE assets

51,045,874

51,045,874

Total

$

52,141,009

$

13,523

$

33,898

$

52,093,588

Financial Liabilities:

Derivative liabilities

$

36,200

$

$

36,200

$

VIE liabilities

50,000,010

47,811,073

2,188,937

Total

$

50,036,210

$

$

47,847,273

$

2,188,937

46


The changes in financial assets and liabilities classified as Level III are as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Domestic

Loans

Servicing

VIE

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Held for sale

RMBS

CMBS

Rights

VIE Assets

Liabilities

Total

January 1, 2018 balance

$

745,743

$

247,021

$

24,191

$

30,759

$

51,045,874

$

(2,188,937)

$

49,904,651

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):

Included in earnings:

Change in fair value / gain on sale

7,800

555

(5,814)

(2,027,208)

237,090

(1,787,577)

Net accretion

2,819

2,819

Included in OCI

1,163

1,163

Purchases / Originations

277,259

277,259

Sales

(266,632)

(266,632)

Issuances

(7,948)

(7,948)

Cash repayments / receipts

(40,437)

(10,150)

(777)

(12,633)

(63,997)

Transfers into Level III

(530,888)

(530,888)

Transfers out of Level III

208,258

208,258

Consolidation of VIEs

1,089,881

1,089,881

Deconsolidation of VIEs

(875,240)

89,324

(785,916)

March 31, 2018 balance

$

723,733

$

240,853

$

23,969

$

24,945

$

49,233,307

$

(2,205,734)

$

48,041,073

Amount of total (losses) gains included in earnings attributable to assets still held at March 31, 2018

$

(640)

$

2,772

$

555

$

(5,814)

$

(2,027,208)

$

237,090

$

(1,793,245)

Domestic

Loans

Servicing

VIE

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Held for sale

RMBS

CMBS

Rights

VIE Assets

Liabilities

Total

January 1, 2017 balance

$

63,279

$

253,915

$

31,546

$

55,082

$

67,123,261

$

(2,585,369)

$

64,941,714

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):

Included in earnings:

Change in fair value / gain on sale

10,593

(1,343)

(8,433)

(6,537,225)

384,981

(6,151,427)

Net accretion

3,886

3,886

Included in OCI

1,846

1,846

Purchases / Originations

445,887

445,887

Sales

(179,296)

(10,434)

(189,730)

Issuances

(4,759)

(4,759)

Cash repayments / receipts

(197)

(10,228)

(5,766)

(30,796)

(46,987)

Transfers into Level III

(63,970)

(63,970)

Transfers out of Level III

129,452

129,452

Consolidation of VIEs

1,127,952

1,127,952

Deconsolidation of VIEs

1,469

(1,528,137)

9,166

(1,517,502)

March 31, 2017 balance

$

340,266

$

249,419

$

15,472

$

46,649

$

60,185,851

$

(2,161,295)

$

58,676,362

Amount of total (losses) gains included in earnings attributable to assets still held at March 31, 2017

$

(6)

$

3,795

$

248

$

(8,433)

$

(6,537,225)

$

384,981

$

(6,156,640)

Amounts were transferred from Level II to Level III due to a decrease in the observable relevant market activity and amounts were transferred from Level III to Level II due to an increase in the observable relevant market activity.

47


The following table presents the fair values, all of which are classified in Level III of the fair value hierarchy, of our financial instruments not carried at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Value

Value

Value

Value

Financial assets not carried at fair value:

Loans held-for-investment and loans transferred as secured borrowings

$

6,257,249

$

6,335,551

$

6,636,898

$

6,729,302

HTM securities

236,319

234,226

433,468

428,338

Financial liabilities not carried at fair value:

Secured financing agreements and secured borrowings on transferred loans

$

5,628,589

$

5,564,347

$

5,847,241

$

5,810,998

Unsecured senior notes

2,252,631

2,287,522

2,125,235

2,191,285

The following is quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs in our Level III measurements for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):

Carrying Value at

Valuation

Unobservable

Range as of (1)

March 31, 2018

Technique

Input

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option

$

723,733

Discounted cash flow

Yield (b)

4.8% - 6.0%

4.3% - 6.0%

Duration (c)

1.8 - 13.0 years

1.8 - 12.1 years

RMBS

240,853

Discounted cash flow

Constant prepayment rate (a)

2.6% - 23.0%

2.5% - 21.4%

Constant default rate (b)

1.0% - 5.6%

0.9% - 5.8%

Loss severity (b)

15% - 74% (e)

14% - 75% (e)

Delinquency rate (c)

4% - 33%

4% - 33%

Servicer advances (a)

24% - 83%

20% - 83%

Annual coupon deterioration (b)

0% - 0.8%

0% - 0.8%

Putback amount per projected total collateral loss (d)

0% - 7%

0% - 7%

CMBS

23,969

Discounted cash flow

Yield (b)

0% - 295.6%

0% - 168.5%

Duration (c)

0 - 9.7 years

0 - 9.7 years

Domestic servicing rights

24,945

Discounted cash flow

Debt yield (a)

7.75%

7.75%

Discount rate (b)

15%

15%

Control migration (b)

0% - 80%

0% - 80%

VIE assets

49,233,307

Discounted cash flow

Yield (b)

0% - 938.0%

0% - 826.6%

Duration (c)

0 - 13.4 years

0 - 14.0 years

VIE liabilities

2,205,734

Discounted cash flow

Yield (b)

0% - 938.0%

0% - 826.6%

Duration (c)

0 - 13.4 years

0 - 14.0 years


(1)

The ranges of significant unobservable inputs are represented in percentages and years.

Sensitivity of the Fair Value to Changes in the Unobservable Inputs

(a)

Significant increase (decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

(b)

Significant increase (decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

(c)

Significant increase (decrease) in the unobservable input in isolation would result in either a significantly lower or higher (higher or lower) fair value measurement depending on the structural features of the security in question.

(d)

Any delay in the putback recovery date leads to a decrease in fair value for the majority of securities in our RMBS portfolio.

(e)

80% and 81% of the portfolio falls within a range of 45%-80% as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

48


20.  Income Taxes

Certain of our subsidiaries have elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). TRSs permit us to participate in certain activities from which REITs are generally precluded, as long as these activities meet specific criteria, are conducted within the parameters of certain limitations established by the Code, and are conducted in entities which elect to be treated as taxable subsidiaries under the Code. To the extent these criteria are met, we will continue to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

Our TRSs engage in various real estate related operations, including special servicing of commercial real estate, originating and securitizing commercial mortgage loans, and investing in entities which engage in real estate related operations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately $1.2 billion and $673.1 million, respectively, of assets, including $70.6 million and $24.1 million in cash, respectively, were owned by TRS entities. Our TRSs are not consolidated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but are instead taxed as corporations. For financial reporting purposes, a provision for current and deferred taxes is established for the portion of earnings recognized by us with respect to our interest in TRSs.

The following table is a reconciliation of our U.S. federal income tax determined using our statutory federal tax rate to our reported income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands):

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

2018

2017

Federal statutory tax rate

$

22,606

21.0

%

$

35,655

35.0

%

REIT and other non-taxable income

(20,343)

(18.9)

%

(36,425)

(35.8)

%

State income taxes

593

0.6

%

(139)

(0.1)

%

Federal benefit of state tax deduction

(124)

(0.1)

%

49

%

Other

124

0.1

%

(123)

(0.1)

%

Effective tax rate

$

2,856

2.7

%

$

(983)

(1.0)

%

21. Commitments and Contingencie s

As of March 31, 2018, we had future funding commitments on 50 loans totaling $1.7 billion, of which we expect to fund $1.4 billion. These future funding commitments primarily relate to construction projects, capital improvements, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Generally, funding commitments are subject to certain conditions that must be met, such as customary construction draw certifications, minimum debt service coverage ratios or executions of new leases before advances are made to the borrower.

Management is not aware of any other contractual obligations, legal proceedings, or any other contingent obligations incurred in the normal course of business that would have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

22.  Segment Dat a

In its operation of the business, management, including our chief operating decision maker, who is our Chief Executive Officer, reviews certain financial information, including segmented internal profit and loss statements prepared on a basis prior to the impact of consolidating securitization VIEs under ASC 810. The segment information within this note is reported on that basis.

49


The table below presents our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 by business segment (amounts in thousands):

Investing

Investing

Lending

Property

and Servicing

and Servicing

Segment

Segment

Segment

Corporate

Subtotal

VIEs

Total

Revenues:

Interest income from loans

$

134,972

$

$

2,648

$

$

137,620

$

$

137,620

Interest income from investment securities

14,439

34,399

48,838

(33,569)

15,269

Servicing fees

165

33,434

33,599

(7,532)

26,067

Rental income

66,710

14,400

81,110

81,110

Other revenues

194

101

228

52

575

(54)

521

Total revenues

149,770

66,811

85,109

52

301,742

(41,155)

260,587

Costs and expenses:

Management fees

480

18

30,051

30,549

93

30,642

Interest expense

32,021

16,534

5,095

33,803

87,453

(270)

87,183

General and administrative

6,695

1,859

21,020

2,482

32,056

86

32,142

Acquisition and investment pursuit costs

220

6

151

377

377

Costs of rental operations

23,488

6,205

29,693

29,693

Depreciation and amortization

17

26,469

5,258

31,744

31,744

Loan loss allowance, net

1,538

1,538

1,538

Other expense

77

27

104

104

Total costs and expenses

41,048

68,356

37,774

66,336

213,514

(91)

213,423

Income (loss) before other income (loss), income taxes and non-controlling interests

108,722

(1,545)

47,335

(66,284)

88,228

(41,064)

47,164

Other income (loss):

Change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs

52,653

52,653

Change in fair value of servicing rights

(9,168)

(9,168)

3,354

(5,814)

Change in fair value of investment securities, net

(704)

13,979

13,275

(13,424)

(149)

Change in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale, net

(1,692)

9,492

7,800

7,800

Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities

1,444

(3,515)

1,596

(475)

(987)

(1,462)

Gain on sale of investments and other assets, net

279

3,942

6,439

10,660

10,660

(Loss) gain on derivative financial instruments, net

(10,818)

1,919

5,042

(13,002)

(16,859)

(16,859)

Foreign currency gain (loss), net

13,550

2

(3)

13,549

13,549

Other income, net

43

17

48

108

108

Total other income (loss)

2,102

2,365

27,425

(13,002)

18,890

41,596

60,486

Income (loss) before income taxes

110,824

820

74,760

(79,286)

107,118

532

107,650

Income tax provision

(947)

(1,261)

(648)

(2,856)

(2,856)

Net income (loss)

109,877

(441)

74,112

(79,286)

104,262

532

104,794

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

(361)

(2,453)

(1,516)

(4,330)

(532)

(4,862)

Net income (loss) attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc .

$

109,516

$

(2,894)

$

72,596

$

(79,286)

$

99,932

$

$

99,932

50


The table below presents our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 by business segment (amounts in thousands):

Investing

Investing

Lending

Property

and Servicing

and Servicing

Segment

Segment

Segment

Corporate

Subtotal

VIEs

Total

Revenues:

Interest income from loans

$

109,046

$

$

2,837

$

$

111,883

$

$

111,883

Interest income from investment securities

12,719

34,836

47,555

(32,331)

15,224

Servicing fees

210

30,081

30,291

(16,189)

14,102

Rental income

44,853

12,189

57,042

57,042

Other revenues

79

45

464

588

(119)

469

Total revenues

122,054

44,898

80,407

247,359

(48,639)

198,720

Costs and expenses:

Management fees

454

18

23,862

24,334

50

24,384

Interest expense

19,957

10,207

4,358

31,607

66,129

(269)

65,860

General and administrative

4,211

1,381

22,580

2,170

30,342

87

30,429

Acquisition and investment pursuit costs

515

172

(16)

671

671

Costs of rental operations

15,391

5,487

20,878

20,878

Depreciation and amortization

17

17,157

5,054

22,228

22,228

Loan loss allowance, net

(305)

(305)

(305)

Other expense

758

758

758

Total costs and expenses

24,849

44,308

38,239

57,639

165,035

(132)

164,903

Income (loss) before other income (loss), income taxes and non-controlling interests

97,205

590

42,168

(57,639)

82,324

(48,507)

33,817

Other income (loss):

Change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs

69,170

69,170

Change in fair value of servicing rights

(9,637)

(9,637)

1,204

(8,433)

Change in fair value of investment securities, net

172

19,045

19,217

(20,388)

(1,171)

Change in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale, net

10,593

10,593

10,593

Earnings from unconsolidated entities

470

2,461

1,017

3,948

(961)

2,987

Loss on sale of investments and other assets, net

(56)

(56)

(56)

(Loss) gain on derivative financial instruments, net

(4,535)

(511)

697

(4,349)

(4,349)

Foreign currency gain, net

4,863

1

4,864

4,864

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(5,916)

(5,916)

(5,916)

Other income, net

365

365

365

Total other income (loss)

914

1,950

22,081

(5,916)

19,029

49,025

68,054

Income (loss) before income taxes

98,119

2,540

64,249

(63,555)

101,353

518

101,871

Income tax (provision) benefit

(215)

1,198

983

983

Net income (loss)

97,904

2,540

65,447

(63,555)

102,336

518

102,854

Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(354)

376

22

(518)

(496)

Net income (loss) attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc .

$

97,550

$

2,540

$

65,823

$

(63,555)

$

102,358

$

$

102,358

51


The table below presents our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 by business segment (amounts in thousands):

Investing

Investing

Lending

Property

and Servicing

and Servicing

Segment

Segment

Segment

Corporate

Subtotal

VIEs

Total

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

30,048

$

14,738

$

55,167

$

179,987

$

279,940

$

6,215

$

286,155

Restricted cash

52,855

15,343

8,478

16,590

93,266

93,266

Loans held-for-investment, net

6,179,100

3,686

6,182,786

6,182,786

Loans held-for-sale

662,971

60,762

723,733

723,733

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

74,463

74,463

74,463

Investment securities

490,494

1,045,217

1,535,711

(1,021,248)

514,463

Properties, net

2,699,492

289,372

2,988,864

2,988,864

Intangible assets

118,522

85,999

204,521

(24,892)

179,629

Investment in unconsolidated entities

29,537

107,189

45,361

182,087

(21,975)

160,112

Goodwill

140,437

140,437

140,437

Derivative assets

4,240

36,056

771

41,067

41,067

Accrued interest receivable

39,002

163

258

1,830

41,253

41,253

Other assets

328,622

88,708

50,830

2,083

470,243

(2,923)

467,320

VIE assets, at fair value

49,233,307

49,233,307

Total Assets

$

7,891,332

$

3,080,211

$

1,786,338

$

200,490

$

12,958,371

$

48,168,484

$

61,126,855

Liabilities and Equity

Liabilities:

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

18,332

$

68,115

$

48,925

$

20,894

$

156,266

$

1,297

$

157,563

Related-party payable

20

28

31,733

31,781

31,781

Dividends payable

126,244

126,244

126,244

Derivative liabilities

19,576

20,630

330

17,064

57,600

57,600

Secured financing agreements, net

2,936,419

1,936,367

408,104

297,124

5,578,014

(23,700)

5,554,314

Unsecured senior notes, net

2,252,631

2,252,631

2,252,631

Secured borrowings on transferred loans, net

74,275

74,275

74,275

VIE liabilities, at fair value

48,167,760

48,167,760

Total Liabilities

3,048,622

2,025,112

457,387

2,745,690

8,276,811

48,145,357

56,422,168

Equity:

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity:

Common stock

2,671

2,671

2,671

Additional paid-in capital

2,054,473

850,185

562,815

1,260,710

4,728,183

4,728,183

Treasury stock

(104,194)

(104,194)

(104,194)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

59,082

16,259

(31)

75,310

75,310

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

2,718,567

(17,229)

759,611

(3,704,387)

(243,438)

(243,438)

Total Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity

4,832,122

849,215

1,322,395

(2,545,200)

4,458,532

4,458,532

Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

10,588

205,884

6,556

223,028

23,127

246,155

Total Equity

4,842,710

1,055,099

1,328,951

(2,545,200)

4,681,560

23,127

4,704,687

Total Liabilities and Equity

$

7,891,332

$

3,080,211

$

1,786,338

$

200,490

$

12,958,371

$

48,168,484

$

61,126,855

52


The table below presents our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 by business segment (amounts in thousands):

Investing

Investing

Lending

Property

and Servicing

and Servicing

Segment

Segment

Segment

Corporate

Subtotal

VIEs

Total

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

14,580

$

10,388

$

39,446

$

299,308

$

363,722

$

5,726

$

369,448

Restricted cash

21,555

12,491

10,289

4,490

48,825

48,825

Loans held-for-investment, net

6,558,699

3,796

6,562,495

6,562,495

Loans held-for-sale

613,287

132,456

745,743

745,743

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

74,403

74,403

74,403

Investment securities

694,012

1,024,143

1,718,155

(999,952)

718,203

Properties, net

2,364,806

282,675

2,647,481

2,647,481

Intangible assets

116,081

95,257

211,338

(28,246)

183,092

Investment in unconsolidated entities

45,028

110,704

50,759

206,491

(20,988)

185,503

Goodwill

140,437

140,437

140,437

Derivative assets

6,487

26,775

636

33,898

33,898

Accrued interest receivable

46,650

68

243

786

47,747

47,747

Other assets

5,648

71,929

59,676

3,755

141,008

(2,868)

138,140

VIE assets, at fair value

51,045,874

51,045,874

Total Assets

$

8,080,349

$

2,713,242

$

1,839,813

$

308,339

$

12,941,743

$

49,999,546

$

62,941,289

Liabilities and Equity

Liabilities:

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

23,054

$

62,890

$

74,426

$

23,536

$

183,906

$

1,211

$

185,117

Related-party payable

20

31

42,318

42,369

42,369

Dividends payable

125,916

125,916

125,916

Derivative liabilities

20,386

13,063

85

2,666

36,200

36,200

Secured financing agreements, net

3,466,487

1,621,885

411,526

296,858

5,796,756

(23,700)

5,773,056

Unsecured senior notes, net

2,125,235

2,125,235

2,125,235

Secured borrowings on transferred loans

74,185

74,185

74,185

VIE liabilities, at fair value

50,000,010

50,000,010

Total Liabilities

3,584,132

1,697,838

486,068

2,616,529

8,384,567

49,977,521

58,362,088

Equity:

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity:

Common stock

2,660

2,660

2,660

Additional paid-in capital

1,818,559

957,329

659,062

1,280,296

4,715,246

4,715,246

Treasury stock

(92,104)

(92,104)

(92,104)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

57,914

12,076

(66)

69,924

69,924

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

2,609,050

(14,335)

687,015

(3,499,042)

(217,312)

(217,312)

Total Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity

4,485,523

955,070

1,346,011

(2,308,190)

4,478,414

4,478,414

Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

10,694

60,334

7,734

78,762

22,025

100,787

Total Equity

4,496,217

1,015,404

1,353,745

(2,308,190)

4,557,176

22,025

4,579,201

Total Liabilities and Equity

$

8,080,349

$

2,713,242

$

1,839,813

$

308,339

$

12,941,743

$

49,999,546

$

62,941,289

53


23. Subsequent Events

Our significant events subsequent to March 31, 2018 were as follows:

Manager Equity Plan

On April 4, 2018, we granted 775,000 RSUs to our Manager under the 2017 Manager Equity Plan at a grant date fair value of $16.3 million. The award was granted based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and vests over a three-year period.

Dividend Declaration

On May 4, 2018, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.48 per share for the second quarter of 2018, which is payable on July 13, 2018 to common stockholders of record as of June 29, 2018.

54


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysi s of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” should be read in conjunction with the information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “Form 10-K”). This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (“STWD” and, together with its subsidiaries, “we” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that commenced operations in August 2009, upon the completion of our initial public offering. We are focused primarily on originating, acquiring, financing and managing commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt investments, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), and other commercial real estate investments in both the U.S. and Europe. We refer to the following as our target assets: commercial real estate mortgage loans, preferred equity interests, CMBS and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. Our target assets may also include residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), certain residential mortgage loans, distressed or non-performing commercial loans, commercial properties subject to net leases and equity interests in commercial real estate. As market conditions change over time, we may adjust our strategy to take advantage of changes in interest rates and credit spreads as well as economic and credit conditions.

We have three reportable business segments as of March 31, 2018:

·

Real estate lending (the “Lending Segment”)—engages primarily in originating, acquiring, financing and managing commercial first mortgages, subordinated mortgages, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, CMBS, RMBS, certain residential mortgage loans, and other real estate and real estate-related debt investments in both the U.S. and Europe.

·

Real estate property (the “Property Segment”)—engages primarily in acquiring and managing equity interests in stabilized commercial real estate properties, including multifamily properties, that are held for investment.

·

Real estate investing and servicing (the “Investing and Servicing Segment”)—includes (i) a servicing business in the U.S. that manages and works out problem assets, (ii) an investment business that selectively acquires and manages unrated, investment grade and non-investment grade rated CMBS, including subordinated interests of securitization and resecuritization transactions, (iii) a mortgage loan business which originates conduit loans for the primary purpose of selling these loans into securitization transactions, and (iv) an investment business that selectively acquires commercial real estate assets, including properties acquired from CMBS trusts. This segment excludes the consolidation of securitization variable interest entities (“VIEs”).

Refer to Note 1 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included herein (the “Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”) for further discussion of our business and organization.

55


Developments During the First Quarter of 2018

Woodstar II Portfolio Acquisition

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we acquired 18 of the 27 affordable housing communities comprising our “Woodstar II Portfolio.”  The 18 affordable housing communities acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2018 comprise 4,057 units and were acquired for $404.7 million, including contingent consideration of $26.7 million (the “Q1 2018 Closing”). Government sponsored mortgage debt of $7.3 million with weighted average fixed annual interest rates of 2.88% and remaining weighted average terms of 17.7 years was assumed at closing.  We financed the Q1 2018 Closing utilizing new 10-year mortgage debt totaling $300.9 million with weighted average fixed annual interest rates of 3.82%. The Woodstar II Portfolio is comprised of 6,109 units concentrated primarily in Central and South Florida and is 99% occupied.

Other Developments

·

The Lending Segment originated or acquired $1.2 billion of commercial loans during the quarter, including the following:

o

$214.0 million first mortgage and mezzanine loan for the acquisition of a 1.2 million square foot Class A office tower located in Houston, Texas, of which the Company funded $117.0 million.

o

$170.3 million first mortgage loan for the development of a 53-story residential tower located in Brooklyn, New York, which was unfunded as of March 31, 2018.

o

$140.3 million first mortgage and mezzanine loan for the acquisition and conversion of a 16-story property located in Alexandria, Virginia. The Company subsequently sold the $106.2 million first mortgage loan and the mezzanine loan was unfunded as of March 31, 2018.

o

$130.4 million first mortgage loan for the refinancing of a 380.9 thousand square foot office building located in Arlington, Virginia, of which the Company funded $113.3 million.

o

$130.0 million first mortgage for four U.S. power plants, that each have long-term power purchase agreements with investment grade counterparties, which the Company has fully funded.

·

Funded $169.1 million of previously originated loan commitments.

·

Received gross proceeds of $1.5 billion (net proceeds of $0.9 billion) from maturities, sales and principal repayments on loans held-for-investment and single-borrower CMBS.

·

Originated or acquired conduit loans of $185.5 million and received proceeds of $266.6 million from sales.

·

Named special servicer on three new issue CMBS deals with a total unpaid principal balance of $2.0 billion; in the case of one of these CMBS deals, we retained the related B-piece.

·

Acquired commercial real estate from CMBS trusts for a gross purchase price of $28.0 million.

·

Sold commercial real estate for total gross proceeds of $52.3 million and recognized net gains of $9.0 million.

·

Issued $500.0 million of 3.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 February Notes”).

·

Repurchased 573,255 shares of common stock for a total cost of $12.1 million.

56


Subsequent Events

Refer to Note 23 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure regarding significant transactions that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2018.

Results of Operations

The discussion below is based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and therefore reflects the elimination of certain key financial statement line items related to the consolidation of securitization variable interest entities (“VIEs”), particularly within revenues and other income, as discussed in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For a discussion of our results of operations excluding the impact of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 as it relates to the consolidation of securitization VIEs, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section herein.

The following table compares our summarized results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 by business segment (amounts in thousands):

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

$ Change

Revenues:

Lending Segment

$

149,770

$

122,054

$

27,716

Property Segment

66,811

44,898

21,913

Investing and Servicing Segment

85,109

80,407

4,702

Corporate

52

52

Investing and Servicing VIEs

(41,155)

(48,639)

7,484

260,587

198,720

61,867

Costs and expenses:

Lending Segment

41,048

24,849

16,199

Property Segment

68,356

44,308

24,048

Investing and Servicing Segment

37,774

38,239

(465)

Corporate

66,336

57,639

8,697

Investing and Servicing VIEs

(91)

(132)

41

213,423

164,903

48,520

Other income (loss):

Lending Segment

2,102

914

1,188

Property Segment

2,365

1,950

415

Investing and Servicing Segment

27,425

22,081

5,344

Corporate

(13,002)

(5,916)

(7,086)

Investing and Servicing VIEs

41,596

49,025

(7,429)

60,486

68,054

(7,568)

Income (loss) before income taxes:

Lending Segment

110,824

98,119

12,705

Property Segment

820

2,540

(1,720)

Investing and Servicing Segment

74,760

64,249

10,511

Corporate

(79,286)

(63,555)

(15,731)

Investing and Servicing VIEs

532

518

14

107,650

101,871

5,779

Income tax (provision) benefit

(2,856)

983

(3,839)

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

(4,862)

(496)

(4,366)

Net income attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc .

$

99,932

$

102,358

$

(2,426)

57


Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Lending Segment

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, revenues of our Lending Segment increased $27.7 million to $149.8 million, compared to $122.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to (i) a $25.9 million increase in interest income from loans principally due to increased LIBOR rates, higher average loan balances primarily due to the acquisition of residential loans held-for-sale and higher levels of prepayment related income, partially offset by the compression of interest rate spreads in credit markets and (ii) a $1.7 million increase in interest income from investment securities due to prepayment related income.

Costs and Expenses

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, costs and expenses of our Lending Segment increased $16.2 million to $41.0 million, compared to $24.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to a $12.1 million increase in interest expense associated with the various secured financing facilities used to fund a portion of our investment portfolio, a $2.5 million increase in general and administrative expenses and a $1.8 million increase in our loan loss allowance.

Net Interest Income (amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Change

Interest income from loans

$

134,972

$

109,046

$

25,926

Interest income from investment securities

14,439

12,719

1,720

Interest expense

(32,021)

(19,957)

(12,064)

Net interest income

$

117,390

$

101,808

$

15,582

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, net interest income of our Lending Segment increased $15.6 million to $117.4 million, compared to $101.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  This increase reflects the net increase in interest income explained in the Revenues discussion above, partially offset by the increase in interest expense on our secured financing facilities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average unlevered yields on the Lending Segment’s loans and investment securities were 7.4% and 7.1%, respectively. The increase in the weighted average unlevered yield is primarily due to increases in LIBOR and higher levels of prepayment related income, partially offset by the compression of interest rate spreads in credit markets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Lending Segment’s weighted average secured borrowing rates, inclusive of interest rate hedging costs and the amortization of deferred financing fees, were 4.1% and 3.6%, respectively, and 4.0% and 3.5%, respectively, excluding the impact of bridge financing. The increases in borrowing rates primarily reflect increases in LIBOR, partially offset by the compression of interest rate spreads in credit markets.

Other Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, other income of our Lending Segment increased $1.2 million to $2.1 million, compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The increase was primarily due to an $8.7 million increase in foreign currency gain, partially offset by a $6.3 million increased loss from derivatives.  The increased loss from derivatives reflects a $10.6 million increased loss on foreign currency hedges partially offset by a $4.3 million increased gain on interest rate swaps.  The foreign currency hedges are used to fix the U.S. dollar amounts of cash flows (both interest and principal payments) we expect to receive from our foreign currency denominated loans and CMBS

58


investments.  The increased loss on the foreign currency hedges and the increased foreign currency gain reflect the overall weakening of the U.S. dollar against the pound sterling (“GBP”) in the first quarter of 2018 versus a lesser weakening of the U.S. dollar in the first quarter of 2017.  The interest rate swaps are used primarily to fix our interest rate payments on certain variable rate borrowings which fund fixed rate investments.

Property Segment

Change in Results by Portfolio (amounts in thousands)

$ Change from prior period

Costs and

Gain (loss) on derivative

Income (loss) before

Revenues

expenses

financial instruments

Other income (loss)

income taxes

Master Lease Portfolio

$

12,095

$

8,339

$

$

3,941

$

7,697

Medical Office Portfolio

379

1,298

9,329

8,410

Ireland Portfolio

1,579

1,447

(6,899)

2

(6,765)

Woodstar I Portfolio

377

1,412

(1,035)

Woodstar II Portfolio

7,483

10,909

18

(3,408)

Investment in unconsolidated entities

(5,976)

(5,976)

Other/Corporate

643

(643)

Total

$

21,913

$

24,048

$

2,430

$

(2,015)

$

(1,720)

See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the above-referenced Property Segment portfolios.

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, revenues of our Property Segment increased $21.9 million to $66.8 million, compared to $44.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The increase in revenues in the first quarter of 2018 was primarily due to the inclusion of rental income from the Master Lease Portfolio, which was acquired on September 25, 2017, and the Woodstar II Portfolio, which was acquired over a period between December 2017 and March 2018.

Costs and Expenses

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, costs and expenses of our Property Segment increased $24.0 million to $68.3 million, compared to $44.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in costs and expenses reflects increases of $9.3 million in depreciation and amortization, $8.1 million in other rental related costs and $6.3 million in interest expense, all primarily due to the inclusion of the Master Lease Portfolio and Woodstar II Portfolio, both of which were acquired after March 31, 2017.

Other Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, other income of our Property Segment increased $0.4 million to $2.4 million, compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in other income was primarily due to (i) a $3.9 million net gain on sale of two properties in the Master Lease Portfolio and (ii) a $2.4 million favorable change in gain (loss) on derivatives, both partially offset by (iii) a $6.0 million unfavorable change in earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities principally due to unfavorable decreases in fair value of the properties in the Retail Fund, which is an investment company that measures its assets at fair value.  The $2.4 million favorable change in gain (loss) on derivatives reflects a $9.3 million increased gain on interest rate swaps which primarily hedge the variable interest rate risk on borrowings secured by our Medical Office Portfolio, partially offset by a $6.9 million increased loss on foreign exchange contracts which economically hedge our Euro currency exposure with respect to the Ireland Portfolio.

59


Investing and Servicing Segment and VIEs

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, revenues of our Investing and Servicing Segment increased $12.2 million to $44.0 million after consolidated VIE eliminations of $41.2 million, compared to $31.8 million after consolidated VIE eliminations of $48.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The VIE eliminations are merely a function of the number of CMBS trusts consolidated in any given period, and as such, are not a meaningful indicator of the operating results for this segment.  The increase in revenues in the first quarter of 2018 was primarily due to increases of $12.0 million in servicing fees and $2.2 million in rental income on our REIS Equity Portfolio (see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in interest income from CMBS investments.  The $12.0 million increase in servicing fees is primarily due to higher default interest collections and loan modification fees.  The $1.7 million decrease in CMBS interest income reflects a $1.3 million increase in VIE eliminations related to the CMBS trusts we consolidate.  Excluding the effect of these eliminations, CMBS interest income decreased by $0.4 million.

Costs and Expenses

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, costs and expenses of our Investing and Servicing Segment decreased $0.4 million to $37.7 million, compared to $38.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, inclusive of VIE eliminations which were nominal for both periods. The decrease in costs and expenses was primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses, partially offset by increases in interest expense and costs of rental operations associated with our REIS Equity Portfolio.

Other Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, other income of our Investing and Servicing Segment decreased $2.1 million to $69.0 million including additive net VIE eliminations of $41.6 million, from $71.1 million including additive net VIE eliminations of $49.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The decrease in other income was primarily due to (i) a $16.5 million decrease in the change in value of net assets related to consolidated VIEs, partially offset by (ii) a $6.4 million gain on sale of three operating properties, (iii) a $4.3 million increased gain on derivatives which principally hedge our interest rate risk on conduit loans and (iv) a $2.6 million lesser decrease in fair value of servicing rights primarily reflecting the effect of VIE eliminations on the expected amortization of this deteriorating asset net of increases in fair value due to the attainment of new servicing contracts.  The change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs reflects amounts associated with the Investing and Servicing Segment’s variable interests in CMBS trusts it consolidates, including special servicing fees, interest income, and changes in fair value of CMBS and servicing rights. As noted above, this number is merely a function of the number of CMBS trusts consolidated in any given period, and as such, is not a meaningful indicator of the operating results for this segment. Before VIE eliminations, there was an increase in fair value of CMBS securities of $14.0 million and $19.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Income Tax (Provision) Benefit

Historically, our consolidated income tax provision principally relates to the taxable nature of the Investing and Servicing Segment’s loan servicing and loan conduit businesses which are housed in TRSs. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we had a tax provision of $2.9 million compared to a tax benefit of $1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change primarily reflects an increase in the taxable income of our TRSs, including gains on sales of certain operating properties.

60


Corporate

Costs and Expenses

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, corporate expenses increased $8.7 million to $66.3 million, compared to $57.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to (i) a $6.2 million increase in management fees and (ii) a $2.2 million increase in interest expense principally on the increased borrowings under our unsecured senior notes.

Other Loss

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, corporate other loss increased $7.1 million to $13.0 million, compared to $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The increase in corporate other loss was primarily due to a $13.0 million loss on interest rate swaps used to hedge a portion of our unsecured senior notes used to repay variable-rate secured financing, partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $5.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Core Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. We calculate Core Earnings as GAAP net income (loss) excluding the following:

(i)

non-cash equity compensation expense;

(ii)

incentive fees due under our management agreement;

(iii)

depreciation and amortization of real estate and associated intangibles;

(iv)

acquisition costs associated with successful acquisitions;

(v)

any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income; and

(vi)

any deductions for distributions payable with respect to equity securities of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties or interests therein.

We believe that Core Earnings provides an additional measure of our core operating performance by eliminating the impact of certain non-cash expenses and facilitating a comparison of our financial results to those of other comparable REITs with fewer or no non-cash adjustments and comparison of our own operating results from period to period. Our management uses Core Earnings in this way, and also uses Core Earnings to compute the incentive fee due under our management agreement. The Company believes that its investors also use Core Earnings or a comparable supplemental performance measure to evaluate and compare the performance of the Company and its peers, and as such, the Company believes that the disclosure of Core Earnings is useful to (and expected by) its investors.

However, the Company cautions that Core Earnings does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP), or an indication of our cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP), a measure of our liquidity, or an indication of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. In addition, our methodology for calculating Core Earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other REITs to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and accordingly, our reported Core Earnings may not be comparable to the Core Earnings reported by other REITs.

61


The weighted average diluted share count applied to Core Earnings for purposes of determining Core Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed using the GAAP diluted share count, adjusted for the following:

(i)

Unvested stock awards – Currently, unvested stock awards are excluded from the denominator of GAAP EPS.  The related compensation expense is also excluded from Core Earnings.  In order to effectuate dilution from these awards in the Core Earnings computation, we adjust the GAAP diluted share count to include these shares.

(ii)

Conversion spread value – Conversion of our convertible notes is an event that is contingent upon numerous factors, none of which are in our control, and is an event that may or may not occur.  As a result, the portion of our convertible notes that will be “in-the-money” at settlement is unknown.  Consistent with the treatment of other unrealized adjustments to Core Earnings, we adjust the GAAP diluted share count to exclude the conversion spread value until a conversion occurs.

(iii)

Subsidiary equity – The intent of the February 2018 amendment to our management agreement (the “Amendment”) is to treat subsidiary equity in the same manner as if parent equity had been issued.  The Class A Units issued in connection with the acquisition of assets in our Woodstar II Portfolio are currently excluded from our GAAP diluted share count, with the subsidiary equity represented as non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries on our GAAP balance sheet.  Consistent with the Amendment, we adjust GAAP diluted share count to include these subsidiary units.

The following table presents our diluted weighted average shares used in our GAAP EPS calculation reconciled to our diluted weighted average shares used in our Core EPS calculation (amounts in thousands):

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Diluted weighted average shares - GAAP

262,124

262,441

Add: Unvested stock awards

1,634

913

Add: Woodstar II Class A Units

5,143

Less: Conversion spread value

(1,209)

(3,220)

Diluted weighted average shares - Core

267,692

260,134

The definition of Core Earnings allows management to make adjustments, subject to the approval of a majority of our independent directors, in situations where such adjustments are considered appropriate in order for Core Earnings to be calculated in a manner consistent with its definition and objective. No adjustments to the definition of Core Earnings became effective during the three months ended March 31, 2018.  However, as a reminder, in 2015, we adjusted the calculation of Core Earnings related to the equity component of our convertible notes. For GAAP purposes, we amortize the equity component of these instruments through interest expense. For Core Earnings, the amount is not considered realized until the earlier of (a) the entire issuance of the notes has been extinguished; or (b) the equity portion has been fully amortized via repurchases of the notes. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the 2018 Notes matured and were fully repaid in cash.  As a result, we reflected $10.0 million as a positive adjustment to Core Earnings, representing the $28.1 million equity balance recognized upon issuance of the 2018 Notes, net of $18.1 million in adjustments related to cumulative repurchases through the maturity date.

62


Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

The following table presents our summarized results of operations and reconciliation to Core Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2018, by business segment (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

Investing

Lending

Property

and Servicing

Segment

Segment

Segment

Corporate

Total

Revenues

$

149,770

$

66,811

$

85,109

$

52

$

301,742

Costs and expenses

(41,048)

(68,356)

(37,774)

(66,336)

(213,514)

Other income (loss)

2,102

2,365

27,425

(13,002)

18,890

Income (loss) before income taxes

110,824

820

74,760

(79,286)

107,118

Income tax provision

(947)

(1,261)

(648)

(2,856)

Income attributable to non-controlling interests

(361)

(2,453)

(1,516)

(4,330)

Net income (loss) attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc .

109,516

(2,894)

72,596

(79,286)

99,932

Add / (Deduct):

Non-controlling interests attributable to Woodstar II Class A Units

2,453

2,453

Non-cash equity compensation expense

563

43

975

3,199

4,780

Management incentive fee

9,634

9,634

Acquisition and investment pursuit costs

119

(93)

(29)

(3)

Depreciation and amortization

17

26,805

4,912

31,734

Loan loss allowance, net

1,538

1,538

Interest income adjustment for securities

(197)

(1,062)

(1,259)

Extinguishment of debt, net

9,755

9,755

Other non-cash items

(562)

124

881

443

Reversal of unrealized (gains) / losses on:

Loans held-for-sale

1,692

(9,492)

(7,800)

Securities

704

(13,979)

(13,275)

Derivatives

10,529

(1,436)

(5,422)

14,398

18,069

Foreign currency

(13,550)

(2)

3

(13,549)

Earnings from unconsolidated entities

(1,444)

3,515

(1,596)

475

Purchases and sales of properties

Recognition of realized gains / (losses) on:

Loans held-for-sale

(875)

9,643

8,768

Securities

(4,114)

(4,114)

Derivatives

(5,725)

(479)

5,531

(673)

Foreign currency

8,051

2

(41)

8,012

Earnings from unconsolidated entities

1,847

1,044

2,891

Purchases and sales of properties

(210)

(1,765)

(1,975)

Core Earnings (Loss)

$

112,785

$

27,142

$

57,328

$

(41,419)

$

155,836

Core Earnings (Loss) per Weighted Average Diluted Share

$

0.42

$

0.10

$

0.21

$

(0.15)

$

0.58

63


The following table presents our summarized results of operations and reconciliation to Core Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017, by business segment (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

Investing

Lending

Property

and Servicing

Segment

Segment

Segment

Corporate

Total

Revenues

$

122,054

$

44,898

$

80,407

$

$

247,359

Costs and expenses

(24,849)

(44,308)

(38,239)

(57,639)

(165,035)

Other income (loss)

914

1,950

22,081

(5,916)

19,029

Income (loss) before income taxes

98,119

2,540

64,249

(63,555)

101,353

Income tax (provision) benefit

(215)

1,198

983

(Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(354)

376

22

Net income (loss) attributable to Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

97,550

2,540

65,823

(63,555)

102,358

Add / (Deduct):

Non-cash equity compensation expense

749

21

629

1,752

3,151

Management incentive fee

5,470

5,470

Acquisition and investment pursuit costs

60

5

65

Depreciation and amortization

17

17,371

4,474

21,862

Loan loss allowance, net

(305)

(305)

Interest income adjustment for securities

(248)

2,069

1,821

Extinguishment of debt, net

5,916

5,916

Other non-cash items

(580)

773

193

Reversal of unrealized (gains) / losses on:

Loans held-for-sale

(10,593)

(10,593)

Securities

(172)

(19,045)

(19,217)

Derivatives

4,021

(10)

(1,111)

2,900

Foreign currency

(4,863)

(1)

(4,864)

Earnings from unconsolidated entities

(470)

(2,461)

(1,017)

(3,948)

Recognition of realized gains / (losses) on:

Loans held-for-sale

10,732

10,732

Securities

10,593

10,593

Derivatives

14,923

158

2,318

17,399

Foreign currency

(13,581)

(830)

(14,411)

Earnings from unconsolidated entities

450

1,772

466

2,688

Core Earnings (Loss)

$

98,071

$

18,871

$

65,285

$

(50,417)

$

131,810

Core Earnings (Loss) per Weighted Average Diluted Share

$

0.38

$

0.07

$

0.25

$

(0.19)

$

0.51

Lending Segment

The Lending Segment’s Core Earnings increased by $14.7 million, from $98.1 million during the first quarter of 2017 to $112.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. After making adjustments for the calculation of Core Earnings, revenues were $149.6 million, costs and expenses were $38.8 million and other income was $3.3 million.

Core revenues, consisting principally of interest income on loans, increased by $27.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to (i) a $25.9 million increase in interest income from loans principally due to increased LIBOR rates, higher average loan balances and higher levels of prepayment related income, partially offset by the compression of interest rate spreads in credit markets, and (ii) a $1.7 million increase in interest income from investment securities due to prepayment related income.

Core costs and expenses increased by $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to a $12.1 million increase in interest expense associated with the various secured financing facilities used to fund a portion of our investment portfolio and a $2.7 million increase in general and administrative expenses.

64


Core other income increased by $2.1 million, primarily due to increased earnings from unconsolidated entities and favorable change in foreign currency gain (loss), partially offset by an unfavorable change in gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives.

Property Segment

Core Earnings by Portfolio (amounts in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Change

Master Lease Portfolio

$

9,578

$

$

9,578

Medical Office Portfolio

6,205

6,771

(566)

Ireland Portfolio

5,401

5,118

283

Woodstar I Portfolio

5,124

5,882

(758)

Woodstar II Portfolio

2,127

2,127

Investment in unconsolidated entities

1,772

(1,772)

Other/Corporate

(1,293)

(672)

(621)

Core Earnings

$

27,142

$

18,871

$

8,271

The Property Segment’s Core Earnings increased by $8.2 million, from $18.9 million during the first quarter of 2017 to $27.1 million in the first quarter of 2018. After making adjustments for the calculation of Core Earnings, revenues were $66.6 million, costs and expenses were $42.1 million and other income was $3.9 million.

Core revenues increased by $22.1 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to the inclusion of rental income for the Master Lease Portfolio and Woodstar II Portfolio, both of which were acquired after March 31, 2017.

Core costs and expenses increased by $15.1 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to increases in rental related costs of $8.0 million and interest expense of $6.5 million primarily relating to the new Master Lease Portfolio and Woodstar II Portfolio.

Core other income increased by $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to a $3.7 million net gain on sale of two properties in the Master Lease Portfolio, partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in equity in earnings recognized from our investment in the Retail Fund.

Investing and Servicing Segment

The Investing and Servicing Segment’s Core Earnings decreased by $8.0 million, from $65.3 million during the first quarter of 2017 to $57.3 million in the first quarter of 2018.  After making adjustments for the calculation of Core Earnings, revenues were $84.3 million, costs and expenses were $32.0 million, other income was $7.2 million, income tax provision was $0.7 million and the deduction of income attributable to non-controlling interests was $1.5 million.

Core revenues increased by $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to increases of $3.3 million in servicing fees and $2.6 million in rental income from our REIS Equity Portfolio, partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in interest income from our CMBS portfolio.

Core costs and expenses decreased by $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses, partially offset by increases in interest expense and costs of rental operations associated with our REIS Equity Portfolio.

Core other income decreased by $6.3 million principally due to (i) a $14.7 million decrease in net realized gains from CMBS and (ii) a $1.1 million decrease in realized gains on conduit loans, both partially offset by (iii) realized gains of $4.7 million on the sales of three operating properties and (iv) a $4.0 million favorable change in realized gains (losses) on derivatives and foreign currency.

65


Income taxes, which principally relate to the operating results of our servicing and conduit businesses which are held in TRSs, increased $1.9 million due to an increase in the taxable income of our TRSs.

Income attributable to non-controlling interests increased $1.9 million primarily due to minority investors’ share of gains from the three operating properties sold during the first quarter of 2018.

Corporate

Core corporate costs and expenses decreased by $9.0 million, from $50.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 to $41.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to the $10.0 million positive adjustment to Core Earnings upon the repayment at maturity of the 2018 Notes as described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet our cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, make new investments where appropriate, pay dividends to our stockholders, and other general business needs. We closely monitor our liquidity position and believe that we have sufficient current liquidity and access to additional liquidity to meet our financial obligations for at least the next 12 months. Our strategy for managing liquidity and capital resources has not changed since December 31, 2017.  Refer to our Form 10-K for a description of these strategies.

Cash Flows for the three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands)

VIE

Excluding Investing

GAAP

Adjustments

and Servicing VIEs

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

92,396

$

(489)

$

91,907

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Origination and purchase of loans held-for-investment

(900,937)

(900,937)

Proceeds from principal collections and sale of loans

1,015,673

1,015,673

Purchase of investment securities

(30,225)

(30,225)

Proceeds from sales and collections of investment securities

219,230

22,351

241,581

Proceeds from sale of properties

51,093

51,093

Purchases and additions to properties and other assets

(7,056)

(27,737)

(34,793)

Net cash flows from other investments and assets

17,424

17,424

Net cash provided by investing activities

395,427

(35,611)

359,816

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Proceeds from borrowings

1,515,241

1,515,241

Principal repayments on and repurchases of borrowings

(1,629,449)

(1,629,449)

Payment of deferred financing costs

(10,506)

(10,506)

Proceeds from common stock issuances, net of offering costs

159

159

Payment of dividends

(125,730)

(125,730)

Contributions from non-controlling interests

310

310

Distributions to non-controlling interests

(229,397)

(229,397)

Purchase of treasury stock

(12,090)

(12,090)

Issuance of debt of consolidated VIEs

7,948

(7,948)

Repayment of debt of consolidated VIEs

(57,289)

57,289

Distributions of cash from consolidated VIEs

13,730

(13,730)

Net cash used in financing activities

(527,073)

35,611

(491,462)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(39,250)

(489)

(39,739)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

418,273

(5,726)

412,547

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

398

398

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

379,421

$

(6,215)

$

373,206

66


The discussion below is on a non-GAAP basis, after removing adjustments principally resulting from the consolidation of the Investing and Servicing Segment’s VIEs under ASC 810. These adjustments principally relate to (i) purchase of CMBS, loans and real estate from consolidated VIEs, which are reflected as repayments of VIE debt on a GAAP basis and (ii) principal collections of CMBS related to consolidated VIEs, which are reflected as VIE distributions on a GAAP basis. There is no significant net impact to cash flows from operations or to overall cash resulting from these consolidations. Refer to Note 2 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $39.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018, reflecting net cash used in financing activities of $491.4 million, partially offset by net cash provided by investing activities of $359.8 million and net cash provided by operating activities of $91.9 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities of $91.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 related primarily to cash interest income of $114.5 million from our loan origination and conduit programs, cash interest income on investment securities of $42.6 million and $21.6 million of proceeds from principal collections and sales, net of originations and purchases of loans held-for-sale. Net rental income provided cash of $54.9 million and servicing fees provided cash of $40.9 million. Offsetting these cash inflows were cash interest expense of $75.7 million, a net change in operating assets and liabilities of $59.4 million, management fees of $27.7 million and general and administrative expenses of $23.0 million.

Net cash provided by investing activities of $359.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 related primarily to the proceeds received from principal collections and sales of loans of $1.0 billion, investment securities of $241.6 million and sale of properties of $51.1 million, partially offset by origination and acquisition of new loans held-for-investment of $900.9 million, the purchase of properties and other assets of $34.8 million and the purchase of investment securities of $30.2 million.

Net cash used in financing activities of $491.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 related primarily to repayments of our secured debt, net of borrowings and deferred loan costs, of $247.8 million, distributions to non-controlling interests of $229.4 million and dividend distributions of $125.7 million, partially offset by net borrowings after repayments of our unsecured debt of $123.1 million. The distributions to non-controlling interests were principally related to the Q1 2018 Closing of the Woodstar II Portfolio acquisition.

67


Our Investment Portfolio

Lending Segment

The following table sets forth the amount of each category of investments we owned across various property types within our Lending Segment as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Unlevered

Face

Carrying

Asset Specific

Net

Return on

Amount

Value

Financing

Investment

Vintage

Asset

March 31, 2018

First mortgages (1)

$

5,455,907

$

5,434,484

$

2,317,363

$

3,117,121

1997-2018

6.9

%

Subordinated mortgages

177,402

177,360

177,360

1998-2014

11.9

%

Mezzanine loans (1)

546,762

547,048

547,048

2005-2018

11.4

%

Other loans

29,660

26,076

26,076

1999-2017

12.5

%

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, residential

642,752

662,971

444,604

218,367

2013-2018

6.0

%

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

75,000

74,463

74,275

188

N/A

Loan loss allowance

(5,868)

(5,868)

N/A

RMBS

355,083

240,853

47,717

193,136

2003-2007

10.2

%

HTM securities (2)

236,467

236,319

126,735

109,584

2013-2017

7.0

%

Equity security

12,810

13,322

13,322

N/A

Investments in unconsolidated entities

N/A

29,537

29,537

N/A

$

7,531,843

$

7,436,565

$

3,010,694

$

4,425,871

December 31, 2017

First mortgages (1)

$

5,839,827

$

5,815,008

$

2,636,881

$

3,178,127

1989-2017

6.7

%

Subordinated mortgages

177,386

177,115

177,115

1998-2014

11.8

%

Mezzanine loans (1)

545,355

545,299

545,299

2005-2017

11.5

%

Other loans

29,320

25,607

25,607

1999-2017

12.5

%

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, residential

594,105

613,287

444,539

168,748

2013-2017

6.0

%

Loans transferred as secured borrowings

75,000

74,403

74,185

218

N/A

Loan loss allowance

(4,330)

(4,330)

N/A

RMBS

366,711

247,021

117,534

129,487

2003-2007

10.0

%

HTM securities (2)

437,531

433,468

267,533

165,935

2013-2017

5.8

%

Equity security

12,350

13,523

13,523

N/A

Investments in unconsolidated entities

N/A

45,028

45,028

N/A

$

8,077,585

$

7,985,429

$

3,540,672

$

4,444,757


(1)

First mortgages include first mortgage loans and any contiguous mezzanine loan components because as a whole, the expected credit quality of these loans is more similar to that of a first mortgage loan.  The application of this methodology resulted in mezzanine loans with carrying values of $689.0 million and $851.1 million being classified as first mortgages as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

(2)

CMBS held-to-maturity (“HTM”) and mandatorily redeemable preferred equity interests in commercial real estate entities.

68


As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our Lending Segment’s investment portfolio, excluding loans held-for-sale, RMBS and other investments, had the following characteristics based on carrying values:

Collateral Property Type

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Office

36.0

%

33.7

%

Hotel

20.9

%

16.8

%

Mixed Use

10.3

%

18.4

%

Multifamily

9.6

%

9.4

%

Residential

8.6

%

7.1

%

Retail

5.1

%

7.8

%

Parking

2.5

%

2.2

%

Industrial

2.5

%

2.3

%

Other

4.5

%

2.3

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Geographic Location

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

North East

27.7

%

31.5

%

West

21.7

%

21.6

%

South West

16.4

%

12.1

%

South East

9.8

%

12.6

%

International

9.5

%

12.4

%

Mid Atlantic

8.9

%

4.7

%

Midwest

6.0

%

5.1

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Property Segment

The following table sets forth the amount of each category of investments, which are comprised of properties, intangible lease assets and liabilities and our equity investment in four regional shopping malls (the “Retail Fund”) held within our Property Segment as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Properties, net

$

2,699,492

$

2,364,806

Lease intangibles, net

114,405

111,631

Investment in unconsolidated entities

107,189

110,704

$

2,921,086

$

2,587,141

The following table sets forth our net investment and other information regarding the Property Segment’s properties and intangible lease assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

Asset

Weighted Average

Carrying

Specific

Net

Occupancy

Remaining

Value

Financing

Investment

Rate

Lease Term

Office—Medical Office Portfolio

$

759,955

$

489,160

$

270,795

92.4

%

5.8 years

Office—Ireland Portfolio

538,613

344,145

194,468

100.0

%

10.5 years

Multifamily residential—Ireland Portfolio

19,553

12,543

7,010

93.0

%

0.3 years

Multifamily residential—Woodstar I Portfolio

618,096

408,677

209,419

98.3

%

0.5 years

Multifamily residential—Woodstar II Portfolio

528,277

419,931

108,346

99.7

%

0.5 years

Retail—Master Lease Portfolio

392,417

191,830

200,587

100.0

%

24.1 years

Industrial—Master Lease Portfolio

128,109

70,081

58,028

100.0

%

24.1 years

Subtotal—undepreciated carrying value

2,985,020

1,936,367

1,048,653

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

(171,123)

(171,123)

Net carrying value

$

2,813,897

$

1,936,367

$

877,530

69


As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our Property Segment’s investment portfolio had the following geographic characteristics based on carrying values:

Geographic Location

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Ireland

18.0

%

20.1

%

U.S. Regions:

South East

45.8

%

38.4

%

Midwest

10.6

%

12.2

%

South West

8.2

%

9.4

%

West

8.0

%

9.2

%

North East

7.7

%

8.8

%

Mid-Atlantic

1.7

%

1.9

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Investing and Servicing Segment

The following table sets forth the amount of each category of investments we owned within our Investing and Servicing Segment as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Asset

Face

Carrying

Specific

Net

Amount

Value

Financing

Investment

March 31, 2018

CMBS, fair value option

$

4,141,882

$

1,045,217

(1)

$

147,385

$

897,832

Intangible assets - servicing rights

N/A

49,837

(2)

49,837

Lease intangibles, net

N/A

30,898

30,898

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, commercial

60,850

60,762

36,025

24,737

Loans held-for-investment

3,686

3,686

3,686

Investment in unconsolidated entities

N/A

45,361

45,361

Properties, net

N/A

289,372

224,694

64,678

$

4,206,418

$

1,525,133

$

408,104

$

1,117,029

December 31, 2017

CMBS, fair value option

$

4,131,687

$

1,024,143

(1)

$

145,456

$

878,687

Intangible assets - servicing rights

N/A

59,005

(2)

59,005

Lease intangibles, net

N/A

31,000

31,000

Loans held-for-sale, fair value option, commercial

132,393

132,456

66,377

66,079

Loans held-for-investment

3,796

3,796

3,796

Investment in unconsolidated entities

N/A

50,759

50,759

Properties, net

N/A

282,675

199,693

82,982

$

4,267,876

$

1,583,834

$

411,526

$

1,172,308


(1)

Includes $1.0  billion of CMBS reflected in “VIE liabilities” in accordance with ASC 810 as of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

(2)

Includes $24.9 million and $28.2 million of servicing rights intangibles reflected in “VIE assets” in accordance with ASC 810 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

70


Our REIS Equity Portfolio, as defined in Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, had the following characteristics based on carrying values of $299.6 million and $292.8 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively:

Property Type

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

Office

44.6

%

38.5

%

Retail

34.6

%

37.5

%

Multifamily

7.7

%

12.5

%

Mixed Use

6.8

%

7.0

%

Self-storage

4.4

%

4.5

%

Hotel

1.9

%

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Geographic Location

March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

South East

40.4

%

46.3

%

South West

19.4

%

12.5

%

North East

13.6

%

14.0

%

Midwest

9.1

%

7.5

%

West

8.8

%

10.8

%

Mid Atlantic

8.7

%

8.9

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

New Credit Facilities and Amendments

Refer to Notes 9 and 10 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of new credit facilities and amendments to existing credit facilities executed since December 31, 2017.

71


Borrowings under Various Secured Financing Arrangements

The following table is a summary of our secured financing facilities as of March 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

Pledged

Approved

Asset

Maximum

but

Unallocated

Current

Extended

Carrying

Facility

Outstanding

Undrawn

Financing

Maturity

Maturity (a)

Pricing

Value

Size

Balance

Capacity (b)

Amount (c)

Lender 1 Repo 1

(d)

(d)

LIBOR + 1.75% to 5.75%

$

1,495,507

$

2,000,000

$

1,024,845

$

117,670

$

857,485

Lender 2 Repo 1

Oct 2018

Oct 2020

LIBOR + 1.75% to 2.75%

238,904

500,000

172,632

72,696

254,672

Lender 4 Repo 2

Dec 2018

Dec 2020

LIBOR + 2.00% to 3.25%

642,531

1,000,000

(e)

215,240

375,198

409,562

Lender 6 Repo 1

Aug 2020

N/A

LIBOR + 2.00% to 2.75%

622,440

600,000

423,007

65,726

111,267

Lender 6 Repo 2

Oct 2022

Oct 2023

GBP LIBOR + 2.75%

466,322

359,780

359,780

Lender 9 Repo 1

Sep 2018

N/A

LIBOR + 1.65%

20,583

15,396

15,396

Lender 10 Repo 1

Mar 2020

Mar 2022

LIBOR + 2.00% to 2.75%

170,036

140,000

118,800

18,000

3,200

Lender 11 Repo 1

Jun 2019

Jun 2020

LIBOR + 2.75%

200,000

200,000

Lender 11 Repo 2

Sep 2018

Sep 2022

LIBOR + 2.25% to 2.75%

250,000

250,000

Lender 7 Secured Financing

Feb 2021

Feb 2023

LIBOR + 2.25%

(f)

650,000

(g)

650,000

Lender 8 Secured Financing

Aug 2019

N/A

LIBOR + 4.00%

12,379

75,000

8,066

66,934

Conduit Repo 2

Nov 2018

Nov 2019

LIBOR + 2.25%

15,909

200,000

12,000

188,000

Conduit Repo 3

Feb 2020

Feb 2021

LIBOR + 2.10%

26,294

150,000

19,725

130,275

Conduit Repo 4

Oct 2018

Oct 2020

LIBOR + 2.25%

100,000

100,000

MBS Repo 1

(h)

(h)

LIBOR + 1.90%

10,000

6,510

6,510

MBS Repo 2

Dec 2019

N/A

LIBOR + 1.90% to 2.45%

107,507

73,971

73,971

MBS Repo 3

(i)

(i)

LIBOR + 1.32% to 1.95%

342,771

234,082

234,082

MBS Repo 4

(j)

N/A

LIBOR + 1.90%

170,690

225,000

7,318

89,132

128,550

Investing and Servicing Segment Property Mortgages

Jun 2018 to Jun 2026

N/A

Various

260,461

231,219

203,082

28,137

Ireland Portfolio Mortgage

May 2020

N/A

EURIBOR + 1.69%

506,213

359,344

359,344

Woodstar I Portfolio Mortgages

Nov 2025 to Oct 2026

N/A

3.72% to 3.97%

366,522

276,748

276,748

Woodstar I Portfolio Government Financing

Mar 2026 to Jun 2049

N/A

1.00% to 5.00%

304,865

132,866

132,866

Woodstar II Portfolio Mortgages

Jan 2028 to Apr 2028

N/A

3.81% to 3.85%

522,601

417,669

417,669

Woodstar II Portfolio Government Financing

Jun 2030 to Apr 2046

N/A

1.00% to 3.00%

136,554

7,361

7,361

Medical Office Portfolio Mortgages

Dec 2021 to Feb 2022

Dec 2023 to Feb 2024

LIBOR + 2.50%

(k)

716,188

531,815

497,613

34,202

Master Lease Portfolio Mortgages

Oct 2027

N/A

4.36% to 4.38%

465,600

265,900

265,900

Term Loan A

Dec 2020

Dec 2021

LIBOR + 2.25%

(f)

959,442

300,000

300,000

Revolving Secured Financing

Dec 2020

Dec 2021

LIBOR + 2.25%

(f)

100,000

100,000

FHLB

Feb 2021

N/A

Various

662,971

445,000

445,000

$

9,243,290

$

9,847,661

5,596,955

$

838,422

$

3,412,284

Unamortized net premium

2,539

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(45,180)

$

5,554,314


(a)

Subject to certain conditions as defined in the respective facility agreement.

(b)

Approved but undrawn capacity represents the total draw amount that has been approved by the lender related to those assets that have been pledged as collateral, less the drawn amount.

(c)

Unallocated financing amount represents the maximum facility size less the total draw capacity that has been approved by the lender.

(d)

Maturity date for borrowings collateralized by loans is September 2018 before extension options and September 2021 assuming the exercise of extension options.  Borrowings collateralized by loans existing at maturity may remain outstanding until such loan collateral matures, subject to certain specified conditions and not to exceed September 2025.

(e)

The initial maximum facility size of $600.0 million may be increased to $1.0 billion at our option, subject to certain conditions.

(f)

Subject to borrower’s option to choose alternative benchmark based rates pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement.

(g)

The initial maximum facility size of $300.0 million may be increased to $650.0 million, subject to certain conditions.

(h)

Facility carries a rolling 11-month term which may reset monthly with the lender’s consent not to exceed December 2018.  This facility carries no maximum facility size.  Amount herein reflects the outstanding balance as of March 31, 2018.

(i)

Facility carries a rolling 12-month term which may reset monthly with the lender’s consent. Current maturity is March 2019. This facility carries no maximum facility size. Amount herein reflects the outstanding balance as of March 31, 2018.

(j)

The date that is 270 days after the buyer delivers notice to seller, subject to a maximum date of September 2018.

(k)

Subject to a 25 basis point floor.

72


As of March 31, 2018, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is our largest creditor through two repurchase facilities (Lender 1 Repo 1 facility and mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) Repo 4 facility).

Refer to Note 9 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further disclosure regarding the terms of our secured financing arrangements.

Variance between Average and Quarter-End Credit Facility Borrowings Outstanding

The following table compares the average amount outstanding under our secured financing agreements during each quarter and the amount outstanding as of the end of each quarter, together with an explanation of significant variances (amounts in thousands):

Weighted-Average

Explanations

Quarter-End

Balance During

for Significant

Quarter Ended

Balance

Quarter

Variance

Variances

December 31, 2017

5,813,447

5,885,681

(72,234)

(a)

March 31, 2018

5,596,955

5,573,668

23,287

(b)


(a)

Variance primarily due to the following: (i) $188.7 million repaid on Lender 9 Repo 1 throughout the quarter; and (ii) $59.0 million repaid on Lender 10 Repo 1 in December 2017; partially offset by (iii) $195.0 million drawn on FHLB throughout the quarter.

(b)

Variance primarily due to the following: (i) $308.3 million drawn on Woodstar II Portfolio Mortgages; partially offset by (ii) $147.2 million repaid on MBS Repo 2; and (iii) $112.8 million repaid on Lender 1 Repo 1 throughout the quarter.

Borrowings under Unsecured Senior Notes

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average effective borrowing rate on our unsecured senior notes was 4.9% and 5.7%, respectively.  The effective borrowing rate includes the effects of underwriter purchase discount and the adjustment for the conversion option on the convertible notes, the initial value of which reduced the balance of the notes.

Refer to Note 10 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further disclosure regarding the terms of our unsecured senior notes.

Scheduled Principal Repayments on Investments and Overhang on Financing Facilities

The following scheduled and/or projected principal repayments on our investments were based upon the amounts outstanding and contractual terms of the financing facilities in effect as of March 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands):

Scheduled Principal

Scheduled/Projected

Projected/Required

Scheduled Principal

Repayments on Loans

Principal Repayments

Repayments of

Inflows Net of

and HTM Securities

on RMBS and CMBS

Financing

Financing Outflows

Second Quarter 2018

$

575,848

$

24,501

$

(156,893)

$

443,456

Third Quarter 2018

686,201

54,241

(84,511)

655,931

Fourth Quarter 2018

607,375

17,611

(110,768)

514,218

First Quarter 2019

355,680

51,456

(572,493)

(165,357)

Total

$

2,225,104

$

147,809

$

(924,665)

$

1,448,248

In the normal course of business, the Company is in discussions with its lenders to extend or amend any financing facilities which contain near term expirations.

73


Issuances of Equity Securities

We may raise funds through capital market transactions by issuing capital stock. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to access the capital markets at any particular time or on any particular terms. We have authorized 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock and 500,000,000 shares of common stock. At March 31, 2018, we had 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock available for issuance and 238,044,838 shares of common stock available for issuance.

Other Potential Sources of Financing

In the future, we may also use other sources of financing to fund the acquisition of our target assets, including other secured as well as unsecured forms of borrowing and sale of certain investment securities which no longer meet our return requirements.

Repurchases of Equity Securities and Convertible Senior Notes

In September 2014, our board of directors authorized and announced the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of our outstanding common stock over a period of one year. Subsequent amendments to the repurchase program approved by our board of directors in December 2014, June 2015, January 2016 and February 2017 resulted in the program being (i) amended to increase maximum repurchases to $500.0 million, (ii) expanded to allow for the repurchase of our outstanding convertible senior notes under the program and (iii) extended through January 2019. Purchases made pursuant to the program are made in either the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases are discretionary and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased $12.1 million of common stock and no convertible senior notes under the repurchase program. As of March 31, 2018, we have $250.1 million of remaining capacity to repurchase common stock and/or convertible senior notes under the repurchase program.

74


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have relationships with unconsolidated entities and financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as VIEs. Our maximum risk of loss associated with our involvement in VIEs is limited to the carrying value of our investment in the entity and any unfunded capital commitments. Refer to Note 14 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Dividends

We intend to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of our common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income. We intend to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends to our stockholders in an amount approximating our net taxable income, if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors. Before we pay any dividend, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating and debt service requirements. If our cash available for distribution is less than our net taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions or we may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities. Refer to our Form 10-K for a detailed dividend history.

The Company’s board of directors declared the following dividend during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

Declare Date

Record Date

Payment Date

Amount

Frequency

2/28/18

3/30/18

4/13/18

$

0.48

Quarterly

On May 4, 2018, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.48 per share for the second quarter of 2018, which is payable on July 13, 2018 to common stockholders of record as of June 29, 2018.

Leverage Policies

Our strategies with regards to use of leverage have not changed significantly since December 31, 2017.  Refer to our Form 10-K for a description of our strategies regarding use of leverage.

75


Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Contractual obligations as of March 31, 2018 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Less than

More than

Total

1 year

1 to 3 years

3 to 5 years

5 years

Secured financings (a)

$

5,596,955

$

301,386

$

1,773,264

$

503,782

$

3,018,523

Unsecured senior notes

2,291,363

341,363

500,000

700,000

750,000

Secured borrowings on transferred loans (b)

75,000

75,000

Loan funding commitments (c)

1,441,174

724,870

644,625

71,679

Future lease commitments

32,146

6,649

11,700

1,977

11,820

Total

$

9,436,638

$

1,374,268

$

3,004,589

$

1,277,438

$

3,780,343

(a)

Represents the contractual maturity of the respective credit facility, inclusive of available extension options.  If investments that have been pledged as collateral repay earlier than the contractual maturity of the debt, the related portion of the debt would likewise require earlier repayment.

(b)

These amounts relate to financial asset sales that were required to be accounted for as secured borrowings. As a result, the assets we sold remain on our consolidated balance sheet for financial reporting purposes. Such assets are expected to provide match funding for these liabilities.

(c)

Excludes $243.7 million of loan funding commitments in which management projects the Company will not be obligated to fund in the future due to repayments made by the borrower either earlier than, or in excess of, expectations.

The table above does not include interest payable, amounts due under our management agreement or amounts due under our derivative agreements as those contracts do not have fixed and determinable payments.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Refer to the section of our Form 10-K entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” for a full discussion of our critical accounting estimates.  Our critical accounting estimates have not materially changed since December 31, 2017.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds and market value while, at the same time, seeking to provide an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns through ownership of our capital stock. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe the risk can be quantified from historical experience and seek to actively manage that risk, to earn sufficient compensation to justify taking those risks and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.  Our strategies for managing risk and our exposure to such risks have not changed materially since December 31, 2017.  Refer to our Form 10-K, Item 7A for further discussion.

Credit Risk

Our loans and investments are subject to credit risk. The performance and value of our loans and investments depend upon the owners’ ability to operate the properties that serve as our collateral so that they produce cash flows adequate to pay interest and principal due to us. To monitor this risk, our Manager’s asset management team reviews our investment portfolios and is in regular contact with our borrowers, monitoring performance of the collateral and enforcing our rights as necessary.

76


We seek to further manage credit risk associated with our Investing and Servicing Segment loans held-for-sale through the purchase of credit index instruments.  The following table presents our credit index instruments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Face Value of

Aggregate Notional Value of

Number of

Loans Held-for-Sale

Credit Index Instruments

Credit Index Instruments

March 31, 2018

$

60,850

$

49,000

8

December 31, 2017

$

132,393

$

49,000

8

Capital Market Risk

We are exposed to risks related to the equity capital markets, and our related ability to raise capital through the issuance of our common stock or other equity instruments. We are also exposed to risks related to the debt capital markets, and our related ability to finance our business through borrowings under repurchase obligations or other debt instruments. As a REIT, we are required to distribute a significant portion of our taxable income annually, which constrains our ability to accumulate operating cash flow and therefore requires us to utilize debt or equity capital to finance our business. We seek to mitigate these risks by monitoring the debt and equity capital markets to inform our decisions on the amount, timing, and terms of capital we raise.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our investments and the related financing obligations. In general, we seek to match the interest rate characteristics of our investments with the interest rate characteristics of any related financing obligations such as repurchase agreements, bank credit facilities, term loans, revolving facilities and securitizations. In instances where the interest rate characteristics of an investment and the related financing obligation are not matched, we mitigate such interest rate risk through the utilization of interest rate derivatives of the same duration. The following table presents financial instruments where we have utilized interest rate derivatives to hedge interest rate risk and the related interest rate derivatives as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Aggregate Notional

Face Value of

Value of Interest

Number of Interest

Hedged Instruments

Rate Derivatives

Rate Derivatives

Instrument hedged as of March 31, 2018

Loans held-for-sale

$

210,850

$

202,300

15

RMBS, available-for-sale

355,083

69,000

2

Secured financing agreements

1,084,104

1,078,427

19

Unsecured senior notes

1,000,000

970,000

2

$

2,650,037

$

2,319,727

38

Instrument hedged as of December 31, 2017

Loans held-for-sale

$

232,393

$

213,600

16

RMBS, available-for-sale

366,711

69,000

2

Secured financing agreements

1,051,458

1,009,180

16

Unsecured senior notes

500,000

470,000

1

$

2,150,562

$

1,761,780

35

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The following table summarizes the estimated annual change in net investment income for our LIBOR-based investments and our LIBOR-based debt assuming increases or decreases in LIBOR and adjusted for the effects of our interest rate hedging activities (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

Variable-rate

investments and

3.0%

2.0%

1.0%

1.0%

Income (Expense) Subject to Interest Rate Sensitivity

indebtedness (1)

Increase

Increase

Increase

Decrease (2)

Investment income from variable-rate investments

$

5,980,323

$

177,204

$

118,087

$

58,970

$

(49,182)

Interest expense from variable-rate debt, net of interest rate derivatives

(3,911,879)

(124,204)

(84,906)

(43,840)

44,046

Net investment income from variable rate instruments

$

2,068,444

$

53,000

$

33,181

$

15,130

$

(5,136)

Impact per diluted shares outstanding

$

0.20

$

0.13

$

0.06

$

(0.02)


(1)

Includes the notional value of interest rate derivatives.

(2)

Assumes LIBOR does not go below 0%.

Foreign Currency Risk

We intend to hedge our currency exposures in a prudent manner. However, our currency hedging strategies may not eliminate all of our currency risk due to, among other things, uncertainties in the timing and/or amount of payments received on the related investments, and/or unequal, inaccurate, or unavailable hedges to perfectly offset changes in future exchange rates. Additionally, we may be required under certain circumstances to collateralize our currency hedges for the benefit of the hedge counterparty, which could adversely affect our liquidity.

Consistent with our strategy of hedging foreign currency exposure on certain investments, we typically enter into a series of forwards to fix the U.S. dollar amount of foreign currency denominated cash flows (interest income, rental income and principal payments) we expect to receive from our foreign currency denominated investments. Accordingly, the notional values and expiration dates of our foreign currency hedges approximate the amounts and timing of future payments we expect to receive on the related investments.

The following table represents our current currency hedge exposure as it relates to our investments denominated in foreign currencies, along with the aggregate notional amount of the hedges in place (amounts in thousands except for number of contracts, using the March 31, 2018 GBP closing rate of 1.4015 and Euro (“EUR”) closing rate of 1.2324):

Carrying Value of Net Investment

Local Currency

Number of
Foreign Exchange Contracts

Aggregate Notional Value of Hedges Applied

Expiration Range of Contracts

$

59,438

GBP

65

$

62,775

April 2018 – June 2019

EUR

5

3,854

April 2018

32,613

EUR

11

41,945

May 2018 – March 2022

48,305

GBP

14

77,751

May 2018 – July 2020

428

GBP

3

1,080

June 2018 – March 2019

146,869

EUR

27

(1)

275,080

June 2018 – June 2020

30,563

GBP

15

42,341

June 2018 – December 2021

58,237

GBP

45

88,899

May 2018 – November 2021

13,322

GBP

5

13,642

June 2018 – April 2019

$

389,775

190

$

607,367


(1)

These foreign exchange contracts hedge our EUR currency exposure created by our acquisition of the Ireland Portfolio.

78


Item 4.    Controls and Procedures .

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. No change in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

79


PART II—OTHER INFORMATIO N

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

Currently, no material legal proceedings are pending or, to our knowledge, threatened or contemplated against us, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A.    Risk Factor s.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, certain third parties (the “Contributors”) contributed properties to SPT Dolphin Intermediate LLC (“SPT Dolphin”), a subsidiary of the Company, as the second phase of its acquisition of the Woodstar II Portfolio, as described further in Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Among other consideration, the Contributors (the “Class A Unitholders”) received 6,979,089 Class A units of SPT Dolphin (the “Class A Units”) and rights to receive an additional 1,301,414 Class A Units if certain contingent events occur.

The Class A Unitholders have the right, commencing six months from issuance, to redeem their Class A Units for cash or, in the sole discretion of the Company, shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. In connection with the issuance of the Class A Units, the Class A Unitholders received certain registration rights with respect to the shares of the Company’s common stock, if any, issued upon the redemption of Class A Units.

The Class A Units issued in connection with the closing of the first and second phases of the transaction were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information regarding our purchases of common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2018:

Number of shares

Value of shares available

Average

purchased as part of

for purchase

Total number of

repurchase

publicly announced

under the program

Period

shares purchased

price per share

program (1)

(in thousands)

March 2018

573,255

$

21.07

573,255

$

250,120

(1)

Our board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of our outstanding common stock and convertible notes through January 2019.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securitie s.

None.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures .

Not applicable.

Item 5.    Other Information .

None.

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Item 6.  Exhibits.

(a) Index to Exhibits

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.

Description

4.1

Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2018, between Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (including the form of Starwood Property Trust, Inc.’s 3.625% Senior Notes due 2021) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 29, 2018)

4.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2018, between Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 29, 2018)

10.1

Amendment No. 4, dated February 15, 2018 and effective as of December 28, 2017, to Management Agreement, dated August 17, 2009, as amended, between Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and SPT Management, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 22, 2018)

31.1

Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

81


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

STARWOOD PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

Date: May 4, 2018

By:

/s/ BARRY S. STERNLICHT

Barry S. Sternlicht
Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer

Date: May 4, 2018

By:

/s/ RINA PANIRY

Rina Paniry
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

82


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I - Financial InformationItem 1. Financial StatementsItem 2. Management S Discussion and Analysi S Of Financial Condition and Results Of OperationsItem 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskItem 4. Controls and ProceduresPart II Other Informatio NItem 1. Legal ProceedingsItem 1A. Risk Factor SItem 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of ProceedsItem 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securitie SItem 4. Mine Safety DisclosuresItem 5. Other InformationItem 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

4.1 Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2018, between Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (including the form of Starwood Property Trust, Inc.s 3.625% Senior Notes due 2021) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 29, 2018) 4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2018, between Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 29, 2018) 10.1 Amendment No. 4, dated February 15, 2018 and effective as of December 28, 2017, to Management Agreement, dated August 17, 2009, as amended, between Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and SPT Management, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 22, 2018) 31.1 Certification pursuant to Section302(a)of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification pursuant to Section302(a)of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification pursuant to Section906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification pursuant to Section906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002