Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In the normal course of business, we enter into transactions in various financial instruments that expose us to various
types of risk, both on and off-balance sheet, which are associated with such financial instruments and markets for which
we invest. These financial instruments expose us to varying degrees of market risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity
risk, off-balance sheet risk and prepayment risk. Many of these risks have been augmented due to the continuing
economic disruptions caused by inflationary pressures, rising energy costs, heightened geopolitical tensions, and the
impact of pandemics and epidemics which remain uncertain and difficult to predict. We continue to monitor the impact
and effect of these risks in our operations.
Market risk. Market risk is the potential adverse changes in the values of the financial instrument due to unfavorable
changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, or market values of the underlying
91
financial instruments. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to market risk by entering into offsetting transactions, which
may include purchase or sale of interest-bearing securities and equity securities.
Credit risk. We are subject to credit risk in connection with our investments in LMM loans and LMM ABS and other
target assets we may acquire in the future. The credit risk related to these investments pertains to the ability and
willingness of the borrowers to pay, which is assessed before credit is granted or renewed and periodically reviewed
throughout the loan or security term. We believe that loan credit quality is primarily determined by the borrowers’ credit
profiles and loan characteristics. We seek to mitigate this risk by seeking to acquire assets at appropriate prices given
anticipated and unanticipated losses and by deploying a value-driven approach to underwriting and diligence, consistent
with our historical investment strategy, with a focus on projected cash flows and potential risks to cash flow. We further
mitigate our risk of potential losses while managing and servicing our loans by performing various workout and loss
mitigation strategies with delinquent borrowers. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur which could
adversely impact operating results.
Interest rate risk. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies,
domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control.
Our operating results will depend, in part, on differences between the income from our investments and our financing
costs. Our debt financing is based on a floating rate of interest calculated on a fixed spread over the relevant index,
subject to a floor, as determined by the particular financing arrangement. The general impact of changing interest rates is
discussed above under “— Factors Impacting Operating Results — Changes in Market Interest Rates.” In the event of a
significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, defaults could increase and result in credit losses
to us, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and
prospects. Furthermore, such defaults could have an adverse effect on the spread between our interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities.
Additionally, non-performing LMM loans are not as interest rate sensitive as performing loans, as earnings on non-
performing loans are often generated from restructuring the assets through loss mitigation strategies and
opportunistically disposing of them. Because non-performing LMM loans are short-term assets, the discount rates used
for valuation are based on short-term market interest rates, which may not move in tandem with long-term market
interest rates.
The table below projects the impact on our interest income and expense for the twelve-month period following June 30,
2026 , assuming an immediate increase or decrease of 25, 50, 75, and 100 basis points in interest rates.
12-month pretax net interest income sensitivity profiles
Instantaneous change in rates
(in thousands)
25 basis
point
increase
50 basis
point
increase
75 basis
point
increase
100 basis
point
increase
25 basis
point
decrease
50 basis
point
decrease
75 basis
point
decrease
100 basis
point
decrease
Assets:
Loans
$ 4,233
$ 8,613
$ 13,098
$ 17,634
$ (4,142)
$ (7,898)
$ (11,486)
$ (15,005)
Interest rate swap hedges
350
700
1,050
1,400
(350)
(700)
(1,050)
(1,400)
Total
$ 4,583
$ 9,313
$ 14,148
$ 19,034
$ (4,492)
$ (8,598)
$ (12,536)
$ (16,405)
Liabilities:
Secured borrowings
(4,427)
(8,854)
(13,281)
(17,708)
4,427
8,854
13,281
17,708
Securitized debt obligations
(513)
(1,026)
(1,539)
(2,052)
513
1,026
1,539
2,052
Senior secured notes and corporate debt
(379)
(758)
(1,136)
(1,515)
379
758
1,136
1,515
Total
$ (5,319)
$ (10,638)
$ (15,956)
$ (21,275)
$ 5,319
$ 10,638
$ 15,956
$ 21,275
Total Net Impact to Net Interest Income
(Expense)
$ (736)
$ (1,325)
$ (1,808)
$ (2,241)
$ 827
$ 2,040
$ 3,420
$ 4,870
Such hypothetical impact of interest rates on our variable rate debt does not consider the effect of any change in overall
economic activity that could occur in a rising interest rate environment. Further, in the event of such a change in interest
rates, we may take actions to further mitigate our exposure to such a change. However, due to the uncertainty of the
specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, this analysis assumes no changes in our financial
structure.
92
Liquidity risk. Liquidity risk arises in our investments and the general financing of our investing activities. It includes
the risk of not being able to fund acquisition and origination activities at settlement dates and/or liquidate positions in a
timely manner at a reasonable price, in addition to potential increases in collateral requirements during times of
heightened market volatility. It also includes risk stemming from PIK interest loans and loan modifications we may grant
to borrowers which are intended to minimize our economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral.
Such modifications may include interest rate reductions, principal forgiveness, term extensions, and other-than-
insignificant payment delay, which may impact our ability to meet potential cash requirements and make us more reliant
on financing strategies. Additionally, i f we were forced to dispose of an illiquid investment at an inopportune time , we
might be forced to do so at a substantial discount to the market value, resulting in a realized loss. We attempt to mitigate
our liquidity risk by regularly monitoring the liquidity of our investments in LMM loans, ABS and other financial
instruments. Factors such as our expected exit strategy for, the bid to offer spread of, and the number of broker dealers
making an active market in a particular strategy and the availability of long-term funding, are considered in analyzing
liquidity risk. To reduce any perceived disparity between the liquidity and the terms of the debt instruments in which we
invest, we attempt to minimize our reliance on short-term financing arrangements. While we may finance certain
investments in security positions using traditional margin arrangements and reverse repurchase agreements, other
financial instruments such as collateralized debt obligations, and other longer-term financing vehicles may be utilized to
provide us with sources of long-term financing.
Prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at a different rate than anticipated, causing the
return on certain investments to be less than expected. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, any
premiums paid on such assets are amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates
accelerates the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets.
Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates
accelerates the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets.
LMM loan and ABS extension risk. Our Manager computes the projected weighted-average life of our assets based on
assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the mortgages or extend. If prepayment rates decrease
in a rising interest rate environment or extension options are exercised, the life of the fixed-rate assets could extend
beyond the term of the secured debt agreements. This could have a negative impact on our results of operations. In some
situations, we may be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.
Real estate risk. The market values of commercial assets are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a
number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be
adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of
housing, retail, industrial, office or other commercial space); changes or continued weakness in specific industry
segments; construction quality, construction cost, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to
building or similar codes. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential
proceeds available to a borrower to repay the underlying loans, which could also cause us to suffer losses.
Fair value risk. The estimated fair value of our investments fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates.
Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, the estimated fair value of the fixed-rate investments would be expected
to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, the estimated fair value of the fixed-rate investments
would be expected to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our assets recorded
and/or disclosed may be adversely impacted. Our economic exposure is generally limited to our net investment position
as we seek to fund fixed rate investments with fixed rate financing or variable rate financing hedged with interest rate
swaps.
Counterparty risk. We finance the acquisition of a significant portion of our commercial mortgage loans, MBS and other
assets with our repurchase agreements, credit facilities, and other financing agreements. In connection with these
financing arrangements, we pledge our mortgage loans and securities as collateral to secure the borrowings. The amount
of collateral pledged will typically exceed the amount of the borrowings (i.e. the haircut) such that the borrowings will
be over-collateralized. As a result, we are exposed to the counterparty if, during the term of the financing, a lender
should default on its obligation and we are not able to recover our pledged assets. The amount of this exposure is the
difference between the amount loaned to us plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral
pledged by us to the lender including accrued interest receivable on such collateral.
93
We are exposed to changing interest rates and market conditions, which affects cash flows associated with borrowings.
We enter into derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to mitigate these risks. Interest rate swaps are used to
mitigate the exposure to changes in interest rates and involve the receipt of variable-rate interest amounts from a
counterparty in exchange for us making payments based on a fixed interest rate over the life of the swap contract.
Certain of our subsidiaries have entered into over-the-counter (“OTC”) interest rate swap agreements to hedge risks
associated with movements in interest rates. Because certain interest rate swaps were not cleared through a central
counterparty, we remain exposed to the counterparty's ability to perform its obligations under each such swap and cannot
look to the creditworthiness of a central counterparty for performance. As a result, if an OTC swap counterparty cannot
perform under the terms of an interest rate swap, our subsidiary would not receive payments due under that agreement,
we may lose any unrealized gain associated with the interest rate swap and the hedged liability would cease to be hedged
by the interest rate swap. While we would seek to terminate the relevant OTC swap transaction and may have a claim
against the defaulting counterparty for any losses, including unrealized gains, there is no assurance that we would be able
to recover such amounts or to replace the relevant swap on economically viable terms or at all. In such case, we could be
forced to cover our unhedged liabilities at the then current market price. We may also be at risk for any collateral we
have pledged to secure our obligations under the OTC interest rate swap if the counterparty becomes insolvent or files
for bankruptcy. Therefore, upon a default by an interest rate swap agreement counterparty, the interest rate swap would
no longer mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates as intended.
The table below presents information with respect to any counterparty for repurchase agreements for which our
Company had greater than 5% of stockholders’ equity at risk in the aggregate.
June 30, 2026
(in thousands)
Counterparty
Rating
Amount of Risk
Weighted Average Months
to Maturity for Agreement
Percentage of
Stockholders’ Equity
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
AA-/Aa2
$ 595,695
1.1
44.4 %
Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC
BBB+/Baa1
$ 201,042
19.1
15.0 %
Churchill MRA Funding I LLC
Not rated
$ 166,648
13.4
12.4 %
In the table above,
• The counterparty ratings presented are the long-term issuer credit rating as rated by S&P and Moody’s,
respectively.
• The amount at risk reflects the difference between the amount loaned through repurchase agreements, including
interest payable, and the cash and fair value of the assets pledged as collateral, including accrued interest
receivable.
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
financing arrangements. 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 .
Off-balance sheet risk. Off-balance sheet risk refers to situations where the maximum potential loss resulting from
changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or market values of the underlying
financial instruments may result in changes in the value of a particular financial instrument in excess of the reported
amounts of such assets and liabilities currently reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Inflation risk. Most of our assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other
factors influence our performance significantly more than inflation does. Changes in interest rates may, but do not
necessarily, correlate with inflation rates and/or changes in inflation rates. Refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk” in this Form 10-Q for a discussion on interest rate sensitivity.
94
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.