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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)
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Mar. 31, 2015
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| Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, have been condensed or omitted according to such SEC rules and regulations. However, management believes that the disclosures included in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at March 31, 2015 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for future periods or the full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make a number of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, the period of time during which the Company anticipates an increase in the fair values of real estate securities sufficient to recover unrealized losses in those securities, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company’s estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
All trust entities in which the Company holds investments that are considered VIEs for financial reporting purposes were reviewed for consolidation under the applicable consolidation guidance. Because the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the trusts that most significantly impact the entities’ performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entities that could be significant, the Company consolidates the trusts.
Significant Accounting Policies
Included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K is a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies. Provided below is a summary of additional accounting policies that are significant to the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Commercial Real Estate Loans Held-for-Investment
The Company is the sole certificate holder of a trust entity that holds a commercial real estate loan. The trust is considered a VIE for financial reporting purposes and, thus, is reviewed for consolidation under the applicable consolidation guidance. As the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the trust that most significantly impact the entity’s performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity that could be significant, the Company consolidates the trust. The underlying loan is classified as commercial real estate loans held-for-investment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The loan is legally isolated from the Company and has been structured to be beyond the reach of creditors of the Company. Interest income on commercial real estate loans held-for-investment is recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Commercial real estate loans held-for-investment are reported at cost, net of any unamortized premiums or discounts, unless deemed impaired. The Company evaluates each loan for impairment at least quarterly. Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that the Company 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, the Company records an allowance to reduce the carrying value of the loan to the present value of expected future cash flows.
The Company’s commercial real estate loans are collateralized either by real property or by equity interests in the commercial real estate borrower. As a result, the Company regularly evaluates 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, borrowing entity or loan sponsor. The Company also evaluates the financial wherewithal of any loan guarantors as well as the borrower’s competency in managing and operating the properties. In addition, the Company considers the overall economic environment, real estate sector, and geographic sub-market in which the borrower operates.
Interest income on commercial real estate loans held-for-investment is recognized at the loan coupon rate. Any premiums or discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income using the effective interest method. Loans are considered past due when they are 30 days past their contractual due date. Interest income recognition is suspended when loans are placed on nonaccrual status. Generally, commercial real estate loans are placed on nonaccrual status when delinquent for more than 60 days or when determined not to be probable of full collection. Interest accrued, but not collected, at the date loans are placed on nonaccrual is reversed and subsequently recognized only to the extent it is received in cash or until it qualifies for return to accrual status. However, where there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectability of loan principal, all cash received is applied to reduce the carrying value of such loans. Commercial real estate loans are restored to accrual status only when contractually current or the collection of future payments is reasonably assured.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Certain of the Company’s repurchase agreements are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff in the event of default of either party to the agreement. The Company also has netting arrangements in place with all derivative counterparties pursuant to standard documentation developed by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, or ISDA, or central clearing exchange agreements, in the case of centrally cleared interest rate swaps. Additionally, the Company and the counterparty or clearing agency are required to post cash collateral based upon the net underlying market value of the Company’s open positions with the counterparty.
Under U.S. GAAP, if the Company has a valid right of setoff, it may offset the related asset and liability and report the net amount. The Company presents repurchase agreements subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements on a gross basis, and derivative assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on derivative type and counterparty, in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Separately, the Company presents cash collateral subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on counterparty, in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not offset financial assets and liabilities with the associated cash collateral on its condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and can potentially be offset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
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Recently Issued and/or Adopted Accounting Standards
Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-13, which updates the guidance on measuring the financial assets and financial liabilities of consolidated collateralized financing entities, or CFEs. The update allows an entity to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of a qualifying CFE it consolidates using the fair value of either the CFE’s financial assets or financial liabilities, whichever is more observable. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and was effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. Early adoption of this ASU was applied using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of January 1, 2015, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14, which requires that, upon foreclosure, a mortgage loan that is fully guaranteed under certain government programs be derecognized and a separate receivable be recognized when specific criteria are met. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for both annual and interim reporting periods. The ASU requires certain disclosures if management concludes that substantial doubt exists and plans to alleviate that doubt. The ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for both annual and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted.
Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-2, which changes the guidance on the consolidation of certain investment funds as well as both the variable interest model and the voting model. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. Early adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
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