MFA Financial, Inc. Included in 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE: MFA) announced today that it is one of 380 companies across 11 sectors included in the 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

The GEI expanded in 2021 to represent 44 countries and regions, including firms headquartered in Indonesia and Bermuda for the first time. Companies range from a variety of industries, including automotive, banking, consumer services, engineering and construction, and retail.

"We are proud that MFA's commitment to equality and advancing women in the workplace has once again been recognized by the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index," stated Craig L. Knutson, Chief Executive Officer and President of MFA Financial. "Gender equality is a key part of our commitment to create a culture that is diverse and inclusive, so that we can continue to attract the best possible talent, act as a responsible employer and deliver value to our shareholders. We are pleased to be named alongside other trailblazing businesses that share similar values as MFA Financial."

The GEI brings transparency to gender-related practices and policies at publicly listed companies increasing the breadth of environmental, social, governance (ESG) data available to investors. The comprehensive, transparent GEI scoring methodology allows investors to assess company performance and compare across industry peer groups.

The reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.

The 2020 GEI included 325 companies headquartered across 42 countries and regions. MFA Financial was also included in the 2020 GEI.

"The companies included in the 2021 GEI are expanding the ESG data universe to include gender-related data that investors are demanding today," said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg. "Their commitment to disclosure is making the business case for inclusion, and driving transparency in the markets." 

Through disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, the firms included in the 2021 GEI have committed to provide a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate, raising the bar of what should be expected from other companies within the same industry. MFA Financial was included in this year's index for scoring at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the framework's five pillars.

Both the framework and the GEI are voluntary and have no associated costs. The GEI is a reference index and is not for use as a financial benchmark. The index is not ranked. While all public companies are encouraged to disclose supplemental gender data for their company's investment profile on the Bloomberg Terminal, those that have a market capitalization of USD1 billion are eligible for inclusion in the index. To learn more please visit the GEI website. Bloomberg Terminal subscribers can access the GEI at {BGEI <GO>}.

MFA Financial has a history of enhancing diversity and equality across the organization. In 2016, the company started W@M (Women at MFA), which since inception has hosted or sponsored over 25 events focused on helping women advance in the workplace and network among their peers.  In 2019, MFA partnered with Empowership and launched an additional initiative to support and develop its high potential women.  For the last three years, MFA Financial has been recognized as a "Winning Company" by 2020 Women on Boards (rebranded in 2021 as 50/50 Women on Boards).  MFA was proud to sponsor this organization in 2020.  MFA's Board of Directors is comprised of eight directors, seven of whom are independent and three of whom are women.

MFA Media Contacts

Abernathy MacGregor
Tom Johnson
(212) 371-5999

Veronika Henze
Bloomberg LP
+1-646-324-1596
vhenze@bloomberg.net

Liidia Liuksila
Bloomberg LP
+1 212-617-5424
Lliuksila@bloomberg.net 

About MFA Financial, Inc.

MFA Financial, Inc. is a real estate investment trust primarily engaged in the business of investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets, including residential mortgage-backed securities and residential whole loans.

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SOURCE MFA Financial, Inc.