UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 16, 2017

 

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 207-6400

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company   o

 

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.   o

 

 

 

Item 5.02              Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

 

(c) and (d)  On August 16, 2017, the Board of Directors of MFA Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) elected Craig L. Knutson as sole Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of such date.

 

Mr. Knutson, 58, who had served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company since July 28, 2017, will also continue as President of the Company (a post that he has held since January 2014).  Mr. Knutson joined the Company in 2008 as an executive vice president and served in that capacity until the end of 2013.

 

In addition, on August 16, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company elected Mr. Knutson as a director of the Company, effective as of such date, to fill the vacancy created by the passing of William S. Gorin.

 

A copy of the press release reporting on Mr. Knutson’s election as sole Chief Executive Officer and director is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01              Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)           Exhibits

 

99.1                        Press Release, dated August 17, 2017, of MFA Financial, Inc.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

	MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
	(REGISTRANT)
	By:	/s/ Harold E. Schwartz
		Name: Harold E. Schwartz
		Title: Senior Vice President and
		General Counsel

 

Date: August 17, 2017

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated August 17, 2017, of MFA Financial, Inc.

 

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