Form: 8-K

Current report filing

February 15, 2018

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

MFA

 

FINANCIAL, INC.

 

 

 

350 Park Avenue-

 

New York, New York 10022

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 

February 15, 2018

 

NEW YORK METRO

 

INVESTOR CONTACT:

InvestorRelations@mfafinancial.com

NYSE: MFA

 

212-207-6488

 

 

www.mfafinancial.com

 

 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Abernathy MacGregor

 

 

Tom Johnson

 

 

212-371-5999

 

 

MFA Financial, Inc.

 

Announces Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

 

NEW YORK - MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017.

 

Fourth Quarter 2017 and other highlights:

 

·                  MFA generated fourth quarter net income available to common shareholders of $96.8 million, or $0.24 per common share (based on 397.5 million weighted average common shares outstanding).  As of December 31, 2017, book value per common share was $7.70.

 

·                  Net income increased from the prior quarter due primarily to higher income on residential whole loans held at fair value, which exhibited mark to market gains and increased cash receipts.  In addition, CRT securities held at fair value increased in value as prices recovered after hurricane-related concerns in the third quarter.

 

·                  On January 31, 2018, MFA paid its fourth quarter 2017 dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock to shareholders of record as of December 28, 2017.

 

·                  MFA purchased more than $700 million of residential mortgage assets in the fourth quarter, including $554 million of residential whole loans.

 

1



 

Craig Knutson, MFA’s President and CEO, said, “In the fourth quarter, we continued to execute our strategy of targeted investment within the residential mortgage universe with a focus on credit sensitive assets.  We grew our portfolio slightly this quarter, as acquisitions exceeded run-off, which included opportunistic sales of $20.9 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS that generated realized gains of $9.0 million.  As we have for over five years now, we continue to manage this portfolio through selective and strategic sales of positions.

 

“MFA remains well-positioned to generate attractive returns despite historically low interest rates.  Through our asset selection and hedging strategy, the estimated net effective duration, a gauge of MFA’s interest rate sensitivity, remains relatively low and measured 0.91 at quarter-end.  MFA’s book value per common share was unchanged during the quarter at $7.70 and increased during 2017 approximately 1% as our investment strategy continues to produce stable book value. Leverage, which reflects the ratio of our financing obligations to equity, was 2.3:1 at quarter-end.”

 

Mr. Knutson added, “MFA’s portfolio asset selection process continues to emphasize residential mortgage credit exposure while seeking to minimize sensitivity to interest rates.  As housing prices maintain their upward trend and borrowers repair their credit and balance sheets, MFA’s Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio continues to outperform our credit assumptions.  In the fourth quarter of 2017, we reduced our credit reserve on this portfolio by $17.1 million.  Also, our credit sensitive residential whole loans offer additional exposure to residential mortgage credit while affording us the opportunity to improve outcomes through sensible and effective servicing decisions.”

 

During the fourth quarter MFA successfully purchased more than $700 million of residential mortgage assets, including $554 million of residential whole loans.  Portfolio run-off in RPL/NPL MBS, which had been elevated for the past few quarters, returned to more normal levels during the fourth quarter.

 

MFA’s Legacy Non-Agency MBS had a face amount of $2.8 billion with an amortized cost of $2.0 billion and a net purchase discount of $806.5 million at December 31, 2017.  This discount consists of a $593.2 million credit reserve and other-than-temporary impairments and a $213.3 million net accretable discount.  We believe this credit reserve appropriately factors in remaining uncertainties regarding underlying mortgage performance and the potential impact on future cash flows.  Our Legacy Non-Agency MBS have underlying mortgage loans that are on average approximately twelve years seasoned and approximately 12.8% are currently 60 or more days delinquent.

 

The Agency MBS portfolio had an amortized cost basis of 103.8% of par as of December 31, 2017, and generated a 2.08% yield in the fourth quarter.  The Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio had an amortized cost of 71.2% of par as of December 31, 2017, and generated a loss-adjusted yield of 9.12% in the fourth quarter.  At the end of the fourth quarter, MFA held approximately $923.1 million of RPL/NPL MBS.  These securities had an amortized cost of 99.79% of par and generated a 4.27% yield for the quarter.  Our investments in CRT securities totaled $664.4 million at December 31, 2017, and generated a yield of 5.77% in the fourth quarter.  Values of our CRT securities increased during the quarter, reversing the declines experienced in the third quarter, as hurricane-related concerns subsided.

 

In addition, at December 31, 2017, our investments in credit sensitive residential whole loans totaled $2.2 billion.  Of this amount, $908.5 million is recorded at carrying value, or 88.4% of the interest-bearing

 

2



 

unpaid principal balance, and generated a loss-adjusted yield of 5.88% (5.43% net of servicing costs) during the quarter, and $1.3 billion is recorded at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet.  On this portion of the portfolio, we recorded gains for the quarter of approximately $41.4 million, primarily reflecting changes in the fair value of the underlying loans, coupon interest payments and other cash received during the quarter.

 

3



 

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, MFA’s costs for compensation and benefits and other general and administrative expenses were $9.3 million, or an annualized 1.14% of stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2017.

 

The following table presents the weighted average prepayment speed on MFA’s MBS portfolio.

 

Table 1

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter
2017 Average CPR

 

Third Quarter
2017 Average CPR

 

Agency MBS

 

14.1

%

16.2

%

Legacy Non-Agency MBS

 

16.3

%

18.7

%

RPL/NPL MBS (1)

 

20.1

%

26.2

%

 


(1)   All principal payments are considered to be prepayments for conditional prepayment rate (“CPR”) purposes.  RPL/NPL MBS are securitized financial instruments that are primarily backed by securitized re-performing and non-performing loans.  The majority of these securities are structured such that the coupon increases up to 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance or sooner.

 

As of December 31, 2017, under its swap agreements, MFA had a weighted average fixed-pay rate of interest of 2.04% and a floating receive rate of 1.50% on notional balances totaling $2.6 billion, with an average maturity of 27 months.

 

The following table presents MFA’s asset allocation as of December 31, 2017, and the fourth quarter 2017 yield on average interest-earning assets, average cost of funds and net interest rate spread for the various asset types.

 

4



 

Table 2

 

ASSET ALLOCATION

 

At December 31, 2017

 

Agency
MBS

 

Legacy
Non-Agency
MBS

 

RPL/NPL
MBS

 

Credit Risk
Transfer
Securities

 

MSR
Related
Assets

 

Residential
Whole
Loans, at
Carrying
Value (1)

 

Residential
Whole
Loans, at Fair
Value

 

Other,
net (2)

 

Total

 

($ in Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value/Carrying Value

 

$

2,825

 

$

2,611

 

$

923

 

$

664

 

$

492

 

$

909

 

$

1,325

 

$

588

 

$

10,337

 

Less Repurchase Agreements

 

(2,501

)

(1,726

)

(567

)

(459

)

(317

)

(348

)

(696

)

—

 

(6,614

)

Less Securitized Debt

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

(156

)

(208

)

—

 

(364

)

Less Senior Notes

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

(97

)

(97

)

Net Equity Allocated

 

$

324

 

$

885

 

$

356

 

$

205

 

$

175

 

$

405

 

$

421

 

$

491

 

$

3,262

 

Debt/Net Equity Ratio (3)

 

7.7

x

2.0

x

1.6

x

2.2

x

1.8

x

1.2

x

2.1

x

 

 

2.3

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yield on Average Interest Earning Assets (4)

 

2.08

%

9.12

%

4.27

%

5.77

%

6.35

%

5.88

%

N/A

 

—

%

4.80

%

Less Average Cost of Funds (5)

 

(1.79

)

(3.29

)

(2.72

)

(2.55

)

(3.11

)

(3.31

)

(3.58

)

—

 

(2.72

)

Net Interest Rate Spread

 

0.29

%

5.83

%

1.55

%

3.22

%

3.24

%

2.57

%

N/A

 

—

%

2.08

%

 


(1)         The carrying value of such loans reflects the purchase price, accretion of income, cash received and provision for loan losses since acquisition.  At December 31, 2017, the fair value of such loans is estimated to be approximately $988.7 million.

(2)         Includes cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, securities obtained and pledged as collateral, other assets, obligation to return securities obtained as collateral and other liabilities.

(3)         Represents the sum of borrowings under repurchase agreements and securitized debt as a multiple of net equity allocated.  The numerator of our Total Debt/Net Equity Ratio also includes the obligation to return securities obtained as collateral of $504.1 million and Senior Notes.

(4)         Yields reported on our interest earning assets are calculated based on the interest income recorded and the average amortized cost for the quarter of the respective asset.  At December 31, 2017, the amortized cost of our interest earning assets were as follows: Agency MBS - $2.8 billion; Legacy Non-Agency MBS - $2.0 billion; RPL/NPL MBS - $920.1 million; Credit Risk Transfer securities - $608.1 million; and Residential Whole Loans at carrying value - $908.5 million. In addition, the yield for residential whole loans at carrying value was 5.43% net of 45 basis points of servicing fee expense incurred during the quarter.  For GAAP reporting purposes, such expenses are included in Loan servicing and other related operating expenses in our statement of operations.  Interest payments received on residential whole loans at fair value is reported in Other Income as Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value in our statement of operations.  Accordingly, no yield is presented as such loans are not included in interest earning assets for reporting purposes.

(5)         Average cost of funds includes interest on repurchase agreements and other advances, the cost of swaps and Senior Notes.  Agency cost of funds includes 43 basis points and Legacy Non-Agency cost of funds includes 45 basis points associated with swaps to hedge interest rate sensitivity on these assets.

 

5



 

At December 31, 2017, MFA’s $5.4 billion of Agency and Legacy Non-Agency MBS were backed by hybrid, adjustable and fixed-rate mortgages.  Additional information about these MBS, including average months to reset and three-month average CPR, is presented below:

 

Table 3

 

 

 

Agency MBS

 

Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)

 

Total (1)

 

Time to Reset

 

Fair
Value
(2)

 

Average
Months
to Reset
(3)

 

3 Month
Average
CPR (4)

 

Fair
Value

 

Average
Months
to Reset
(3)

 

3 Month
Average
CPR (4)

 

Fair
Value (2)

 

Average
Months
to Reset
(3)

 

3 Month
Average
CPR (4)

 

($ in Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

< 2 years (5)

 

$

1,483

 

7

 

17.4

%

$

1,727

 

5

 

16.5

%

$

3,210

 

6

 

16.9

%

2-5 years

 

152

 

45

 

12.3

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

152

 

45

 

12.3

 

> 5 years

 

45

 

70

 

9.9

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

45

 

70

 

9.9

 

ARM-MBS Total

 

$

1,680

 

12

 

16.8

%

$

1,727

 

5

 

16.5

%

$

3,407

 

8

 

16.7

%

15-year fixed (6)

 

$

1,143

 

 

 

10.2

%

$

3

 

 

 

2.8

%

$

1,146

 

 

 

10.2

%

30-year fixed (6)

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

842

 

 

 

15.9

 

842

 

 

 

15.9

 

40-year fixed (6)

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

39

 

 

 

14.2

 

39

 

 

 

14.2

 

Fixed-Rate Total

 

$

1,143

 

 

 

10.2

%

$

884

 

 

 

15.8

%

$

2,027

 

 

 

12.7

%

MBS Total

 

$

2,823

 

 

 

14.1

%

$

2,611

 

 

 

16.3

%

$

5,434

 

 

 

15.2

%

 


(1)         Excludes $923.1 million of RPL/NPL MBS.

(2)         Does not include principal payments receivable of $1.9 million.

(3)         Months to Reset is the number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate resets. At reset, the MBS coupon will adjust based upon the underlying benchmark interest rate index, margin and periodic or lifetime caps.  Months to Reset does not reflect scheduled amortization or prepayments.

(4)         3 month average CPR weighted by positions as of beginning of each month in the quarter.

(5)         Includes floating rate MBS that may be collateralized by fixed-rate mortgages.

(6)         Information presented based on data available at time of loan origination.

 

Webcast

 

MFA Financial, Inc. plans to host a live audio webcast of its investor conference call on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its fourth quarter 2017 financial results. The live audio webcast will be accessible to the general public over the internet at http://www.mfafinancial.com through the “Webcasts & Presentations” link on MFA’s home page.  To listen to the conference call over the internet, please go to the MFA website at least 15 minutes before the call to register and to download and install any needed audio software.  Earnings presentation materials will be posted on the MFA website prior to the conference call and an audio replay will be available on the website following the call.

 

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

When used in this press release or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: changes in interest

 

6



 

rates and the market (i.e., fair) value of MFA’s MBS, residential whole loans, CRT securities and other assets; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans securing MFA’s MBS, an increase of which could result in a reduction of the yield on MBS in our portfolio and could require us to reinvest the proceeds received by us as a result of such prepayments in MBS with lower coupons; credit risks underlying MFA’s assets, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates on the mortgage loans securing MFA’s Non-Agency MBS and relating to MFA’s residential whole loan portfolio; MFA’s ability to borrow to finance its assets and the terms, including the cost, maturity and other terms, of any such borrowings; implementation of or changes in government regulations or programs affecting MFA’s business; MFA’s estimates regarding taxable income, the actual amount of which is dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in the amount of interest income and financing costs, the method elected by MFA to accrete the market discount on Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans and the extent of prepayments, realized losses and changes in the composition of MFA’s Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loan portfolios that may occur during the applicable tax period, including gain or loss on any MBS disposals and whole loan modification, foreclosure and liquidation; the timing and amount of distributions to stockholders, which are declared and paid at the discretion of MFA’s Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, MFA’s taxable income, its financial results and overall financial condition and liquidity, maintenance of its REIT qualification and such other factors as MFA’s Board of Directors deems relevant; MFA’s ability to maintain its qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; MFA’s ability to maintain its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or the “Investment Company Act”), including statements regarding the Concept Release issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) relating to interpretive issues under the Investment Company Act with respect to the status under the Investment Company Act of certain companies that are engaged in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related interests; MFA’s ability to successfully implement its strategy to grow its residential whole loan portfolio, which is dependent on, among other things, the supply of loans offered for sale in the market; expected returns on our investments in non-performing residential whole loans (“NPLs”), which are affected by, among other things, the length of time required to foreclose upon, sell, liquidate or otherwise reach a resolution of the property underlying the NPL, home price values, amounts advanced to carry the asset (e.g., taxes, insurance, maintenance expenses, etc. on the underlying property) and the amount ultimately realized upon resolution of the asset; risks associated with our investments in MSR related assets, including servicing, regulatory and economic risks, and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that MFA files with the SEC, could cause MFA’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements it makes. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect MFA. Except as required by law, MFA is not obligated to, and does not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

7



 

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 (In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

 

December 31,
2017

 

December 31,
2016

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Agency MBS, at fair value ($2,727,510 and $3,540,401 pledged as collateral, respectively)

 

$

2,824,681

 

$

3,738,497

 

Non-Agency MBS, at fair value ($2,379,523 and $4,751,419 pledged as collateral, respectively) (1)

 

3,533,966

 

5,684,836

 

CRT securities, at fair value ($595,900 and $357,488 pledged as collateral, respectively)

 

664,403

 

404,850

 

Mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) related assets ($482,158 and $226,780 pledged as collateral, respectively)

 

492,080

 

226,780

 

Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($448,689 and $427,880 pledged as collateral, respectively) (2)

 

908,516

 

590,540

 

Residential whole loans, at fair value ($996,226 and $734,331 pledged as collateral, respectively) (2)

 

1,325,115

 

814,682

 

Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value

 

504,062

 

510,767

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

449,757

 

260,112

 

Restricted cash

 

13,307

 

58,463

 

Other assets

 

238,847

 

194,495

 

Total Assets

 

$

10,954,734

 

$

12,484,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase agreements and other advances

 

$

6,614,701

 

$

8,687,268

 

Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value

 

504,062

 

510,767

 

Other liabilities

 

574,335

 

252,085

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

7,693,098

 

$

9,450,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable; 8,050 shares authorized; 8,000 shares issued and outstanding ($200,000 aggregate liquidation preference)

 

$

80

 

$

80

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; 886,950 shares authorized; 397,831 and 371,854 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

3,978

 

3,719

 

Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par

 

3,227,304

 

3,029,062

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(578,950

)

(572,641

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

609,224

 

573,682

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

3,261,636

 

$

3,033,902

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

10,954,734

 

$

12,484,022

 

 


(1)   Includes approximately $174.4 million of Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2016.  Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

(2)   Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

 

8



 

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency MBS

 

$

15,341

 

$

18,523

 

$

65,355

 

$

83,069

 

Non-Agency MBS

 

58,384

 

79,266

 

271,112

 

332,821

 

CRT securities

 

8,816

 

4,873

 

31,715

 

14,770

 

MSR related assets

 

6,997

 

2,100

 

24,830

 

2,100

 

Residential whole loans held at carrying value

 

9,968

 

7,804

 

36,187

 

23,916

 

Cash and cash equivalent investments

 

1,395

 

243

 

4,249

 

774

 

Interest Income

 

$

100,901

 

$

112,809

 

$

433,448

 

$

457,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase agreements and other advances

 

$

44,903

 

$

47,859

 

$

186,347

 

$

184,986

 

Other interest expense

 

3,592

 

2,009

 

10,794

 

8,369

 

Interest Expense

 

$

48,495

 

$

49,868

 

$

197,141

 

$

193,355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

$

52,406

 

$

62,941

 

$

236,307

 

$

264,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

(63

)

$

(1,255

)

Portion of loss (reclassed from)/recognized in other comprehensive income

 

—

 

—

 

(969

)

770

 

Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

(1,032

)

$

(485

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value

 

$

41,359

 

$

14,876

 

$

90,019

 

$

62,605

 

Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities

 

9,047

 

9,768

 

39,577

 

35,837

 

Other, net

 

14,579

 

756

 

29,423

 

10,600

 

Other Income, net

 

$

64,985

 

$

25,400

 

$

159,019

 

$

109,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and Other Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

5,415

 

$

7,774

 

$

31,673

 

$

29,281

 

Other general and administrative expense

 

3,900

 

3,823

 

17,960

 

16,331

 

Loan servicing and other related operating expenses

 

7,483

 

4,107

 

22,268

 

14,372

 

Operating and Other Expense

 

$

16,798

 

$

15,704

 

$

71,901

 

$

59,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

100,593

 

$

72,637

 

$

322,393

 

$

312,668

 

Less Preferred Stock Dividends

 

3,750

 

3,750

 

15,000

 

15,000

 

Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities

 

$

96,843

 

$

68,887

 

$

307,393

 

$

297,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.80

 

$

0.80

 

 

9