MFA MFA Financial Inc

MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE:MFA) today provided its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024:

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results:

• MFA generated GAAP net income to common stockholders and participating securities for the fourth quarter of $(2.3) million, or $(0.02) per basic and diluted common share.
• Distributable earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, were $40.8 million, or $0.39 per basic common share. MFA paid a regular cash dividend of $0.35 per common share on January 31, 2025.
• GAAP book value at December 31, 2024 was $13.39 per common share. Economic book value, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $13.93 per common share.
• Total economic return was (1.2)% for the fourth quarter.
• MFA closed the quarter with unrestricted cash of $338.9 million.

Full Year 2024 Highlights:

• GAAP net income to common stockholders and participating securities was $86.4 million, or $0.83 per basic common share and $0.82 per diluted common share, up from $47.3 million, or $0.46 per basic and diluted common share, in 2023.
• Distributable earnings were $1.57 per basic common share in 2024, down from $1.62 per share in 2023.
• MFA paid quarterly dividends of $0.35 per common share throughout 2024, totaling $1.40 per common share.
• Total economic return was 5.2% for 2024.
• Asset yield averaged 6.64% in 2024, up from 6.16% in 2023.
• Interest income rose to $724.0 million from $605.6 million in 2023.
• Loan acquisition activity of $2.6 billion during 2024 included $1.2 billion of Non-QM loans, $991.5 million of Single-family transitional loans (including draws), $331.7 million of Single-family rental (SFR) loans and $145.0 million of Multifamily transitional loans (including draws).
• MFA added $932.2 million of Agency MBS throughout 2024.
• MFA completed eight securitizations in 2024 collateralized by $2.4 billion unpaid principal balance (UPB) of loans, including $1.1 billion UPB of Non-QM loans, $699.2 million UPB of Legacy RPL/NPL loans, and $599.0 million UPB of Transitional loans.
• Lima One mortgage banking income totaled $32.9 million.

“Our total economic return was (1.2)% in the fourth quarter to cap another volatile year for fixed-income investors,” stated Craig Knutson, MFA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Although sharply higher Treasury yields negatively impacted our book value during the quarter, we took advantage of market conditions to acquire $1.2 billion of loans and securities at attractive levels. This included $470 million of Non-QM residential loans at an average coupon of 7.8% and average LTV of 67%. Lima One originated $236 million of new business purpose loans. In addition, we purchased $463 million of Agency MBS at spreads that remain historically wide, bringing that portfolio to $1.4 billion at year-end.”

Reflecting on the year, Mr. Knutson added: “Although our total economic return was a relatively modest 5.2%, 2024 was an important year as we positioned the company for the future. We announced key leadership changes at both MFA and Lima One, issued $190 million of senior unsecured notes to replace our maturing convertible notes, completed eight loan securitizations, significantly expanded our Agency MBS position and initiated programmatic sales of newly-originated SFR loans to third-party investors. We made over $3.5 billion of investments throughout the year at compelling yields without meaningfully increasing our exposure to recourse or mark-to-market borrowing. We believe the normalization of the yield curve should benefit us and other mortgage investors in 2025 and beyond.”

Q4 2024 Portfolio Activity

• Non-QM loan acquisitions totaled $470.1 million, growing MFA’s Non-QM portfolio to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2024.
• Lima One funded $151.1 million of new business purpose loans with a maximum loan amount of $235.9 million. Further, $108.1 million of draws were funded on previously originated Transitional loans. Lima One generated $8.5 million of mortgage banking income.
• MFA added $462.9 million of Agency MBS during the quarter, bringing its Agency MBS portfolio to $1.4 billion.
• Asset dispositions included $141.2 million of seasoned Non-QM loans and $110.9 million of newly originated SFR loans. MFA also sold 63 REO properties in the fourth quarter for aggregate proceeds of $17.1 million.
• 60+ day delinquencies (measured as a percentage of UPB) for MFA’s residential loan portfolio increased to 7.5% from 6.7% in the third quarter.
• MFA completed three loan securitizations during the quarter, collateralized by over $1.0 billion UPB of Non-QM, Transitional and Legacy RPL/NPL loans, bringing its total securitized debt to approximately $5.8 billion.
• MFA added $277.5 million of interest rate swaps and $450.0 million of swaps matured, bringing its swap position to a notional amount of $3.3 billion. At December 31, 2024, these swaps had a weighted average fixed pay interest rate of 2.20% and a weighted average variable receive interest rate of 4.49%.
• MFA estimates the net effective duration of its investment portfolio at December 31, 2024 declined to 1.02 from 1.16 at September 30, 2024.
• MFA’s Debt/Net Equity Ratio was 5.0x while recourse leverage was 1.7x at December 31, 2024. 

Webcast

MFA Financial, Inc. plans to host a live audio webcast of its investor conference call on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its fourth quarter 2024 financial results. The live audio webcast will be accessible to the general public over the internet at http://www.mfafinancial.com. 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.

About MFA Financial, Inc.

MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE: MFA) is a leading specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities and other real estate assets. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lima One Capital, MFA also originates and services business purpose loans for real estate investors. MFA has distributed $4.8 billion in dividends to stockholders since its initial public offering in 1998. MFA is an internally-managed, publicly-traded real estate investment trust.

The following table presents MFA’s asset allocation as of December 31, 2024, and the fourth quarter 2024 yield on average interest-earning assets, average cost of funds and net interest rate spread for the various asset types.

Table 1 - Asset Allocation

At December 31, 2024

 

Business purpose loans (1)

 

Non-QM loans

 

Legacy RPL/NPL loans

 

Securities, at fair value

 

Other, net (2)

 

Total

(Dollars in Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Amount

 

$

3,394

 

 

$

4,289

 

 

$

1,076

 

 

$

1,538

 

 

$

764

 

 

$

11,061

 

Receivable/(Payable) for Unsettled Transactions

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(63

)

Financing Agreements with Non-mark-to-market Collateral Provisions

 

 

(577

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(577

)

Financing Agreements with Mark-to-market Collateral Provisions

 

 

(616

)

 

 

(591

)

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(1,279

)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(2,600

)

Securitized Debt

 

 

(1,651

)

 

 

(3,227

)

 

 

(916

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(5,795

)

Senior Notes

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(184

)

 

 

(184

)

Net Equity Allocated

 

$

550

 

 

$

471

 

 

$

115

 

 

$

196

 

 

$

510

 

 

$

1,842

 

Debt/Net Equity Ratio (3)

 

5.2 x

 

8.1 x

 

8.4 x

 

6.8 x

 

 

 

5.0 x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yield on Average Interest Earning Assets (4)

 

 

7.73

%

 

 

5.63

%

 

 

7.52

%

 

 

6.05

%

 

 

 

 

6.46

%

Less Average Cost of Funds (5)

 

 

(5.59

)

 

 

(3.76

)

 

 

(4.04

)

 

 

(3.34

)

 

 

 

 

(4.47

)

Net Interest Rate Spread

 

 

2.14

%

 

 

1.87

%

 

 

3.48

%

 

 

2.71

%

 

 

 

 

1.99

%

(1)

Includes $1.1 billion of Single-family transitional loans, $0.9 billion of Multifamily transitional loans and $1.4 billion of Single-family rental loans.

(2)

Includes $338.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, $262.4 million of restricted cash, $52.1 million of Other loans and $16.8 million of capital contributions made to loan origination partners, as well as other assets and other liabilities.

(3)

Total Debt/Net Equity ratio represents the sum of borrowings under our financing agreements as a multiple of net equity allocated.

(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, 2024, the amortized cost of our Securities, at fair value, was $1.5 billion. In addition, the yield for residential whole loans was 6.64%, net of one basis point 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.

(5)

Average cost of funds includes interest on financing agreements, Convertible Senior Notes, 8.875% Senior Notes, 9.00% Senior Notes, and securitized debt. Cost of funding also includes the impact of the net carry (the difference between swap interest income received and swap interest expense paid) on our interest rate swap agreements (or Swaps). While we have not elected hedge accounting treatment for Swaps and accordingly net carry is not presented in interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations, we believe it is appropriate to allocate net carry to the cost of funding to reflect the economic impact of our Swaps on the funding costs shown in the table above. For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, this decreased the overall funding cost by 107 basis points for our overall portfolio, 101 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 80 basis points for our Business purpose loans, 136 basis points for our Non-QM loans, 19 basis points for our Legacy RPL/NPL loans, and 168 basis points for our Securities, at fair value.

The following table presents the activity for our residential mortgage asset portfolio for the three months ended December 31, 2024:

Table 2 - Investment Portfolio Activity Q4 2024

(In Millions)

 

September 30, 2024

 

Runoff (1)

 

Acquisitions (2)

 

Other (3)

 

December 31, 2024

 

Change

Residential whole loans and REO

 

$

9,154

 

$

(590

)

 

$

729

 

$

(351

)

 

$

8,942

 

$

(212

)

Securities, at fair value

 

 

1,140

 

 

(38

)

 

 

463

 

 

(27

)

 

 

1,538

 

 

398

 

Totals

 

$

10,294

 

$

(628

)

 

$

1,192

 

$

(378

)

 

$

10,480

 

$

186

 

(1)

Primarily includes principal repayments and sales of REO.

(2)

Includes draws on previously originated Transitional loans.

(3)

Primarily includes sales, changes in fair value and changes in the allowance for credit losses.

The following tables present information on our investments in residential whole loans:

Table 3 - Portfolio Composition/Residential Whole Loans

 

 

Held at Carrying Value

 

Held at Fair Value

 

Total

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

December 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

Business purpose loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single-family transitional loans (1)

 

$

22,430

 

 

$

35,467

 

 

$

1,078,425

 

$

1,157,732

 

$

1,100,855

 

 

$

1,193,199

 

Multifamily transitional loans

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

938,926

 

 

1,168,297

 

 

938,926

 

 

 

1,168,297

 

Single-family rental loans

 

 

108,203

 

 

 

172,213

 

 

 

1,248,197

 

 

1,462,583

 

 

1,356,400

 

 

 

1,634,796

 

Total Business purpose loans

 

$

130,633

 

 

$

207,680

 

 

$

3,265,548

 

$

3,788,612

 

$

3,396,181

 

 

$

3,996,292

 

Non-QM loans

 

 

722,392

 

 

 

843,884

 

 

 

3,568,694

 

 

2,961,693

 

 

4,291,086

 

 

 

3,805,577

 

Legacy RPL/NPL loans

 

 

457,654

 

 

 

498,671

 

 

 

624,895

 

 

705,424

 

 

1,082,549

 

 

 

1,204,095

 

Other loans

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

52,073

 

 

55,779

 

 

52,073

 

 

 

55,779

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

 

(10,665

)

 

 

(20,451

)

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

(10,665

)

 

 

(20,451

)

Total Residential whole loans

 

$

1,300,014

 

 

$

1,529,784

 

 

$

7,511,210

 

$

7,511,508

 

$

8,811,224

 

 

$

9,041,292

 

Number of loans

 

 

5,582

 

 

 

6,326

 

 

 

18,588

 

 

19,075

 

 

24,170

 

 

 

25,401

 

(1)

Includes $442.4 million and $471.1 million of loans collateralized by new construction projects at origination as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Table 4 - Yields and Average Balances/Residential Whole Loans

 

 

For the Three-Month Period Ended

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

September 30, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Interest

 

Average Balance

 

Average Yield

 

Interest

 

Average Balance

 

Average Yield

 

Interest

 

Average Balance

 

Average Yield

Business purpose loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single-family transitional loans

 

$

26,733

 

$

1,125,631

 

9.50

%

 

$

28,486

 

$

1,196,227

 

9.53

%

 

$

26,403

 

$

1,160,115

 

9.10

%

Multifamily transitional loans

 

 

20,474

 

 

1,040,093

 

7.87

%

 

 

23,479

 

 

1,145,051

 

8.20

%

 

 

21,956

 

 

1,089,858

 

8.06

%

Single-family rental loans

 

 

23,124

 

 

1,474,552

 

6.27

%

 

 

26,333

 

 

1,616,723

 

6.52

%

 

 

25,597

 

 

1,702,940

 

6.01

%

Total business purpose loans

 

$

70,331

 

$

3,640,276

 

7.73

%

 

$

78,298

 

$

3,958,001

 

7.91

%

 

$

73,956

 

$

3,952,913

 

7.48

%

Non-QM loans

 

 

62,885

 

 

4,464,657

 

5.63

%

 

 

58,467

 

 

4,279,297

 

5.47

%

 

 

51,997

 

 

4,111,426

 

5.06

%

Legacy RPL/NPL loans

 

 

19,085

 

 

1,014,917

 

7.52

%

 

 

20,139

 

 

1,040,010

 

7.75

%

 

 

23,322

 

 

1,130,767

 

8.25

%

Other loans

 

 

467

 

 

66,186

 

2.82

%

 

 

502

 

 

67,070

 

2.99

%

 

 

512

 

 

69,436

 

2.95

%

Total Residential whole loans

 

$

152,768

 

$

9,186,036

 

6.65

%

 

$

157,406

 

$

9,344,378

 

6.74

%

 

$

149,787

 

$

9,264,542

 

6.47

%

Table 5 - Net Interest Spread/Residential Whole Loans

 

 

For the Three-Month Period Ended

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

September 30, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

Business purpose loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

7.73

%

 

7.91

%

 

7.48

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

5.59

%

 

5.65

%

 

5.55

%

Net Interest Spread

 

2.14

%

 

2.26

%

 

1.93

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-QM loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

5.63

%

 

5.47

%

 

5.06

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

3.76

%

 

3.47

%

 

3.34

%

Net Interest Spread

 

1.87

%

 

2.00

%

 

1.72

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legacy RPL/NPL loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

7.52

%

 

7.75

%

 

8.25

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

4.04

%

 

4.08

%

 

3.28

%

Net Interest Spread

 

3.48

%

 

3.67

%

 

4.97

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Residential whole loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Yield (1)

 

6.65

%

 

6.74

%

 

6.47

%

Cost of Funding (2)

 

4.50

%

 

4.45

%

 

4.29

%

Net Interest Spread

 

2.15

%

 

2.29

%

 

2.18

%

(1)

Reflects annualized interest income on Residential whole loans divided by average amortized cost of Residential whole loans. Excludes servicing costs.

(2)

Reflects annualized interest expense divided by average balance of agreements with mark-to-market collateral provisions (repurchase agreements), agreements with non-mark-to-market collateral provisions, and securitized debt. Cost of funding shown in the table above includes the impact of the net carry (the difference between swap interest income received and swap interest expense paid) on our Swaps. While we have not elected hedge accounting treatment for Swaps, and, accordingly, net carry is not presented in interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations, we believe it is appropriate to allocate net carry to the cost of funding to reflect the economic impact of our Swaps on the funding costs shown in the table above. For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, this decreased the overall funding cost by 101 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 80 basis points for our Business purpose loans, 136 basis points for our Non-QM loans, and 19 basis points for our Legacy RPL/NPL loans. For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, this decreased the overall funding cost by 131 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 101 basis points for our Business purpose loans, 175 basis points for our Non-QM loans, and 56 basis points for our Legacy RPL/NPL loans. For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, this decreased the overall funding cost by 140 basis points for our Residential whole loans, 105 basis points for our Business purpose loans, 177 basis points for our Non-QM loans, and 112 basis points for our Legacy RPL/NPL loans.

Table 6 - Credit-related Metrics/Residential Whole Loans

December 31, 2024

 

 

Asset Amount

 

Fair Value

 

Unpaid Principal Balance (“UPB”)

 

Weighted Average Coupon (1)

 

Weighted Average Term to Maturity (Months)

 

Weighted Average LTV Ratio (2)

 

Weighted Average Original FICO (3)

 

Aging by UPB

 

60+ DQ %

 

60+

LTV (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Due Days

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

30-59

 

 

60-89

 

90+

 

 

Business purpose loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single-family transitional (4)

 

$

1,099,466

 

$

1,099,700

 

$

1,106,631

 

10.44

%

 

5

 

67

%

 

750

 

$

957,266

 

$

33,393

 

$

15,964

 

$

100,008

 

10.5

%

 

79

%

Multifamily transitional (4)

 

 

938,926

 

 

938,926

 

 

976,964

 

9.17

%

 

6

 

64

%

 

751

 

 

870,525

 

 

20,815

 

 

—

 

 

85,624

 

8.8

%

 

79

%

Single-family rental

 

 

1,356,034

 

 

1,355,965

 

 

1,416,705

 

6.36

%

 

321

 

68

%

 

739

 

 

1,346,312

 

 

15,661

 

 

5,445

 

 

49,287

 

3.9

%

 

99

%

Total Business purpose loans

 

$

3,394,426

 

$

3,394,591

 

$

3,500,300

 

8.43

%

 

 

 

67

%

 

 

 

$

3,174,103

 

$

69,869

 

$

21,409

 

$

234,919

 

7.3

%

 

 

Non-QM loans

 

 

4,288,961

 

 

4,258,298

 

 

4,408,660

 

6.50

%

 

339

 

64

%

 

735

 

 

4,114,436

 

 

124,765

 

 

50,619

 

 

118,840

 

3.8

%

 

66

%

Legacy RPL/NPL loans

 

 

1,075,764

 

 

1,090,991

 

 

1,222,258

 

5.15

%

 

253

 

55

%

 

647

 

 

831,844

 

 

129,081

 

 

45,074

 

 

216,259

 

21.4

%

 

63

%

Other loans

 

 

52,073

 

 

52,073

 

 

63,614

 

3.44

%

 

320

 

65

%

 

758

 

 

62,998

 

 

616

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

—

%

 

—

%

Residential whole loans, total or weighted average

 

$

8,811,224

 

$

8,795,953

 

$

9,194,832

 

7.06

%

 

 

 

64

%

 

 

 

$

8,183,381

 

$

324,331

 

$

117,102

 

$

570,018

 

7.5

%

 

 

(1)

Weighted average is calculated based on the interest bearing principal balance of each loan within the related category. For loans acquired with servicing rights released by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation do not reflect loan servicing fees. For loans acquired with servicing rights retained by the seller, interest rates included in the calculation are net of servicing fees.

(2)

LTV represents the ratio of the total unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated value of the collateral securing the related loan as of the most recent date available, which may be the origination date. Excluded from the calculation of weighted average LTV are certain low value loans secured by vacant lots, for which the LTV ratio is not meaningful.

(3)

Excludes loans for which no Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) score is available.

(4)

For Single-family and Multifamily transitional loans, the LTV presented is the ratio of the maximum unpaid principal balance of the loan, including unfunded commitments, to the estimated “after repaired” value of the collateral securing the related loan, where available. At December 31, 2024, for certain Single-family and Multifamily Transitional loans totaling $445.6 million and $252.1 million, respectively, an after repaired valuation was not available. For these loans, the weighted average LTV is calculated based on the current unpaid principal balance and the as-is value of the collateral securing the related loan.

Table 7 - Shock Table

The information presented in the following “Shock Table” projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our portfolio, including the impact of Swaps and securitized debt and other fixed rate debt, based on the assets in our investment portfolio at December 31, 2024. All changes in value are measured as the percentage change from the projected portfolio value under the base interest rate scenario at December 31, 2024.

Change in Interest Rates

 

Percentage Change in Net Portfolio Value

 

Percentage Change in Total Stockholders’ Equity

+100 Basis Point Increase

 

(1.28

)%

 

(7.91

)%

+ 50 Basis Point Increase

 

(0.57

)%

 

(3.54

)%

Actual at December 31, 2024

 

—

%

 

—

%

- 50 Basis Point Decrease

 

0.44

%

 

2.72

%

-100 Basis Point Decrease

 

0.75

%

 

4.62

%

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

December 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans, net ($7,511,210 and $7,511,508 held at fair value, respectively) (1)

 

$

8,811,224

 

 

$

9,041,292

 

Securities, at fair value

 

 

1,537,513

 

 

 

746,090

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

338,931

 

 

 

318,000

 

Restricted cash

 

 

262,381

 

 

 

170,211

 

Other assets

 

 

459,555

 

 

 

497,097

 

Total Assets

 

$

11,409,604

 

 

$

10,772,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Financing agreements ($5,516,005 and $4,633,660 held at fair value, respectively)

 

$

9,155,461

 

 

$

8,536,745

 

Other liabilities

 

 

412,351

 

 

 

336,030

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

9,567,812

 

 

$

8,872,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 7.5% Series B cumulative redeemable; 8,050 shares authorized; 8,000 shares issued and outstanding ($200,000 aggregate liquidation preference)

 

$

80

 

 

$

80

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 6.5% Series C fixed-to-floating rate cumulative redeemable; 12,650 shares authorized; 11,000 shares issued and outstanding ($275,000 aggregate liquidation preference)

 

 

110

 

 

 

110

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 874,300 and 874,300 shares authorized; 102,083 and 101,916 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

 

1,021

 

 

 

1,019

 

Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par

 

 

3,711,046

 

 

 

3,698,767

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(1,879,941

)

 

 

(1,817,759

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

9,476

 

 

 

17,698

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,841,792

 

 

$

1,899,915

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

11,409,604

 

 

$

10,772,690

 

(1)

Includes approximately $6.9 billion and $5.7 billion of Residential whole loans transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Interest Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans

 

$

152,768

 

 

$

149,787

 

 

$

633,556

 

 

$

537,883

 

Securities, at fair value

 

 

19,746

 

 

 

13,175

 

 

 

61,110

 

 

 

42,376

 

Other interest-earning assets

 

 

717

 

 

 

1,467

 

 

 

7,058

 

 

 

9,027

 

Cash and cash equivalent investments

 

 

5,097

 

 

 

5,448

 

 

 

22,241

 

 

 

16,311

 

Interest Income

 

$

178,328

 

 

$

169,877

 

 

$

723,965

 

 

$

605,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed and other collateralized financing arrangements

 

$

122,996

 

 

$

119,665

 

 

$

500,026

 

 

$

413,517

 

Other interest expense

 

 

4,530

 

 

 

3,748

 

 

 

21,208

 

 

 

15,601

 

Interest Expense

 

$

127,526

 

 

$

123,413

 

 

$

521,234

 

 

$

429,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

$

50,802

 

 

$

46,464

 

 

$

202,731

 

 

$

176,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Residential Whole Loans

 

$

(398

)

 

$

7,876

 

 

$

3,084

 

 

$

8,853

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Other Assets

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,135

)

 

 

—

 

Net Interest Income after Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses

 

$

50,404

 

 

$

54,340

 

 

$

204,680

 

 

$

185,332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income/(Loss), net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain/(loss) on residential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings

 

$

(102,339

)

 

$

224,273

 

 

$

45,994

 

 

$

89,850

 

Impairment and other net gain/(loss) on securities and other portfolio investments

 

 

(26,179

)

 

 

22,024

 

 

 

(10,869

)

 

 

6,225

 

Net gain/(loss) on real estate owned

 

 

24

 

 

 

888

 

 

 

3,136

 

 

 

9,392

 

Net gain/(loss) on derivatives used for risk management purposes

 

 

69,293

 

 

 

(70,342

)

 

 

78,503

 

 

 

3,761

 

Net gain/(loss) on securitized debt measured at fair value through earnings

 

 

43,564

 

 

 

(111,689

)

 

 

(64,813

)

 

 

(99,589

)

Lima One mortgage banking income

 

 

8,477

 

 

 

10,822

 

 

 

32,944

 

 

 

43,384

 

Net realized gain/(loss) on residential whole loans held at carrying value

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,240

)

 

 

418

 

 

 

(1,240

)

Other, net

 

 

52

 

 

 

1,407

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

11,331

 

Other Income/(Loss), net

 

$

(7,108

)

 

$

76,143

 

 

$

85,428

 

 

$

63,114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and Other Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

18,021

 

 

$

19,347

 

 

$

87,654

 

 

$

85,799

 

Other general and administrative expense

 

 

9,993

 

 

 

12,595

 

 

 

44,254

 

 

 

43,869

 

Loan servicing, financing and other related costs

 

 

11,044

 

 

 

8,010

 

 

 

35,306

 

 

 

34,136

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

3,200

 

 

 

4,200

 

Operating and Other Expense

 

$

39,858

 

 

$

40,752

 

 

$

170,414

 

 

$

168,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

$

3,438

 

 

$

89,731

 

 

$

119,694

 

 

$

80,442

 

Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes

 

$

(2,471

)

 

$

(15

)

 

$

443

 

 

$

278

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

$

5,909

 

 

$

89,746

 

 

$

119,251

 

 

$

80,164

 

Less Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement

 

$

8,219

 

 

$

8,219

 

 

$

32,875

 

 

$

32,875

 

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities

 

$

(2,310

)

 

$

81,527

 

 

$

86,376

 

 

$

47,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings/(Loss) per Common Share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.80

 

 

$

0.83

 

 

$

0.46

 

Diluted Earnings/(Loss) per Common Share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.76

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

$

0.46

 

Segment Reporting

At December 31, 2024, the Company’s reportable segments include (i) mortgage-related assets and (ii) Lima One. The Corporate column in the table below primarily consists of corporate cash and related interest income, investments in loan originators and related economics, general and administrative expenses not directly attributable to Lima One, interest expense on unsecured convertible senior notes, securitization issuance costs, and preferred stock dividends.

The following tables summarize segment financial information, which in total reconciles to the same data for the Company as a whole:

(In Thousands)

 

Mortgage-Related Assets

 

Lima One

 

Corporate

 

Total

Three months ended December 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

$

106,243

 

 

$

69,087

 

 

$

2,998

 

 

$

178,328

 

Interest Expense

 

 

76,095

 

 

 

46,901

 

 

 

4,530

 

 

 

127,526

 

Net Interest Income/(Expense)

 

$

30,148

 

 

$

22,186

 

 

$

(1,532

)

 

$

50,802

 

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Residential Whole Loans

 

 

(398

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(398

)

Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses on Other Assets

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Net Interest Income/(Expense) after Reversal/(Provision) for Credit Losses

 

$

29,750

 

 

$

22,186

 

 

$

(1,532

)

 

$

50,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain/(loss) on residential whole loans measured at fair value through earnings

 

$

(82,305

)

 

$

(20,034

)

 

$

—

 

 

$

(102,339

)

Impairment and other net gain/(loss) on securities and other portfolio investments

 

 

(26,273

)

 

 

94

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(26,179

)

Net gain on real estate owned

 

 

797

 

 

 

(773

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

24

 

Net gain/(loss) on derivatives used for risk management purposes

 

 

53,607

 

 

 

15,686

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

69,293

 

Net gain/(loss) on securitized debt measured at fair value through earnings

 

 

32,724

 

 

 

10,840

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

43,564

 

Lima One mortgage banking income

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,477

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,477

 

Net realized gain/(loss) on residential whole loans held at carrying value

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Other, net

 

 

289

 

 

 

(661

)

 

 

424

 

 

 

52

 

Other Income/(Loss), net

 

$

(21,161

)

 

$

13,629

 

 

$

424

 

 

$

(7,108

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

—

 

 

$

9,238

 

 

$

8,783

 

 

$

18,021

 

Other general and administrative expense

 

 

—

 

 

 

4,334

 

 

 

5,659

 

 

 

9,993

 

Loan servicing, financing and other related costs

 

 

4,510

 

 

 

1,128

 

 

 

5,406

 

 

 

11,044

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

—

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

800

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

$

4,079

 

 

$

20,315

 

 

$

(20,956

)

 

$

3,438

 

Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

(2,471

)

 

$

(2,471

)

Net Income/(Loss)

 

$

4,079

 

 

$

20,315

 

 

$

(18,485

)

 

$

5,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

8,219

 

 

$

8,219

 

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities

 

$

4,079

 

 

$

20,315

 

 

$

(26,704

)

 

$

(2,310

)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Mortgage-Related Assets

 

Lima One

 

Corporate

 

Total

December 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

7,395,925

 

$

3,632,472

 

$

381,207

 

$

11,409,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

6,370,237

 

$

4,000,932

 

$

401,521

 

$

10,772,690

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to non-GAAP Distributable Earnings

“Distributable earnings” is a non-GAAP financial measure of our operating performance, within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Distributable earnings is determined by adjusting GAAP net income/(loss) by removing certain unrealized gains and losses, primarily on residential mortgage investments, associated debt, and hedges that are, in each case, accounted for at fair value through earnings, certain realized gains and losses, as well as certain non-cash expenses and securitization-related transaction costs. Realized gains and losses arising from loans sold to third-parties by Lima One shortly after the origination of such loans are included in Distributable earnings. The transaction costs are primarily comprised of costs only incurred at the time of execution of our securitizations and include costs such as underwriting fees, legal fees, diligence fees, bank fees and other similar transaction related expenses. These costs are all incurred prior to or at the execution of our securitizations and do not recur. Recurring expenses, such as servicing fees, custodial fees, trustee fees and other similar ongoing fees are not excluded from Distributable earnings. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company changed the determination of Distributable earnings to exclude depreciation, for consistency with the reporting of similar non-cash expenses; this change has been reflected in all periods presented. Management believes that the adjustments made to GAAP earnings result in the removal of (i) income or expenses that are not reflective of the longer term performance of our investment portfolio, (ii) certain non-cash expenses, and (iii) expense items required to be recognized solely due to the election of the fair value option on certain related residential mortgage assets and associated liabilities. Distributable earnings is one of the factors that our Board of Directors considers when evaluating distributions to our shareholders. Accordingly, we believe that the adjustments to compute Distributable earnings specified below provide investors and analysts with additional information to evaluate our financial results.

Distributable earnings should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Distributable earnings does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for net income or cash flows from operating activities, each as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our GAAP net income/(loss) used in the calculation of basic EPS to our non-GAAP Distributable earnings for the quarterly periods below:

 

 

Quarter Ended

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

December 31, 2024

 

September 30, 2024

 

June 30, 2024

 

March 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

GAAP Net income/(loss) used in the calculation of basic EPS

 

$

(2,396

)

 

$

39,870

 

 

$

33,614

 

 

$

14,827

 

 

$

81,527

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized and realized gains and losses on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential whole loans held at fair value

 

 

102,339

 

 

 

(143,416

)

 

 

(16,430

)

 

 

11,513

 

 

 

(224,272

)

Securities held at fair value

 

 

26,273

 

 

 

(17,107

)

 

 

4,026

 

 

 

4,776

 

 

 

(21,371

)

Residential whole loans and securities at carrying value

 

 

—

 

 

 

(7,324

)

 

 

(2,668

)

 

 

(418

)

 

 

332

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

(46,632

)

 

 

84,629

 

 

 

10,237

 

 

 

(23,182

)

 

 

97,400

 

Securitized debt held at fair value

 

 

(47,267

)

 

 

71,475

 

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

20,169

 

 

 

108,693

 

Other portfolio investments

 

 

(94

)

 

 

1,503

 

 

 

1,484

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

254

 

Expense items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

800

 

Equity based compensation

 

 

1,637

 

 

 

2,104

 

 

 

3,899

 

 

 

6,243

 

 

 

3,635

 

Securitization-related transaction costs

 

 

5,252

 

 

 

3,485

 

 

 

3,009

 

 

 

1,340

 

 

 

2,702

 

Depreciation

 

 

938

 

 

 

2,604

 

 

 

822

 

 

 

889

 

 

 

869

 

Total adjustments

 

 

43,246

 

 

 

(1,247

)

 

 

12,776

 

 

 

22,130

 

 

 

(30,958

)

Distributable earnings

 

$

40,850

 

 

$

38,623

 

 

$

46,390

 

 

$

36,957

 

 

$

50,569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP earnings/(loss) per basic common share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.80

 

Distributable earnings per basic common share

 

$

0.39

 

 

$

0.37

 

 

$

0.45

 

 

$

0.36

 

 

$

0.49

 

Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share

 

 

103,675

 

 

 

103,647

 

 

 

103,446

 

 

 

103,175

 

 

 

102,266

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Book Value per Common Share to non-GAAP Economic Book Value per Common Share

“Economic book value” is a non-GAAP financial measure of our financial position. To calculate our Economic book value, our portfolios of Residential whole loans and securitized debt held at carrying value are adjusted to their fair value, rather than the carrying value that is required to be reported under the GAAP accounting model applied to these financial instruments. These adjustments are also reflected in the table below in our end of period stockholders’ equity. Management considers that Economic book value provides investors with a useful supplemental measure to evaluate our financial position as it reflects the impact of fair value changes for all of our investment activities, irrespective of the accounting model applied for GAAP reporting purposes. Economic book value does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for Stockholders’ Equity, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our GAAP book value per common share to our non-GAAP Economic book value per common share as of the quarterly periods below:

 

 

Quarter Ended:

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

December 31, 2024

 

September 30, 2024

 

June 30, 2024

 

March 31, 2024

 

December 31, 2023

GAAP Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,841.8

 

 

$

1,880.5

 

 

$

1,883.2

 

 

$

1,884.2

 

 

$

1,899.9

 

Preferred Stock, liquidation preference

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

 

 

(475.0

)

GAAP Stockholders’ Equity for book value per common share

 

 

1,366.8

 

 

 

1,405.5

 

 

 

1,408.2

 

 

 

1,409.2

 

 

 

1,424.9

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value adjustment to Residential whole loans, at carrying value

 

 

(15.3

)

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

(26.8

)

 

 

(35.4

)

 

 

(35.6

)

Fair value adjustment to Securitized debt, at carrying value

 

 

70.3

 

 

 

64.3

 

 

 

82.3

 

 

 

88.4

 

 

 

95.6

 

Stockholders’ Equity including fair value adjustments to Residential whole loans and Securitized debt held at carrying value (Economic book value)

 

$

1,421.8

 

 

$

1,476.5

 

 

$

1,463.7

 

 

$

1,462.2

 

 

$

1,484.9

 

GAAP book value per common share

 

$

13.39

 

 

$

13.77

 

 

$

13.80

 

 

$

13.80

 

 

$

13.98

 

Economic book value per common share

 

$

13.93

 

 

$

14.46

 

 

$

14.34

 

 

$

14.32

 

 

$

14.57

 

Number of shares of common stock outstanding

 

 

102.1

 

 

 

102.1

 

 

 

102.1

 

 

 

102.1

 

 

 

101.9

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this press release or other written or oral communications, statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” the negative of these words 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. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results with respect to MFA’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. Among the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements that we make are: general economic developments and trends and the performance of the housing, real estate, mortgage finance, broader financial markets; inflation, increases in interest rates and changes in the market (i.e., fair) value of MFA’s residential whole loans, MBS, securitized debt and other assets, as well as changes in the value of MFA’s liabilities accounted for at fair value through earnings; the effectiveness of hedging transactions; changes in the prepayment rates on residential mortgage assets, an increase of which could result in a reduction of the yield on certain investments in its portfolio and could require MFA to reinvest the proceeds received by it as a result of such prepayments in investments with lower coupons, while a decrease in which could result in an increase in the interest rate duration of certain investments in MFA’s portfolio making their valuation more sensitive to changes in interest rates and could result in lower forecasted cash flows; credit risks underlying MFA’s assets, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates and loss severities on the mortgage loans in 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 (including as a result of the new U.S. Presidential administration); 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 residential whole loans and the extent of prepayments, realized losses and changes in the composition of MFA’s residential whole loan portfolios that may occur during the applicable tax period, including gain or loss on any MBS disposals or whole loan modifications, foreclosures and liquidations; 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 continue growing its residential whole loan portfolio, which is dependent on, among other things, the supply of loans offered for sale in the market; targeted or expected returns on our investments in recently-originated mortgage loans, the performance of which is, similar to our other mortgage loan investments, subject to, among other things, differences in prepayment risk, credit risk and financing costs associated with such investments; risks associated with the ongoing operation of Lima One Holdings, LLC (including, without limitation, industry competition, unanticipated expenditures relating to or liabilities arising from its operation (including, among other things, a failure to realize management’s assumptions regarding expected growth in business purpose loan (BPL) origination volumes and credit risks underlying BPLs, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates and loss severities on the BPLs originated by Lima One)); expected returns on MFA’s investments in nonperforming 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; risks associated with our investments in loan originators; risks associated with investing in real estate assets generally, including changes in business conditions and the general economy; and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, assumptions and expectations of MFA’s future performance, taking into account information currently available. Readers and listeners are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which 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.

Category: Earnings

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INVESTOR: InvestorRelations@mfafinancial.com 212-207-6488 www.mfafinancial.com

MEDIA: H/Advisors Abernathy Tom Johnson 212-371-5999