Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

For a detailed discussion about Newmark’s significant accounting policies, see Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in Newmark’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of Newmark’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. There were no significant changes made to Newmark’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL"):

The accounting policy changes described below were updated pursuant to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and related amendments on January 1, 2020. These policy updates have been applied using the modified retrospective approach in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from January 1, 2020 onward. Financial information for the historical comparable periods was not revised and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those historical periods. In accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 326, Newmark presents its financial assets that are measured at amortized cost, net of an allowance for credit losses, which represents the amount expected to be collected over their estimated life. Expected credit losses for newly recognized financial assets carried at amortized cost and credit exposures on off-balance sheet financial guarantees, as well as changes to expected lifetime credit losses during the period, are recognized in earnings.

The CECL methodology represents a significant change from prior U.S. GAAP and replaced the prior multiple impairment methods, which generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized. Within the life cycle of a loan or other financial asset in scope, the CECL methodology generally results in the earlier recognition of the provision for credit losses and the related allowance for credit losses than under prior U.S. GAAP. The CECL methodology’s impact on expected credit losses, among other things, reflects Newmark’s view of the current state of the economy, forecasted macroeconomic conditions and Newmark’s portfolios.

Financial guarantee liability:

Newmark's adoption of ASC 326 impacted the expected credit loss reserving methodology for the financial guarantee liability provided to Fannie Mae under the Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) Program and Freddie Mac’s Targeted Affordable Housing Program “TAH”). The expected credit loss is modeled based on Newmark's historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current economic conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default or non-payment, current delinquency status, loan size, terms, amortization types, and the forward-looking view of the primary risk drivers (debt-service coverage ratio and loan-to-value), all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of the reserve. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, Newmark estimates expected credit losses using its historical loss rates. In addition, Newmark reviews the reserves periodically and makes adjustments for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date. As a result of the adoption of ASC 326, Newmark recorded a pre-tax increase to the financial guarantee liability of $17.9 million through beginning stockholders' equity on January 1, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, there was an increase to the loss sharing liability of $11.6 million. As of December 31, 2020 the balance of the financial guarantee liabilities was $29.6 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 there was a reduction in the CECL related provision of $1.6 million. As of March 31, 2021 the balance of the financial guarantee liabilities was $27.9 million. Financial guarantee liabilities are included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Receivables, net:

Newmark has accrued commissions receivable from real estate brokerage transactions, management services and other receivables from contractual management assignments. Receivables are presented net of the CECL allowance as discussed above and are included in “Receivables, net” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For its CECL reserve, Newmark segregated its receivables into certain pools based on similar risk characteristics and further defined a range of potential loss rates for each pool based on aging. Newmark designed its methodology to allow for a range of loss rates in each pool such that changes in forward-looking conditions can be incorporated into the estimate. Each pool is assigned a loss rate that incorporates management’s view of current conditions and forward-looking conditions that inform the level of expected credit losses in each pool. The credit loss estimate includes specifically identified amounts for which payment has become unlikely. As a result of the adoption of ASC 326, As of December 31, 2019 Newmark had a balance in the allowance for doubtful accounts of $11.8 million. As a result of the adoption of ASC 326, Newmark recorded a pre-tax increase to the reserves of $4.2 million through beginning stockholder's equity on January 1, 2020. The balance of the reserve was $13.4 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and is included in "Receivables, net" on the accompany consolidated balance sheets.

Loans, Forgivable Loans and Other Receivables from Employees and Partners, net:

Newmark has entered into various agreements with certain of its employees and partners, whereby these individuals receive loans which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on some or all of their limited partnership units or may be forgiven over a period of time. The forgivable portion of these loans is not included in Newmark’s estimate of expected credit losses when employees meet the conditions for forgiveness through their continued employment over the specified time period and is recognized as compensation expense over the life of the loan. The amounts due from terminated employees that Newmark does not expect to collect are included in the allowance for credit losses. As a result of the adoption of ASC 326, Newmark recorded a pre-tax reserves of $3.7 million through beginning stockholders' equity on January 1, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balance of this reserve was $3.7 million and is included in “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

From time to time, Newmark may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the time frame outlined in the underlying agreements. Newmark reviews loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If Newmark determines that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, Newmark recognizes a reserve against the loan balances as compensation expense.

Segment:

Newmark has a single operating segment. Newmark is a real estate services firm offering services to commercial real estate tenants, investors, owners, occupiers, developers, leasing and corporate advisory, investment sales and real estate finance, consulting, origination and servicing of commercial mortgage loans, valuation, project and development management and property and facility management. The chief operating decision-maker regardless of geographic location evaluates the operating results of Newmark as total real estate services and allocates resources accordingly. Newmark recognized revenues as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Leasing and other commissions	$	147,433	$	140,439
Capital markets commissions	121,403		127,923
Gains from mortgage banking activities/origination, net	47,393		50,422
Management services, servicing fees and other	187,751		165,146
Revenues	$	503,980	$	483,930