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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Accounting and Principles of Consolidation
Basis of Accounting and Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented in this report reflects all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, which are included in the Annual Report, as certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate those contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have not been included in this interim report. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared, without audit, and do not necessarily include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair statement of our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP.

The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its subsidiaries which are majority-owned and/or controlled by the Company and variable interest entities for which the Company has determined itself to be the primary beneficiary, if any. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 — Consolidation (“ASC 810”), provides guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) and the determination of which business enterprise, if any, should consolidate the VIEs. Generally, the consideration of whether an entity is a VIE applies when either: (1) the equity investors (if any) lack one or more of the essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest; (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest. The Company consolidates VIEs in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the VIE’s performance; and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and right to receive the returns from the VIE that would be significant to the VIE.

Provision for Loan Losses
Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses reflects the Company’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The provision for loan losses includes a portfolio-based, current expected credit loss (“CECL”) component and an asset-specific component. In compliance with the new CECL reporting requirements, the Company has supplemented the existing credit monitoring and management processes with additional processes to support the calculation of the CECL reserves. As part of that effort, the Company has engaged a third-party service provider to provide market data and a credit loss model. The credit loss model is a forward-looking, econometric, commercial real estate (“CRE”) loss forecasting tool. It is comprised of a probability of default (“PD”) model and a loss given default (“LGD”) model that, layered together with user’s loan-level data, selected forward-looking macroeconomic variables, and pool-level mean loss rates, produces life of loan expected losses (“EL”) at the loan and portfolio level.

The asset-specific reserve component relates to reserves for losses on individually impaired loans. The Company evaluates each loan for impairment at least quarterly. Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. If the loan is considered to be impaired, an allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the loan to the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate or the fair value of the collateral, less the estimated costs to sell, if recovery of the Company’s investment is expected solely from the collateral. The Company generally will use the direct capitalization rate valuation methodology or the sales comparison approach to estimate the fair value of the collateral for such loans and in certain cases will obtain external appraisals. Determining fair value of the collateral may take into account a number of assumptions including, but not limited to, cash flow projections, market capitalization rates, discount rates and data regarding recent comparable sales of similar properties. Such assumptions are generally based on current market conditions and are subject to economic and market uncertainties.

The Company’s loans are typically collateralized by real estate directly or indirectly. As a result, the Company regularly evaluates the extent and impact of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral property as well as the financial and operating capability of the borrower/sponsor on a loan-by-loan basis. Specifically, a property’s operating results and any cash reserves are analyzed and used to assess (i) whether cash flow from operations is sufficient to cover the debt service requirements currently and into the future, (ii) the ability of the borrower to refinance the loan at maturity, and/or (iii) the property’s liquidation value. The Company also evaluates the financial wherewithal of any loan guarantors as well as the borrower’s competency in managing and operating the properties. In addition, the Company considers the overall economic environment, real estate sector, and geographic submarket in which the collateral property is located. Such impairment analyses are completed and reviewed by asset management and underwriting personnel, who utilize various data sources, including (i) periodic financial data such as property occupancy, tenant profile, rental rates, operating expenses, the borrowers’ business plan, and capitalization and discount rates, (ii) site inspections, and (iii) current credit spreads and other market data and ultimately presented to management for approval.

A loan is also considered impaired if its terms are modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). A TDR occurs when a concession is granted and the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. Impairments on TDR loans are generally measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate of the original loans. Generally, when granting concessions, the Company will seek to protect its position by requiring incremental pay downs, additional collateral or guarantees and, in some cases, lookback features or equity interests to offset concessions granted should conditions impacting the loan improve. The Company’s determination of credit losses is impacted by TDRs whereby loans that have gone through TDRs are considered impaired, assessed for specific reserves, and are not included in the Company’s assessment of the CECL reserve. Loans previously restructured under TDRs that subsequently default are reassessed to incorporate the Company’s current assumptions on expected cash flows and additional provision expense is recorded to the extent necessary.

The Company designates non-accrual loans at such time as (i) loan payments become 90-days past due or (ii) in the opinion of the Company, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Income recognition will be suspended when a loan is designated non-accrual and resumed only when the suspended loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to have resumed. Any interest received for loans on non-accrual status will be applied as a reduction to the unpaid principal balance. A loan will be written off when it is no longer realizable and legally discharged.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) and in April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04 Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“ASU 2019-04”), collectively, the “CECL Standard.” These updates change how entities measure potential credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value. The CECL Standard replaced the “incurred loss” approach under previous guidance with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. The net carrying value of an asset under the CECL Standard is intended to represent the amount expected to be collected on such asset and requires entities to deduct allowances for potential losses on held-to-maturity debt securities. The Company will continue to record asset-specific reserves consistent with our existing accounting policy. In addition, the Company will now record a general reserve in accordance with the CECL Standard on the remainder of the loan portfolio (“CECL Reserve”). At adoption, on January 1, 2020, the Company recorded a CECL Reserve of $11.6 million, which equated to 0.36% of $3.2 billion carrying value of its held for investment loan portfolio. This reserve excluded three loans that previously had an aggregate of $14.7 million of asset-specific reserves and a carrying value of $39.8 million as of January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, the aggregated CECL Reserve reduced total shareholder’s equity by $5.8 million (or approximately $0.05 of book value per share of common stock). As of March 31, 2020, the Company recorded additional CECL reserves of $18.6 million for a total CECL reserve of $30.2 million. This excludes five loans that previously had an aggregate of $20.7 million of asset-specific reserves and a total principal balance of $81.3 million as of March 31, 2020. This increase is primarily due to the update of the macro economic assumptions used in the Company’s CECL evaluation in the current quarter to reflect a recessionary macro economic scenario instead of the more stable “Baseline” scenario from the Federal Reserve that was utilized in the January 1, 2020 CECL reserve analysis.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement, (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The standard is effective for all entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, (“ASU 2018-17”). ASU 2018-17 requires reporting entities to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety for determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. The standard is effective for all entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to apply the amendments in ASU 2018-17 retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The adoption of ASU 2018-17 had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, (“ASU 2019-04”). ASU 2019-04 clarifies and improves areas of guidance related to the recently issued standards on credit losses (ASU 2016-13), hedging (ASU 2017-12), and recognition and measurement of financial instruments (ASU 2016-01). The amendments generally have the same effective dates as their related standards. If already adopted, the amendments of ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and the amendments of ASU 2017-12 are effective as of the beginning of the Company’s next annual reporting period; early adoption is permitted. The Company previously adopted ASU 2016-01. The adoption of ASU 2019-04 had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments, (“ASU 2020-03”). ASU 2020-03 improves various financial instruments topics, including the CECL Standard. ASU 2020-03 includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments related to Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 4 and Issue 5 were effective upon issuance of ASU 2020-03. The amendments related to Issue 3, Issue 6 and Issue 7 were effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2020-03 had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective upon issuance of ASU 2020-04 for contract modifications and hedging relationships on a prospective basis. While the Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2020-04, the Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 815), (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 also improves the consistent application of, and simplifies, GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The standard is effective for all entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Any new accounting standards not disclosed above that have been issued or proposed by FASB and that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.