<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-16-638343.txt : 20160630
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-16-638343.hdr.sgml : 20160630
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160630164104
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-16-638343
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160630
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160630
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160630

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001467760
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				270467113
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34452
		FILM NUMBER:		161743579

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
		STREET 2:		9 WEST 57TH STREET, 43RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(212) 515-3200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
		STREET 2:		9 WEST 57TH STREET, 43RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d210814d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>8-K</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>United States </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Securities and Exchange Commission </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K
</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Current Report </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of report: June&nbsp;30, 2016 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>APOLLO
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Maryland</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>001-34452</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>27-0467113</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of Incorporation or Organization)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>c/o Apollo Global Management, LLC </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>9 West 57<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">th</SUP> Street, 43<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">rd</SUP> Floor
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>New York, NY 10019 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(212) 515-3200 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>N/A </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(former name or
former address, if changed since last report) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below
if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;1.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Amendment to Merger Agreement </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On June&nbsp;30, 2016, Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the &#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;), Apollo Residential Mortgage Inc., a Maryland corporation
(&#147;<U>AMTG</U>&#148;), and Arrow Merger Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation (&#147;<U>Merger Sub</U>&#148;), entered into Amendment No.&nbsp;1 (the &#147;<U>Amendment</U>&#148;) to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February&nbsp;26,
2016, by and among the Company, AMTG and Merger Sub (the &#147;<U>Merger Agreement</U>&#148;). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Based on the status of the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement and the currently anticipated timing to closing, the parties have determined that it is in their best interests and the best interests of their respective stockholders to extend the Termination Date (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) from 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on August&nbsp;26, 2016 (as such date could be extended in certain circumstances) to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on September&nbsp;9, 2016. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The parties are in the process of implementing the pricing mechanism contemplated by the Merger Agreement and consummation of the transaction remains subject
to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement by AMTG shareholders. The parties continue to&nbsp;expect&nbsp;closing to occur in the third quarter of 2016. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing description of the Amendment and the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of the Amendment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, and to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February&nbsp;26, 2016. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Exhibits. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:23.50pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Exhibit<BR>No</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:37.25pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Description</P></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>2.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 30, 2016, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 26, 2016, by and among Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc., Arrow Merger Sub, Inc. and Apollo Residential Mortgage,
Inc.</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Forward-Looking Statements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Form 8-K contains, and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we or our executive officers on our behalf, may from time to time make forward-looking statements in reports and other documents that are filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) or in connection with oral statements made to the press, potential investors or others. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our future economic performance, business
prospects, revenue, income, and financial condition; and statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words &#147;expects,&#148; &#147;believes,&#148; &#147;intends,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;anticipates,&#148; and similar terms that
relate to future events, performance, or our results. Examples of forward-looking statements in </P>

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this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the price, terms and closing date of the proposed transaction and statements regarding stockholder and regulatory approvals.
Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, expectations, or outcomes to differ materially from our historical experience as well as management&#146;s present expectations or
projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i)&nbsp;the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (ii)&nbsp;the inability to complete the
proposed merger due to the failure of AMTG to obtain AMTG Requisite Vote or the failure to satisfy other conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement within the proposed timeframe or at all; (iii)&nbsp;the failure to obtain
the necessary financing arrangements as set forth in the debt commitment letter entered into in connection with the Merger Agreement; (iv)&nbsp;risks related to disruption of management&#146;s attention from the Company&#146;s ongoing business
operations due to the transaction; (v)&nbsp;the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted against the Company and others relating to the Merger Agreement; (vi)&nbsp;the risk that the
pendency of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in retention of our manager&#146;s employees as a result of the pendency of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement; (vii)&nbsp;the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the Company&#146;s operating results and business generally; and (viii)&nbsp;the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are set forth
in the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February&nbsp;26, 2016, the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2016
which was filed with the SEC on April&nbsp;27, 2016 and other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements represent the Company&#146;s views as of the date on which such statements were made and the
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Participants in the Solicitation </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees of the Company may be deemed to be
&#147;participants&#148; in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of AMTG in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC,
be considered participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of AMTG in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, which may be different than those of AMTG&#146;s stockholders generally, will be set forth in the
proxy statement and the other relevant documents to be filed by AMTG with the SEC. Stockholders can find information about the Company and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of the Company&#146;s common stock in the
Company&#146;s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2015 and in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on April&nbsp;1, 2016. Additional information
regarding the interests of such individuals in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be included in the proxy statement relating to the merger when it is filed with the SEC. These documents may be obtained free of charge from
the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov and the Company&#146;s website at www.apolloreit.com. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company has filed a preliminary registration statement on Form S-4 that will serve as a prospectus
for the Company shares to be issued as consideration in the proposed transaction and includes a proxy statement of AMTG. The registration statement has not yet become effective and the Company intends to update the registration statement before it
becomes effective. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, STOCKHOLDERS OF AMTG ARE URGED TO READ THE PROSPECTUS AND PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THESE MATERIALS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT AMTG, THE COMPANY AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Following the registration statement having been declared effective by the SEC, these materials will be made available to the stockholders of AMTG at no expense to them and are expected to be
mailed to </P>

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stockholders. When available after filing, the prospectus and proxy statement and other relevant information may be obtained without charge from the website of the SEC at <U>www.SEC.gov</U>.
Copies of the documents filed by the Company with the SEC are available free of charge on the Company&#146;s website at <U>www.apolloreit.com</U>, and copies of the documents filed by AMTG with the SEC are also available free of charge on
AMTG&#146;s website at <U>www.apolloresidentialmortgage.com</U>. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This document is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities
laws of any such jurisdiction. This document is not a substitute for the prospectus or any other document that ARI may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a
prospectus meeting the requirements of Section&nbsp;10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">APOLLO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">FINANCE, INC.</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">Date: June&nbsp;30, 2016</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Jai Agarwal</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Jai Agarwal</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary</TD></TR>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-2.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>d210814dex21.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-2.1
<TEXT>
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<TITLE>EX-2.1</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 2.1 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (this &#147;<U>Amendment No.&nbsp;1</U>&#148;) dated as of June&nbsp;30, 2016, by and
among Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc., a Maryland corporation (&#147;<U>Parent</U>&#148;), Arrow Merger Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (&#147;<U>Merger Sub</U>&#148;), and Apollo Residential
Mortgage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the &#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;), amends the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as February&nbsp;26, 2016 (the &#147;<U>Agreement</U>&#148;) by and among Parent, Merger Sub and the Company. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">WHEREAS, the parties hereto are parties to the Agreement and desire to amend the Agreement in accordance with the requirements of
Section&nbsp;9.1(a) of the Agreement as set forth herein. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective covenants contained herein
and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">1. <U>Definitions; References</U>. Unless otherwise defined or
set forth herein, capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. Each reference to &#147;hereof&#148; &#147;hereunder,&#148; &#147;herein,&#148; and &#147;hereby&#148; and each other
similar reference and each reference to &#147;this Agreement&#148; and each other similar reference contained in the Agreement shall from and after the date hereof refer to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment No.&nbsp;1. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">2. <U>Amendment to Agreement</U>. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">2.1. The reference to &#147;August 26, 2016&#148; in Section&nbsp;8.2(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with &#147;September
9, 2016&#148;. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">3. <U>Approval</U>. Each party represents and warrants that this Amendment No.&nbsp;1 has been duly and validly authorized
by all necessary action on the part of such party. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">4. <U>Continued Effectiveness of Agreement</U>. Except as expressly modified and
superseded by this Amendment No.&nbsp;1, all terms and provisions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect without modification, and nothing herein shall operate as a waiver of any party&#146;s rights, powers or
privileges under the Agreement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">5. <U>Counterparts; Facsimile</U>. This Amendment No.&nbsp;1 may be executed manually or by facsimile by
the parties hereto, in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when a counterpart hereof shall have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties
(including by means of electronic delivery), it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. Signatures to this Amendment No.&nbsp;1 transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in &#147;portable document
format&#148; (&#147;.pdf&#148;), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.
</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">6. <U>Governing Law</U>. This Amendment No.&nbsp;1, and all claims or causes of actions (whether
at Law, in equity, in contract or in tort) that may be based upon, arise out of, or are related to, this Amendment No.&nbsp;1 or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Amendment No.&nbsp;1, shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the Laws of the State of Maryland applicable to agreements entered into and performed entirely therein by residents thereof, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles (whether of the State of Maryland or any other
jurisdiction that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland). Any dispute or controversy arising out of this Amendment No.&nbsp;1 shall be resolved in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Article 9 of the Agreement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">[<I>Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank</I>] </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to be signed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


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<TD WIDTH="87%"></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">APOLLO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">FINANCE, INC.</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Stuart A. Rothstein</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Name:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Stuart A. Rothstein</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Title:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="3"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">ARROW MERGER SUB, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Stuart A. Rothstein</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Name:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Stuart A. Rothstein</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Title:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">President</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger] </P>

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<TD WIDTH="87%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">APOLLO RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael A. Commaroto</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Name:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Michael A. Commaroto</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Title:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger] </P>
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