Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Basis of Presentation: The Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, for interim financial information. Entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, through ownership of the majority of the entities' voting equity interests, or through other contractual right that give the Company control, are consolidated by the Company. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.

Valuation

Valuation: The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures ("ASC 820-10"), to its holdings of financial instruments. ASC 820-10 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:


•	Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets,


•	Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices included in Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, and


•	Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

A financial instrument's categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities.

Accounting for Real Estate Securities

Accounting for Real Estate Securities: Investments in real estate securities are generally recorded on trade date. These investments generally meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25, "Debt and Equity Securities," which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with changes in fair value charged to other comprehensive income, a component of Shareholders' Equity. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its real estate securities portfolio. Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. As such, the real estate securities are recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the period change in fair value is recorded in current period earnings on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Change in net unrealized gains on real estate securities.

Realized gains or losses on sales of real estate securities are included in Net realized gains on real estate securities on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and are recorded at the time of disposition. The cost of positions sold is calculated based on identified cost. Principal write-offs are generally treated as realized losses.

Interest Income

Interest Income: The Company accretes market discounts and amortizes market premiums on debt securities using the effective yield method. Accretion of market discount and amortization of market premiums requires the use of a significant amount of judgment and the application of several assumptions including, but not limited to, prepayment assumptions and default rate assumptions, which are evaluated quarterly. The Company's accrual of interest, discount and premium for U.S. federal and other tax purposes is likely to differ from the financial accounting treatment of these items as described above.

Expense Recognition

Expense Recognition: Expenses are charged when incurred. Expenses include, but are not limited to, operating expenses related to the Company that are incurred by the Company or the Manager, which are eligible for reimbursement by the Company.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Cash accounts are maintained with financial institutions. These balances generally exceed insured limits.

Deposits with Dealers Held as Collateral/Due to Brokers

Deposits with Dealers Held as Collateral/Due to Brokers on Margin Accounts: Deposits with dealers held as collateral consist of restricted cash for clearing and executing trades. Deposits with dealers held as collateral, due to brokers on margin accounts and other financial assets and liabilities may be offset and the net amount may be reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Deposits with dealers held as collateral and due to brokers on margin accounts are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives: The Company may enter into various types of financial derivatives subject to certain restrictions, including restrictions associated with qualifying as a REIT when the company elects REIT tax status, and investment guidelines. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any financial derivatives.

Swaps: The Company may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating rate of interest on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed rate on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time.

The Manager does not intend to operate its non-Agency RMBS investment strategy on a credit hedged basis; however, the Company may opportunistically enter into short positions using credit default swaps to protect against adverse credit events with respect to the Company's non-Agency RMBS. The Company may use credit default swaps to hedge non-Agency RMBS credit risk by buying protection on a single non-Agency RMBS or by buying protection on a basket or index of non-Agency RMBS assets. The Company may also enter into credit default swaps on various mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS" indices and derivative contracts for hedging purposes referencing the unsecured corporate credit, or the equity of, certain corporations. However, this strategy is subject to qualifying and maintaining EARN's qualification as a REIT and maintaining EARN's exclusion from regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

Upfront payments paid/received by the Company on open swap contracts are initially recorded as an asset or liability and are recorded as a realized gain or loss on the termination date. During the term of swap contracts, changes in value are recognized as unrealized gains or losses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Periodic payments or receipts required by swap agreements are recorded as unrealized gains or losses when accrued and realized gains or losses when received or paid. The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into swap transactions. When a contract is terminated, the Company will realize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract, if any.

The Company's swap contracts will be generally governed by International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") trading agreements, which are separately negotiated agreements with dealer counterparties. Changes in the relative value of the swap transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. Typically, a collateral payment or receipt is triggered based on the net change in the value of all contracts governed by a particular ISDA trading agreement. Cash collateral received from or paid to counterparties is included in Due to brokers on margin accounts and Deposits with dealers held as collateral, respectively. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any swap contracts.

Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a financial instrument for a set price on a future date. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can be either cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market to reflect the market value of the contract. Variation margin payments are made or received periodically, depending upon whether unrealized losses or gains are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any futures contracts.

Options: The Company may purchase put, call, straddle or other similar options such as swaptions. When the Company purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid is recorded as an asset and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums paid for purchasing options that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized losses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. If an option is exercised, the premium paid is subtracted from the proceeds of the sale or added to the cost of the purchase to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related investment transaction. When the Company enters into a closing transaction, the Company will realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the amount from the closing transaction is greater or less than the premium paid.

The Company may write put, call, straddle or other similar options such as swaptions. When the Company writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums received for writing options that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized gains on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. If an option is exercised, the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the purchase or added to the proceeds of the sale to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related investment transaction. When the Company enters into a closing transaction, the Company will realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the amount from the closing transaction is greater or less than the premium received.

The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into certain option transactions. Movements in the value of the option transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post additional collateral.

Securities Lending

Securities Lending: The Company may lend its portfolio securities to institutions in exchange for cash as collateral. The Company may bear the risk of a delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities if the counterparty fails financially. The Company receives compensation for loaning its securities in the form of interest on the loan.

Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Company may enter into repurchase agreements with third-party broker-dealers whereby it sells securities under agreements to repurchase at an agreed upon price and date. Interest on the value of repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements issued and outstanding is based upon market rates at the time of issuance. The Company accounts for repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings. When the Company enters into a repurchase agreement, the lender establishes and maintains an account containing cash transferred and securities having a value not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest, of the repurchase agreement. The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreement transactions with third-party broker-dealers whereby it purchases securities under agreements to resell at an agreed upon price and date. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are conducted with the same counterparty are reported on a net basis if they meet the requirements under the authoritative guidance. Repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximate fair value.

When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities

When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities: The Company may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued basis are traded for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price or yield, and no income accrues to the purchaser prior to settlement. Purchasing or selling securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis involves the risk that the market price or yield at the time of delivery may be lower or higher than the agreed upon price or yield, in which case a realized or unrealized loss may be incurred. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any when-issued or delayed delivery securities.

The Company may transact in the forward settling To Be Announced ("TBA") RMBS market. A TBA position is a forward contract for the purchase ("long position") or sale ("short position") of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into the contract upon the settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The difference between the contract price and the fair value of the TBA position is reported in net realized gain (loss) on derivatives, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Upon settlement of the TBA contract, the realized gain or loss on the TBA contract is equal to the difference between the fair value of the underlying Agency RMBS physically received/delivered and the contract price, or if cash settled, is equal to the net cash amount paid or received.

The Company estimates the fair value of TBA positions based on similar methods used to value real estate securities.

U.S. Treasury securities

U.S. Treasury Securities: The Company may purchase or sell short U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the performance of its portfolio. The Company may borrow securities under reverse repurchase agreements to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities. The Company accounts for these as securities borrowing transactions and recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date.

Organizational Expenses

Organizational Expenses: Organizational expenses are expensed as incurred. Organizational expenses consisted mainly of legal fees.

Offering Costs/Placement Fees/Deferred Offering Costs

Offering Costs/Deferred Offering Costs: Offering costs are charged against shareholders' equity. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, cumulative costs associated with the Company's public offering of common shares were deferred. At the closing of the offering, in May 2013, these deferred offering costs will be offset against the proceeds of the offering and charged against shareholders' equity. Deferred offering costs consist principally of legal, accounting, printing, and other fees associated with the offering.

Manager Compensation

Manager Compensation: The Management Agreement provides for the payment to the Manager of a management fee. The management fee is accrued and expensed during the period it is earned. For a more detailed discussion on the fees payable under the Management Agreement see Note 5.

Share Based Compensation

Share Based Compensation: The Company will apply the provisions of ASC 718, "Compensation—Shares Compensation" with regard to its planned equity incentive plans. ASC 718 covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights and employee share purchase plans. ASC 718 requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. The cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. As of March 31, 2013, the Company has not established a share based compensation plan.

Dividends

Dividends: Dividends payable are recorded on the declaration date.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share ("EPS"): In accordance with the provisions of ASC 260, "Earnings per Share," the Company calculates basic income per share by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted-average of the Company's common shares outstanding for that period. Diluted income per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as share options, warrants and unvested restricted shares, and uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The Company, as a business trust with more than one owner, is considered a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are not subject to entity-level tax on their income, but the income of a partnership is taxable to its owners on a flow-through basis. Interest, dividend, and other income realized by the Company from non-U.S. sources and capital gains realized on the sale of securities of non-U.S. issuers may be subject to entity level tax such as withholding and other taxes levied by the jurisdiction in which the income is sourced. The Company has not elected and does not intend to elect REIT status under the Code for the period September 25, 2012 (Commencement of Operations) through December 31, 2012 or for the short taxable period January 1, 2013 through April 30, 2013. The Company follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty on tax positions, which requires management to determine whether a tax position of the company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals of the litigation process, based on the technical merits of the position. For uncertain tax positions, the tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect any change in unrecognized tax benefits within the next year. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examination by federal, state, local and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable, for the current period and 2012 (its open tax years). The Company may take positions with respect to certain tax issues which depend on legal interpretation of facts or applicable tax regulations. Should the relevant tax regulators successfully challenge any such positions, the Company might be found to have a tax liability that has not been recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Also, management's conclusions regarding the authoritative guidance may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on changing tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. There were no amounts accrued for penalties or interest as of or during the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

The Company made the election to be taxed as a corporation effective for the short taxable period May 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The Company intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 to 860 of the Code commencing with the short taxable period May 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the "JOBS Act", the Company meets the definition of an “emerging growth company.” The Company has elected to follow the extended transition period for complying with new or revised U.S. accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. As a result, the Company will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-public entities.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities ("ASU 2011-11"). This amends ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting, to require new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting for derivative and financial instruments which are offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The update requires disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts for financial instruments shown net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and is to be applied retrospectively. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities ("ASU 2013- 01"). The amendment clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11 applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASU No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The adoption of ASU 2011-11, as amended by ASU 2013-01, did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, which amends ASC 220, Comprehensive Income. The amendments are intended to make the presentation of items within Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) more prominent. ASU 2013-02 requires reclassification adjustments between OCI and net income to be presented separately on the face of the financial statements. The new guidance does not change the requirement to present items of net income and OCI, and totals for net income, OCI and comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or two consecutive statements. ASU 2013-02 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2013. Adopting this ASU is not expected to have any impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations, but may impact financial statement disclosures.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-4 which amends ASC 405, Liabilities. The amendment is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The amendment in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim and annual periods thereafter. The Company is evaluating the impact of this amendment.