Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)

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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, have been condensed or omitted according to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes, however, that the disclosures included in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at March 31, 2013 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make a number of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, the period of time during which the Company anticipates an increase in the fair values of real estate securities sufficient to recover unrealized losses in those securities, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company's estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
The Company's investment in the common stock of Silver Bay was reviewed for consolidation under the applicable consolidation guidance, including voting control and variable interest entities ("VIE") models. The Company concluded that it did not have voting control of Silver Bay nor was Silver Bay considered a VIE and, therefore, consolidation of Silver Bay was not required.
The legal entity used in securitization (i.e., the securitization trust), which is considered a VIE for financial reporting purposes, was also reviewed for consolidation under the applicable consolidation guidance. As the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the securitization trust that most significantly impact the entity's performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity that could be significant, the Company consolidates the trust. The accounting is consistent with a secured financing, where the loans and securitized debt are both carried on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Significant Accounting Policies
Securitization and Variable Interest Entities
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company purchased subordinated debt and excess servicing rights from a securitization trust issued by a third party. The securitization trust is considered a VIE for financial reporting purposes and, thus, was reviewed for consolidation under the applicable consolidation guidance. As the Company has both the power to direct the activities of the securitization trust that most significantly impact the entity's performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity that could be significant, the Company consolidates the trust. The underlying loans are classified as mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trust and the underlying debt is classified as collateralized borrowings in securitization trust on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The interest income on mortgage loans held-for-investment and interest expense on collateralized borrowings are recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. See Note 14 - Fair Value of these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for details on fair value measurement.
Mortgage Loans Held-for-Investment in Securitization Trust, at Fair Value
Mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trust related to the Company's on-balance sheet securitization are reported at fair value as a result of a fair value option election. These securitized mortgage loans are legally isolated from the Company and have been structured to be beyond the reach of creditors. Fair value is determined under the guidance of ASC 820. The Company determines the fair value of its mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trust by type of loan and the determination is generally based on current secondary market pricing or cash flow models using market-based yield requirements. See Note 14 - Fair Value of these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for details on fair value measurement.
Interest income on mortgage loans held-for-investment is recognized at the loan coupon rate. Loans are considered past due when they are 30 days past their contractual due date. Interest income recognition is suspended when mortgage loans are placed on nonaccrual status. Generally, mortgage loans are placed on nonaccrual status when delinquent for more than 60 days or when determined not to be probable of full collection. Interest accrued, but not collected, at the date mortgage loans are placed on nonaccrual is reversed and subsequently recognized only to the extent it is received in cash or until it qualifies for return to accrual status. However, where there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectability of loan principal, all cash received is applied to reduce the carrying value of such loans. Mortgage loans are restored to accrual status only when contractually current or the collection of future payments is reasonably assured.
Collateralized Borrowings in Securitization Trust, at Fair Value
Collateralized borrowings in securitization trust related to the Company's on-balance sheet securitization are reported at fair value as a result of a fair value option election. This long-term debt is nonrecourse to the Company beyond the assets held in the trust. Fair value is determined under the guidance of ASC 820. The Company determines the fair value of its collateralized borrowings in securitization trust based on prices obtained from third-party pricing providers, broker quotes received and other applicable market data. See Note 14 - Fair Value of these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for details on fair value measurement.
Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding additional significant accounting policies.
Recently Issued and/or Adopted Accounting Standards
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2011-11, which amends ASC 210, Balance Sheet. The amendments in this ASU enhance disclosures required by U.S. GAAP by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset in accordance with ASC 210, Balance Sheet or ASC 815, Other Presentation Matters or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2013. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, which limits the scope of ASU 2011-11 to certain derivatives, repurchase agreements and securities lending arrangements. ASU 2013-01 is also effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Adopting both ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 did not have any impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations, but did impact financial statement disclosures.
Comprehensive Income
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, 2012. Adopting this ASU did not have any impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations, but did impact financial statement disclosures.