Velocity Financial Inc

Note 1 — Organization and Description of Business

Velocity Financial, LLC (VF or the Company) was a Delaware limited liability company formed on July 9, 2012 for the purpose of acquiring all membership units in Velocity Commercial Capital, LLC (VCC). On January 16, 2020, Velocity Financial, LLC converted from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation and changed its name to Velocity Financial, Inc. Upon completion of the conversion, Velocity Financial, LLC’s Class A equity units of 97,513,533 and Class D equity units of 60,193,989 were converted to 11,749,994 shares of Velocity Financial, Inc. common stock. On January 22, 2020, the Company completed its initial public offering of 7,250,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $13.00 per share. On January 28, 2020, the Company completed the sale of an additional 1,087,500 shares of its common stock, representing the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, at a public offering price of $13.00 per share. The Company’s stock trades on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VEL”.

VCC, a California LLC formed on June 2, 2004, is a mortgage lender that originates and acquires residential and commercial investor real estate loans, providing capital to the investor real estate loan market. The Company is licensed as a California Finance Lender and, as such, is required to maintain a minimum net worth of $250 thousand. The Company does not believe there is any potential risk of not being able to meet this regulatory requirement. The Company uses its equity capital and borrowed funds to originate and invest in investor real estate loans and seeks to generate income based primarily on the difference between the yield on its investor real estate loan portfolio and the cost of its borrowings. The Company may also sell loans from time to time. The Company does not originate or acquire investments outside of the United States of America.

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is the sole beneficial owner of the Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trusts, from the 2017-2 Trust through and including the 2024-1 Trust, all of which are New York common law trusts, with the exception of the VCC 2022-MC1 Trust, VCC 2023-1R Trust, and VCC 2023-RTL1 Trust which are Delaware statutory trusts. The Trusts are bankruptcy remote, variable interest entities (VIE) formed for the purpose of providing secured borrowings to the Company and are consolidated with the accounts of the Company.

On December 28, 2021, the Company acquired an 80% ownership interest in Century Health & Housing Capital, LLC (“Century”). Century is a licensed “Ginnie Mae” issuer/servicer that provides government-insured Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage financing for multifamily housing, senior housing and long-term care/assisted living facilities. Century originates loans through its borrower-direct origination channel and services the loans through its in-house servicing platform, which enables the formation of long-term relationships with its clients and drives strong portfolio retention. Century is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company as of completion of the acquisition. In addition, as a servicer of Ginnie Mae loans, Century is required to maintain a minimum net worth, and Century is in compliance with this requirement as of March 31, 2024.

Note 2 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied to the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for each respective period presented. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter for the full year. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

(a)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of consolidated income and expenses during the reporting period.

(b)

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2— Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of its audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

There have been no significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies as described in its 2023 Annual Report.

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

(c)

Principles of Consolidation

The principles of consolidation require management to determine and reassess the requirement to consolidate VIEs each reporting period, and therefore, the determination may change based on new facts and circumstances pertaining to each VIE. This could result in a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in subsequent reporting periods.

The Company consolidates the assets, liabilities, and remainder interests of the Trusts as management determined that VCC is the primary beneficiary of these entities. The Company’s ongoing asset management responsibilities provide the Company with the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the remainder interests provide the Company with the right to receive benefits and the obligation to absorb losses, limited to its investment in the remainder interest of the Trusts.

The consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include only those assets, liabilities, and results of operations related to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries, and VIEs.

(d)

Fair Value Option Accounting

The Company has elected to apply fair value option ("FVO") accounting to originated mortgage loans effective October 1, 2022. The fair value option loans are presented on a separate line item in the consolidated balance sheet. Interest income on FVO loans is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statements of income under the heading interest income. The Company will not record a CECL loan loss reserve on fair value option loans.

The Company has elected to apply fair value option ("FVO") accounting to securitized debt issued effective January 1, 2023 when the underlying collateral is also carried at fair value. The FVO securitized debt is presented on a separate line item in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company reflects interest expense on the fair value option securitized debt as “interest” in the consolidated statements of income and presents the other fair value changes of the FVO securitized debt separately in the consolidated financial statements.

(e)

Derivative Instruments and Hedge Accounting

The Company issues fixed rate debt at regular intervals during the year through the securitization of its fixed rate mortgage assets. The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its forecasted debt issuances as these fixed rate debt issuances are priced at then-current market rates. The Company’s risk management objective is to hedge the risk of variability in its interest payment cash flows attributable to changes in the benchmark Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") between the time the fixed rate mortgages are originated and the fixed rate debt is issued. To accomplish this hedging strategy, the Company may from time to time enter into derivative instruments such as forward starting payer interest rate swaps or interest rate payer swaptions designated as cash flow hedges that are designed to be highly correlated to the underlying terms of the forecasted debt instruments. To qualify for hedge accounting, the Company formally documents its hedging relationships at inception, including the identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction at the time the derivative contract is executed. The Company also formally assesses effectiveness both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis.

The Company's policy is to present all derivative balances on a gross basis, without regard to counterparty master netting agreements or similar arrangements. The fair value of the derivative instruments is recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated balance sheets as an asset or liability with the related gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). Beginning in the period in which the forecasted debt issuance occurs and the related derivative instruments are terminated, the gains or losses accumulated in AOCI are then reclassified into interest expense over the term of the related debt. If the Company determines it is not probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, gains and losses are reclassified immediately to earnings. The related cash flows are recognized on the cash flows from operating activities section on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company uses hedge accounting based on the exposure being hedged as cash flow hedges in operations.

(f)

Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income ("OCI") is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. OCI is comprised of net income and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges, net of tax, less amounts reclassified into earnings.

Accumulated other comprehensive income represents the cumulative balance of OCI, net of tax, as of the end of the reporting period and relates to unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax.

Note 3 — Current Accounting Developments

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires more detailed disclosures, on an annual and interim basis, related to the Company’s reportable segment. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Although the Company has only one reportable segment, the Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 240): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires additional disclosure and disaggregated information in the Income Tax Rate reconciliation using both percentages and reporting currency amounts, with additional qualitative explanations of individually significant reconciling items. The updated guidance also requires disclosure of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by jurisdictional categories (federal (national), state, and foreign). The accounting update is effective January 1, 2025, for the Company. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Codification Improvements

In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02, “Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements,” which amends the Codification to remove references to various concepts statements and impacts a variety of topics in the Codification. The amendments apply to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance, but in most instances the references removed are extraneous and not required to understand or apply the guidance. Generally, the amendments in ASU 2024-02 are not intended to result in significant accounting changes for most entities. The accounting update is effective January 1, 2025, for the Company. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 4 — Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

The Company is required to hold cash for potential future advances due to certain borrowers. In accordance with various mortgage servicing and related agreements, Century maintains escrow accounts for mortgage insurance premium, tax and insurance, working capital, sinking fund and other mortgage related escrows. The total escrow balances payable amounted to $86.7 million and $72.2 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Note 5 — Loans Held for Sale at Fair Value

The following table summarizes loans held for sale at fair value as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Note 6 — Loans Held for Investment and Loans Held for Investment at Fair Value

The following tables summarize loans held for investment as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

The following tables summarize the Unpaid Principal Balance (“UPB”) and amortized cost basis of loans in the Company's COVID-19 forbearance program for thethree months ended March 31, 2024, and the year ended December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):

Since April 1, 2020, the inception of the COVID-19 forbearance program, the Company has modified$411.8 million in UPB of loans, which includes capitalized interest of $13.6 million. As of March 31, 2024, $249.5 million in UPB of modified loans has been paid down, which includes $5.8 million of capitalized interest received. The Company has not forgiven any capitalized interest.

Approximately 72.7% and 75.8% of the COVID forbearance loans in UPB were performing, and 27.3% and 24.2% were on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the gross unpaid principal balances of loans held for investment pledged as collateral for the Company’s warehouse facilities and securitized debt issued were as follows (in thousands):

(a)

Nonaccrual Loans

The following tables present the amortized cost basis, or recorded investment, of the Company’s loans held for investment, excluding loans carried at fair value, that were nonperforming and on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. There were no loans accruing interest that were greater than 90 days past due as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The Company has made the accounting policy election not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables. The Company has also made the accounting policy election to write off accrued interest receivables by reversing interest income when loans are placed on nonaccrual status, or 90 days or more past due. Any future payments received for these loans will be recognized on a cash basis.

The Company continues to evaluate the COVID-19 forbearance-granted loans on an individual basis to determine if a reserve should be established on the collectability of the accrued interest and whether any loans should be placed on nonaccrual status at a future date.

The following tables present the amortized cost basis in the loans held for investment, excluding loans held for investment at fair value, as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the amount of accrued interest receivables written off by reversing interest income by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

The cash basis interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans was $7.3 million and $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. No accrued interest income was recognized on nonaccrual loans for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The average recorded investment of individually evaluated loans, computed using month-end balances, was $325.0 million and $302.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose loans have been modified in troubled debt restructuring as of March 31, 2024 and 2023.

(b)

Allowance for Credit Losses

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

(c)

Credit Quality Indicator

A credit quality indicator is a statistic used by the Company to monitor and assess the credit quality of loans held for investment, excluding loans held for investment at fair value. The Company monitors its charge-off rate in relation to its nonperforming loans as a credit quality indicator. Nonperforming loans are loans that are 90 or more days past due, in bankruptcy, in foreclosure, or not accruing interest. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. The annualized charge-off rates were 0.63% and 0.65% of average nonperforming loans for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Other credit quality indicators include aging status and accrual status. The following table presents the aging status of the amortized cost basis in the loans held for investment portfolio, which include $167.0 million and $176.5 million loans in the Company’s COVID-19 forbearance program, excluding loans held for investment at fair value, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (in thousands):

(1)

Includes loans in bankruptcy and foreclosure less than 90 days past due.

In addition to the aging status, the Company also evaluates credit quality by accrual status. The following tables present the amortized cost in loans held for investment, excluding loans held for investment at fair value, based on accrual status and by loan origination year as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands).

(d)

Nonaccrual Loans - Loans Held for Investment at Fair Value

The following tables present the aggregate fair value of loans held for investment at fair value that are 90 days or more past due and/or in nonaccrual status, and the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 by loan segments (in thousands):

Note 7 — Receivables Due From Servicers

The following tables summarize receivables due from servicers as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Note 8 — Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage loans serviced are related to the Century business and not included in the consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans serviced for others amounted to $485.9 million and $487.7 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company has elected to record its mortgage servicing rights using the fair value measurement method. Significant assumptions used in determining the fair value of servicing rights as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include: 1) Weighted average discount rates of 8.0%. 2) Weighted average conditional prepayment rates of 6.0% and 6.5%.

The following table presents the Company's mortgage servicing rights activity during the period of March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Note 9 — Goodwill

The following table presents the activity for goodwill as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Note 10 — Securitized Debt and Securitized Debt at Fair Value

As of March 31, 2024, the Company is the sole beneficial interest holder oftwenty-five trusts, which are variable interest entities included in the consolidated financial statements. The securitization transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings under U.S. GAAP. The securities are subject to redemption by the Company when the stated principal balance is less than a certain percentage, ranging from 10%–30% of the original stated principal balance of loans at issuance. As a result, the actual maturity dates of the securities issued could be earlier than their respective stated maturity dates, ranging from October 2047 through January 2054.

The following tables summarize securitized debt and securitized debt at fair value as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):

The following table presents the effective interest rate of securitized debt and securitized debt at fair value for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 ($ in thousands):

(1)

Effective interest rate represents annualized interest expense divided by average gross outstanding balance, which includes average rates of 5.38% and 4.44%, and debt issuance cost amortization of 0.27% and 0.64% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 11 — Other Debt

Secured financings and warehouse facilities are utilized to finance the origination and purchase of commercial real estate mortgage loans. Warehouse facilities are designated to fund mortgage loans that are purchased and originated within specified underwriting guidelines. Most of these lines of credit fund less than 100% of the principal balance of the mortgage loans originated and purchased, requiring the use of working capital to fund the remaining portion.

(a)

Secured Financing, Net (Corporate Debt)

On March 15, 2022, the Company entered into afive-year $215.0 million syndicated corporate debt agreement, the (“the 2022 Term Loan”). The 2022 Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.125% and matures on March 15, 2027. Interest on the 2022 Term Loan is paid everysix months. A portion of the net proceeds from the 2022 Term Loan was used to redeem all the amounts owed pursuant to a term loan previously entered into during 2021 (the "2021 Term Loan"). The remaining portion of the net proceeds from the 2022 Term Loan is used for loan originations and general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balance of the 2022 Term Loan was$215.0 million.

On February 5, 2024, the Company entered into afive-year $75.0 million syndicated corporate debt agreement, the (“the 2024 Term Loan”). The 2024 Term Loan bears interest at 9.875% and matures on February 15, 2029. Interest on the 2024 Term Loan is paid every six months. As of March 31, 2024, the balance of the 2024 Term Loan was $75.0 million.

The total balance of the 2022 Term Loan and the 2024 Term Loan ("Corporate Debt") in the consolidated balance sheets is net of debt issuance costs and discount of $6.2 million as of March 31, 2024. The Corporate Debt is secured by substantially all assets of the Company not otherwise pledged under a securitized debt or warehouse facility and contains certain reporting and financial covenants. Should the Company fail to adhere to those covenants, the lenders have the right to demand immediate repayment that may require the Company to sell the collateral at less than the carrying amounts. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

(b)

Warehouse Repurchase and Revolving Loan Facilities, Net

On January 4, 2011, Century entered into a Master Participation and Facility Agreement with a bank (“the September 2022 Term Repurchase Agreement”). The Facility Agreement has a current extended maturity date of July 31, 2024, and is a short-term borrowing facility, collateralized by performing loans, with a maximum capacity of $60.0 million, and bears interest atone-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.60% with a 0.25% floor. There was no outstanding balance as of March 31, 2024 and the effective interest rates was 6.2% as of December 31, 2023.

On May 17, 2013, the Company entered into a Repurchase Agreement (“the 2013 Repurchase Agreement”) with a warehouse lender. The 2013 Repurchase Agreement is a modified mark-to-market agreement and has a current maturity date of September 26, 2024, and is a short-term borrowing facility, collateralized by a pool of performing loans, with a maximum capacity of $300.0 million, and bears interest at SOFR plus 3.25%. All borrower payments on loans financed under the warehouse repurchase facility are first used to pay interest on the facility. The effective interest rates were 9.5% and 9.8% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

On September 12, 2018, the Company entered into athree-year non-mark-to-market secured revolving loan facility agreement (“the Bank Credit Agreement”) with a bank. The Bank Credit Agreement has a current extended maturity date of November 10, 2025. During the borrowing period, the Company can take loan advances from time to time subject to availability. Each loan advance bears interest at SOFR plus 3.61%, with a floor of 4.25%. The maximum capacity under this facility is $50.0 million. The effective interest rates were 9.4% and 9.2% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

On January 29, 2021, the Company entered into a non-mark-to-market Repurchase Agreement (“the 2021 Repurchase Agreement”) with a warehouse lender. The 2021 Repurchase Agreement has a current extended maturity date of May 15, 2024, and is a short-term borrowing facility, collateralized by a pool of loans, with a maximum capacity of $200.0 million, and bears interest at SOFR plus a margin of 3.00% during the availability period and 4.00% during the amortization period. All borrower payments on loans financed under the warehouse repurchase facility are first used to pay interest on the facility. The effective interest rates were 10.3% and 10.0% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a non-mark-to-market Term Repurchase Agreement (“the 2021 Term Repurchase Agreement”) with a warehouse lender. The 2021 Term Repurchase Agreement has a maturity date of April 16, 2026, with a borrowing period through April 14, 2025. During the borrowing period, the Company can take loan advances from time to time subject to availability. Each loan advance bears interest at SOFR plus a margin of 3.10%. The maximum capacity under this facility is $100.0 million. The effective interest rates were 8.7% and 8.3% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

On July 29, 2021, the Company entered into a non-mark-to-market Term Repurchase Agreement (“the July 2021 Term Repurchase Agreement”) with a warehouse lender. The July 2021 Term Repurchase Agreement has a maturity date of July 29, 2024, with an option to extend the term to July 29, 2025. During the borrowing period, the Company can take loan advances from time to time subject to availability. Each loan advance bears interest atone-month American Interbank Offered Rate ("AMERIBOR") with a 0.5% floor plus 4.50% per annum. The maximum capacity under this facility is $100.0 million. The effective interest rates were 10.8% and 14.2% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

On October 12, 2023, the Company entered into a $9.5 million short-term repurchase agreement (“the October 2023 Repurchase Agreement”), andbore interest at 7.0%. On December 14, 2023, the Company entered into two $10.0 million short-term repurchase agreements, one agreement bore interest at 7.6%, and the other agreement bore interest at 7.5%. These repurchase agreements were paid off in February 2024.

On December 27, 2023, the Company entered into a loan facility agreement (“the 2023 Repurchase Agreement”) with a bank. The 2023 Repurchase Agreement has a maturity date of December 27, 2026. During the borrowing period, the Company can take loan advances from time to time subject to availability. Each loan advance bears interest at SOFR plus 3.00%. The maximum loan amount under this facility is $75.0 million. The effective interest rates were 9.2% and 8.6% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Certain loans are pledged as security under the warehouse repurchase facilities and the revolving loan facility, which contain covenants. Should the Company fail to adhere to those covenants or otherwise default under the facilities, the lenders have the right to terminate the facilities and demand immediate repayment that may require the Company to sell the collateral at less than the carrying amounts. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

The following table summarizes the maximum borrowing capacity and current gross balances outstanding of the Company’s warehouse facilities and loan agreements as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

(1)

Warehouse repurchase facilities amounts in the consolidated balance sheets are net of debt issuance costs amounting to $1.5 million and $1.6 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The following table provides an overview of the activity and effective interest rate for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 ($ in thousands):

(1)

Effective interest rate represents annualized interest expense divided by average gross outstanding balance. The rate includes average rate of 8.83%and 8.07%, and debt issuance cost amortizationof 0.72%and 0.50%, for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The following table provides a summary of interest expense that includes interest, amortization of discount, and deal cost amortization for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies

(a)

Repurchase Liability

When the Company sells loans, it is required to make normal and customary representations and warranties about the loans to the purchaser. The loan sale agreements generally require the Company to repurchase loans if the Company breaches a representation or warranty given to the loan purchaser. In addition, the Company may be required to repurchase loans as a result of borrower fraud or if a payment default occurs on a loan shortly after its sale.

The Company records a repurchase liability relating to representations and warranties and early payment defaults. The method used to estimate the liability for repurchase is a function of the representations and warranties given and considers a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, estimated future defaults and loan repurchase rates and the potential severity of loss in the event of defaults. The Company establishes a liability at the time loans are sold and continually updates the estimated repurchase liability. The level of the repurchase liability for representations and warranties and early payment default requires considerable management judgment. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balance of repurchase liability was$66 thousand, which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets.

(b)

Legal Proceedings

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings in the normal course of business. The Company, after consultation with legal counsel, believes the disposition of all pending litigation will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

(c)

Employee Retention Credit

Under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) signed into law on March 27, 2020 and the subsequent extension of the CARES Act, the Company, with the guidance from a third-party specialist, determined it was eligible for a refundable employee retention credit (“ERC”) subject to certain criteria.

The Company applied for ERC for the first three quarters’ wages paid in calendar year 2021. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company received approximately$4.2 million of ERC. Due to the subjectivity of the credit, the Company elected to account for the ERC as a gain analogizing to ASC 450-30, Gain Contingencies. Accordingly, the $4.2 million ERC, net of the third-party specialist fees of $0.6 million, is deferred until the uncertainty surrounding ERC is resolved. The net amount is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024.

Note 13 — Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, or the 2020 Plan, authorizes grants of stock‑based compensation instruments including but not limited to non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards and performance stock units ("PSUs") to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company, to purchase or issue up to 2,770,000 shares of Company common stock.

Stock Options

Stock options granted generally vest ratably over three years and are exercisable for a period up toten years from the date of the grant. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value stock options in determining the stock-based compensation expense. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company is not expected to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock.

The table below summarizes stock option activity during the period ended March 31, 2024:

(1)

The number of options expected to vest reflects no expected forfeiture.

(2)

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the amount by which the fair value of underlying stock exceeds the “in-the-money” option exercise price.

Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)

The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the fair market value of the Company's common shares on the grant date. The estimated fair value of restricted stock awards is amortized as an expense over the three-year requisite service period. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occurred rather than estimating service-based forfeitures over the requisite service period.

The table below summarizes RSA activity during the period ended March 31, 2024:

Performance Stock Units

In February 2022, the Company began granting performance stock units ("PSUs") to certain employees, including named executive officers under the 2020 Plan. PSUs are linked to the average core net income annual growth over the three-year period from the year of grant. Settlement of vested PSUs will be made on the date that the Compensation Committee certifies the average core net income annual growth for the three-year period. PSUs are subject to forfeiture until predetermined performance conditions have been achieved. The number of shares issued at the end of any performance period could range between 0% and 200% of the original target award amount. Compensation expense related to PSUs is based on the fair value of the underlying stock on the award date and is recognized over the vesting period using an estimate of the probability of achieving the performance target. Adjustments to compensation expense are made each year based on changes in estimate of the number of PSUs that are probable of vesting.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for the number of PSUs considered probable of vesting based on the attainment of the performance targets.

The table below summarizes PSU activity during the period ended March 31, 2024:

(1)

The number of PSUs are presented at 100% of the specified target shares.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")

In July 2022, the Company initiated an ESPP which allows permitted eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company's common stock through payroll deductions of up to 15% of their eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations. The purchase price of the shares under the ESPP equals 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on either the first or last day of each six-month offering period. Compensation expense for the ESPP is calculated as of the beginning of the offering period as the fair value of the employees’ purchase rights utilizing the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is recognized as a compensation expense over the offering period.

The Company recognized a total of $1.3 million and $1.0 million compensation expense related to the outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, ESPP, and unvested performance-based stock unit awards granted to employees for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Such amount is included in “Compensation and employee benefits” on the consolidated statements of income. The amount of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards, ESPP, and performance-based stock unit awards totaled $9.6 million and $6.4 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Treasury share purchases represent shares surrendered to the Company approximately equal in value to the statutory payroll tax withholding obligations and other estimated tax obligations arising from the vesting of employee restricted stock awards. During the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company purchased 79,258 and 85,574 treasury shares at an average price of $16.20 and $9.78 per share, respectively.

Note 14 — Earnings Per Share

The two-class method is used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Under the two-class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock and resulted in the issuance of common stock that shared in earnings.

The following table presents the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

The following table sets forth the number of shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):

Note 15 — Warrants

On April 7, 2020, the Company issued and sold in a private placement warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase additional shares of the Company’s common stock to funds affiliated with TruArc Partners (TruArc), formerly Snow Phipps, and a fund affiliated with Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (TOBI). TruArc and TOBI are considered affiliates and, therefore, are related parties to the Company.

The Warrants are exercisable at the warrant holder’s option at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, until April 7, 2025 at an exercise price of $2.96 per share of common stock, with respect to 2,008,749 of the Warrants, and at an exercise price of $4.94 per share of common stock, with respect to 1,004,375 of the Warrants. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to customary antidilution adjustments and certain issuances of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) at a price (or having a conversion or exercise price) that is less than the then current exercise price. The Company is not required to affect an exercise of Warrants, if after giving effect to the issuance of common stock upon exercise of such Warrants such warrant holder together with its affiliates would beneficially own 49% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

Note 16 — Derivative Instruments

In September 2023, the Company began utilizing forward starting interest rate swap derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges to manage the exposure to interest rate volatility related to its forecasted issuances of fixed-rate debt through its securitization process. The Company’s risk management objective is to hedge the risk of variability in its interest payment cash flows attributable to changes in the benchmark Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") between the time the fixed rate mortgages are originated and the fixed rate debt is issued. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum length of time over which the Company was hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions did not exceed four years.

The gains or losses on the derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are reported as a component of AOCI. Beginning in the period in which the forecasted debt is issued and the related derivative instruments are terminated, the accumulated gains or losses associated with the terminated derivatives are then reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment over the term of the related debt. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, $113 thousand after-tax net loss on terminated derivative instruments was reclassified from AOCI tointerest expense. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had$0.8 million in after-tax net unrealized gain associated with cash flow hedging instruments recorded in AOCI. As of March 31, 2024, the Company expects to reclassify an estimated$0.3 million of after-tax net unrealized loss on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges from AOCI into earnings over the next 12 months.

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on a gross basis, as well as its classification on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December, 31, 2023:

(1)

Fair value reported is exclusive of collateral held and pledged. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, collateral held related to derivative exposure between the Company and its derivative counterparty were $0.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, and is recorded inother receivables.

The counterparty to the financial derivatives that the Company enters into is a major institution. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparty. This credit risk is generally limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts, less collateral held, should the counterparty fail to perform as contracted.

Note 17 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss

The following table presents the changes in the component of accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss balances for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

The following table presents the component of other comprehensive (income) and the related tax effect for the quarter ended March 31, 2024:

Note 18 — Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Determination

ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value including a three-level valuation hierarchy, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date reflecting assumptions that a market participant would use when pricing an asset or liability. The hierarchy uses three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities as follows:

o

Level 1 - Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

o

Level 2 - Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable and can be corroborated by market data.

o

Level 3 - Valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs for determining the fair value of assets or liabilities. These significant unobservable inputs reflect assumptions that market participants may use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period in which a change in valuation technique or methodology occurs. Given the nature of some of the Company’s assets and liabilities, clearly determinable market-based valuation inputs are often not available; therefore, these assets and liabilities are valued using internal estimates. As subjectivity exists with respect to the valuation estimates used, the fair values disclosed may not equal prices that can ultimately be realized if the assets are sold or the liabilities are settled with third parties.

Below is a description of the valuation methods for the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis and for estimating fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value for disclosure purposes. While management believes the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the measurement date.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and restricted cash are recorded at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value as these instruments have short-term maturities and interest rates that approximate market, a Level 1 measurement.

Loans Held for Investment, Net, and Loans Held for Investment, at Fair Value

The Company uses a third-party loan valuation model to estimate the fair value of its nonperforming mortgage loans, a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s nonperforming mortgage loans are interest rates, market yield requirements, the probability of default, loss given default, voluntary prepayment speed and loss timing. The Company uses an in-house loan valuation model to estimate the fair value of its performing mortgage loans, a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s performing mortgage loans are discount rate, constant prepayment rate, constant default rate, and loss severity rate. Significant changes in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significant change to the mortgage loans’ fair value measurement.

Collateral Dependent or Loans Individually Evaluated

Nonaccrual loans held for investment are evaluated individually and are adjusted to the fair value of the collateral when the fair value of the collateral is below the carrying value of the loan. To the extent a loan is collateral dependent, the Company determines the allowance for credit losses based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. The fair value of each loan’s collateral is generally based on appraisals or broker price opinions obtained, less estimated costs to sell, a Level 3 measurement.

Loans Held for Sale, at Fair Value

The Company has elected to account for certain loans originated with the intent to sell at fair value using FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments(ASC 825). The FVO loans held for sale are measured based a discounted cash flow model, or on the fair value of securities backed by similar mortgage loans, adjusted for certain factors to approximate the fair value, including the value attributable to mortgage servicing and credit risk, and current commitments to purchase loans, a Level 2 measurement. Management identified all of these loans to be accounted for at estimated fair value at the instrument level. Changes in fair value are reflected in income as they occur.

Real Estate Owned, Net (REO)

Real estate owned, net is initially recorded at the property’s estimated fair value, based on appraisals or broker price opinions obtained, less estimated costs to sell, at the acquisition date, a Level 3 measurement. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are made to real estate owned, net based on the current updated appraised value of the property, or management’s judgment and estimation of value based on recent market trends or negotiated sales prices with potential buyers.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Company determined the fair values based on a third-party valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income, a Level 3 measurement.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value using readily observable market inputs and the overall fair value measurement is classified as Level 2.

Secured Financing, Net (Corporate Debt)

The Company determined the fair values estimate of the secured financing using the estimated cash flows discounted at an appropriate market rate, a Level 3 measurement.

Warehouse Repurchase Facilities, Net

Warehouse repurchase facilities are recorded at historical cost. The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value as these instruments have short-term maturities of one-year or less and interest rates that approximate market plus a spread, a Level 2 measurement.

Securitized Debt, Net, and Securitized Debt, at Fair Value

The Company obtains the fair value estimates at instrument level from a third-party broker dealer based on trader input on benchmark securities. The fair values take into consideration input factors such as bond structure and collateral characteristics and performance and pricing factors such as yield, spread, average life, prepayment speeds, default rate, and severity. The fair values are considered a Level 2 measurement. Significant changes in any of the input factors in isolation could result in a significant change to securitized debt’s fair value measurement.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable

The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments, a Level 1 measurement.

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financial instruments.

Receivables Due From Servicers

The carrying amounts of receivables due from servicers approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments, a Level 1 measurement.

Fair Value Disclosures

The following tables present information on assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, by level, in the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

The following table presents gains (losses) recognized on assets measured on a nonrecurring basis for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

The following table presents the primary valuation techniques and unobservable inputs related to Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

(1)

Individually evaluated loans requiring specific allowance, net is weighted by collateral value; real estate owned, net is weighted by selling price; loans held for investment at fair value and mortgage servicing rights are weighted by UPB.

The following table presents the primary valuation techniques and unobservable inputs related to Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2023 ($ in thousands):

(1)

Individually evaluated loans requiring specific allowance, net is weighted by collateral value; real estate owned, net is weighted by selling price; loans held for investment at fair value and mortgage servicing rights are weighted by UPB.

The following is a roll-forward of loans held for investment that are measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated (in thousands):

The following is a roll-forward of loans held for sale that are measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated (in thousands):

The following is a roll-forward of mortgage servicing rights that are measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated (in thousands):

The Company estimates the fair value of certain financial instruments on a quarterly basis. These instruments are recorded at fair value through the use of a valuation allowance only if they are individually evaluated. As described above, these adjustments to fair value usually result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include loans held for investment at fair value, loans held for sale at fair value, mortgage servicing rights, derivative instruments, and securitized debt at fair value. Financial assets measured at the lower of cost or estimated fair value include certain individually evaluated loans held for investment and REO, which are measured using unobservable inputs, including appraisals and broker price opinions on the values of the underlying collateral. Individually evaluated loans requiring an allowance are carried at approximately $12.9 million and $8.5 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, net of specific allowance for credit losses of approximately $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

A financial instrument is cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract that creates a contractual obligation or right to deliver or receive cash or another financial instrument from a second entity on potentially favorable terms. The methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are described above.

The following tables present carrying amounts and estimated fair values of certain financial instruments as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

Note 19 — Subsequent Events

The Company completed the securitization of $295.1 million of investor real estate loans on April 11, 2024, which will be accounted for as secured borrowings during the quarter ending June 30, 2024.

Century, a consolidating subsidiary of the Company, purchased a servicing loan portfolio with a total UPB of $227.6 million for $3.6 million on April 30, 2024.

The Company has evaluated events that have occurred subsequent to March 31, 2024 through the issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and has concluded there are no other subsequent events that would require recognition or disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.