CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORP

CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Organization

Chimera Investment Corporation, or the Company, was incorporated in Maryland on June 1, 2007 and started trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in November 2007. The Company elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder, or the Code.

The Company is an internally managed REIT that is primarily engaged in the business of investing in a diversified portfolio of mortgage assets for itself and for unrelated third parties through its investment management and advisory services. The assets the Company may invest in and manage for others include residential mortgage loans, Non-Agency RMBS, Agency RMBS, business purpose loans and investor loans, including RTLs, and other real estate-related assets such as Agency CMBS. The following defines certain of the commonly used terms in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q: Agency refers to a federally chartered corporation, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”); MBS refers to mortgage-backed securities secured by pools of residential or commercial mortgage loans; RMBS refers to mortgage-backed securities secured by pools of residential mortgage loans; Pass-through refers to Agency-issued pass-through RMBS collateralized primarily by pools of fixed-rate single-family mortgage loans; CMBS refers to mortgage-backed securities secured by pools of commercial mortgage loans; Agency RMBS and Agency CMBS refer to MBS that are secured by pools of residential and commercial mortgage loans, respectively, and are issued or guaranteed by an Agency; RTLs refer to residential transition loans; ABS refers to asset-backed securities; Agency MBS refers to MBS that are issued or guaranteed by an Agency and includes Agency RMBS and Agency CMBS collectively; Agency CMO refers to collateralized mortgage obligations guaranteed by an Agency and are included in Agency RMBS; Non-Agency RMBS refers to residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government or any Agency; IO refers to Interest-only securities.

The Company conducts its operations through various subsidiaries including subsidiaries it treats as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. The Company currently hastwelve wholly-owned direct subsidiaries: Chimera RMBS Whole Pool LLC and Chimera RMBS LLC formed in June 2009; CIM Trading Company LLC, or CIM Trading, formed in July 2010; Chimera Funding TRS LLC, or CIM Funding TRS, a TRS formed in October 2013; Chimera CMBS Whole Pool LLC and Chimera RMBS Securities LLC formed in March 2015; Chimera RR Holding LLC formed in April 2016; NYH Funding LLC, a TRS formed in May 2019; Kali 2020 Holdings LLC formed in May 2020; Varuna Capital Partners LLC formed in September 2020; Aarna Holdings LLC formed in November 2020; and CIM Advisory Holding TRS LLC formed in October 2024.

On December 2, 2024, the Company acquired The Palisades Group, LLC (“TPG”), Palisades Advisory Services, LLC (“PAS”), Palisades Technology Holdings, LLC, and their respective subsidiaries (the “Palisades Acquisition”). As a result of the Palisades Acquisition, the Company began providing investment management and advisory services primarily through TPG and PAS (together with TPG, “Palisades”). TPG is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), and PAS is a relying adviser with respect to TPG’s investment adviser registration. PAS is the asset manager for certain securitizations sponsored by the Company and received $15 thousand asset manager fee as of March 31, 2025.

The Company paid $118 thousand and $138 thousand for mortgage asset servicing oversight fees to Kah Capital Management during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These fees are reported within Other Expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company made a $75 million capital commitment to a fund managed by Kah Capital Management, LLC. During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company did not make any additional fundings toward the commitment, and the total funding remained at $56 million, leaving an unfunded commitment of $19 million. The Company's investment in this fund is accounted for as an equity method investment in Other assets on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. The Company records any gains and losses associated with its equity method investments in Other investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

2. Summary of the Significant Accounting Policies

(a)Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. In the opinion of the Company, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included. Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all periods presented reflect the Company's 1-for-3 reverse stock split, which was effective after the close of trading on May 21, 2024.

The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts, the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or VIEs, in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company uses securitization trusts considered to be VIEs in its securitization transactions. VIEs are defined as entities in which equity investors (i) do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The entity that consolidates a VIE is known as its primary beneficiary and is generally the entity with (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance, and (ii) the right to receive benefits from the VIE or the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. For VIEs that do not have substantial on-going activities, the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance may be determined by an entity’s involvement with the design and structure of the VIE.

The trusts are structured as entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the security holders. The assets held by the securitization entities are restricted in that they can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the securitization entity. The Company’s risks associated with its involvement with these VIEs are limited to its risks and rights as a holder of the security it has retained as well as certain risks associated with being the sponsor and depositor of and the seller, directly or indirectly to, the securitizations entities.

Determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE requires judgment. The Company determined that for the securitizations it consolidates, its ownership provides the Company with the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. In addition, the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance, or power, such as rights to replace the servicer without cause, or the Company was determined to have power in connection with its involvement with the structure and design of the VIE.

The Company’s interest in the assets held by these securitization vehicles, which are consolidated on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, is restricted by the structural provisions of these trusts, and a recovery of the Company’s investment in the vehicles will be limited by each entity’s distribution provisions. Generally, the securities retained by the Company are the most subordinate in the capital structure, which means those securities receive distributions after the senior securities have been paid. The liabilities of the securitization vehicles, which are also consolidated on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, are non-recourse to the Company, and can only be satisfied using proceeds from each securitization vehicle’s respective asset pool.

The assets of securitization entities are comprised of RMBS, or residential mortgage loans. See Notes 3, 4 and 9 for further discussion of the characteristics of the securities and loans in the Company’s portfolio.

(b)Statements of Financial Condition Presentation

The Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition include both the Company’s direct assets and liabilities and the assets and liabilities of consolidated securitization vehicles. Retained beneficial interests of the consolidated securitization vehicles are eliminated in consolidation. Assets of each consolidated VIE can only be used to satisfy the obligations of that VIE, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs are non-recourse to the Company. The Company is not obligated to provide, nor does it intend to provide, any financial support to these consolidated securitization vehicles. The notes to the consolidated financial statements describe the Company’s assets and liabilities including the assets and liabilities of consolidated securitization vehicles. See Note 9 for additional information related to the Company’s investments in consolidated securitization vehicles.

(c)Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be materially different than anticipated in those estimates, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.

The Company has made significant estimates including in accounting for income recognition on Agency MBS, Non-Agency RMBS, IO MBS (Note 3) and residential mortgage loans (Note 4), valuation of Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS (Notes 3 and 5), residential mortgage loans (Notes 4 and 5), secured financing agreements (Notes 5 and 6), securitized debt (Notes 5 and 7), goodwill and intangibles included in Other assets, contingent earn-out liability included in Accounts payable and other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

(d)Income Taxes

The Company does not have any material unrecognized tax positions that would affect its financial statements or require disclosure. No accruals for penalties and interest were necessary as of March 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

(e) Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes to the Company's accounting policies included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

(f)Segment Reporting

The Company operates as a single reportable segment under the guidance of ASC 280, Segment Reporting, as its business activities are managed and evaluated on a consolidated basis. The Company’s investment portfolio primarily consists of Agency and Non-Agency mortgage-backed securities and whole loans.

The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources based on consolidated financial data rather than individual asset classes or geographic regions. As a result, the Company has determined that it operates under a single segment. In accordance with ASC 280, the Company provides entity-wide disclosures, including revenue disaggregation; breakdown by major investment types, such as Agency and Non-Agency MBS.

The CODM uses net income and total assets, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, respectively, in evaluating performance and determining how to allocate resources of the Company as a whole. The accounting policies of the segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.

(g)Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This standard require entities to provide additional information about federal, state and foreign incomes taxes and reconciling items in the rate reconciliation table, and to disclose further disaggregation of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) by federal (national), state and foreign taxes by jurisdiction. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively, but entities have the option to apply it retrospectively for each period presented. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20). This standard provides guidance on the accounting treatment for induced conversions of convertible debt. Companies must recognize and measure the impact of incentives offered to induce early conversion of convertible debt separately from existing debt liability. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively, but entities have the option to apply it retrospectively for each period presented. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). This standard clarifies the effective date for ASU 2024-03, which requires that an entity disclose, in the notes to the financial statements, additional information about specific expenses categories. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of Update 2024-03 is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this standard but does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Mortgage-Backed Securities

The Company classifies its Non-Agency RMBS as senior, subordinated, or Interest-only. The Company also invests in Agency MBS which it classifies as Agency RMBS, to include residential and residential interest-only MBS, Pass-through securities, residential collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMO, and Agency CMBS to include commercial and commercial interest-only MBS. Senior interests in Non-Agency RMBS are generally entitled to the first principal repayments in their pro-rata ownership interests at the acquisition date. The tables below present amortized cost, allowance for credit losses, fair value and unrealized gain/losses of the Company's MBS investments as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

The following tables present the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of the Company’s Agency and Non-Agency MBS by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. All Non-Agency RMBS held as available-for-sale, and not accounted under the fair value option election in an unrealized loss position, have been evaluated by the Company for current expected credit losses.

At March 31, 2025, the Company did not intend to sell any of its Agency and Non-Agency MBS classified as available-for-sale that were in an unrealized loss position, and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell these MBS investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity. With respect to RMBS held by consolidated VIEs, the ability of any entity to cause the sale by the VIE prior to the maturity of these RMBS is either expressly prohibited, not probable, or is limited to specified events of default, none of which have occurred as of March 31, 2025.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency RMBS (excluding Non-Agency RMBS which are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings), net of any allowance for credit losses, were $14 million and $15 million, at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. After evaluating the securities and recording any allowance for credit losses, the Company concluded that the remaining unrealized losses reflected above were non-credit related and would be recovered from the securities' estimated future cash flows. The Company considered a number of factors in reaching this conclusion, including that it did not intend to sell the securities, it was not considered more likely than not that it would be required to sell the securities prior to recovering the amortized cost, and there were no material credit events that would have caused the Company to otherwise conclude that it would not recover the amortized cost. The allowance for credit losses are calculated by comparing the estimated future cash flows of each security discounted at the yield determined as of the initial acquisition date or, if since revised, as of the last date previously revised, to the net amortized cost basis. Significant judgment is used in projecting cash flows for Non-Agency RMBS.

The Company has reviewed its Non-Agency RMBS that are in an unrealized loss position to identify those securities with losses that are credit related based on an assessment of changes in cash flows expected to be collected for such RMBS, which considers recent bond performance and expected future performance of the underlying collateral. A summary of the credit losses allowance on available-for-sale securities for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024 is presented below.

The following table presents significant credit quality indicators used for the credit loss allowance on our Non-Agency RMBS investments as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

The increase in the allowance for credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 is primarily due to a deterioration in cashflows on certain investments, compared to the same period of 2024. In addition, certain Non-Agency RMBS positions now have higher unrealized losses and resulted in the recognition of an allowance for credit losses which was previously limited by unrealized gains on these investments.

The following tables present a summary of unrealized gains and losses at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

Changes in prepayments, actual cash flows, and cash flows expected to be collected, among other items, are affected by the collateral characteristics of each asset class. The Company chooses assets for the portfolio after carefully evaluating each investment’s risk profile.

The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s MBS portfolio at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

(1) Bond Equivalent Yield at period end.

(1) Bond Equivalent Yield at period end.

Actual maturities of MBS are generally shorter than the stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities of the Company’s MBS are affected by the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal, realized losses and prepayments of principal. The following tables provide a summary of the fair value and amortized cost of the Company’s MBS at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 according to their estimated weighted-average life classifications. The weighted-average lives of the MBS in the tables below are based on lifetime expected prepayment rates using the Company's prepayment assumptions for the Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS. The prepayment model considers current yield, forward yield, steepness of the interest rate curve, current mortgage rates, mortgage rates of the outstanding loan, loan age, margin, and volatility.

The Non-Agency RMBS investments are secured by pools of mortgage loans which are subject to credit risk. The following table summarizes the delinquency, bankruptcy, foreclosure and real estate owned, or REO, total of the pools of mortgage loans securing the Company’s investments in Non-Agency RMBS at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. When delinquency rates increase, it is expected that the Company will incur additional credit losses.

The Non-Agency RMBS in the Portfolio have the following collateral characteristics at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

(1) Value represents appraised value of the collateral at the time of loan origination.

(2) FICO as determined at the time of loan origination.

The table below presents the origination year of the underlying loans related to the Company’s portfolio of Non-Agency RMBS at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

Gross realized gains and losses are recorded in “Net realized gains (losses) on sales of investments” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The proceeds and gross realized gains and gross realized losses from sales of investments for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:

4. Loans Held for Investment

The Loans held for investment are comprised primarily of loans collateralized by seasoned reperforming residential mortgages. Additionally, it includes jumbo prime loans, investor loans and business purpose loans.

The investor loans are loans to individuals securing non-primary residences as well as to individuals or businesses who rent out the residential properties secured by such loans. The Company purchases qualified mortgages, or QM, and non-qualified mortgages, or Non-QM, investor loans and securitizes them under its loan securitization program. The business purpose loans are loans to businesses that are secured by real property which will be renovated by the borrower. The business purpose loans tend to be short duration, often less than one year, and generally the coupon rate is higher than residential mortgage loans.

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, all Loans held for investment are carried at fair value. See Note 5 for a discussion on how the Company determines the fair values of the Loans held for investment. As changes in the fair value of these loans are reflected in earnings, the Company does not estimate or record a loan loss provision. The total amortized cost of the Company's Loans held for investment was $11.1 billion and $11.4 billion as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The total unpaid principal balance of the Company's Loans held for investment was $11.3 billion and $11.7 billion as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying value of Loans held for investment at fair value at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

The primary cause of the change in fair value is due to market demand, interest rates and changes in credit risk of mortgage loans. The Company didnot retain any beneficial interests on loan sales during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively.

Residential mortgage loans

The loan portfolio for all residential mortgages were originated during the following periods:

The following table presents a summary of key characteristics of the residential loan portfolio at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

(1) Value represents appraised value of the collateral at the time of loan origination.

The following table summarizes the outstanding principal balance of the residential loan portfolio which are 30 days delinquent and greater as reported by the servicers at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

The fair value of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due was $615 million and $595 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

5. Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies fair value guidance in accordance with GAAP to account for its financial instruments. The Company categorizes its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition or disclosed in the related notes are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to fair value.

Fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 are sensitive to changes in the assumptions or methodology used to determine fair value and such changes could result in a significant increase or decrease in the fair value. Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by the Company to ensure the changes are appropriate. As markets and products evolve and the pricing for certain products becomes more transparent, the Company will continue to refine its valuation methodologies. The methodology utilized by the Company for the periods presented is unchanged. The methods used to produce a fair value calculation may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants. Using different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.

The Company determines the fair values of its investments using internally developed processes and validates them using a third-party pricing service. During times of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs can be difficult for certain investments. If the third-party pricing service is unable to provide a price for an asset, or if the price provided by them is deemed unreliable by the Company, then the asset will be valued at its fair value as determined by the Company without validation to third-party pricing. Illiquid investments typically experience greater price volatility as an active market does not exist. Observability of prices and inputs can vary significantly from period to period and may cause instruments to change classifications within the three level hierarchy.

A description of the methodologies utilized by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments by instrument class follows:

Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS

The Company determines the fair value of all of its investment securities based on discounted cash flows utilizing an internal pricing model that incorporates factors such as coupon, prepayment speeds, loan size, collateral composition, borrower characteristics, expected interest rates, life caps, periodic caps, reset dates, collateral seasoning, delinquency, expected losses, expected default severity, credit enhancement, and other pertinent factors. To corroborate that the estimates of fair values generated by these internal models are reflective of current market prices, the Company compares the fair values generated by the model to non-binding independent prices provided by an independent third-party pricing service. For certain highly liquid asset classes, such as Agency fixed-rate pass-through bonds, the Company’s valuations are also compared to quoted prices for To-Be-Announced, or TBA, securities.

Each quarter, the Company develops thresholds generally using market factors or other assumptions, as appropriate. If internally developed model prices differ from the independent third-party prices by greater than these thresholds for the period, the Company conducts a further review, both internally and with the third-party pricing service of the prices of such securities. First, the Company obtains the inputs used by the third-party pricing service and compares them to the Company’s inputs. The Company then updates its own inputs if the Company determines the third-party pricing inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment. If the Company believes that its internally developed inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment, it will request that the third-party pricing service review market factors that may not have been considered by the third-party pricing service and provide updated prices. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established. At March 31, 2025, three investment holdings with internally developed fair values of $15 million had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the thresholds for the period. The internally developed prices were $3 million higher than the third-party prices provided of $12 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investments at the higher internally developed prices. No other differences were noted at March 31, 2025 in excess of the thresholds for the period. At December 31, 2024, six investment holdings with internally developed fair values of $37 million had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the thresholds for the period. The internally developed prices were $6 million higher than the third-party prices provided of $31 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investments at the higher internally developed prices. No other differences were noted at December 31, 2024 in excess of the thresholds for the period.

The Company’s estimate of prepayment, default and severity curves all involve judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process. This subjective estimation process renders the Non-Agency RMBS fair value estimates as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. As the fair values of Agency MBS are more observable, these investments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment is comprised primarily of seasoned reperforming residential mortgage loans. Loans held for investment also include jumbo prime, investor owned and business purpose loans.

Loans consisting of seasoned reperforming residential mortgage loans, jumbo prime loans and investor loans:

The Company estimates the fair value of its Loans held for investment consisting of seasoned reperforming residential mortgage loans, jumbo prime loans and investor loans on a loan by loan basis using an internally developed model which compares the loan held by the Company with a loan currently offered in the market. The loan price is adjusted in the model by considering the loan factors that would impact the value of a loan. These loan factors include loan coupon, FICO, loan-to-value ratios, delinquency history, owner occupancy, and property type, among other factors. A baseline is developed for each significant loan factor and adjusts the price up or down depending on how that factor for each specific loan compares to the baseline rate. Generally, the most significant impact on loan value is the loan coupon rate as compared to coupon rates currently available in the market and delinquency history.

The Company also monitors market activity to identify trades that may be used to compare internally developed prices. However, as the portfolio of loans held at fair value is a seasoned reperforming pool of residential mortgage loans, comparable loan pools are not common or directly comparable. There are limited transactions in the marketplace to develop a comprehensive direct range of values.

The Company reviews the fair values generated by the model to determine whether prices are reflective of the current market by corroborating its estimates of fair value by comparing the results to non-binding independent prices provided by an independent third-party pricing service for the loan portfolio. Each quarter the Company develops thresholds generally using market factors or other assumptions as appropriate.

If the internally developed fair values of the loan pools differ from the independent third-party prices by greater than the threshold for the period, the Company highlights these differences for further review, both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company obtains certain inputs used by the third-party pricing service and evaluates them for reasonableness. Then the Company updates its own model if the Company determines the third-party pricing inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment or observed information from the third-party vendor. If the Company believes that its internally developed inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment, it will request that the third-party pricing service review market factors that may not have been considered by the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the thresholds before a final price is established.

At March 31, 2025, one loan pool with an internally developed fair value of $211 million had a difference between the model generated price and the third-party price provided in excess of the threshold for the period. The internally developed price was $17 million higher than the third-party price provided of $194 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investment at the higher internally developed price. No other differences were noted at March 31, 2025 in excess of the threshold for the period. At December 31, 2024, four loan pools with internally developed fair values of $440 million had differences between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the threshold for the period. The internally developed prices were $28 million higher on a net basis than the third-party prices provided of $412 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investment at the higher internally developed prices. No other differences were noted at December 31, 2024 in excess of the threshold for the period.

The Company’s estimates of fair value of Loans held for investment involve judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process, which renders the resulting fair value estimates Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Business purpose loans:

Business purpose loans are loans to businesses that are secured by real property that will be renovated by the borrower. Upon completion of the renovation the property will be either sold by the borrower or refinanced by the borrower who may subsequently sell or rent the property. Most, but not all, of the properties securing these loans are residential and a portion of the loan is used to cover renovation costs. The business purpose loans are included as a part of the Company's Loans held for investment portfolio and are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings. These loans tend to be short duration, often less than one year, and generally the coupon rate is higher than the Company's typical residential mortgage loans. As these loans are generally short-term in nature and there is an active market for these loans, the Company estimates fair value of the business purpose loans based on the recent purchase price of the loan, adjusted for observable market activity for similar assets offered in the market. Business purpose loans have a fair value of $287 million and $338 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

As the fair value prices of the business purpose loans are based on the recent trades of similar assets in an active market, the Company has classified them as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Securitized Debt, collateralized by Loans Held for Investment

The process for determining the fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by Loans held for investment is based on discounted cash flows utilizing an internal pricing model that incorporates factors such as coupon, prepayment speeds, loan size, collateral composition, borrower characteristics, expected interest rates, life caps, periodic caps, reset dates, collateral seasoning, delinquencies, expected losses, expected default severity, credit enhancement, and other pertinent factors. This process, including the review process, is consistent with the process used for Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS using internal models. For further discussion of the valuation process and benchmarking process, see Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS discussion herein. The primary cause of the change in fair value is due to market demand and changes in credit risk of mortgage loans.

At March 31, 2025, one securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment position with an internally developed fair value of $3.0 million had a difference between the model generated price and third-party price provided in excess of the threshold for the period. The internally developed price was $303 thousand higher than the third-party price provided of $2.7 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the securitized debt position at the higher internally developed price. No other differences were noted at March 31, 2025 in excess of the threshold for the period. At

December 31, 2024, two securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment positions with internally developed fair values of $3.2 million had differences between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the threshold for the period. The internally developed prices were $355 thousand higher on a net basis than the third-party prices provided of $2.9 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the securitized debt positions at the higher internally developed prices. No other differences were noted at December 31, 2024 in excess of the threshold for the period.

The Company’s estimates of fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by Loans held for investment involve judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process, which renders the resulting fair value estimates Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Securitized Debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS

The Company carries securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS at the principal balance outstanding plus unamortized premiums, less unaccreted discounts recorded in connection with the financing of the loans or RMBS with third parties. For disclosure purposes, the Company estimates the fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS by estimating the future cash flows associated with the underlying assets collateralizing the secured debt outstanding. The Company models the fair value of each underlying asset by considering, among other items, the structure of the underlying security, coupon, servicer, delinquency, actual and expected defaults, actual and expected default severities, reset indices, and prepayment speeds in conjunction with market research for similar collateral performance and the Company's expectations of general economic conditions in the sector and other economic factors. This process, including the review process, is consistent with the process used for Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS using internal models. For further discussion of the valuation process and benchmarking process, see Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS discussion herein.

The Company’s estimates of fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS involve judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process, which renders the resulting fair value estimates Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value option

The table below shows the unpaid principal and fair value of the financial instruments carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings under the fair value option election as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively:

1. The Company recorded $1.1 million unrealized loss for contingent earn-out liability as of March 31, 2025, the contingent earn-out liability balance is included in Accounts payable and other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

The table below shows the impact of change in fair value on each of the financial instruments carried at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings under the fair value option election in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

1. The Company recorded $1.1 million unrealized loss for contingent earn-out liability as of March 31, 2025, the contingent earn-out liability balance is included in Accounts payable and other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

Derivatives

Interest Rate Swaps and Swaptions

The Company uses clearing exchange market prices to determine the fair value of its exchange cleared interest rate swaps. For bilateral swaps, the Company determines the fair value based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on the swap. The Company uses an option pricing model to determine the fair value of its swaptions. For bilateral swaps and swaptions, the Company compares its own estimate of fair value with counterparty prices to evaluate for reasonableness. Both the clearing exchange and counter-party pricing quotes incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury yield curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular contract. Interest rate swaps and swaptions are modeled by the Company by incorporating such factors as the term to maturity, swap curve, overnight index swap rates, and the payment rates on the fixed portion of the interest rate swaps. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of interest rate swaps and swaptions as Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Treasury Futures

The fair value of Treasury futures is determined by quoted market prices in an active market. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of Treasury futures as Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Swap Futures

The fair value of Swap futures is determined using quoted settlement prices published by the ERIS Secured Overnight Financing Rate, which reflect observable market data for standardized CME-cleared contracts. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of Swap futures as Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Interest rate caps

The fair value of Interest rate caps is determined using a discounted cash flow approach that considers the difference between the forward curve of the reference rate and the cap's strike rate. The expected future cash flows from each caplet are calculated and discounted to present value using observable market interest rates. The discounted cashflows contemplate both an intrinsic value based upon the strike rate in reference to the market reference rate as well as a time value based upon the implied volatility of the market reference rate forward curve projection. This valuation is based on market inputs and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Secured Financing Agreements

Secured financing agreements are collateralized financing transactions utilized by the Company to acquire investment securities. For short term secured financing agreements and longer term floating rate secured financing agreements, the Company estimates fair value using the contractual obligation plus accrued interest payable. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of secured financing agreements as Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Secured Financing Agreements, at fair value

Fair value for certain secured financing agreements that are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings are valued at the price that the Company would pay to transfer the liability to a market participant at the reporting date in an orderly transaction. The Company evaluates recent trades of financial liabilities made by the Company, which includes an element of non-performance risk, as well as changes in market interest rates to determine the fair value of the secured financing agreements. The primary factor in determining the fair value is the change in market interest rates from the transaction date of the secured financing agreements and the reporting date. As these rates are observable, the secured financing agreements are reported as Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Short-term Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable, dividends payable, payable for investments purchased, and accrued interest payable are considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short term nature and low credit risk of these short-term financial instruments.

Long term debt

The fair value of the Company's Senior Unsecured Notes is based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing services or broker quotations and are classified as Level 2.

Equity Method Investments

The Company has made investments in entities or funds. For these investments where the Company has a non-controlling interest; but are deemed to be able to exert significant influence over the affairs of these entities or funds, the Company utilizes the equity method of accounting. These investments are not carried at fair value. The carrying value of the Company's equity method investments is determined using cost accumulation method. The Company adjusts the carrying value of its equity method investments for its share of earnings or losses, dividends or return of capital on a quarterly basis. The fair value of equity method investments is based on the fund valuation received from the manager of the fund. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of equity method investments as Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The equity method investments are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including the level in the fair value hierarchy, at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are presented below.

The table below provides a summary of the changes in the fair value of financial instruments classified as Level 3 at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

There wereno transfers in or out from Level 3 during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Non-Agency RMBS and securitized debt are the weighted average discount rates, prepayment rate, constant default rate, and the loss severity.

Discount Rate

The discount rate refers to the interest rate used in the discounted cash flow analysis to determine the present value of future cash flows. The discount rate takes into account not just the time value of money, but also the risk or uncertainty of future cash flows. An increased uncertainty of future cash flows results in a higher discount rate. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows is based on the discount rate implicit in the security as of the last measurement date. As discount rates move up, the values of the discounted cash flows are reduced.

The discount rates applied to the expected cash flows to determine fair value are derived from a range of observable prices on securities backed by similar collateral. As the market becomes more or less liquid, the availability of these observable inputs will change.

Prepayment Rate

The prepayment rate specifies the percentage of the collateral balance that is expected to prepay at each point in the future. The prepayment rate is based on factors such as interest rates, loan-to-value ratio, debt-to-income ratio, and is scaled up or down to reflect recent collateral-specific prepayment experience as obtained from remittance reports and market data services.

Constant Default Rate

Constant default rate represents an annualized rate of default on a group of mortgages. The constant default rate, or CDR, represents the percentage of outstanding principal balances in the pool that are in default, which typically equates to the home being past 60-day and 90-day notices and in the foreclosure process. When default rates increase, expected cash flows on the underlying collateral decreases. When default rates decrease, expected cash flows on the underlying collateral increases.

Default vectors are determined from the current “pipeline” of loans that are more than 30 days delinquent, in foreclosure, bankruptcy, or are REO. These delinquent loans determine the first 30 months of the default curve. Beyond month 30, the default curve transitions to a value that is reflective of a portion of the current delinquency pipeline.

Loss Severity

Loss severity rates reflect the amount of loss expected from a foreclosure and liquidation of the underlying collateral in the mortgage loan pool. When a mortgage loan is foreclosed, the collateral is sold and the resulting proceeds are used to settle the outstanding obligation. In many circumstances, the proceeds from the sale do not fully repay the outstanding obligation. In these cases, a loss is incurred by the lender. Loss severity is used to predict how costly future losses are likely to be. An increase in loss severity results in a decrease in expected future cash flows. A decrease in loss severity results in an increase in expected future cash flows.

The curve generated to reflect the Company’s expected loss severity is based on collateral-specific experience with consideration given to other mitigating collateral characteristics. Collateral characteristics such as loan size, loan-to-value, seasoning or loan age and geographic location of collateral also effect loss severity.

Sensitivity of Significant Inputs – Non-Agency RMBS and securitized debt, collateralized by Loans held for investment

Prepayment rates vary according to interest rates, the type of financial instrument, conditions in financial markets, and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, when interest rates rise, it is relatively less attractive for borrowers to refinance their mortgage loans, and as a result, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When interest rates fall, prepayment speeds tend to increase. For RMBS investments purchased at a premium, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of income the Company earns decreases as the purchase premium on the bonds amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in increased income and can extend the period over which the Company amortizes the purchase premium. For RMBS investments purchased at a discount, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of income the Company earns increases from the acceleration of the accretion of the purchase discount into interest income. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in decreased income as the accretion of the purchase discount into interest income occurs over a longer period.

For securitized debt carried at fair value issued at a premium, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of interest expense the Company recognizes decreases as the issued premium on the debt amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in increased expense and can extend the period over which the Company amortizes the premium.

For debt issued at a discount, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of interest the Company expenses increases from the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest expense. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in decreased expense as the accretion of the discount into interest expense occurs over a longer period.

A summary of the significant inputs used to estimate the fair value of Level 3 Non-Agency RMBS held for investment at fair value as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 follows. The weighted average discount rates are based on fair value.

A summary of the significant inputs used to estimate the fair value of securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by Loans held for investment, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 follows:

All of the significant inputs listed have some degree of market observability based on the Company’s knowledge of the market, information available to market participants, and use of common market data sources. Collateral default and loss severity projections are in the form of “curves” that are updated quarterly to reflect the Company’s collateral cash flow projections. Methods used to develop these projections conform to industry conventions. The Company uses assumptions it considers its best estimate of future cash flows for each security.

Sensitivity of Significant Inputs – Loans held for investment

The Loans held for investment are primarily comprised of loans collateralized by seasoned reperforming residential mortgages. Additionally, it includes non-conforming, single family, owner occupied, investor owned, and jumbo prime residential mortgages. The significant unobservable factors used to estimate the fair value of the Loans held for investment collateralized by seasoned reperforming residential mortgage loans, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, include coupon, FICO score at origination, loan-to-value, or LTV ratios, owner occupancy status, and property type. A summary of the significant factors used to estimate the fair value of Loans held for investment collateralized primarily by seasoned reperforming residential mortgages at fair value as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 follows:

The loan factors are generally not observable for the individual loans and the base rates developed by the Company’s internal model are subjective and change as market conditions change. The impact of the loan coupon on the value of the loan is dependent on the loan history of delinquent payments. A loan with no history of delinquent payments would result in a higher overall value than a loan which has a history of delinquent payments. Similarly, a higher FICO score and a lower LTV ratio results in increases in the fair market value of the loan and a lower FICO score and a higher LTV ratio results in a lower value. See Note 4 for delinquency details for the Loans held for investment portfolio.

Property types also affect the overall loan values. Property types include single family, manufactured housing and multi-family/mixed use and other types of properties. Single family homes represent properties that house one to four family units. Manufactured homes include mobile homes and modular homes. Loan value for properties that are investor or secondary homes have a reduced value as compared to the baseline loan value. Additionally, single family homes will result in an increase to the loan value, whereas manufactured and multi-family/mixed use and other properties will result in a decrease to the loan value, as compared to the baseline.

Financial instruments not carried at fair value

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value, as described above, of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

(1) Included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(1) Included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

6. Secured Financing Agreements

Secured financing agreements include short term repurchase agreements with original maturity dates of less than one-year, long-term financing agreements with original maturity dates of more than one year and loan warehouse credit facilities collateralized by loans acquired by the Company.

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the repurchase agreements are collateralized by Agency and Non-Agency mortgage-backed securities with interest rates generally indexed to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The maturity dates on the repurchase agreements are all less than one year and generally are less than 180 days. The collateral pledged as security on the repurchase agreements may include the Company’s investments in bonds issued by consolidated VIEs, which are eliminated in consolidation.

The long-term financing agreements include secured financing arrangements with an original term of one year or greater which is secured by Non-Agency RMBS pledged as collateral. These long-term secured financing agreements have a maturity date of February 2027. The collateral pledged as security on the long-term financing agreements may include the Company’s investments in bonds issued by consolidated VIEs, which are eliminated in consolidation.

The warehouse credit facilities collateralized by loans are repurchase agreements intended to finance loans until they can be sold into a longer-term securitization structure. The maturity dates on the warehouse credit facilities range from three months toone year with interest rates indexed to SOFR.

The secured financing agreements generally require the Company to post collateral at a specific rate in excess of the unpaid principal balance of the agreement. For certain secured financing agreements, this may require the Company to post additional margin if the fair value of the assets were to drop. To mitigate this risk, the Company has negotiated several long-term financing agreements which are not subject to additional margin requirements upon a drop in the fair value of the collateral pledged or until the drop is greater than a threshold. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has $915 million and $853 million, respectively, of secured financing agreements that are not subject to additional margin requirements upon a change in the fair value of the collateral pledged. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has $504 million and $512 million, respectively, of secured financing agreements that are not subject to additional margin requirements until the drop in the fair value of collateral is greater than a threshold. Repurchase agreements may allow the credit counterparty to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, in the event of a bankruptcy of the Company, and take possession of, and liquidate, the collateral under such repurchase agreements without delay.

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company pledged $11 million and $17 million, respectively, of margin cash collateral to the Company's secured financing agreement counterparties. At March 31, 2025, the weighted average haircut on the Company's secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency RMBS was 5.0%, Agency CMBS was 5.5% and Non-Agency RMBS and Loans held for investment was 25.6%. At December 31, 2024, the weighted average haircut on the Company's secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency RMBS was 5.1%, Agency CMBS was 5.5% and Non-Agency RMBS and Loans held for investment was 26.0%.

Certain of the long-term financing agreements and warehouse credit facilities are subject to certain covenants. These covenants include that the Company maintain its REIT status as well as maintain a net asset value or GAAP equity greater than a certain level. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants at any time, the financing may become immediately due in full. Additionally, certain financing agreements become immediately due if the total stockholders' equity of the Company drops by 50% from the most recent year end. Currently, the Company is in compliance with all covenants and does not expect to fail to comply with any of these covenants within the next twelve months. The Company has a total of $1.9 billion unused uncommitted warehouse credit facilities as of March 31, 2025.

At March 31, 2025, the Company had amounts at risk with Nomura Securities International, Inc., or Nomura, of 19% of its equity related to the collateral posted on secured financing agreements. The weighted average maturities of the secured financing agreements with Nomura were 373 days. The amount at risk with Nomura was $502 million. At December 31, 2024, the Company had amounts at risk with Nomura Securities International, Inc., or Nomura, of 20% of its equity related to the collateral posted on secured financing agreements. The weighted average maturities of the secured financing agreements with Nomura were 108 days. The amount at risk with Nomura was $512 million.

The secured financing agreements principal outstanding, weighted average borrowing rates, weighted average remaining maturities, average balances and the fair value of the collateral pledged as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were:

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the secured financing agreements collateralized by MBS and Loans held for investment had the following remaining maturities and borrowing rates.

Secured Financing Agreements at fair value

The Company has a secured financing agreement for which the Company has elected fair value option. The Company believes electing fair value for this financial instrument better reflects the transactional economics. The total principal balance outstanding on this secured financing at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was$332 million and $337 million, respectively. The fair value of collateral pledged was $383 million and $383 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Company carries this secured financing instrument at fair value of $321 million and $319 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the weighted average borrowing rate on secured financing agreements at fair value was 5.0%. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the haircut for the secured financing agreements at fair value was 7.5%. At March 31, 2025, the maturity on the secured financing agreements at fair value wastwo years.

7. Securitized Debt

All of the Company’s securitized debt is collateralized by residential mortgage loans or Non-Agency RMBS. For financial reporting purposes, the Company’s securitized debt is accounted for as secured borrowings. Thus, the residential mortgage loans or RMBS held as collateral are recorded in the assets of the Company as Loans held for investment or Non-Agency RMBS and the securitized debt is recorded as a non-recourse liability in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Securitized Debt Collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS was carried at amortized cost and had a principal balance of $110 million. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the debt carried a weighted average coupon of 6.7%. As of March 31, 2025, the maturities of the debt range between the years 2036 and 2037. None of the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS is callable.

The Company did not acquire any securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

The following table presents the estimated principal repayment schedule of the securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, based on expected cash flows of the residential mortgage loans or RMBS, as adjusted for projected losses on the underlying collateral of the debt. All of the securitized debt recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition is non-recourse to the Company.

Maturities of the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS are dependent upon cash flows received from the underlying collateral. The estimate of their repayment is based on scheduled principal payments on the underlying collateral. This estimate will differ from actual amounts to the extent prepayments or losses are experienced. See Note 3 for a more detailed discussion of the securities collateralizing the securitized debt.

Securitized Debt Collateralized by Loans Held for Investment

At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment had a principal balance of $7.8 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the total securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment carried a weighted average coupon of 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, the maturities of the debt range between the years 2038 and 2099.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company acquired securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment with an amortized cost balance of $314 million for $312 million. This transaction resulted in net gain on extinguishment of debt of $2 million. The Company did not acquire any securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

The following table presents the estimated principal repayment schedule of the securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, based on expected cash flows of the residential mortgage loans or RMBS, as adjusted for projected losses on the underlying collateral of the debt. All of the securitized debt recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition is non-recourse to the Company.

Maturities of the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment are dependent upon cash flows received from the underlying loans. The estimate of their repayment is based on scheduled principal payments on the underlying loans. This estimate will differ from actual amounts to the extent prepayments or loan losses are experienced. See Note 4 for a more detailed discussion of the loans collateralizing the securitized debt.

Certain of the securitized debt collateralized by Loans held for investment contain call provisions at the option of the Company at a specific date. Other securitized debt issued by the Company contain clean-up call provisions. A clean-up call provision is a right to call the outstanding debt at pre-defined terms when the collateral falls below a certain percentage of the original balance, typically 10%. Generally, these clean-up call rights are shared with other parties to the debt, including the loan servicers and the paying agents. Clean-up calls are generally put in place to reduce the administrative burdens when a loan pool balance becomes de minimis hence uneconomical to manage. The following table presents the par value of the callable debt by year as of March 31, 2025, excluding any debt issued by the Company where the Company only has a clean-up call.

8. Long Term Debt

Senior Notes

On May 22, 2024, the Company completed its registered underwritten public offering of $65 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% senior notes due 2029 (the “9.00% Notes”). The 9.00% Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 9.00% per year, payable in cash on a quarterly basis, and are expected to mature on May 15, 2029. After deducting the underwriting discount and other debt issuance costs, the Company received approximately $62 million.

On August 12, 2024, the Company completed its registered underwritten public offering of $65 million aggregate principal amount of 9.25% senior notes due 2029 (the “9.25% Notes”). The 9.25% Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 9.25% per year, payable in cash on a quarterly basis, and are expected to mature on August 15, 2029. Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, the Company also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $10 million aggregate principal amount of the 9.25% Notes to cover over-allotments, which was fully exercised by the underwriters. The Company issued $75 million of total principal amount under this offering and after deducting the underwriting discount and other debt issuance costs, the Company received approximately $72 million.

At March 31, 2025, the outstanding principal amount of these notes was $140 million and the accrued interest payable on this debt was $2 million. At March 31, 2025, the unamortized deferred debt issuance cost was $5 million. The net interest expense was $3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The unamortized deferred debt issuance costs will be amortized until maturity, which will be no later than May 15, 2029 and August 2029 for 9.00% Notes and 9.25% Notes, respectively.

9. Consolidated Securitization Vehicles and Other Variable Interest Entities

Since its inception, the Company has utilized VIEs for the purpose of securitizing whole mortgage loans or re-securitizing RMBS and obtaining long-term, non-recourse financing. The Company evaluated its interest in each VIE to determine if it is the primary beneficiary.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company consolidated approximately $934 million unpaid principal balance of seasoned reperforming residential mortgage loans. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not securitize any residential mortgage loans.

VIEs for Which the Company is the Primary Beneficiary

The retained beneficial interests in VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary are typically the subordinated tranches of these securitizations and in some cases the Company may hold interests in additional tranches. The table below reflects the assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to the consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

(1) March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 balances includes allowance for credit losses of $11 million and $10 million, respectively.

Income and expense amounts related to consolidated VIEs recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented in the tables below.

VIEs for Which the Company is Not the Primary Beneficiary

The Company is not required to consolidate VIEs in which it has concluded it does not have a controlling financial interest, and thus is not the primary beneficiary. In such cases, the Company does not have both the power to direct the entities’ most significant activities, such as rights to replace the servicer without cause, and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. The Company’s investments in these unconsolidated VIEs are carried in Non-Agency RMBS on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and include senior and subordinated bonds issued by the VIEs.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in each unconsolidated VIEs at March 31, 2025, ranged from less than $1 million to $21 million with an aggregate amount of $835 million. The fair value of the Company’s investments in each unconsolidated VIEs at December 31, 2024, ranged from less than $1 million to $21 million, with an aggregate amount of $835 million. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from these unconsolidated VIEs was $820 million and $830 million and at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The maximum exposure to loss was determined as the amortized cost of the unconsolidated VIE, which represents the purchase price of the investment adjusted by any unamortized premiums or discounts as of the reporting date.

10. Derivative Instruments

In connection with the Company’s interest rate risk strategy, the Company may economically hedge a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into derivative financial instrument contracts in the form of interest rate swaps, swaptions, U.S. Treasury futures, Swap futures and Interest rate caps. Swaps are used to lock in a fixed rate related to a portion of the Company's current and anticipated payments on secured financing agreements. The Company typically agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest, or pay rate, in exchange for the right to receive a floating rate of interest, or receive rate, over a specified period of time. Interest rate swaptions provide the option to enter into an interest rate swap agreement for a predetermined notional amount, stated term and pay and receive interest rates in the future. The Company’s swaptions are not centrally cleared. U.S. Treasury futures are derivatives that track the prices of generic benchmark U.S. Treasury securities with identical maturity and are traded on an active exchange. It is generally the Company’s policy to close out any U.S. Treasury futures positions prior to delivering the underlying security. U.S. Treasury futures lock in a fixed rate related to a portion of its current and anticipated payments on its secured financing agreements. Swap futures are exchange-traded contracts that mirror the economics of an interest rate swap, where one party pays a fixed rate and the other pays a floating rate based on the SOFR. Swap futures are marked-to-market daily, with prices published by the CME Group. Interest rate caps are used to protect against undesirable movement in a floating interest rate related to a portion of the Company’s current and anticipated payments on secured financing arrangements. Interest rate caps act as a hedge against rising floating interest rates, with the Company purchasing Interest rate caps for a set term and defined strike rate relative to a market reference rate such as SOFR.

The Company’s derivatives are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and measured at fair value. These derivative financial instrument contracts are not designated as hedges for GAAP; therefore, all changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. The Company elects to net the fair value of its derivative contracts by counterparty when appropriate. These contracts contain legally enforceable provisions that allow for netting or setting off of all individual derivative receivables and payables with each counterparty and therefore, the fair values of those derivative contracts are reported net the counterparty.

The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Company could have difficulty obtaining its RMBS or cash pledged as collateral for these derivative instruments. The Company periodically monitors the credit profiles of its counterparties to determine if it is exposed to counterparty credit risk. See Note 15 for further discussion of counterparty credit risk.

The weighted average pay rate on the Company’s interest rate swaps at March 31, 2025 was 3.53% and the weighted average receive rate was 4.41%. At March 31, 2025, the weighted average maturity on the Company’s interest rate swaps was less thanone year.

The weighted average pay rate on the Company’s interest rate swaps at December 31, 2024 was 3.56% and the weighted average receive rate was 4.49%. At December 31, 2024, the weighted average maturity on the Company’s interest rate swaps was less thanone year.

The Company hadno swap terminations during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company exercised itsone swaption contract with$500 million notional and entered into a less thanone-year swap with$500 million notional with a 3.45% fixed pay rate. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company exercised itstwo swaption contracts with $1.0 billion notional and entered intotwo one-year swaps with $1.0 billion notional with a weighted average 3.46% fixed pay rate.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company exercised itsthree swaption contracts, each with $500 million notional, and entered into three one-year swaps, each with $500 million notional and a weighted average fixed pay rate of 3.56%.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company covered its open short position of 1,000 two-year U.S. Treasury Futures contracts for a net realized gain of$82 thousand. The Company didnot have any Treasury futures contract positions or activity during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company was short 1,000 two-year U.S. Treasury futures contract at December 31, 2024.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company entered into short positions on Swap future contracts. The Company is short 400 10-year SOFR Swap future contracts,900 two-year SOFR Swap future contracts and 250 five-year SOFR Swap future contracts. The net par equivalent pay fixed rate on the Company's Swap futures at March 31, 2025 was 3.84% and the weighted average receive rate was 4.41%. At March 31, 2024 Company heldno Swap future contracts.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company entered into an Interest rate cap. The Company paid$7 million for atwo year Interest rate cap with a strike rate of 3.95% on SOFR as the market reference rate. At March 31, 2024, the Company held no Interest rate caps.

The Company also maintains collateral in the form of cash margin from its counterparties to its derivative contracts. In accordance with the Company's netting policy, the Company presents the fair value of its derivative contracts net of cash margin received. See Note 15 for additional details on derivative netting.

The table below summarizes the location and fair value of the derivatives reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition after counterparty netting and posting of cash collateral as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

The effect of the Company’s derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 is presented below.

When the Company enters into derivative contracts, they are typically subject to International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreements or other similar agreements which may contain provisions that grant counterparties certain rights with respect to the applicable agreement upon the occurrence of certain events such as (i) a decline in stockholders’ equity in excess of specified thresholds or dollar amounts over set periods of time, (ii) the Company’s failure to maintain its REIT status, (iii) the Company’s failure to comply with limits on the amount of leverage, and (iv) the Company’s stock being delisted from the NYSE. Upon the occurrence of any one of items (i) through (iv), or another default under the agreement, the counterparty to the applicable agreement has a right to terminate the agreement in accordance with its provisions. If the Company breaches any of these provisions, it will be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination values, which approximates fair value.

11. Capital Stock

Preferred Stock

The Company declared dividends to Series A preferred stockholders of $3 million, or $0.50 per preferred share, during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

The Company declared dividends to Series B preferred stockholders of $8 million, or $0.65 per preferred share, during the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company declared dividends to Series B preferred stockholders of $7 million, or $0.50 per preferred share, during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

The Company declared dividends to Series C preferred stockholders of $5 million, or $0.48 per preferred share, during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

The Company declared dividends to Series D preferred stockholders of $5 million, or $0.62 per preferred share, during the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company declared dividends to Series D preferred stockholders of $4 million, or $0.50 per preferred share, during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

On October 30, 2021, all 5,800,000 issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock with an outstanding liquidation preference of $145 million became callable at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends through, but not including the redemption date.

On March 30, 2024, all 13,000,000 issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock with an outstanding liquidation preference of $325 million became callable at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends through, but not including the redemption date.

On March 30, 2024, all 8,000,000 issued and outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock with an outstanding liquidation preference of $200 million became callable at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends through, but not including the redemption date.

On September 30, 2025, all 10,400,000 issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock with an outstanding liquidation preference of $260 million will become callable at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends through, but not including the redemption date.

After June 30, 2023, all LIBOR tenors relevant to the Company ceased to be published or became no longer representative. The Company believes that the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act (the “Act”) and the related regulations promulgated thereunder are applicable to each of its Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock. In light of the applicability of the Act to the aforementioned preferred stock, the Company believes, given all of the information available to the Company to date, that three-month CME Term SOFR plus the applicable tenor spread adjustment of 0.26161% per annum have automatically replaced, or will automatically replace, three-month LIBOR as the reference rate for calculations of the dividend rate payable on the relevant preferred stock for dividend periods from and after (i) March 30, 2024, in the case of the Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) September 30, 2025, in the case of the Series C Preferred Stock, and (iii) March 30, 2024, in the case of the Series D Preferred Stock.

Common Stock

In January 2024, the Company's Board of Directors updated the authorization of the Company’s share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”) to include the Company's preferred stock and increased the authorization by $33 million back up to $250 million. Such authorization does not have an expiration date, and at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization. Shares of the Company's common stock and preferred stock may be purchased in the open market, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined at the Company's discretion and the program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time, for any reason. Among other factors, the Company intends to only consider repurchasing shares of its common stock when the purchase price is less than the last publicly reported book value per common share. In addition, the Company does not intend to repurchase any shares from directors, officers or other affiliates. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares, and all repurchases will be made in accordance with Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of stock repurchases.

The Company didnot repurchase any of its common stock during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Share Repurchase Program is $250 million as of March 31, 2025.

In 2022, the Company entered into separate Distribution Agency Agreements (the “Existing Sales Agreements”) with each of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, JMP Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC. In February 2023, the Company amended the Existing Sales Agreements and entered into separate Distribution Agency Agreements (together with the Existing Sales Agreements, as amended, the “Sales Agreements”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC (replacing Credit Suisse Securities LLC) to include J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC as additional sales agents. Pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreements, the Company may offer and sell shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $500 million, from time to time in “at the market” offerings through any of the sales agents under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company did not issue any shares under the at-the-market sales program during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be issued under our at-the-market sales program is $426 million as of March 31, 2025.

On May 10, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of its common stock. The reverse stock split was effective after the close of trading on May 21, 2024, and the shares of the Company's common stock began trading on a reverse split-adjusted basis on the New York Stock Exchange beginning at the opening of trading on May 22, 2024. As a result of the reverse stock split, every three shares of the Company’s common stock was converted into one share of common stock, reducing the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock from approximately 241 million to approximately 80 million and reducing the number of authorized shares from 500 million to approximately 167 million. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Each stockholder who was otherwise entitled to receive a fractional share of the Company’s common stock was entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu of a fractional share. The reverse stock split was not subject to stockholder approval and did not change the par value of the Company's common stock. All common shares, outstanding options and per share amounts for all periods presented were retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders of $30 million or $0.37 per share. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders of $27 million or $0.33 per share.

Earnings per Share (EPS)

EPS for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are computed as follows:

There wereno anti-dilutive shares as of quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the changes in the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, or the AOCI, for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

There wereno amounts reclassified from AOCI during the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

13. Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and other Benefit Plans

On June 14, 2023, the Board of Directors recommended and shareholders approved, the Chimera Investment Corporation 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). It authorized the issuance of up to 6,666,667 shares of our common stock for the grant of awards under the Plan (adjusted on a retroactive basis to reflect the Company's 1-for-3-reverse stock split effected on May 21, 2024). The Plan replaced our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective December 10, 2015 (the “Prior Plan”), and no new awards will be granted under the Prior Plan. Any awards outstanding under the Prior Plan will remain subject to and be paid under the Prior Plan. Any shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plan that expire, terminate, or are surrendered or forfeited for any reason without issuance of shares will automatically become available for issuance under the Plan. Also, shares withheld for tax withholding requirements after stockholder approval of the Plan for full value awards originally granted under the Prior Plan (such as the RSUs and PSUs awarded to our named executive officers) will automatically become available for issuance under the Plan.

As of March 31, 2025, approximately 6 million shares were available for future grants under the Plan.

Awards under the Plan may include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalent rights (“DERs”) and other share-based awards (including RSUs). Under the Plan, any of these awards may be performance awards that are conditioned on the attainment of performance goals.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company had previously approved a Stock Award Deferral Program, or the Deferral Program. The Deferral Program consisted oftwo distinct non-qualified deferred compensation plans within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as amended, one for non-employee directors (the “Director Plan”) and one for certain executive officers (the “Executive Officer Plan”). Under the Deferral Program, non-employee directors and certain executive officers could elect to defer payment of certain stock awards made pursuant to the Plan. Deferred awards are treated as deferred stock units and paid at the earlier of separation from service or a date elected by the participant who is separating. Payments are generally made in a lump sum or, if elected by the participant, infive annual installments. Deferred awards receive dividend equivalents during the deferral period in the form of additional deferred stock units. Amounts are paid at the end of the deferral period by delivery of shares from the Plan (plus cash for any fractional deferred stock units), less any applicable tax withholdings. Deferral elections do not alter any vesting requirements applicable to the underlying stock award. On November 5, 2024, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved irrevocably terminating the Executive Officer Plan and suspending new deferral elections under the Director Plan. The Executive Officer Plan will be liquidated on November 30, 2025, and all amounts outstanding under the Executive Officer Plan on the liquidation date will be paid at that time in accordance with applicable tax rules. All defe rrals previously made under the Director Plan will remain outstanding, and all deferrals pursuant to prior elections made by directors will be paid on the originally scheduled payment dates. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there are approximately 154 thousand and 124 thousand shares for which payments have been deferred until separation or a date elected by the participant, respectively. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there are approximately 233 thousand and 229 thousand DERs earned but not yet delivered, respectively.

Grants of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company granted RSU awards to senior management and employees. These RSU awards are designed to reward senior management and employees of the Company for services provided to the Company. Generally, the RSU awards vest equally over athree-year period and will fully vest after three years. For employees who are retirement eligible, defined as years of service to the Company plus age that is equal to or greater than 65, the service period is considered to be fulfilled and all grants are expensed immediately. For senior management who are retirement eligible, defined as having attained age 55 and the sum of his or her age plus his or her years of service is equal or greater than 65, the service period is considered to be fulfilled and all grants areexpensed immediately. The RSU awards are valued at the market price of our common stock on the grant date and generally the employees must be employed by us on the vesting dates to receive the RSU awards. The Company granted 304 thousand RSU awards during the three months ended March 31, 2025 with a grant date fair value of $4 million for the 2025 performance year. The Company granted 179 thousand RSU awards during the three months ended March 31, 2024 with a grant date fair value of $3 million for the 2024 performance year.

Grants of Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)

PSU awards are designed to align compensation with the Company’s future performance. The PSU awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, include athree-year performance period ending on December 31, 2027 and December 31, 2026, respectively. For the PSU awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, the final number of shares awarded will be between 0% and 200% of the PSUs granted based equally on the Company Economic Return and share price performance compared to a peer group. The Company’s three-year Company Economic Return is equal to the Company’s change in book value per common share plus common stock dividends. Share price performance equals change in share price plus common stock dividends. Compensation expense will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period based on an estimate of the Company Economic Return and share price performance in relation to the entities in the peer group and will be adjusted each period based on the Company’s best estimate of the actual number of shares awarded. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company granted 296 thousand PSU awards to senior management with a grant date fair value of $4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company granted 179 thousand PSU awards to senior management with a grant date fair value of $3 million.

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The Company also maintains a qualified 401(k) plan. The plan is a retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to contribute a portion of their wages on a tax-deferred basis under Section 401(k) of the Code. Employees may contribute, through payroll deductions, up to $23,500 if under the age of 50 years and an additional $7,500 “catch-up” contribution for employees 50 years or older. The Company matches 100% of the first 6% of the eligible compensation deferred by employee contributions. The employer funds the 401(k) matching contributions in the form of cash, and participants may direct the Company match to an investment of their choice. The benefit of the Company’s contributions vests immediately. Generally, a participating employee is entitled to distributions from the plans upon termination of employment, retirement, death or disability. The 401(k) expenses related to the Company’s qualified plan for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $239 thousand and $150 thousand, respectively.

14. Income Taxes

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under Code Sections 856 through 860. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it makes qualifying distributions of taxable income to its stockholders. To maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to its shareholders and meet certain other requirements such as assets it may hold, income it may generate and its shareholder composition. It is generally the Company’s policy to distribute to its shareholders all of the Company’s taxable income.

The state and local tax jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to tax-filing obligations recognize the Company’s status as a REIT and, therefore, the Company generally does not pay income tax in such jurisdictions. The Company may, however, be subject to certain minimum state and local tax filing fees and its TRSs are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local taxes.

The Company recorded current income tax expense of $1.8 million and $8 thousand for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the U.S. federal corporate statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the deduction of dividend distributions required to be paid under Code Section 857(a).

The Company’s U.S. federal, state and local tax returns for the tax years ending on or after December 31, 2021, remain open for examination.

15. Credit Risk and Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s primary components of market risk are credit risk and interest rate risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk in connection with its investments in Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans, borrowings under secured financing agreements and securitized debt. When the Company assumes interest rate risk, it attempts to minimize interest rate risk through asset selection, hedging and matching the income earned on mortgage assets with the cost of related financing.

The Company attempts to minimize credit risk through due diligence, asset selection and portfolio monitoring. The Company has established a whole loan target market including qualified mortgages, non-qualified mortgages and reperforming residential mortgage loans. Additionally, the Company seeks to minimize credit risk through compliance with regulatory requirements, geographic diversification, owner occupied property, and moderate loan-to-value ratios. These factors are considered to be important indicators of credit risk.

By using derivative instruments and secured financing agreements, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk if counterparties to the contracts do not perform as expected. If a counterparty fails to perform on a derivative instrument, the Company’s counterparty credit risk is equal to the amount reported as a derivative asset on its balance sheet to the extent that amount exceeds collateral obtained from the counterparty or, if in a net liability position, the extent to which collateral posted exceeds the liability to the counterparty. The amounts reported as a derivative asset/(liability) are derivative contracts in a gain/(loss) position, and to the extent subject to master netting arrangements, net of derivatives in a loss/(gain) position with the same counterparty and collateral received/(pledged). If the counterparty fails to perform on a secured financing agreement, the Company is exposed to a loss to the extent that the fair value of collateral pledged exceeds the liability to the counterparty. The Company attempts to minimize counterparty credit risk by evaluating and monitoring the counterparty’s credit, executing master netting arrangements and obtaining collateral, and executing contracts and agreements with multiple counterparties to reduce exposure to a single counterparty.

The Company's secured financing agreements transactions are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff by the lender, including in the event of default or in the event of bankruptcy of the borrowing party to the transactions. The Company's derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff under master netting arrangements, including in the event of default or in the event of bankruptcy of either party to the transactions. The Company presents its assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are subject to such arrangements and can potentially be offset on our consolidated statements of financial condition as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

(1) Included in other assets

(1) Included in other assets

16. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In connection with certain securitization transactions engaged in by the Company, it has the obligation under certain circumstances to repurchase assets from the VIE upon breach of certain representations and warranties.

17. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to our disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.