Unassociated Document
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
______________
 
FORM 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
 
OR
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
 

 
Commission File Number: 1-13991
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
______________
 
Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
350 Park Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
13-3974868
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
10022
(Zip Code)
 
(212) 207-6400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
______________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes     ü  No       
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ___No ___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer [ü]
 
Accelerated filer [ ]
  
       
Non-accelerated filer [ ]
 
Smaller reporting company [ ]
  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes        No   ü  
 
280,371,277 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding as of November 2, 2009.
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
       
     
Page
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements
    
       
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008
1
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008
2
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008
4
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008
5
     
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
6
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
32
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
45
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
  
51
       
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
  
52
       
Item 1A.   
Risk Factors
  
52
       
Item 6.
Exhibits
  
52
       
Signatures
  
54
 
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
September 30,
2009
    
December 31,
2008
  
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
  
(Unaudited)
        
Assets:
            
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) at fair value (including pledged
   MBS of $8,347,435 and $10,026,638, respectively)
   (Notes 2(b), 3, 4, 7, 8 and 13)
   $ 9,349,052     $ 10,122,583  
Cash and cash equivalents (Notes 2(c), 7 and 8)
     486,695       361,167  
Restricted cash (Notes 2(d), 4 and 8)
     44,009       70,749  
Forward contracts to repurchase MBS (“MBS Forwards”), at fair value
   (Notes 2(l), 4,  and 13)
     53,459       -  
Interest receivable (Note 5)
     44,646       49,724  
Real estate, net (Notes 2(f) and 6)
     11,074       11,337  
Securities held as collateral, at fair value (Notes 7, 8 and 13)
     -       17,124  
Goodwill (Note 2(e))
     7,189       7,189  
Prepaid and other assets
     2,878       1,546  
     Total Assets
   $ 9,999,002     $ 10,641,419  
                 
Liabilities:
                
Repurchase agreements (Notes 2(g), 7 and 8)
   $ 7,575,287     $ 9,038,836  
Accrued interest payable
     12,722       23,867  
Mortgage payable on real estate (Note 6)
     9,184       9,309  
Interest rate swap agreements (“Swaps”), at fair value
   (Notes 2(l), 4, 8 and 13)
     178,353       237,291  
Obligations to return cash and security collateral, at fair value
   (Notes 8 and 13)
     -       22,624  
Dividends and dividend equivalents rights (“DERs”) payable   (Notes
   10(b) and 12(a))
     205       46,385  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
     7,978       6,030  
     Total Liabilities
   $ 7,783,729     $ 9,384,342  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
                
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
                
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; series A 8.50% cumulative redeemable;
   5,000 shares authorized; 3,840 shares issued and outstanding ($96,000
   aggregate liquidation preference)  (Note 10)
   $ 38     $ 38  
Common stock, $.01 par value; 370,000 shares authorized;
   280,000 and 219,516 issued and outstanding, respectively (Note 10)
     2,800       2,195  
Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par
     2,179,942       1,775,933  
Accumulated deficit
     (132,400 )     (210,815 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (Note 10(h))
     164,893       (310,274 )
     Total Stockholders’ Equity
   $ 2,215,273     $ 1,257,077  
     Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
   $ 9,999,002     $ 10,641,419  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
1
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
Three Months Ended
    
Nine Months Ended
  
   
September 30,
    
September 30,
  
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
         
(Unaudited)
        
                         
Interest Income:
                        
MBS (Note 3)
   $ 124,399     $ 139,419     $ 383,029     $ 383,026  
Cash and cash equivalent investments
     149       1,529       1,020       6,711  
      Interest Income
     124,548       140,948       384,049       389,737  
                                 
      Interest Expense (Notes 4 and 7)
     52,976       85,033       183,119       255,166  
                                 
      Net Interest Income
     71,572       55,915       200,930       134,571  
                                 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:  (Note 3)
                                
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
     -       (183 )     (78,135 )     (5,051 )
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income
     -       -       69,126       -  
      Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings
     -       (183 )     (9,009 )     (5,051 )
                                 
Other Income/(Loss):
                                
Gain on MBS Forwards, net (Note 4)
     754       -       754       -  
Net gain/(loss) on sale of MBS (Note 3)
     -       -       13,495       (24,530 )
Revenue from operations of real estate (Note 6)
     378       407       1,145       1,219  
Loss on early termination of Swaps, net (Note 4)
     -       (986 )     -       (92,467 )
Miscellaneous other income, net
     -       68       43       247  
      Other Income/(Loss)
     1,132       (511 )     15,437       (115,531 )
                                 
Operating and Other Expense:
                                
Compensation and benefits (Note 12)
     3,710       3,264       10,824       8,595  
Real estate operating expense and mortgage interest (Note 6)
     444       439       1,359       1,312  
New business initiative
     -       -       -       998  
Other general and administrative expense
     1,713       1,465       5,559       3,936  
      Operating and Other Expense
     5,867       5,168       17,742       14,841  
                                 
Net Income/(Loss) Before Preferred Stock Dividends
     66,837       50,053       189,616       (852 )
Less:  Preferred Stock Dividends (Note 10(a))
     2,040       2,040       6,120       6,120  
      Net Income/(Loss) to Common Stockholders
   $ 64,797     $ 48,013     $ 183,496     $ (6,972 )
                                 
Income/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:
Basic and Diluted (Note 11)
   $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ 0.78     $ (0.04 )
                                 
Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock (Note 10(b))
   $ 0.25     $ 0.20     $ 0.47     $ 0.38  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
   
For the
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2009
  
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
  
(Unaudited)
  
       
Preferred Stock, Series A 8.50% Cumulative Redeemable – Liquidation
  Preference $25.00 per Share:
      
Balance at December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2009 (3,840 shares)
   $ 38  
         
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01:
        
Balance at December 31, 2008 (219,516 shares)
     2,195  
  Issuance of common stock  (60,484 shares)
     605  
Balance at September 30, 2009 (280,000 shares)
     2,800  
         
Additional Paid-in Capital, in excess of Par:
        
Balance at December 31, 2008
     1,775,933  
  Issuance of common stock, net of expenses
     402,577  
  Shares issued for common stock option exercises, net of shares withheld
     116  
  Equity-based compensation expense
     1,316  
Balance at September 30, 2009
     2,179,942  
         
Accumulated Deficit:
        
Balance at December 31, 2008
     (210,815 )
  Net income
     189,616  
  Dividends declared on common stock
     (104,688 )
  Dividends declared on preferred stock
     (6,120 )
  Dividends attributable to DERs
     (393 )
Balance at September 30, 2009
     (132,400 )
         
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income:
        
Balance at December 31, 2008
     (310,274 )
  Unrealized gains on MBS, net
     416,229  
  Unrealized gains on Swaps
     58,938  
Balance at September 30, 2009
     164,893  
         
Total Stockholders' Equity at September 30, 2009
   $ 2,215,273  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Nine Months Ended
  
   
September 30,
  
(In Thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
  
   
(Unaudited)
  
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
            
Net income/(loss)
   $ 189,616     $ (852 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                
Losses on sale of MBS
     -       25,101  
Gains on sales of MBS
     (13,495 )     (571 )
Losses on early termination of Swaps
     -       92,467  
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
     9,009       5,051  
Amortization of purchase premium on MBS, net of accretion of discounts
     8,468       15,335  
Decrease/(increase) in interest receivable
     5,078       (7,708 )
Depreciation and amortization on real estate
     353       355  
Increase in prepaid and other assets and other
     (1,021 )     (206 )
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
     1,948       1,988  
(Decrease)/increase in accrued interest payable
     (11,145 )     252  
Equity-based compensation expense
     1,316       944  
Negative amortization and principal accretion on MBS
     (12 )     (493 )
   Net cash provided by operating activities
   $ 190,115     $ 131,663  
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
                
Principal payments on MBS and other investments securities
   $ 1,413,711     $ 1,119,414  
Proceeds from sale of MBS
     438,507       1,851,019  
Purchases of MBS
     (666,428 )     (5,188,932 )
Net additions to leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and real estate investment
     (549 )     (113 )
   Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities
   $ 1,185,241     $ (2,218,612 )
                 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
                
Principal payments on repurchase agreements
   $ (50,186,109 )   $ (44,159,270 )
Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements
     48,722,560       46,012,730  
Principal payments on MBS Forwards
     (219,916 )     -  
Proceeds from MBS Forwards
     166,547       -  
Payments made on termination of Swaps
     -       (91,868 )
Payments made for margin calls on repurchase agreements and Swaps
     (114,570 )     (173,610 )
Cash received for reverse margin calls on repurchase agreements and Swaps
     135,868       178,127  
Proceeds from issuances of common stock
     403,298       616,376  
Dividends paid on preferred stock
     (6,120 )     (6,120 )
Dividends paid on common stock and DERs
     (151,261 )     (85,181 )
Principal payments on mortgage loan
     (125 )     (115 )
   Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities
   $ (1,249,828 )   $ 2,291,069  
Net Increase in cash and cash equivalents
   $ 125,528     $ 204,120  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   $ 361,167     $ 234,410  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
   $ 486,695     $ 438,530  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
 
   
Three Months Ended
    
Nine Months Ended
  
   
September 30,
    
September 30,
  
(In Thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
(Unaudited)
  
                         
Net income/(loss) before preferred stock dividends
   $ 66,837     $ 50,053     $ 189,616     $ (852 )
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss):
                                
  Unrealized gain/(loss) on MBS arising during the
   period, net
     173,536       (152,191 )     410,397       (208,886 )
  Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales
     -       -       (3,033 )     (8,241 )
  Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net
   income for other-than-temporary impairments
     -       96       8,865       1,500  
  Unrealized (loss)/gain on Swaps arising during the period, net
     (4,943 )     (10,448 )     58,938       321  
  Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in earnings
   from Swaps
     -       773       -       48,972  
      Comprehensive income/(loss) before preferred stock dividends
   $ 235,430     $ (111,717 )   $ 664,783     $ (167,186 )
Dividends declared on preferred stock
     (2,040 )     (2,040 )     (6,120 )     (6,120 )
      Comprehensive Income/(Loss) to Common Stockholders
   $ 233,390     $ (113,757 )   $ 658,663     $ (173,306 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
1.      Organization
 
MFA Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on July 24, 1997 and began operations on April 10, 1998.  The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes.  In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must comply with a number of requirements under federal tax law, including that it must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders.  (See Note 10(b))
 
2.      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
(a) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The interim unaudited financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted according to such SEC rules and regulations.  Management believes, however, that the disclosures included in these interim financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at September 30, 2009 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made.  The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management 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.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
Hierarchy of GAAP
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 (“FAS 168”).  FAS 168 identified the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of non-governmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP in the United States.  FAS 168 established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB.  All non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification, except as noted in FAS 168, is superseded and deemed non-authoritative for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  FAS 168 revised the framework for selecting the accounting principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP.  The Company’s adoption of the Codification at September 30, 2009, resulted in the Company eliminating references to prior sources of GAAP which are integrated into the Codification.
 
(b) MBS
Designation
The Company generally intends to hold its MBS until maturity; however, from time to time, it may sell any of its securities as part of the overall management of its business.  As a result, all of the Company’s MBS are designated as “available-for-sale” and, accordingly are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings (except when an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized, as discussed below) and reported in other comprehensive income/(loss), a component of Stockholders’ Equity.  (See Note 2(j))
 
Upon the sale of an investment security, any unrealized gain or loss is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to earnings as a realized gain or loss using the specific identification method.
 
6
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization and Discount Accretion
 
Interest income on securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms.  Premiums and discounts associated with MBS that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency MBS”) and non-Agency MBS rated AA and higher at the time of purchase, are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method.  Amortization and adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity.
 
Interest income on the non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount to par value and/or were rated below AA at the time of purchase is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate.  The effective interest rate on these securities is based on the projected cash flows from each security, which are estimated based on the Company’s observation of current information and events and include assumptions related to interest rates, prepayment rates and the timing and amount of credit losses.  On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, makes adjustments to its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors.  Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities.  (See Notes 2(n) and 3)
 
Based on the projected cash flows from the Company’s non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par value, a portion of the purchase discount may be designated as credit protection against future credit losses and, therefore, may not be accreted into interest income.  The amount designated as credit discount may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors.  If the performance of a security with a credit discount is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as credit discount may be accreted into interest income over time.  Conversely, if the performance of a security with a credit discount is less favorable than forecasted, additional amounts of the purchase discount may be designated as credit discount, or impairment charges and write-downs of such securities to a new cost basis could result.
 
Determination of MBS Fair Value
The Company determines the fair value of its Agency MBS based upon prices obtained from a third-party pricing service, which are indicative of market activity.  In determining the fair value of its non-Agency MBS, management judgment is used to arrive at fair value that considers prices obtained from a third-party pricing service, broker quotes received and other applicable market based data.  If listed prices or quotes are not available, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that are primarily based on observable market-based inputs.  (See Note 13)
 
Impairments
When the fair value of an investment security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired.  The Company assesses its impaired securities on at least a quarterly basis, and designates such impairments as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”  If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired security before its anticipated recovery, then it must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not expect to sell an other-than-temporarily impaired security, only the portion of the other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses is recognized through earnings with the remainder recognized as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) on the consolidated balance sheet.  The amount of credit impairment is determined by comparing the amortized cost of an impaired security to the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the security’s yield prior to recognizing the impairment.  (See Note 2(n))
 
Impairments recognized through other comprehensive income/(loss) do not impact earnings.  Following the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the security and may not be adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value through earnings.  However, other-than-temporary impairments recognized through earnings may be accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security on a prospective basis through interest income.  The determination as to whether an other-than-temporary impairment exists and, if so, the amount considered other-than-temporarily impaired is subjective, as such determinations are based on both factual and subjective information available at the time of assessment.  As a result, the timing and amount of other-than-temporary impairments constitute material estimates that are susceptible to significant change.  (See Note 3)
 
7
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
The Company’s MBS pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements and Swaps are included in MBS on the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the MBS pledged disclosed parenthetically.  Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade date or when all significant uncertainties regarding the securities are removed.  However, if a repurchase agreement is determined to be linked to the purchase of an MBS, then the MBS and linked repurchase borrowing will be reported net, as an MBS Forward. (See Note 2(l))
 
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in high quality money market funds, all of which have original maturities of three months or less.  Cash and cash equivalents may also include cash pledged as collateral to the Company by its repurchase agreement and/or Swap counterparties as a result of reverse margin calls (i.e., margin calls made by the Company).  (See Note 8)  The Company did not hold any cash pledged by its counterparties at September 30, 2009 and held $5.5 million of cash pledged by its counterparties at December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009, all of the Company’s cash investments were in high quality overnight money market funds.
 
(d) Restricted Cash
Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by counterparties as collateral against the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements.  Restricted cash, which earns interest, is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to counterparties to the Company’s repurchase agreements and/or Swaps, or returned to the Company when the collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the Swap or repurchase agreement.  The Company had restricted cash held as collateral against its Swaps of $44.0 million and $70.7 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  (See Notes 4 and 8)
 
(e) Goodwill
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had goodwill of $7.2 million, which represents the unamortized portion of the excess of the fair value of its common stock issued over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with its formation in 1998.  Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently under certain circumstances, at the entity level.  Through September 30, 2009, the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill.
 
(f) Real Estate
At September 30, 2009, the Company indirectly held 100% of the ownership interest in Lealand Place, a 191-unit apartment property located in Lawrenceville, Georgia (“Lealand”), which is consolidated with the Company.  This property was acquired through a tax-deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  (See Note 6)
 
The property, capital improvements and other assets held in connection with this investment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are expensed in the period incurred, while real estate assets, except land, and capital improvements are depreciated over their useful life using the straight-line method.
 
(g) Repurchase Agreements
The Company finances the acquisition of a significant portion of its MBS with repurchase agreements.  Under repurchase agreements, the Company sells securities to a lender and agrees to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sale price.  The difference between the sale price that the Company receives and the repurchase price that the Company pays represents interest paid to the lender.  Although structured as a sale and repurchase, under its repurchase agreements, the Company pledges its securities as collateral to secure the borrowing, which is equal in value to a specified percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral, while the Company retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral.  At the maturity of a repurchase agreement, the Company is required to repay the loan and concurrently receives back its pledged collateral from the lender.  With the consent of the lender, the Company may renew a repurchase agreement at the then prevailing financing terms.  Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securities or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase agreements with such lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBS pledged as collateral declines as a result of principal amortization or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions.  To date, the Company had satisfied all of its margin calls and has never sold assets in response to a margin call.  (See Notes 2(l), 7 and 8)
 
8
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
The Company’s repurchase agreements typically have terms ranging from one month to three months at inception, with some having longer terms.  Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase agreement at maturity, the Company must either refinance elsewhere or be in a position to satisfy the obligation.  If, during the term of a repurchase agreement, a lender should file for bankruptcy, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such lender.  The Company enters into repurchase agreements with multiple counterparties with a maximum loan from any lender of no more than three times the Company’s stockholders’ equity.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had outstanding balances under repurchase agreements with 18 separate lenders with a maximum amount at risk (the difference between the amount loaned to the Company, including interest payable, and the fair value of securities pledged by the Company as collateral, including accrued interest on such securities) to any single lender of $123.0 million, or 5.6% of stockholders’ equity, related to repurchase agreements.  (See Notes 4 and 7)
 
(h) Equity Based Compensation
Compensation expense for equity based awards is recognized over the vesting period of such awards, based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date.  Payments pursuant to DERs, which are attached to certain equity based awards, are charged to stockholders’ equity when declared.  Equity based awards for which there is no risk of forfeiture are expensed upon grant or at such time that there is no longer a risk of forfeiture.  The Company applies a zero forfeiture rate for its equity based awards, as such awards have been granted to a limited number of employees and historical forfeitures have been minimal.  Forfeitures, or an indication that forfeitures may occur, would result in a revised forfeiture rate and are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate.
 
Forfeiture provisions for dividends and DERs on unvested equity instruments on the Company’s equity based awards vary by award.  To the extent that equity awards do not vest and grantees are not required to return payments of dividends or DERs to the Company, additional compensation expense is recorded at the time an award is forfeited.  (See Note 2(i) and 12)
 
(i) Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”)
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income/(loss) allocable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, which also includes participating securities representing unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or DERs.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to holders of common stock by the weighted average shares of common stock and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.  For the diluted EPS calculation, common equivalent shares outstanding includes the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted for the effect of dilutive unexercised stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) outstanding using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, common equivalent shares are calculated assuming that all dilutive common stock equivalents are exercised and the proceeds, along with future compensation expenses for unvested stock options and RSUs, are used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the average market price during the reported period.  No common share equivalents are included in the computation of any diluted per share amount for a period in which a net operating loss is reported.
 
(j) Comprehensive Income/Loss
The Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) includes net income/(loss), the change in net unrealized gains/(losses) on its MBS and hedging instruments, adjusted by realized net gains/(losses) included in net income/(loss) for the period and is reduced by dividends declared on the Company’s preferred stock.
 
9
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
(k) U.S. Federal Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the provisions of the Code and the corresponding provisions of state law.  The Company expects to operate in a manner that will enable it to continue to be taxed as a REIT.  A REIT is not subject to tax on its earnings to the extent that it distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders.  As such, no provision for current or deferred income taxes has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
(l) Derivative Financial Instruments
Hedging Activity
As part of the Company’s interest rate risk management, it periodically hedges a portion of its interest rate risk using derivative financial instruments and does not enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes and, accordingly, accounts for its Swaps as cash flow hedges.  The Company’s Swaps have the effect of modifying the interest rate repricing characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements and cash flows for such liabilities.  No cost is incurred at the inception of a Swap, pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable interest rate, generally based on one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), on the notional amount of the Swap.  The Company documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities and the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged liability.  The Company assesses, both at inception of a hedge and on a quarterly basis thereafter, whether or not the hedge is “highly effective.”
 
The Company discontinues hedge accounting on a prospective basis and recognizes changes in the fair value through earnings when: it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions); it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or it is determined that designating the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate.
 
Swaps are carried on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value, as assets, if their fair value is positive, or as liabilities, if their fair value is negative.  Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Swaps are recorded in other comprehensive income/(loss) provided that the hedge remains effective.  A change in fair value for any ineffective amount of a  Swap would be recognized in earnings.  The Company has not recognized any change in the value of its existing Swaps through earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness, except that all gains and losses realized on Swaps that were terminated early were recognized, as all of the associated hedges were deemed ineffective.
 
Although permitted under certain circumstances, the Company does not offset cash collateral receivables or payables against its net derivative positions.  (See Notes 4, 8 and 13)
 
Non-Hedging Activity/MBS Forwards
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting guidance required for certain transfers of financial assets and repurchase financings.  Given that this guidance was prospective, the initial adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Under the new accounting guidance, it is presumed that the initial transfer of a financial asset (i.e., the purchase of an MBS by the Company) and repurchase financing of this MBS with the same counterparty are considered part of the same arrangement, or a “linked transaction.”  The two components of a linked transaction (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) are not reported separately but are netted together and reported as a derivative instrument, specifically as a net forward contract on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  In addition, changes in the fair value of the net forward contract are reported as gains or losses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operation and are not included in other comprehensive income/(loss).  (See Note 2(b))  However, if certain criteria are met, the initial transfer (i.e., purchase of a security by the Company) and repurchase financing will not be treated as a linked transaction and will be evaluated and reported separately, as an MBS purchase and repurchase financing.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company entered into 14 transactions that were identified as linked transactions.  As such, the Company accounted for these purchase contracts and related repurchase agreements on a net basis and recorded a derivative instrument, or forward contract on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  Changes in the fair value of these forward contracts (i.e., MBS Forwards) are reported as a net gain or loss on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.  When or if a transaction is no longer considered to be linked, the MBS and repurchase financing will be reported on a gross basis.  In this case, the fair value of the MBS at the time the transactions are no longer considered linked will become the cost basis of the MBS.  (See Notes 4, 8, and 13)
 
10
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
(m) Fair Value Measurements and the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The Company’s presentation of fair value for its financial assets and liabilities are determined within a framework that stipulates that the fair value of a financial asset or liability is an exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability in the market in which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, that is, the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability.  The transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability is a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability.  This definition of fair value is based on a consistent definition of fair value which focuses on exit price and prioritizes, the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs when determining fair value.  In addition, the framework for measuring fair value establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.  (See Notes 2(n) and 13)
 
Although permitted to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, the Company has not elected the fair value option for any of its assets or liabilities.  If the fair value option is elected, unrealized gains and losses on such items for which fair value is elected would be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  A decision to elect the fair value option for an eligible financial instrument, which may be made on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable.
 
(n) New Accounting Standards and Interpretations
Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities
On January 1, 2009, new accounting guidance became effective providing that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of basic earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009 and retrospectively adjusted all previously reported EPS data, which did not have a material impact on its historical EPS amounts.
 
Other-than-temporary Impairments, Determining Fair Value and Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In April 2009, new accounting guidance was issued with respect to determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased, identifying transactions that are not orderly and interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments.  The Company adopted these new accounting rules as of April 1, 2009.  The new guidance is summarized below.
 
In addition to existing guidance, an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to exist if an entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a security.  Among other things, the new accounting guidance addressed: (i) the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired; (ii) whether that impairment is other-than-temporary; (iii) the measurement of an impairment loss; (iv) accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment; and (v) certain required disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments.  Should an other-than-temporary impairment exist on a security that the Company expects to continue to hold, the security is written down, with the total other-than-temporary impairment bifurcated into (i) the amount related to expected credit losses, which are recognized through earnings, and (ii) the amount related to all other factors, which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income.  The disclosures required by this new accounting are included in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.  The Company’s adoption of this new accounting guidance required a reassessment of all securities which were other-than-temporarily impaired through March 31, 2009.  This reassessment did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to any component of stockholders’ equity in connection with its adoption.
 
Additional guidance was provided for fair value measures in determining if the market for an asset or liability is inactive and, accordingly, if quoted market prices may not be indicative of fair value.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
The existing disclosure requirements related to the fair value of financial instruments that were previously required in annual financial statements were extended to interim financial statements.  This guidance provides for additional disclosures, such that its adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The required disclosures are included in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
11
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Accounting Standards Codification
See Note 2(a).
 
Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets
On June 12, 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 166, Accounting for Transfer of Financial Assets – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“FAS 166”), which amends previous derecognition guidance.  FAS 166, which remains authoritative until such time that it is integrated into the Codification, eliminates the concept of a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”) and eliminates the exception from applying FASB Interpretation 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities to QSPEs.  Additionally, FAS 166 clarifies that the objective of determining whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets must consider the transferor’s continuing involvements in the transferred financial asset, including all arrangements or agreements made contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, the transfer, even if they were not entered into at the time of the transfer.  FAS 166 modifies the financial-components approach and limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset.  FAS 166 defines the term "participating interest" to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale.  Under FAS 166, when the transfer of financial assets are accounted for as a sale, the transferor must recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of the transfer.  This includes any retained beneficial interest.  The implementation of FAS 166 materially affects the securitization process in general, as it eliminates off-balance sheet transactions when an entity retains any interest in or control over assets transferred in this process.  The Company does not believe the implementation of FAS 166 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, as it has no off-balance sheet transactions, no QSPEs, nor has it transferred assets through a securitization.  FAS 166 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2010.
 
In conjunction with FAS 166, FASB issued Statement No. 167, Amendment to FASB Interpretation No 46(R) (“FAS 167”), which remains authoritative until such time that it is integrated into the Codification.  FAS 166 requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether an enterprise's variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  The analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity which could potentially be significant to the VIE.  With the removal of the QSPE exemption, established QSPEs must be evaluated for consolidation under this statement.  FAS 167 requires enhanced disclosures to provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about and an enterprise's involvement in a VIE.  Further, FAS 166 also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  Currently, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any VIEs.  The effective date for FAS 167 is January 1, 2010.  Upon implementation and, as required by the standard, on an ongoing basis, the Company will assess the applicability of this standard to its holdings and report accordingly.
 
(o) Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
 
3.      MBS
 
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company’s MBS were primarily secured by hybrid mortgages that have a fixed interest rate for a specified period, typically three to ten years, and, thereafter, generally reset annually (“Hybrids”), and adjustable-rate mortgages (“ARMs”) (collectively, “ARM-MBS”).  At September 30, 2009, 0.8% of the Company’s MBS portfolio were fixed-rate MBS secured by fixed rates mortgages, all of which were non-Agency MBS acquired during 2009.
 
The Company’s MBS are primarily comprised of Agency MBS and, to a lesser extent, non-Agency MBS.  The Company’s MBS do not have a single maturity date and, further, the mortgage loans underlying ARM-MBS have interest rates that do not all reset at the same time.  In addition, the Company may have investments in MBS, which may or may not be rated.  The Company pledges a significant portion of its MBS as collateral against its repurchase agreements and Swaps.  (See Note 8)
 
12
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Agency MBS: Agency MBS are guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae, and, as such, carry an implied AAA rating.  The payment of principal and/or interest on Ginnie Mae MBS is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.  Since the third quarter of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have remained in conservatorship under the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which significantly strengthened the backing for these guarantors.
 
Non-Agency MBS:  The Company’s non-Agency MBS, which are primarily comprised of the senior most tranches from the MBS structure (“Senior MBS”), are securities that are secured by pools of residential mortgages, and are not guaranteed by any U.S. government agency or any federally chartered corporation.  The Company’s Senior MBS are rated by a nationally recognized rating agency, such as Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch, Inc. (collectively, “Rating Agencies”).  At September 30, 2009, the Company’s non-Agency MBS were rated from AAA to C by one or more of the Rating Agencies or were unrated (i.e., not assigned a rating by any Rating Agency).  The rating indicates the opinion of the Rating Agency as to the credit worthiness of the investment, indicating the obligor’s ability to meet its full financial commitment on the obligation.
 
The following table presents certain information about the Company's MBS at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 
September 30, 2009
  
(In Thousands)
  
Principal/
Current
Face
    
Purchase
Premiums
    
Purchase
Discounts
    
Credit
Discounts (1)
    
Amortized
Cost (2)
    
Carrying
Value/
Fair Value
    
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
    
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
  
Agency MBS:
                                                      
   Fannie Mae
   $ 7,349,064     $ 97,977     $ (615 )   $ -     $ 7,446,426     $ 7,747,168     $ 306,328     $ (5,586 )   $ 300,742  
   Freddie Mac
     584,745       8,912       -       -       608,674       628,345       19,843       (172 )     19,671  
   Ginnie Mae
     25,000       442       -       -       25,442       25,948       506       -       506  
  Total Agency MBS
     7,958,809       107,331       (615 )     -       8,080,542       8,401,461       326,677       (5,758 )     320,919  
Non-Agency MBS (3):
                                                                        
   Rated AAA
     41,170       1,172       -       -       42,342       30,553       -       (11,789 )     (11,789 )
   Rated AA
     18,008       30       (5,378 )     (2,298 )     10,362       12,809       2,962       (515 )     2,447  
   Rated A
     33,637       55       (6,968 )     (61 )     26,662       25,821       2,174       (3,015 )     (841 )
   Rated BBB
     49,866       273       (2,178 )     (5,133 )     42,827       37,235       2,541       (8,133 )     (5,592 )
   Rated BB
     32,636       51       (4,121 )     (10,458 )     18,108       21,913       5,238       (1,433 )     3,805  
   Rated B
     73,010       -       (16,501 )     (13,567 )     42,942       51,711       8,769       -       8,769  
   Rated CCC
     528,508       85       (54,186 )     (189,824 )     284,065       314,738       35,454       (4,781 )     30,673  
   Rated CC
     573,649       122       (41,611 )     (154,015 )     372,588       371,807       34,843       (35,624 )     (781 )
   Rated C
     126,854       30       (7,437 )     (33,876 )     83,670       79,319       6,875       (11,226 )     (4,351 )
   Unrated and Other
     7,940       -       (2,529 )     (1,900 )     1,698       1,685       3       (16 )     (13 )
  Total Non-Agency MBS
     1,485,278       1,818       (140,909 )     (411,132 )     925,264       947,591       98,859       (76,532 )     22,327  
    Total MBS
   $ 9,444,087     $ 109,149     $ (141,524 )   $ (411,132 )   $ 9,005,806     $ 9,349,052     $ 425,536     $ (82,290 )   $ 343,246  

Table continued
 
13
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Table continued

December 31, 2008
  
(In Thousands)
  
Principal/
Current
Face
    
Purchase
Premiums
    
Purchase
Discounts
    
Credit
Discounts(1)
    
Amortized
Cost (2)
    
Carrying
Value/ Fair
Value
    
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
    
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
  
Agency MBS:
                                                      
   Fannie Mae
   $ 8,986,206     $ 115,106     $ (1,401 )   $ -     $ 9,099,911     $ 9,156,030     $ 78,148     $ (22,029 )   $ 56,119  
   Freddie Mac
     714,110       10,753       -       -       732,248       732,719       3,462       (2,991 )     471  
   Ginnie Mae
     30,017       532       -       -       30,549       29,864       -       (685 )     (685 )
  Total Agency MBS
     9,730,333       126,391       (1,401 )     -       9,862,708       9,918,613       81,610       (25,705 )     55,905  
Non-Agency MBS (3):
                                                                        
   Rated AAA
     106,191       1,487       (4,705 )     (2,585 )     100,388       71,418       961       (29,931 )     (28,970 )
   Rated AA
     29,064       352       -       -       29,416       17,767       -       (11,649 )     (11,649 )
   Rated A
     115,213       -       (1,261 )     (584 )     113,368       67,346       269       (46,291 )     (46,022 )
   Rated BBB
     10,524       91       (750 )     (1,955 )     7,910       4,999       66       (2,977 )     (2,911 )
   Rated BB
     79,700       -       (626 )     -       79,074       41,075       -       (37,999 )     (37,999 )
   Rated CCC
     1,852       -       (175 )     (756 )     921       989       68       -       68  
   Unrated and Other
     2,161       -       -       (197 )     1,781       376       -       (1,405 )     (1,405 )
  Total Non-Agency MBS
     344,705       1,930       (7,517 )     (6,077 )     332,858       203,970       1,364       (130,252 )     (128,888 )
     Total MBS
   $ 10,075,038     $ 128,321     $ (8,918 )   $ (6,077 )   $ 10,195,566     $ 10,122,583     $ 82,974     $ (155,957 )   $ (72,983 )
 
(1)  Purchase discounts designated as credit reserves are not expected to be accreted into interest income.
  
(2) Includes principal payments receivable, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face.  Amortized cost is reduced by other-than-temporary impairments recognized through earnings.
  
(3) The Company’s non-Agency MBS are reported based on the lowest rating issued by a Rating Agency, if more than one rating is issued on the security, at the date presented.
  
 
The following table presents components of interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
For the Three Months Ended
    
For the Nine Months Ended
  
(In Thousands)
  
September 30,
2009
    
September 30,
2008
    
September 30,
2009
    
September 30,
2008
  
 Interest Income:
                        
Agency MBS
   $ 103,561     $ 134,781     $ 345,312     $ 367,577  
MFR MBS (1)
     16,821       -       25,287       -  
Legacy non-Agency MBS and other (2)
     4,017       4,638       12,430       15,449  
     Total
   $ 124,399     $ 139,419     $ 383,029     $ 383,026  
 
(1) “MFR MBS” are comprised of non-Agency MBS acquired at a discount through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary MFResidential Assets I, LLC (“MFR”).  Interest income presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 does not reflect interest income on MBS underlying the Company’s MBS Forwards.  (See Note 4)
(2) “Legacy non-Agency MBS” are all non-Agency MBS that were purchased by the Company prior to July 2007.
 
14
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Unrealized Losses on MBS and Impairments
The following table presents information about the Company’s MBS that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2009:
 
   
Unrealized Loss Position For:
        
   
Less than 12 Months
    
12 Months or more
    
Total
  
(In Thousands)
  
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
losses
    
Number of
Securities
    
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
losses
    
Number of
Securities
    
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
losses
  
Agency MBS:
                                                
  Fannie Mae
   $ 12,789     $ 68       19     $ 417,077     $ 5,518       49     $ 429,866     $ 5,586  
  Freddie Mac
     5,426       13       7       9,213       159       4       14,639       172  
  Total Agency MBS
     18,215       81       26       426,290       5,677        53       444,505       5,758  
Non-Agency MBS:
                                                                
  Rated AAA
     -       -       -       30,553       11,789       3       30,553       11,789  
  Rated AA
     -       -       -       1,047       515       2       1,047       515  
  Rated A
     -       -       -       13,471       3,015       3       13,471       3,015  
  Rated BBB
     -       -       -       26,011        8,133       2       26,011        8,133  
  Rated BB
     -       -       -       2,938        1,433       1       2,938        1,433  
  Rated CCC
     27,130       1,169       2       7,738       3,612       2       34,868       4,781  
  Rated CC
     -       -       -       98,714       35,624       2       98,714       35,624  
  Rated C
     7,837       63       1       23,171       11,163       1       31,008       11,226  
  Unrated and other
     117       16       3       -       -       -       117       16  
  Total Non-Agency MBS
     35,084       1,248       6       203,643       75,284       16       238,727       76,532  
    Total MBS
   $ 53,299     $ 1,329       32     $ 629,933     $ 80,961       69     $ 683,232     $ 82,290  
 
All of the unrealized gains on the Company’s non-Agency MBS were on MFR MBS while $75.3 million of the gross unrealized losses were related to Legacy non-Agency MBS.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had borrowings under repurchase agreements of $109.7 million (1.4% of total borrowings under repurchase agreements) secured by non-Agency MBS, which amount excludes $162.6 million of borrowings that are accounted for as components of MBS Forwards.  (See Note 4)
 
The Company recognized aggregate credit related other-than-temporary impairments of $9.0 million against certain of its non-Agency MBS, all of which were acquired prior to July 2007, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  These other-than-temporary impairments were comprised of $7.5 million of impairments against four Legacy non-Agency MBS, which were Senior MBS, recognized at June 30, 2009 and impairments of $1.5 million recognized against five non-Agency MBS at March 31, 2009, none of which were Senior MBS.  The Company did not recognize any credit related other-than-temporary impairments during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The Company projected adverse changes in expected cash flows for each of the non-Agency MBS on which a credit related impairment was recognized.  The other-than-temporarily impaired Legacy non-Agency MBS (that were Senior MBS) had an aggregate amortized cost of $188.1 million prior to recognizing the impairments and the five other non-Agency MBS (none of which were Senior MBS) had an amortized cost of $1.7 million prior to recognizing the impairments.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized impairment charges of $183,000 and $5.1 million, respectively, against non-Agency MBS that were unrated.
 
MBS on which impairments are recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, adverse cash flow changes.  The Company’s estimation of cash flows expected for its non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing the MBS.  The Company considers information available about the performance of underlying mortgage loans, including credit enhancement, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing, Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores at loan origination, year of origination, loan-to-value ratios, geographic concentrations, as well as Rating Agency reports, general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants.  As a result, significant judgment is used in the Company’s analysis to determine the expected cash flows for its MBS.  In determining the component of the gross other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses, the Company compares the amortized cost basis of each other-than-temporarily impaired security to the present value of its expected cash flows, discounted using its pre-impairment yield.
 
15
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Given the high credit quality inherent in Agency MBS, the Company does not consider any of the current impairments on such MBS to be credit related.  In assessing whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell any impaired security before its anticipated recovery, which may be at their maturity, it considers the significance of each investment, the amount of impairment, the projected future performance of such impaired securities, as well as the Company’s current and anticipated leverage capacity and liquidity position.  Based on these analyses, the Company determined that at September 30, 2009 any unrealized losses on its MBS were temporary.  These unrealized losses are primarily believed to be related to an overall widening of spreads for many types of fixed income products, reflecting, among other things, limited liquidity in the market and a general negative bias toward structured mortgage products, including non-Agency MBS.  At September 30, 2009, the Company did not intend to sell any of its Agency and non-Agency MBS that were in an unrealized loss position, all of which were performing in accordance with their terms.
 
Other-than-temporary impairment amounts that were related to credit losses were recognized into earnings, with the remainder recognized into other comprehensive income/(loss).  The table below presents the roll-forward of other-than-temporary impairments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009:
 
   
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
  
(In Thousands)
  
Gross
    
Included in Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
    
Included in Earnings
  
Quarter ended March 31, 2009
                  
Balance January 1, 2009
   $ -     $ -     $ -  
Impairments recognized on securities not previously impaired
     1,549       -       1,549  
Balance March 31, 2009
   $ 1,549     $ -     $ 1,549  
Quarter ended June 30, 2009
                        
Impairments recognized on securities not previously impaired
     76,586       69,126       7,460  
Balance June 30, 2009
   $ 78,135     $ 69,126     $ 9,009  
Quarter ended September 30, 2009
                        
Impairments recognized on securities not previously impaired
     -       -       -  
Balance September 30, 2009
   $ 78,135     $ 69,126     $ 9,009  
 
16
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
The table below presents a summary of the significant inputs considered in determining the measurement of the credit loss component recognized in earnings for the Company’s Legacy non-Agency MBS on which impairments were recognized from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009:
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
At Time of Impairment
MBS current face
$        188,613  
   
Credit enhancement (1):
  
  Weighted average (2)
6.43%
   Range (3)
2.97% - 23.11%
   
Projected CPR (4):
  
  Weighted average (2)
7.75%
   Range (3)
7.05% - 9.28%
   
Projected Loss Severity:
  
  Weighted average (2)
50.30%
   Range (3)
50.00% - 60.00%
   
60+ days delinquent (5):
  
  Weighted average (2)
13.34%
   Range (3)
10.26% - 29.03%
 
(1) Represents a level of protection (subordination) for the securities, expressed as a percentage of total current underlying loan balance.
(2) Calculated by weighting the relevant input/assumptions for each individual security by current outstanding face of the security.
(3) Represents the range of inputs/assumptions based on individual securities.
(4) CPR – constant prepayment rate.
(5) Includes, for each security, underlying loans 60 or more days delinquent, foreclosed loans and other real estate owned.
 
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s MBS on its other comprehensive income/(loss) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
   
Three Months
Ended September 30,
    
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
(In Thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) from
  MBS:
                        
Unrealized gain/(loss) on MBS at  beginning of period
   $ 169,710     $ (34,300 )   $ (72,983 )   $ 29,232  
Unrealized gain/(loss) on MBS arising during the
  period, net
     173,536       (152,191 )     410,397       (208,886 )
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales
     -       -       (3,033 )     (8,241 )
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income for
  other-than-temporary impairments
     -       96       8,865       1,500  
Balance at the end of period
   $ 343,246     $ (186,395 )   $ 343,246     $ (186,395 )
 
4.      Derivatives
 
The Company’s derivatives are comprised of Swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings and MBS Forwards that are not designated as hedging instruments.  The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 
Derivative Instrument
Designation
Balance Sheet
Location
September 30,
2009
December 31,
 2008
(In Thousands)
        
MBS Forwards, at fair value
Non-Hedging
Assets
$            53,459
$                     -
Swaps, at fair value
Hedging
Liabilities
$        (178,353)
$          (237,291)
 
17
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
MBS Forwards
During the three months ended September 30, 2009, MFR entered into 14 transactions involving purchases of non-Agency MBS and repurchase financings that were identified as linked transactions.  Each of these linked transactions is accounted for and reported as an MBS Forward, which is an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2009.  The fair value of the MBS Forward reflects the accrued interest receivable on the underlying MBS and the accrued interest payable on the underlying repurchase agreement.  The Company’s MBS Forwards are not designated as hedging instruments and, as a result, the change in the fair value of MBS Forwards are reported as a net gain/(loss) in other income.  The following table presents certain information about the non-Agency MBS and repurchase agreements underlying the Company’s MBS Forwards at September 30, 2009:
 
Linked Transactions at September 30, 2009
  
Linked Repurchase Agreements
  
Linked MBS
  
Maturity or Repricing
  
Balance
    
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
    
Non-Agency MBS
  
Fair Value
    
Current Face
    
Weighted
Average
Coupon Rate
  
(Dollars in Thousands)
  
(Dollars in Thousands)
              
Within 30 days
   $ 125,493       1.92 %  
Rated AA
   $ 55,770     $ 61,529       4.56 %
3 months to 6 months
     37,136       1.65    
Rated A
     17,512       21,508       3.77  
Total
   $ 162,629       1.86 %  
Rated BBB
     108,433       125,345       4.96  
                   
Rated BB
     33,438       39,478       4.60  
                   
Total
   $ 215,153     $ 247,860       4.70 %
 
The following table presents certain information about the components of the gain on MBS Forwards included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009:
 
Components of Gain on MBS Forwards, net
  
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
  
(In Thousands)
      
Interest income attributable to linked MBS
   $ 1,147  
Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreements
     (245 )
Change in fair value of linked MBS included in earnings
     (148 )
Gain on MBS Forwards
   $ 754  

Swaps
Consistent with market practice, the Company has agreements with its Swap counterparties that provide for the posting of collateral based on the fair values of its derivative contracts.  Through this margining process, either the Company or its Swap counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral.  Collateral requirements vary by counterparty and change over time based on the market value, notional amount and remaining term of the Swap.  Certain Swaps provide for cross collateralization with repurchase agreements with the same counterparty.
 
A number of the Company’s Swaps include financial covenants, which, if breached, could cause an event of default or early termination event to occur under such agreements.  If the Company were to cause an event of default or trigger an early termination event pursuant to one of its Swaps, the counterparty to such agreement may have the option to terminate all of its outstanding Swaps with the Company and, if applicable, any close-out amount due to the counterparty upon termination of the Swaps would be immediately payable by the Company.  The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants through September 30, 2009.
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company had MBS with fair value of $154.4 million and restricted cash of $44.0 million pledged as collateral against its Swaps.  At December 31, 2008, the Company had MBS with fair value of $171.0 million and restricted cash of $70.7 million pledged against its Swaps.  (See Note 8)
 
18
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
The use of hedging instruments exposes the Company to counterparty credit risk.  In the event of a default by a Swap counterparty, the Company may not receive payments to which it is entitled under its Swap agreements, and may have difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral against such Swaps.  If, during the term of the Swap, a counterparty should file for bankruptcy, the Company may experience difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral which could result in the Company having an unsecured claim against such counterparty’s assets for the difference between the fair value of the Swap and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such counterparty.  At September 30, 2009, all of the Company’s Swap counterparties were rated A or better by a Rating Agency.
 
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s Swaps on its accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
    
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
(In Thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss from Swaps:
                        
Balance at beginning of period
   $ (173,410 )   $ (40,765 )   $ (237,291 )   $ (99,733 )
Unrealized (loss)/income on Swaps arising during the
  period, net
     (4,943 )     (10,448 )     58,938       321  
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in
  net income/(loss) from Swaps
     -       773       -       48,972  
Balance at the end of period
   $ (178,353 )   $ (50,440 )   $ (178,353 )   $ (50,440 )

At September 30, 2009, all of the Company’s Swaps were deemed effective and no Swaps were terminated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company terminated 48 Swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.637 billion (all of which occurred in March 2008) and, in connection therewith, repaid the repurchase agreements hedged by such Swaps.  These transactions resulted in the Company recognizing net losses of $91.5 million. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company realized a loss of $986,000 for two Swaps that were terminated in connection with the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers.  Except for gains and losses realized on Swaps terminated early and deemed ineffective, the Company has not recognized any change in the value of its Swaps in earnings as a result of the hedge or a portion thereof being ineffective.
 
The following table presents the net impact of the Company’s Swaps on its interest expense and the weighted average interest rate paid and received for such Swaps for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
    
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
(Dollars in Thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Interest expense attributable to Swaps
   $ 32,215     $ 15,879     $ 88,381     $ 39,774  
Weighted average Swap rate paid
     4.23 %     4.18 %     4.21 %     4.33 %
Weighted average Swap rate received
     0.44 %     2.64 %     0.80 %     3.15 %
 
19
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company had Swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $3.314 billion, which had gross unrealized losses of $178.4 million and extended 25 months on average with a maximum term of approximately six years.  The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 
   
September 30, 2009
    
December 31, 2008
  
Maturity (1)
  
Notional
Amount
    
Weighted
Average
Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
    
Weighted
Average Variable
Interest Rate (2)
    
Notional
Amount
    
Weighted
Average
Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
    
Weighted
Average Variable
Interest Rate (2)
  
(Dollars in Thousands)
                                    
Within 30 days
   $ 67,832       3.97 %     0.40 %   $ 78,348       3.92 %     2.36 %
Over 30 days to 3 months
     239,248       4.46       0.29       151,697       4.12       1.48  
Over 3 months to 6 months
     195,037       4.01       0.36       220,318       4.04       1.78  
Over 6 months to 12 months
     356,465       4.02       0.36       513,070       4.24       1.50  
Over 12 months to 24 months
     786,157       4.20       0.33       821,162       4.13       1.68  
Over 24 months to 36 months
     618,248       4.33       0.32       642,595       4.12       1.61  
Over 36 months to 48 months
     776,452       4.34       0.31       833,302       4.40       1.43  
Over 48 months to 60 months
     173,371       4.14       0.31