EX-99.2 3 tm2521771d1_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

NEWPOINT HOLDINGS JV LLC

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2024

 

(With Independent Auditors’ Report Thereon)

 

 

 

 

NEWPOINT HOLDINGS JV LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Independent Auditors' Report 1-2
   
Consolidated Financial Statements:  
   
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024 3
   
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 4
   
Consolidated Statement of Members’ Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 5
   
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 6
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7-33

 

 

 

 

 

KPMG LLP 

Suite 1400 

2323 Ross Avenue 

Dallas, TX 75201-2721

 

Independent Auditors’ Report

 

The Board of Directors

NewPoint Holdings JV LLC:

 

Opinion

 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of NewPoint Holdings JV LLC and its subsidiaries (the Company), which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of operations, members’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

 

Responsibilities of Management for the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued.

 

Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the consolidated financial statements.

 

KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of

the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with 

KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS, we:

 

Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

 

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

 

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit.

 

 

 

Dallas, Texas

June 11, 2025

 

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NEWPOINT HOLDINGS JV LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 

DECEMBER 31, 2024

 

(in thousands)

 

Assets    
     
Cash and cash equivalents  $19,330 
Restricted cash   5,581 
Restricted investment securities   15,269 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value   79,189 
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value   207,936 
Derivative assets, at fair value   6,570 
Operating lease right of use assets   8,909 
Equity method investments   44,853 
Loan repurchase option asset   21,125 
Due from affiliates   3,207 
Other assets   24,570 
Agency licenses intangible asset   50,765 
Other intangible assets   4,071 
Goodwill   11,818 
Total assets  $503,193 
      
Liabilities and Members' Equity     
      
Liabilities     
      
Warehouse lines of credit  $68,734 
Allowance for loss sharing   17,980 
Accrued compensation   38,287 
Operating lease liabilities   13,384 
Due to affiliates   12,052 
Derivative liabilities, at fair value   3,885 
Loan repurchase option liability   21,125 
Other liabilities   11,976 
Total liabilities   187,423 
      
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 15)     
      
Members' Equity     
Class A   221,552 
Class C (authorized, issued and outstanding 111,700 shares)   12,495 
Retained earnings   81,723 
Total members' equity   315,770 
Total liabilities and members' equity  $503,193 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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NEWPOINT HOLDINGS JV LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 

(in thousands)

 

Revenues:    
Servicing fees, net  $30,639 
Servicing fees from related parties   5,211 
Gains from mortgage banking activities   79,000 
Interest income   56,181 
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights   (27,783)
Mortgage banking revenue   143,248 
      
Expenses:     
      
Compensation and benefits   97,750 
Interest expense   13,572 
Provision for loss sharing   6,596 
Professional fees   4,486 
Related party expenses   2,647 
General and administrative expenses   16,623 
Total expenses   141,674 
      
Other income/(loss):     
Equity earnings from unconsolidated investees   2,981 
Total other income (loss)   2,981 
      
Net Income  $4,555 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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NEWPOINT HOLDINGS JV LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF MEMBERS' EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 

(in thousands)

 

   Class A   Class C  

Retained
Earnings

   Total 
Balance at December 31, 2023  $226,375   $13,680   $77,168   $317,223 
                     
Distributions to members   (4,823)   (1,185)   -    (6,008)
Net Income   -    -    4,555    4,555 
                     
Balance at December 31, 2024  $221,552   $12,495   $81,723   $315,770 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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NEWPOINT HOLDINGS JV LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 

(in thousands)

 

Operating Activities:     
Net Income  $4,555 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:     
Mortgage banking activities   (35,461)
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights   27,783 
Provision for loss sharing   6,596 
Originations of mortgage loans held-for-sale   (2,945,681)
Sale of mortgage loans held-for-sale   2,891,101 
Unrealized (gain)/loss on equity investment   (2,784)
Depreciation expense   852 
Amortization expense   1,583 
Amortization of deferred financing costs   572 
Accreted interest   (5)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     
Operating lease right of use assets   1,288 
Other assets   1,360 
Due from affiliates   (3,207)
Due to affiliates   8,615 
Accrued compensation   9,818 
Operating lease liabilities   (1,678)
Other liabilities   (6,063)
Net cash used in operating activities   (40,756)
      
Investing Activities:     
Payment of software development costs   (806)
Contributions to equity investment   (11,200)
Distributions from equity investment   7,949 
Purchases of restricted investment securities   (15,600)
Sales of restricted investment securities   12,450 
Net cash used in investing activities   (7,207)
      
Financing Activities:     
Distributions to members   (6,008)
Proceeds from warehouse lines of credit   2,939,613 
Repayments of warehouse lines of credit   (2,881,882)
Net cash provided by financing activities   51,723 
      
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash   3,760 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, beginning of year   21,151 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, end of the year  $24,911 
      
Supplemental Disclosures:     
Interest paid during the year  $12,376 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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NEWPOINT JV HOLDINGS LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024

 

1.BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Business

 

The controlling interest in NewPoint Holdings JV LLC (“NPHJV” or the “Company”) is held by Meridian Bravo Investment Company, LLC (the “Meridian Member”) with minority interests held by BMC Holdings DE LLC (the “Barings Member”), NewPoint Management Aggregator, LLC (“NPMA”), MEGRL Holdings, Inc. (“MEGRL”) and OKIOP Ventures, LLC (“OKIOP”). The Meridian Member is a direct subsidiary of Meridian Capital Group LLC (“Meridian”). The Barings Member is a subsidiary of Barings LLC (“Barings”) which is an indirect subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). These entities are holders of Class A and Class C membership interests in the Company. Class A membership interest holders have representation on the Company’s board of directors. Otherwise, these interests are the same and entitle the holders to participation rights based on their economic percentage.

 

NPMA was formed for the purpose of holding membership units in NPHJV for certain employees of NPHJV. Once awarded these membership units are subject to time and performance vesting hurdles. As of December 31, 2024, the total membership units available to be issued and outstanding are as follows.

 

Class B Units

 

The total Class B units available to be issued are 100,000, which reflects a total potential membership interest in NPHJV once fully vested of 10%. As of December 31, 2024, 74,600 units had been granted and zero had vested.

 

Class HHC-E&R Interests

 

On January 1, 2024, MEGRL and OKIOP exchanged 40,000 Class C units which represented direct interests in NPHJV, for 40,000 Class HHC-E&R units in NPMA. The total Class HHC-E&R interests available to be issued are 40,000. As of December 31, 2024, 40,000 units had been granted and were fully vested.

 

Class HHC-E-PI Units

 

On February 1, 2024, NPMA granted certain employees 19,000 Class HHC-E-PI units. These units allow holders to share proceeds with HHC-E&R interests holders when certain thresholds are met. The total Class HHC-E-PI units available to be issued are 19,000. As of December 31, 2024, 19,000 units had been granted and were fully vested.

 

NewPoint Real Estate Capital Holdings LLC (“NPRECH”), NewPoint Real Estate Capital Securities Strategies LLC (“NPRECSS”), NewPoint Real Estate Capital Investment Management Strategies LLC (“NPRECIMS”), and NewPoint Real Estate Capital Strategies LLC (“NPRECS”) are all wholly owned subsidiaries of NPHJV. NewPoint Real Estate Capital LLC (“NPREC”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of NPRECH. NewPoint Real Estate Capital Investment Strategies LLC (“NPRECIS”) has minority interests held by NPRECH, NPRECSS, NPHJV, NPRECIMS, and NPRECS. NewPoint Real Estate Capital Securities LLC (“NPRECSEC”) and NewPoint Real Estate Investment Management LLC (“NPREIM”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of NPRECIS. NPREIM is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). NPRECSEC is an SEC registered broker dealer. NewPoint Bridge Lending LLC (“NPBL”), NewPoint Affordable Lending (“NPAL”), NewPoint Real Estate Strategies Lending LLC (“NPRESL”), NewPoint SFR Lending (“NPSL”), and NewPoint HC Bridge Lending LLC (“NPHCBL”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of NPRECS.

 

7

 

 

The Company is a holding entity for subsidiaries that primarily originate, sell and service multifamily, healthcare and senior-living related loans under programs offered by government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") and by government agencies (“Agencies”), such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (together with Ginnie Mae, “HUD”), and non-agency lending programs. NPREC is approved as a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) lender, a Freddie Mac Program Plus® Seller/Servicer, a Multifamily Accelerated Processing (“MAP”) and Section 232 LEAN lender for HUD, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. Additionally, the Company services external portfolios of commercial real estate financing products.

 

Basis of Accounting and Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and pursuant to the requirements for reporting in conformity with Regulation S-X, as appropriate. As of December 31, 2024, NPREC wholly owns NewPoint Multifamily Capital Corporation (“NPMCC”), and the consolidated results of operations include NPMCC for the year ended December 31, 2024. NPMCC holds a California Bureau of Real Estate Broker License and conducts California commercial real estate broker activities, including certain servicing functions with respect to certain loans with a California nexus, pursuant to that license.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Future events, including, but not limited to, changes in the levels of interest and inflation rates, valuations, availability of capital, and defaults could cause actual results to differ from the estimates used in the consolidated financial statements. The most significant estimates and judgments include those used in determining fair values of mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), mortgage loans held-for-sale, intangibles, and goodwill.

 

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2.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

 

Cash and cash equivalents include funds on deposit and demand deposits with financial institutions. Cash and short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows. There were no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024.

 

Cash and cash equivalent balances that are legally restricted from use by the Company are recorded in restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet. Restricted cash includes reserves that are a requirement of the Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS) program and borrower deposits, which represent funds that were collected for the processing of the borrower’s loan applications and loans commitments.

 

Cash and cash equivalents  $19,330 
Restricted cash   5,581 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows  $24,911 

 

Restricted Investment Securities

 

Restricted investment securities consist of U.S. Treasury securities. These debt securities are classified as restricted because they are held as collateral to satisfy reserves that are a requirement of the Fannie Mae DUS program. The Company classifies its debt securities as held-to-maturity (HTM). HTM debt securities are those debt securities in which the Company has the ability and intent to hold the security until maturity.

 

HTM debt securities are recorded at amortized cost, adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts, less allowance for credit losses (see Note 5). The Company includes accrued interest as part of the HTM debt security amortized cost basis. HTM debt securities become past due based on how recently payments have been received compared to contractual payment dates for principal and interest. The Company does not accrue interest when payment on an HTM debt security is more than 90 days past due. Interest receipts on nonaccrual HTM debt securities are applied to principal. Nonaccrual HTM debt securities are restored to an accrual basis when principal and interest become current and a period of performance has been established in accordance with the contractual terms, typically six months.

 

Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized or accreted over the life of the related HTM security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Such amortization and accretion are included in interest income in the consolidated statement of operations. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.

 

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Contracts with Customers

 

A majority of the Company’s revenues are derived from the following sources, all of which are excluded from the accounting provisions applicable to contracts with customers: (i) financial instruments, (ii) transfers and servicing, (iii) derivative transactions, and (iv) investments in equity method securities. The remaining portion of revenues is derived from contracts with customers. The Company’s contracts with customers generally do not require judgement or material estimates that affect the determination of the transaction price (including the assessment of variable consideration), the allocation of the transaction price to performance obligations, and the determination of the timing of the satisfaction of performance obligations. Additionally, the earnings process for the Company’s contracts with customers is generally not complicated and is generally completed in a short period of time.

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s contracts with customers for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Description (in thousands)  2024   Consolidated Statement of Operations Line Item
Certain loan origination fees  $18,628   Gains from mortgage banking activities
Referral fees   360   Gains from mortgage banking activities
Total revenues derived from contracts with customers  $18,988    

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, MSRs, mortgage loans held-for-sale, interest receivable and derivative financial instruments. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held may exceed the FDIC-insured limit. The Company has exposure to credit risk on its Fannie Mae mortgage loans held-for-sale and the servicing portfolio whereby it shares in the risk of loss (see Note 14). The Company manages credit risk by performing due diligence prior to origination or acquisition.

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale at Fair Value

 

The Company primarily originates, sells and services multifamily, healthcare and senior-living related loans under programs offered by government and government-sponsored enterprises. While the Company earns little interest income from these activities as it generally only holds loans for short periods, the Company receives origination fees when it closes loans and sale premiums when it sells loans. Interest income on loans held for sale are calculated in accordance with the terms of the individual loan. The Company also retains the rights to service the loans, MSRs, and receives fees for such servicing during the life of the loans, which generally last ten years or more. The Company has irrevocably elected the fair value option on all of its mortgage loans held-for-sale.

 

The holding period for mortgage loans originated by the Company is approximately 30 days. The carrying value of the mortgage loans sold is reduced by the value allocated to the associated retained MSRs based on relative fair value at the time of the sale. Gains or losses on sales of mortgage loans are recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the adjusted value of the related mortgage loans sold.

 

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Mortgage Servicing Rights at Fair Value

 

When a mortgage loan is sold, the Company retains the right to service the loan and recognizes the MSR at fair value. The initial fair value represents expected net cash flows from servicing, borrower prepayment penalties, interest earnings on escrows, interim cash balances, delinquency rates, late charges and ancillary fees that are discounted at a rate that reflects the credit and liquidity risk of the MSR over the estimated life of the underlying loan. After initial recognition, changes in the MSR fair value are included within change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the period in which the change occurs.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. The Company recognizes derivatives on its consolidated balance sheet, measures them at their estimated fair value and recognizes changes in their estimated fair value in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the period in which the change occurs.

 

The Company enters into loan commitments with borrowers on loan originations whereby the interest rate on the prospective loan is determined prior to funding. In general, the Company simultaneously enters into forward sale commitments with investors in order to hedge against the interest rate exposure on loan commitments. The forward sale commitment with the investor locks in the interest rate and price for the sale of the loan. The terms of the loan commitment with the borrower and the forward sale commitment with the investor are matched with the objective of hedging interest rate risk. Loan commitments and forward sale commitments are considered undesignated derivative instruments.

 

The estimated fair value of loan commitments includes values attributable to loan origination fees, premiums on the sale of loans, the fair value of the MSR, and changes in fair value due to interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and period end. The estimated fair value of forward sale commitments includes the changes in fair value due to interest rate movements between the rate lock and period end. Accordingly, such commitments, along with any related fees received from potential borrowers, are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings.

 

Equity Investments

 

The Company held minority interests in three joint ventures during the year ended December 31, 2024. A joint venture is a joint arrangement (i.e. arrangement of which two or more parties have joint control) whereby the parties that have joint control have rights to the net assets of an entity. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists when decisions on financial and operating or business policies require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. The Company accounts for its investments in joint ventures using the equity method of accounting.

 

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Deferred Financing Costs

 

Deferred financing costs included in other assets represent the direct costs of the amendments to the lines of credit with Bank of America (“BAML”) (“BAML Line of Credit”), JPMorgan Chase & Co (“JPM”) (“JPM Line of Credit”), Fifth Third Bank (“FTB”) (“FTB Line of Credit”), and the line of credit with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) (“PNC Line of Credit”). Since all of the aforementioned banks are revolving credit facilities these costs are amortized as interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the credit facility.

 

Servicing Fees, net

 

Servicing fees are earned for servicing mortgage loans, including all activities related to servicing the loans, and are recognized as services are provided over the life of the related mortgage loan. Also included in servicing fees are the net fees earned on borrower prepayment penalties and other ancillary fees. Servicing fees are reduced by write-offs of MSRs for loans that are prepaid.

 

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities

 

Gains from mortgage banking activities includes the initial fair value of MSRs, loan origination fees, gain on the sale of loans, changes to the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and derivative financial instruments attributable to the loan commitments and forward sale commitments, and other miscellaneous loan fees. The initial fair value of MSRs, loan origination fees and gain on the sale of loans originated are recognized when the Company commits to make a loan to a borrower.

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

U.S. GAAP established a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used in measuring fair value. Companies are required to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to the fair value hierarchy which gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

 

Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed according to the fair value hierarchy which consists of the following categories:

 

Level 1 – Observable inputs in the form of quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be derived from observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

Level 3 – One or more unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using internal models, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

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a)Valuation Techniques and Inputs

 

The Company’s valuation techniques are based upon observable and unobservable pricing inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own market assumptions. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

 

The following is a description of the significant valuation techniques and inputs used for the more significant asset and liability classes recorded at fair value. These valuation techniques and inputs are also used for estimating fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value but for which fair value is disclosed on a recurring basis and categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

The Company determines the estimated fair value of its investments primarily using the market approach and the income approach. The use of quoted prices for identical assets and matrix pricing or other similar techniques are examples of market approaches, while the use of discounted cash flow methodologies is an example of the income approach. The Company attempts to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in selecting whether the market or income approach is used.

 

b)Financial Instruments at Fair Value

 

Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale at Fair Value

 

The Company originates mortgage loans held-for-sale that are reported at fair value. The fair value is determined based on discounted cash flow models that incorporate quoted observable prices from market participants. The Company engages a third party to verify the value of the loans. Significant assumptions considered are loan closing and sale dates, market price, spread, collateral and pass-through coupon, funding schedules and benchmark rates. These assets are classified within Level 2.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights at Fair Value

 

MSRs are valued by a third party based on discounted cash flow models that calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The model considers contractually specified servicing fees, prepayment assumptions, delinquency rates, late charges, other ancillary revenue, costs to service and other economic factors. The model to fair value MSRs contains significant unobservable inputs; these assets are classified within Level 3.

 

c)Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities at Fair Value

 

Loan commitments and forward sale commitments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including market yield analysis and discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flow of each commitment. The Company engages a third party to verify the value of the commitments. Significant assumptions considered are loan closing and sale dates, market price, spread, collateral and pass-through coupon, funding schedules and benchmark rates. These financial instruments are classified within Level 3.

 

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d)Transfers Between Levels of the Fair Value Hierarchy

 

Overall, transfers between levels occur when there are changes in the observability of inputs and market activity. Transfers into or out of any level are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when a significant input cannot be corroborated with observable market data. This may be due to a significant decrease in market activity such that underlying inputs cannot be observed, current prices are not available, and/or significant variances in quoted prices occur thereby affecting transparency. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when circumstances change such that a significant input can be corroborated with observable market data. This may be due to a significant increase in market activity, a specific event, or one or more significant inputs becoming observable.

 

e)Fair Value Option

 

U.S. GAAP provides a fair value option election that allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities.

 

The Company irrevocably elected the fair value option for mortgage loans held-for-sale. Mortgage loans held-for- sale are economically hedged using forward sales agreements. The election of fair value option allows a better offset to the change in fair value of the loan and the change in fair value of the forward sales agreement due to changes in interest rates through settlement. Changes in the fair value are reported on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Fixed Assets

 

The Company’s fixed assets include leasehold improvements, furniture, and equipment. These fixed assets are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, with the exception of leasehold improvements which are amortized over the lesser of the useful lives of the improvements or the leasehold period. Estimated useful lives range from three to seven years.

 

Intangible Assets

 

The Company’s agency license intangibles have indefinite lives and other intangible assets are amortized over individual determined lives. The Company evaluates identified intangibles for impairment annually or if other events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess cost of a business acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company does not amortize goodwill but reviews its recoverability and tests for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired.

 

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Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Company is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance of the Company and other relevant Company specific factors. Key assumptions considered in assessing overall financial performance included, but were not limited to rate lock volume, forecasted or actual EBITDA, forecasted or actual revenue, net cash generated and growth in MSR value.

 

If after assessing the qualitative factors it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the goodwill impairment test is unnecessary. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the entity shall perform the goodwill impairment test. If in performing the goodwill impairment test the carrying value of the Company exceeds its fair value, the Company will record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of the Company’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill.

 

Allowance for Loss Sharing

 

Mortgage loans originated and sold by the Company to Fannie Mae under the Fannie Mae DUS program are subject to the terms and conditions of the Loss Sharing Addendum to the Multifamily Selling and Servicing Agreement, effective August 1, 2019, and amended effective June 15, 2021. Under the Loss Sharing Agreement, the Company is responsible for absorbing certain losses incurred by Fannie Mae with respect to loans originated under the DUS program. The compensation for this risk of loss is a component of servicing fees on the loan.

 

When a loan is sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program, the Company undertakes an obligation to partially guarantee the performance of the loan. On the date the Company commits to make a loan to a borrower, a liability for the current expected credit losses related to the loan is recognized.

 

The estimate of expected credit losses is determined using a lifetime loss rate approach that utilizes external historical data, adjusted for current and reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions and other pertinent factors affecting the Company. The allowance is estimated over the contractual term of the loans adjusted for expected prepayments.

 

The Company incorporates forward-looking information through the use of macroeconomic scenarios applied up to the Company’s reasonable and supportable forecast period for the full term of the loan. The Company’s estimate is based on weighting of economic scenarios that it considers most likely.

 

Subsequent changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected credit losses each period are recognized immediately in net income as provision for loss sharing expense or a reversal of provision for loss sharing.

 

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Mortgage Loan Repurchase

 

When a loan is sold under the Fannie Mae DUS and Ginnie Mae programs, the Company retains an option to repurchase individual delinquent loans that meet certain criteria. At the Company’s option and without Fannie Mae’s or Ginnie Mae’s prior authorization, the Company may repurchase the delinquent loan (loans with one missed payment for four consecutive months) for an amount equal to 100% of the remaining unpaid principal balance of the loan plus applicable interest and the Company’s share of delinquency resolution costs. Under FASB ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, (“ASC 860”), once the Company has the unilateral ability to repurchase the delinquent loan and that ability has a more- than-trivial benefit to the Company, the Company is deemed to have regained effective control of the loan and is required to recognize the loan on its consolidated balance sheet and record an offsetting liability, regardless of the Company’s intent to repurchase the loan. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company did not exercise its option to repurchase any delinquent loans. Historically the Company has not elected the option to repurchase eligible loans. At December 31, 2024 there were three delinquent Ginnie Mae loans with a UPB of $21.1 million eligible to be repurchased by the Company. It is not probable that the Company will be required to repurchase these delinquent loans as of December 31, 2024. Loans meeting the criteria for the repurchase option are included in loan repurchase option asset with an offsetting liability included in loan repurchase option liability on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Servicing Fee Payable

 

The Company provides additional payments to certain employees, both current and former, and third-party correspondents by providing them with a percentage of the servicing fee revenue that is earned by the Company, which is initially recorded as a liability when the Company commits to make a loan to a borrower (“the servicing fee payable”). The initial fair value of the liability represents the expected net cash payments over the life of the related mortgage loan that are discounted at a rate that reflects the credit and liquidity risk of the related MSR. The Company incurs an expense over the life of each loan as long as the related loan is performing. If a particular loan is not performing, the recipient will not receive the additional compensation on that loan, and if a loss sharing event is triggered, the recipient will not receive a portion of the additional compensation on other loans.

 

The servicing fee payable to current employees and former employees/third-party correspondents was $4 million and $10.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024. The servicing fee payable to current employees and former employees is included within accrued compensation and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet. The initial fair value of the related expense and the changes in the fair value of the servicing fee payable over the life of the related mortgage loan for current employees is included within compensation and benefits on a net basis in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the change occurs. The changes in the fair value of the servicing fee payable over the life of the related mortgage loan for former employees is included within general and administrative expenses on a net basis in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the change occurs.

 

Deferred Compensation Plans (Nonqualified)

 

The nonqualified deferred compensation plans are liability-classified cash-based plans that are intended to promote the interest of the Company by creating incentives for employees in the form of long term compensation awards. Awards may be granted annually and generally vest over a period of four years. Certain employees participate in the Deferred Cash Plan (“DC Plan”) and the Profit Incentive Plan provided by the Company.

 

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All long-term incentive (“LTI”) plans attribute expected future benefits to a period of service greater than one year. The Company follows applicable U.S. GAAP for cash-based deferred compensation plans in accruing the cost of those compensation benefits awarded under these LTI plans. As such, the cost is accrued over the period of the employee’s service in a systematic and rational manner such that at the end of the period the aggregate amount accrued equals the value of the benefits expected to be provided to the employee in exchange for the employee’s service to that date.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. The Company recognizes a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. Tenant improvement allowances are netted against the associated right of use asset and accreted over the leasehold period.

 

For operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date.

 

Net Worth and Liquidity Requirements

 

NPREC is subject to minimum net worth and liquidity requirements as a participant under the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae lending programs. These requirements increase as NPREC’s serviced loan portfolio for the respective investor increases. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that could have a material effect on financial position and operations.

 

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At December 31, 2024, NPREC exceeded all minimum net worth and liquidity requirements as summarized below ($ in millions):

 

   Amount (%) in
Excess of
Requirement
 
Fannie Mae     
Adjusted net worth  $153 
Operational liquidity   18 
Restricted liquidity   0.9 
      
Freddie Mac     
Adjusted net worth  $137 
Liquid assets   16 
      
Ginnie Mae     
Adjusted net worth  $189 
Liquid assets   14 
Institution-wide capital (minimum 6%)   45%
      
Federal Housing Administration     
Adjusted net worth  $199 
Liquidity   16 

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company is a limited liability company which is disregarded for federal income tax purposes and any tax liabilities are the responsibility of individual members. The Company, however, is subject to business taxes and state filing fees, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, (“ASC 740”) prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has evaluated its various federal and state filing positions taken or expected to be taken and believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions are well documented and supported and are more likely than not of being sustained by applicable taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2024, based on the Company’s evaluation, there is no reserve for any uncertain income tax positions. This is not expected to change in the next year. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits within other expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Any interest and penalties incurred for the year ended December 31, 2024, were nominal.

 

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various states. The Company began operations under its current form in 2021, as such, all previous tax years are open for examination.

 

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Comprehensive Income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2024, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

3.NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

 

The Company did not adopt any new accounting standards during the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

 

The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2023-09 Income Taxes, which has an effective date beginning in 2026. ASU 2023-09 establishes new income tax disclosure requirements in addition to modifying and eliminating certain existing requirements. The Company believes this ASU will not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures. There were no other recently announced but not yet effective accounting pronouncements issued that have the potential to impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

4.RESTRICTED CASH

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s restricted cash consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

Borrowers' deposits  $4,754 
FDIC - insured money market accounts   827 
Total restricted cash  $5,581 

 

5.RESTRICTED INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

All of the restricted investment securities classified as HTM, which had a carrying amount of $15.3 million as of December 31, 2024, are due to mature within one year. The fair value of these securities was $16.1 million as of December 31, 2024. The corresponding gross unrecognized gain on HTM securities was $800 thousand as of December 31, 2024. There were no past due and no HTM securities on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2024. There was no interest income recognized on HTM securities on nonaccrual status during 2024.

 

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6.MORTGAGE LOANS HELD-FOR-SALE AT FAIR VALUE

 

The Company originates mortgage loans held-for sale, which are recorded at fair value. There were no loans that were 90 days or more past due or on a nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2024. Unrealized gains and losses are included in gains.

 

from mortgage banking activities on the consolidated statement of operations. The table below shows the aggregate unpaid principal balance, fair value, and the unrealized gains as of December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

 

   Aggregate Unpaid
Principal Balance
   Fair Value   Unrealized Gain 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale  $76,734   $79,189   $2,455 

 

7.MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS AT FAIR VALUE

 

MSRs represent servicing rights retained by the Company for loans it originates and sells. The servicing fees are collected from the monthly payments made by the borrowers. The Company generally receives other remuneration including rights to various loan fees such as late charges, collateral re-conveyance charges, loan prepayment penalties, and other ancillary fees. In addition, the Company is also generally entitled to retain the interest earned on funds held pending remittance related to its collection of loan principal and escrow balances. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value of MSRs was approximately $208 million. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had a servicing portfolio consisting of 1,664 loans with an unpaid principal balance of $54.7 billion.

 

Activity related to MSRs for the year ended December 31, 2024 was as follows ($ in thousands):

 

Beginning balance, as of January 1, 2024  $202,037 
Additions, following sale of loan   31,147 
Changes in fair value   (22,028)
Prepayments and write-offs   (3,220)
Ending balance, as of December 31, 2024  $207,936 

 

The fair values of the Company’s MSRs are subject to changes in assumptions, of which discount rates and conditional prepayment rates are the key economic assumptions. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in the weighted average discount rate would decrease or increase, respectively, the fair value of the Company’s MSRs outstanding as of December 31, 2024 by approximately $8.2 million. A 100% increase in the weighted average conditional prepayment rate would decrease the fair value of the Company’s MSRs outstanding as of December 31, 2024, by approximately $20 million.

 

Contractual servicing fees, including late fees, and ancillary fees were $38.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and are included in servicing fees, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

8.DERIVATIVES

 

Derivatives not designated as hedges are derivatives that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP or for which the Company has not elected to designate as hedges. Changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the loan commitments and forward sale commitments are recorded directly in gains from mortgage banking activities in the consolidated statement of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company entered into 123 loan commitments and 123 forward sale commitments.

 

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As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 5 loan commitments with a total notional amount of $47 million and 8 forward sale commitments with a total notional amount of $101 million, with maturities ranging from 10 days to 2 years, 7 months that were not designated as hedges in qualifying hedging relationships.

 

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments 

Balance Sheet
Location

  Fair Value 
Forward sale commitments  Derivative assets  $6,570 
Loan commitments  Derivative liabilities   (2,494)
Forward sale commitments  Derivative liabilities   (1,391)
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments     $2,685 

 

The following table summarizes the change in derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 related to mortgage banking activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

 

Balance at January 1, 2024  $12,223 
Settlements   (27,713)
Realized gains (losses) recorded in net income (1)   27,713 
Unrealized gains (losses) recorded in net income (1)   (9,538)
Balance at December 31, 2024  $2,685 

 

(1)           Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from derivatives are included within gains from mortgage banking activities in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

9.EQUITY INVESTMENTS

 

NewPoint JV LLC

 

The Company holds a 6.54% ownership interest in NewPoint JV LLC (the “Bridge JV”), a joint venture with the purpose of investing in multifamily bridge loans. The Bridge JV was formed as of November 24, 2021, with an initial Company capital commitment of $30 million. The Company’s total capital commitment was later reduced to $25 million, all of which has been called as of December 31, 2024. The Company had received total distributions of $5.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The equity investment in Bridge JV is accounted for using the equity method and has a carrying value of $25.5 million on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.

 

NewPoint + MORE Capital Affordable Fund LLC

 

The Company holds a 30% ownership interest in NewPoint + MORE Capital Affordable Fund LLC (the “Affordable JV”), a joint venture with the purpose of investing in multifamily affordable debt instruments through its subsidiary, NewPoint Impact Fund I LP. The Affordable JV was formed as of July 25, 2022, and made its first capital call on November 28, 2022. The Company has a total capital commitment of $30 million to Affordable JV, of which $18.3 million had been called as of December 31, 2024. The equity investment in Affordable JV is accounted for using the equity method and has a carrying value of $19.5 million on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.

 

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NewPoint PRED SFR Fund I LP

 

NewPoint PRED SFR Fund I LP was dissolved effective December 17, 2024. The Company previously held a 10% ownership interest in NewPoint PRED SFR Fund I LP (the “SFR JV”), which was a joint venture with the purpose of investing in single family rental debt instruments.

 

Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity investments is presented below ($ in thousands).

 

   NewPoint JV LLC  

NewPoint + MORE Capital
Affordable Fund LLC

 
Total Assets  $1,186,794   $67,602 
Total Liabilities   798,625    1,526 
Net Assets/Members’ Equity   388,168    66,076 
           
Total Revenue/Investment Income   93,665    1,908 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) from Investments   1,002    4,186 
Total Expenses   65,261    3,553 
Net Income   29,406    2,541 

 

10.INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s intangible assets, as described in Note 2 as of December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

 

    Carrying
Value
    Amortization
Expense
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Amortization
Period
Agency License Intangibles   $ 50,765     $ -     $ -     indefinite lived
Software development     1,895       408       1,402     4 years
Borrower Relationships     1,648       824       2,471     5 years
Tradenames     350       175       524     5 years
Non-compete Agreements     178       176       644     9 months to 5 years
Total   $ 54,836     $ 1,583     $ 5,041      

 

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The expected amortization of the Company’s intangible assets shown in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 is presented in the table below. Actual amortization may vary from these estimates.

 

Year Ending December 31, (in thousands)   Expected Amortization 
2025   $1,908 
2026    1.772 
2027    414 
2028    165 
2029    18 
Thereafter    - 
Total   $4,276 

 

The Company performs an annual assessment of impairment of its intangible assets in the fourth quarter of each year or whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that impairment may have occurred. For the year ended December 31, 2024, no impairment charges have been recognized.

 

11.OTHER ASSETS

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s other assets consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

Service fees receivables  $5,044 
Prepaid expenses   2,053 
Fixed assets   4,006 
Deferred compensation   7,603 
Interest receivable   4,854 
Other   1,010 
Total other assets  $24,570 

 

Service fees receivable includes advances on delinquent loans of $442 thousand as of December 31, 2024, paid to Fannie Mae in connection with the allowance for loss sharing liability (see Note 14). These advances will be applied against the Company’s obligations under the allowance for loss sharing when settlement occurs.

 

12.GOODWILL

 

The carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2024 was $11.8 million. For the year presented, based on the qualitative factors considered the Company determined it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill.

 

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13.DEBT

 

In order to provide financing to borrowers under the Agencies’ programs, the Company has committed and uncommitted warehouse lines of credit with various banks and with Fannie Mae. Those facilities include a Mortgage Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. the (“BAML Line of Credit”), a Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement with PNC Bank, N.A. (“PNC Line of Credit”), a Master Purchase Agreement with JP Morgan Chase N.A. (“JPM Line of Credit”), a Warehouse Guidance Credit Agreement with Midland States Bank (“Midland Bank Line of Credit”), and a Mortgage Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement with Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (“Fifth Third WH Line of Credit”) and is party to a multifamily as soon as pooled (“ASAP”) sale agreement with Fannie Mae (the “ASAP Line of Credit”).

 

The Company is also party to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreements with Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (“Fifth Third Lines of Credit”).

 

As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balances and total commitments under these lines of credit consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

   Outstanding
Balances
   Committed
Capacity
   Uncommitted
Capacity
   Total Facility
Capacity
 
Warehouse Lines:                    
BAML Line of Credit  $1,010   $200,000   $350,000   $550,000 
Fifth Third WH Line of Credit   29,276    100,000    300,000    400,000 
JPM Line of Credit            700,000    700,000 
PNC Line of Credit   30,444    200,000    300,000    500,000 
Midland Bank Line of Credit   8,004        200,000    200,000 
ASAP Line of Credit           100,000    100,000 
Operating Line:                    
Fifth Third Line of Credit       50,000        50,000 
   $68,734   $550,000   $1,950,000   $2,500,000 

 

BAML Line of Credit

 

In June 2024, the Company amended the BAML Line of Credit to, among other things, extend the maturity date to June 19, 2025. The stated interest rate on the BAML Line of Credit is Adjusted SOFR 1 Month Term plus 1.40% (5.73% as of December 31, 2024). Interest expense incurred on the BAML Line of Credit was $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with $12 thousand payable as of December 31, 2024. Amortized deferred financing fees were $208 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024, and were presented as a component of interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The BAML Line of Credit is collateralized by a first lien on the Company’s interest in the mortgage loans that it originates. Advances from the BAML Line of Credit cannot exceed 100% of the principal amounts of the mortgage loans originated by the Company and must be repaid at the earlier of the sale or other disposition of the mortgage loans or at the expiration date of the BAML Line of Credit. The terms of the BAML Line of Credit require the Company to comply with various covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the BAML Line of Credit.

 

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Fifth Third Line of Credit

 

In January 2024, the Company entered into the Fifth Third Line of Credit with a commitment of $100 million plus an additional $300 million available in uncommitted capacity. In December 2024, the Company amended the Fifth Third Line of Credit to, among other things, extend the maturity date to July 7, 2026. The stated interest rate on the committed Fifth Third Line of Credit is SOFR 1 Month Term Rate plus 1.30% (5.63% as of December 31, 2024). Interest expense incurred on the Fifth Third Line of Credit was $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with $2.1 million payable as of December 31, 2024. Amortized deferred financing fees were $162 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024, and were presented as a component of interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The Fifth Third Line of Credit is collateralized by a first lien on the Company’s interest in the mortgage loans that it originates. Advances from the Fifth Third Line of Credit cannot exceed 100% of the principal amounts of the mortgage loans originated by the Company and must be repaid at the earlier of the sale or other disposition of the mortgage loans or at the expiration date of the Fifth Third Line of Credit. The terms of the Fifth Third Line of Credit require the Company to comply with various covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Fifth Third Line of Credit.

 

PNC Line of Credit

 

In December 2024, the Company amended the PNC Line of Credit to, among other things, extend the maturity date to December 13, 2025. The stated interest rate on the committed PNC Line of Credit is SOFR 1 Month Term Rate plus 1.30% (5.63% as of December 31, 2024). Interest expense incurred on the PNC Line of Credit was $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with $87 thousand payable as of December 31, 2024. Amortized deferred financing fees were $192 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024 and were presented as a component of interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The PNC Line of Credit is collateralized by a first lien on the Company’s interest in the mortgage loans that it originates. The terms of the PNC Line of Credit require the Company to comply with various covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the PNC Line of Credit.

 

JP Morgan Line of Credit

 

In February 2024, the Company amended the JPM Line of Credit to, among other things, extend the maturity date to February 1, 2025. The stated interest rate on the JPM Line of Credit is Adjusted SOFR 1 Month Term Rate plus 2.00% (6.33% as of December 31, 2024). Interest expense incurred on the JP Morgan Line of Credit was $148 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024, with nothing payable as of December 31, 2024. Amortized deferred financing fees were $10 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024, and were presented as a component of interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

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The JPM Line of Credit is collateralized by a first lien on the Company’s interest in the mortgage loans that it originates. The terms of the JPM Line of Credit require the Company to comply with various covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the PNC Line of Credit.

 

Midland Bank Line of Credit

 

In June 2024, the Company amended the Midland Bank Line of Credit to, among other things, extend the maturity date to July 28, 2025. The stated interest rate on the Midland Bank Line of Credit is SOFR 1 Month Term Rate plus 1.40% (5.73% as of December 31, 2024). Interest expense incurred on the Midland Bank Line of Credit was $967 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024, with nothing payable as of December 31, 2024.

 

The Midland Bank Line of Credit is collateralized by a first lien on the Company’s interest in the mortgage loans that it originates. The terms of the Midland Bank Line of Credit require the Company to comply with various covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Midland Bank Line of Credit.

 

ASAP Line of Credit

 

The Company is party to the ASAP Line of Credit to finance installments received from Fannie Mae. To the extent the ASAP Line of Credit remains active through utilization, there is no expiration date. The commitment amount is subject to change at any time at Fannie Mae's discretion. Fannie Mae advances payment to the Company in two separate installments according to the terms as set forth in the ASAP sale agreement. The first installment is considered an advance to the Company from Fannie Mae and not a sale until the second advance and settlement is made. The stated interest rate on the ASAP Line of Credit is SOFR 1 month Term Rate (SOFR Floor .25%) plus 1.50% as of December 31, 2024. The ASAP Line of Credit had no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2024.

 

Fifth Third Lines of Credit

 

The Fifth Third Lines of Credit are operating lines that are secured directly by certain MSRs owned by the Company and equity interest in the NPREC. The current maturity date of the agreements is July 7, 2025. The terms of the Fifth Third Bank operating lines of credit require NPREC and the Company as guarantor to comply with various covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company and NPREC were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Fifth Third Bank operating lines of credit. The Company did not have any outstanding draws on the operating lines of credit as of December 31, 2024.

 

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14.ALLOWANCE FOR LOSS SHARING

 

The Company has risk-sharing obligations on substantially all loans originated under the Fannie Mae DUS program. When a Fannie Mae DUS loan is subject to full risk-sharing, the Company absorbs losses on the first 5% of the unpaid principal balance of a loan at the time of loss settlement, and above 5% shares a percentage of the loss with Fannie Mae, with the Company’s maximum loss capped at 20% of the original unpaid principal balance of the loan (subject to doubling or tripling if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if the loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae). The Company’s full risk-sharing is currently limited to loans up to $47 million, which equates to a maximum loss per loan of $9.4 million (such exposure would occur in the event that the underlying collateral is determined to be completely without value at the time of loss). For loans in excess of $47 million, the Company receives modified risk-sharing. The Company also may request modified risk-sharing at the time of origination on loans below $47 million, which reduces potential risk sharing losses from the levels described above if the Company does not believe it is being fully compensated for the risks of the transactions. Servicing fees for risk-sharing loans include compensation for the risk-sharing obligations and are larger than the servicing fees received for loans with no risk-sharing obligations.

 

According to the Loss Sharing Agreement, Fannie Mae may unilaterally increase the amount of the risk-sharing obligation of the Company with respect to individual loans if (a) the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria, (b) the loan is defaulted within twelve (12) months after it is purchased by Fannie Mae, or (c) Fannie Mae determines that there was fraud, material misrepresentation or gross negligence by the Company in its underwriting, closing, delivery or servicing of the loan. Under certain limited circumstances, Fannie Mae may require the Company to absorb 100% of the losses incurred on a loan by requiring it to repurchase the loan.

 

The amount of loss incurred on a particular loan is determined at the time the loss is incurred, for example, at the time a property is foreclosed by Fannie Mae (whether acquired by Fannie Mae or a third party) or at the time a loan is modified in connection with a default. Losses may be determined by reference to the price paid by a third party at a foreclosure sale or by reference to an appraisal obtained by Fannie Mae in connection with the default on the loan.

 

The Company uses several tools to manage its risk-sharing obligation, including maintenance of disciplined underwriting and approval processes and procedures, and periodic review and evaluation of underwriting criteria based on underlying multifamily housing market data and limitation of exposure to particular geographic markets and submarkets and to individual borrowers. In situations where payment under the guarantee is probable and estimable on a specific loan, the Company records an additional liability through a charge to the provision for loss sharing in the consolidated statement of operations. The amount of the provision reflects the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of payment by the borrower, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral and the level of risk sharing. Historically, among other factors, the loss recognition occurs at or before the loan becomes 60 days delinquent.

 

The Company has a process to assess the credit quality and level of risk associated with each loan in the Fannie Mae DUS portfolio, including monitoring the property performance, debt service coverage, market conditions, property condition, estimated market values, and the borrower’s payment history, among other things. The Company monitors credit quality based on internal credit risk rating levels. These levels can be grouped as follows:

 

Group 1 – include loans for which the financial statements are current and of adequate detail and quantity, the debt service coverage ratio is at certain levels, there are no material sponsor, management, market, property condition or property value concerns, and there are no known significant issues with payment history or reserves.

 

Group 2 – include loans for which the financial statements are not current or of adequate detail and quality.

 

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Group 3 – include loans for where the debt service coverage ratio is below certain levels, and there are more significant concerns regarding sponsor, management, market, property condition, or property values, or there may be payment defaults or deficiencies in reserves, or other collateral concerns.

 

Group 4 – include loans with the weaknesses inherent in one classified in group 3, with the added characteristic that the loans are in foreclosure.

 

Any loans in groups 3 and 4 are considered to be on the watch list. At December 31, 2024, the unpaid principal balance outstanding of loans sold with loss sharing under the DUS program was approximately $6.2 billion. The Company’s internal credit risk rating process is used to classify loans and commitments according to the degree of credit risk associated with the ability of the borrower to repay. If payment is required under this program, the Company would not have a contractual interest in the collateral underlying the commercial mortgage loan on which the loss occurred, although the value of the collateral is taken into account in determining the Company’s share of such losses.

 

A summary of the Company’s allowance for loss sharing for the for the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows ($ in thousands):

 

Balance at January 1, 2024  $11,384 
Write-offs    
Recoveries    
Provision for loss sharing   6,596 
Balance at December 31, 2024  $17,980 

 

As of December 31, 2024, the maximum quantifiable allowance for loss sharing associated with the Company’s guarantees under the Fannie Mae DUS agreement and the Loss Sharing Agreement was $935 million from a total recourse at risk pool of $6.2 billion. The maximum quantifiable allowance for loss sharing is not representative of the actual loss the Company would incur. The Company would be liable for this amount only if all of the loans it services for Fannie Mae, for which the Company retains some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement.

 

For U.S. Treasury securities classified as HTM, the Company does not record an allowance for credit losses as the expectation of nonpayment of the amortized cost basis, based on historical losses, adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, is zero.

 

15.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments to extend credit by the Company are generally agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Occasionally, the commitments may expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

 

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As of December 31, 2024, the Company had the following commitments to sell and fund loans ($ in thousands):

 

Commitments to sell loans, net  $147,931 
Commitments to fund loans   18,064 

 

Mortgage Impairment Insurance

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company carried mortgage impairment and mortgagees’ errors and omissions insurance each with a limit of $60 million. Mortgage impairment insurance provides the Company with hazard insurance coverage for mortgage loan collateral in the event of a catastrophe for which the borrowers insurance does not provide sufficient coverage to protect the Company from loss on loans originated under the Fannie Mae DUS program.

 

Mortgage Bankers Bond

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company carried a mortgage bankers bond, combining the fidelity bond and mortgagees errors and omissions insurance, with a limit of $60 million.

 

Litigation

 

The Company from time to time may be party to litigation relating to claims arising in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2024, the Company is not aware of any legal claims that could materially impact its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Office Leases

 

The Company executes lease arrangements for all of its office space in the normal course of business. All such lease arrangements are accounted for as operating leases. The Company initially recognizes a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The ROU asset is measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, accrued rent, lease incentives received, and the lessee’s initial direct costs.

 

These operating leases do not provide an implicit discount rate; therefore, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to calculate lease liabilities. The Company’s lease agreements often include options to extend or terminate the lease. Lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which includes options to extend when it is reasonably certain that such options will be exercised and the Company knows what the lease payments will be during the optional periods.

 

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16.SERVICING FEES, NET

 

For the year ended December 31, 2024, servicing fees, net on the consolidated statement of operations consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

Servicing and ancillary fees  $33,725 
Borrower prepayment penalties   134 
Less:     
Write-offs of MSRs for loans that are prepaid   (3,220)
Servicing fees, net  $30,639 

 

Servicing fees due from Barings, a related party, of $5.2 million are presented separately on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

17.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Meridian

 

The Company is party to a Loan Correspondent Agreement with Meridian (“Meridian Correspondent Agreement”) to originate Agency loans. Under the Meridian Correspondent Agreement, the Company pays correspondent fees to Meridian on loan mortgage fees received by the Company on Meridian referred Agency loans. Meridian correspondent fee expense totaled $891 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024, and is included in related party expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. There was no correspondent fee liability owed to Meridian for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Meridian also earns a servicing strip on loans originated under the Meridian Correspondent Agreement. Meridian servicing strip expense totaled $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and is included in related party expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2024, a $428 thousand servicing strip liability to Meridian was included in due to affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Barings and MassMutual

 

The Company earned fees for servicing activities on loans managed by Barings on behalf of MassMutual of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Servicing fees receivable from Barings of $1.3 million were included in due from affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2024. These fees were presented as servicing fees from related parties on the consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, the Company earned interest income on escrows and reserves related to servicing these loans of $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and presented them as a component of interest income on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Payables to Barings for their share of the interest income earned on escrows and reserves related to servicing activities were $2.3 million at December 31, 2024 and was included in due to affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

The Company is party to a Loan Correspondent Agreement with Barings (“Barings Correspondent Agreement”) to originate Agency loans. Under the Barings Correspondent Agreement, the Company pays correspondent fees to Barings on loan mortgage fees received by the Company on Barings referred Agency loans. There were no correspondent fees paid to Barings for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

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Barings also earns a servicing strip on loans originated under the Barings Correspondent Agreement. Barings servicing strip expense totaled $71 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024 and is included in related party expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2024, an $18 thousand servicing strip liability to Barings was included in due from affiliates on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

18.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

 

U.S. GAAP requires the disclosure of the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities. In addition, for financial instruments not recorded at fair value in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, where it is practicable to estimate that value, disclosure is required.

 

The fair value information presented below does not purport to represent, nor should it be construed to represent, the underlying “market” value of the Company’s assets or liabilities or the amounts that would result from the eventual sale, or settlement, of the related financial instruments. Fair value can vary from period to period based on changes in the assumptions inherent in the fair value estimates.

 

The Company’s remaining assets and liabilities are generally presented at fair value or at amounts that approximate fair value. The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis ($ in thousands):

 

    Level 1    Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale  $   $79,189   $   $79,189 
Mortgage servicing rights           207,936    207,936 
Derivative assets:                    
Forward sale commitments           6,570    6,570 
Derivative liabilities:                    
Loan commitments           (2,494)   (2,494)
Forward sale commitments           (1,391)   (1,391)

 

Transfers between levels are recognized based on the fair value of the financial instrument at the beginning of the period. For the period year ended December 31, 2024, there were no transfers between the levels.

 

The following table provides quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs for the Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands). The table below is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather aims to provide information on the significant Level 3 inputs as they relate to the fair value measurements. Changes in market yields or discount rates, each in isolation, may have changed the fair value of the financial instruments. Generally, an increase in market yields or discount rates may have resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the financial instruments.

 

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         Unobservable Input 
Asset Category  Fair Value   Primary
Valuation
Technique
  Input  Range   Weighted
Average
 
Mortgage servicing rights  $207,936   Discounted cash flow  Discount rate   8-13%   9.90%
           Conditional prepayment rate   N/A    3.64%
Loan commitments and forward sale commitments   2,685   Discounted cash flow   Discount rate   

5-8

%   6.37%

 

The Company’s management is responsible for the Company’s fair value valuation policies, processes and procedures related to Level 3 financial instruments. The Company’s management reports to the Chief Financial Officer, who has final authority over the valuation of the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments.

 

See Note 7 for the changes in MSRs and Note 8 for the changes in derivative assets and liabilities that are classified as Level 3.

 

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, interest receivable, debt, and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.

 

19.DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (NONQUALIFIED)

 

The compensation expense for the Deferred Cash Plan for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $32 thousand and the corresponding liability as of December 31, 2024 was $73 thousand. The compensation expense for the Profit Incentive Plan for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $2.4 million and the corresponding liability as of December 31, 2024 was $3.3 million.

 

20.OPERATING LEASES

 

The Company leases office space in the normal course of business under various operating lease agreements expiring at various times through 2033. Operating lease costs of $2.3 million were included within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

The capitalized ROU asset was $8.9 million and operating lease liability was $13.4 million as of December 31, 2024.

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases were as follows:

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:    
Operating cash flows used for operating leases (in thousands)  $2,713 
Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases (years)   6.2 
Weighted average discount rate for operating leases   5.0%

 

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The following table shows future minimum payments under the Company’s operating leases as of December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

 

2025  $2,846 
2026   2,660 
2027   2,547 
2028   2,388 
2029   2,127 
Thereafter   3,116 
Total lease payments  $15,684 
Less imputed interest   (2,300)
Total  $13,384 

 

21.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company’s management has evaluated subsequent events through June 11, 2025. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in these financial statements or would be required to be recognized in the financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2024, except as disclosed below.

 

In January 2025, the Company amended its warehouse facility agreement with JPMorgan which updated the maturity date to January 31, 2026.

 

In March 2025, Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust, announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NPHJV, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2025.

 

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