10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

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 001-34569

Ellington Financial Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware	26-0489289
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

53 Forest Avenue

Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(203) 698-1200

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share	EFC	The New York Stock Exchange
6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock	EFC PR A	The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer	☐	Accelerated Filer	☒
Non-Accelerated Filer	☐	Smaller Reporting Company	☐
		Emerging Growth Company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐  No  x

Number of shares of the Registrant's common stock outstanding as of November 6, 2020: 43,781,684

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.

INDEX

Part I. Financial Information
	Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	3
	Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	76
	Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	108
	Item 4. Controls and Procedures	111
Part II. Other Information
	Item 1. Legal Proceedings	112
	Item 1A. Risk Factors	112
	Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	112
	Item 6. Exhibits	113

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands, except share amounts)	Expressed in U.S. Dollars
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents(1)	$	126,783	$	72,302
Restricted cash(1)	175		175
Securities, at fair value(1)	1,451,420		2,449,941
Loans, at fair value(1)	1,442,612		1,412,426
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)	95,803		71,850
Real estate owned(1)	24,794		30,584
Financial derivatives—assets, at fair value	27,864		16,788
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		73,639
Due from brokers(1)	63,991		79,829
Investment related receivables(1)	67,540		123,120
Other assets(1)	2,850		7,563
Total Assets	$	3,350,873	$	4,338,217
Liabilities
Securities sold short, at fair value	$	51,493	$	73,409
Repurchase agreements(1)	1,439,984		2,445,300
Financial derivatives—liabilities, at fair value	34,814		27,621
Due to brokers	7,147		2,197
Investment related payables(1)	—		66,133
Other secured borrowings(1)	142,674		150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	695,516		594,396
Senior notes, net	85,495		85,298
Base management fee payable to affiliate	2,981		2,663
Incentive fee payable to affiliate	—		116
Dividends payable	5,299		6,978
Interest payable(1)	2,074		7,320
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)	11,119		7,753
Total Liabilities	2,478,596		3,469,518
Commitments and contingencies (Note 21)
Equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable; 4,600,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ($115,000 liquidation preference)	111,034		111,034
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 43,781,684 and 38,647,943 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	44		39
Additional paid-in-capital	916,038		821,747
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(191,986)		(103,555)
Total Stockholders' Equity	835,130		829,265
Non-controlling interests(1)	37,147		39,434
Total Equity	872,277		868,699
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	3,350,873	$	4,338,217

(1)Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Expressed in U.S. Dollars
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	43,075	$	39,985	$	134,463	$	114,548
Interest expense	(12,937)		(19,954)		(49,713)		(57,275)
Total net interest income	30,138		20,031		84,750		57,273
Other Income (Loss)
Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net	1,446		3,368		(2,335)		(3,460)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1,620)		(9,360)		(25,702)		(31,850)
Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net	(18)		1,165		121		1,205
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net	24,208		6,519		(65,418)		51,395
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(298)		1,473		(2,109)		(9,136)
Unrealized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net	122		(22)		(462)		(535)
Other, net	(2,747)		539		(1,503)		4,349
Total other income (loss)	21,093		3,682		(97,408)		11,968
Expenses
Base management fee to affiliate (Net of fee rebates of $201, $503, $853, and $1,458, respectively)(1)	2,981		1,942		8,330		5,324
Investment related expenses:
Servicing expense	2,379		1,940		7,402		6,578
Debt issuance costs related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		2,075		1,671
Other	1,199		1,347		3,328		3,668
Professional fees	1,209		698		3,819		3,832
Compensation expense	1,085		712		2,813		2,687
Other expenses	1,625		1,156		4,876		3,194
Total expenses	10,478		7,795		32,643		26,954
Net Income (Loss) before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Earnings (Losses) from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	40,753		15,918		(45,301)		42,287
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,494		2		3,490		378
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities	11,443		2,796		10,590		6,947
Net Income (Loss)	49,702		18,712		(38,201)		48,856
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	1,559		1,419		1,894		3,511
Dividends on preferred stock	1,940		—		5,822		—
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	46,203	$	17,293	$	(45,917)	$	45,345
Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock:
Basic and Diluted	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47

(1)See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

			Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Deficit)		Total Stockholders' Equity		Non-controlling Interest		Total Equity
	Preferred Stock		Shares	Par Value
(In thousands, except share amounts)				Expressed in U.S. Dollars
BALANCE, December 31, 2019	$	111,034	38,647,943	$	39	$	821,747	$	(103,555)	$	829,265	$	39,434	$	868,699
Net income (loss)								(127,457)		(127,457)		(885)		(128,342)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock(1)			5,290,000	5		95,287				95,292		—		95,292
Shares of common stock issued in connection with incentive fee payment			637	—		12				12		—		12
Contributions from non-controlling interests												3,487		3,487
Common dividends(2)								(19,748)		(19,748)		(309)		(20,057)
Preferred dividends(3)								(1,941)		(1,941)		—		(1,941)
Distributions to non-controlling interests												(4,798)		(4,798)
Conversion of non-controlling interest units to shares of common stock			129,516	—		2,378				2,378		(2,378)		—
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						(545)				(545)		545		—
Repurchase of shares of common stock			(288,172)	—		(3,035)				(3,035)				(3,035)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards			—	—		162				162		2		164
BALANCE, March 31, 2020	111,034		43,779,924	44		916,006		(252,701)		774,383		35,098		809,481
Net income (loss)								39,219		39,219		1,220		40,439
Contributions from non-controlling interests												2,895		2,895
Common dividends(2)								(10,945)		(10,945)		(152)		(11,097)
Preferred dividends(3)								(1,941)		(1,941)		—		(1,941)
Distributions to non-controlling interests												(2,280)		(2,280)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards						180				180		2		182
BALANCE, June 30, 2020	111,034		43,779,924	44		916,186		(226,368)		800,896		36,783		837,679
Net income (loss)								48,143		48,143		1,559		49,702
Contributions from non-controlling interests												1,199		1,199
Common dividends(2)								(11,821)		(11,821)		(166)		(11,987)
Preferred dividends(3)								(1,940)		(1,940)		—		(1,940)
Distributions to non-controlling interests												(2,541)		(2,541)
Conversion of non-controlling interest units to shares of common stock			3,638	—		59				59		(59)		—
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						(369)				(369)		369		—
Repurchase of shares of common stock			(1,878)	—		(21)				(21)		—		(21)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards			—	—		183				183		3		186
BALANCE, September 30, 2020	$	111,034	43,781,684	$	44	$	916,038	$	(191,986)	$	835,130	$	37,147	$	872,277

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)
			Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Deficit)		Total Stockholders' Equity		Non-controlling Interest		Total Equity
	Preferred Stock		Shares	Par Value
BALANCE, January 1, 2019	$	—	29,796,601	$	—	$	665,356	$	(101,523)	$	563,833	$	31,337	$	595,170
Share conversion(4)			—	30		(30)		—		—		—		—
Net income (loss)								15,408		15,408		1,080		16,488
Contributions from non-controlling interests												2,512		2,512
Common dividends(2)								(16,360)		(16,360)		(404)		(16,764)
Distributions to non-controlling interests												(4,306)		(4,306)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						(4)				(4)		4		—
Repurchase of shares of common stock			(50,825)	—		(782)				(782)				(782)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards						114				114		2		116
BALANCE, March 31, 2019	—		29,745,776	30		664,654		(102,475)		562,209		30,225		592,434
Net income (loss)								12,644		12,644		1,012		13,656
Contributions from non-controlling interests												4,936		4,936
Common dividends(2)								(12,493)		(12,493)		(308)		(12,801)
Distributions to non-controlling interests												(5,225)		(5,225)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards						110				110		4		114
BALANCE, June 30, 2019	—		29,745,776	30		664,764		(102,324)		562,470		30,644		593,114
Net income (loss)								17,293		17,293		1,419		18,712
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock(1)			4,025,000	4		69,806		—		69,810		—		69,810
Contributions from non-controlling interests												9,428		9,428
Common dividends(2)								(14,185)		(14,185)		(309)		(14,494)
Distributions to non-controlling interests												(7,719)		(7,719)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						(56)				(56)		56		—
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards			3,610	—		114				114		2		116
BALANCE, September 30, 2019	$	—	33,774,386	$	34	$	734,628	$	(99,216)	$	635,446	$	33,521	$	668,967

(1)Net of underwriters' discounts and offering costs.

(2)For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, dividends totaling $0.27 and $0.42, respectively, per share of common stock and convertible unit outstanding, were declared. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, dividends totaling $0.97 and $1.39, respectively, per share of common stock and convertible unit outstanding, were declared.

(3)For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, dividends totaling $0.421875 and $0.84375, respectively, per share of preferred stock was declared.

(4)See Note 1 for further details on the share conversion.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
(In thousands)	Expressed in U.S. Dollars
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	82,480	$	56,119
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of securities	(1,189,684)		(1,890,456)
Purchase of loans	(548,104)		(701,569)
Capital improvements of real estate owned	(153)		(240)
Proceeds from disposition of securities	1,830,612		1,353,755
Proceeds from disposition of loans	8,006		28,344
Contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities	(19,711)		(39,369)
Distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities	17,181		43,587
Proceeds from disposition of real estate owned	7,801		5,579
Proceeds from principal payments of securities	284,242		175,804
Proceeds from principal payments of loans	337,748		207,413
Proceeds from securities sold short	264,267		508,074
Repurchase of securities sold short	(292,105)		(549,782)
Payments on financial derivatives	(99,800)		(79,558)
Proceeds from financial derivatives	68,546		45,368
Payments made on reverse repurchase agreements	(6,659,967)		(4,171,036)
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements	6,686,565		4,343,602
Due from brokers, net	12,376		10,160
Due to brokers, net	5,641		(2,995)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	713,461		(713,319)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock(1)	95,537		70,035
Offering costs paid	(253)		(462)
Repurchase of common stock	(3,056)		(782)
Dividends paid	(50,642)		(39,226)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	9,134		16,876
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(7,961)		(17,250)
Proceeds from issuance of Other secured borrowings	45,963		28,490
Principal payments on Other secured borrowings	(59,893)		(51,439)
Borrowings under repurchase agreements	3,445,412		6,110,390
Repayments of repurchase agreements	(4,423,440)		(5,540,301)
Proceeds from issuance of Other secured borrowings, at fair value	205,357		70,988
Debt issuance costs paid	—		(1,034)
Due from brokers, net	2,620		(3,826)
Due to brokers, net	(238)		3,086
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(741,460)		645,545
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	54,481		(11,655)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period	72,477		45,081
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, End of Period	$	126,958	$	33,426

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)
	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
(In thousands)	Expressed in U.S. Dollars
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	54,958	$	58,298
Income tax paid	505		142
Dividends payable	5,299		4,833
Contributions from non-controlling interests (non-cash)	2,340		—
Distributions to non-controlling interests (non-cash)	(2,340)		—
Transfers from mortgage loans to real estate owned (non-cash)	2,198		18,314
Transfers from mortgage loans to investments in unconsolidated entities (non-cash)	10,833		—
Purchase of investments (non-cash)	—		(2,975)
Purchase of loans (non-cash)	(6,270)		—
Principal payments on Other secured borrowings, at fair value (non-cash)	(138,608)		(78,887)
Proceeds received from Other secured borrowings, at fair value (non-cash)	27,735		148,547
Proceeds from issuance of Other secured borrowings (non-cash)	6,270		—
Proceeds from principal payments of investments (non-cash)	138,608		78,887
Repayments of repurchase agreements (non-cash)	(27,288)		(148,158)
Repayment of senior notes (non-cash)	—		(86,000)
Issuance of senior notes (non-cash)	—		86,000

(1)Net of underwriters' discounts.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

1. Organization and Investment Objective

Ellington Financial Inc., formerly known as Ellington Financial LLC, was originally formed as a Delaware limited liability company on July 9, 2007 and commenced operations on August 17, 2007. On February 28, 2019, Ellington Financial LLC filed a certificate of conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary") to convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the "Conversion") and change its name to Ellington Financial Inc. The Conversion became effective on March 1, 2019, and upon effectiveness, each of Ellington Financial LLC's existing common shares representing limited liability company interests, no par value, converted into one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Ellington Financial Inc. In connection with the Conversion, Ellington Financial Inc.'s Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") approved Ellington Financial Inc.'s Certificate of Incorporation (which was also filed with the Secretary) and Bylaws.

Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC (the "Operating Partnership"), a 98.8% owned consolidated subsidiary of Ellington Financial Inc., was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on December 14, 2012 and commenced operations on January 1, 2013. All of Ellington Financial Inc.'s operations and business activities are conducted through the Operating Partnership. Ellington Financial Inc., the Operating Partnership, and their consolidated subsidiaries are hereafter collectively referred to as the "Company." All intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT," under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and has elected to be taxed as a corporation effective January 1, 2019. The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In anticipation of the Company's intended election to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with its 2019 taxable year (the "REIT Election"), the Company implemented an internal restructuring as of December 31, 2018. As part of this restructuring, the Company moved certain of its non-REIT-qualifying investments and financial derivatives to taxable REIT subsidiaries or, "TRSs," and disposed of certain of its investments in non-REIT-qualifying investments and financial derivatives.

The Company invests in a diverse array of financial assets, including residential and commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities, or "RMBS," commercial mortgage-backed securities, or "CMBS," consumer loans and asset-backed securities, or "ABS," including ABS backed by consumer loans, collateralized loan obligations, or "CLOs," non-mortgage- and mortgage-related derivatives, equity investments in loan origination companies, and other strategic investments.

Ellington Financial Management LLC (the "Manager") is an SEC-registered investment adviser that serves as the Manager to the Company pursuant to the terms of its Seventh Amended and Restated Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement"), which was approved by the Board of Directors effective March 13, 2018. The Manager is an affiliate of Ellington Management Group, L.L.C. ("Ellington"), an investment management firm that is registered as both an investment adviser and a commodity pool operator. In accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager implements the investment strategy and manages the business and operations on a day-to-day basis for the Company and performs certain services for the Company, subject to oversight by the Board of Directors.

COVID-19 Impact

During the first quarter of 2020, there was a worldwide outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease, or "COVID-19." The outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and numerous countries, including the United States, have responded by instituting quarantines or lockdowns, imposing restrictions on travel, restrictions on the ability of individuals to assemble in groups, and restrictions on the ability of certain businesses to operate, all of which have resulted in significant disruptions in the U.S. and global economies. In mid-March 2020, adverse economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the Company's financial position and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to volatility, dislocations in the financial markets, and illiquidity. As a result, during the first quarter of 2020 the Company received margin calls under its repurchase agreements that were higher than typical historical levels. During the second and third quarters, prices for most credit assets, which are assets for which the principal and interest payments are not guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, stabilized, and market volatility subsided, and as a result our margin calls reverted to more typical levels. We satisfied all margin calls during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

Actions by the U.S. Federal Reserve starting in the second half of March 2020 helped stabilize the market for certain assets, including RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, or "Agency RMBS," and investment-grade corporate bonds, while other sectors, including non-

9

investment-grade CMBS and CLOs, noticeably lagged. In light of the heightened levels of market volatility and systemic liquidity risk experienced during the first quarter of 2020, the Company proactively reduced the size of its Agency RMBS portfolio, thereby bolstering its liquidity and lowering its leverage. In the second quarter, the Company resumed making new credit and Agency RMBS investments, but as of September 30, 2020, its investment portfolios were smaller and its debt-to-equity ratio lower than prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, and the Company maintained a higher cash balance.

The Company's management team has implemented business continuity plans, and the Company, the Manager, and Ellington continue to be fully operational in a largely work-from-home environment.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

(A) Basis of Presentation: The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or "U.S. GAAP," and Regulation S-X. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or "VIEs," for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material (particularly in light of the significant volatility, lack of pricing transparency, and market dislocations that have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated responses to the pandemic). In management's opinion, all material adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and are only of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. The information included in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II. Item 1A—Risk Factors, included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

The Company adopted ASC 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies ("ASC 946") upon its commencement of operations in August 2007, and applied U.S. GAAP for investment companies. In connection with the Company's internal restructuring and the Company's intention to qualify as a REIT for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company determined that, effective January 1, 2019, it no longer qualified for investment company accounting in accordance with ASC 946-10-25, and has prospectively discontinued its use. The Company elected the fair value option, or "FVO," for, and therefore the Company continued to measure at fair value, those of its assets and liabilities it had previously measured at fair value and for which such election is permitted, as provided for under ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825"). Due to the prospective application of a change in accounting as required under ASC 946-10-25-2, the Company determined that the presentation of its condensed consolidated financial statements for periods beginning after December 31, 2018 are not comparable to the condensed consolidated financial statements previously prepared for prior periods for which the Company applied ASC 946.

Reclassification and Presentation

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company prospectively discontinued its application of ASC 946. Upon its change in status, the following significant changes and elections were made:

•Investments in securities are now accounted for in accordance with ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities ("ASC 320");

•The Company elected the FVO as provided for under ASC 825-10-25-4 for all eligible financial instruments for which the Company had previously measured at fair value, including investments in securities, loans, financial derivatives, and certain of the Company's secured borrowings. As a result, all changes in the fair value of such financial instruments will continue to be recorded in earnings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations;

•Real estate owned, or "REO," is not eligible for the FVO election. As a result, REO is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company's cost basis in any REO that was previously measured at fair value under ASC 946 was adjusted on January 1, 2019 to equal the fair value of such investment as of December 31, 2018;

•The Company elected not to designate its financial derivatives as hedging instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). As a result, all changes in the fair value of financial derivatives will continue to be recorded in earnings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations;

•Forward settling to-be-announced mortgage-backed-securities, or "TBAs," are no longer classified as investments. TBAs will be classified as financial derivatives, with the difference between the forward contract price and the market

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value of the TBA position as of the reporting date included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations; and

•The Company is required to account for certain of its equity investments under ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures ("ASC 323-10"). The Company has elected the FVO for such equity investments and changes in fair value will be reported in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(B) Valuation: The Company applies ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820") to its holdings of financial instruments. ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

•Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Currently, the types of financial instruments the Company generally includes in this category are listed equities and exchange-traded derivatives;

•Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices included in Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Currently, the types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are Agency RMBS, U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt, certain non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, corporate debt, and actively traded derivatives such as interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards, and other over-the-counter derivatives; and

•Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are certain RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS, credit default swaps, or "CDS," on individual ABS, and total return swaps on distressed corporate debt, in each case where there is less price transparency. Also included in this category are residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans, and private corporate debt and equity investments.

For certain financial instruments, the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. For each such financial instrument, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value, with the highest priority given to inputs that are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1), and the lowest priority given to inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (Level 3). The 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 Company may use valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. The market approach uses third-party valuations and information obtained from market transactions involving identical or similar financial instruments. The income approach uses projections of the future economic benefit of an instrument to determine its fair value, such as in the discounted cash flow methodology. The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these financial instruments. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are assumed to occur at the end of the reporting period.

Summary Valuation Techniques

For financial instruments that are traded in an "active market," the best measure of fair value is the quoted market price. However, many of the Company's financial instruments are not traded in an active market. Therefore, management generally uses third-party valuations when available. If third-party valuations are not available, management uses other valuation techniques, such as the discounted cash flow methodology. The following are summary descriptions, for various categories of financial instruments, of the valuation methodologies management uses in determining fair value of the Company's financial instruments in such categories. Management utilizes such methodologies to assign a fair value (the estimated price that, in an orderly transaction at the valuation date, would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be) to each such financial instrument.

For mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS," TBAs, CLOs, and corporate debt and equity, management seeks to obtain at least one third-party valuation, and often obtains multiple valuations when available. Management has been able to obtain third-party valuations on the vast majority of these instruments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. Management generally values each financial instrument at the average of third-party valuations received and not rejected as described below. Third-party valuations are not binding, management may adjust the valuations it receives (e.g., downward adjustments for odd lots), and management may challenge or reject a valuation when, based on its validation criteria, management determines that such valuation is unreasonable or erroneous. Furthermore, based on its validation criteria,

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management may determine that the average of the third-party valuations received for a given financial instrument does not result in what management believes to be the fair value of such instrument, and in such circumstances management may override this average with its own good faith valuation. The validation criteria may take into account output from management's own models, recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments, and valuations received from third parties. The use of proprietary models requires the use of a significant amount of judgment and the application of various assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning future prepayment rates and default rates. Given their relatively high level of price transparency, Agency RMBS pass-throughs are typically classified as Level 2. Non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, Agency interest only and inverse interest only RMBS, CLOs, and corporate bonds are generally classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 based on analysis of available market data and/or third-party valuations. The Company's investments in distressed corporate debt can be in the form of loans as well as total return swaps on loans. These investments, as well as related non-listed equity investments, are generally designated as Level 3 assets. Valuations for total return swaps are typically based on prices of the underlying loans received from third-party pricing services. Private equity investments are generally classified as Level 3. Furthermore, the methodology used by the third-party valuation providers is reviewed at least annually by management, so as to ascertain whether such providers are utilizing observable market data to determine the valuations that they provide.

For residential and commercial mortgage loans and consumer loans, management determines fair value by taking into account both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. Management has obtained third-party valuations on the majority of these investments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. In determining fair value for non-performing mortgage loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as management's estimates of the value of the underlying real estate, using information including general economic data, broker price opinions, or "BPOs," recent sales, property appraisals, and bids. In determining fair value for performing mortgage loans and consumer loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as discounted cash flows of the loans based on market assumptions. Cash flow assumptions typically include projected default and prepayment rates and loss severities, and may include adjustments based on appraisals and BPOs. Mortgage and consumer loans are classified as Level 3.

The Company has securitized certain mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or "non-QM loans." The Company's securitized non-QM loans are held as part of a collateralized financing entity, or "CFE." A CFE is a VIE that holds financial assets, issues beneficial interests in those assets, and has no more than nominal equity, and for which the issued beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CFE. ASC 810 allows the Company to elect to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the CFE using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the CFE. The Company has elected the FVO for initial and subsequent recognition of the debt issued by its consolidated securitization trusts and has determined that each consolidated securitization trust meets the definition of a CFE; see Note 10 "Securitization Transactions—Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations" for further discussion on the Company's securitization trusts. The Company has determined the inputs to the fair value measurement of the financial liabilities of each of its CFEs to be more observable than those of the financial assets and, as a result, has used the fair value of the financial liabilities of each of the CFEs to measure the fair value of the financial assets of each of the CFEs. The fair value of the debt issued by each CFE is typically valued using discounted cash flows and other market data. The securitized non-QM loans, which are assets of the CFEs, are included in Loans, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The debt issued by the CFEs is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrealized gains (losses) from changes in fair value of Other secured borrowings, at fair value, are included in Other, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The securitized non-QM loans and the debt issued by the Company's CFEs are both classified as Level 3.

For financial derivatives with greater price transparency, such as CDS on asset-backed indices, CDS on corporate indices, certain options on the foregoing, and total return swaps on publicly traded equities or indices, market-standard pricing sources are used to obtain valuations; these financial derivatives are generally classified as Level 2. Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and foreign currency forwards are typically valued based on internal models that use observable market data, including applicable interest rates and foreign currency rates in effect as of the measurement date; the model-generated valuations are then typically compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. These financial derivatives are also generally classified as Level 2. Financial derivatives with less price transparency, such as CDS on individual ABS, are generally valued based on internal models, and are classified as Level 3. In the case of CDS on individual ABS, the valuation process typically starts with an estimation of the value of the underlying ABS. In valuing its financial derivatives, the Company also considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each financial derivative agreement.

Investments in private operating entities, such as loan originators, are valued based on available metrics, such as relevant market multiples and comparable company valuations, company specific-financial data including actual and projected results, and independent third party valuation estimates. These investments are classified as Level 3.

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The Company's repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2, based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature.

The Company's valuation process, including the application of validation criteria, is overseen by the Manager's Valuation Committee (the "Valuation Committee"). The Valuation Committee includes senior level executives from various departments within the Manager, and each quarter, the Valuation Committee reviews and approves the valuations of the Company's financial instruments. The valuation process also includes a monthly review by the Company's third-party administrator. The goal of this review is to replicate various aspects of the Company's valuation process based on the Company's documented procedures.

Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed, and the differences could be material to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

(C) Accounting for Securities: Purchases and sales of investments in securities are generally recorded on trade date, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated based on identified cost. Investments in securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320 or ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets ("ASC 325-40"). The Company generally classifies its securities as available-for-sale. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in securities. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

Many of the Company's investments in securities, such as MBS and CLOs, are issued by entities that are deemed to be VIEs. For the majority of such investments, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of such VIEs and therefore has not consolidated such VIEs. The Company's maximum risk of loss in these unconsolidated VIEs is generally limited to the fair value of the Company's investment in the VIE.

The Company evaluates its investments in interest only securities to determine whether they meet the requirements for classification as financial derivatives under ASC 815. For interest only securities, where the holder is entitled only to a portion of the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS, and inverse interest only securities, which are interest only securities whose coupon has an inverse relationship to its benchmark rate, such as LIBOR, the Company has determined that such investments do not meet the requirements for treatment as financial derivatives and are classified as securities.

Periods after January 1, 2020—For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses ("ASU 2016-13"), as discussed below, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its investments in securities on at least a quarterly basis, under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Available-for-Sale Debt Securities ("ASC 326-30"). When the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis is considered impaired. The Company must evaluate the decline in the fair value of the impaired security and determine whether such decline resulted from a credit loss or non-credit related factors. In its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of estimated future cash flows of the impaired security with the amortized cost basis of such security. The estimated future cash flows reflect those that a "market participant" would use and typically include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, collateral performance, and the timing and amount of projected credit losses, as well incorporating observations of current market developments and events. Cash flows are discounted at an interest rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. If the present value of estimated future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a security's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the security's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the security is reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—For periods prior to the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company evaluated the cost basis of its investments in securities for other-than-temporary impairment, or "OTTI," on at least a quarterly basis.

When the fair value of a security was less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis was considered impaired, and the impairment was designated as either temporary or other-than-temporary. When a security's cost basis was impaired, an OTTI was considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intended to sell the security, (ii) it was more likely than not that the Company would have been required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (iii) the Company did not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if the Company did not intend to sell the security and it was not more likely than not that the Company would have been required to sell the security.

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Additionally, for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40, an impairment of the cost basis was recorded when there was an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security was less than its carrying amount. Any resulting OTTI adjustments made to the cost basis of the security were reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(D) Accounting for Loans: The Company's loan portfolio primarily consists of residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, and consumer loans. The Company's loans are accounted for under ASC 310-10, Receivables, and are classified as held-for-investment when the Company has the intent and ability to hold such loans for the foreseeable future or to maturity/payoff. When the Company has the intent to sell loans, such loans will be classified as held-for-sale. Mortgage loans held-for-sale are accounted for under ASC 948-310, Financial services—mortgage banking. The Company may aggregate its loans into pools based on common risk characteristics at purchase. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolios. Loans are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and changes in fair value are recorded in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. The Company generates income from fees on certain loans, generally commercial mortgage loans, that it originates and holds for investment, including origination and exit fees. Such fee income is recorded when earned and included in Other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Transfers between held-for-investment and held-for-sale occur once the Company's intent to sell the loans changes.

For residential and commercial mortgage loans, the Company generally accrues interest payments. Such loans are typically moved to non-accrual status if the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent. The Company does not accrue interest payments on its consumer loans; interest payments are recorded upon receipt. Once consumer loans are more than 120 days past due, the Company will generally charge off such loans. The Company evaluates its charged-off loans and determines collectibility, if any, on such loans.

The Company evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal on each of its loan investments and whether the cost basis of the loan is impaired. A loan's cost basis is impaired when, based on current information and market developments, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan's cost basis is impaired, the Company does not record an allowance for loan loss as it elected the FVO on all of its loan investments.

Periods after January 1, 2020—For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, in its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan with the amortized cost basis of such loan. If the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan is less than the amortized cost basis of such loan, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a loan's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the loan's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan is reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—For periods prior to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, the Company recognized impairments through an adjustment to the amortized cost basis; the Company recognized a realized loss in the period such adjustment was made, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(E) Interest Income: The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on its debt securities. Coupon interest income on fixed-income investments is generally accrued based on the outstanding principal balance or notional value and the current coupon rate.

For debt securities that are deemed to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest only securities), premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective interest method. For such securities whose cash flows vary depending on prepayments, an effective yield retroactive to the time of purchase is periodically recomputed based on actual prepayments and changes in projected prepayment activity, and a catch-up adjustment, or "Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment," is made to amortization to reflect the cumulative impact of the change in effective yield.

For debt securities (generally non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS, CLOs, and interest only securities) that are deemed not to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase, interest income is recognized based on the effective interest method. For purposes of estimating future expected cash flows, management uses assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions for future prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities (each of which may in turn incorporate various macro-economic assumptions, such as future housing prices, GDP growth rates, and unemployment rates). These assumptions are re-evaluated

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not less than quarterly. Changes in projected cash flows may result in prospective changes in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities based on the updated expected future cash flows.

For each loan purchased with the expectation that both interest and principal will be paid in full, the Company generally amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the loan utilizing the effective interest method. However, based on current information and market developments, the Company re-assesses the collectibility of interest and principal, and generally designates a loan as in non-accrual status either when any payments have become 90 or more days past due, or when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect either interest or principal in full. Once a loan is designated as in non-accrual status, as long as principal is still expected to be collectible in full, interest payments are recorded as interest income only when received (i.e., under the cash basis method); accruals of interest income are only resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. However, if principal is not expected to be collectible in full, the cost recovery method is used (i.e., no interest income is recognized, and all payments received—whether contractually interest or principal—are applied to cost).

Periods after January 1, 2020—Certain of the Company's debt securities and loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, if at the date of acquisition for a particular asset the Company projects a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows, it establishes an initial estimate for credit losses as an upward adjustment to the acquisition cost of the asset for the purpose of calculating interest income using the effective yield method.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—Prior to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, for each loan acquired that had evidence of credit deterioration since origination and the expectation that either principal or interest would not be paid in full, interest income was generally recognized using the effective interest method for so long as the cash flows could be reasonably estimated. Here, instead of amortizing the purchase discount (i.e., the excess of the unpaid principal balance over the purchase price) over the life of the loan, the Company effectively amortized the accretable yield (i.e., the excess of the Company's estimate of the total cash flows to be collected over the life of the loan over the purchase price). Not less than quarterly, the Company updated its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the loan, and applied revised yields prospectively.

In estimating future cash flows on the Company's debt securities, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, including, in the case of MBS, assumptions relating to prepayment rates, default rates, loan loss severities, and loan repurchases. These estimates require the use of a significant amount of judgment.

(F) Investments in unconsolidated entities: The Company has made and may in the future make non-controlling equity investments in various entities, such as loan originators. Such investments are generally in the form of preferred and/or common equity, or membership interests. In certain cases, the Company can exercise significant influence over the entity (e.g. by having representation on the entity's board of directors) but the requirements for consolidation under ASC 810 are not met; in such cases the Company is required to account for such equity investments under ASC 323-10. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in unconsolidated entities, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period, as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner. The period change in fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities.

(G) REO: When the Company obtains possession of real property in connection with a foreclosure or similar action, the Company de-recognizes the associated mortgage loan according to ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure ("ASU 2014-04"). Under the provisions of ASU 2014-04, the Company is deemed to have received physical possession of real estate property collateralizing a mortgage loan when it obtains legal title to the property upon completion of a foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to it through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The Company's initial cost basis in REO is equal to the fair value of the real estate associated with the foreclosed mortgage loan, less expected costs to sell. REO valuations are reflected at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of such REO is typically based on management's estimates which generally use information including general economic data, BPOs, recent sales, property appraisals, and bids, and takes into account the expected costs to sell the property. REO recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are classified as Level 3.

(H) Securities Sold Short: The Company may purchase or engage in short sales of U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt to mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates on the performance of its portfolio. When the Company sells securities short, it typically satisfies its security delivery settlement obligation by borrowing or purchasing the security sold short from the same or a different counterparty. When borrowing a security sold short from a counterparty, the Company generally is required to deliver cash or securities to such counterparty as collateral for the

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Company's obligation to return the borrowed security. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its securities sold short. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. As such, securities sold short are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the period change in fair value is recorded in current period earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. A realized gain or loss will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is less or greater than the original sale price. Such realized gain or loss is recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net.

(I) Financial Derivatives: The Company enters into various types of financial derivatives subject to its investment guidelines, which include restrictions associated with qualifying and maintaining qualification as a REIT. The Company's financial derivatives are predominantly subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the "Dodd-Frank Act." The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into derivative transactions. In addition, changes in the relative value of derivative transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. In the case of cleared derivatives, the clearinghouse becomes the Company's counterparty and a futures commission merchant acts as an intermediary between the Company and the clearinghouse with respect to all facets of the related transaction, including the posting and receipt of required collateral. Cash collateral received by the Company is included in Due to brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Conversely, cash collateral posted by the Company is included in Due from brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The types of derivatives primarily utilized by the Company are swaps, TBAs, futures, options, and forwards.

Swaps: The Company may enter into various types of swaps, including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, and total return swaps. The primary risk associated with the Company's interest rate swap activity is interest rate risk. The primary risk associated with the Company's credit default swaps and total return swaps is credit risk.

The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interest rate on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed-rate payment on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time. Interest rate swaps change in value with movements in interest rates. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps whereby the Company pays one floating rate and receives a different floating rate, or "basis swaps."

The Company enters into credit default swaps. A credit default swap is a contract under which one party agrees to compensate another party for the financial loss associated with the occurrence of a "credit event" in relation to a "reference amount" or notional value of a "reference asset" (usually a bond, loan, or an index or basket of bonds or loans). The definition of a credit event may vary from contract to contract. A credit event may occur (i) when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) fails to make scheduled principal or interest payments to its holders, (ii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing mortgage/asset-backed securities and indices, when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) is downgraded below a certain rating level, or (iii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing corporate entities and indices, upon the bankruptcy of the obligor of the reference asset (or underlying obligor, in the case of a reference asset that is an index). The Company typically writes (sells) protection to take a "long" position with respect to the underlying reference assets, or purchases (buys) protection to take a "short" position with respect to the underlying reference assets or to hedge exposure to other investment holdings.

The Company enters into total return swaps in order to take a "long" or "short" position with respect to an underlying reference asset. The Company is subject to market price volatility of the underlying reference asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional value. To the extent that the total return of the corporate debt, security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Company will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

Swaps change in value with movements in interest rates, credit quality, or total return of the reference securities. During the term of swap contracts, changes in value are recognized as unrealized gains or losses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. When a contract is terminated, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract, if any. Periodic payments or receipts required by swap agreements are recorded as unrealized gains or losses when accrued and realized gains or losses when received or paid. Upfront payments paid and/or received by the Company to open swap contracts are recorded as an asset and/or liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are recorded as a realized gain or loss on the termination date.

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TBA Securities: The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. A TBA position is a forward contract for the purchase ("long position") or sale ("short position") of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and maturity on an agreed-upon future delivery date. For each TBA contract and delivery month, a uniform settlement date for all market participants is determined by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The specific Agency RMBS to be delivered into the contract at the settlement date are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company typically does not take delivery of TBAs, but rather enters into offsetting transactions and settles the associated receivable and payable balances with its counterparties. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for speculative purposes, including holding long positions.

TBAs are accounted for by the Company as financial derivatives. The difference between the forward contract price and the market value of the TBA position as of the reporting date is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell an asset for a set price on a future date. The Company enters into Eurodollar and/or U.S. Treasury security futures contracts to hedge its interest rate risk. The Company may also enter into various other futures contracts, including equity index futures and foreign currency futures. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can generally be either in the form of cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking-to-market to reflect the current market value of the contract. Variation margin payments are made or received periodically, depending upon whether unrealized losses or gains are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.

Options: The Company may purchase or write put or call options contracts or enter into swaptions. The Company enters into options contracts typically to help mitigate overall market, credit, or interest rate risk depending on the type of options contract. However, the Company also enters into options contracts from time to time for speculative purposes. When the Company purchases an options contract, the option asset is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium paid, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums paid for purchasing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized losses. If an options contract is exercised, the premium paid is subtracted from the proceeds of the sale or added to the cost of the purchase to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related transaction. When the Company writes an options contract, the option liability is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium received, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums received for writing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized gains. If an options contract is exercised, the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the purchase or added to the proceeds of the sale to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related investment transaction. When the Company enters into a closing transaction, the Company will realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the amount from the closing transaction is greater or less than the premiums paid or received. The Company may also enter into options contracts that contain forward-settling premiums. In this case, no money is exchanged upfront. Instead, the agreed-upon premium is paid by the buyer upon expiration of the option, regardless of whether or not the option is exercised.

Forward Currency Contracts: A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specific quantity of currency with the delivery and settlement at a specific future date and exchange rate. During the period the forward currency contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is settled, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.

Financial derivative assets are included in Financial derivatives—assets, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Financial derivative liabilities are included in Financial derivatives—liabilities, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its financial derivatives. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. Changes in unrealized gains and losses on financial derivatives are included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Realized gains and losses on financial derivatives are included in Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(J) Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. Cash and cash equivalents typically include amounts held in interest bearing overnight accounts and amounts held in money market funds, and these balances generally exceed insured limits. The

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Company holds its cash at institutions that it believes to be highly creditworthy. Restricted cash represents cash that the Company can use only for specific purposes. See Note 18 for further discussion of restricted cash balances.

(K) Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into repurchase agreements with third-party broker-dealers whereby it sells securities under agreements to be repurchased at an agreed-upon price and date. The Company accounts for repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the initial sale price representing the amount borrowed, and with the future repurchase price consisting of the amount borrowed plus interest, at the implied interest rate of the repurchase agreement, on the amount borrowed over the term of the repurchase agreement. The interest rate on a repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. When the Company enters into a repurchase agreement, the lender establishes and maintains an account containing cash and/or securities having a value not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest, of the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximate fair value as the debt is short-term in nature.

(L) Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreement transactions whereby it purchases securities under agreements to resell at an agreed-upon price and date. In general, securities received pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are delivered to counterparties of short sale transactions. The interest rate on a reverse repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. Assets held pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are reflected as assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Reverse repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.

Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are conducted with the same counterparty may be reported on a net basis if they meet the requirements of ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. There are no repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements reported on a net basis in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

(M) Transfers of Financial Assets: The Company enters into transactions whereby it transfers financial assets to third parties. Upon such a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire interests in the related assets. The Company evaluates transferred assets pursuant to ASC 860-10, Transfers of Financial Assets, or "ASC 860-10," which requires that a determination be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor's continuing involvement 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. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify as a sale, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral. ASC 860-10 is a standard that requires the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a "sale" or a "financing."

(N) Variable Interest Entities: VIEs are entities in which: (i) the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) there is insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. Consolidation of a VIE is required by the entity that is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation under ASC 810. The primary beneficiary is generally the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant to the VIE.

When the Company has an interest in an entity that has been determined to be a VIE, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company will only consolidate a VIE for which it has concluded it is the primary beneficiary. To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes (i) identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and (ii) identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, it considers all of its economic interests, including debt and/or equity investments, as well as other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. These assessments to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary require significant judgment. In instances where the Company and its related parties have interests in a VIE, the Company considers whether there is a single party in the related party group that meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary. If one party within the related party group meets such criteria, that reporting entity would be deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and no further analysis is needed. If no party within the related party group on its own meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary, but the related party group as a whole meets such criteria, the determination of the primary beneficiary within the related party group requires significant judgment. The Company performs analysis, which is based upon qualitative as well as quantitative factors, such as the relationship of the VIE to each of the members of the

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related party group, as well as the significance of the VIE's activities to those members, with the objective of determining which party is most closely associated with the VIE.

The Company performs ongoing reassessments of (i) whether any entities previously evaluated have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to assessment to determine whether consolidation is appropriate, and (ii) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company's involvement with a VIE causes its consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 9 and Note 13 for further information on the Company's consolidated VIEs.

The Company's maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. The Company is generally not contractually required to provide and has not provided any form of financial support to the VIEs.

The Company holds beneficial interests in certain securitization trusts that are considered VIEs. The beneficial interests in these securitization trusts are represented by certificates issued by the trusts. The securitization trusts have been structured as pass-through entities that receive principal and interest payments on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders, which include both third-party investors and the Company. The certificates held by the Company typically include some or all of the most subordinated tranches. The assets held by the trusts are restricted in that they can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the related trust. In certain cases, the design and structure of the securitization trust is such that the Company effectively retains control of the assets as well as the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the trust. In such cases, the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, and the Company consolidates the trust and all intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. In cases where the Company does not effectively retain control of the assets of, or have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of, the related trust, it does not consolidate the trust. See Note 10 for further discussion of the Company's securitization trusts.

(O) Offering Costs/Underwriters' Discount: Offering costs and underwriters' discount are charged against stockholders' equity as incurred. Offering costs typically include legal, accounting, and other fees associated with the cost of raising capital.

(P) Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs associated with debt for which the Company has elected the FVO are expensed at the issuance of the debt, and are included in Investment related expenses—Other on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Costs associated with the issuance of debt for which the Company has not elected the FVO are deferred and amortized over the life of the debt, which approximates the effective interest rate method, and are included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Deferred debt issuance costs are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, unless such deferred debt issuance costs are associated with borrowing facilities that are expected to have a future benefit, such as giving the Company the ability to access additional borrowings over the contractual term of the debt, in which case such deferred debt issuance costs are included in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs include legal and accounting fees, purchasers' or underwriters' discount, as well as other fees associated with the cost of the issuance of the related debt.

(Q) Expenses: Expenses are recognized as incurred on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(R) Investment Related Expenses: Investment related expenses consist of expenses directly related to specific financial instruments. Such expenses generally include dividend expense on common stock sold short, servicing fees and corporate and escrow advances on mortgage and consumer loans, and various other expenses and fees related directly to the Company's financial instruments. The Company has elected the FVO for its investments, and as a result all investment related expenses are expensed as incurred and included in Investment related expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(S) Investment Related Receivables: Investment related receivables on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes receivables for securities sold and interest and principal receivable on securities and loans.

(T) Long Term Incentive Plan Units: Long term incentive plan units of the Operating Partnership ("OP LTIP Units") have been issued to certain Ellington personnel dedicated or partially dedicated to the Company, certain of the Company's directors, as well as the Manager. Costs associated with OP LTIP Units issued to dedicated or partially dedicated personnel, or to the Company's directors, are measured as of the grant date based on the Company's closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange and are amortized over the vesting period in accordance with ASC 718-10, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The vesting periods for OP LTIP Units are typically one year from issuance for non-executive directors, and are typically one year to two years from issuance for dedicated or partially dedicated personnel.

(U) Non-controlling interests: Non-controlling interests include interests in the Operating Partnership represented by units convertible into shares of the Company's common stock ("Convertible Non-controlling Interests"). Convertible Non-controlling Interests include both the OP LTIP Units and those common units ("OP Units") of the Operating Partnership not held by the Company (collectively, the "Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units"). Non-controlling interests also include the

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interests of joint venture partners in certain of our consolidated subsidiaries. The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of the Company's common stock. The Company adjusts the Convertible Non-controlling Interests to align their carrying value with their share of total outstanding Operating Partnership units, including both the OP Units held by the Company and the Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Any such adjustments are reflected in Adjustment to non-controlling interests, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. See Note 15 for further discussion of non-controlling interests.

(V) Dividends: Dividends payable on shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units are recorded on the declaration date.

(W) Shares Repurchased: Shares of common stock that are repurchased by the Company subsequent to issuance are immediately retired upon settlement and decrease the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The cost of such repurchases is charged against Additional paid-in-capital on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(X) Earnings Per Share ("EPS"): Basic EPS is computed using the two class method by dividing net income (loss) after adjusting for the impact of Convertible Non-controlling Interests which are participating securities, by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding calculated including Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Because the Company's Convertible Non-controlling Interests are participating securities, they are included in the calculation of both basic and diluted EPS.

(Y) Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company is U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the following dates: (i) assets, liabilities, and unrealized gains/losses—at the valuation date; and (ii) income, expenses, and realized gains/losses—at the accrual/transaction date. The Company isolates the portion of realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments and financial derivatives from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair value of investments and financial derivatives held. Changes in realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) due to foreign currency are included in Other, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Company's reporting currency is U.S. Dollars. If the Company has investments in unconsolidated entities that have a functional currency other than U.S. Dollars, the fair value is translated to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate at the valuation date. The cumulative translation adjustment, if any, associated with the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of consolidated stockholders' equity.

(Z) Income Taxes: The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to corporate-level federal and state income tax on net income it distributes to its stockholders within the prescribed timeframes. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including distributing at least 90% of its annual taxable income to stockholders. Even if the Company qualifies as a REIT, it may be subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries as TRSs, and may in the future elect to treat other current or future subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. A domestic TRS may, but is not required to, declare dividends to the Company; such dividends will be included in the Company's taxable income/(loss) and may necessitate a distribution to the Company's stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the level of a domestic TRS, such earnings will increase the book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxes. The Company has elected and may elect in the future to treat certain of its foreign corporate subsidiaries as TRSs and, accordingly, taxable income generated by these TRSs may not be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company's income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed. However, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries may be subject to income taxes in the relevant foreign jurisdictions.

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The Company's financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty on tax positions, which requires management to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. For uncertain tax positions, the tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions related to the current period or its open tax years. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examination by federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable, for the current period and its open tax years. The Company may take positions with respect to certain tax issues which depend on legal interpretation of facts or applicable tax regulations. Should the relevant tax regulators successfully challenge any of such positions, the Company might be found to have a tax liability that has not been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Also, management's conclusions regarding the authoritative guidance may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on changing tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.

(AA) Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or "FASB," issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). This amends ASC 820 to remove or modify various current disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement. Additionally, ASU 2018-13 requires certain additional disclosures around fair value measurement. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. Entities are permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which introduced a new model related to the accounting for credit losses on financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-13 amends the guidance which required an OTTI charge only when fair value is below the amortized cost of an asset. The length of time the fair value of an available-for-sale debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists; as a result, there is no longer an other-than-temporary impairment model. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will now be limited to the difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value. The new debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses. While generally not applicable for financial assets for which the fair value option has been elected, the Company has applied the principles of ASU 2016-13 as described above. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"), which provides optional guidance for a limited period meant to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, reform to LIBOR and certain other reference rates. The standard is effective for all entities beginning on March 12, 2020 and may be elected over time. However, ASU 2020-04 is only applicable to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, and that were entered into or evaluated prior to January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2020-04 would have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

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3. Valuation

The tables below reflect the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	—	$	907,715	$	12,140	$	919,855
Non-Agency RMBS	—		73,538		139,199		212,737
CMBS	—		62,206		42,809		105,015
CLOs	—		50,304		112,990		163,294
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans	—		—		47,298		47,298
Corporate debt securities	—		—		2,207		2,207
Corporate equity securities	—		—		1,014		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	—		—		1,030,709		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	—		—		252,231		252,231
Consumer loans	—		—		152,609		152,609
Corporate loans	—		—		7,063		7,063
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	—		—		95,803		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	—		—		351		351
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		9,722		—		9,722
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		39		—		39
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		2,419		—		2,419
Interest rate swaps	—		13,790		—		13,790
TBAs	—		1,150		—		1,150
Total return swaps	—		—		105		105
Warrants	—		31		—		31
Futures	1		—		—		1
Forwards	—		256		—		256
Total assets	$	1	$	1,121,170	$	1,896,528	$	3,017,699
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at fair value:
Government debt	$	—	$	(51,032)	$	—	$	(51,032)
Corporate debt securities	—		(461)		—		(461)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		(142)		—		(142)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		(580)		—		(580)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		(3,572)		—		(3,572)
Interest rate swaps	—		(29,774)		—		(29,774)
TBAs	—		(286)		—		(286)
Futures	(331)		—		—		(331)
Forwards	—		(41)		—		(41)
Total return swaps	—		—		(88)		(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		(695,516)		(695,516)
Total liabilities	$	(331)	$	(85,888)	$	(695,604)	$	(781,823)

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December 31, 2019:

Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	—	$	1,917,059	$	19,904	$	1,936,963
Non-Agency RMBS	—		76,969		89,581		166,550
CMBS	—		95,063		29,805		124,868
CLOs	—		125,464		44,979		170,443
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans	—		—		48,610		48,610
Corporate debt securities	—		—		1,113		1,113
Corporate equity securities	—		—		1,394		1,394
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	—		—		932,203		932,203
Commercial mortgage loans	—		—		274,759		274,759
Consumer loans	—		—		186,954		186,954
Corporate loans	—		—		18,510		18,510
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	—		—		71,850		71,850
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	—		—		993		993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		3,319		—		3,319
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		2		—		2
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		5,599		—		5,599
Interest rate swaps	—		5,468		—		5,468
TBAs	—		596		—		596
Total return swaps	—		—		620		620
Futures	148		—		—		148
Forwards	—		43		—		43
Total assets	$	148	$	2,229,582	$	1,721,275	$	3,951,005
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at fair value:
Government debt	$	—	$	(72,938)	$	—	$	(72,938)
Corporate debt securities	—		(471)		—		(471)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		(250)		—		(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		(1,693)		—		(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		(14,524)		—		(14,524)
Interest rate swaps	—		(8,719)		—		(8,719)
TBAs	—		(1,012)		—		(1,012)
Futures	(45)		—		—		(45)
Forwards	—		(169)		—		(169)
Total return swaps	—		(773)		(436)		(1,209)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		(594,396)		(594,396)
Total liabilities	$	(45)	$	(100,549)	$	(594,832)	$	(695,426)

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The following tables identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range						Weighted Average
Description					Min			Max
	(In thousands)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	85,183	Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	$	9.43		$	314.93		$	87.41
CMBS	41,602		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	4.56			95.32			59.06
CLOs	88,907		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	2.00			93.50			78.04
Agency interest only RMBS	3,503		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	0.80			22.13			12.60
Corporate loans	7,063		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	100.00			100.00			100.00
ABS backed by consumer loans	107		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	96.01			97.58			96.80
Non-Agency RMBS	54,016		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	0.8		%	60.0		%	8.5		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	13.5		%	77.6		%	59.2		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.0		%	70.3		%	8.7		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	0.0		%	46.5		%	10.3		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	7.7		%	70.4		%	21.8		%
											100.0		%
Non-Agency CMBS	1,207		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	23.1		%	25.7		%	23.7		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.7		%	0.9		%	0.8		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	1.9		%	3.8		%	3.4		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	95.4		%	97.4		%	95.8		%
											100.0		%
Corporate debt and equity	3,221		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
CLOs	24,083		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	6.7		%	85.2		%	20.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	65.7		%	88.5		%	71.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	4.4		%	20.9		%	17.0		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	4.3		%	11.2		%	9.7		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0		%	2.8		%	2.0		%
											100.0		%
ABS backed by consumer loans	47,191		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	14.0		%	23.6		%	14.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0		%	9.8		%	7.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	1.0		%	34.7		%	16.3		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	56.7		%	99.0		%	76.4		%
											100.0		%

24

(continued)	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range				Weighted Average
Description					Min		Max
	(In thousands)
Consumer loans	$	152,609	Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.0	%	12.0	%	10.0	%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0	%	37.1	%	12.9	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	1.1	%	86.6	%	10.7	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	13.4	%	98.2	%	76.4	%
									100.0	%
Performing commercial mortgage loans	228,560		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	6.8	%	10.4	%	8.0	%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans	23,671		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.5	%	16.2	%	12.5	%
				Months to Resolution	4.9		8.8		7.0
Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans	245,027		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	0.6	%	54.3	%	6.0	%
Securitized residential mortgage loans(1)(2)	760,420		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.8	%	7.3	%	4.2	%
Non-performing residential mortgage loans	25,262		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.5	%	28.4	%	10.3	%
				Months to Resolution	—		90.9		33.2
Total return swaps—asset	105		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	11.7	%	20.8	%	12.7	%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	351		Net Discounted Cash Flows	Projected Collateral Prepayments	33.3	%	41.0	%	39.2	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	6.8	%	11.2	%	9.1	%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	13.6	%	18.3	%	15.2	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	35.1	%	41.6	%	36.5	%
									100.0	%
Agency interest only RMBS	8,637		Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")	LIBOR OAS(3)(4)	160		3,992		954
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.7	%	100.0	%	78.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0	%	99.3	%	21.7	%
									100.0	%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	95,803		Enterprise Value	Equity Price-to-Book(5)	1.0x		4.0x		1.3x
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)(6)	(695,516)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.8%		3.3%		2.4%
Total return swaps—liability	(88)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	20.8%		20.8%		20.8%

(1)Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2.

(2)Includes $37.1 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans.

(3)Shown in basis points.

(4)For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $1.4 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 596 basis points.

(5)Represents an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.

(6)For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of yield, excludes Other secured borrowings, at fair value with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $(116.1) million. Including these borrowings the weighted average yield was 1.81%.

25

December 31, 2019:

	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range						Weighted Average
Description					Min			Max
	(In thousands)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	38,754	Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	$	6.68		$	144.79		$	86.21
CMBS	29,630		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	5.08			80.72			64.73
CLOs	38,220		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	40.00			96.00			73.98
Agency interest only RMBS	3,753		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	1.36			16.61			5.11
Corporate loans	6,010		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	100.00			100.00			100.00
ABS backed by consumer loans	139		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	95.47			96.78			96.12
Non-Agency RMBS	50,827		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	3.3		%	60.9		%	10.0		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.8		%	72.0		%	49.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.0		%	22.7		%	6.6		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	0.0		%	32.4		%	6.9		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	16.9		%	92.9		%	37.2		%
											100.0		%
Non-Agency CMBS	175		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.0		%	100.0		%	100.0		%
											100.0		%
Corporate debt and equity	2,507		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
CLOs	6,759		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	14.0		%	41.9		%	26.2		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	48.5		%	84.6		%	72.5		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	11.7		%	36.4		%	19.9		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	3.7		%	15.1		%	7.6		%
											100.0		%
ABS backed by consumer loans	48,471		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	12.0		%	20.2		%	12.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0		%	11.2		%	9.7		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.6		%	18.0		%	15.4		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	71.3		%	99.4		%	74.9		%
											100.0		%

26

(continued)	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range				Weighted Average
Description					Min		Max
	(In thousands)
Consumer loans	$	186,954	Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	7.0	%	10.0	%	8.1	%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0	%	44.2	%	16.0	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	3.0	%	84.5	%	8.6	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	15.5	%	95.8	%	75.4	%
									100.0	%
Corporate loans	12,500		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	15.0	%	18.0	%	16.8	%
Performing commercial mortgage loans	248,214		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	7.7	%	16.6	%	8.8	%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans	26,545		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.8	%	14.7	%	12.4	%
				Months to Resolution	1.1		23.0		11.4
Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans	289,672		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.6	%	19.5	%	6.2	%
Securitized residential mortgage loans(1)(2)	628,415		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	3.2	%	4.3	%	3.6	%
Non-performing residential mortgage loans	14,116		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.0	%	26.6	%	9.1	%
				Months to Resolution	1.1		165.4		54.6
Total return swaps—asset	620		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	8.5	%	27.7	%	11.5	%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	993		Net Discounted Cash Flows	Projected Collateral Prepayments	35.4	%	42.0	%	37.3	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	4.2	%	12.4	%	10.2	%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	10.0	%	18.2	%	15.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	36.2	%	41.5	%	37.2	%
									100.0	%
Agency interest only RMBS	16,151		Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")	LIBOR OAS(3)	93		3,527		701
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	12.3	%	100.0	%	72.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0	%	87.7	%	27.7	%
									100.0	%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	41,392		Enterprise Value	Equity Price-to-Book(4)	1.0x		4.7x		1.7x
Investment in unconsolidated entities	30,458		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield(5)	3.7%		14.8%		9.9%
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	(594,396)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	2.9%		4.0%		3.3%
Total return swaps—liability	(436)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	27.7%		27.7%		27.7%

(1)Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2.

(2)Includes $1.5 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans.

(3)Shown in basis points.

(4)Represent an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.

(5)Represents the significant unobservable inputs used to fair value the financial instruments of the unconsolidated entity. The fair value of such financial instruments is the largest component of the valuation of such entity as a whole.

Third-party non-binding valuations are validated by comparing such valuations to internally generated prices based on the Company's models and, when available, to recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments.

27

For those instruments valued using discounted and net discounted cash flows, collateral prepayments, losses, recoveries, and scheduled amortization are projected over the remaining life of the collateral and expressed as a percentage of the collateral's current principal balance. Averages are weighted based on the fair value of the related instrument. In the case of credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, averages are weighted based on each instrument's bond equivalent value. Bond equivalent value represents the investment amount of a corresponding position in the reference obligation, calculated as the difference between the outstanding principal balance of the underlying reference obligation and the fair value, inclusive of accrued interest, of the derivative contract. For those assets valued using the LIBOR Option Adjusted Spread ("LIBOR OAS") valuation methodology, cash flows are projected using the Company's models over multiple interest rate scenarios, and these projected cash flows are then discounted using the LIBOR rates implied by each interest rate scenario. The LIBOR OAS of an asset is then computed as the unique constant yield spread that, when added to all LIBOR rates in each interest rate scenario generated by the model, will equate (a) the expected present value of the projected asset cash flows over all model scenarios to (b) the actual current market price of the asset. LIBOR OAS is therefore model-dependent. Generally speaking, LIBOR OAS measures the additional yield spread over LIBOR that an asset provides at its current market price after taking into account any interest rate options embedded in the asset. The Company considers the expected timeline to resolution in the determination of fair value for its non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans.

Material changes in any of the inputs above in isolation could result in a significant change to reported fair value measurements. Additionally, fair value measurements are impacted by the interrelationships of these inputs. For example, for instruments subject to prepayments and credit losses, such as non-Agency RMBS and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, a higher expectation of collateral prepayments will generally be accompanied by a lower expectation of collateral losses. Conversely, higher losses will generally be accompanied by lower prepayments. Because the Company's credit default swaps on asset-backed security holdings represent credit default swap contracts whereby the Company has purchased credit protection, such credit default swaps on asset-backed securities generally have the directionally opposite sensitivity to prepayments, losses, and recoveries as compared to the Company's long securities holdings. Prepayments do not represent a significant input for the Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans. Losses and recoveries do not represent a significant input for the Company's Agency RMBS interest only securities, given the guarantee of the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise.

28

The tables below includes a roll-forward of the Company's financial instruments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  June 30, 2020		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/Payments(1)		Sales/Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2020
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	12,907	$	(1,482)	$	494	$	280	$	3,490	$	(2,243)	$	2,621	$	(3,927)	$	12,140
Non-Agency RMBS	128,607		884		(77)		2,610		21,138		(6,395)		10,895		(18,463)		139,199
CMBS	65,695		659		8		4,117		12,699		(8)		560		(40,921)		42,809
CLOs	136,466		1,962		(82)		1,920		2,241		(127)		6,483		(35,873)		112,990
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	47,941		(1,435)		(4)		1,165		7,455		(7,824)		—		—		47,298
Corporate debt securities	1,951		—		296		509		28		(577)		—		—		2,207
Corporate equity securities	1,084		—		—		(73)		3		—		—		—		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	948,447		(2,009)		(146)		15,672		139,609		(70,864)		—		—		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	295,496		17		36		(6)		18,881		(62,193)		—		—		252,231
Consumer loans	166,681		(6,342)		(112)		(1,627)		28,554		(34,545)		—		—		152,609
Corporate loan	6,227		—		—		—		836		—		—		—		7,063
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	72,553		—		62		11,381		15,307		(3,500)		—		—		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	353		—		1		(2)		3		(4)		—		—		351
Total return swaps	442		—		(129)		(338)		209		(79)		—		—		105
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,884,850	$	(7,746)	$	347	$	35,608	$	250,453	$	(188,359)	$	20,559	$	(99,184)	$	1,896,528
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	(77)	$	—	$	4	$	(11)	$	(4)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(742,688)		—		—		(5,178)		52,350		—		—		—		(695,516)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(742,765)	$	—	$	4	$	(5,189)	$	52,346	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(695,604)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $9.3 million, $14.2 million, $11.3 million, $(0.3) million, $(11) thousand, and $(5.2) million, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $99.2 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $20.6 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

29

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  June 30, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/ Payments(1)		Sales/ Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2019
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	11,034	$	(1,164)	$	(621)	$	696	$	13,254	$	—	$	737	$	(437)	$	23,499
Non-Agency RMBS	96,790		(121)		7,836		(6,457)		6,483		(21,457)		5,808		(7,400)		81,482
CMBS	6,278		25		374		(302)		6,815		(1,474)		652		—		12,368
CLOs	17,222		(184)		1,158		184		—		(1,139)		15,287		(4,520)		28,008
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	25,019		(611)		(100)		(320)		18,638		(3,310)		—		—		39,316
Corporate debt securities	4,081		—		(583)		142		6,425		(6,883)		—		—		3,182
Corporate equity securities	1,791		—		(768)		(61)		1,316		—		—		—		2,278
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	663,880		(2,241)		(400)		3,559		191,512		(58,582)		—		—		797,728
Commercial mortgage loans	260,034		(52)		(1)		507		32,426		(32,288)		—		—		260,626
Consumer loans	162,609		(6,474)		(1,055)		28		33,101		(36,510)		—		—		151,699
Corporate loans	5,000		—		—		—		10,790		—		—		—		15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	69,676		—		(139)		2,935		9,643		(11,680)		—		—		70,435
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	1,090		—		16		(12)		10		(26)		—		—		1,078
Total return swaps	87		—		(15)		148		—		15		—		—		235
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,324,591	$	(10,822)	$	5,702	$	1,047	$	330,413	$	(173,334)	$	22,484	$	(12,357)	$	1,487,724
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	—	$	—	$	48	$	(214)	$	—	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(214)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	$	(475,816)	$	—	$	—	$	(72)	$	37,259	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(438,629)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(475,816)	$	—	$	48	$	(286)	$	37,259	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(438,843)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(4.7) million, $4.1 million, $3.3 million, $0.1 million, $(0.2) million, and $(0.1) million, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2019, the Company transferred $12.4 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $22.5 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

30

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  December 31, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/Payments(1)		Sales/Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2020
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	19,904	$	(6,072)	$	614	$	2,803	$	8,219	$	(3,295)	$	2,177	$	(12,210)	$	12,140
Non-Agency RMBS	89,581		1,113		303		(1,996)		61,933		(29,811)		22,974		(4,898)		139,199
CMBS	29,805		617		(867)		(4,638)		51,432		(32,284)		7,828		(9,084)		42,809
CLOs	44,979		1,237		(7,586)		(24,206)		47,730		—		53,462		(2,626)		112,990
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	48,610		(3,584)		(200)		(1,501)		25,001		(21,028)		—		—		47,298
Corporate debt securities	1,113		—		504		991		3,450		(3,851)		—		—		2,207
Corporate equity securities	1,394		—		7		(741)		366		(12)		—		—		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	932,203		(4,414)		(722)		7,008		340,842		(244,208)		—		—		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	274,759		113		135		(140)		107,608		(130,244)		—		—		252,231
Consumer loans	186,954		(21,712)		(97)		(6,965)		104,872		(110,443)		—		—		152,609
Corporate loan	18,510		—		—		—		1,053		(12,500)		—		—		7,063
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	71,850		—		62		10,528		29,522		(16,159)		—		—		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	993		—		(955)		915		29		(631)		—		—		351
Total return swaps	620		—		113		(515)		209		(322)		—		—		105
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,721,275	$	(32,702)	$	(8,689)	$	(18,457)	$	782,266	$	(604,788)	$	86,441	$	(28,818)	$	1,896,528
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	(436)	$	—	$	(501)	$	349	$	500	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(594,396)		—		—		(6,636)		138,608		(233,092)		—		—		(695,516)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(594,832)	$	—	$	(501)	$	(6,287)	$	139,108	$	(233,092)	$	—	$	—	$	(695,604)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(56.3) million, $12 thousand, $10.2 million, $0.6 million, $(0.1) million, and $(6.6) million, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $28.8 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $86.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

31

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  January 1, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/ Payments(1)		Sales/ Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2019
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	7,293	$	(2,228)	$	(1,228)	$	1,430	$	14,854	$	(463)	$	4,708	$	(867)	$	23,499
Non-Agency RMBS	91,291		104		7,187		(4,482)		10,239		(27,514)		14,633		(9,976)		81,482
CMBS	803		(16)		76		(73)		7,937		(221)		3,862		—		12,368
CLOs	14,915		(670)		(536)		1,889		816		(1,125)		15,287		(2,568)		28,008
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	22,800		(1,580)		(765)		537		28,189		(9,865)		—		—		39,316
Corporate debt securities	6,318		22		(928)		65		9,257		(11,552)		—		—		3,182
Corporate equity securities	1,534		—		(910)		337		1,317		—		—		—		2,278
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	496,829		(4,515)		1,554		7,717		452,958		(156,815)		—		—		797,728
Commercial mortgage loans	195,301		1,087		1,412		(1,844)		128,839		(64,169)		—		—		260,626
Consumer loans	183,961		(22,432)		(4,565)		2,726		103,983		(111,974)		—		—		151,699
Corporate loan	—		—		—		—		15,790		—		—		—		15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	72,298		276		1,545		5,125		40,097		(48,906)		—		—		70,435
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	1,472		—		419		(394)		18		(437)		—		—		1,078
Total return swaps	—		—		1		235		—		(1)		—		—		235
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,094,815	$	(29,952)	$	3,262	$	13,268	$	814,294	$	(433,042)	$	38,490	$	(13,411)	$	1,487,724
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	—	$	—	$	48	$	(214)	$	—	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(214)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(297,948)		—		—		(32)		78,887		(219,536)		—		—		(438,629)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(297,948)	$	—	$	48	$	(246)	$	78,887	$	(219,584)	$	—	$	—	$	(438,843)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(0.4) million, $10.2 million, $2.4 million, $(0.2) million, $(0.2) million, and $(32) thousand, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2019, the Company transferred $13.4 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $38.5 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

32

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of all other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Other financial instruments
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	$	126,783	$	72,302	$	72,302
Restricted cash	175		175		175		175
Due from brokers	63,991		63,991		79,829		79,829
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		47,041		73,639		73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,439,984		1,439,984		2,445,300		2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	142,674		142,674		150,334		150,334
Senior notes, net	86,000		85,495		88,365		85,298
Due to brokers	7,147		7,147		2,197		2,197

Cash and cash equivalents generally includes cash held in interest bearing overnight accounts, for which fair value equals the carrying value, and investments which are liquid in nature, such as investments in money market accounts or U.S. Treasury Bills, for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Restricted cash includes cash held in a segregated account for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Due from brokers and Due to brokers include collateral transferred to or received from counterparties, along with receivables and payables for open and/or closed derivative positions. These receivables and payables are short term in nature and any collateral transferred consists primarily of cash; fair value of these items is approximated by carrying value and such items are considered Level 1. The Company's reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short term nature. Reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are classified as Level 2 based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature. The Senior notes are considered Level 3 liabilities given the relative unobservability of the most significant inputs to valuation estimation as well as the lack of trading activity of these instruments. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of the Company's Senior notes was based on a third-party valuation.

33

4. Investment in Securities

The Company's securities portfolio primarily consists of Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS backed by consumer loans, and corporate debt and equity. The following tables detail the Company's investment in securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Current Principal		Unamortized Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon(1)		Yield		Life (Years)(2)
Long:
Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages	$	69,491	$	2,641	$	72,132	$	1,890	$	(27)	$	73,995	3.31	%	1.89	%	3.38
20-year fixed-rate mortgages	587		39		626		29		—		655		4.71	%	2.94	%	3.88
30-year fixed-rate mortgages	625,882		30,133		656,015		26,286		(371)		681,930		4.06	%	2.42	%	4.06
Adjustable rate mortgages	6,751		173		6,924		123		(1)		7,046		3.65	%	2.15	%	3.35
Reverse mortgages	94,741		5,466		100,207		4,317		—		104,524		4.02	%	2.36	%	5.10
Interest only securities	n/a		n/a		47,507		5,682		(1,484)		51,705		3.47	%	10.17	%	4.58
Non-Agency RMBS	336,997		(131,976)		205,021		12,488		(7,959)		209,550		3.16	%	6.35	%	4.68
CMBS	184,695		(62,938)		121,757		803		(24,307)		98,253		2.54	%	7.74	%	8.43
Non-Agency interest only securities	n/a		n/a		8,367		1,832		(250)		9,949		1.17	%	16.73	%	2.75
CLOs	n/a		n/a		211,236		1		(47,943)		163,294		3.25	%	8.48	%	3.84
ABS backed by consumer loans	71,617		(24,277)		47,340		1,052		(1,094)		47,298		11.82	%	17.39	%	1.08
Corporate debt	24,174		(23,187)		987		1,220		—		2,207		—	%	—	%	2.85
Corporate equity	n/a		n/a		1,604		160		(750)		1,014		n/a		n/a		n/a
Total Long	1,414,935		(203,926)		1,479,723		55,883		(84,186)		1,451,420		3.86	%	5.05	%	4.37
Short:
Corporate debt	(450)		(6)		(456)		5		(10)		(461)		5.32	%	5.21	%	4.14
U.S. Treasury securities	(14,000)		(273)		(14,273)		—		(37)		(14,310)		0.63	%	0.41	%	6.21
European sovereign bonds	(36,280)		1,622		(34,658)		—		(2,064)		(36,722)		0.22	%	0.06	%	3.36
Total Short	(50,730)		1,343		(49,387)		5		(2,111)		(51,493)		0.39	%	0.21	%	4.16
Total	$	1,364,205	$	(202,583)	$	1,430,336	$	55,888	$	(86,297)	$	1,399,927	3.98	%	4.89	%	4.38

(1)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

(2)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

34

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Current Principal		Unamortized Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon(1)		Yield		Life (Years)(2)
Long:
Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages	$	314,636	$	6,369	$	321,005	$	2,604	$	(203)	$	323,406	3.05	%	2.28	%	3.05
20-year fixed-rate mortgages	804		49		853		24		—		877		4.62	%	2.99	%	4.80
30-year fixed-rate mortgages	1,358,762		64,846		1,423,608		13,821		(2,830)		1,434,599		4.20	%	2.95	%	6.63
Adjustable rate mortgages	9,651		315		9,966		90		(54)		10,002		3.99	%	2.03	%	4.09
Reverse mortgages	122,670		8,133		130,803		2,023		(26)		132,800		4.43	%	2.78	%	6.67
Interest only securities	n/a		n/a		34,044		1,624		(389)		35,279		2.81	%	9.27	%	3.86
Non-Agency RMBS	274,353		(122,685)		151,668		12,549		(1,081)		163,136		3.41	%	7.25	%	5.31
CMBS	185,417		(67,961)		117,456		2,990		(480)		119,966		3.31	%	6.62	%	8.94
Non-Agency interest only securities	n/a		n/a		6,517		1,817		(18)		8,316		1.10	%	8.18	%	4.14
CLOs	n/a		n/a		169,238		4,219		(3,014)		170,443		5.05	%	9.62	%	4.75
ABS backed by consumer loans	67,080		(19,154)		47,926		1,596		(912)		48,610		12.17	%	14.00	%	1.22
Corporate debt	22,125		(21,241)		884		229		—		1,113		—	%	—	%	0.33
Corporate equity	n/a		n/a		1,242		152		—		1,394		n/a		n/a		n/a
Total Long	2,355,498		(151,329)		2,415,210		43,738		(9,007)		2,449,941		4.15	%	4.09	%	5.88
Short:
Corporate debt	(450)		(6)		(456)		—		(15)		(471)		5.44	%	5.21	%	4.90
U.S. Treasury securities	(63,140)		381		(62,759)		63		(298)		(62,994)		1.76	%	1.87	%	6.11
European sovereign bonds	(9,759)		133		(9,626)		—		(318)		(9,944)		0.77	%	0.12	%	1.58
Total Short	(73,349)		508		(72,841)		63		(631)		(73,409)		1.65	%	1.66	%	5.49
Total	$	2,282,149	$	(150,821)	$	2,342,369	$	43,801	$	(9,638)	$	2,376,532	4.23	%	4.01	%	5.90

(1)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

(2)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

35

The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

($ in thousands)	Agency RMBS						Agency Interest Only Securities
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)
Less than three years	$	150,492	$	146,624	4.26	%	$	8,893	$	8,267	3.90	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	706,422		678,227		3.95	%	39,604		36,038		3.63	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	11,236		11,053		3.01	%	1,048		1,049		0.28	%
Greater than eleven years	—		—		—	%	2,160		2,153		0.78	%
Total	$	868,150	$	835,904	3.99	%	$	51,705	$	47,507	3.47	%

(1)Average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

December 31, 2019:

($ in thousands)	Agency RMBS						Agency Interest Only Securities
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)
Less than three years	$	188,593	$	187,099	3.39	%	$	9,011	$	8,611	3.35	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	961,839		953,031		4.25	%	25,334		24,512		2.66	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	713,862		708,805		3.89	%	934		921		1.90	%
Greater than eleven years	37,390		37,300		3.51	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	1,901,684	$	1,886,235	4.02	%	$	35,279	$	34,044	2.81	%

(1)Average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

36

The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's long non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and CLOs and other securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

($ in thousands)	Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS						Non-Agency IOs						CLOs and Other Securities(2)
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)
Less than three years	$	80,873	$	77,739	3.67	%	$	4,079	$	2,685	0.55	%	$	61,222	$	63,694	9.43	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	106,561		102,374		3.38	%	5,870		5,682		1.47	%	150,175		193,955		3.38	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	96,327		119,267		2.48	%	—		—		—	%	1,402		1,914		—	%
Greater than eleven years	24,042		27,398		1.04	%	—		—		—	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	307,803	$	326,778	2.93	%	$	9,949	$	8,367	1.17	%	$	212,799	$	259,563	4.84	%

(1)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities.

(3)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

December 31, 2019:

($ in thousands)	Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS						Non-Agency IOs						CLOs and Other Securities(2)
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)
Less than three years	$	50,120	$	48,213	2.73	%	$	439	$	401	1.37	%	$	54,446	$	54,090	11.11	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	87,436		79,326		4.42	%	7,877		6,116		1.08	%	157,384		155,651		5.38	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	127,533		123,924		3.31	%	—		—		—	%	8,336		8,307		—	%
Greater than eleven years	18,013		17,661		0.81	%	—		—		—	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	283,102	$	269,124	3.37	%	$	8,316	$	6,517	1.10	%	$	220,166	$	218,048	6.60	%

(1)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities.

(3)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

37

The following tables detail the components of interest income by security type for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Security Type	Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income		Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income
Agency RMBS	$	14,117	$	(7,454)	$	6,663	$	16,026	$	(6,290)	$	9,736
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	3,311		1,911		5,222		3,383		430		3,813
CLOs	2,256		2,179		4,435		3,480		(627)		2,853
Other securities(1)	2,970		(1,435)		1,535		1,670		(611)		1,059
Total	$	22,654	$	(4,799)	$	17,855	$	24,559	$	(7,098)	$	17,461

	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Security Type	Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income		Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income
Agency RMBS	$	47,632	$	(25,516)	$	22,116	$	42,681	$	(15,883)	$	26,798
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	10,995		4,001		14,996		10,514		1,666		12,180
CLOs	11,662		1,543		13,205		11,391		(1,138)		10,253
Other securities(1)	8,992		(3,584)		5,408		4,706		(1,528)		3,178
Total	$	79,281	$	(23,556)	$	55,725	$	69,292	$	(16,883)	$	52,409

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt securities, and U.S. Treasury securities.

For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Catch-Up Premium Amortization Adjustment was $0.3 million and $(1.5) million, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Catch-Up Premium Amortization Adjustment was $(4.4) million and $(2.9) million, respectively.

The following tables present proceeds from sales and the resulting realized gains and (losses) of the Company's securities for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020								September 30, 2019(1)
Security Type	Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)		Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Agency RMBS	$	10,675	$	2,467	$	(564)	$	1,903	$	331,572	$	4,511	$	(34)	$	4,477
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	17,926		1,669		(171)		1,498		16,496		9,606		(341)		9,265
CLOs	—		—		256		256		2,060		1,287		27		1,314
Other securities(4)	11,861		373		(74)		299		138,000		63		(220)		(157)
Total	$	40,462	$	4,509	$	(553)	$	3,956	$	488,128	$	15,467	$	(568)	$	14,899

(1)Conformed to current period presentation.

(2)Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end.

(3)Excludes realized losses of $(2.5) million and $(10.1) million, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible.

(4)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

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	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020								September 30, 2019(1)
Security Type	Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses		Net Realized Gain (Loss)		Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Agency RMBS	$	1,438,469	$	15,982	$	(3,369)	$	12,613	$	719,082	$	6,954	$	(1,950)	$	5,004
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	116,349		11,081		(3,880)		7,201		165,180		11,356		(3,835)		7,521
CLOs	41,714		1,122		(2,928)		(1,806)		58,157		1,169		(816)		353
Other securities(4)	169,172		1,273		(329)		944		602,443		801		(1,206)		(405)
Total	$	1,765,704	$	29,458	$	(10,506)	$	18,952	$	1,544,862	$	20,280	$	(7,807)	$	12,473

(1)Conformed to current period presentation.

(2)Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end.

(3)Excludes realized losses of $(16.3) million and $(16.1) million, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible.

(4)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities, excluding those where there are expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date in relation to such securities' cost bases, by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2020.

September 30, 2020:

(In thousands)	Less than 12 Months				Greater than 12 Months				Total
Security Type	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Agency RMBS	$	138,286	$	(673)	$	1,881	$	(112)	$	140,167	$	(785)
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	18,887		(1,560)		1,665		(84)		20,552		(1,644)
CLOs	10,204		(10,069)		54		—		10,258		(10,069)
Other securities(1)	647		(431)		—		—		647		(431)
Total	$	168,024	$	(12,733)	$	3,600	$	(196)	$	171,624	$	(12,929)

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2019.

December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)	Less than 12 Months				Greater than 12 Months				Total
Security Type	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Agency RMBS	$	328,968	$	(1,503)	$	125,095	$	(1,999)	$	454,063	$	(3,502)
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	88,495		(880)		27,218		(699)		115,713		(1,579)
CLOs	37,354		(1,911)		9,245		(1,103)		46,599		(3,014)
Other securities(1)	16,562		(852)		1,380		(60)		17,942		(912)
Total	$	471,379	$	(5,146)	$	162,938	$	(3,861)	$	634,317	$	(9,007)

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its securities for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $28.4 million related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its securities, primarily due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain of the Company's securities, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination and the Company has established an initial estimate for credit losses on such securities; as of September 30, 2020, the estimated credit losses on such securities was $4.0 million. As of September 30, 2020, the Company determined for certain securities that a portion of such

39

securities cost basis is not collectible; for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized realized losses on these securities of $(2.5) million and $(16.3) million, respectively, which are reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $10.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively, on the cost basis of its securities, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

5. Investment in Loans

The Company invests in various types of loans, such as residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, consumer, and corporate loans. As discussed in Note 2, the Company has elected the FVO for its investments in loans. The following table is a summary of the Company's investments in loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Loan Type	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
Residential mortgage loans	$	1,004,980	$	1,030,709	$	911,705	$	932,203
Commercial mortgage loans	252,305		252,231		277,870		274,759
Consumer loans	150,062		152,609		179,743		186,954
Corporate loans	7,063		7,063		18,415		18,510
Total	$	1,414,410	$	1,442,612	$	1,387,733	$	1,412,426

The Company is subject to credit risk in connection with its investments in loans. The two primary components of credit risk are default risk, which is the risk that a borrower fails to make scheduled principal and interest payments, and severity risk, which is the risk of loss upon a borrower default on a mortgage loan or other secured or unsecured loan. Severity risk includes the risk of loss of value of the property or other asset, if any, securing the loan, as well as the risk of loss associated with taking over the property or other asset, if any, including foreclosure costs. Credit risk in our loan portfolio can be amplified by exogenous shocks impacting our borrowers such as man-made or natural disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following table provides details, by accrual status, for loans that are 90 days or more past due as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
90 days or more past due—non-accrual status
Residential mortgage loans	$	67,121	$	64,414	$	22,092	$	19,401
Commercial mortgage loans	23,750		23,671		28,936		26,545
Consumer loans	1,284		1,131		5,633		5,225

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Residential Mortgage Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield		Life (Years)(1)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment(2)	$	996,429	$	8,676	$	1,005,105	$	21,504	$	(4,355)	$	1,022,254	6.23	%	5.15	%	1.66
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale	8,551		(863)		7,688		793		(26)		8,455		4.73	%	6.04	%	5.50
Total	$	1,004,980	$	7,813	$	1,012,793	$	22,297	$	(4,381)	$	1,030,709	6.22	%	5.16	%	1.70

(1)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Includes $760.4 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $17.5 million and $(0.2) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are presented on a gross basis on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield		Life (Years)(1)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment(2)	$	911,705	$	9,354	$	921,059	$	13,082	$	(1,938)	$	932,203	6.44	%	5.79	%	1.90

(1)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Includes $628.4 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts.

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The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
California	44.0	%	46.6	%
Florida	13.8	%	11.9	%
Texas	10.4	%	11.9	%
Colorado	2.8	%	3.2	%
Massachusetts	2.6	%	2.9	%
Oregon	2.4	%	2.2	%
Arizona	1.9	%	2.4	%
Utah	1.9	%	1.9	%
Illinois	1.8	%	1.7	%
New Jersey	1.8	%	1.1	%
Nevada	1.7	%	1.6	%
Washington	1.6	%	1.6	%
New York	1.3	%	1.3	%
North Carolina	1.2	%	—	%
Georgia	1.1	%	—	%
Maryland	1.0	%	1.1	%
Connecticut	1.0	%	—	%
Other	7.7	%	8.6	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following table presents information on the Company's residential mortgage loans by re-performing or non-performing status, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
Re-performing	$	23,002	$	21,572	$	27,663	$	25,323
Non-performing	64,710		62,343		17,757		15,580

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its residential mortgage loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $2.6 million related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its residential mortgage loans, primarily due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain of the Company's residential mortgage loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination and the Company has established an initial estimate for credit losses on such loans; as of September 30, 2020, the estimated credit losses on such loans was $0.4 million. The Company has determined for certain of its residential mortgage loans that a portion of such loans' cost basis is not collectible; for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized realized losses on these loans of $51 thousand and $(0.5) million, which are reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, on the cost basis of its residential mortgage loans, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had residential mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure with a fair value of $11.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively.

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Commercial Mortgage Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's commercial mortgage loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield(1)		Life (Years)(2)
Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment	$	252,305	$	(122)	$	252,183	$	535	$	(487)	$	252,231	8.25	%	8.14	%	0.77

(1)Excludes commercial mortgage loans, in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $23.8 million.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield(1)		Life (Years)(2)
Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment	$	277,870	$	(3,302)	$	274,568	$	253	$	(62)	$	274,759	7.65	%	8.58	%	1.07

(1)Excludes commercial mortgage loans, held at par in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $10.7 million.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Florida	17.6	%	31.7	%
New York	16.5	%	17.7	%
Pennsylvania	11.5	%	—	%
Connecticut	9.3	%	8.2	%
Missouri	6.6	%	4.6	%
Ohio	6.1	%	—	%
California	5.7	%	—	%
Massachusetts	5.2	%	4.7	%
New Jersey	4.9	%	13.3	%
Arizona	3.7	%	3.8	%
Virginia	3.6	%	6.8	%
Indiana	2.4	%	2.1	%
North Carolina	2.0	%	1.8	%
Nevada	1.6	%	1.5	%
Tennessee	1.6	%	1.5	%
Illinois	1.3	%	1.2	%
Other	0.4	%	1.1	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had two non-performing commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance and fair value of $23.8 million and $23.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had three non-performing commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance and fair value of $28.9 million and $26.5 million, respectively.

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As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its commercial mortgage loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020, the expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $0.4 million related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its commercial mortgage loans. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company did not recognize any impairment charge on the cost basis of its commercial mortgage loans.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company did not have any commercial mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had two commercial mortgage loans with a fair value of $16.0 million that were in the process of foreclosure.

Consumer Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's consumer loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value(1)		Life (Years)(2)	Delinquency (Days)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	$	150,062	$	7,347	$	157,409	$	1,430	$	(6,230)	$	152,609	0.88	4

(1)Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value(1)		Life (Years)(2)	Delinquency (Days)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	$	179,743	$	5,027	$	184,770	$	2,561	$	(377)	$	186,954	0.82	4

(1)Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The table below provides details on the delinquency status as a percentage of total unpaid principal balance of the Company's consumer loans, which the Company uses as an indicator of credit quality, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Days Past Due	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Current	96.2	%	95.3	%
30-59 Days	1.6	%	2.1	%
60-89 Days	1.1	%	1.4	%
90-119 Days	0.8	%	1.2	%
>120 Days	0.3	%	—	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company charged off $3.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, of unpaid principal balance of consumer loans that were greater than 120 days delinquent. During each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company charged off $13.9 million of unpaid principal balance of consumer loans that were greater than 120 days delinquent. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company held charged-off consumer loans with an aggregate fair value of $0.6 million for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

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As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its consumer loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $4.7 million on its consumer loans. The Company has determined for certain of its consumer loans that a portion of such loans' cost basis is not collectible; for each of the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized realized losses on these loans of $0.1 million.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, on the cost basis of its consumer loan pools, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Corporate Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's corporate loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Rate		Remaining Term (Years)
Corporate loans, held-for-investment(1)	$	7,063	$	7,063	19.43	%	1.98

(1)See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans.

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Rate		Remaining Term (Years)
Corporate loans, held-for-investment(1)(2)	$	18,415	$	18,510	17.62	%	0.87

(1)See Note 13 for further details on the Company's transactions involving a loan originator in which the Company also holds an equity investment.

(2)See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans.

6. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company has various equity investments in entities where it has the ability to exert significant influence over such entity, but does not control such entity. In these cases the criteria for consolidation have not been met and the Company is required to account for such investments under ASC 323-10; the Company has elected the FVO for its investments in unconsolidated entities. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities had an aggregate fair value of $95.8 million and $71.9 million, respectively, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $11.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $10.6 million and $6.9 million, respectively, in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Certain of the entities that the Company accounts for under ASC 323-10 are deemed to be VIEs, and the maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities that have been deemed to be VIEs was $37.1 million and $28.5 million.

45

The following table provides details about the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

		Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity
Investment in Unconsolidated Entity	Form of Investment	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
Longbridge Financial, LLC(1)	Preferred shares	49.7%	49.7%
LendSure Mortgage Corp.(1)(2)	Common shares	49.9%	49.9%
Jepson Holdings Limited(1)	Membership Interest	30.1%	30.1%
Elizon AFG 2018-1 LLC(1)(3)(4)	Membership Interest	22.1%	13.4%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC(1)(3)(5)	Membership Interest	8.5%	3.5%
Other	Various	7.4%–51.0%	7.7%–51.0%

(1)See Note 13 for additional details on the Company's related party transactions.

(2)Excludes investment in warrants convertible into non-voting common shares; including such warrants the Company's additional non-voting stake in the entity was 15.0% as of September 30, 2020. See Note 13 Related Party Transactions—Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators for additional information.

(3)The Company has evaluated this entity and determined that it meets the definition of a VIE. The Company evaluated its interest in the VIE and determined that the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE and does not have control of the underlying assets, where applicable. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of this VIE and therefore has not consolidated the VIE.

(4)As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions—Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities, the Company and the Affiliated Entities (as defined in Note 13) each consolidate their segregated portions of the Joint Entity (as defined in Note 13). The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated portions of the Joint Entity, was 61.7% and 70.4% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

(5)As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions—Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities, the Company and the Affiliated Entities each consolidate their segregated portions of the Joint Entity . The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated portions of the Joint Entity, was 53.1% and 48.7% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized unrealized gains that may be deemed to be significant in relation to the Company's net income related to one of the Company's investments in an unconsolidated entity, a mortgage originator. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $8.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively of unrealized gains included in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $13.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively of unrealized gains included in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table provides a summary of the results of operations of this entity for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Revenue	$	4,827	$	6,957	$	10,030	$	14,486
Net income (loss)	$	15,962	$	4,739	$	28,901	$	3,074

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7. Real Estate Owned

As discussed in Note 2, the Company obtains possession of REO as a result of foreclosures on the associated mortgage loans. The following tables detail activity in the Company's carrying value of REO for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Number of Properties	Carrying Value		Number of Properties	Carrying Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Beginning Balance (June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively)	13	$	24,044	20	$	47,621
Transfers from mortgage loans	4	676		1	601
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost		27			—
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value		147			6
Disposals	(1)	(100)		(7)	(3,805)
Ending Balance (September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)	16	$	24,794	14	$	44,423

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Number of Properties	Carrying Value		Number of Properties	Carrying Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Beginning Balance (December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2019, respectively)	15	$	30,584	20	$	30,778
Transfers from mortgage loans	9	2,198		5	18,314
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost		153			240
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value		(813)			(257)
Disposals	(8)	(7,328)		(11)	(4,652)
Ending Balance (September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)	16	$	24,794	14	$	44,423

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold one REO property, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $(18) thousand. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold seven REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $1.2 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold eight REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $0.1 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold eleven REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $1.2 million. Such realized gains (losses) are included in Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 all of the Company's REO had been obtained as a result of obtaining physical possession through foreclosure. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had REO measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis of $18.4 million and $19.4 million, respectively.

47

8. Financial Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company manages certain risks associated with its investments and borrowings, including interest rate, credit, liquidity, and foreign exchange rate risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its investments and borrowings, and through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company's derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of its known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to its investments and borrowings.

The following table details the fair value of the Company's holdings of financial derivatives as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
TBA securities purchase contracts	$	394	$	90
TBA securities sale contracts	756		506
Fixed payer interest rate swaps	5		3,914
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps	13,785		1,554
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	351		993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	9,722		3,319
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	39		2
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	2,419		5,599
Total return swaps	105		620
Futures	1		148
Forwards	256		43
Warrants	31		—
Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value	27,864		16,788
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
TBA securities purchase contracts	$	(156)	$	—
TBA securities sale contracts	(130)		(1,012)
Fixed payer interest rate swaps	(29,712)		(8,513)
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps	(62)		(206)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(142)		(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	(580)		(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(3,572)		(14,524)
Total return swaps	(88)		(1,209)
Futures	(331)		(45)
Forwards	(41)		(169)
Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value	(34,814)		(27,621)
Total	$	(6,950)	$	(10,833)

48

Interest Rate Swaps

The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed payer interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	17,500	$	(223)	2.75	%	0.23	%	0.47
2022	129,975		(1,952)		1.21		0.26		1.40
2023	146,012		(5,052)		1.50		0.24		2.67
2025	31,500		(902)		0.95		0.25		4.61
2026	28,104		(1,463)		1.25		0.22		5.74
2027	34,000		(89)		0.49		0.22		6.73
2028	32,942		(4,721)		2.40		0.23		7.59
2029	92,594		(9,789)		1.78		0.25		9.04
2030	68,463		(2,781)		1.10		0.25		9.44
2036	1,100		(84)		1.45		0.22		15.39
2049	5,796		(2,651)		2.89		0.30		28.28
Total	$	587,986	$	(29,707)	1.43	%	0.25	%	5.15

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount(1)		Fair Value(1)		Pay Rate(2)(3)		Receive Rate(2)		Remaining Years to Maturity(4)
	(In thousands)
2020	$	68,607	$	(234)	1.74	%	1.93	%	0.24
2021	268,929		(419)		1.73		1.95		1.64
2022	31,350		9		1.65		1.93		2.14
2023	101,012		(1,265)		2.06		1.91		3.29
2024	13,000		99		1.56		1.89		4.90
2025	12,800		(24)		n/a		n/a		5.22
2026	59,902		1,946		1.24		1.94		6.50
2028	32,942		(1,634)		2.40		1.93		8.34
2029	136,838		(2,018)		2.02		1.96		9.61
2030	685		(32)		2.38		1.90		10.90
2036	1,100		87		1.45		1.94		16.14
2049	5,796		(1,114)		2.89		2.09		29.03
Total	$	732,961	$	(4,599)	1.83	%	1.94	%	4.31

(1)Includes forward-starting interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $20.9 million and fair value of $(41) thousand.

(2)Excludes forward-starting interest rate swaps.

(3)Including forward-starting interest rate swaps the total weighted average pay rate was 1.83%.

(4)Includes forward-starting interest rate swaps, all of which start within six months of period end.

49

The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed receiver interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	12,950	$	201	0.23	%	1.75	%	0.96
2022	87,683		1,514		0.26		1.33		1.45
2023	48,657		2,234		0.23		2.00		2.51
2024	86,342		5,262		0.26		1.65		3.99
2025	39,685		226		0.24		0.44		4.66
2027	25,108		343		0.30		0.63		6.50
2029	9,800		1,030		0.24		1.78		9.02
2030	128,335		2,913		0.25		0.90		9.47
Total	$	438,560	$	13,723	0.25	%	1.25	%	5.15

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	181,950	$	(49)	1.89	%	1.67	%	1.84
2022	53,974		441		1.91		1.85		2.17
2023	48,657		709		1.92		2.00		3.26
2024	11,342		306		2.09		2.33		4.23
2029	9,800		(59)		1.91		1.78		9.77
Total	$	305,723	$	1,348	1.91	%	1.78	%	2.47

50

Credit Default Swaps

The following table provides information about the Company's credit default swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
Type(1)	Notional		Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)	Notional		Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)
($ in thousands)
Asset:
Long:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	$	416	$	6	17.25	$	695	$	10	23.80
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	1,600		39		5.22	430		2		0.47
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	69,381		1,913		2.71	130,707		5,547		2.42
Short:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	(955)		351		14.95	(2,640)		993		15.63
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(30,668)		9,716		37.71	(63,515)		3,309		38.40
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(10,036)		506		1.64	(1,997)		52		3.97
Liability:
Long:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	480		(142)		32.61	344		(145)		29.35
Short:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(1)		—		29.25	(4,501)		(105)		40.31
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	(12,200)		(580)		3.71	(10,800)		(1,693)		3.92
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(126,983)		(3,572)		2.07	(250,088)		(14,524)		2.51
	$	(108,966)	$	8,237	11.71	$	(201,365)	$	(6,554)	14.88

(1)Long notional represents contracts where the Company has written protection and short notional represents contracts where the Company has purchased protection.

51

Futures

The following table provides information about the Company's long and short positions in futures as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
Description	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Remaining Months to Expiration	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Remaining Months to Expiration
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
Assets:
Short Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	$	(300)	$	1	2.73	$	—	$	—	—
Liabilities:
Long Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	$	1,900	$	(31)	2.73	—		—		—
Short Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	(165,600)		(300)		3.00	(16,000)		148		2.77
Eurodollar futures	—		—		—	(14,000)		(45)		4.05
Total, net	$	(164,000)	$	(330)	3.00	$	(30,000)	$	103	3.37

Warrants

The following table provides information about the Company's warrants contracts to purchase shares as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020				As of December, 31, 2019
Description	Number of Shares Underlying Warrant	Fair Value		Remaining Years to Expiration	Number of Shares Underlying Warrant	Fair Value		Remaining Years to Expiration
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Warrants	1,546	$	31	2.08	1,515	$	—	2.82

TBAs

The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. Pursuant to these TBA transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered is not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. TBAs are generally liquid, have quoted market prices, and represent the most actively traded class of MBS. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for investment purposes, including holding long positions.

The Company does not generally take delivery of TBAs; rather, it settles the associated receivable and payable with its trading counterparties on a net basis. Transactions with the same counterparty for the same TBA that result in a reduction of the position are treated as extinguished.

52

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding TBA purchase and sale contracts as follows:

	September 30, 2020								December 31, 2019
TBA Securities	Notional Amount(1)		Cost Basis(2)		Market Value(3)		Net Carrying Value(4)		Notional Amount(1)		Cost Basis(2)		Market Value(3)		Net Carrying Value(4)
(In thousands)
Purchase contracts:
Assets	$	100,890	$	103,882	$	104,276	$	394	$	40,100	$	40,585	$	40,675	$	90
Liabilities	68,000		71,370		71,214		(156)		—		—		—		—
	168,890		175,252		175,490		238		40,100		40,585		40,675		90
Sale contracts:
Assets	(401,722)		(428,049)		(427,293)		756		(319,981)		(332,080)		(331,574)		506
Liabilities	(86,845)		(91,369)		(91,499)		(130)		(773,749)		(806,568)		(807,580)		(1,012)
	(488,567)		(519,418)		(518,792)		626		(1,093,730)		(1,138,648)		(1,139,154)		(506)
Total TBA securities, net	$	(319,677)	$	(344,166)	$	(343,302)	$	864	$	(1,053,630)	$	(1,098,063)	$	(1,098,479)	$	(416)

(1)Notional amount represents the principal balance of the underlying Agency RMBS.

(2)Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS.

(3)Market value represents the current market value of the underlying Agency RMBS (on a forward delivery basis) as of period end.

(4)Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA contract as of period end and the cost basis, and is reported in Financial derivatives-assets, at fair value and Financial derivatives-liabilities, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Gains and losses on the Company's derivative contracts for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the tables below:

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	(1,150)	$	(29)	$	(1,179)	$	516	$	1,104	$	1,620
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			1		1				(1)		(1)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(239)		(239)				503		503
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(1,067)		(1,067)				(1,059)		(1,059)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(93)		(93)				(334)		(334)
Total return swaps	Credit			(125)		(125)				(348)		(348)
TBAs	Interest Rate			2,367		2,367				(744)		(744)
Futures	Interest Rate			(402)		(402)				52		52
Forwards	Currency			(898)		(898)				33		33
Total		$	(1,150)	$	(485)	$	(1,635)	$	516	$	(794)	$	(278)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $(15) thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $20 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

53

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	82	$	34	$	116	$	171	$	(2,598)	$	(2,427)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			16		16				(12)		(12)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(261)		(261)				(81)		(81)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(1,113)		(1,113)				909		909
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(259)		(259)				268		268
Total return swaps	Equity Market/Credit			251		251				(716)		(716)
TBAs	Interest Rate			(5,067)		(5,067)				1,542		1,542
Futures	Interest Rate/Currency			(3,551)		(3,551)				1,627		1,627
Forwards	Currency			525		525				379		379
Total		$	82	$	(9,425)	$	(9,343)	$	171	$	1,318	$	1,489

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $17 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $16 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

54

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	(1,900)	$	(8,761)	$	(10,661)	$	541	$	(16,373)	$	(15,832)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			(955)		(955)				915		915
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			3,660		3,660				7,642		7,642
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(550)		(550)				3,080		3,080
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			356		356				711		711
Total return swaps	Credit			(2,180)		(2,180)				607		607
TBAs	Interest Rate			(6,778)		(6,778)				1,280		1,280
Futures	Interest Rate			(7,866)		(7,866)				(434)		(434)
Forwards	Currency			(616)		(616)				343		343
Warrants	Equity Market/Credit			—		—				(382)		(382)
Options	Credit			(100)		(100)				—		—
Total		$	(1,900)	$	(23,790)	$	(25,690)	$	541	$	(2,611)	$	(2,070)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $12 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $39 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

55

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	852	$	(1,117)	$	(265)	$	(60)	$	(11,915)	$	(11,975)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			419		419				(394)		(394)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(1,245)		(1,245)				(832)		(832)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(4,387)		(4,387)				(1,026)		(1,026)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(764)		(764)				1,110		1,110
Total return swaps	Equity Market/Credit			(1,046)		(1,046)				(681)		(681)
TBAs	Interest Rate			(17,183)		(17,183)				3,680		3,680
Futures	Interest Rate/Currency			(8,365)		(8,365)				761		761
Forwards	Currency			1,068		1,068				228		228
Options	Interest Rate			(35)		(35)				1		1
Total		$	852	$	(32,655)	$	(31,803)	$	(60)	$	(9,068)	$	(9,128)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $47 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $8 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

The table below details the average notional values of the Company's financial derivatives, using absolute value of month end notional values, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019:

Derivative Type	Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020		Year Ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	$	1,078,808	$	731,941
TBAs	732,048		973,331
Credit default swaps	290,822		399,316
Total return swaps	7,819		39,434
Futures	143,440		167,708
Options	1,950		19,825
Forwards	36,935		30,930
Warrants	1,543		2,222

From time to time the Company enters into credit derivative contracts for which the Company sells credit protection ("written credit derivatives"). As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, all of the Company's open written credit derivatives were credit default swaps on either mortgage/asset-backed indices (ABX and CMBX indices) or corporate bond indices (CDX), collectively referred to as credit indices, or on individual corporate bonds, for which the Company receives periodic payments at fixed rates from credit protection buyers, and is obligated to make payments to the credit protection buyer upon the occurrence of a "credit event" with respect to underlying reference assets.

56

Written credit derivatives held by the Company at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are summarized below:

Credit Derivatives	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Fair Value of Written Credit Derivatives, Net	$	1,816	$	5,414
Fair Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives with Third Parties (1)	—		(3,248)
Notional Value of Written Credit Derivatives (2)	71,877		132,176
Notional Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives with Third Parties (1)	—		(81,637)

(1)Offsetting transactions with third parties include purchased credit derivatives which have the same reference obligation.

(2)The notional value is the maximum amount that a seller of credit protection would be obligated to pay, and a buyer of credit protection would receive, upon occurrence of a "credit event." Movements in the value of credit default swap transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive collateral. Amounts due or owed under credit derivative contracts with an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, or "ISDA," counterparty may be offset against amounts due or owed on other credit derivative contracts with the same ISDA counterparty. As a result, the notional value of written credit derivatives involving a particular underlying reference asset or index has been reduced (but not below zero) by the notional value of any contracts where the Company has purchased credit protection on the same reference asset or index with the same ISDA counterparty.

A credit default swap on a credit index or a corporate bond typically terminates at the stated maturity date in the case of corporate indices or bonds, or, in the case of ABX and CMBX indices, the date that all of the reference assets underlying the index are paid off in full, retired, or otherwise cease to exist. Implied credit spreads may be used to determine the market value of such contracts and are reflective of the cost of buying/selling credit protection. Higher spreads would indicate a greater likelihood that a seller will be obligated to perform (i.e., make protection payments) under the contract. In situations where the credit quality of the underlying reference assets has deteriorated, the percentage of notional values that would be paid up front to enter into a new such contract ("points up front") is frequently used as an indication of credit risk. Credit protection sellers entering the market in such situations would expect to be paid points up front corresponding to the approximate fair value of the contract. For the Company's written credit derivatives that were outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, implied credit spreads on such contracts ranged between 53.2 and 382.3 basis points and 10.9 and 440.0 basis points, respectively. Excluded from these spread ranges are contracts outstanding for which the individual spread is greater than 2,000 basis points. The Company believes that these contracts would be quoted based on estimated points up front. The total fair value of contracts with individual implied credit spreads in excess of 2,000 basis points was $(0.1) million as of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Estimated points up front on these contracts as of September 30, 2020 ranged between 54.2 and 85.2 and as of December 31, 2019 estimated points up front on these contracts was 57.0. Total net up-front payments (paid) or received relating to written credit derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $(2.1) million and $(3.3) million, respectively.

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9. Consolidated VIEs

As discussed in Note 2, the Company has interests in entities that it has determined to be VIEs. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the Company's consolidated VIEs that are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020 (1)		December 31, 2019 (1)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,152	$	6,016
Restricted cash	175		175
Securities, at fair value	46,857		47,923
Loans, at fair value	1,423,035		1,393,916
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	6,289		5,641
Real estate owned	24,794		30,584
Investment related receivables	43,542		28,668
Other assets	2,250		6,191
Total Assets	$	1,548,094	$	1,519,114
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	$	260,310	$	302,791
Investment related payables	—		3,275
Other secured borrowings	142,674		150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	695,516		594,396
Interest payable	402		1,247
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,301		2,279
Total Liabilities	1,100,203		1,054,322
Total Stockholders' Equity	422,217		440,394
Non-controlling interests	25,674		24,400
Total Equity	447,891		464,794
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,548,094	$	1,519,116

(1)See Note 10 and Note 13 for additional information on the Company's consolidated VIEs.

10. Securitization Transactions

Participation in CLO Transactions

Since June 2017, an affiliate of Ellington has sponsored four CLO securitization transactions (the "Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations"), collateralized by corporate loans and managed by an affiliate of Ellington (the "CLO Manager"). Ellington, the Company, several other affiliates of Ellington, and in certain cases, third parties, participated in the Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations (collectively, the "CLO Co-Participants").

Pursuant to each Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitization, a newly formed securitization trust (each a "CLO Issuer") issued various classes of notes, which were in turn sold to unrelated third parties and the applicable CLO Co-Participants.

The CLO Issuers are each deemed to be a VIE. The Company evaluates its interests in the CLO Issuers under ASC 810, and while the Company retains credit risk in each of the securitization trusts through its beneficial ownership of a portion of the subordinated interests of each of the securitization trusts, which are the first to absorb credit losses on the securitized assets, the Company does not retain control of these assets or the power to direct the activities of the CLO Issuers that most significantly impact the CLO Issuers' economic performance. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the CLO Issuers, and therefore the Company has not consolidated the CLO Issuers. The Company's maximum amount at risk is limited to the Company's investment in each of the CLO Issuers. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company's investment in the notes issued by the CLO Issuers was $13.8 million and $39.7 million, respectively.

See Note 13 for further details on the Company's participation in CLO transactions.

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Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations

Since November 2017, the Company, through certain wholly owned subsidiaries (each, a "Sponsor"), has sponsored several securitizations of non-QM loans. In each case, the applicable Sponsor transferred a pool of non-QM loans (each, a Collateral Pool") to a wholly owned entity (each, a "Depositor") and on the closing date such loans were deposited into newly created securitization trusts (collectively, the "Issuing Entities"). Pursuant to the securitizations, the Issuing Entities issued various classes of mortgage pass-through certificates (the "Certificates") which are backed by the cash flows from the underlying non-QM loans.

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, sponsors of securitizations are generally required to retain at least 5% of the economic interest in the credit risk of the securitized assets (the "Risk Retention Rules"). In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, in each securitization, the applicable Sponsor purchased and intends to hold, at a minimum, the requisite amount of the most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates. The applicable Sponsor also purchased the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees in each securitization, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated parties.

Notwithstanding that the Certificates carry final scheduled distribution dates of October 25, 2047 or later, the applicable Depositor may, at its sole option, purchase all of the outstanding Certificates (an "Optional Redemption") following the earlier of (1) the applicable anniversary of the closing date (typically two or three years) of the respective securitization or (2) the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the applicable Collateral Pool has declined below 30% of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the applicable Collateral Pool as of the date as of which such loans were originally transferred to the applicable Issuing Entity. The purchase price that the Depositor is required to pay in connection with an Optional Redemption is equal to the sum of the unpaid principal balance of each class of Certificates as of the redemption date and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In light of these Optional Redemption rights held by the applicable Depositor, the transfers of non-QM loans to each of the Issuing Entities do not qualify as sales under ASC 860-10.

In the event that certain breaches of representations or warranties are discovered with respect to any underlying non-QM loans, the Company could be required to repurchase or replace such loans.

Each Sponsor also serves as the servicing administrator of its respective securitization, for which it is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of the product of (a) 0.03% and (b) the unpaid principal balance of the underlying non-QM loans as of the first day of the related due period. Each Sponsor in its role as servicing administrator provides direction and consent for certain loss mitigation activities to the third-party servicer of the underlying non-QM loans. In certain circumstances, the servicing administrator will be required to reimburse the servicer for principal and interest advances and servicing advances made by the servicer.

In light of the Company's retained interests in each of the securitizations, together with the Optional Redemption rights and the Company's ability to direct the third-party servicer regarding certain loss mitigation activities, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Issuing Entities, which are VIEs, and has consolidated the Issuing Entities. Interest income from these loans and the expenses related to the servicing of these loans are included in Interest income and Investment related expenses—Servicing expense, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Issuing Entities each meet the definition of a CFE as defined in Note 2, and as a result the assets of each of the Issuing Entities have been valued using the fair value of the liabilities of the respective Issuing Entity, as such liabilities have been assessed to be more observable than such assets.

The debt of the Issuing Entities is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and is shown net of the Certificates held by the Company. In November 2019, the Company exercised its Optional Redemption right with respect to Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2017-1.

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The following table details the Company's outstanding consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations:

Issuing Entity	Closing Date	Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued
		(In thousands)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2018-1	11/18	$	232,518	$	232,518	(1)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-1	6/19	226,913		226,913		(2)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-2	11/19	267,255		267,255		(3)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-1	6/20	259,273		259,273		(4)

(1)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 5.7% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(2)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.1% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.2 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(3)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.4% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.7 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(4)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 8.0% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. Additionally, the Sponsor purchased another subordinated class of Certificates with an aggregate value equal to 3.5% of the fair value of all Certificates issued as of the settlement date. Finally, the Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

The following table details the assets and liabilities of the consolidated securitization trusts included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets:
Loans, at fair value	$	760,420	$	628,415
Real estate owned	658		658
Investment related receivables	5,793		10,409
Liabilities:
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	695,516		594,396

11. Borrowings

Secured Borrowings

The Company's secured borrowings consist of repurchase agreements, Other secured borrowings, and Other secured borrowings, at fair value. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's total secured borrowings were $2.3 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively.

Repurchase Agreements

The Company enters into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement involves the sale of an asset to a counterparty together with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred asset or similar asset from such counterparty at a future date. The Company accounts for its repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the transferred assets effectively serving as collateral for the related borrowing. The Company's repurchase agreements typically range in term from 30 to 180 days, although the Company also has repurchase agreements that provide for longer or shorter terms. The principal economic terms of each repurchase agreement—such as loan amount, interest rate, and maturity date—are typically negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Other terms and conditions, such as those relating to events of default, are typically governed under the Company's master repurchase agreements. Absent an event of default, the Company maintains beneficial ownership of the transferred securities during the term of the repurchase agreement and receives the related principal and interest payments. Interest rates on these borrowings are generally fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and for most repurchase agreements, interest is generally paid at the termination of the repurchase agreement, at which time the Company may enter into a new repurchase agreement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty, repay that counterparty and possibly negotiate financing terms with a different counterparty, or choose to no longer finance the

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related asset. Some repurchase agreements provide for periodic payments of interest, such as monthly payments. In response to a decline in the fair value of the transferred securities, whether as a result of changes in market conditions, security paydowns, or other factors, repurchase agreement counterparties will typically make a margin call, whereby the Company will be required to post additional securities and/or cash as collateral with the counterparty in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateralization requirements. In the event of increases in fair value of the transferred securities, the Company can generally require the counterparty to post collateral with it in the form of cash or securities. The Company is generally permitted to sell or re-pledge any securities posted by the counterparty as collateral; however, upon termination of the repurchase agreement, or other circumstance in which the counterparty is no longer required to post such margin, the Company must return to the counterparty the same security that had been posted.

At any given time, the Company seeks to have its outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements with several different counterparties in order to reduce the exposure to any single counterparty. The Company had outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements with 24 counterparties as of September 30, 2020 as compared to 28 counterparties as of December 31, 2019.

As of September 30, 2020, remaining days to maturity on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 1 day to 608 days. Interest rates on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 0.22% to 5.24% as of September 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, remaining days to maturity on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 2 days to 882 days. Interest rates on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 0.15% to 5.20% as of December 31, 2019.

The following table details the Company's outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements for Agency RMBS and credit assets (which can include non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, consumer loans, corporate debt, residential mortgage loans, and commercial mortgage loans and REO), by remaining maturity as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
			Weighted Average					Weighted Average
Remaining Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		Interest Rate		Remaining Days to Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		Interest Rate		Remaining Days to Maturity
Agency RMBS:	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
30 Days or Less	$	241,423	0.31	%	17	$	511,996	2.08	%	17
31-60 Days	418,573		0.27	%	44	744,387		1.93	%	47
61-90 Days	107,446		0.45	%	72	594,738		1.96	%	76
91-120 Days	5,675		1.35	%	99	10,270		2.24	%	93
151-180 Days	17,237		0.29	%	168	3,082		2.67	%	171
181-360 Days	93,432		0.30	%	287	—		—	%	—
Total Agency RMBS	883,786		0.31	%	69	1,864,473		1.98	%	48
Credit:
30 Days or Less	40,785		2.14	%	10	16,549		3.38	%	25
31-60 Days	98,068		2.85	%	45	104,491		3.14	%	48
61-90 Days	113,027		2.54	%	77	138,837		3.03	%	73
91-120 Days	154,379		2.79	%	106	—		—	%	—
121-150 Days	6,015		3.29	%	134	7,460		3.89	%	123
151-180 Days	13,750		3.23	%	167	31,498		3.87	%	173
181-360 Days	81,933		4.83	%	228	186,661		3.80	%	250
> 360 Days	48,241		3.05	%	608	95,331		4.52	%	678
Total Credit Assets	556,198		3.04	%	145	580,827		3.61	%	229
Total	$	1,439,984	1.37	%	98	$	2,445,300	2.37	%	91

Repurchase agreements involving underlying investments that the Company sold prior to period end, for settlement following period end, are shown using their original maturity dates even though such repurchase agreements may be expected to be terminated early upon settlement of the sale of the underlying investment.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of investments transferred as collateral under outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements was $1.783 billion and $2.763 billion, respectively. Collateral transferred under outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2019 include investments in the amount of

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$64.7 million, that were sold prior to period end but for which such sale had not yet settled. In addition, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company posted net cash collateral of $27.7 million and $31.0 million, respectively, as well as posting additional securities with a fair value of $28 thousand and $0.2 million, respectively, to its counterparties.

Amount at risk represents the excess, if any, for each counterparty of the fair value of collateral held by such counterparty over the amounts outstanding under repurchase agreements. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was no single counterparty for which the amount at risk relating to our repurchase agreements was greater than 10% of total equity.

Other Secured Borrowings

In February 2018, the Company entered into agreements to finance a portfolio of unsecured loans through a recourse secured borrowing facility. The facility has a term ending in February 2021. The facility accrues interest on a floating-rate basis. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $10.5 million and $16.0 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 2.28% and 3.85% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of unsecured loans collateralizing this borrowing was $13.9 million and $22.3 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

In November 2019, the Company amended its non-recourse secured borrowing facility that is used to finance a portfolio of unsecured loans. The facility includes a reinvestment period ending in December 2020 (or earlier following an early amortization event), whereby the Company can vary its borrowings based on the size of its portfolio, subject to certain maximum limits. Following the reinvestment period, the facility will begin to amortize based on the collections from the underlying loans. The facility accrues interest on a floating rate basis. As of September 30, 2020 and December 2019, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $95.7 million and $102.5 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate on this facility, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 2.53% and 4.01%, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of unsecured loans collateralizing this borrowing was $132.4 million and $144.1 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

In December 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to finance a portfolio of ABS backed by consumer loans through a recourse secured borrowing facility. The facility includes a revolving borrowing period ending in June 2021 (or earlier following a trigger event), whereby the Company can vary its borrowings based on the size of its portfolio, subject to certain maximum limits. Following the revolving borrowing period, the facility amortizes, with a final termination date in June 2023. The facility accrues interest on a floating rate basis. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $30.2 million and $31.8 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.The effective interest rate on this facility, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 5.20% and 5.23% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of ABS backed by consumer loans collateralizing this borrowing was $46.9 million and $47.9 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

The Company has completed securitization transactions, as discussed in Note 10, whereby it financed portfolios of non-QM loans. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company's outstanding liabilities associated with these securitization transactions was $695.5 million and $594.4 million, respectively, representing the fair value of the securitization trust certificates held by third parties as of such date, and is included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other secured borrowings, at fair value. The weighted average coupon of the Certificates held by third parties was 2.91% and 3.19% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of non-QM loans and the carrying value of REO held in the consolidated securitization trusts was $761.1 million and $629.1 million, respectively.

In March 2020, the Company entered into a participation agreement with an unrelated third-party, the "Junior Participant," whereby the Company transferred to the Junior Participant an interest in a small balance commercial mortgage loan, the "Partial Loan," (together with the Company's interest, the "Whole Commercial Loan"). The Partial Loan is subordinate to the interest in the loan held by the Company. In accordance with ASC 860-10, the Partial Loan transferred to the Junior Participant does not meet the definition of a participating interest and, as a result, the Company does not recognize the transfer of the Partial Loan to the Junior Participant as a sale. The Company has recorded the Whole Commercial Loan in Loans, at fair value, on the

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of the Whole Commercial Loan was $16.9 million. The Company's liability to the Junior Participant as of September 30, 2020 was $6.3 million and is included in Other secured borrowings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the terms of the participation agreement, the Junior Participant is entitled to a portion of the cashflows of the underlying commercial mortgage loan.

Unsecured Borrowings

Senior Notes

On August 18, 2017, the Company issued $86.0 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes (the "Old Senior Notes"). The total net proceeds to the Company from the issuance of the Old Senior Notes was approximately $84.7 million, after deducting debt issuance costs. The Old Senior Notes had an interest rate of 5.25%, subject to adjustment based on changes in the ratings, if any, of the Old Senior Notes. On February 13, 2019, in connection with the REIT Election, the Company exchanged all $86.0 million in principal amount of the Old Senior Notes for new unsecured long-term debt jointly and severally co-issued by certain of its consolidated subsidiaries and fully guaranteed by the Company (the "Senior Notes"). At any time, the Company is permitted to add others of its consolidated subsidiaries as co-issuers of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.50%, subject to adjustment based on changes, if any, in the ratings of the Senior Notes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on September 1, 2022. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, at its option, in whole or in part, prior to March 1, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the applicable "make-whole" premium as of the applicable date of redemption. At any time on or after March 1, 2022, the Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes are carried at amortized cost. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with the Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

The Company amortizes debt issuance costs over the life of the associated debt; the amortized portion of debt issuance costs is included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Senior Notes have an effective interest rate of 5.80%, inclusive of debt issuance costs.

The Senior Notes are unsecured and are effectively subordinated to secured indebtedness of the Company, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

Schedule of Principal Repayments

The following table details the Company's principal repayment schedule, over the next 5 years, for outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2020:

Year	Repurchase Agreements(1)		Other Secured Borrowings(2)		Senior Notes(1)		Total
(In thousands)
Next Twelve Months	$	1,391,743	$	523,802	$	—	$	1,915,545
Year 2	48,241		91,199		86,000		225,440
Year 3	—		261,991		—		261,991
Year 4	—		—		—		—
Year 5	—		—		—		—
Total	$	1,439,984	$	876,992	$	86,000	$	2,402,976

(1)Reflects the Company's contractual principal repayment dates.

(2)Includes $734.3 million of expected principal repayments related to the Company's consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations, which are projected based upon the underlying assets' expected repayments and may be prior to the stated contractual maturities.

12. Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. A REIT is generally not subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on the portion of its income that is distributed to its owners if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income within the prescribed time frames, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. The Company intends to operate in a manner which will allow it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT. Accordingly, Ellington Financial Inc. does not believe that it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on the portion of its net taxable income that is distributed to its stockholders as long as certain asset, income, and share ownership tests are met.

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Certain foreign and domestic subsidiaries of the Company have elected to be treated as TRSs and therefore are taxed as corporations for U.S. federal, state, and local income tax purposes. To the extent that those entities incur U.S. federal, state, or local income taxes, or foreign income taxes, such taxes are recorded in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In response to the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the "CARES Act," was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and provided for significant stimulus spending and included numerous tax provisions. As of September 30, 2020, there was no material impact on the Company's tax provision as a result of the CARES Act; however, the Company continues to monitor and evaluate the impact of the CARES Act and other COVID-19-related legislation.

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences that may exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities under U.S. GAAP and the carrying amounts used for income tax purposes. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $2.5 million and $2 thousand, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

13. Related Party Transactions

The Company is party to the Management Agreement (which may be amended from time to time), pursuant to which the Manager manages the assets, operations, and affairs of the Company, in consideration of which the Company pays the Manager management and incentive fees. The descriptions of the Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees are detailed below.

Base Management Fees

The Operating Partnership pays the Manager 1.50% per annum of total equity of the Operating Partnership calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP as of the end of each fiscal quarter (before deductions for base management fees and incentive fees payable with respect to such fiscal quarter), provided that total equity is adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP, as well as non-cash charges after discussion between the Manager and the Company's independent directors, and approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors in the case of non-cash charges.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, if the Company invests at issuance in the equity of any collateralized debt obligation that is managed, structured, or originated by Ellington or one of its affiliates, or if the Company invests in any other investment fund or other investment for which Ellington or one of its affiliates receives management, origination, or structuring fees, then, unless agreed otherwise by a majority of the Company's independent directors, the base management and incentive fees payable by the Company to its Manager will be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable portion (as described in the Management Agreement) of any such management, origination, or structuring fees.

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the total base management fee incurred was $3.0 million, consisting of $3.2 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.2 million of management fee rebates. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, the total base management fee incurred was $1.9 million, consisting of $2.4 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.5 million of management fee rebates. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the total base management fee incurred was $8.3 million, consisting of $9.2 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.9 million of management fee rebates. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the total base management fee incurred was $5.3 million consisting of $6.8 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $1.5 million of management fee rebates. See "—Participation in CLO Transactions" below for details on management fee rebates.

Incentive Fees

The Manager is entitled to receive a quarterly incentive fee equal to the positive excess, if any, of (i) the product of (A) 25% and (B) the excess of (1) Adjusted Net Income (described below) for the Incentive Calculation Period (which means such fiscal quarter and the immediately preceding three fiscal quarters) over (2) the sum of the Hurdle Amounts (described below) for the Incentive Calculation Period, over (ii) the sum of the incentive fees already paid or payable for each fiscal quarter in the Incentive Calculation Period preceding such fiscal quarter.

For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, "Adjusted Net Income" for the Incentive Calculation Period means the net increase in equity from operations of the Operating Partnership, after all base management fees but before any incentive fees for such period, and excluding any non-cash equity compensation expenses for such period, as reduced by any Loss Carryforward (as described below) as of the end of the fiscal quarter preceding the Incentive Calculation Period.

For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the "Loss Carryforward" as of the end of any fiscal quarter is calculated by

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determining the excess, if any, of (1) the Loss Carryforward as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter over (2) the Company's net increase in equity from operations (expressed as a positive number) or net decrease in equity from operations (expressed as a negative number) of the Operating Partnership for such fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2020, there was a Loss Carryforward of $46.3 million. There was no Loss Carryforward as of December 31, 2019.

For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the "Hurdle Amount" means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) one-fourth of the greater of (A) 9% and (B) 3% plus the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate for such fiscal quarter, (ii) the sum of (A) the weighted average gross proceeds per share of all common stock and OP Unit issuances since inception of the Company and up to the end of such fiscal quarter, with each issuance weighted by both the number of shares of common stock and OP Units issued in such issuance and the number of days that such issued shares of common stock and OP Units were outstanding during such fiscal quarter, using a first-in first-out basis of accounting (i.e. attributing any share of common stock and OP Unit repurchases to the earliest issuances first) and (B) the result obtained by dividing (I) retained earnings attributable to shares of common stock and OP Units at the beginning of such fiscal quarter by (II) the average number of shares of common stock and OP Units outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter, (iii) the sum of (x) the average number of shares of common stock and long term incentive plan units of the Company outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter, and (y) the average number of Convertible Non-controlling Interests outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter. For purposes of determining the Hurdle Amount, issuances of common stock, and Convertible Non-controlling Interests (a) as equity incentive awards, (b) to the Manager as part of its base management fee or incentive fee and (c) to the Manager or any of its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions, are excluded from the calculation. The payment of the incentive fee will be in a combination of shares of common stock and cash, provided that at least 10% of any quarterly payment will be made in shares of common stock.

The Company did not accrue an incentive fee for any of the three- or nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, since on a rolling four quarter basis, the Company's income did not exceed the prescribed hurdle amount.

Termination Fees

The Management Agreement requires the Company to pay a termination fee to the Manager in the event of (1) the Company's termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement without cause or (2) the Company's termination of the Management Agreement based on unsatisfactory performance by the Manager that is materially detrimental to the Company or (3) the Manager's termination of the Management Agreement upon a default by the Company in the performance of any material term of the Management Agreement. Such termination fee will be equal to the amount of three times the sum of (i) the average annual quarterly base management fee amounts paid or payable with respect to the two 12-month periods ending on the last day of the latest fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the notice of termination or non-renewal and (ii) the average annual quarterly incentive fee amounts paid or payable with respect to the two 12-month periods ending on the last day of the latest fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the notice of termination or non-renewal.

Expense Reimbursement

Under the terms of the Management Agreement the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company that are incurred by the Manager, including expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence, other services, and all other costs and expenses. The Company's reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation. Expenses will be reimbursed in cash within 60 days following delivery of the expense statement by the Manager; provided, however, that such reimbursement may be offset by the Manager against amounts due to the Company from the Manager. The Company will not reimburse the Manager for the salaries and other compensation of the Manager's personnel except that the Company will be responsible for expenses incurred by the Manager in employing certain dedicated or partially dedicated personnel as further described below.

The Company reimburses the Manager for the allocable share of the compensation, including, without limitation, wages, salaries, and employee benefits paid or reimbursed, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to certain dedicated or partially dedicated personnel who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company's affairs, based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to the Company's affairs. In their capacities as officers or personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, such personnel will devote such portion of their time to the Company's affairs as is necessary to enable the Company to operate its business.

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company reimbursed the Manager $7.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively, for previously incurred operating expenses. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding payable to the Manager for operating expenses was $2.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, which are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the loan originators in which the Company holds equity investments represent related parties. Transactions that have been entered into with these related party mortgage originators are summarized below.

The Company is a party to a mortgage loan purchase and sale flow agreement, with a mortgage originator in which the Company holds an equity investment, whereby the Company purchases residential mortgage loans that satisfy certain specified criteria. The Company has also provided a $5.0 million line of credit to the mortgage originator. Under the terms of this line of credit, the Company has agreed to make advances to the mortgage originator solely for the purpose of funding specifically identified residential mortgage loans designated for sale to the Company. To the extent the advances are drawn by the mortgage originator, it must pay interest, at a rate of 15% per annum, on the outstanding balance of each advance from the date the advance is made until such advance is repaid in full. The mortgage originator is required to repay advances in full no later than two business days following the date that the Company purchases the related residential mortgage loans from the mortgage originator. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no advances outstanding. The Company has also entered into two agreements whereby it guarantees the performance of such mortgage originator under third-party master repurchase agreements. See Note 21, Commitments and Contingencies, for further information on the Company's guarantees of the third-party borrowing arrangements. Additionally, in August 2020, the Company entered into a commitment agreement whereby the Company committed to purchase $150 million of residential mortgage loans that meet specified criteria, or the "Commitment Agreement." As of September 30, 2020, the Company had purchased the entire $150 million of eligible residential mortgage loans under the terms of the Commitment Agreement. In connection with the Commitment Agreement, the Company also entered into an agreement whereby the Company would be entitled to receive warrants proportionally as it satisfied its purchase commitment under the Commitment Agreement to purchase a maximum of 9.329 million shares of non-voting common stock. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has received warrants for the maximum 9.329 million shares; such warrants have a fair value of $2.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company, through a related party of Ellington, or the "Loan Purchaser," is a party to a consumer loan purchase and sale flow agreement with a consumer loan originator in which the Company holds an investment in preferred stock and warrants to purchase additional preferred stock, whereby the Loan Purchaser purchases consumer loans that satisfy certain specified criteria. The Company has investments in participation certificates related to consumer loans titled in the name of the Loan Purchaser. Through its participation certificates, the Company has beneficial interests in the loan cash flows, net of servicing-related fees and expenses. The total fair value of the Company's participation certificates was $46.9 million and $47.9 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

In May 2019 the Company entered into a note purchase agreement whereby it agreed to lend up to $5.0 million to a mortgage originator ("the Initial Note") in which the Company also holds an equity investment. The Initial Note carried an interest rate of 15% per annum on the outstanding balance. In July and December 2019, the Company amended the note purchase agreement whereby it agreed to lend an additional $5.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively, (the "Additional Notes") to the mortgage originator. The Additional Notes each carried an interest rate of 18% per annum. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate outstanding balance on the Initial Note and the Additional Notes was $12.5 million. In January 2020, the Initial Note and the Additional Notes were repaid. The Initial Note and the Additional Notes are classified as Corporate loans and included in Loans, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Consumer, Residential, and Commercial Loan Transactions with Affiliates

The Company purchases certain of its consumer loans through an affiliate, or the "Purchasing Entity." The Purchasing Entity has entered into purchase agreements, open-ended in duration, with third party consumer loan originators whereby it has agreed to purchase eligible consumer loans. The amount of loans purchased under these purchase agreements is dependent on, among other factors, the amount of loans originated in any given period by the selling originators. The Company and other affiliates of Ellington have entered into agreements with the Purchasing Entity whereby the Company and each of the affiliates of Ellington have agreed to purchase their allocated portion (subject to monthly determination based on available capital and other factors) of the eligible loans acquired by the Purchasing Entity under each purchase agreement. Immediately after the Purchasing Entity purchases beneficial interests in the loans, the Company and other affiliates of Ellington purchase such beneficial interests from the Purchasing Entity, at the same price paid by the Purchasing Entity. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company purchased loans under these agreements with an aggregate principal balance of $84.7 million and $72.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated remaining contingent purchase obligations of the Company under these purchase agreements was approximately $77.1 million and $287.1 million, respectively, in principal balance.

The Company's beneficial interests in the consumer loans purchased through the Purchasing Entity are evidenced by

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participation certificates issued by trusts that hold legal title to the loans. These trusts are owned by a related party of Ellington and were established to hold such loans. Through its participation certificates, the Company participates in the cash flows of the underlying loans held by each trust. The total amount of consumer loans underlying the Company's participation certificates and held in the related party trusts was $151.7 million and $185.4 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company has beneficial interests in residential mortgage loans and REO held in a trust owned by a related party of Ellington. Through these beneficial interests, the Company participates in the cash flows of the underlying loans held by such trust. The total amount of residential mortgage loans and REO underlying the Company's beneficial interests and held in the related party trust was $272.4 million and $304.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company is a co-investor in certain small balance commercial mortgage loans with several other investors, including an unrelated third party and various affiliates of Ellington. These loans are beneficially owned by a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value of the small balance commercial loans was $33.6 million and $29.5 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, the non-controlling interests held by the unrelated third party and the Ellington affiliates were $4.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the non-controlling interests held by the unrelated third party and the Ellington affiliates were $3.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a payable to an Ellington affiliate in the amount of $0.7 million, which is included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company did not have any payables to or receivables from the Ellington affiliates as of September 30, 2020.

The Company is also a co-investor in certain small balance commercial mortgage loans and REO with other investors, including various unrelated third parties and various affiliates of Ellington. Each co-investor in a particular loan has an interest in the limited liability company that owns such loan or REO. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value of the Company's investments in the jointly owned limited liability companies was approximately $30.4 million and $17.3 million, respectively. Such investments are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The consumer, residential mortgage, and certain commercial mortgage loans that are the subject of the foregoing loan transactions are held in trusts, each of which the Company has determined to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated each of these VIEs and determined that the Company has the power to direct the activities of each VIE that most significantly impact such VIE's economic performance and the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary of each of these VIEs and has consolidated each VIE.

Equity Investment in Unconsolidated Entity

The Company was a co-investor, together with other affiliates of Ellington, in Jepson Holdings Limited, the parent of an entity (the "Right Holder Entity") that held a call right (the "Call Right") to a European mortgage loan securitization (the "Initial Securitization"). The Right Holder Entity issued notes (the "Right Holder Notes") to the Company and its affiliates, and to an unrelated third party.

In March 2019, the Right Holder Entity assigned the Call Right to a newly formed entity, which exercised the Call Right and re-securitized the underlying European mortgage loan assets of the Initial Securitization through a new securitization trust (the "New Securitization"). In exchange for assigning the Call Right, the Right Holder Entity received a combination of (i) cash and (ii) certain notes issued by the New Securitization (the "New Securitization Notes"). The Right Holder Entity fully repaid the unrelated third party's Right Holder Note with a combination of cash and New Securitization Notes. The Right Holder Notes held by the Company and its affiliates were also fully repaid with cash and New Securitization Notes. Certain of the New Securitization Notes were distributed to the Company and its affiliates on a pro rata basis. The Right Holder Entity is expected to continue to hold certain of the New Securitization Notes in order to comply with European risk retention rules. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's equity investment in Jepson Holdings Limited had a fair value of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively. See Note 6 for additional details on this equity investment.

Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities

The Company is a co-participant with certain other entities managed by Ellington or its affiliates (the "Affiliated Entities") in various entities (each, a "Joint Entity"), which were formed in order to facilitate the financing of small balance commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, and REO (collectively, the "Mortgage Loan and REO Assets"), through repurchase agreements. Each Joint Entity has a master repurchase agreement with a particular financing counterparty.

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In connection with the financing of the Mortgage Loan and REO Assets under repurchase agreements, each of the Company and the Affiliated Entities transferred certain of their respective Mortgage Loan and REO Assets to one of the Joint Entities in exchange for its pro rata share of the financing proceeds that the respective Joint Entity received from the financing counterparty. While the Company's Mortgage Loan and REO Assets were transferred to the Joint Entity, the Company's Mortgage Loan and REO Assets and the related debt were not derecognized for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860-10, because the Company continued to retain the risks and rewards of ownership of its Mortgage Loan and REO Assets. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Joint Entities had aggregate outstanding issued debt under the repurchase agreements in the amount of $258.0 million and $350.6 million, respectively. The Company's segregated portion of this debt as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $135.9 million and $174.4 million, respectively, and is included under the caption Repurchase agreements on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. To the extent that there is a default under the repurchase agreements, all of the assets of each respective Joint Entity, including those beneficially owned by any non-defaulting owners of such Joint Entity, could be used to satisfy the outstanding obligations under such repurchase agreement. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no party to any of the repurchase agreements was in default.

Each of the Joint Entities has been determined to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated each of these VIEs and determined that it continued to retain the risks and rewards of ownership of certain of the Mortgage Loan and REO Assets, where such Mortgage Loan and REO Assets and the related debt are segregated for the Company and each of the Affiliated Entities. On account of the segregation of certain of each co-participant's assets and liabilities within each of the Joint Entities, as well as the retention by each co-participant of control over its segregated Mortgage Loan and REO Assets within the Joint Entities, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of, and has consolidated its segregated portion of assets and liabilities within, each of the Joint Entities. See Note 9 and Note 11 for additional information.

Participation in CLO Transactions

As discussed in Note 10, the Company participated in a number of CLO securitization transactions, all managed by the CLO Manager.

The CLO Manager is entitled to receive management and incentive fees in accordance with the respective management agreements between the CLO Manager and the respective CLO Issuers. In accordance with the Management Agreement, the Manager rebates to the Company the portion of the management fees payable by each CLO Issuer to the CLO Manager that are allocable to the Company's participating interest in the unsecured subordinated notes issued by such CLO Issuer. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the amount of such management fee rebates was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the amount of such management fee rebates was $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

In addition, from time to time, the Company along with various other affiliates of Ellington, and in certain cases various third parties, advance funds in the form of loans ("Initial Funding Loans") to securitization vehicles to enable them to establish warehouse facilities for the purpose of acquiring the assets to be securitized. Pursuant to the terms of the warehouse facilities and the Initial Funding Loans, the applicable securitization trust is required, at the closing of each respective CLO securitization, first to repay the warehouse facility, then to repay the Initial Funding Loans, and then to distribute interest earned, net of any necessary reserves and/or interest expense, and the aggregate realized or unrealized gains, if any, on assets purchased into the warehouse facility. In the event that such CLO securitization fails to close, the assets held by the respective securitization vehicle would, subject to a cure period, be liquidated. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's investment in such warehouse facilities was $5.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively, which are included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Investments in unconsolidated entities.

During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company purchased various underperforming corporate debt and equity securities from certain of the Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations at market prices determined through the procedures set forth in the indentures of the respective Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitization. The total amount of such debt and equity securities purchased during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 was $6.8 million; no such securities were purchased during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. The total amount of such debt and equity securities purchased during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $1.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively.

14. Long-Term Incentive Plan Units

OP LTIP Units subject to the Company's incentive plans are generally exercisable by the holder at any time after vesting. Each OP LTIP Unit is convertible into an OP Unit on a one-for-one basis. Subject to certain conditions, the OP Units are redeemable by the holder for an equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Company or for the cash value of such shares of common stock, at the Company's election. Costs associated with the OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans are measured as of the grant date and expensed ratably over the vesting period. Total expense associated with

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OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Total expense associated with OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

On March 4, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 14,811 OP LTIP Units to certain of Ellington's personnel dedicated to the Company pursuant to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

On September 10, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 22,840 OP LTIP Units to certain of its directors pursuant to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. These OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable on September 9, 2021.

The below table details unvested OP LTIP Units as of September 30, 2020:

Grant Recipient	Number of OP LTIP Units Granted	Grant Date	Vesting Date(1)
Directors:
	22,840	September 10, 2020	September 9, 2021
Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel:
	12,818	December 13, 2019	December 13, 2020
	10,067	December 13, 2019	December 13, 2021
	8,691	December 11, 2018	December 11, 2020
	4,977	March 4, 2020	December 31, 2020
	9,834	March 4, 2020	December 31, 2021
Total unvested OP LTIP Units at September 30, 2020	69,227

(1)Date at which such OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable.

The following tables summarize issuance and exercise activity of OP LTIP Units for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	195,009	560,527	375,000	146,371	521,371
Granted	—	22,840	22,840	—	14,552	14,552
Exercised	—	(3,638)	(3,638)	—	(3,610)	(3,610)
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	214,211	579,729	375,000	157,313	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	—	69,227	69,227	—	37,821	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	144,984	510,502	375,000	119,492	494,492

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	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2019, respectively)	365,518	180,198	545,716	375,000	146,371	521,371
Granted	—	37,651	37,651	—	14,552	14,552
Exercised	—	(3,638)	(3,638)	—	(3,610)	(3,610)
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	214,211	579,729	375,000	157,313	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	—	69,227	69,227	—	37,821	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	144,984	510,502	375,000	119,492	494,492

There were an aggregate of 1,794,021 and 1,832,309 shares of common stock of the Company underlying awards, including OP LTIP Units, available for future issuance under the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

15. Non-controlling Interests

Operating Partnership

Non-controlling interests include the Convertible Non-controlling Interests in the Operating Partnership owned by an affiliate of our Manager, our directors, and certain current and former Ellington employees and their related parties. On December 31, 2018, the Company redeemed 503,988 outstanding long term incentive plan units of the Company and exchanged them on a one-for-one basis for OP LTIP Units. Income allocated to Convertible Non-controlling Interests is based on the non-controlling interest owners' ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership during the period, calculated using a daily weighted average of all shares of common stock of the Company and Convertible Non-controlling Interests outstanding during the period. Holders of Convertible Non-controlling Interests are entitled to receive the same distributions that holders of shares of common stock of the Company receive. Convertible Non-controlling Interests are non-voting with respect to matters as to which holders of common stock of the Company are entitled to vote.

On March 2, 2020, certain related parties of current Ellington employees converted 129,516 OP Units into shares of common stock.

As September 30, 2020, the Convertible Non-controlling Interests consisted of the outstanding 579,729 OP LTIP Units and 48,409 OP Units, and represented an interest of approximately 1.2% in the Operating Partnership. As December 31, 2019, the Convertible Non-controlling Interests consisted of the outstanding 545,716 OP LTIP Units and 177,925 OP Units, and represented an interest of approximately 1.6% in the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, non-controlling interests related to all outstanding Convertible Non-controlling Interests was $10.4 million and $13.4 million, respectively.

Joint Venture Interests

Non-controlling interests also include the interests of joint venture partners in various consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. These subsidiaries hold the Company's investments in certain commercial mortgage loans and REO. The joint venture partners participate in the income, expense, gains and losses of such subsidiaries as set forth in the related operating agreements of the subsidiaries. The joint venture partners make capital contributions to the subsidiaries as new approved investments are purchased by the subsidiaries, and are generally entitled to distributions when investments are sold or otherwise disposed of. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the joint venture partners' interests in subsidiaries of the Company were $26.6 million and $25.9 million, respectively.

The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of common stock of the Company or OP Units, nor are the joint venture partners entitled to receive distributions that holders of shares of common stock of the Company receive.

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16. Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 4,600,000 shares of 6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share ("Series A Preferred Stock") outstanding.

The Company's Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to its common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interests with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Additionally, the Company's Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the Company prior to October 30, 2024, except under circumstances where it is necessary to allow the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except in certain instances upon the occurrence of a change of control. Holders of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock generally do not have any voting rights.

Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends (i) from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, October 30, 2024, at a fixed rate equal to 6.750% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference and (ii) from and including October 30, 2024, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.196% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 30th day of each January, April, July, and October, commencing with the first dividend payment on January 30, 2020, which the Board of Directors declared in December 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total amount of cumulative preferred dividends in arrears was $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Common Stock

The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of additional shares, subject to the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of common stock then outstanding present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 43,781,684 and 38,647,943, respectively, shares of common stock outstanding.

On January 24, 2020, the Company completed a follow-on offering of 5,290,000 shares of its common stock, of which 690,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' option. The issuance and sale of the 5,290,000 shares of common stock generated net proceeds, after underwriters' discount and offering costs, of $95.3 million.

The following table summarizes issuance, repurchase, and other activity with respect to the Company's common stock for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended		Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020	September 30, 2019	September 30, 2020	September 30, 2019
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (6/30/2020, 6/30/2019, 12/31/2019 and 1/1/2019, respectively)	43,779,924	29,745,776	38,647,943	29,796,601
Share Activity:
Shares of common stock issued	—	4,025,000	5,290,000	4,025,000
Shares of common stock issued in connection with incentive fee payment	—	—	637	—
Shares of common stock repurchased	(1,878)	—	(290,050)	(50,825)
OP Units exercised	3,638	3,610	133,154	3,610
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (9/30/2020, 9/30/2019, 9/30/2020, 9/30/2019, respectively)	43,781,684	33,774,386	43,781,684	33,774,386

If all Convertible Non-controlling Interests that have been previously issued were to become fully vested and exchanged for shares of common stock as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock would increase to 44,409,822 and 39,371,584 shares, respectively.

On June 13, 2018, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 1.55 million shares of common stock. The program, which is open-ended in duration, allows the Company to make repurchases from time to time on the open market or in negotiated transactions,

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including under Rule 10b5-1 plans. Repurchases are at the Company's discretion, subject to applicable law, share availability, price and financial performance, among other considerations. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,878 shares at an average price per share of $11.00 and a total cost of $21 thousand. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 290,050 shares at an average price per share of $10.54 and a total cost of $3.1 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company repurchased 50,825 shares at an average price per share of $15.39 and a total cost of $0.8 million. From inception of the current repurchase plan through September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 701,965 shares at an average price per share of $13.36 and a total cost of $9.4 million.

17. Earnings Per Share

The components of the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands except share amounts)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	46,203	$	17,293	$	(45,917)	$	45,345
Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests(1)	647		387		(916)		1,079
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	46,850		17,680		(46,833)		46,424
Dividends Paid:
Common stockholders	(11,821)		(14,185)		(42,514)		(43,038)
Convertible Non-controlling Interests	(166)		(309)		(627)		(1,021)
Total dividends paid to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	(11,987)		(14,494)		(43,141)		(44,059)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Common stockholders	34,382		3,108		(88,431)		2,307
Convertible Non-controlling Interests	481		78		(1,543)		58
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	$	34,863	$	3,186	$	(89,974)	$	2,365
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	43,779,134		32,835,652		43,387,168		30,787,634
Weighted average Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding	613,319		735,789		635,836		734,186
Weighted average shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding	44,392,453		33,571,441		44,023,004		31,521,820
Basic earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit:
Distributed	$	0.27	$	0.42	$	0.97	$	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of)	0.79		0.11		(2.03)		0.08
	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47
Diluted earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit:
Distributed	$	0.27	$	0.42	$	0.97	$	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of)	0.79		0.11		(2.03)		0.08
	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47

(1)For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excludes net income (loss) of $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excludes net income (loss) of $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15.

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18. Restricted Cash

The Company is required to maintain a specific cash balance in a segregated account pursuant to a flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's restricted cash balance related to the flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement was $0.2 million.

19. Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

The Company generally records financial instruments at fair value as described in Note 2. Financial instruments are generally recorded on a gross basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. In connection with the vast majority of its derivative, reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, and the related trading agreements, the Company and its counterparties are required to pledge collateral. Cash or other collateral is exchanged as required with each of the Company's counterparties in connection with open derivative positions, and reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements.

The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities representing financial instruments as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company has not entered into master netting agreements with any of its counterparties. Certain of the Company's reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and financial derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide a right of net settlement, as well as a right of offset in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction.

September 30, 2020:

Description	Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)		Financial Instruments Available for Offset		Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral(2)(3)		Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged(2)(3)		Net Amount
(In thousands)
Assets
Financial derivatives–assets	$	27,864	$	(16,646)	$	—	$	(6,469)	$	4,749
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		(47,041)		—		—		—
Liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities	(34,814)		16,646		—		18,088		(80)
Repurchase agreements	(1,439,984)		1,439,984		(27,744)		27,744		—

(1)In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.

(2)For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2020 was $1.8 billion. As of September 30, 2020, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged (received) of $3.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively.

(3)When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

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December 31, 2019:

Description	Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)		Financial Instruments Available for Offset		Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral(2)(3)		Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged(2)(3)		Net Amount
(In thousands)
Assets
Financial derivatives–assets	$	16,788	$	(12,755)	$	—	$	(807)	$	3,226
Reverse repurchase agreements	73,639		(73,639)		—		—		—
Liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities	(27,621)		12,755		—		12,233		(2,633)
Repurchase agreements	(2,445,300)		73,639		2,340,656		31,005		—

(1)In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.

(2)For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2019 was $2.8 billion. As of December 31, 2019, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged of $4.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively.

(3)When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

20. Counterparty Risk

The Company is exposed to concentrations of counterparty risk. It seeks to mitigate such risk by diversifying its exposure among various counterparties, when appropriate. The following table summarizes the Company's exposure to counterparty risk as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	10	28.5	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	1,810,825		24	18.6	%
Due from brokers	63,991		22	35.4	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	5,086		2	87.0	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

December 31, 2019:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	72,302	11	42.2	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	2,793,696		28	13.8	%
Due from brokers	79,829		24	30.9	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	69,995		5	62.3	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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21. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company provides current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Company.

In the normal course of business the Company may also enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations, warranties, and general indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements, including future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred, is unknown. The Company has not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements.

The Company's maximum risk of loss from credit events on its securities (excluding Agency securities, which are guaranteed by the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise), loans, and investments in unconsolidated entities is limited to the amount paid for such investment.

Commitments and Contingencies Related to Investments in Residential Mortgage Loans

In connection with certain of the Company's investments in residential mortgage loans, the Company has unfunded commitments in the amount of $3.2 million and $5.2 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies Related to Investments in Mortgage Loan Originators

In connection with certain of its investments in mortgage loan originators, the Company has outstanding commitments and contingencies as described below.

As described in Note 13, the Company is party to a flow mortgage loan purchase and sale agreement with a mortgage loan originator. The Company has entered into two agreements whereby it guarantees the performance of this mortgage loan originator under master repurchase agreements. The Company's maximum guarantees are capped at $25.0 million. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the mortgage loan originator had $17.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of outstanding borrowings under the agreements guaranteed by the Company. The Company's obligations under these arrangements are deemed to be guarantees under ASC 460-10. The Company has elected the FVO for its guarantees, which are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of such guarantees was insignificant.

Commitments and Contingencies Related to Corporate Loans

The Company has investments in certain corporate loans whereby the borrowers can request additional funds under the respective agreements. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the Company had unfunded commitments related to such investments in the amount of $1.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

22. Subsequent Events

On October 7, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.09 per share of common stock payable on November 25, 2020 to stockholders of record as of October 30, 2020 and a dividend in the amount of $0.421875 per share of Series A Preferred Stock payable on October 30, 2020 to stockholders of record as of October 19, 2020.

On November 2, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share of common stock payable on December 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of November 30, 2020.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Except where the context suggests otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to "EFC," "we," "us," and "our" refer to (i) Ellington Financial Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC, our operating partnership subsidiary, which we refer to as our "Operating Partnership," following our conversion to a corporation effective March 1, 2019 (our "corporate conversion"), and (ii) Ellington Financial LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries, including our Operating Partnership, before our corporate conversion. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to (1) "common shares" refer to (i) our common shares representing limited liability company interests, previously outstanding prior to our corporate conversion, and (ii) shares of our common stock outstanding after our corporate conversion and (2) "common shareholders" refer to (i) holders of our common shares representing limited liability company interests prior to our corporate conversion, and (ii) holders of shares of our common stock after our corporate conversion. We conduct all of our operations and business activities through our Operating Partnership. Our "Manager" refers to Ellington Financial Management LLC, our external manager, "Ellington" refers to Ellington Management Group, L.L.C. and its affiliated investment advisory firms, including our Manager, and "Manager Group" refers collectively to officers and directors of EFC, and partners and affiliates of Ellington (including families and family trusts of the foregoing). In certain instances, references to our Manager and services to be provided to us by our Manager may also include services provided by Ellington and its other affiliates from time to time.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the "SEC," or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "would," "could," "goal," "objective," "will," "may," "seek," or similar expressions, are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the "Securities Act," and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the "Exchange Act," and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future operations, business strategies, performance, financial condition, liquidity and prospects, taking into account information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and strategies may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. The following factors are examples of those that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements: changes in interest rates and the market value of our securities; market volatility; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans underlying the securities owned by us for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity; increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our assets; our ability to borrow to finance our assets; changes in government regulations affecting our business; our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the "Investment Company Act"; our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT"; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy, such as those resulting from the economic effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated responses to the pandemic. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including the risk factors described under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II. Item 1A. of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Executive Summary

We invest in a diverse array of real-estate-related and other financial assets, including residential and commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities, or "RMBS," commercial mortgage-backed securities, or "CMBS," consumer loans and asset-backed securities, or "ABS," including ABS backed by consumer loans, collateralized loan obligations, or "CLOs," non-mortgage- and mortgage-related derivatives, equity investments in loan origination companies, and other strategic investments. We are externally managed and advised by our Manager, an affiliate of Ellington. Ellington is a registered investment adviser with a 25-year history of investing in the Agency and credit markets.

We conduct all of our operations and business activities through the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2020, we have an ownership interest of approximately 98.8% in the Operating Partnership. The remaining ownership interest of approximately 1.2% in the Operating Partnership represents the interests in the Operating Partnership that are owned by an

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affiliate of our Manager, our directors, and certain current and former Ellington employees and their related parties, and is reflected in our financial statements as a non-controlling interest.

Our primary objective is to generate attractive, risk-adjusted total returns for our stockholders. We seek to attain this objective by utilizing an opportunistic strategy to make investments, without restriction as to ratings, structure, or position in the capital structure, that we believe compensate us appropriately for the risks associated with them rather than targeting a specific yield. Our evaluation of the potential risk-adjusted return of any potential investment typically involves weighing the potential returns of such investment under a variety of economic scenarios against the perceived likelihood of the various scenarios. Potential investments subject to greater risk (such as those with lower credit ratings and/or those with a lower position in the capital structure) will generally require a higher potential return to be attractive in comparison to investment alternatives with lower potential return and a lower degree of risk. However, at any particular point in time, depending on how we perceive the market's pricing of risk both generally and across sectors, we may favor higher-risk assets or we may favor lower-risk assets, or a combination of the two, in the interests of portfolio diversification or other considerations.

Through September 30, 2020, our credit portfolio, which includes all of our investments other than RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, or "Agency RMBS," has been the primary driver of our risk and return, and we expect that this will continue in the near- to medium-term. For more information on our targeted assets, see "—Our Targeted Asset Classes" below. We believe that Ellington's capabilities allow our Manager to identify attractive assets in these classes, value these assets, monitor and forecast the performance of these assets, and opportunistically hedge our risk with respect to these assets.

We continue to maintain a highly leveraged portfolio of Agency RMBS to take advantage of opportunities in that market sector, to help maintain our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, and to help qualify as well as maintain our qualification as a REIT. Unless we acquire very substantial amounts of whole mortgage loans or there are changes to the rules and regulations applicable to us under the Investment Company Act, we expect that we will always maintain some amount of Agency RMBS.

The strategies that we employ are intended to capitalize on opportunities in the current market environment. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we intend to adjust our strategies to changing market conditions by shifting our asset allocations across various asset classes as credit and liquidity trends evolve over time. We believe that this flexibility, combined with Ellington's experience, will help us generate more consistent returns on our capital throughout changing market cycles.

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we opportunistically hedge our credit risk, interest rate risk, and foreign currency risk; however, at any point in time we may choose not to hedge all or a portion of these risks, and we will generally not hedge those risks that we believe are appropriate for us to take at such time, or that we believe would be impractical or prohibitively expensive to hedge.

We also use leverage in our credit strategy, albeit significantly less leverage than that used in our Agency RMBS strategy. Through September 30, 2020, we financed the vast majority of our Agency RMBS assets, and a portion of our credit assets, through repurchase agreements, which we sometimes refer to as "repos," which we account for as collateralized borrowings. We expect to continue to finance the vast majority of our Agency RMBS through the use of repos. In addition to financing assets through repos, we also enter into other secured borrowing transactions, which are accounted for as collateralized borrowings, to finance certain of our loan assets. We have also obtained, through the securitization markets, term financing for certain of our non-qualified mortgage, or "non-QM," loans, certain of our consumer loans, and certain of our leveraged corporate loans. Additionally, we have issued unsecured long-term debt.

As of September 30, 2020, outstanding borrowings under repos and Total other secured borrowings (which include Other secured borrowings and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, as presented on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet) were $2.3 billion, of which approximately 39%, or $883.8 million, relates to our Agency RMBS holdings. The remaining outstanding borrowings relate to our credit portfolio.

As of September 30, 2020, we also had $86.0 million outstanding of unsecured long-term debt, maturing in September of 2022, or the "Senior Notes." The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.50%, subject to adjustment based on changes, if any, in the ratings of the Senior Notes. The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains a number of covenants, including several financial covenants. The Senior Notes were issued in connection with an exchange of our previously issued unsecured long-term debt (the "Old Senior Notes") on February 13, 2019 (the "Note Exchange"), in connection with our intended election to be taxed as a REIT. At the time of the Note Exchange, the Senior Notes were rated A by Egan-Jones Rating Company1.

1A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

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See Note 11 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail on the Senior Notes and the Note Exchange.

As of September 30, 2020, our book value per share of common stock, calculated using Total Stockholders' Equity less the aggregate liquidation preference of outstanding preferred stock, was $16.45. Our debt-to-equity ratio was 2.7:1 as of September 30, 2020. Our debt-to-equity ratio does not account for liabilities other than debt financings and does not include debt associated with securitization transactions accounted for as sales. Our recourse debt-to-equity ratio was 1.7:1 as of September 30, 2020.

On January 24, 2020, we completed a follow-on offering of 5,290,000 shares of our common stock, of which 690,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' option. The issuance and sale of such common shares generated net proceeds, after underwriters' discount and offering costs, of $95.3 million.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 we repurchased 290,050 shares of our common stock at an average price per share of $10.54 and a total cost of $3.1 million. In addition to making discretionary repurchases, we from time to time use 10b5-1 plans to increase the number of trading days available to implement these repurchases.

We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or "the Code," upon the filing of our tax return for the taxable year ended December 31, 2019. Provided that we maintain our qualification as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on our REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. Any taxes paid by a domestic taxable REIT subsidiary, or "TRS," will reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders. REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that they currently distribute at least 90% of their annual REIT taxable income excluding net capital gains.

On February 28, 2019, we filed a certificate of conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") to convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the "Conversion") and change our name to Ellington Financial Inc. (the "Corporation"). The Conversion became effective on March 1, 2019, and upon effectiveness, each of our existing common shares representing limited liability company interests, no par value, converted into one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Corporation.

Our Targeted Asset Classes

Our targeted asset classes currently include investments in the U.S. and Europe (as applicable) in the categories listed below. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we expect to continue to invest in these targeted asset classes. Also, we expect to continue to hold certain of our targeted assets through one or more TRSs. As a result, a portion of the income from such assets will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

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Asset Class		Principal Assets
Agency RMBS	.	Whole pool pass-through certificates;
	.	Partial pool pass-through certificates;
	.	Agency collateralized mortgage obligations, or "CMOs," including interest only securities, or "IOs," principal only securities, or "POs," inverse interest only securities, or "IIOs"; and
CLOs	.	Retained tranches from CLO securitizations, including participating in the accumulation of the underlying assets for such securitization by providing capital to the vehicle accumulating assets; and
	.	Other CLO debt and equity tranches.
CMBS and Commercial Mortgage Loans	.	CMBS; and
	.	Commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt.
Consumer Loans and ABS	.	Consumer loans;
	.	ABS, including ABS backed by consumer loans; and
	.	Retained tranches from securitizations to which we have contributed assets.
Mortgage-Related Derivatives	.	To-Be-Announced mortgage pass-through certificates, or "TBAs";
	.	Credit default swaps, or "CDS," on individual RMBS, on the ABX, CMBX and PrimeX indices and on other mortgage-related indices; and
	.	Other mortgage-related derivatives.
Non-Agency RMBS	.	RMBS backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, non-QM, manufactured housing, and subprime mortgages;
	.	RMBS backed by fixed rate mortgages, Adjustable rate mortgages, or "ARMs," Option-ARMs, and Hybrid ARMs;
	.	RMBS backed by one or more mortgages on single-family-rental properties;
	.	RMBS backed by first lien and second lien mortgages;
	.	Investment grade and non-investment grade securities;
	.	Senior and subordinated securities;
	.	IOs, POs, IIOs, and inverse floaters;
	.	Collateralized debt obligations, or "CDOs";
	.	RMBS backed by European residential mortgages, or "European RMBS"; and
	.	Retained tranches from securitizations in which we have participated.
Residential Mortgage Loans	.	Residential non-performing mortgage loans, or "NPLs";
	.	Re-performing loans, or "RPLs," which generally are loans that were modified and/or formerly NPLs where the borrower has resumed making payments in some form or amount;
	.	Residential "transition loans," such as residential bridge loans and residential "fix-and-flip" loans;
	.	Non-QM loans; and
	.	Retained tranches from securitizations to which we have contributed assets.
Other	.	Real estate, including commercial and residential real property;
	.	Strategic debt and/or equity investments in loan originators and mortgage-related entities;
	.	Corporate debt and equity securities and corporate loans;
	.	Mortgage servicing rights, or "MSRs";
	.	Credit risk transfer securities, or "CRTs"; and
	.	Other non-mortgage-related derivatives.

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Agency RMBS

Our Agency RMBS assets consist primarily of whole pool (and to a lesser extent, partial pool) pass-through certificates, the principal and interest of which are guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, or "Fannie Mae," the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or "Freddie Mac," or the Government National Mortgage Association, within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or "Ginnie Mae," and which are backed by ARMs, Hybrid ARMs, or fixed-rate mortgages. In addition to investing in pass-through certificates which are backed by traditional mortgages, we have also invested in Agency RMBS backed by reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are mortgage loans for which neither principal nor interest is due until the borrower dies, the home is sold, or other trigger events occur. Mortgage pass-through certificates are securities representing undivided interests in pools of mortgage loans secured by real property where payments of both interest and principal, plus prepaid principal, on the securities are made monthly to holders of the security, in effect "passing through" monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans that underlie the securities, net of fees paid to the issuer/guarantor and servicers of the securities. Whole pool pass-through certificates are mortgage pass-through certificates that represent the entire ownership of (as opposed to merely a partial undivided interest in) a pool of mortgage loans.

Our Agency RMBS assets are typically concentrated in specified pools. Specified pools are fixed-rate Agency pools consisting of mortgages with special characteristics, such as mortgages with low loan balances, mortgages backed by investor properties, mortgages originated through the government-sponsored "Making Homes Affordable" refinancing programs, and mortgages with various other characteristics. Our Agency strategy also includes RMBS that are backed by ARMs or Hybrid ARMs and reverse mortgages, and CMOs, including IOs, POs, and IIOs.

CLOs

CLOs are a form of asset-backed security collateralized by syndicated corporate loans. We have retained, and may retain in the future, tranches from CLO securitizations for which we have participated in the accumulation of the underlying assets, typically by providing capital to a vehicle accumulating assets for such CLO securitization. Such vehicles may enter into warehouse financing facilities in order to facilitate such accumulation. Securitizations can effectively provide us with long-term, locked-in financing on the related collateral pool, with an effective cost of funds well below the expected yield on the collateral pool. Our CLO holdings may include both debt and equity interests.

CMBS

We acquire CMBS, which are securities collateralized by mortgage loans on commercial properties. The majority of CMBS issued are fixed rate securities backed by fixed rate loans made to multiple borrowers on a variety of property types, though single-borrower CMBS and floating rate CMBS have also been issued.

The majority of CMBS utilize senior/subordinate structures, similar to those found in non-Agency RMBS. Subordination levels vary so as to provide for one or more AAA credit ratings on the most senior classes, with less senior securities rated investment grade and non-investment grade, including a first loss component which is typically unrated. This first loss component is commonly referred to as the "B-piece," which is the most subordinated (and therefore highest yielding and riskiest) tranche of a CMBS securitization. Much of our focus within the CMBS sector has been on B-pieces, but we also acquire other CMBS with more senior credit priority.

Commercial Mortgage Loans and Other Commercial Real Estate Debt

We acquire commercial mortgage loans, which are loans secured by liens on commercial properties, including hotel, industrial, multi-family, office and retail properties. Loans may be fixed or floating rate and will generally range from two to ten years. We typically acquire first lien loans but may also acquire subordinated loans. As of September 30, 2020, all of our commercial mortgage loans were first lien loans. Commercial real estate debt typically limits the borrower's right to freely prepay for a period of time through provisions such as prepayment fees, lockout, yield maintenance, or defeasance provisions. Some of the commercial mortgage loans that we acquire may be non-performing, underperforming, or otherwise distressed; these loans are typically acquired at a discount both to their unpaid principal balances and to the value of the underlying real estate.

We also participate in the origination of "bridge" loans, which have shorter terms and higher interest rates than more traditional commercial mortgage loans. Bridge loans are typically secured by properties in transition, where the borrower is in the process of either re-developing or stabilizing operations at the property. Properties securing these loans may include multi-family, retail, office, industrial, and other commercial property types.

Within both our loan acquisition and loan origination strategies, we generally focus on smaller balance loans and/or loan packages that are less-competitively-bid. These loans typically have balances that are less than $20 million, and are secured by

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real estate and, in some cases, a personal guarantee from the borrower.

Consumer Loans and ABS

We acquire U.S. consumer whole loans and ABS, including ABS backed by U.S. consumer loans. Our U.S. consumer loan portfolio primarily consists of unsecured loans, but also includes secured auto loans. We are currently purchasing newly originated consumer loans under flow agreements with originators, and we continue to evaluate new opportunities. We seek to purchase newly originated consumer loans from originators that have demonstrated disciplined underwriting with a significant focus on regulatory compliance and sound lending practices.

TBAs and Other Mortgage-Related Derivatives

In addition to investing in specified pools of Agency RMBS, subject to our satisfying the requirements for qualification as a REIT, we utilize TBA transactions, whereby we agree to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered is not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. TBAs are liquid and have quoted market prices and represent the most actively traded class of mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS." TBA trading is based on the assumption that mortgage pools that are eligible to be delivered at TBA settlement are fungible and thus the specific mortgage pools to be delivered do not need to be explicitly identified at the time a trade is initiated.

We generally engage in TBA transactions for purposes of managing certain risks associated with our investment strategies. Other than with respect to TBA transactions entered into by our TRSs, most of our TBA transactions are treated for tax purposes as hedging transactions used to hedge indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets, or "qualifying liability hedges." The principal risks that we use TBAs to mitigate are interest rate and yield spread risks. For example, we may hedge the interest rate and/or yield spread risk inherent in our long Agency RMBS by taking short positions in TBAs that are similar in character. Alternatively, we may opportunistically engage in TBA transactions because we find them attractive in their own right, from a relative value perspective or otherwise. For accounting purposes, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or "U.S. GAAP," we classify TBA transactions as derivatives.

We also take long and short positions in various other mortgage-related derivative instruments, including mortgage-related credit default swaps. A credit default swap is a credit derivative contract in which one party (the protection buyer) pays an ongoing periodic premium (and often an upfront payment as well) to another party (the protection seller) in return for compensation for default (or similar credit event) by a reference entity. In this case, the reference entity can be an individual MBS or an index of several MBS, such as an ABX, PrimeX, or CMBX index. Payments from the protection seller to the protection buyer typically occur if a credit event takes place. A credit event can be triggered by, among other things, the reference entity's failure to pay its principal obligations or a severe ratings downgrade of the reference entity.

Non-Agency RMBS

We acquire non-Agency RMBS backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, non-QM, manufactured housing, subprime residential, and single-family-rental mortgage loans. Our non-Agency RMBS holdings can include investment-grade and non-investment grade classes, including non-rated classes.

Non-Agency RMBS are generally debt obligations issued by private originators of, or investors in, residential mortgage loans. Non-Agency RMBS generally are issued as CMOs and are backed by pools of whole mortgage loans or by mortgage pass-through certificates. Non-Agency RMBS generally are securitized in senior/subordinated structures, or in excess spread/over-collateralization structures. In senior/subordinated structures, the subordinated tranches generally absorb all losses on the underlying mortgage loans before any losses are borne by the senior tranches. In excess spread/over-collateralization structures, losses are first absorbed by any existing over-collateralization, then borne by subordinated tranches and excess spread, which represents the difference between the interest payments received on the mortgage loans backing the RMBS and the interest due on the RMBS debt tranches, and finally by senior tranches and any remaining excess spread.

We also have acquired, and may acquire in the future, European RMBS, including retained tranches from European RMBS securitizations in which we have participated.

Residential Mortgage Loans

Our residential mortgage loans include newly originated non-QM loans, residential transition loans, as well as legacy residential NPLs and RPLs. A non-QM loan is not necessarily high-risk, or subprime, but is instead a loan that does not conform to the complex Qualified Mortgage, or "QM," rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. For example, many non-QM loans are made to creditworthy borrowers who cannot provide traditional documentation for income, such as borrowers who are self-employed. There is also demand from certain creditworthy borrowers for loans above the QM 43%

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debt-to-income ratio limit that still meet all ability-to-repay standards. We hold an equity investment in a non-QM originator, and to date we have purchased the vast majority of our non-QM loans from this originator, although we could potentially purchase a greater share of non-QM loans from other sources in the future.

The residential transition loans that we originate or purchase include: (i) "fix and flip" loans, which are made to real estate investors for the purpose of acquiring residential homes, making value-add improvements to such homes, and reselling the newly rehabilitated homes for a potential profit, and (ii) loans made to real estate investors for a "business purpose," such as purchasing a rental investment property, financing or refinancing a fully rehabilitated home awaiting sale, or securing short-term financing pending qualification for longer-term lower-rate financing. Our residential transition loans are secured by non-owner occupied properties, and are typically structured as fixed-rate, interest-only loans with terms to maturity between 6 and 24 months. Our underwriting guidelines focus on both the "as is" and "as repaired" property values, borrower experience as a real estate investor, and asset verification.

We remain active in the market for residential NPLs and RPLs. The market for large residential NPL and RPL pools has remained highly concentrated, with the great majority having traded to only a handful of large players who typically securitize the residential NPLs and RPLs that they purchase. As a result, we have continued to focus our acquisitions on less-competitively-bid, and more attractively-priced mixed legacy pools sourced from motivated sellers.

Other Investment Assets

Our other investment assets include real estate, including residential and commercial real property, strategic debt and/or equity investments in loan originators, corporate debt and equity securities, corporate loans, which can include litigation finance loans, CRTs, and other non-mortgage-related derivatives. We do not typically purchase real property directly; rather, our real estate ownership usually results from foreclosure activity with respect to our acquired residential and commercial loans. We have made investments in loan originators and other related entities in the form of debt and/or equity and, to date, our investments have represented non-controlling interests. We have also entered into flow agreements with certain of the loan originators in which we have invested. We have not yet acquired mortgage servicing rights directly, but we may do so in the future.

Hedging Instruments

Interest Rate Hedging

We opportunistically hedge our interest rate risk by using various hedging strategies, subject to qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT. The interest rate hedging instruments that we use and may use in the future include, without limitation:

•TBAs;

•interest rate swaps (including floating-to-fixed, fixed-to-floating, floating-to-floating, or more complex swaps such as floating-to-inverse floating, callable or non-callable);

•CMOs;

•U.S. Treasury securities;

•swaptions, caps, floors, and other derivatives on interest rates;

•futures and forward contracts; and

•options on any of the foregoing.

Because fluctuations in short-term interest rates may expose us to fluctuations in the spread between the interest we earn on our investments and the interest we pay on our borrowings, we may seek to manage such exposure by entering into short positions in interest rate swaps. An interest rate swap is an agreement to exchange interest rate cash flows, calculated on a notional principal amount, at specified payment dates during the life of the agreement. Typically, one party pays a fixed interest rate and receives a floating interest rate and the other party pays a floating interest rate and receives a fixed interest rate. Each party's payment obligation is computed using a different interest rate. In an interest rate swap, the notional principal is generally not exchanged.

Credit Risk Hedging

We enter into credit-hedging positions in order to protect against adverse credit events with respect to our credit investments, subject to qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT. Our credit hedging portfolio can vary significantly from period to period, and can encompass a wide variety of financial instruments, including corporate debt or equity-related instruments, RMBS- or CMBS-related instruments, or instruments involving other markets. Our hedging

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instruments can include both "single-name" instruments (i.e., instruments referencing one underlying entity or security) and hedging instruments referencing indices.

Currently, our credit hedges consist primarily of financial instruments tied to corporate credit, such as CDS on corporate bond indices, short positions in and CDS on corporate bonds; and positions involving exchange traded funds, or "ETFs," of corporate bonds. Our credit hedges also currently include CDS tied to individual MBS or an index of several MBS, such as CDS on CMBS indices, or "CMBX."

Foreign Currency Hedging

To the extent that we hold instruments denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, we may enter into transactions to offset the potential adverse effects of changes in currency exchange rates, subject to qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT. In particular, we may use currency forward contracts and other currency-related derivatives to mitigate this risk.

Trends and Recent Market Developments

Market Overview

•The U.S. Federal Reserve, or the "Federal Reserve," continued its accommodative monetary policy in the third quarter. At its July and September meetings, the Federal Reserve maintained its target range of 0.00%–0.25% for the federal funds rate, noting in July that the "ongoing public health crisis will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment, and inflation in the near term, and poses considerable risks to the economic outlook over the medium term." It further noted that "the Committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals."

Additionally, in August, the Federal Reserve announced that in order to support the labor market, it will target an average inflation target over time, rather than setting an absolute inflation target as with its previous policy, effectively allowing for periods of higher inflation without a counteracting interest rate increase. The announcement signaled a more dovish long-term stance.

•During the third quarter, the Federal Reserve extended, expanded or modified several of its liquidity support programs, citing the importance of the Federal Reserve’s efforts in supporting the economy, and noting that "improving financial conditions reflect, in part, policy measures implemented to support the economy and the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses." The Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell argued that additional stimulus measures should be implemented, stating in early October that "the expansion is still far from complete" and "too little support would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship"; but as of quarter end, negotiations for further stimulus measures had stalled in Congress and with the administration.

Also during the third quarter, the Federal Reserve continued to purchase significant amounts of U.S. Treasury securities, Agency RMBS, and other eligible collateral, pursuant to the asset purchase programs it outlined earlier in the year.

Similar to the previous two quarters, central banks and governments around the globe continued to implement quantitative easing programs and stimulus packages during the third quarter.

•In the third quarter, U.S. Treasury yields continued to hover near all-time lows while interest rate volatility remained muted. U.S. Treasury yields changed only slightly quarter over quarter, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield finishing the third quarter at 0.68%, virtually unchanged from the start of the quarter and only 14 basis points above the record low reached in March. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield traded within an extraordinarily tight 25-basis-point range during the quarter, and the MOVE Index, which measures interest-rate volatility, hit an all-time low at the end of September.

•Mortgage rates continued to decline during the third quarter, with the Freddie Mac Survey 30-year mortgage rate decreasing by 23 basis points to close the quarter at 2.90%, after setting a new all-time low of 2.86% on September 10th. With the declining mortgage rates, refinancing applications remain elevated. As of October 2nd, the Mortgage Bankers Association's Refinance Index was up 8% quarter over quarter and 50% year over year. Overall Fannie Mae 30-year MBS prepayments increased from a CPR of 33.0 in June to 33.5 in July, before declining slightly to 32.8 in August, and then reaching a nearly 8-year high of 35.1 in September.

•LIBOR rates, which drive many of our financing costs, also remained very low in the third quarter. One-month LIBOR decreased 1 basis point to end the quarter at 0.15%, and three-month LIBOR fell 7 basis points to 0.23%.

•After declining at an annualized rate of 5.0% in the first quarter and then 31% in the second quarter, reflecting the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures to contain it, U.S. real GDP bounced back in the

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third quarter, increasing at an estimated annualized rate of 33.1%. U.S. retail sales grew moderately during each month of the third quarter, but stagnant wages, the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty around new stimulus measures, and an upcoming election, muddled the picture.

•Unemployment claims totaled 14.1 million in the third quarter, down 63% from the second quarter but still well above historical averages. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.9% at September 30th, down from 11.1% at June 30th and 14.7% at the April 30th peak.

•Forbearance rates on residential mortgages declined steadily during the third quarter, driven by the economic recovery and an improving employment picture, even as many stimulus measures expired. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the total forbearance rate decreased during each month of the third quarter, declining from 8.4% at the end of June to 6.9% at the end of September.

•For the third quarter, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. MBS Index generated a positive return of 0.11%, but a negative excess return (on a duration-adjusted basis) of 0.07% relative to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index generated a gain of 1.61% and an excess return of 1.46%, while the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index generated a gain of 4.42% and an excess return of 4.19%.

•The strong performance of U.S. equities continued into the third quarter, driven by record-low interest rates, expectations of additional stimulus, advances on COVID-19 treatments and a possible vaccine, as well as outperformance by the tech sector. In July, the tech-heavy NASDAQ composite index closed at an all-time high, while in August, the S&P 500 reversed all of its losses for the year and reached a new all-time high as well. While performance waned in September amidst a tech selloff and dimming hopes for new stimulus, U.S. equities still posted a second consecutive strong quarter. Quarter over quarter, the S&P 500 rose 8.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA") 7.6%, and the NASDAQ 11%. The CBOE Volatility Index, which measures expected moves in the S&P 500 index, increased moderately in September but remained at levels well below those seen in March and April. Meanwhile, London's FTSE 100 index decreased 4.9% and the MSCI World global equity index rose 7.5%, over the same period.

Portfolio Overview and Outlook

In March 2020, in response to the market volatility associated with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had strategically reduced the size of our Agency portfolio in order to lower our leverage and enhance our liquidity position. We had also substantially suspended new investments in our credit strategies. High levels of market distress continued into April, and during that month, we further reduced the size of our Agency portfolio, and only resumed very limited purchase and sale activity in our credit portfolio. Beginning in May and June, with the markets stabilized, we fully resumed our investment activity in our credit and Agency portfolios.

Following our substantial suspension and then full resumption of new credit investments earlier in the year, and with our level of investment activity fully restored throughout the third quarter, our total long credit portfolio, including REO but excluding hedges and other derivative positions, increased approximately 5% to $2.095 billion as of September 30, 2020, as compared to $1.996 billion as of June 30, 2020. Excluding non-retained tranches of our consolidated non-QM securitization trusts, our total long credit portfolio increased approximately 12% in the third quarter, to $1.405 billion as of September 30, 2020, as compared to $1.257 billion as of June 30, 2020. The quarter-over-quarter increase in our total credit portfolio was driven by non-QM loan originations and purchases of CMBS and single-family-rental RMBS, partially offset by asset resolutions and net paydowns in the Company's small balance commercial mortgage, consumer loan, and residential transition loan portfolios. Our total long Agency RMBS portfolio increased slightly to $919.9 million as of September 30, 2020, from $913.2 billion as of June 30, 2020.

Despite the new purchase activity, the sizes of both our total long credit portfolio and Agency RMBS portfolio remained significantly smaller as of September 30, 2020, as compared to periods immediately prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related market volatility. We have chosen to keep our leverage ratios relatively low, and to maintain an enhanced liquidity position, in light of continued economic uncertainty. As of September 30, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $126.8 million, along with unencumbered assets of approximately $305.8 million.

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Credit Summary (1)

	September 30, 2020				June 30, 2020
($ in thousands)	Fair Value		% of Total Long Credit Portfolio		Fair Value		% of Total Long Credit Portfolio
Dollar Denominated:
CLOs(2)	$	165,954	7.9	%	$	156,158	7.8	%
CMBS	105,015		5.0	%	77,815		3.9	%
Commercial Mortgage Loans and REO(3)(4)	304,698		14.5	%	337,265		16.9	%
Consumer Loans and ABS Backed by Consumer Loans(2)	200,857		9.6	%	216,289		10.8	%
Corporate Debt and Equity and Corporate Loans	10,257		0.5	%	9,237		0.5	%
Debt and Equity Investments in Loan Origination Entities	57,009		2.7	%	44,277		2.2	%
Non-Agency RMBS	166,787		8.0	%	154,928		7.8	%
Residential Mortgage Loans and REO(3)	1,033,481		49.3	%	950,565		47.6	%
Non-Dollar Denominated:
CLOs(2)	2,693		0.1	%	2,583		0.1	%
Consumer Loans and ABS Backed by Consumer Loans	333		—	%	395		—	%
Corporate Debt and Equity	27		—	%	25		—	%
RMBS(5)	47,663		2.4	%	46,722		2.4	%
Total Long Credit	$	2,094,774	100.0	%	$	1,996,259	100.0	%

(1)This information does not include U.S. Treasury securities, interest rate swaps, TBA positions, or other hedge positions.

(2)Includes equity investments in securitization-related vehicles.

(3)As discussed in Note 2 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, REO is not considered a financial instrument and as a result is included at the lower of cost or fair value.

(4)Includes investments in unconsolidated entities holding small balance commercial mortgage loans and REO.

(5)Includes an investment in an unconsolidated entity holding European RMBS.

In our credit portfolio, net interest income increased quarter over quarter, driven by a larger portfolio and lower financing costs, and we also had significant net realized and unrealized gains. Each of our credit strategies contributed positively to results during the third quarter. Prices increased for our non-QM loans, CMBS, CLO, and non-Agency RMBS holdings, as liquidity continued to improve in these markets. Our small balance commercial mortgage loan, consumer loan, and residential transition mortgage loan portfolios not only exhibited resilient credit performance and generated strong returns on equity, but also continued to return capital quickly for redeployment. We also benefited from extremely strong results for the quarter from our investments in loan originators.

Finally, with the strong performance of many credit sectors in the third quarter, our credit hedges detracted from performance.

Economic Impacts of COVID-19

Although many of our assets have continued to recover in the third quarter, we still anticipate eventual principal losses on certain of our credit assets as a result of the economic impacts of COVID-19. Such effects of these anticipated principal losses are reflected in earnings in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, as we elect the fair value option on our securities and loans.

Furthermore, as has been widely reported, there has been a significant nationwide increase in loan delinquencies, forbearances, deferments, and modifications, and we are seeing the effects of this in some of our portfolios, although the effects moderated considerably during the third quarter as compared to the second quarter.

•Non-QM Loan Portfolio—Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked with the servicer of our non-QM loans to develop a process to document and verify hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We use this information to determine the suitability for a borrower to be granted forbearance, typically for a term lasting three months. We have also worked with the servicer to develop a process to evaluate the possible loss mitigation options in the event that a borrower, at the end of the forbearance period, cannot fully repay the forborne payments. Such

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options may include various repayment plans, deferment plans, rate and/or term modifications, short sales, and principal reduction modifications.

As of September 30, 2020, non-QM loans with a unpaid principal balance of $9.8 million, or 1.1% of our non-QM loan portfolio, were in forbearance; 42.2% of these loans in forbearance continued to make their regular payments and were current under the terms of their notes despite being in forbearance plans as of September 30, 2020.

•Small Balance Commercial Mortgage Loan Portfolio—In our small balance commercial mortgage loan portfolio, we have granted short-term interest deferments to certain borrowers, with such deferred interest capitalized and added to the outstanding principal balance of the loan. In certain other cases, we have granted loan modifications to permit the use of cash reserves to pay interest due on the loan. As of September 30, 2020, small balance commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance of $28.6 million, or 11.3%, of our small balance commercial mortgage loan portfolio that were current prior to March 2020, have entered into a deferment or modification agreement.

•Consumer Loan Portfolio—As of September 30, 2020, we have also seen a decrease in loan deferments in our consumer loan portfolio. As of September 30, 2020, consumer loans with a unpaid principal balance of $20.8 million, or 13.9%, of our consumer loan portfolio had entered into a deferment plan at some point between March and September of 2020. Of these loans that had entered into a deferment plan, we had received payments on 85.7% of them, based on unpaid principal balance, as of September 30, 2020.

•Residential Transition Loan Portfolio—In our residential transition loan portfolio, we had no loans subject to forbearance, deferment, or modification plans as of September 30, 2020.

Supplemental Credit Portfolio Information

The table below summarizes our interests in commercial mortgage loans by property type of the underlying real estate collateral, as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance, as of September 30, 2020:

Property Type	September 30, 2020
Multifamily	32.0	%
Hotel(1)	19.0	%
Industrial(1)	16.0	%
Mixed Use	11.0	%
Retail	9.0	%
Other(1)	13.0	%
	100.0	%

(1)Includes our allocable portion of small-balance commercial loans, based on our ownership percentage, held in variable interest entities. Our equity investments in such variable interest entities are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Agency RMBS Summary

	September 30, 2020				June 30, 2020
($ in thousands)	Fair Value		% of Long Agency Portfolio		Fair Value		% of Long Agency Portfolio
Long Agency RMBS:
Fixed Rate	$	756,580	82.2	%	$	724,756	79.3	%
Floating Rate	7,046		0.8	%	7,899		0.9	%
Reverse Mortgages	104,524		11.4	%	131,535		14.4	%
IOs	51,705		5.6	%	49,007		5.4	%
Total Long Agency RMBS	$	919,855	100.0	%	$	913,197	100.0	%

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Our Agency strategy performed well during the quarter, driven by increased net interest income and strong performance from our specified pools. During the quarter, mortgage rates declined further and actual and expected prepayment rates rose, which benefited pay-ups on our prepayment-protected specified pools. Average pay-ups on our specified pools actually declined overall to 2.25% as of September 30, 2020, from 2.39%2 as of June 30, 2020, but this decrease only occurred because our specified pool purchases during the quarter were primarily of low-pay-up specified pools. Pay-ups are price premiums for specified pools relative to their TBA counterparts.

During the quarter, we also increased our holdings of long TBAs held for investment, which we concentrated in current coupon production. These investments performed well, driven by Federal Reserve purchasing activity. Also during the quarter, we continued to hedge interest rate risk in our Agency strategy, through the use of interest rate swaps, and short positions in TBAs, U.S. Treasury securities, and futures.

As of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the weighted average net pass-through rate on our fixed-rate specified pools was 3.8% and 4.0%, respectively. Portfolio turnover for our Agency strategy, as measured by sales and excluding paydowns, was approximately 1.4% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020.

We expect to continue to target specified pools that, taking into account their particular composition and based on our prepayment projections, should: (1) generate attractive yields relative to other Agency RMBS and U.S. Treasury securities, (2) have less prepayment sensitivity to government policy shocks, and/or (3) create opportunities for trading gains once the market recognizes their value, which for newer pools may come only after several months, when actual prepayment experience can be observed. We believe that our research team, proprietary prepayment models, and extensive databases remain essential tools in our implementation of this strategy.

The following table summarizes the prepayment rates for our portfolio of fixed-rate specified pools (excluding those backed by reverse mortgages) for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and September 30, 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020	June 30, 2020	March 31, 2020	December 31, 2019	September 30, 2019
Three-Month Constant Prepayment Rates(1)	22.0%	21.1%	20.1%	19.9%	15.7%

(1)Excludes Agency fixed-rate RMBS without any prepayment history.

2Conformed to current period calculation methodology.

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The following table provides details about the composition of our portfolio of fixed-rate specified pools (excluding those backed by reverse mortgages) as of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020:

		September 30, 2020					June 30, 2020
	Coupon (%)	Current Principal		Fair Value		Weighted Average Loan Age (Months)	Current Principal		Fair Value		Weighted Average Loan Age (Months)
		(In thousands)					(In thousands)
Fixed-rate Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages:
	2.50–2.99	$	19,952	$	21,282	46	$	8,300	$	8,383	15
	3.00–3.49	15,236		16,018		15	6,243		6,572		34
	3.50–3.99	22,078		23,672		62	23,753		25,236		59
	4.00–4.49	7,549		8,077		49	8,590		9,191		46
	4.50–4.99	4,676		4,946		121	5,127		5,398		118
Total 15-year fixed-rate mortgages		69,491		73,995		50	52,013		54,780		53
20-year fixed-rate mortgages:
	4.50–4.99	587		655		82	740		813		79
Total 20-year fixed-rate mortgages		587		655		82	740		813		79
30-year fixed-rate mortgages:
	2.50–2.99	12,492		13,138		2	—		—		—
	3.00–3.49	114,822		122,313		16	54,391		58,269		15
	3.50–3.99	135,962		147,768		45	143,401		155,556		42
	4.00–4.49	170,179		185,606		47	202,138		219,702		42
	4.50–4.99	117,661		129,787		43	130,536		143,461		40
	5.00–5.49	67,926		75,457		46	75,597		84,034		42
	5.50–5.99	5,191		5,946		58	5,409		6,103		57
	6.00–6.49	1,649		1,915		76	1,786		2,038		70
Total 30-year fixed-rate mortgages		625,882		681,930		39	613,258		669,163		39
Total fixed-rate Agency RMBS		$	695,960	$	756,580	40	$	666,011	$	724,756	41

Our net Agency premium as a percentage of the fair value of our specified pool holdings is one metric that we use to measure the overall prepayment risk of our specified pool portfolio. Net Agency premium represents the total premium (excess of market value over outstanding principal balance) on our specified pool holdings less the total premium on related net short TBA positions. The lower our net Agency premium, the less we believe that our specified pool portfolio is exposed to market-wide increases in Agency RMBS prepayments. Our net Agency premium as a percentage of fair value of our specified pool holdings was approximately 5.2% and 5.5% as of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively. These figures take into account the net short TBA positions that we use to hedge our specified pool holdings, which had a notional value of $353.2 million and a fair value of $378.9 million as of September 30, 2020, as compared to a notional value of $330.1 million and a fair value of $354.2 million as of June 30, 2020. Excluding these TBA hedging positions, our Agency premium as a percentage of fair value was approximately 8.1% and 8.3% as of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively. Our Agency premium percentage and net Agency premium percentage may fluctuate from period to period based on a variety of factors, including market factors such as interest rates and mortgage rates, and, in the case of our net Agency premium percentage, based on the degree to which we hedge prepayment risk with short TBA positions. We believe that our focus on purchasing pools with specific prepayment characteristics provides a measure of protection against prepayments.

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Financing

The following table details our borrowings outstanding and debt-to-equity ratios as of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020:

	As of
($ in thousands)	September 30, 2020		June 30, 2020
Recourse(1) Borrowings:
Repurchase Agreements	$	1,319,634	$	1,147,725
Other Secured Borrowings	40,764		46,289
Senior Notes, at par	86,000		86,000
Total Recourse Borrowings	$	1,446,398	$	1,280,014
Debt-to-Equity Ratio Based on Total Recourse Borrowings(1)	1.7:1		1.5:1
Debt-to-Equity Ratio Based on Total Recourse Borrowings Excluding U.S. Treasury Securities	1.7:1		1.5:1
Non-Recourse(2) Borrowings:
Repurchase Agreements	$	120,350	$	146,824
Other Secured Borrowings	101,910		109,800
Other Secured Borrowings, at fair value(3)	695,516		742,688
Total Recourse and Non-Recourse Borrowings	$	2,364,174	$	2,279,326
Debt-to-Equity Ratio Based on Total Recourse and Non-Recourse Borrowings	2.7:1		2.7:1
Debt-to-Equity Ratio Based on Total Recourse and Non-Recourse Borrowings Excluding U.S. Treasury Securities	2.7:1		2.7:1

(1)As of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, excludes borrowings at certain unconsolidated entities that are recourse to us. Including such borrowings, our debt-to-equity ratio based on total recourse borrowings was 1.7:1 and 1.6:1 as of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively.

(2)All of our non-recourse borrowings are secured by collateral. In the event of default under a non-recourse borrowing, the lender has a claim against the collateral but not any of the Operating Partnership's other assets. In the event of default under a recourse borrowing, the lender's claim is not limited to the collateral (if any).

(3)Relates to our non-QM loan securitizations, where we have elected the fair value option on the related debt.

Our debt-to-equity ratio including repos, Total other secured borrowings, and our Senior Notes, but excluding repos on U.S. Treasury securities, was 2.7:1 as of both September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Excluding repos on U.S. Treasury securities, our recourse debt-to-equity ratio increased to 1.7:1 as of September 30, 2020, from 1.5:1 as of June 30, 2020. Our debt-to-equity ratio may fluctuate period over period based on portfolio management decisions, market conditions, capital markets activities, and the timing of security purchase and sale transactions.

Our financing costs include interest expense related to our repo borrowings, Total other secured borrowings, and Senior Notes. The interest rates on our repo borrowings and Other secured borrowings are generally based on, or correlated with, LIBOR. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, our average cost of funds decreased to 2.06%, compared to 2.35% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2020. The period-over-period decline in our average cost of funds was due to the recent declines in short-term interest rates; as our older, higher cost repo borrowings have matured, we have replaced them with repo borrowings priced based on current, lower cost borrowing rates.

Critical Accounting Policies

We adopted ASC 946 upon commencement of operations in August 2007, and applied U.S. GAAP for investment companies. In connection with our internal restructuring and our intention to qualify as a REIT for the year ended December 31, 2019, we have determined that, effective January 1, 2019, we no longer qualified for investment company accounting in accordance with ASC 946-10-25, and prospectively discontinued its use. We elected the fair value option for, and therefore we will continue to measure at fair value, those of our assets and liabilities for which such election is permitted, as provided for under ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825").

Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ellington Financial Inc., its Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or "VIEs," for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain of our critical accounting policies require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe that all of the decisions and assessments upon which our condensed

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consolidated financial statements are based were reasonable at the time made based upon information available to us at that time. We rely on the experience of our Manager and Ellington and analysis of historical and current market data in order to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates. See Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies. We have identified our most critical accounting policies to be the following:

Valuation: For financial instruments that are traded in an "active market," the best measure of fair value is the quoted market price. However, many of our financial instruments are not traded in an active market. Therefore, management generally uses third-party valuations when available. If third-party valuations are not available, management uses other valuation techniques, such as the discounted cash flow methodology. Summary descriptions, for various categories of financial instruments, of the valuation methodologies management uses in determining fair value of our financial instruments are detailed in Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Management utilizes such methodologies to assign a good faith fair value (the estimated price that, in an orderly transaction at the valuation date, would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be) to each such financial instrument.

See the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on valuation techniques used by management in the valuation of our assets and liabilities.

Purchases and Sales of Investments and Investment Income: Purchase and sales transactions are generally recorded on trade date. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated based on identified cost. We generally amortize premiums and accrete discounts on our fixed-income investments using the effective interest method.

See the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on the assumptions and methods that we use to amortize purchase premiums and accrete purchase discounts.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of relevant recent accounting pronouncements.

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Financial Condition

The following table summarizes the fair value our investment portfolio(1) as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Long:
Credit:
Dollar Denominated:
CLO(2)	$	165,954	$	172,802
CMBS	105,015		124,693
Commercial Mortgage Loans and REO(3)(4)	304,698		320,926
Consumer Loans and ABS backed by Consumer Loans(2)	200,857		238,193
Corporate Debt and Equity and Corporate Loans	10,257		20,987
Equity Investments in Loan Origination Entities	57,009		41,393
Non-Agency RMBS	166,787		113,342
Residential Mortgage Loans and REO(3)	1,033,481		933,870
Non-Dollar Denominated:
CLO(2)	2,693		5,722
CMBS	—		175
Consumer Loans and ABS backed by Consumer Loans	333		549
Corporate Debt and Equity	27		30
RMBS(5)	47,663		55,156
Agency:
Fixed-Rate Specified Pools	756,580		1,758,882
Floating-Rate Specified Pools	7,046		10,002
IOs	51,705		35,279
Reverse Mortgage Pools	104,524		132,800
Total Long	$	3,014,629	$	3,964,801
Short:
Credit:
Dollar Denominated:
Corporate Debt and Equity	$	(461)	$	(471)
Government Debt:
Dollar Denominated	(14,310)		(62,994)
Non-Dollar Denominated	(36,722)		(9,944)
Total Short	$	(51,493)	$	(73,409)

(1)For more detailed information about the investments in our portfolio, please see the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

(2)Includes equity investments in securitization-related vehicles.

(3)REO is not eligible to elect the fair value option as described in Note 2 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements and, as a result, is included at the lower of cost or fair value.

(4)Includes investments in unconsolidated entities holding small balance commercial mortgage loans and REO.

(5)Includes an investment in an unconsolidated entity holding European RMBS.

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The following table summarizes our financial derivatives portfolio(1)(2) as of September 30, 2020.

	Notional						Net Fair Value
(In thousands)	Long		Short		Net
Mortgage-Related Derivatives:
CDS on MBS and MBS Indices	$	896	$	(31,624)	$	(30,728)	$	9,931
Total Net Mortgage-Related Derivatives							9,931
Corporate-Related Derivatives:
CDS on Corporate Bonds and Corporate Bond Indices	70,981		(149,219)		(78,238)		(1,694)
Total Return Swaps on Corporate Bond Indices and Corporate Debt(3)	4,739		—		4,739		17
Warrants(4)	1,546		—		1,546		31
Total Net Corporate-Related Derivatives							(1,646)
Interest Rate-Related Derivatives:
TBAs	168,890		(488,567)		(319,677)		864
Interest Rate Swaps	438,560		(587,986)		(149,426)		(15,984)
U.S. Treasury Futures(5)	1,900		(165,900)		(164,000)		(330)
Total Interest Rate-Related Derivatives							(15,450)
Other Derivatives:
Foreign Currency Forwards(6)	—		(22,784)		(22,784)		215
Total Net Other Derivatives							215
Net Total							$	(6,950)

(1)For more detailed information about the financial derivatives in our portfolio, please refer to Note 8 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

(2)In the table above, fair value of certain derivative transactions are shown on a net basis. The accompanying financial statements separate derivative transactions as either assets or liabilities. As of September 30, 2020, derivative assets and derivative liabilities were $27.9 million and $(34.8) million, respectively, for a net fair value of $(7.0) million, as reflected in "Net Total" above.

(3)Notional value represents the face amount of the underlying asset.

(4)Notional represents the maximum number of shares available to be purchased upon exercise.

(5)Notional value represents the total face amount of U.S. Treasury securities underlying all contracts held. As of September 30, 2020, a total of 19 long and 1,432 short U.S. Treasury futures contracts were held.

(6)Short notional value represents U.S. Dollars to be received by us at the maturity of the forward contract.

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The following table summarizes our financial derivatives portfolio(1)(2) as of December 31, 2019.

	Notional						Net Fair Value
(In thousands)	Long		Short		Net
Mortgage-Related Derivatives:
CDS on MBS and MBS Indices	$	1,039	$	(70,656)	$	(69,617)	$	4,062
Total Net Mortgage-Related Derivatives							4,062
Corporate-Related Derivatives:
CDS on Corporate Bonds and Corporate Bond Indices	131,137		(262,885)		(131,748)		(10,616)
Total Return Swaps on Corporate Bond Indices and Corporate Debt(3)	7,359		(17,560)		(10,201)		(589)
Total Net Corporate-Related Derivatives							(11,205)
Interest Rate-Related Derivatives:
TBAs	40,100		(1,093,730)		(1,053,630)		(416)
Interest Rate Swaps	305,723		(732,961)		(427,238)		(3,251)
U.S. Treasury Futures(4)	—		(16,000)		(16,000)		148
Eurodollar Futures(5)	—		(14,000)		(14,000)		(45)
Total Interest Rate-Related Derivatives							(3,564)
Other Derivatives:
Foreign Currency Forwards(6)	—		(26,211)		(26,211)		(126)
Total Net Other Derivatives							(126)
Net Total							$	(10,833)

(1)For more detailed information about the financial derivatives in our portfolio, please refer to Note 8 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

(2)In the table above, fair value of certain derivative transactions are shown on a net basis. The accompanying financial statements separate derivative transactions as either assets or liabilities. As of December 31, 2019, derivative assets and derivative liabilities were $16.8 million and $(27.6) million, respectively, for a net fair value of $(10.8) million, as reflected in "Net Total" above.

(3)Notional value represents the face amount of the underlying asset.

(4)Notional value represents the total face amount of U.S. Treasury securities underlying all contracts held. As of December 31, 2019, a total of 160 short U.S. Treasury futures contracts were held.

(5)Every $1,000,000 in notional value represents one contract.

Short notional value represents U.S. Dollars to be received by us at the maturity of the forward contract

As of September 30, 2020, our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet reflected total assets of $3.4 billion and total liabilities of $2.5 billion. As of December 31, 2019, our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet reflected total assets of $4.3 billion and total liabilities of $3.5 billion. Our investments in securities, loans, and unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives, and real estate owned included in total assets were $3.0 billion and $4.0 billion as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Our investments in securities sold short and financial derivatives included in total liabilities were $86.3 million and $101.0 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, investments in securities sold short consisted principally of short positions in sovereign bonds and U.S. Treasury securities, which we primarily use to hedge the risk of rising interest rates and foreign currency risk.

Typically, we hold a net short position in TBAs. The amounts of net short TBAs, as well as of other hedging instruments, may fluctuate according to the size of our investment portfolio as well as according to how we view market dynamics as favoring the use of one hedging instrument or another. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had a net short notional TBA position of $0.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. The size of the net short notional TBA position declined primarily because we covered TBA short positions in connection with sales of Agency RMBS, and because we increased the amount of long TBAs held for investment.

For a more detailed discussion of our investment portfolio, see "—Trends and Recent Market Developments—Portfolio Overview and Outlook" above.

We use mortgage-related credit derivatives primarily to hedge credit risk in certain credit strategies, although we also take net long positions in certain CDS on RMBS and CMBS indices. Our CDS on individual RMBS represent "single-name" positions whereby we have synthetically purchased credit protection on specific non-Agency RMBS bonds. As there is no longer an active market for CDS on individual RMBS, our portfolio in this sector continues to run off. We also use CDS on corporate bond indices, options thereon, and various other instruments as a means to hedge credit risk. As market conditions

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change, especially as the pricing of various credit hedging instruments changes in relation to our outlook on future credit performance, we continuously re-evaluate both the extent to which we hedge credit risk and the particular mix of instruments that we use to hedge credit risk.

We may hold long and/or short positions in corporate bonds or equities. Our long and short positions in corporate bonds or equities may serve as outright investments or portfolio hedges.

We use a variety of instruments to hedge interest rate risk in our portfolio, including non-derivative instruments such as U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt instruments, and derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, TBAs, Eurodollar and U.S. Treasury futures, and options on the foregoing. The mix of instruments that we use to hedge interest rate risk may change materially from one period to the next.

We have also entered into foreign currency forward and futures contracts in order to hedge risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations.

We have entered into repos to finance many of our assets. We account for our repos as collateralized borrowings. As of September 30, 2020 indebtedness outstanding on our repos was approximately $1.4 billion. As of September 30, 2020, our assets financed with repos consisted of Agency RMBS of $915.1 million and credit assets of $868.0 million. As of September 30, 2020, outstanding indebtedness under repos was $883.8 million for Agency RMBS and $556.2 million for credit assets. As of December 31, 2019 indebtedness outstanding on our repos was approximately $2.4 billion. As of December 31, 2019, our assets financed with repos consisted of Agency RMBS of $1.9 billion and credit assets of $830.3 million. As of December 31, 2019, outstanding indebtedness under repos was $1.9 billion for Agency RMBS and $580.8 million for credit assets. Our repos bear interest at rates that have historically moved in close relationship to LIBOR.

In addition to our repos, as of September 30, 2020 we had Total other secured borrowings of $838.2 million, used to finance $971.2 million of non-QM loans and REO, consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, and small balance commercial loans. This compares to Total other secured borrowings of $744.7 million as of December 31, 2019, used to finance $843.4 million of non-QM loans and REO, and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans. In addition to our secured borrowings, we had $86.0 million of Senior Notes outstanding as of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 our debt-to-equity ratio was 2.7:1 and 3.8:1, respectively. Excluding repos on U.S. Treasury securities, our recourse debt-to-equity ratio was 1.7:1 as of September 30, 2020 as compared to 2.6:1 as of December 31, 2019. See the discussion in "—Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for further information on our borrowings.

Equity

As of September 30, 2020, our equity increased by approximately $3.6 million to $872.3 million from $868.7 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase principally consisted of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $95.3 million and contributions from our non-controlling interests of approximately $7.6 million. These increases were partially offset by a net loss of $38.2 million, dividends of $49.0 million, distributions to non-controlling interests of approximately $9.6 million, and payments to repurchase shares of common stock of $3.1 million. Stockholders' equity, which excludes the non-controlling interests related to the minority interest in the Operating Partnership as well as the minority interests of our joint venture partners, was $835.1 million as of September 30, 2020.

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Results of Operations for the Three- and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands except per share amounts)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Interest Income (Expense)
Interest income	$	43,075	$	39,985	$	134,463	$	114,548
Interest expense	(12,937)		(19,954)		(49,713)		(57,275)
Net interest income	30,138		20,031		84,750		57,273
Other Income (Loss)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net	25,654		9,887		(67,753)		47,935
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1,918)		(7,887)		(27,811)		(40,986)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net	104		1,143		(341)		670
Other, net	(2,747)		539		(1,503)		4,349
Total other income (loss)	21,093		3,682		(97,408)		11,968
Expenses
Base management fee to affiliate (Net of fee rebates of $201, $503, $853, and $1,458, respectively)	2,981		1,942		8,330		5,324
Incentive fee to affiliate	—		—		—		—
Other investment related expenses	3,578		3,287		12,805		11,917
Other operating expenses	3,919		2,566		11,508		9,713
Total expenses	10,478		7,795		32,643		26,954
Net Income (Loss) before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Earnings (Losses) from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	40,753		15,918		(45,301)		42,287
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,494		2		3,490		378
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities	11,443		2,796		10,590		6,947
Net Income (Loss)	49,702		18,712		(38,201)		48,856
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	1,559		1,419		1,894		3,511
Dividends on preferred stock	1,940		—		5,822		—
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	46,203	$	17,293	$	(45,917)	$	45,345
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47

Core Earnings

We calculate Core Earnings as U.S. GAAP net income (loss) as adjusted for: (i) realized and unrealized gain (loss) on securities and loans, REO, financial derivatives (excluding periodic settlements on interest rate swaps), other secured borrowings, at fair value, and foreign currency transactions; (ii) incentive fee to affiliate; (iii) Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment (as defined below); (iv) non-cash equity compensation expense; (v) provision for income taxes; and (vi) certain other income or loss items that are of a non-recurring nature. For certain investments in unconsolidated entities, we include the relevant components of net operating income in Core Earnings. The Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment is a quarterly adjustment to premium amortization triggered by changes in actual and projected prepayments on our Agency RMBS (accompanied by a corresponding offsetting adjustment to realized and unrealized gains and losses). The adjustment is calculated as of the beginning of each quarter based on our then-current assumptions about cashflows and prepayments, and can vary significantly from quarter to quarter.

Core Earnings is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that the presentation of Core Earnings provides a consistent measure of operating performance by excluding the impact of gains and losses and other adjustments

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listed above from operating results. We believe that Core Earnings provides information useful to investors because it is a metric that we use to assess our performance and to evaluate the effective net yield provided by our portfolio. In addition, we believe that presenting Core Earnings enables our investors to measure, evaluate, and compare our operating performance to that of our peers. However, because Core Earnings is an incomplete measure of our financial results and differs from net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, it should be considered as supplementary to, and not as a substitute for, net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following table reconciles, for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Core Earnings to the line on the our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations entitled Net Income (Loss), which we believe is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Net income (loss)	$	49,702	$	18,712	$	(38,201)	$	48,856
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,494		2		3,490		378
Net income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	52,196		18,714		(34,711)		49,234
Adjustments:
Realized (gains) losses on securities and loans, net	(1,446)		(3,368)		2,335		3,460
Realized (gains) losses on financial derivatives, net	1,620		9,360		25,702		31,850
Realized (gains) losses on real estate owned, net	18		(1,165)		(121)		(1,205)
Unrealized (gains) losses on securities and loans, net	(24,208)		(6,519)		65,418		(51,395)
Unrealized (gains) losses on financial derivatives, net	298		(1,473)		2,109		9,136
Unrealized (gains) losses on real estate owned, net	(122)		22		462		535
Other realized and unrealized (gains) losses, net(1)	4,217		1,112		5,850		672
Net realized gains (losses) on periodic settlements of interest rate swaps	(1,150)		82		(1,900)		852
Net unrealized gains (losses) on accrued periodic settlements of interest rate swaps	516		171		541		(60)
Incentive fee to affiliate	—		—		—		—
Non-cash equity compensation expense	186		116		532		346
Negative (positive) component of interest income represented by Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment	(319)		1,508		4,440		2,911
Debt issuance costs related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		2,075		1,671
Non-recurring expenses(2)	143		16		143		1,333
(Earnings) losses from investments in unconsolidated entities(3)	(10,895)		(1,823)		(8,489)		(3,490)
Total Core Earnings	21,054		16,753		64,386		45,850
Dividends on preferred stock	1,940		—		5,822		—
Core Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests	1,148		1,316		3,683		3,444
Core Earnings Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	17,966	$	15,437	$	54,881	$	42,406
Core Earnings Attributable to Common Stockholders, per share	$	0.41	$	0.47	$	1.26	$	1.38

(1)Includes realized and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency and unrealized gain (loss) on other secured borrowings, at fair value, included in Other, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(2)For 2020, non-recurring expenses consisted of expensed deferred offering costs; for 2019, non-recurring expenses consisted primarily of professional fees related to the REIT Conversion.

(3)Adjustment represents, for certain investments in unconsolidated entities, the net realized and unrealized gains and losses of the underlying investments of such entities.

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Results of Operations for the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 we had net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of $46.2 million compared to $17.3 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The period-over-period increase in our results of operations was primarily due to an increase in other income (loss), net interest income, and earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, partially offset by an increase in total expenses, income tax expense, and dividends on preferred stock.

Interest Income

Interest income was $43.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $40.0 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. Interest income for both periods included coupon payments received and accrued on our holdings, the net accretion and amortization of purchase discounts and premiums on those holdings, and interest on our cash balances, including those balances held by our counterparties as collateral.

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, interest income from our credit portfolio was $36.4 million, as compared to $29.6 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. This period-over-period increase was primarily due to the larger size of the credit portfolio for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, partially offset by lower average asset yields on this portfolio.

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, interest income from our Agency RMBS was $6.7 million, as compared to $9.7 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. This period-over-period decrease was primarily due to the smaller size of the Agency portfolio, partially offset by higher average asset yields for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020.

The following table details our interest income, average holdings of yield-bearing assets, and weighted average yield based on amortized cost for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Credit(1)						Agency(1)						Total(1)
(In thousands)	Interest Income		Average Holdings		Yield		Interest Income		Average Holdings		Yield		Interest Income		Average Holdings		Yield
Three-month period ended September 30, 2020	$	36,354	$	1,974,414	7.37	%	$	6,663	$	835,533	3.19	%	$	43,017	$	2,809,947	6.12	%
Three-month period ended September 30, 2019	$	29,623	$	1,429,975	8.29	%	$	9,736	$	1,394,913	2.79	%	$	39,359	$	2,824,888	5.57	%

(1)Amounts exclude interest income on cash and cash equivalents (including when posted as margin) and long positions in U.S. Treasury securities. Also excludes long holdings of corporate securities that represent components of certain relative value trading strategies.

Some of the variability in our interest income and portfolio yields is due to the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, we had a positive Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment of approximately $0.3 million, which increased our interest income, while for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2019 we had a negative Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment of approximately $(1.5) million, which decreased our interest income. Excluding the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, the weighted average yield of our Agency portfolio and our total portfolio was 3.04% and 6.08%, respectively, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. Excluding the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, the weighted average yield of our Agency portfolio and our total portfolio was 3.23% and 5.79%, respectively, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily includes interest on funds borrowed under repos and Total other secured borrowings, interest on our Senior Notes, coupon interest on securities sold short, the related net accretion and amortization of purchase discounts and premiums on those short holdings, and interest on our counterparties' cash collateral held by us. Our total interest expense decreased to $12.9 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $20.0 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The period-over-period decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in borrowing rates on both our Agency and credit assets.

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The table below summarizes the components of interest expense for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Repos and Total other secured borrowings	$	11,585	18,493
Senior Notes (1)	1,248		1,248
Securities sold short (2)	20		131
Other (3)	84		82
Total	$	12,937	19,954

(1)Amount includes the related amortization of debt issuance costs. Includes interest expense on the Senior Notes.

(2)Amount includes the related net accretion and amortization of purchase discounts and premiums.

(3)Primarily includes interest expense on our counterparties' cash collateral held by us.

The following table summarizes our aggregate secured borrowings, which, other than Other secured borrowings, at fair value, carry interest rates that are based on, or correlated with, LIBOR, including repos and Total other secured borrowings, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Collateral for Secured Borrowing	Average Borrowings		Interest Expense		Average Cost of Funds		Average Borrowings		Interest Expense		Average Cost of Funds
(In thousands)
Credit(1)	$	1,356,028	$	10,817	3.17	%	$	1,028,341	$	10,142	3.91	%
Agency RMBS	876,995		768		0.35	%	1,320,588		8,351		2.51	%
Subtotal(1)	2,233,023		11,585		2.06	%	2,348,929		18,493		3.12	%
U.S. Treasury Securities	25		—		(0.02)	%	15		—		0.98	%
Total	$	2,233,048	$	11,585	2.06	%	$	2,348,944	$	18,493	3.12	%
Average One-Month LIBOR					0.16	%					2.18	%
Average Six-Month LIBOR					0.31	%					2.11	%

(1)Excludes U.S. Treasury Securities.

Among other instruments, we use interest rate swaps to hedge against the risk of rising interest rates. If we were to include as a component of our cost of funds the amortization of upfront payments and the actual and accrued periodic payments on our interest rate swaps used to hedge our assets, our total average cost of funds would increase to 2.24% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 and decrease to 3.05% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. Excluding the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, our net interest margin, defined as the yield on our portfolio of yield-bearing targeted assets less our cost of funds (including amortization of upfront payments and actual and accrued periodic payments on interest rate swaps as described above), was 3.84% and 2.74% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These metrics do not include costs associated with other instruments that we use to hedge interest rate risk, such as TBAs and futures.

Base Management Fees

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the gross base management fee, which is based on total equity at the end of each quarter, was $3.2 million, and our Manager credited us with rebates on our base management fee of $0.2 million, resulting in a net base management fee of $3.0 million. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, the gross base management fee was $2.4 million, and our Manager credited us with rebates on our base management fee of $0.5 million, resulting in a net base management fee of $1.9 million. For each period, the base management fee rebates related to those of our CLO investments for which Ellington or one of its affiliates earned CLO management fees. The period-over-period increase in the net base management fee was primarily due to our larger capital base at September 30, 2020, as well as a decrease in rebates on our base management fee.

Incentive Fees

In addition to the base management fee, our Manager is also entitled to a quarterly incentive fee if our performance (as measured by adjusted net income, as defined in the management agreement) over the relevant rolling four quarter calculation

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period exceeds a defined return hurdle for the period. No incentive fee was incurred for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 or 2019, since on a rolling four quarter basis, our income did not exceed the prescribed hurdle amount. Because our operating results can vary materially from one period to another, incentive fee expense can be highly variable.

Other Investment Related Expenses

Other investment related expenses consist of servicing fees on our mortgage and consumer loans, as well as various other expenses and fees directly related to our financial assets and certain financial liabilities carried at fair value. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 other investment related expenses were $3.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The increase in other investment related expenses was primarily due an increase in servicing expense on our loan portfolios.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses consist of professional fees, compensation expense related to our dedicated or partially dedicated personnel, and various other operating expenses necessary to run our business. Other operating expenses exclude management and incentive fees, interest expense, and other investment related expenses. Other operating expenses were $3.9 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $2.6 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in other operating expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to increases in professional fees, compensation expense, and fund administration expense.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense was $2.5 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $2 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in income tax expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in deferred tax liabilities related to unrealized gains on investments held in a domestic TRS.

Earnings (Losses) from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

We have elected the fair value option for our equity investments in unconsolidated entities. Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities was $11.4 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $2.8 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities was primarily due to unrealized gains on our investments in mortgage originators.

Other Income (Loss)

Other income (loss) consists of net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, financial derivatives, and real estate owned. Other, net, another component of Other income (loss), includes rental income and income related to loan origination, as well as realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency remeasurement and Other Secured Borrowings, at fair value. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, other income (loss) was $21.1 million, consisting primarily of net realized and unrealized gains of $25.7 million on our securities and loans, partially offset by net realized and unrealized losses on our financial derivatives of $(1.9) million, and Other, net of $(2.7) million. Net realized and unrealized gains of $25.7 million on our securities and loans primarily resulted from net realized and unrealized gains on our non-QM loans, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, and asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans, partially offset by net realized and unrealized losses on consumer loans. These gains were primarily due to a tightening in credit yield spreads as liquidity continued to improve in these markets. Net realized and unrealized losses of $(1.9) million on our financial derivatives was primarily related to net realized and unrealized losses on CDS on corporate bond indices, forwards, CDS on corporate bonds, and total return swaps, partially offset by net realized and unrealized gains on TBAs and interest rate swaps. Other, net of $(2.7) million primarily comprised net unrealized losses on Other Secured Borrowings, at fair value, partially offset by other income related to our loan portfolios.

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, other income was $3.7 million, consisting primarily of net realized and unrealized gains of $9.9 million on our securities and loans, net realized and unrealized gains of $1.1 million on our real estate owned, and gains included in Other, net of $0.5 million, partially offset by net realized and unrealized losses of $(7.9) million on our financial derivatives. Net realized and unrealized gains of $9.9 million on our securities and loans primarily resulted from net realized and unrealized gains on Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and small balance commercial loans and REO, partially offset by net realized and unrealized losses on CLOs, consumer loans, and corporate equity. Net realized and unrealized losses of $(7.9) million on our financial derivatives was primarily related to net realized and unrealized losses on interest rate swaps, TBAs, and futures.

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Results of Operations for the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 we had net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of $(45.9) million compared to $45.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. The period-over-period reversal in our results of operations was primarily due to net realized and unrealized losses on securities and loans, partially offset by an increase in net interest income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

Interest Income

Interest income was $134.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $114.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. Interest income for both periods included coupon payments received and accrued on our holdings, the net accretion and amortization of purchase discounts and premiums on those holdings, and interest on our cash balances, including those balances held by our counterparties as collateral.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, interest income from our credit portfolio was $111.4 million, as compared to $86.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. This period-over-period increase was primarily due to the larger size of the credit portfolio for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, partially offset by lower average asset yields on this portfolio.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, interest income from our Agency RMBS was $22.1 million, as compared to $26.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. This period-over-period decrease was primarily due to lower average asset yields for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

The following table details our interest income, average holdings of yield-bearing assets, and weighted average yield based on amortized cost for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Credit(1)						Agency(1)						Total(1)
(In thousands)	Interest Income		Average Holdings		Yield		Interest Income		Average Holdings		Yield		Interest Income		Average Holdings		Yield
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2020	$	111,377	$	1,941,332	7.65	%	$	22,116	$	1,196,610	2.46	%	$	133,493	$	3,137,942	5.67	%
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2019	$	86,029	$	1,380,891	8.31	%	$	26,798	$	1,210,975	2.95	%	$	112,827	$	2,591,866	5.80	%

(1)Amounts exclude interest income on cash and cash equivalents (including when posted as margin) and long positions in U.S. Treasury securities. Also excludes long holdings of corporate securities that represent components of certain relative value trading strategies.

Some of the variability in our interest income and portfolio yields is due to the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we had a negative Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment of approximately $(4.4) million and $(2.9) million, respectively, which decreased our interest income. Excluding the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, the weighted average yield of our Agency portfolio and our total portfolio was 2.96% and 5.86%, respectively, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. Excluding the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, the weighted average yield of our Agency portfolio and our total portfolio was 3.27% and 5.95%, respectively for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily includes interest on funds borrowed under repos and Total other secured borrowings, interest on our Senior Notes, coupon interest on securities sold short, the related net accretion and amortization of purchase discounts and premiums on those short holdings, and interest on our counterparties' cash collateral held by us. Our total interest expense decreased to $49.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $57.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. Although average borrowings increased period over period, interest expense declined as a result of a significant decrease in borrowing rates on our both our Agency and credit assets.

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The table below summarizes the components of interest expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Repos and Total other secured borrowings	$	45,377	52,921
Senior Notes (1)	3,745		3,720
Securities sold short (2)	450		533
Other (3)	141		101
Total	$	49,713	57,275

(1)Amount includes the related amortization of debt issuance costs. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, amount includes interest expense on the Senior Notes. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, amount includes interest expense on the Senior Notes and the Old Senior Notes.

(2)Amount includes the related net accretion and amortization of purchase discounts and premiums.

(3)Primarily includes interest expense on our counterparties' cash collateral held by us.

The following table summarizes our aggregate secured borrowings, which, other than Other secured borrowings, at fair value, carry interest rates that are based on, or correlated with, LIBOR, including repos and Total other secured borrowings, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Collateral for Secured Borrowing	Average Borrowings		Interest Expense		Average Cost of Funds		Average Borrowings		Interest Expense		Average Cost of Funds
(In thousands)
Credit(1)	$	1,389,000	$	34,132	3.28	%	$	998,151	$	30,647	4.11	%
Agency RMBS	1,176,191		11,241		1.28	%	1,130,467		22,208		2.63	%
Subtotal(1)	2,565,191		45,373		2.36	%	2,128,618		52,855		3.32	%
U.S. Treasury Securities	513		4		0.96	%	3,664		66		2.41	%
Total	$	2,565,704	$	45,377	2.36	%	$	2,132,282	$	52,921	3.32	%
Average One-Month LIBOR					0.65	%					2.37	%
Average Six-Month LIBOR					0.84	%					2.45	%

(1)Excludes U.S. Treasury Securities.

Among other instruments, we use interest rate swaps to hedge against the risk of rising interest rates. If we were to include as a component of our cost of funds the amortization of upfront payments and the actual and accrued periodic payments on our interest rate swaps used to hedge our assets, our total average cost of funds would increase to 2.45% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 and decrease to 3.24% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. Excluding the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, our net interest margin, defined as the yield on our portfolio of yield-bearing targeted assets less our cost of funds (including amortization of upfront payments and actual and accrued periodic payments on interest rate swaps as described above), was 3.41% and 2.71% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These metrics do not include costs associated with other instruments that we use to hedge interest rate risk, such as TBAs and futures.

Base Management Fees

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the gross base management fee, which is based on total equity at the end of each quarter, was $9.2 million, and our Manager credited us with rebates on our base management fee of $0.9 million, resulting in a net base management fee of $8.3 million. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the gross base management fee was $6.8 million, and our Manager credited us with rebates on our base management fee of $1.5 million, resulting in a net base management fee of $5.3 million. For each period, the base management fee rebates related to those of our CLO investments for which Ellington or one of its affiliates earned CLO management fees. The period-over-period increase in the net base management fee was primarily due to our larger capital base at September 30, 2020.

Incentive Fees

In addition to the base management fee, our Manager is also entitled to a quarterly incentive fee if our performance (as measured by adjusted net income, as defined in the management agreement) over the relevant rolling four quarter calculation

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period exceeds a defined return hurdle for the period. No incentive fee was incurred for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 or 2019, since on a rolling four quarter basis, our income did not exceed the prescribed hurdle amount. Because our operating results can vary materially from one period to another, incentive fee expense can be highly variable.

Other Investment Related Expenses

Other investment related expenses consist of servicing fees on our mortgage and consumer loans, as well as various other expenses and fees directly related to our financial assets and certain financial liabilities carried at fair value. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 other investment related expenses were $12.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively. The increase in other investment related expenses was primarily due to period-over-period increases in debt issuance costs related to our non-QM loan securitizations and servicing expenses on our consumer loan portfolios, partially offset by a decrease in various other expenses related to our residential and commercial mortgage loan and REO portfolios.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses consist of professional fees, compensation expense related to our dedicated or partially dedicated personnel, and various other operating expenses necessary to run our business. Other operating expenses exclude management and incentive fees, interest expense, and other investment related expenses. Other operating expenses were $11.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $9.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in other operating expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in fund administration expenses, the recognition of Delaware corporate franchise tax, and compensation expense.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense was $3.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $0.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in income tax expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in deferred tax liabilities related to unrealized gains on investments held in a domestic TRS.

Earnings (Losses) from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

We have elected the fair value option for our equity investments in unconsolidated entities. Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities was $10.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $6.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. The increase in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities was primarily due to unrealized gains on our investments in mortgage originators.

Other Income (Loss)

Other income (loss) consists of net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, financial derivatives, and real estate owned. Other, net, another component of Other income (loss), includes rental income and income related to loan origination, as well as realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency remeasurement and Other Secured Borrowings, at fair value. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, other income (loss) was $(97.4) million, consisting primarily of net realized and unrealized losses of $(67.8) million on our securities and loans and net realized and unrealized losses on our financial derivatives of $(27.8) million. Net realized and unrealized losses of $(67.8) million on our securities and loans primarily resulted from net unrealized losses on CLOs, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, partially offset by net unrealized gains on Agency RMBS and non-QM loans. These unrealized losses were primarily due to the market and economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Net realized and unrealized losses of $(27.8) million on our financial derivatives was primarily related to net realized and unrealized losses on interest rate swaps, TBAs, futures, and total return swaps, partially offset by net realized and unrealized gains on CDS on asset-backed indices, CDS on corporate bond indices, and CDS on corporate bonds.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, other income was $12.0 million, consisting primarily of net realized and unrealized gains of $47.9 million on our securities and loans, gains included in Other, net of $4.3 million, and net realized and unrealized gains of $0.7 million on our real estate owned, partially offset by net realized and unrealized losses of $(41.0) million on our financial derivatives. Net realized and unrealized gains of $47.9 million on our securities and loans primarily resulted from net realized and unrealized gains on Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans, and non-Agency RMBS and CMBS, partially offset by net realized and unrealized losses on CLOs, consumer loans, U.S. Treasury securities, and corporate debt and equity. Net realized and unrealized losses of $(41.0) million on our financial derivatives was primarily related to net realized and unrealized losses on interest rate swaps, TBAs, futures, CDS on corporate bond indices, and CDS on asset-backed indices, partially offset by net realized and unrealized gains on forwards.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity refers to our ability to meet our cash needs, including repaying our borrowings, funding and maintaining positions in our targeted assets, making distributions in the form of dividends, and other general business needs. Our short-term (one year or less) and long-term liquidity requirements include acquisition costs for assets we acquire, payment of our base management fee and incentive fee, compliance with margin requirements under our repos, reverse repos, and financial derivative contracts, repayment of repo borrowings and other secured borrowings to the extent we are unable or unwilling to extend such borrowings, payment of our general operating expenses, payment of interest payments on our Senior Notes, and payment of our dividends. Our capital resources primarily include cash on hand, cash flow from our investments (including principal and interest payments received on our investments and proceeds from the sale of investments), borrowings under repos and other secured borrowings, and proceeds from equity and debt offerings. We expect that these sources of funds will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs.

The following summarizes our borrowings under repos by remaining maturity:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Remaining Days to Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		% of Total		Outstanding Borrowings		% of Total
30 Days or Less	$	282,208	19.6	%	$	528,545	21.6	%
31 - 60 Days	516,641		35.9	%	848,878		34.7	%
61 - 90 Days	220,473		15.3	%	733,575		30.0	%
91 - 120 Days	160,054		11.1	%	10,270		0.4	%
121 - 150 Days	6,015		0.4	%	7,460		0.3	%
151 - 180 Days	30,987		2.1	%	34,580		1.4	%
181 - 360 Days	175,365		12.2	%	186,661		7.7	%
> 360 Days	48,241		3.4	%	95,331		3.9	%
	$	1,439,984	100.0	%	$	2,445,300	100.0	%

Repos involving underlying investments that were sold prior to September 30, 2020 for settlement following September 30, 2020, are shown using their original maturity dates even though such repos may be expected to be terminated early upon settlement of the sale of the underlying investment. 

The amounts borrowed under our repo agreements are generally subject to the application of "haircuts." A haircut is the percentage discount that a repo lender applies to the market value of an asset serving as collateral for a repo borrowing, for the purpose of determining whether such repo borrowing is adequately collateralized. As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average contractual haircut applicable to the assets that serve as collateral for our outstanding repo borrowings (excluding repo borrowings related to U.S. Treasury securities) was 34.1% with respect to credit assets, 6.4% with respect to Agency RMBS assets, and 19.9% overall. As of December 31, 2019 these respective weighted average contractual haircuts were 29.3%, 5.0%, and 12.3%. The increase in the weighted average contractual haircuts for both our credit assets and our Agency RMBS was primarily due to volatile market conditions and market-wide liquidity stresses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this increase in financing haircuts has not yet been shown to be temporary, market haircut levels as of the end of the third quarter were noticeably lower than those observed in early April 2020. Additionally, a significant portion of the increase in the weighted average contractual haircut on our overall portfolio is due to the lower share of our overall portfolio represented by Agency RMBS.

We expect to continue to borrow funds in the form of repos as well as other similar types of financings. The terms of our repo borrowings are predominantly governed by master repurchase agreements, which generally conform to the terms in the standard master repurchase agreement as published by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association as to repayment and margin requirements. In addition, each lender may require that we include supplemental terms and conditions to the standard master repurchase agreement. Typical supplemental terms and conditions include the addition of or changes to provisions relating to margin calls, net asset value requirements, cross default provisions, certain key person events, changes in corporate structure, and requirements that all controversies related to the repurchase agreement be litigated in a particular jurisdiction. These provisions may differ for each of our repo lenders.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $1.4 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, of borrowings outstanding under our repos. As of September 30, 2020, the remaining terms on our repos ranged from 1 day to 608 days, with a weighted average remaining term of 98 days. Our repo borrowings were with a total of 24 counterparties as of September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, our repos had a weighted average borrowing rate of 1.37%. As of September 30, 2020, our repos had interest rates ranging from 0.22% to 5.24%. As of December 31, 2019, the remaining terms on our repos ranged from

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2 days to 882 days, with a weighted average remaining term of 91 days. Our repo borrowings were with a total of 28 counterparties as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, our repos had a weighted average borrowing rate of 2.37%. As of December 31, 2019, our repos had interest rates ranging from 0.15% to 5.20%. Investments transferred as collateral under repos had an aggregate fair value of $1.8 billion and $2.8 billion as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The interest rates of our repos have historically moved in close relationship to short-term LIBOR rates, and in some cases are explicitly indexed to short-term LIBOR rates and reset accordingly. It is expected that amounts due upon maturity of our repos will be funded primarily through the roll/re-initiation of repos and, if we are unable or unwilling to roll/re-initiate our repos, through free cash and proceeds from the sale of securities.

During March and early April, while we were able to roll our repos in an orderly manner, haircuts and borrowing rates were generally higher, and maturities generally shorter. During the remainder of the second quarter, however, we made substantial progress extending and improving our sources of financing and leverage. In June, in addition to completing our non-QM securitization, we also obtained term financing for numerous loan assets that we had previously held unfinanced, and we extended the terms of several of our credit facilities. By the end of the second quarter, the market for standard repo financing of securities had largely returned to pre-March levels. During the third quarter, we also added a new financing facility for our residential loan strategies.

The following table details total outstanding borrowings, average outstanding borrowings, and the maximum outstanding borrowings at any month end for each quarter under repos for the past twelve quarters:

Quarter Ended	Borrowings Outstanding at Quarter End		Average Borrowings Outstanding		Maximum Borrowings Outstanding at Any Month End
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2020	$	1,439,984	$	1,368,191	$	1,551,147
June 30, 2020(1)	1,294,549		1,520,985		1,542,577
March 31, 2020(2)	2,034,225		2,440,982		2,485,496
December 31, 2019(3)	2,445,300		2,119,394		2,445,300
September 30, 2019	2,056,422		1,796,310		2,056,422
June 30, 2019	1,715,506		1,769,909		1,962,866
March 31, 2019	1,550,016		1,471,592		1,550,016
December 31, 2018	1,498,849		1,509,819		1,595,118
September 30, 2018	1,636,039		1,534,490		1,672,077
June 30, 2018	1,421,506		1,398,813		1,471,052
March 31, 2018	1,330,943		1,269,297		1,330,943
December 31, 2017(4)	1,209,315		1,050,018		1,209,315

(1)During this quarter, we continued to lower leverage and improve our liquidity given the uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(2)In March 2020, in response to significant volatility and heightened risks in the financial markets as a result of the spread of COVID-19, we significantly reduced our outstanding borrowings to lower leverage and increase our liquidity.

(3)At the end of 2019 we increased the size of both our Credit and Agency portfolios which we subsequently financed through repos.

(4)At the end of 2017 we increased the size of our Credit portfolio by purchasing certain more liquid, lower-risk securities which we subsequently financed through repos.

In addition to our borrowings under repos, we have entered into various other types of transactions to finance certain of our non-QM loans and REO, and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans; these transactions are accounted for as collateralized borrowings. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had outstanding borrowings related to such transactions in the amount of $838.2 million and $744.7 million, respectively, which is reflected under the captions "Other secured borrowings" and "Other secured borrowings, at fair value" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of non-QM loans and REO, consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, and small balance commercial mortgage loans collateralizing our Total other secured borrowings was $971.2 million and $843.4 million, respectively. See Note 11 in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further information on our other secured borrowings.

As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $86.0 million outstanding of Senior Notes, maturing in September 2022 and bearing interest at a rate of 5.50%, subject to adjustment based on changes, if any, in the ratings of the

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Senior Notes. These Senior Notes were issued on February 13, 2019 in connection with the Note Exchange. See Note 11 in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail on the Senior Notes.

As of September 30, 2020, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our repos with 24 counterparties of approximately $370.9 million, and as of December 31, 2019, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our repos with 28 counterparties of approximately $348.4 million. Amounts at risk represent the excess, if any, for each counterparty of the fair value of collateral held by such counterparty over the amounts outstanding under repos. If the amounts outstanding under repos with a particular counterparty are greater than the collateral held by the counterparty, there is no amount at risk for the particular counterparty. Amount at risk as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 does not include approximately $4.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively, of net accrued interest receivable, which is defined as accrued interest on securities held as collateral less interest payable on cash borrowed.

Our derivatives are predominantly subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act. We may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into derivative transactions. Changes in the relative value of derivative transactions may require us or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. Entering into derivative contracts involves market risk in excess of amounts recorded on our balance sheet. In the case of cleared derivatives, the clearinghouse becomes our counterparty and the future commission merchant acts as an intermediary between us and the clearinghouse with respect to all facets of the related transaction, including the posting and receipt of required collateral.

As of September 30, 2020, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our derivative contracts, excluding TBAs, with ten counterparties of approximately $11.8 million. We also had $6.0 million of initial margin for cleared over-the-counter, or "OTC," derivatives posted to central clearinghouses as of that date. As of December 31, 2019, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our derivatives contracts, excluding TBAs, with ten counterparties of approximately $26.4 million. We also had $14.2 million of initial margin for cleared OTC derivatives posted to central clearinghouses as of that date. Amounts at risk under our derivatives contracts represent the excess, if any, for each counterparty of the fair value of our derivative contracts plus our collateral held directly by the counterparty less the counterparty's collateral held by us. If a particular counterparty's collateral held by us is greater than the aggregate fair value of the financial derivatives plus our collateral held directly by the counterparty, there is no amount at risk for the particular counterparty.

We purchase and sell TBAs and Agency pass-through certificates on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. The delayed delivery for these securities means that these transactions are more prone to market fluctuations between the trade date and the ultimate settlement date, and therefore are more vulnerable, especially in the absence of margining arrangements with respect to these transactions, to increasing amounts at risk with the applicable counterparties. As of September 30, 2020, in connection with our forward settling TBA and Agency pass-through certificates, we had an aggregate amount at risk with four counterparties of approximately $3.8 million. As of December 31, 2019, in connection with our forward settling TBA and Agency pass-through certificates, we had an aggregate amount at risk with nine counterparties of approximately $4.2 million. Amounts at risk in connection with our forward settling TBA and Agency pass-through certificates represent the excess, if any, for each counterparty of the net fair value of the forward settling transactions plus our collateral held directly by the counterparty less the counterparty's collateral held by us. If a particular counterparty's collateral held by us is greater than the aggregate fair value of the forward settling transactions plus our collateral held directly by the counterparty, there is no amount at risk for the particular counterparty.

We held cash and cash equivalents of approximately $126.8 million and $72.3 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

On June 13, 2018, our Board of Directors approved the adoption of a share repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to 1.55 million shares of common stock. The program, which is open-ended in duration, allows us to make repurchases from time to time on the open market or in negotiated transactions, including under 10b5-1 plans. Repurchases are at our discretion, subject to applicable law, share availability, price and our financial performance, among other considerations. In addition to making discretionary repurchases, we from time to time use 10b5-1 plans to increase the number of trading days available to implement these repurchases.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we repurchased 290,050 shares at an average price per share of $10.54 and a total cost of $3.1 million. From inception of the current repurchase plan through November 6, 2020, we repurchased 701,965 shares at an average price per share of $13.36 and a total cost of $9.4 million, and have authorization to repurchase an additional 848,035 common shares.

On April 3, 2019, we commenced an "at-the-market" offering program, or "ATM program," by entering into equity distribution agreements with third party sales agents under which we are authorized to offer and sell shares of common stock from time to time with a maximum aggregate gross offering price of up to $150 million. Through January 21, 2020 we did not

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issue any shares of common stock under the ATM program. Effective January 21, 2020, we terminated the ATM program.

On January 24, 2020, we completed a follow-on offering of 5,290,000 shares of our common stock, of which 690,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' option. The issuance and sale of such common shares generated net proceeds, after underwriters' discount and offering costs, of $95.3 million.

We may declare dividends based on, among other things, our earnings, our financial condition, the REIT qualification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, our working capital needs and new opportunities. The declaration of dividends to our stockholders and the amount of such dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

The following table sets forth the dividend distributions authorized by the Board of Directors payable to common shareholders and holders of Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units (as defined in Note 2 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements) for the periods indicated below:

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

Declaration Date	Dividend Per Share		Dividend Amount		Record Date	Payment Date
			(In thousands)
January 8, 2020	$	0.15	$	6,699	January 31, 2020	February 25, 2020
February 7, 2020	0.15		6,699		February 28, 2020	March 25, 2020
March 6, 2020	0.15		6,658		March 31, 2020	April 27, 2020
April 7, 2020	0.08		3,551		April 30, 2020	May 26, 2020
May 7, 2020	0.08		3,551		May 29, 2020	June 25, 2020
June 5, 2020	0.09		3,995		June 30, 2020	July 27, 2020
July 8, 2020	0.09		3,995		July 31, 2020	August 25, 2020
August 7, 2020	0.09		3,995		August 31, 2020	September 25, 2020
September 8, 2020	0.09		3,997		September 30, 2020	October 26, 2020

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

Declaration Date	Dividend Per Share		Dividend Amount		Record Date	Payment Date
			(In thousands)
February 14, 2019	$	0.41	$	12,496	March 1, 2019	March 15, 2019
March 11, 2019	0.14		4,267		March 29, 2019	April 25, 2019
April 5, 2019	0.14		4,267		April 30, 2019	May 28, 2019
May 7, 2019	0.14		4,267		May 31, 2109	June 25, 2019
June 7, 2019	0.14		4,267		June 28, 2019	July 25, 2019
July 8, 2019	0.14		4,831		July 31, 2019	August 26, 2019
August 7, 2019	0.14		4,831		August 30, 2019	September 25, 2019
September 9, 2019	0.14		4,833		September 30, 2019	October 25, 2019

On October 7, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.09 per share of common stock payable on November 25, 2020 to stockholders of record as of October 30, 2020. On November 2, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share of common stock payable on December 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of November 30, 2020.

The following table sets forth the dividend distributions authorized by the Board of Directors payable to holders of our Series A Preferred Stock for the periods indicated below:

Declaration Date	Dividend Per Share		Dividend Amount		Record Date	Payment Date
			(In thousands)
April 7, 2020	$	0.421875	$	1,941	April 17, 2020	April 30, 2020
July 8, 2020	0.421875		1,941		July 20, 2020	July 30, 2020

On October 7, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.421875 per share of Series A

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Preferred Stock payable on October 30, 2020 to stockholders of record as of October 19, 2020.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, our operating activities provided net cash in the amount of $82.5 million and our investing activities provided net cash in the amount of $713.5 million. Our repo activity used to finance many of our investments (including repayments of amounts borrowed under our repos) used net cash of $975.6 million. We received $251.3 million in proceeds from the issuance of Total other secured borrowings and we used $59.9 million for principal payments on Other secured borrowings. Thus our operating and investing activities, when combined with our repo financings and Other secured borrowings (net of repayments), provided net cash of $11.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. We received proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of offering costs paid, of $95.3 million and contributions from non-controlling interests provided cash of $9.1 million. We used $50.6 million to pay dividends, $8.0 million for distributions to non-controlling interests (our joint venture partners), and $3.1 million to repurchase common stock. As a result there was an increase in our cash holdings of $54.5 million, from $72.5 million as of December 31, 2019 to $127.0 million as of September 30, 2020.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, our operating activities provided net cash in the amount of $56.1 million and our investing activities used net cash in the amount of $713.3 million. Our repo activity used to finance many of our investments (including repayments, in conjunction with the sales of investments, of amounts borrowed under our repos) provided net cash of $569.3 million. We received $99.5 million in proceeds from the issuance of Total other secured borrowings, we used $51.4 million for principal payments on Other secured borrowings, and we used $1.0 million for Debt issuance costs, which were related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value. Thus our operating and investing activities, when combined with our repo financings, Other secured borrowings (net of repayments), used net cash of $40.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. We received proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of offering costs paid, of $69.6 million and contributions from non-controlling interests provided cash of $16.9 million. We used $39.2 million to pay dividends, $17.3 million for distributions to non-controlling interests (our joint venture partners), and $0.8 million to repurchase common stock. As a result there was a decrease in our cash holdings of $11.7 million, from $45.1 million as of December 31, 2018 to $33.4 million as of September 30, 2019.

Based on our current portfolio, amount of free cash on hand, debt-to-equity ratio, and current and anticipated availability of credit, we believe that our capital resources will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term and long-term liquidity requirements. However, the unexpected inability to finance our Agency RMBS portfolio would create a serious short-term strain on our liquidity and would require us to liquidate much of that portfolio, which in turn would require us to restructure our portfolio to maintain our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT. Steep declines in the values of our credit assets financed using repos, or in the values of our derivative contracts, would result in margin calls that would significantly reduce our free cash position. Furthermore, a substantial increase in prepayment rates on our assets financed by repos could cause a temporary liquidity shortfall, because we are generally required to post margin on such assets in proportion to the amount of the announced principal paydowns before the actual receipt of the cash from such principal paydowns. If our cash resources are at any time insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may have to sell assets or issue additional debt or equity securities.

In March 2020, as a result of significant declines in asset prices and general price volatility, we received margin calls under our financing arrangements and under our derivative contracts that were higher than typical historical levels. During the second and third quarters, prices for most credit assets stabilized and market volatility subsided, and as a result, our margin calls reverted to more typical levels. We satisfied all margin calls during these periods.

Although we may from time to time enter into financing arrangements that limit our leverage, our investment guidelines do not limit the amount of leverage that we may use, and we believe that the appropriate leverage for the particular assets we hold depends on the credit quality and risk of those assets, as well as the general availability and terms of stable and reliable financing for those assets.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We are a party to a management agreement with our Manager. Pursuant to that agreement, our Manager is entitled to receive a base management fee, an incentive fee, reimbursement of certain expenses and, in certain circumstances, a termination fee. Such fees and expenses do not have fixed and determinable payments. For a description of the management agreement provisions, see Note 13 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

We have numerous contractual obligations and commitments related to our outstanding borrowings (see Note 11 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements) and related to our financial derivatives (see Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements).

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See Note 21 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2020 for further detail on our other contractual obligations and commitments.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2020, we did not have any material relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities nor do we have any commitment to provide funding to any such entities that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or resources that would be material to an investor in our securities. As such, we are not materially exposed to any market, credit, liquidity, or financing risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

At September 30, 2020 we have not entered into any repurchase agreements for which delivery of the borrowed funds is not scheduled until after period end.

Inflation

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates. Our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost and/or fair market value without considering inflation.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The primary components of our market risk at September 30, 2020 are related to credit risk, prepayment risk, and interest rate risk. We seek to actively manage these and other risks and to acquire and hold assets that we believe justify bearing those risks, and to maintain capital levels consistent with those risks.

Credit Risk

We are subject to credit risk in connection with many of our assets, especially non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, residential and commercial mortgage loans, corporate debt investments including CLOs and investments in securitization warehouses, and consumer loans.

Credit losses on real estate loans can occur for many reasons, including, but not limited to, poor origination practices, fraud, faulty appraisals, documentation errors, poor underwriting, legal errors, poor servicing practices, weak economic conditions, decline in the value of homes, businesses or commercial properties, special hazards, earthquakes and other natural events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or an outbreak of another highly infectious or contagious disease, over-leveraging of the borrower on a property, reduction in market rents and occupancies and poor property management services, changes in legal protections for lenders, reduction in personal income, job loss, and personal events such as divorce or health problems. Property values are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional, and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors), local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing), changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments, construction quality, age and design, demographic factors, and retroactive changes to building or similar codes.

The ability of borrowers to repay consumer loans may be adversely affected by numerous borrower-specific factors, including unemployment, divorce, major medical expenses or personal bankruptcy. General factors, including an economic downturn, high energy costs or acts of God or terrorism, pandemics such as novel coronavirus (COVID-19) or another highly infectious or contagious disease, may also affect the financial stability of borrowers and impair their ability or willingness to repay their loans. Whenever any of our consumer loans defaults, we are at risk of loss to the extent of any deficiency between the liquidation value of the collateral, if any, securing the loan, and the principal and accrued interest of the loan. Many of our consumer loans are unsecured, or are secured by collateral (such as an automobile) that depreciates rapidly; as a result, these loans may be at greater risk of loss than residential real estate loans.

Our corporate investments, especially our lower-rated or unrated CLO investments, corporate equity, and our investments in loan originators, have significant risk of loss, and our efforts to protect these investments may involve substantial costs and may not be successful. The risk of loss with respect to these investments has been, and will likely continue to be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the corporate debt in which we directly or indirectly invest will eventually be satisfied (e.g., through liquidation of the obligor's assets, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the debt securities or a payment of some amount in

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satisfaction of the obligation). In addition, these investments could involve loans to companies that are more likely to experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress, such as companies that are thinly capitalized, employ a high degree of financial leverage, are in highly competitive or risky businesses, are in a start-up phase, or are experiencing losses.

Similarly, we are exposed to the risk of potential credit losses on the other assets in our credit portfolio.

For many of our investments, the two primary components of credit risk are default risk and severity risk.

Default Risk

Default risk is the risk that a borrower fails to make scheduled principal and interest payments on a mortgage loan or other debt obligation. We may attempt to mitigate our default risk by, among other things, opportunistically entering into credit default swaps and total return swaps. These instruments can reference various MBS indices, corporate bond indices, or corporate entities. We often rely on third-party servicers to mitigate our default risk, but such third-party servicers may have little or no economic incentive to mitigate loan default rates.

Severity Risk

Severity risk is the risk of loss upon a borrower default on a mortgage loan or other secured or unsecured debt obligation. Severity risk includes the risk of loss of value of the property or other asset, if any, securing the mortgage loan or debt obligation, as well as the risk of loss associated with taking over the property or other asset, if any, including foreclosure costs. We often rely on third-party servicers to mitigate our severity risk, but such third-party servicers may have little or no economic incentive to mitigate loan loss severities. In the case of mortgage loans, such mitigation efforts may include loan modification programs and prompt foreclosure and property liquidation following a default. Many of our consumer loans are unsecured, or are secured by collateral (such as an automobile) that depreciates rapidly; as a result, these loans may be at greater risk of loss than residential real estate loans. Pursuing any remaining deficiency following a default on a consumer loan is often difficult or impractical, especially when the borrower has a low credit score, making further substantial collection efforts unwarranted. In addition, repossessing personal property securing a consumer loan can present additional challenges, including locating and taking physical possession of the collateral. We rely on servicers who service these consumer loans, to, among other things, collect principal and interest payments on the loans and perform loss mitigation services, and these servicers may not perform in a manner that promotes our interests. In the case of corporate debt, if a company declares bankruptcy, the bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversarial proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by a company whose debt we have purchased may adversely and permanently affect such company. If the proceeding results in liquidation, the liquidation value of the company may have deteriorated significantly from what we believed to be the case at the time of our initial investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and our return on investment can be adversely affected by delays until a plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. A bankruptcy court may also re-characterize our debt investment as equity, and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. This could occur even if our investment had initially been structured as senior debt.

Prepayment Risk

Prepayment risk is the risk of change, whether an increase or a decrease, in the rate at which principal is returned in respect of fixed-income assets in our portfolio, including both through voluntary prepayments and through liquidations due to defaults and foreclosures. Most significantly, our portfolio is exposed to the risk of changes in prepayment rates of mortgage loans, including the mortgage loans underlying our RMBS, and changes in prepayment rates of certain of our consumer loan holdings. This rate of prepayment is affected by a variety of factors, including the prevailing level of interest rates as well as economic, demographic, tax, social, legal, and other factors. Changes in prepayment rates will have varying effects on the different types of securities in our portfolio, and we attempt to take these effects into account in making asset management decisions. Additionally, increases in prepayment rates may cause us to experience losses on our interest only securities and inverse interest only securities, as those securities are extremely sensitive to prepayment rates. Prepayment rates, besides being subject to interest rates and borrower behavior, are also substantially affected by government policy and regulation. For example, the government sponsored HARP program, which was designed to encourage mortgage refinancings, was a steady contributor to Agency RMBS prepayment speeds from its inception in 2009 until its expiration at the end of 2018. Mortgage rates have declined significantly during 2020, and remain very low by historical standards. As a result, prepayments continue to represent a meaningful risk, especially with respect to our Agency RMBS.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with most of our assets and liabilities. For some securities in our portfolio, the coupon interest rates on, and

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therefore also the values of, such securities are highly sensitive to interest rate movements, such as inverse floating rate RMBS, which benefit from falling interest rates. Our repurchase agreements generally carry interest rates that are determined by reference to LIBOR or similar short-term benchmark rates for those same periods. Whenever one of our fixed-rate repo borrowings matures, it will generally be replaced with a new fixed-rate repo borrowing based on market interest rates prevailing at such time. Subject to qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act, we opportunistically hedge our interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps, TBAs, U.S. Treasury securities, Eurodollar futures, U.S. Treasury futures, and other instruments. In general, such hedging instruments are used to mitigate the interest rate risk arising from the mismatch between the duration of our financed assets and the duration of the liabilities used to finance such assets. The majority of this mismatch currently relates to our Agency RMBS.

The following sensitivity analysis table shows the estimated impact on the value of our portfolio segregated by certain identified categories as of September 30, 2020, assuming a static portfolio and immediate and parallel shifts in interest rates from current levels as indicated below.

(In thousands)	Estimated Change for a Decrease in Interest Rates by								Estimated Change for an Increase in Interest Rates by
	50 Basis Points				100 Basis Points				50 Basis Points				100 Basis Points
Category of Instruments	Market Value		% of Total Equity		Market Value		% of Total Equity		Market Value		% of Total Equity		Market Value		% of Total Equity
Agency RMBS	$	6,505	0.75	%	$	10,800	1.24	%	$	(8,715)	(1.00)	%	$	(19,640)	(2.25)	%
Non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS and Loans	5,713		0.66	%	12,152		1.39	%	(4,986)		(0.57)	%	(9,245)		(1.06)	%
U.S. Treasury Securities, and Interest Rate Swaps, Options, and Futures	(8,352)		(0.96)	%	(17,002)		(1.95)	%	8,051		0.92	%	15,802		1.81	%
Mortgage-Related Derivatives	—		—	%	—		—	%	1		—	%	2		—	%
Corporate Securities and Derivatives on Corporate Securities	(4)		—	%	(7)		—	%	6		—	%	13		—	%
Repurchase Agreements, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, and Senior Notes	(916)		(0.11)	%	(739)		(0.08)	%	1,915		0.22	%	4,480		0.52	%
Total	$	2,946	0.34	%	$	5,204	0.60	%	$	(3,728)	(0.43)	%	$	(8,588)	(0.98)	%

The preceding analysis does not show sensitivity to changes in interest rates for instruments for which we believe that the effect of a change in interest rates is not material to the value of the overall portfolio and/or cannot be accurately estimated. In particular, this analysis excludes certain of our holdings of corporate securities and derivatives on corporate securities, and reflects only sensitivity to U.S. interest rates.

Our analysis of interest rate risk is derived from Ellington's proprietary models as well as third-party information and analytics. Many assumptions have been made in connection with the calculations set forth in the table above and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes. For example, for each hypothetical immediate shift in interest rates, assumptions have been made as to the response of mortgage prepayment rates, the shape of the yield curve, and market volatilities of interest rates; each of the foregoing factors can significantly and adversely affect the fair value of our interest rate-sensitive instruments.

The above analysis utilizes assumptions and estimates based on management's judgment and experience, and relies on financial models, which are inherently imperfect; in fact, different models can produce different results for the same securities. While the table above reflects the estimated impacts of immediate parallel interest rate increases and decreases on specific categories of instruments in our portfolio, we actively trade many of the instruments in our portfolio, and therefore our current or future portfolios may have risks that differ significantly from those of our September 30, 2020 portfolio estimated above. Moreover, the impact of changing interest rates on fair value can change significantly when interest rates change by a greater amount than the hypothetical shifts assumed above. Furthermore, our portfolio is subject to many risks other than interest rate risks, and these additional risks may or may not be correlated with changes in interest rates. For all of the foregoing reasons and others, the table above is for illustrative purposes only and actual changes in interest rates would likely cause changes in the actual fair value of our portfolio that would differ from those presented above, and such differences might be significant and adverse. See "—Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2020. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2020.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Neither we nor Ellington nor its affiliates (including our Manager) are currently subject to any legal proceedings that we or our Manager consider material. Nevertheless, we and Ellington and its affiliates operate in highly regulated markets that currently are under regulatory scrutiny, and over the years, Ellington and its affiliates have received, and we expect in the future that we and they may receive, inquiries and requests for documents and information from various federal, state and foreign regulators.

We and Ellington cannot provide any assurance that, whether the result of regulatory inquiries or otherwise, neither we nor Ellington nor its affiliates will become subject to investigations, enforcement actions, fines, penalties or the assertion of private litigation claims or that, if any such events were to occur, they would not materially adversely affect us. For a discussion of these and other related risks, see "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—We, Ellington, or its affiliates may be subject to regulatory inquiries and proceedings, or other legal proceedings" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity, see the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020. There have been no material changes from these previously disclosed risk factors. See also "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," included in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

On September 10, 2020, we granted 5,710 limited liability company interests ("OP LTIP Units") to Thomas Robards, 5,710 LTIP units to Ronald I. Simon, Ph.D., 5,710 LTIP units to Edward Resendez, and 5,710 LTIP units to Lisa Mumford, as compensation for serving as directors. The OP LTIP Units may be converted, upon lapse of the applicable vesting restrictions, at the election of the holder, or at any time at our election, into limited liability company interests of the Operating Partnership designated as common units ("Common Units") on a one-for-one basis. Subject to certain conditions, the Common Units are redeemable by the holder for an equivalent number of our common shares or for the cash value of such common shares, at our election. These grants were made pursuant to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and such grants were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act based on the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On September 11, 2020, we issued 3,638 common shares in exchange for OP LTIP Units held by one of our directors. This issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act based on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

*    Furnished herewith. These certifications are not deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
Date:	November 9, 2020	By:	/s/ LAURENCE PENN
			Laurence Penn Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
		ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
Date:	November 9, 2020	By:	/s/ JR HERLIHY
			JR Herlihy Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Laurence Penn, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ellington Financial Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 9, 2020
		/s/ Laurence Penn
		Laurence Penn
		Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, JR Herlihy, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ellington Financial Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 9, 2020
		/s/ JR Herlihy
		JR Herlihy
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ellington Financial Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Laurence Penn, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 9, 2020	/s/ Laurence Penn
		Laurence Penn Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ellington Financial Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, JR Herlihy, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 9, 2020	/s/ JR Herlihy
		JR Herlihy Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

XML

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 06, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34569
Entity Registrant Name	Ellington Financial Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-0489289
Entity Address, Address Line One	53 Forest Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Old Greenwich
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06870
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	698-1200
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,781,684
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0001411342
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	EFC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	EFC PR A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 126,783	$ 72,302
Restricted cash	[1]	175	175
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	1,451,420	2,449,941
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	95,803	71,850
Real estate owned	[1]	24,794	30,584
Financial derivatives—assets, at fair value		27,864	16,788
Reverse repurchase agreements		47,041	73,639
Due from brokers	[1]	63,991	79,829
Investment related receivables	[1]	67,540	123,120
Other assets	[1]	2,850	7,563
Total Assets		3,350,873	4,338,217
Liabilities
Securities sold short, at fair value		51,493	73,409
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,439,984	2,445,300
Financial derivatives—liabilities, at fair value		34,814	27,621
Due to brokers		7,147	2,197
Investment related payables	[1]	0	66,133
Other secured borrowings	[1]	142,674	150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	695,516	594,396
Senior notes, net		85,495	85,298
Base management fee payable to affiliate		2,981	2,663
Incentive fee payable to affiliate		0	116
Dividends payable		5,299	6,978
Interest payable	[1]	2,074	7,320
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	11,119	7,753
Total Liabilities		2,478,596	3,469,518
Commitments and contingencies
ANALYSIS OF EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized;6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable; 4,600,000 shares issued and outstanding ($115,000 liquidation preference)		111,034	111,034
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 43,779,924 and 38,647,943 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		44	39
Additional paid-in-capital		916,038	821,747
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(191,986)	(103,555)
Total Stockholders' Equity		835,130	829,265
Non-controlling interests	[1]	37,147	39,434
Total Equity		872,277	868,699
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 3,350,873	$ 4,338,217

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	43,781,684	38,647,943
Common stock, shares outstanding	43,781,684	38,647,943
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.75%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 115,000	$ 115,000

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Net Interest Income
Interest income		$ 43,075	$ 39,985	$ 134,463	$ 114,548
Interest expense		(12,937)	(19,954)	(49,713)	(57,275)
Total net interest income		30,138	20,031	84,750	57,273
Other Income (Loss)
Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net		1,446	3,368	(2,335)	(3,460)
Realized (gains) losses on financial derivatives, net		(1,620)	(9,360)	(25,702)	(31,850)
Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net		(18)	1,165	121	1,205
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net		24,208	6,519	(65,418)	51,395
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net		(298)	1,473	(2,109)	(9,136)
Unrealized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net		122	(22)	(462)	(535)
Other, net		(2,747)	539	(1,503)	4,349
Total other income (loss)		21,093	3,682	(97,408)	11,968
Expenses
Base management fee to affiliate (Net of fee rebates)	[1]	2,981	1,942	8,330	5,324
Other investment related expenses
Servicing expense		2,379	1,940	7,402	6,578
Debt issuance costs related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0	0	2,075	1,671
Other		1,199	1,347	3,328	3,668
Professional fees		1,209	698	3,819	3,832
Compensation expense		1,085	712	2,813	2,687
Other expenses		1,625	1,156	4,876	3,194
Total expenses		10,478	7,795	32,643	26,954
Net Income (Loss) before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Earnings (Losses) from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities		40,753	15,918	(45,301)	42,287
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		2,494	2	3,490	378
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		11,443	2,796	10,590	6,947
Net Income (Loss)		49,702	18,712	(38,201)	48,856
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		1,559	1,419	1,894	3,511
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact		1,940	0	5,822	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders		$ 46,203	$ 17,293	$ (45,917)	$ 45,345
Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock:
Basic and Diluted (USD per share)		$ 1.06	$ 0.53	$ (1.06)	$ 1.47

[1] See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Management Fee Expense, Rebates	$ 201	$ 503	[1]	$ 853	$ 1,458	[1]

[1] See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Total Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Deficit)	Non-controlling Interest	Common Stock		Common Stock Total Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock Common Stock	Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		29,796,601		29,796,601
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 595,170	$ 563,833	$ 0	$ 665,356	$ (101,523)	$ 31,337
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Share conversion	[1]			$ 30	(30)
Net income (loss)		16,488	15,408			15,408	1,080
Contributions from non-controlling interests		2,512					2,512
Dividends	[2]	(16,764)	(16,360)			(16,360)	(404)
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(4,306)					(4,306)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests			(4)		(4)		4
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)				(50,825)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		(782)	(782)		(782)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		116	114		114		2
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019				29,745,776
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019		$ 592,434	562,209	$ 30	664,654	(102,475)	30,225
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		29,796,601		29,796,601
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 595,170	563,833	$ 0	665,356	(101,523)	31,337
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		4,025,000
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		0
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		(50,825)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		$ (800)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019		33,774,386		33,774,386
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		$ 668,967	635,446	$ 34	734,628	(99,216)	33,521
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 1.39
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019				29,745,776
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019		592,434	562,209	$ 30	664,654	(102,475)	30,225
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Net income (loss)		13,656	12,644			12,644	1,012
Contributions from non-controlling interests		4,936					4,936
Dividends	[2]	(12,801)	(12,493)			(12,493)	(308)
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(5,225)					(5,225)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		$ 114	110		110		4
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019		29,745,776		29,745,776
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019		$ 593,114	562,470	$ 30	664,764	(102,324)	30,644
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		0
Net income (loss)		$ 18,712	17,293			17,293	1,419
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		4,025,000						4,025,000	[3]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	[3]							$ 69,810		$ 69,810	$ 4	$ 69,806
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		0
Contributions from non-controlling interests		$ 9,428					9,428
Dividends	[2]	(14,494)	(14,185)			(14,185)	(309)
Distributions to non-controlling interests		$ (7,719)					(7,719)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests			(56)		(56)		56
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units								(3,610)
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		0
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		$ 116	114		114		2
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019		33,774,386		33,774,386
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		$ 668,967	635,446	$ 34	734,628	(99,216)	33,521
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.42
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 0
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		38,647,943		38,647,943
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 868,699	829,265	$ 39	821,747	(103,555)	39,434
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Net income (loss)		(128,342)	(127,457)			(127,457)	(885)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	[3]							5,290,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	[3]							$ 95,292		95,292	5	95,287
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares								637
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee								$ 12		$ 12	$ 0	$ 12
Contributions from non-controlling interests		3,487					3,487
Dividends	[2]	(20,057)	(19,748)			(19,748)	(309)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[4]	(1,941)	(1,941)			(1,941)	0
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(4,798)					(4,798)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests			(545)		(545)		545
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units				129,516
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units			2,378		2,378		2,378
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)				(288,172)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		(3,035)	(3,035)		(3,035)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		164	162		162		2
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020				43,779,924
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020		$ 809,481	774,383	$ 44	916,006	(252,701)	35,098
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		38,647,943		38,647,943
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 868,699	829,265	$ 39	821,747	(103,555)	39,434
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		5,290,000
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		637
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		(290,050)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		$ (3,100)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		43,781,684		43,781,684
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020		$ 872,277	835,130	$ 44	916,038	(191,986)	37,147
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.97
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared		$ 0.84375
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020				43,779,924
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020		809,481	774,383	$ 44	916,006	(252,701)	35,098
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Net income (loss)		40,439	39,219			39,219	1,220
Contributions from non-controlling interests		2,895					2,895
Dividends	[2]	(11,097)	(10,945)			(10,945)	(152)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[4]	(1,941)	(1,941)			(1,941)	0
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(2,280)					(2,280)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		$ 182	180		180		2
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020		43,779,924		43,779,924
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020		$ 837,679	800,896	$ 44	916,186	(226,368)	36,783
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		111,034
Net income (loss)		$ 49,702	48,143			48,143	1,559
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		0
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		0
Contributions from non-controlling interests		$ 1,199					1,199
Dividends	[2]	(11,987)	(11,821)			(11,821)	(166)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[4]	(1,940)	(1,940)			(1,940)	0
Distributions to non-controlling interests		$ (2,541)					(2,541)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests			(369)		(369)		369
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units				3,638				0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units			59		59		59
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		(1,878)		(1,878)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		$ (21)	(21)		(21)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		$ 186	183		183		3
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		43,781,684		43,781,684
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020		$ 872,277	$ 835,130	$ 44	$ 916,038	$ (191,986)	$ 37,147
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.27
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared		$ 0.421875
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034

[1] See Note 1 for further details on the share conversion.

[2] For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, dividends totaling $0.27 and $0.42, respectively, per share of common stock and convertible unit outstanding, were declared. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, dividends totaling $0.97 and $1.39, respectively, per share of common stock and convertible unit outstanding, were declared.

[3] Net of underwriters' discounts and offering costs.

[4] For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, dividends totaling $0.421875 and $0.84375, respectively, per share of preferred stock was declared.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss)		$ (38,201)	$ 48,856
Reconciliation of the net increase (decrease) in equity resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gains) losses on securities and loans, net		2,335	3,460
Realized (gains) losses on financial derivatives, net		25,702	31,850
Realized (gains) losses on real estate owned, net		(121)	(1,205)
Unrealized (gains) losses on securities and loans, net		65,418	(51,395)
Unrealized (gains) losses on financial derivatives, net		2,109	9,136
Unrealized (gains) losses on real estate owned, net		462	535
Share-based long term incentive plan unit expense		500	300
Debt issuance costs related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)		0	(1,034)
(Earnings) losses from investments in unconsolidated entities		(10,590)	(6,947)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		82,480	56,119
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of securities		(1,189,684)	(1,890,456)
Purchase of loans		(548,104)	(701,569)
Capital improvements of real estate owned		(153)	(240)
Proceeds from disposition of securities		1,830,612	1,353,755
Proceeds from disposition of loans		8,006	28,344
Contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities		(19,711)	(39,369)
Distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities		17,181	43,587
Proceeds from disposition of real estate owned		7,801	5,579
Proceeds from principal payments of securities		284,242	175,804
Proceeds from principal payments of loans		337,748	207,413
Proceeds from investments sold short		264,267	508,074
Repurchase of securities sold short		(292,105)	(549,782)
Payments on financial derivatives		(99,800)	(79,558)
Proceeds from financial derivatives		68,546	45,368
Payments made on reverse repurchase agreements		(6,659,967)	(4,171,036)
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements		6,686,565	4,343,602
Due from brokers, net		12,376	10,160
Due to brokers, net		5,641	(2,995)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		713,461	(713,319)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	[1]	95,537	70,035
Offering costs paid		(253)	(462)
Repurchase of common stock		(3,056)	(782)
Dividends paid		(50,642)	(39,226)
Contributions from non-controlling interests		9,134	16,876
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(7,961)	(17,250)
Proceeds from issuance of securitized debt		45,963	28,490
Proceeds from issuance of Other secured borrowings		205,357	70,988
Principal payment on securitized debt		(59,893)	(51,439)
Borrowings under repurchase agreements		3,445,412	6,110,390
Repayments of repurchase agreements		(4,423,440)	(5,540,301)
Due from brokers, net		2,620	(3,826)
Due to brokers, net		(238)	3,086
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(741,460)	645,545
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash		54,481	(11,655)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period		72,477	45,081
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, End of Period		126,958	33,426
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid		54,958	58,298
Dividends payable		5,299	4,833
Contribution from non-controlling interest (non-cash)		2,340	0
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(2,340)	0
Income tax paid		505	142
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards (non-cash)		500	300
Transfers from mortgage loans to real estate owned (non-cash)		2,198	18,314
Transfers from mortgage loans to investments in non-consolidated entities (non-cash)		10,833	0
Purchase of investments (non-cash)		0	(2,975)
Purchase of Loans Non Cash		6,270	0
Proceeds from issuance of Other secured borrowings (non-cash)		6,270	0
Proceeds from principal payments of investments (non-cash)		138,608	78,887
Repayments of repurchase agreement (non-cash)		(27,288)	(148,158)
Principal payments on Other secured borrowings, at fair value (non-cash)		(138,608)	(78,887)
Proceeds received from Other secured borrowings, at fair value (non-cash)		27,735	148,547
Repayment of senior notes (non-cash)		0	(86,000)
Issuance of senior notes (non-cash)		$ 0	$ 86,000

[1] Net of underwriters' discounts.

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Organization and Investment Objective

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Investment Objective

Organization and Investment Objective

Ellington Financial Inc., formerly known as Ellington Financial LLC, was originally formed as a Delaware limited liability company on July 9, 2007 and commenced operations on August 17, 2007. On February 28, 2019, Ellington Financial LLC filed a certificate of conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary") to convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the "Conversion") and change its name to Ellington Financial Inc. The Conversion became effective on March 1, 2019, and upon effectiveness, each of Ellington Financial LLC's existing common shares representing limited liability company interests, no par value, converted into one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Ellington Financial Inc. In connection with the Conversion, Ellington Financial Inc.'s Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") approved Ellington Financial Inc.'s Certificate of Incorporation (which was also filed with the Secretary) and Bylaws.

Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC (the "Operating Partnership"), a 98.8% owned consolidated subsidiary of Ellington Financial Inc., was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on December 14, 2012 and commenced operations on January 1, 2013. All of Ellington Financial Inc.'s operations and business activities are conducted through the Operating Partnership. Ellington Financial Inc., the Operating Partnership, and their consolidated subsidiaries are hereafter collectively referred to as the "Company." All intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT," under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and has elected to be taxed as a corporation effective January 1, 2019. The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In anticipation of the Company's intended election to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with its 2019 taxable year (the "REIT Election"), the Company implemented an internal restructuring as of December 31, 2018. As part of this restructuring, the Company moved certain of its non-REIT-qualifying investments and financial derivatives to taxable REIT subsidiaries or, "TRSs," and disposed of certain of its investments in non-REIT-qualifying investments and financial derivatives.

The Company invests in a diverse array of financial assets, including residential and commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities, or "RMBS," commercial mortgage-backed securities, or "CMBS," consumer loans and asset-backed securities, or "ABS," including ABS backed by consumer loans, collateralized loan obligations, or "CLOs," non-mortgage- and mortgage-related derivatives, equity investments in loan origination companies, and other strategic investments.

Ellington Financial Management LLC (the "Manager") is an SEC-registered investment adviser that serves as the Manager to the Company pursuant to the terms of its Seventh Amended and Restated Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement"), which was approved by the Board of Directors effective March 13, 2018. The Manager is an affiliate of Ellington Management Group, L.L.C. ("Ellington"), an investment management firm that is registered as both an investment adviser and a commodity pool operator. In accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager implements the investment strategy and manages the business and operations on a day-to-day basis for the Company and performs certain services for the Company, subject to oversight by the Board of Directors.

COVID-19 Impact

During the first quarter of 2020, there was a worldwide outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease, or "COVID-19." The outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and numerous countries, including the United States, have responded by instituting quarantines or lockdowns, imposing restrictions on travel, restrictions on the ability of individuals to assemble in groups, and restrictions on the ability of certain businesses to operate, all of which have resulted in significant disruptions in the U.S. and global economies. In mid-March 2020, adverse economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the Company's financial position and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to volatility, dislocations in the financial markets, and illiquidity. As a result, during the first quarter of 2020 the Company received margin calls under its repurchase agreements that were higher than typical historical levels. During the second and third quarters, prices for most credit assets, which are assets for which the principal and interest payments are not guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, stabilized, and market volatility subsided, and as a result our margin calls reverted to more typical levels. We satisfied all margin calls during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

Actions by the U.S. Federal Reserve starting in the second half of March 2020 helped stabilize the market for certain assets, including RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, or "Agency RMBS," and investment-grade corporate bonds, while other sectors, including non-

investment-grade CMBS and CLOs, noticeably lagged. In light of the heightened levels of market volatility and systemic liquidity risk experienced during the first quarter of 2020, the Company proactively reduced the size of its Agency RMBS portfolio, thereby bolstering its liquidity and lowering its leverage. In the second quarter, the Company resumed making new credit and Agency RMBS investments, but as of September 30, 2020, its investment portfolios were smaller and its debt-to-equity ratio lower than prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, and the Company maintained a higher cash balance.

The Company's management team has implemented business continuity plans, and the Company, the Manager, and Ellington continue to be fully operational in a largely work-from-home environment.

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Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

(A) Basis of Presentation: The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or "U.S. GAAP," and Regulation S-X. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or "VIEs," for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material (particularly in light of the significant volatility, lack of pricing transparency, and market dislocations that have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated responses to the pandemic). In management's opinion, all material adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and are only of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. The information included in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II. Item 1A—Risk Factors, included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

The Company adopted ASC 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies ("ASC 946") upon its commencement of operations in August 2007, and applied U.S. GAAP for investment companies. In connection with the Company's internal restructuring and the Company's intention to qualify as a REIT for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company determined that, effective January 1, 2019, it no longer qualified for investment company accounting in accordance with ASC 946-10-25, and has prospectively discontinued its use. The Company elected the fair value option, or "FVO," for, and therefore the Company continued to measure at fair value, those of its assets and liabilities it had previously measured at fair value and for which such election is permitted, as provided for under ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825"). Due to the prospective application of a change in accounting as required under ASC 946-10-25-2, the Company determined that the presentation of its condensed consolidated financial statements for periods beginning after December 31, 2018 are not comparable to the condensed consolidated financial statements previously prepared for prior periods for which the Company applied ASC 946.

Reclassification and Presentation

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company prospectively discontinued its application of ASC 946. Upon its change in status, the following significant changes and elections were made:

•Investments in securities are now accounted for in accordance with ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities ("ASC 320");

•The Company elected the FVO as provided for under ASC 825-10-25-4 for all eligible financial instruments for which the Company had previously measured at fair value, including investments in securities, loans, financial derivatives, and certain of the Company's secured borrowings. As a result, all changes in the fair value of such financial instruments will continue to be recorded in earnings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations;

•Real estate owned, or "REO," is not eligible for the FVO election. As a result, REO is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company's cost basis in any REO that was previously measured at fair value under ASC 946 was adjusted on January 1, 2019 to equal the fair value of such investment as of December 31, 2018;

•The Company elected not to designate its financial derivatives as hedging instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). As a result, all changes in the fair value of financial derivatives will continue to be recorded in earnings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations;

•Forward settling to-be-announced mortgage-backed-securities, or "TBAs," are no longer classified as investments. TBAs will be classified as financial derivatives, with the difference between the forward contract price and the market

value of the TBA position as of the reporting date included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations; and

•The Company is required to account for certain of its equity investments under ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures ("ASC 323-10"). The Company has elected the FVO for such equity investments and changes in fair value will be reported in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(B) Valuation: The Company applies ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820") to its holdings of financial instruments. ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

•Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Currently, the types of financial instruments the Company generally includes in this category are listed equities and exchange-traded derivatives;

•Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices included in Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Currently, the types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are Agency RMBS, U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt, certain non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, corporate debt, and actively traded derivatives such as interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards, and other over-the-counter derivatives; and

•Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are certain RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS, credit default swaps, or "CDS," on individual ABS, and total return swaps on distressed corporate debt, in each case where there is less price transparency. Also included in this category are residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans, and private corporate debt and equity investments.

For certain financial instruments, the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. For each such financial instrument, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value, with the highest priority given to inputs that are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1), and the lowest priority given to inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (Level 3). The 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 Company may use valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. The market approach uses third-party valuations and information obtained from market transactions involving identical or similar financial instruments. The income approach uses projections of the future economic benefit of an instrument to determine its fair value, such as in the discounted cash flow methodology. The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these financial instruments. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are assumed to occur at the end of the reporting period.

Summary Valuation Techniques

For financial instruments that are traded in an "active market," the best measure of fair value is the quoted market price. However, many of the Company's financial instruments are not traded in an active market. Therefore, management generally uses third-party valuations when available. If third-party valuations are not available, management uses other valuation techniques, such as the discounted cash flow methodology. The following are summary descriptions, for various categories of financial instruments, of the valuation methodologies management uses in determining fair value of the Company's financial instruments in such categories. Management utilizes such methodologies to assign a fair value (the estimated price that, in an orderly transaction at the valuation date, would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be) to each such financial instrument.

For mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS," TBAs, CLOs, and corporate debt and equity, management seeks to obtain at least one third-party valuation, and often obtains multiple valuations when available. Management has been able to obtain third-party valuations on the vast majority of these instruments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. Management generally values each financial instrument at the average of third-party valuations received and not rejected as described below. Third-party valuations are not binding, management may adjust the valuations it receives (e.g., downward adjustments for odd lots), and management may challenge or reject a valuation when, based on its validation criteria, management determines that such valuation is unreasonable or erroneous. Furthermore, based on its validation criteria,

management may determine that the average of the third-party valuations received for a given financial instrument does not result in what management believes to be the fair value of such instrument, and in such circumstances management may override this average with its own good faith valuation. The validation criteria may take into account output from management's own models, recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments, and valuations received from third parties. The use of proprietary models requires the use of a significant amount of judgment and the application of various assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning future prepayment rates and default rates. Given their relatively high level of price transparency, Agency RMBS pass-throughs are typically classified as Level 2. Non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, Agency interest only and inverse interest only RMBS, CLOs, and corporate bonds are generally classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 based on analysis of available market data and/or third-party valuations. The Company's investments in distressed corporate debt can be in the form of loans as well as total return swaps on loans. These investments, as well as related non-listed equity investments, are generally designated as Level 3 assets. Valuations for total return swaps are typically based on prices of the underlying loans received from third-party pricing services. Private equity investments are generally classified as Level 3. Furthermore, the methodology used by the third-party valuation providers is reviewed at least annually by management, so as to ascertain whether such providers are utilizing observable market data to determine the valuations that they provide.

For residential and commercial mortgage loans and consumer loans, management determines fair value by taking into account both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. Management has obtained third-party valuations on the majority of these investments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. In determining fair value for non-performing mortgage loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as management's estimates of the value of the underlying real estate, using information including general economic data, broker price opinions, or "BPOs," recent sales, property appraisals, and bids. In determining fair value for performing mortgage loans and consumer loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as discounted cash flows of the loans based on market assumptions. Cash flow assumptions typically include projected default and prepayment rates and loss severities, and may include adjustments based on appraisals and BPOs. Mortgage and consumer loans are classified as Level 3.

The Company has securitized certain mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or "non-QM loans." The Company's securitized non-QM loans are held as part of a collateralized financing entity, or "CFE." A CFE is a VIE that holds financial assets, issues beneficial interests in those assets, and has no more than nominal equity, and for which the issued beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CFE. ASC 810 allows the Company to elect to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the CFE using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the CFE. The Company has elected the FVO for initial and subsequent recognition of the debt issued by its consolidated securitization trusts and has determined that each consolidated securitization trust meets the definition of a CFE; see Note 10 "Securitization Transactions—Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations" for further discussion on the Company's securitization trusts. The Company has determined the inputs to the fair value measurement of the financial liabilities of each of its CFEs to be more observable than those of the financial assets and, as a result, has used the fair value of the financial liabilities of each of the CFEs to measure the fair value of the financial assets of each of the CFEs. The fair value of the debt issued by each CFE is typically valued using discounted cash flows and other market data. The securitized non-QM loans, which are assets of the CFEs, are included in Loans, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The debt issued by the CFEs is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrealized gains (losses) from changes in fair value of Other secured borrowings, at fair value, are included in Other, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The securitized non-QM loans and the debt issued by the Company's CFEs are both classified as Level 3.

For financial derivatives with greater price transparency, such as CDS on asset-backed indices, CDS on corporate indices, certain options on the foregoing, and total return swaps on publicly traded equities or indices, market-standard pricing sources are used to obtain valuations; these financial derivatives are generally classified as Level 2. Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and foreign currency forwards are typically valued based on internal models that use observable market data, including applicable interest rates and foreign currency rates in effect as of the measurement date; the model-generated valuations are then typically compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. These financial derivatives are also generally classified as Level 2. Financial derivatives with less price transparency, such as CDS on individual ABS, are generally valued based on internal models, and are classified as Level 3. In the case of CDS on individual ABS, the valuation process typically starts with an estimation of the value of the underlying ABS. In valuing its financial derivatives, the Company also considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each financial derivative agreement.

Investments in private operating entities, such as loan originators, are valued based on available metrics, such as relevant market multiples and comparable company valuations, company specific-financial data including actual and projected results, and independent third party valuation estimates. These investments are classified as Level 3.

The Company's repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2, based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature.

The Company's valuation process, including the application of validation criteria, is overseen by the Manager's Valuation Committee (the "Valuation Committee"). The Valuation Committee includes senior level executives from various departments within the Manager, and each quarter, the Valuation Committee reviews and approves the valuations of the Company's financial instruments. The valuation process also includes a monthly review by the Company's third-party administrator. The goal of this review is to replicate various aspects of the Company's valuation process based on the Company's documented procedures.

Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed, and the differences could be material to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

(C) Accounting for Securities: Purchases and sales of investments in securities are generally recorded on trade date, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated based on identified cost. Investments in securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320 or ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets ("ASC 325-40"). The Company generally classifies its securities as available-for-sale. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in securities. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

Many of the Company's investments in securities, such as MBS and CLOs, are issued by entities that are deemed to be VIEs. For the majority of such investments, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of such VIEs and therefore has not consolidated such VIEs. The Company's maximum risk of loss in these unconsolidated VIEs is generally limited to the fair value of the Company's investment in the VIE.

The Company evaluates its investments in interest only securities to determine whether they meet the requirements for classification as financial derivatives under ASC 815. For interest only securities, where the holder is entitled only to a portion of the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS, and inverse interest only securities, which are interest only securities whose coupon has an inverse relationship to its benchmark rate, such as LIBOR, the Company has determined that such investments do not meet the requirements for treatment as financial derivatives and are classified as securities.

Periods after January 1, 2020—For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses ("ASU 2016-13"), as discussed below, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its investments in securities on at least a quarterly basis, under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Available-for-Sale Debt Securities ("ASC 326-30"). When the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis is considered impaired. The Company must evaluate the decline in the fair value of the impaired security and determine whether such decline resulted from a credit loss or non-credit related factors. In its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of estimated future cash flows of the impaired security with the amortized cost basis of such security. The estimated future cash flows reflect those that a "market participant" would use and typically include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, collateral performance, and the timing and amount of projected credit losses, as well incorporating observations of current market developments and events. Cash flows are discounted at an interest rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. If the present value of estimated future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a security's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the security's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the security is reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—For periods prior to the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company evaluated the cost basis of its investments in securities for other-than-temporary impairment, or "OTTI," on at least a quarterly basis.

When the fair value of a security was less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis was considered impaired, and the impairment was designated as either temporary or other-than-temporary. When a security's cost basis was impaired, an OTTI was considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intended to sell the security, (ii) it was more likely than not that the Company would have been required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (iii) the Company did not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if the Company did not intend to sell the security and it was not more likely than not that the Company would have been required to sell the security.

Additionally, for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40, an impairment of the cost basis was recorded when there was an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security was less than its carrying amount. Any resulting OTTI adjustments made to the cost basis of the security were reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(D) Accounting for Loans: The Company's loan portfolio primarily consists of residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, and consumer loans. The Company's loans are accounted for under ASC 310-10, Receivables, and are classified as held-for-investment when the Company has the intent and ability to hold such loans for the foreseeable future or to maturity/payoff. When the Company has the intent to sell loans, such loans will be classified as held-for-sale. Mortgage loans held-for-sale are accounted for under ASC 948-310, Financial services—mortgage banking. The Company may aggregate its loans into pools based on common risk characteristics at purchase. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolios. Loans are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and changes in fair value are recorded in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. The Company generates income from fees on certain loans, generally commercial mortgage loans, that it originates and holds for investment, including origination and exit fees. Such fee income is recorded when earned and included in Other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Transfers between held-for-investment and held-for-sale occur once the Company's intent to sell the loans changes.

For residential and commercial mortgage loans, the Company generally accrues interest payments. Such loans are typically moved to non-accrual status if the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent. The Company does not accrue interest payments on its consumer loans; interest payments are recorded upon receipt. Once consumer loans are more than 120 days past due, the Company will generally charge off such loans. The Company evaluates its charged-off loans and determines collectibility, if any, on such loans.

The Company evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal on each of its loan investments and whether the cost basis of the loan is impaired. A loan's cost basis is impaired when, based on current information and market developments, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan's cost basis is impaired, the Company does not record an allowance for loan loss as it elected the FVO on all of its loan investments.

Periods after January 1, 2020—For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, in its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan with the amortized cost basis of such loan. If the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan is less than the amortized cost basis of such loan, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a loan's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the loan's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan is reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—For periods prior to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, the Company recognized impairments through an adjustment to the amortized cost basis; the Company recognized a realized loss in the period such adjustment was made, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(E) Interest Income: The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on its debt securities. Coupon interest income on fixed-income investments is generally accrued based on the outstanding principal balance or notional value and the current coupon rate.

For debt securities that are deemed to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest only securities), premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective interest method. For such securities whose cash flows vary depending on prepayments, an effective yield retroactive to the time of purchase is periodically recomputed based on actual prepayments and changes in projected prepayment activity, and a catch-up adjustment, or "Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment," is made to amortization to reflect the cumulative impact of the change in effective yield.

For debt securities (generally non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS, CLOs, and interest only securities) that are deemed not to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase, interest income is recognized based on the effective interest method. For purposes of estimating future expected cash flows, management uses assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions for future prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities (each of which may in turn incorporate various macro-economic assumptions, such as future housing prices, GDP growth rates, and unemployment rates). These assumptions are re-evaluated

not less than quarterly. Changes in projected cash flows may result in prospective changes in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities based on the updated expected future cash flows.

For each loan purchased with the expectation that both interest and principal will be paid in full, the Company generally amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the loan utilizing the effective interest method. However, based on current information and market developments, the Company re-assesses the collectibility of interest and principal, and generally designates a loan as in non-accrual status either when any payments have become 90 or more days past due, or when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect either interest or principal in full. Once a loan is designated as in non-accrual status, as long as principal is still expected to be collectible in full, interest payments are recorded as interest income only when received (i.e., under the cash basis method); accruals of interest income are only resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. However, if principal is not expected to be collectible in full, the cost recovery method is used (i.e., no interest income is recognized, and all payments received—whether contractually interest or principal—are applied to cost).

Periods after January 1, 2020—Certain of the Company's debt securities and loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, if at the date of acquisition for a particular asset the Company projects a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows, it establishes an initial estimate for credit losses as an upward adjustment to the acquisition cost of the asset for the purpose of calculating interest income using the effective yield method.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—Prior to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, for each loan acquired that had evidence of credit deterioration since origination and the expectation that either principal or interest would not be paid in full, interest income was generally recognized using the effective interest method for so long as the cash flows could be reasonably estimated. Here, instead of amortizing the purchase discount (i.e., the excess of the unpaid principal balance over the purchase price) over the life of the loan, the Company effectively amortized the accretable yield (i.e., the excess of the Company's estimate of the total cash flows to be collected over the life of the loan over the purchase price). Not less than quarterly, the Company updated its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the loan, and applied revised yields prospectively.

In estimating future cash flows on the Company's debt securities, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, including, in the case of MBS, assumptions relating to prepayment rates, default rates, loan loss severities, and loan repurchases. These estimates require the use of a significant amount of judgment.

(F) Investments in unconsolidated entities: The Company has made and may in the future make non-controlling equity investments in various entities, such as loan originators. Such investments are generally in the form of preferred and/or common equity, or membership interests. In certain cases, the Company can exercise significant influence over the entity (e.g. by having representation on the entity's board of directors) but the requirements for consolidation under ASC 810 are not met; in such cases the Company is required to account for such equity investments under ASC 323-10. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in unconsolidated entities, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period, as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner. The period change in fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities.

(G) REO: When the Company obtains possession of real property in connection with a foreclosure or similar action, the Company de-recognizes the associated mortgage loan according to ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure ("ASU 2014-04"). Under the provisions of ASU 2014-04, the Company is deemed to have received physical possession of real estate property collateralizing a mortgage loan when it obtains legal title to the property upon completion of a foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to it through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The Company's initial cost basis in REO is equal to the fair value of the real estate associated with the foreclosed mortgage loan, less expected costs to sell. REO valuations are reflected at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of such REO is typically based on management's estimates which generally use information including general economic data, BPOs, recent sales, property appraisals, and bids, and takes into account the expected costs to sell the property. REO recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are classified as Level 3.

(H) Securities Sold Short: The Company may purchase or engage in short sales of U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt to mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates on the performance of its portfolio. When the Company sells securities short, it typically satisfies its security delivery settlement obligation by borrowing or purchasing the security sold short from the same or a different counterparty. When borrowing a security sold short from a counterparty, the Company generally is required to deliver cash or securities to such counterparty as collateral for the

Company's obligation to return the borrowed security. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its securities sold short. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. As such, securities sold short are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the period change in fair value is recorded in current period earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. A realized gain or loss will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is less or greater than the original sale price. Such realized gain or loss is recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net.

(I) Financial Derivatives: The Company enters into various types of financial derivatives subject to its investment guidelines, which include restrictions associated with qualifying and maintaining qualification as a REIT. The Company's financial derivatives are predominantly subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the "Dodd-Frank Act." The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into derivative transactions. In addition, changes in the relative value of derivative transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. In the case of cleared derivatives, the clearinghouse becomes the Company's counterparty and a futures commission merchant acts as an intermediary between the Company and the clearinghouse with respect to all facets of the related transaction, including the posting and receipt of required collateral. Cash collateral received by the Company is included in Due to brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Conversely, cash collateral posted by the Company is included in Due from brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The types of derivatives primarily utilized by the Company are swaps, TBAs, futures, options, and forwards.

Swaps: The Company may enter into various types of swaps, including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, and total return swaps. The primary risk associated with the Company's interest rate swap activity is interest rate risk. The primary risk associated with the Company's credit default swaps and total return swaps is credit risk.

The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interest rate on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed-rate payment on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time. Interest rate swaps change in value with movements in interest rates. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps whereby the Company pays one floating rate and receives a different floating rate, or "basis swaps."

The Company enters into credit default swaps. A credit default swap is a contract under which one party agrees to compensate another party for the financial loss associated with the occurrence of a "credit event" in relation to a "reference amount" or notional value of a "reference asset" (usually a bond, loan, or an index or basket of bonds or loans). The definition of a credit event may vary from contract to contract. A credit event may occur (i) when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) fails to make scheduled principal or interest payments to its holders, (ii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing mortgage/asset-backed securities and indices, when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) is downgraded below a certain rating level, or (iii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing corporate entities and indices, upon the bankruptcy of the obligor of the reference asset (or underlying obligor, in the case of a reference asset that is an index). The Company typically writes (sells) protection to take a "long" position with respect to the underlying reference assets, or purchases (buys) protection to take a "short" position with respect to the underlying reference assets or to hedge exposure to other investment holdings.

The Company enters into total return swaps in order to take a "long" or "short" position with respect to an underlying reference asset. The Company is subject to market price volatility of the underlying reference asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional value. To the extent that the total return of the corporate debt, security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Company will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

Swaps change in value with movements in interest rates, credit quality, or total return of the reference securities. During the term of swap contracts, changes in value are recognized as unrealized gains or losses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. When a contract is terminated, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract, if any. Periodic payments or receipts required by swap agreements are recorded as unrealized gains or losses when accrued and realized gains or losses when received or paid. Upfront payments paid and/or received by the Company to open swap contracts are recorded as an asset and/or liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are recorded as a realized gain or loss on the termination date.

TBA Securities: The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. A TBA position is a forward contract for the purchase ("long position") or sale ("short position") of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and maturity on an agreed-upon future delivery date. For each TBA contract and delivery month, a uniform settlement date for all market participants is determined by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The specific Agency RMBS to be delivered into the contract at the settlement date are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company typically does not take delivery of TBAs, but rather enters into offsetting transactions and settles the associated receivable and payable balances with its counterparties. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for speculative purposes, including holding long positions.

TBAs are accounted for by the Company as financial derivatives. The difference between the forward contract price and the market value of the TBA position as of the reporting date is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell an asset for a set price on a future date. The Company enters into Eurodollar and/or U.S. Treasury security futures contracts to hedge its interest rate risk. The Company may also enter into various other futures contracts, including equity index futures and foreign currency futures. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can generally be either in the form of cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking-to-market to reflect the current market value of the contract. Variation margin payments are made or received periodically, depending upon whether unrealized losses or gains are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.

Options: The Company may purchase or write put or call options contracts or enter into swaptions. The Company enters into options contracts typically to help mitigate overall market, credit, or interest rate risk depending on the type of options contract. However, the Company also enters into options contracts from time to time for speculative purposes. When the Company purchases an options contract, the option asset is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium paid, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums paid for purchasing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized losses. If an options contract is exercised, the premium paid is subtracted from the proceeds of the sale or added to the cost of the purchase to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related transaction. When the Company writes an options contract, the option liability is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium received, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums received for writing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized gains. If an options contract is exercised, the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the purchase or added to the proceeds of the sale to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related investment transaction. When the Company enters into a closing transaction, the Company will realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the amount from the closing transaction is greater or less than the premiums paid or received. The Company may also enter into options contracts that contain forward-settling premiums. In this case, no money is exchanged upfront. Instead, the agreed-upon premium is paid by the buyer upon expiration of the option, regardless of whether or not the option is exercised.

Forward Currency Contracts: A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specific quantity of currency with the delivery and settlement at a specific future date and exchange rate. During the period the forward currency contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is settled, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.

Financial derivative assets are included in Financial derivatives—assets, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Financial derivative liabilities are included in Financial derivatives—liabilities, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its financial derivatives. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. Changes in unrealized gains and losses on financial derivatives are included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Realized gains and losses on financial derivatives are included in Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(J) Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. Cash and cash equivalents typically include amounts held in interest bearing overnight accounts and amounts held in money market funds, and these balances generally exceed insured limits. The

Company holds its cash at institutions that it believes to be highly creditworthy. Restricted cash represents cash that the Company can use only for specific purposes. See Note 18 for further discussion of restricted cash balances.

(K) Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into repurchase agreements with third-party broker-dealers whereby it sells securities under agreements to be repurchased at an agreed-upon price and date. The Company accounts for repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the initial sale price representing the amount borrowed, and with the future repurchase price consisting of the amount borrowed plus interest, at the implied interest rate of the repurchase agreement, on the amount borrowed over the term of the repurchase agreement. The interest rate on a repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. When the Company enters into a repurchase agreement, the lender establishes and maintains an account containing cash and/or securities having a value not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest, of the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximate fair value as the debt is short-term in nature.

(L) Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreement transactions whereby it purchases securities under agreements to resell at an agreed-upon price and date. In general, securities received pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are delivered to counterparties of short sale transactions. The interest rate on a reverse repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. Assets held pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are reflected as assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Reverse repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.

Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are conducted with the same counterparty may be reported on a net basis if they meet the requirements of ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. There are no repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements reported on a net basis in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

(M) Transfers of Financial Assets: The Company enters into transactions whereby it transfers financial assets to third parties. Upon such a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire interests in the related assets. The Company evaluates transferred assets pursuant to ASC 860-10, Transfers of Financial Assets, or "ASC 860-10," which requires that a determination be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor's continuing involvement 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. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify as a sale, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral. ASC 860-10 is a standard that requires the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a "sale" or a "financing."

(N) Variable Interest Entities: VIEs are entities in which: (i) the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) there is insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. Consolidation of a VIE is required by the entity that is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation under ASC 810. The primary beneficiary is generally the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant to the VIE.

When the Company has an interest in an entity that has been determined to be a VIE, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company will only consolidate a VIE for which it has concluded it is the primary beneficiary. To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes (i) identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and (ii) identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, it considers all of its economic interests, including debt and/or equity investments, as well as other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. These assessments to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary require significant judgment. In instances where the Company and its related parties have interests in a VIE, the Company considers whether there is a single party in the related party group that meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary. If one party within the related party group meets such criteria, that reporting entity would be deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and no further analysis is needed. If no party within the related party group on its own meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary, but the related party group as a whole meets such criteria, the determination of the primary beneficiary within the related party group requires significant judgment. The Company performs analysis, which is based upon qualitative as well as quantitative factors, such as the relationship of the VIE to each of the members of the

related party group, as well as the significance of the VIE's activities to those members, with the objective of determining which party is most closely associated with the VIE.

The Company performs ongoing reassessments of (i) whether any entities previously evaluated have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to assessment to determine whether consolidation is appropriate, and (ii) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company's involvement with a VIE causes its consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 9 and Note 13 for further information on the Company's consolidated VIEs.

The Company's maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. The Company is generally not contractually required to provide and has not provided any form of financial support to the VIEs.

The Company holds beneficial interests in certain securitization trusts that are considered VIEs. The beneficial interests in these securitization trusts are represented by certificates issued by the trusts. The securitization trusts have been structured as pass-through entities that receive principal and interest payments on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders, which include both third-party investors and the Company. The certificates held by the Company typically include some or all of the most subordinated tranches. The assets held by the trusts are restricted in that they can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the related trust. In certain cases, the design and structure of the securitization trust is such that the Company effectively retains control of the assets as well as the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the trust. In such cases, the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, and the Company consolidates the trust and all intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. In cases where the Company does not effectively retain control of the assets of, or have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of, the related trust, it does not consolidate the trust. See Note 10 for further discussion of the Company's securitization trusts.

(O) Offering Costs/Underwriters' Discount: Offering costs and underwriters' discount are charged against stockholders' equity as incurred. Offering costs typically include legal, accounting, and other fees associated with the cost of raising capital.

(P) Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs associated with debt for which the Company has elected the FVO are expensed at the issuance of the debt, and are included in Investment related expenses—Other on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Costs associated with the issuance of debt for which the Company has not elected the FVO are deferred and amortized over the life of the debt, which approximates the effective interest rate method, and are included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Deferred debt issuance costs are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, unless such deferred debt issuance costs are associated with borrowing facilities that are expected to have a future benefit, such as giving the Company the ability to access additional borrowings over the contractual term of the debt, in which case such deferred debt issuance costs are included in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs include legal and accounting fees, purchasers' or underwriters' discount, as well as other fees associated with the cost of the issuance of the related debt.

(Q) Expenses: Expenses are recognized as incurred on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(R) Investment Related Expenses: Investment related expenses consist of expenses directly related to specific financial instruments. Such expenses generally include dividend expense on common stock sold short, servicing fees and corporate and escrow advances on mortgage and consumer loans, and various other expenses and fees related directly to the Company's financial instruments. The Company has elected the FVO for its investments, and as a result all investment related expenses are expensed as incurred and included in Investment related expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(S) Investment Related Receivables: Investment related receivables on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes receivables for securities sold and interest and principal receivable on securities and loans.

(T) Long Term Incentive Plan Units: Long term incentive plan units of the Operating Partnership ("OP LTIP Units") have been issued to certain Ellington personnel dedicated or partially dedicated to the Company, certain of the Company's directors, as well as the Manager. Costs associated with OP LTIP Units issued to dedicated or partially dedicated personnel, or to the Company's directors, are measured as of the grant date based on the Company's closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange and are amortized over the vesting period in accordance with ASC 718-10, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The vesting periods for OP LTIP Units are typically one year from issuance for non-executive directors, and are typically one year to two years from issuance for dedicated or partially dedicated personnel.

(U) Non-controlling interests: Non-controlling interests include interests in the Operating Partnership represented by units convertible into shares of the Company's common stock ("Convertible Non-controlling Interests"). Convertible Non-controlling Interests include both the OP LTIP Units and those common units ("OP Units") of the Operating Partnership not held by the Company (collectively, the "Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units"). Non-controlling interests also include the

interests of joint venture partners in certain of our consolidated subsidiaries. The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of the Company's common stock. The Company adjusts the Convertible Non-controlling Interests to align their carrying value with their share of total outstanding Operating Partnership units, including both the OP Units held by the Company and the Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Any such adjustments are reflected in Adjustment to non-controlling interests, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. See Note 15 for further discussion of non-controlling interests.

(V) Dividends: Dividends payable on shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units are recorded on the declaration date.

(W) Shares Repurchased: Shares of common stock that are repurchased by the Company subsequent to issuance are immediately retired upon settlement and decrease the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The cost of such repurchases is charged against Additional paid-in-capital on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(X) Earnings Per Share ("EPS"): Basic EPS is computed using the two class method by dividing net income (loss) after adjusting for the impact of Convertible Non-controlling Interests which are participating securities, by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding calculated including Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Because the Company's Convertible Non-controlling Interests are participating securities, they are included in the calculation of both basic and diluted EPS.

(Y) Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company is U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the following dates: (i) assets, liabilities, and unrealized gains/losses—at the valuation date; and (ii) income, expenses, and realized gains/losses—at the accrual/transaction date. The Company isolates the portion of realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments and financial derivatives from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair value of investments and financial derivatives held. Changes in realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) due to foreign currency are included in Other, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Company's reporting currency is U.S. Dollars. If the Company has investments in unconsolidated entities that have a functional currency other than U.S. Dollars, the fair value is translated to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate at the valuation date. The cumulative translation adjustment, if any, associated with the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of consolidated stockholders' equity.

(Z) Income Taxes: The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to corporate-level federal and state income tax on net income it distributes to its stockholders within the prescribed timeframes. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including distributing at least 90% of its annual taxable income to stockholders. Even if the Company qualifies as a REIT, it may be subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries as TRSs, and may in the future elect to treat other current or future subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. A domestic TRS may, but is not required to, declare dividends to the Company; such dividends will be included in the Company's taxable income/(loss) and may necessitate a distribution to the Company's stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the level of a domestic TRS, such earnings will increase the book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxes. The Company has elected and may elect in the future to treat certain of its foreign corporate subsidiaries as TRSs and, accordingly, taxable income generated by these TRSs may not be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company's income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed. However, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries may be subject to income taxes in the relevant foreign jurisdictions.

The Company's financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty on tax positions, which requires management to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. For uncertain tax positions, the tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions related to the current period or its open tax years. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examination by federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable, for the current period and its open tax years. The Company may take positions with respect to certain tax issues which depend on legal interpretation of facts or applicable tax regulations. Should the relevant tax regulators successfully challenge any of such positions, the Company might be found to have a tax liability that has not been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Also, management's conclusions regarding the authoritative guidance may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on changing tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.

(AA) Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or "FASB," issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). This amends ASC 820 to remove or modify various current disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement. Additionally, ASU 2018-13 requires certain additional disclosures around fair value measurement. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. Entities are permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which introduced a new model related to the accounting for credit losses on financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-13 amends the guidance which required an OTTI charge only when fair value is below the amortized cost of an asset. The length of time the fair value of an available-for-sale debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists; as a result, there is no longer an other-than-temporary impairment model. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will now be limited to the difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value. The new debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses. While generally not applicable for financial assets for which the fair value option has been elected, the Company has applied the principles of ASU 2016-13 as described above. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"), which provides optional guidance for a limited period meant to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, reform to LIBOR and certain other reference rates. The standard is effective for all entities beginning on March 12, 2020 and may be elected over time. However, ASU 2020-04 is only applicable to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, and that were entered into or evaluated prior to January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2020-04 would have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Valuation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Valuation

Valuation

The tables below reflect the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	—	$	907,715	$	12,140	$	919,855
Non-Agency RMBS	—		73,538		139,199		212,737
CMBS	—		62,206		42,809		105,015
CLOs	—		50,304		112,990		163,294
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans	—		—		47,298		47,298
Corporate debt securities	—		—		2,207		2,207
Corporate equity securities	—		—		1,014		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	—		—		1,030,709		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	—		—		252,231		252,231
Consumer loans	—		—		152,609		152,609
Corporate loans	—		—		7,063		7,063
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	—		—		95,803		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	—		—		351		351
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		9,722		—		9,722
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		39		—		39
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		2,419		—		2,419
Interest rate swaps	—		13,790		—		13,790
TBAs	—		1,150		—		1,150
Total return swaps	—		—		105		105
Warrants	—		31		—		31
Futures	1		—		—		1
Forwards	—		256		—		256
Total assets	$	1	$	1,121,170	$	1,896,528	$	3,017,699
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at fair value:
Government debt	$	—	$	(51,032)	$	—	$	(51,032)
Corporate debt securities	—		(461)		—		(461)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		(142)		—		(142)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		(580)		—		(580)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		(3,572)		—		(3,572)
Interest rate swaps	—		(29,774)		—		(29,774)
TBAs	—		(286)		—		(286)
Futures	(331)		—		—		(331)
Forwards	—		(41)		—		(41)
Total return swaps	—		—		(88)		(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		(695,516)		(695,516)
Total liabilities	$	(331)	$	(85,888)	$	(695,604)	$	(781,823)

December 31, 2019:

Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	—	$	1,917,059	$	19,904	$	1,936,963
Non-Agency RMBS	—		76,969		89,581		166,550
CMBS	—		95,063		29,805		124,868
CLOs	—		125,464		44,979		170,443
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans	—		—		48,610		48,610
Corporate debt securities	—		—		1,113		1,113
Corporate equity securities	—		—		1,394		1,394
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	—		—		932,203		932,203
Commercial mortgage loans	—		—		274,759		274,759
Consumer loans	—		—		186,954		186,954
Corporate loans	—		—		18,510		18,510
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	—		—		71,850		71,850
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	—		—		993		993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		3,319		—		3,319
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		2		—		2
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		5,599		—		5,599
Interest rate swaps	—		5,468		—		5,468
TBAs	—		596		—		596
Total return swaps	—		—		620		620
Futures	148		—		—		148
Forwards	—		43		—		43
Total assets	$	148	$	2,229,582	$	1,721,275	$	3,951,005
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at fair value:
Government debt	$	—	$	(72,938)	$	—	$	(72,938)
Corporate debt securities	—		(471)		—		(471)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		(250)		—		(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		(1,693)		—		(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		(14,524)		—		(14,524)
Interest rate swaps	—		(8,719)		—		(8,719)
TBAs	—		(1,012)		—		(1,012)
Futures	(45)		—		—		(45)
Forwards	—		(169)		—		(169)
Total return swaps	—		(773)		(436)		(1,209)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		(594,396)		(594,396)
Total liabilities	$	(45)	$	(100,549)	$	(594,832)	$	(695,426)

The following tables identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range						Weighted Average
Description					Min			Max
	(In thousands)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	85,183	Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	$	9.43		$	314.93		$	87.41
CMBS	41,602		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	4.56			95.32			59.06
CLOs	88,907		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	2.00			93.50			78.04
Agency interest only RMBS	3,503		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	0.80			22.13			12.60
Corporate loans	7,063		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	100.00			100.00			100.00
ABS backed by consumer loans	107		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	96.01			97.58			96.80
Non-Agency RMBS	54,016		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	0.8		%	60.0		%	8.5		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	13.5		%	77.6		%	59.2		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.0		%	70.3		%	8.7		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	0.0		%	46.5		%	10.3		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	7.7		%	70.4		%	21.8		%
											100.0		%
Non-Agency CMBS	1,207		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	23.1		%	25.7		%	23.7		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.7		%	0.9		%	0.8		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	1.9		%	3.8		%	3.4		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	95.4		%	97.4		%	95.8		%
											100.0		%
Corporate debt and equity	3,221		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
CLOs	24,083		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	6.7		%	85.2		%	20.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	65.7		%	88.5		%	71.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	4.4		%	20.9		%	17.0		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	4.3		%	11.2		%	9.7		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0		%	2.8		%	2.0		%
											100.0		%
ABS backed by consumer loans	47,191		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	14.0		%	23.6		%	14.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0		%	9.8		%	7.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	1.0		%	34.7		%	16.3		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	56.7		%	99.0		%	76.4		%
											100.0		%

(continued)	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range				Weighted Average
Description					Min		Max
	(In thousands)
Consumer loans	$	152,609	Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.0	%	12.0	%	10.0	%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0	%	37.1	%	12.9	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	1.1	%	86.6	%	10.7	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	13.4	%	98.2	%	76.4	%
									100.0	%
Performing commercial mortgage loans	228,560		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	6.8	%	10.4	%	8.0	%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans	23,671		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.5	%	16.2	%	12.5	%
				Months to Resolution	4.9		8.8		7.0
Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans	245,027		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	0.6	%	54.3	%	6.0	%
Securitized residential mortgage loans(1)(2)	760,420		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.8	%	7.3	%	4.2	%
Non-performing residential mortgage loans	25,262		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.5	%	28.4	%	10.3	%
				Months to Resolution	—		90.9		33.2
Total return swaps—asset	105		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	11.7	%	20.8	%	12.7	%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	351		Net Discounted Cash Flows	Projected Collateral Prepayments	33.3	%	41.0	%	39.2	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	6.8	%	11.2	%	9.1	%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	13.6	%	18.3	%	15.2	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	35.1	%	41.6	%	36.5	%
									100.0	%
Agency interest only RMBS	8,637		Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")	LIBOR OAS(3)(4)	160		3,992		954
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.7	%	100.0	%	78.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0	%	99.3	%	21.7	%
									100.0	%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	95,803		Enterprise Value	Equity Price-to-Book(5)	1.0x		4.0x		1.3x
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)(6)	(695,516)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.8%		3.3%		2.4%
Total return swaps—liability	(88)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	20.8%		20.8%		20.8%

(1)Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2.

(2)Includes $37.1 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans.

(3)Shown in basis points.

(4)For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $1.4 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 596 basis points.

(5)Represents an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.

(6)For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of yield, excludes Other secured borrowings, at fair value with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $(116.1) million. Including these borrowings the weighted average yield was 1.81%.

December 31, 2019:

	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range						Weighted Average
Description					Min			Max
	(In thousands)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	38,754	Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	$	6.68		$	144.79		$	86.21
CMBS	29,630		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	5.08			80.72			64.73
CLOs	38,220		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	40.00			96.00			73.98
Agency interest only RMBS	3,753		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	1.36			16.61			5.11
Corporate loans	6,010		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	100.00			100.00			100.00
ABS backed by consumer loans	139		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	95.47			96.78			96.12
Non-Agency RMBS	50,827		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	3.3		%	60.9		%	10.0		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.8		%	72.0		%	49.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.0		%	22.7		%	6.6		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	0.0		%	32.4		%	6.9		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	16.9		%	92.9		%	37.2		%
											100.0		%
Non-Agency CMBS	175		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.0		%	100.0		%	100.0		%
											100.0		%
Corporate debt and equity	2,507		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
CLOs	6,759		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	14.0		%	41.9		%	26.2		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	48.5		%	84.6		%	72.5		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	11.7		%	36.4		%	19.9		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	3.7		%	15.1		%	7.6		%
											100.0		%
ABS backed by consumer loans	48,471		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	12.0		%	20.2		%	12.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0		%	11.2		%	9.7		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.6		%	18.0		%	15.4		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	71.3		%	99.4		%	74.9		%
											100.0		%

(continued)	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range				Weighted Average
Description					Min		Max
	(In thousands)
Consumer loans	$	186,954	Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	7.0	%	10.0	%	8.1	%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0	%	44.2	%	16.0	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	3.0	%	84.5	%	8.6	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	15.5	%	95.8	%	75.4	%
									100.0	%
Corporate loans	12,500		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	15.0	%	18.0	%	16.8	%
Performing commercial mortgage loans	248,214		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	7.7	%	16.6	%	8.8	%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans	26,545		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.8	%	14.7	%	12.4	%
				Months to Resolution	1.1		23.0		11.4
Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans	289,672		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.6	%	19.5	%	6.2	%
Securitized residential mortgage loans(1)(2)	628,415		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	3.2	%	4.3	%	3.6	%
Non-performing residential mortgage loans	14,116		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.0	%	26.6	%	9.1	%
				Months to Resolution	1.1		165.4		54.6
Total return swaps—asset	620		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	8.5	%	27.7	%	11.5	%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	993		Net Discounted Cash Flows	Projected Collateral Prepayments	35.4	%	42.0	%	37.3	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	4.2	%	12.4	%	10.2	%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	10.0	%	18.2	%	15.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	36.2	%	41.5	%	37.2	%
									100.0	%
Agency interest only RMBS	16,151		Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")	LIBOR OAS(3)	93		3,527		701
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	12.3	%	100.0	%	72.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0	%	87.7	%	27.7	%
									100.0	%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	41,392		Enterprise Value	Equity Price-to-Book(4)	1.0x		4.7x		1.7x
Investment in unconsolidated entities	30,458		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield(5)	3.7%		14.8%		9.9%
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	(594,396)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	2.9%		4.0%		3.3%
Total return swaps—liability	(436)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	27.7%		27.7%		27.7%

(1)Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2.

(2)Includes $1.5 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans.

(3)Shown in basis points.

(4)Represent an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.

(5)Represents the significant unobservable inputs used to fair value the financial instruments of the unconsolidated entity. The fair value of such financial instruments is the largest component of the valuation of such entity as a whole.

Third-party non-binding valuations are validated by comparing such valuations to internally generated prices based on the Company's models and, when available, to recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments.

For those instruments valued using discounted and net discounted cash flows, collateral prepayments, losses, recoveries, and scheduled amortization are projected over the remaining life of the collateral and expressed as a percentage of the collateral's current principal balance. Averages are weighted based on the fair value of the related instrument. In the case of credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, averages are weighted based on each instrument's bond equivalent value. Bond equivalent value represents the investment amount of a corresponding position in the reference obligation, calculated as the difference between the outstanding principal balance of the underlying reference obligation and the fair value, inclusive of accrued interest, of the derivative contract. For those assets valued using the LIBOR Option Adjusted Spread ("LIBOR OAS") valuation methodology, cash flows are projected using the Company's models over multiple interest rate scenarios, and these projected cash flows are then discounted using the LIBOR rates implied by each interest rate scenario. The LIBOR OAS of an asset is then computed as the unique constant yield spread that, when added to all LIBOR rates in each interest rate scenario generated by the model, will equate (a) the expected present value of the projected asset cash flows over all model scenarios to (b) the actual current market price of the asset. LIBOR OAS is therefore model-dependent. Generally speaking, LIBOR OAS measures the additional yield spread over LIBOR that an asset provides at its current market price after taking into account any interest rate options embedded in the asset. The Company considers the expected timeline to resolution in the determination of fair value for its non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans.

Material changes in any of the inputs above in isolation could result in a significant change to reported fair value measurements. Additionally, fair value measurements are impacted by the interrelationships of these inputs. For example, for instruments subject to prepayments and credit losses, such as non-Agency RMBS and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, a higher expectation of collateral prepayments will generally be accompanied by a lower expectation of collateral losses. Conversely, higher losses will generally be accompanied by lower prepayments. Because the Company's credit default swaps on asset-backed security holdings represent credit default swap contracts whereby the Company has purchased credit protection, such credit default swaps on asset-backed securities generally have the directionally opposite sensitivity to prepayments, losses, and recoveries as compared to the Company's long securities holdings. Prepayments do not represent a significant input for the Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans. Losses and recoveries do not represent a significant input for the Company's Agency RMBS interest only securities, given the guarantee of the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise.

The tables below includes a roll-forward of the Company's financial instruments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  June 30, 2020		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/Payments(1)		Sales/Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2020
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	12,907	$	(1,482)	$	494	$	280	$	3,490	$	(2,243)	$	2,621	$	(3,927)	$	12,140
Non-Agency RMBS	128,607		884		(77)		2,610		21,138		(6,395)		10,895		(18,463)		139,199
CMBS	65,695		659		8		4,117		12,699		(8)		560		(40,921)		42,809
CLOs	136,466		1,962		(82)		1,920		2,241		(127)		6,483		(35,873)		112,990
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	47,941		(1,435)		(4)		1,165		7,455		(7,824)		—		—		47,298
Corporate debt securities	1,951		—		296		509		28		(577)		—		—		2,207
Corporate equity securities	1,084		—		—		(73)		3		—		—		—		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	948,447		(2,009)		(146)		15,672		139,609		(70,864)		—		—		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	295,496		17		36		(6)		18,881		(62,193)		—		—		252,231
Consumer loans	166,681		(6,342)		(112)		(1,627)		28,554		(34,545)		—		—		152,609
Corporate loan	6,227		—		—		—		836		—		—		—		7,063
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	72,553		—		62		11,381		15,307		(3,500)		—		—		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	353		—		1		(2)		3		(4)		—		—		351
Total return swaps	442		—		(129)		(338)		209		(79)		—		—		105
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,884,850	$	(7,746)	$	347	$	35,608	$	250,453	$	(188,359)	$	20,559	$	(99,184)	$	1,896,528
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	(77)	$	—	$	4	$	(11)	$	(4)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(742,688)		—		—		(5,178)		52,350		—		—		—		(695,516)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(742,765)	$	—	$	4	$	(5,189)	$	52,346	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(695,604)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $9.3 million, $14.2 million, $11.3 million, $(0.3) million, $(11) thousand, and $(5.2) million, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $99.2 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $20.6 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  June 30, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/ Payments(1)		Sales/ Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2019
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	11,034	$	(1,164)	$	(621)	$	696	$	13,254	$	—	$	737	$	(437)	$	23,499
Non-Agency RMBS	96,790		(121)		7,836		(6,457)		6,483		(21,457)		5,808		(7,400)		81,482
CMBS	6,278		25		374		(302)		6,815		(1,474)		652		—		12,368
CLOs	17,222		(184)		1,158		184		—		(1,139)		15,287		(4,520)		28,008
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	25,019		(611)		(100)		(320)		18,638		(3,310)		—		—		39,316
Corporate debt securities	4,081		—		(583)		142		6,425		(6,883)		—		—		3,182
Corporate equity securities	1,791		—		(768)		(61)		1,316		—		—		—		2,278
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	663,880		(2,241)		(400)		3,559		191,512		(58,582)		—		—		797,728
Commercial mortgage loans	260,034		(52)		(1)		507		32,426		(32,288)		—		—		260,626
Consumer loans	162,609		(6,474)		(1,055)		28		33,101		(36,510)		—		—		151,699
Corporate loans	5,000		—		—		—		10,790		—		—		—		15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	69,676		—		(139)		2,935		9,643		(11,680)		—		—		70,435
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	1,090		—		16		(12)		10		(26)		—		—		1,078
Total return swaps	87		—		(15)		148		—		15		—		—		235
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,324,591	$	(10,822)	$	5,702	$	1,047	$	330,413	$	(173,334)	$	22,484	$	(12,357)	$	1,487,724
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	—	$	—	$	48	$	(214)	$	—	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(214)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	$	(475,816)	$	—	$	—	$	(72)	$	37,259	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(438,629)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(475,816)	$	—	$	48	$	(286)	$	37,259	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(438,843)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(4.7) million, $4.1 million, $3.3 million, $0.1 million, $(0.2) million, and $(0.1) million, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2019, the Company transferred $12.4 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $22.5 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  December 31, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/Payments(1)		Sales/Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2020
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	19,904	$	(6,072)	$	614	$	2,803	$	8,219	$	(3,295)	$	2,177	$	(12,210)	$	12,140
Non-Agency RMBS	89,581		1,113		303		(1,996)		61,933		(29,811)		22,974		(4,898)		139,199
CMBS	29,805		617		(867)		(4,638)		51,432		(32,284)		7,828		(9,084)		42,809
CLOs	44,979		1,237		(7,586)		(24,206)		47,730		—		53,462		(2,626)		112,990
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	48,610		(3,584)		(200)		(1,501)		25,001		(21,028)		—		—		47,298
Corporate debt securities	1,113		—		504		991		3,450		(3,851)		—		—		2,207
Corporate equity securities	1,394		—		7		(741)		366		(12)		—		—		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	932,203		(4,414)		(722)		7,008		340,842		(244,208)		—		—		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	274,759		113		135		(140)		107,608		(130,244)		—		—		252,231
Consumer loans	186,954		(21,712)		(97)		(6,965)		104,872		(110,443)		—		—		152,609
Corporate loan	18,510		—		—		—		1,053		(12,500)		—		—		7,063
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	71,850		—		62		10,528		29,522		(16,159)		—		—		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	993		—		(955)		915		29		(631)		—		—		351
Total return swaps	620		—		113		(515)		209		(322)		—		—		105
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,721,275	$	(32,702)	$	(8,689)	$	(18,457)	$	782,266	$	(604,788)	$	86,441	$	(28,818)	$	1,896,528
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	(436)	$	—	$	(501)	$	349	$	500	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(594,396)		—		—		(6,636)		138,608		(233,092)		—		—		(695,516)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(594,832)	$	—	$	(501)	$	(6,287)	$	139,108	$	(233,092)	$	—	$	—	$	(695,604)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(56.3) million, $12 thousand, $10.2 million, $0.6 million, $(0.1) million, and $(6.6) million, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $28.8 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $86.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  January 1, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/ Payments(1)		Sales/ Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2019
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	7,293	$	(2,228)	$	(1,228)	$	1,430	$	14,854	$	(463)	$	4,708	$	(867)	$	23,499
Non-Agency RMBS	91,291		104		7,187		(4,482)		10,239		(27,514)		14,633		(9,976)		81,482
CMBS	803		(16)		76		(73)		7,937		(221)		3,862		—		12,368
CLOs	14,915		(670)		(536)		1,889		816		(1,125)		15,287		(2,568)		28,008
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	22,800		(1,580)		(765)		537		28,189		(9,865)		—		—		39,316
Corporate debt securities	6,318		22		(928)		65		9,257		(11,552)		—		—		3,182
Corporate equity securities	1,534		—		(910)		337		1,317		—		—		—		2,278
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	496,829		(4,515)		1,554		7,717		452,958		(156,815)		—		—		797,728
Commercial mortgage loans	195,301		1,087		1,412		(1,844)		128,839		(64,169)		—		—		260,626
Consumer loans	183,961		(22,432)		(4,565)		2,726		103,983		(111,974)		—		—		151,699
Corporate loan	—		—		—		—		15,790		—		—		—		15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	72,298		276		1,545		5,125		40,097		(48,906)		—		—		70,435
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	1,472		—		419		(394)		18		(437)		—		—		1,078
Total return swaps	—		—		1		235		—		(1)		—		—		235
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,094,815	$	(29,952)	$	3,262	$	13,268	$	814,294	$	(433,042)	$	38,490	$	(13,411)	$	1,487,724
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	—	$	—	$	48	$	(214)	$	—	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(214)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(297,948)		—		—		(32)		78,887		(219,536)		—		—		(438,629)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(297,948)	$	—	$	48	$	(246)	$	78,887	$	(219,584)	$	—	$	—	$	(438,843)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(0.4) million, $10.2 million, $2.4 million, $(0.2) million, $(0.2) million, and $(32) thousand, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2019, the Company transferred $13.4 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $38.5 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of all other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Other financial instruments
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	$	126,783	$	72,302	$	72,302
Restricted cash	175		175		175		175
Due from brokers	63,991		63,991		79,829		79,829
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		47,041		73,639		73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,439,984		1,439,984		2,445,300		2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	142,674		142,674		150,334		150,334
Senior notes, net	86,000		85,495		88,365		85,298
Due to brokers	7,147		7,147		2,197		2,197

Cash and cash equivalents generally includes cash held in interest bearing overnight accounts, for which fair value equals the carrying value, and investments which are liquid in nature, such as investments in money market accounts or U.S. Treasury Bills, for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Restricted cash includes cash held in a segregated account for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Due from brokers and Due to brokers include collateral transferred to or received from counterparties, along with receivables and payables for open and/or closed derivative positions. These receivables and payables are short term in nature and any collateral transferred consists primarily of cash; fair value of these items is approximated by carrying value and such items are considered Level 1. The Company's reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short term nature. Reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are classified as Level 2 based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature. The Senior notes are considered Level 3 liabilities given the relative unobservability of the most significant inputs to valuation estimation as well as the lack of trading activity of these instruments. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of the Company's Senior notes was based on a third-party valuation.

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Investment in Securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investment in Securities

Investment in Securities

The Company's securities portfolio primarily consists of Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS backed by consumer loans, and corporate debt and equity. The following tables detail the Company's investment in securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Current Principal		Unamortized Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon(1)		Yield		Life (Years)(2)
Long:
Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages	$	69,491	$	2,641	$	72,132	$	1,890	$	(27)	$	73,995	3.31	%	1.89	%	3.38
20-year fixed-rate mortgages	587		39		626		29		—		655		4.71	%	2.94	%	3.88
30-year fixed-rate mortgages	625,882		30,133		656,015		26,286		(371)		681,930		4.06	%	2.42	%	4.06
Adjustable rate mortgages	6,751		173		6,924		123		(1)		7,046		3.65	%	2.15	%	3.35
Reverse mortgages	94,741		5,466		100,207		4,317		—		104,524		4.02	%	2.36	%	5.10
Interest only securities	n/a		n/a		47,507		5,682		(1,484)		51,705		3.47	%	10.17	%	4.58
Non-Agency RMBS	336,997		(131,976)		205,021		12,488		(7,959)		209,550		3.16	%	6.35	%	4.68
CMBS	184,695		(62,938)		121,757		803		(24,307)		98,253		2.54	%	7.74	%	8.43
Non-Agency interest only securities	n/a		n/a		8,367		1,832		(250)		9,949		1.17	%	16.73	%	2.75
CLOs	n/a		n/a		211,236		1		(47,943)		163,294		3.25	%	8.48	%	3.84
ABS backed by consumer loans	71,617		(24,277)		47,340		1,052		(1,094)		47,298		11.82	%	17.39	%	1.08
Corporate debt	24,174		(23,187)		987		1,220		—		2,207		—	%	—	%	2.85
Corporate equity	n/a		n/a		1,604		160		(750)		1,014		n/a		n/a		n/a
Total Long	1,414,935		(203,926)		1,479,723		55,883		(84,186)		1,451,420		3.86	%	5.05	%	4.37
Short:
Corporate debt	(450)		(6)		(456)		5		(10)		(461)		5.32	%	5.21	%	4.14
U.S. Treasury securities	(14,000)		(273)		(14,273)		—		(37)		(14,310)		0.63	%	0.41	%	6.21
European sovereign bonds	(36,280)		1,622		(34,658)		—		(2,064)		(36,722)		0.22	%	0.06	%	3.36
Total Short	(50,730)		1,343		(49,387)		5		(2,111)		(51,493)		0.39	%	0.21	%	4.16
Total	$	1,364,205	$	(202,583)	$	1,430,336	$	55,888	$	(86,297)	$	1,399,927	3.98	%	4.89	%	4.38

(1)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

(2)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Current Principal		Unamortized Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon(1)		Yield		Life (Years)(2)
Long:
Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages	$	314,636	$	6,369	$	321,005	$	2,604	$	(203)	$	323,406	3.05	%	2.28	%	3.05
20-year fixed-rate mortgages	804		49		853		24		—		877		4.62	%	2.99	%	4.80
30-year fixed-rate mortgages	1,358,762		64,846		1,423,608		13,821		(2,830)		1,434,599		4.20	%	2.95	%	6.63
Adjustable rate mortgages	9,651		315		9,966		90		(54)		10,002		3.99	%	2.03	%	4.09
Reverse mortgages	122,670		8,133		130,803		2,023		(26)		132,800		4.43	%	2.78	%	6.67
Interest only securities	n/a		n/a		34,044		1,624		(389)		35,279		2.81	%	9.27	%	3.86
Non-Agency RMBS	274,353		(122,685)		151,668		12,549		(1,081)		163,136		3.41	%	7.25	%	5.31
CMBS	185,417		(67,961)		117,456		2,990		(480)		119,966		3.31	%	6.62	%	8.94
Non-Agency interest only securities	n/a		n/a		6,517		1,817		(18)		8,316		1.10	%	8.18	%	4.14
CLOs	n/a		n/a		169,238		4,219		(3,014)		170,443		5.05	%	9.62	%	4.75
ABS backed by consumer loans	67,080		(19,154)		47,926		1,596		(912)		48,610		12.17	%	14.00	%	1.22
Corporate debt	22,125		(21,241)		884		229		—		1,113		—	%	—	%	0.33
Corporate equity	n/a		n/a		1,242		152		—		1,394		n/a		n/a		n/a
Total Long	2,355,498		(151,329)		2,415,210		43,738		(9,007)		2,449,941		4.15	%	4.09	%	5.88
Short:
Corporate debt	(450)		(6)		(456)		—		(15)		(471)		5.44	%	5.21	%	4.90
U.S. Treasury securities	(63,140)		381		(62,759)		63		(298)		(62,994)		1.76	%	1.87	%	6.11
European sovereign bonds	(9,759)		133		(9,626)		—		(318)		(9,944)		0.77	%	0.12	%	1.58
Total Short	(73,349)		508		(72,841)		63		(631)		(73,409)		1.65	%	1.66	%	5.49
Total	$	2,282,149	$	(150,821)	$	2,342,369	$	43,801	$	(9,638)	$	2,376,532	4.23	%	4.01	%	5.90

(1)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

(2)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

($ in thousands)	Agency RMBS						Agency Interest Only Securities
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)
Less than three years	$	150,492	$	146,624	4.26	%	$	8,893	$	8,267	3.90	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	706,422		678,227		3.95	%	39,604		36,038		3.63	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	11,236		11,053		3.01	%	1,048		1,049		0.28	%
Greater than eleven years	—		—		—	%	2,160		2,153		0.78	%
Total	$	868,150	$	835,904	3.99	%	$	51,705	$	47,507	3.47	%

(1)Average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

December 31, 2019:

($ in thousands)	Agency RMBS						Agency Interest Only Securities
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)
Less than three years	$	188,593	$	187,099	3.39	%	$	9,011	$	8,611	3.35	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	961,839		953,031		4.25	%	25,334		24,512		2.66	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	713,862		708,805		3.89	%	934		921		1.90	%
Greater than eleven years	37,390		37,300		3.51	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	1,901,684	$	1,886,235	4.02	%	$	35,279	$	34,044	2.81	%

(1)Average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's long non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and CLOs and other securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

($ in thousands)	Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS						Non-Agency IOs						CLOs and Other Securities(2)
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)
Less than three years	$	80,873	$	77,739	3.67	%	$	4,079	$	2,685	0.55	%	$	61,222	$	63,694	9.43	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	106,561		102,374		3.38	%	5,870		5,682		1.47	%	150,175		193,955		3.38	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	96,327		119,267		2.48	%	—		—		—	%	1,402		1,914		—	%
Greater than eleven years	24,042		27,398		1.04	%	—		—		—	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	307,803	$	326,778	2.93	%	$	9,949	$	8,367	1.17	%	$	212,799	$	259,563	4.84	%

(1)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities.

(3)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

December 31, 2019:

($ in thousands)	Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS						Non-Agency IOs						CLOs and Other Securities(2)
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)
Less than three years	$	50,120	$	48,213	2.73	%	$	439	$	401	1.37	%	$	54,446	$	54,090	11.11	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	87,436		79,326		4.42	%	7,877		6,116		1.08	%	157,384		155,651		5.38	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	127,533		123,924		3.31	%	—		—		—	%	8,336		8,307		—	%
Greater than eleven years	18,013		17,661		0.81	%	—		—		—	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	283,102	$	269,124	3.37	%	$	8,316	$	6,517	1.10	%	$	220,166	$	218,048	6.60	%

(1)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities.

(3)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

The following tables detail the components of interest income by security type for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Security Type	Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income		Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income
Agency RMBS	$	14,117	$	(7,454)	$	6,663	$	16,026	$	(6,290)	$	9,736
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	3,311		1,911		5,222		3,383		430		3,813
CLOs	2,256		2,179		4,435		3,480		(627)		2,853
Other securities(1)	2,970		(1,435)		1,535		1,670		(611)		1,059
Total	$	22,654	$	(4,799)	$	17,855	$	24,559	$	(7,098)	$	17,461

	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Security Type	Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income		Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income
Agency RMBS	$	47,632	$	(25,516)	$	22,116	$	42,681	$	(15,883)	$	26,798
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	10,995		4,001		14,996		10,514		1,666		12,180
CLOs	11,662		1,543		13,205		11,391		(1,138)		10,253
Other securities(1)	8,992		(3,584)		5,408		4,706		(1,528)		3,178
Total	$	79,281	$	(23,556)	$	55,725	$	69,292	$	(16,883)	$	52,409

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt securities, and U.S. Treasury securities.

For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Catch-Up Premium Amortization Adjustment was $0.3 million and $(1.5) million, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Catch-Up Premium Amortization Adjustment was $(4.4) million and $(2.9) million, respectively.

The following tables present proceeds from sales and the resulting realized gains and (losses) of the Company's securities for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020								September 30, 2019(1)
Security Type	Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)		Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Agency RMBS	$	10,675	$	2,467	$	(564)	$	1,903	$	331,572	$	4,511	$	(34)	$	4,477
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	17,926		1,669		(171)		1,498		16,496		9,606		(341)		9,265
CLOs	—		—		256		256		2,060		1,287		27		1,314
Other securities(4)	11,861		373		(74)		299		138,000		63		(220)		(157)
Total	$	40,462	$	4,509	$	(553)	$	3,956	$	488,128	$	15,467	$	(568)	$	14,899

(1)Conformed to current period presentation.

(2)Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end.

(3)Excludes realized losses of $(2.5) million and $(10.1) million, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible.

(4)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020								September 30, 2019(1)
Security Type	Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses		Net Realized Gain (Loss)		Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Agency RMBS	$	1,438,469	$	15,982	$	(3,369)	$	12,613	$	719,082	$	6,954	$	(1,950)	$	5,004
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	116,349		11,081		(3,880)		7,201		165,180		11,356		(3,835)		7,521
CLOs	41,714		1,122		(2,928)		(1,806)		58,157		1,169		(816)		353
Other securities(4)	169,172		1,273		(329)		944		602,443		801		(1,206)		(405)
Total	$	1,765,704	$	29,458	$	(10,506)	$	18,952	$	1,544,862	$	20,280	$	(7,807)	$	12,473

(1)Conformed to current period presentation.

(2)Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end.

(3)Excludes realized losses of $(16.3) million and $(16.1) million, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible.

(4)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities, excluding those where there are expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date in relation to such securities' cost bases, by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2020.

September 30, 2020:

(In thousands)	Less than 12 Months				Greater than 12 Months				Total
Security Type	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Agency RMBS	$	138,286	$	(673)	$	1,881	$	(112)	$	140,167	$	(785)
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	18,887		(1,560)		1,665		(84)		20,552		(1,644)
CLOs	10,204		(10,069)		54		—		10,258		(10,069)
Other securities(1)	647		(431)		—		—		647		(431)
Total	$	168,024	$	(12,733)	$	3,600	$	(196)	$	171,624	$	(12,929)

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2019.

December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)	Less than 12 Months				Greater than 12 Months				Total
Security Type	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Agency RMBS	$	328,968	$	(1,503)	$	125,095	$	(1,999)	$	454,063	$	(3,502)
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	88,495		(880)		27,218		(699)		115,713		(1,579)
CLOs	37,354		(1,911)		9,245		(1,103)		46,599		(3,014)
Other securities(1)	16,562		(852)		1,380		(60)		17,942		(912)
Total	$	471,379	$	(5,146)	$	162,938	$	(3,861)	$	634,317	$	(9,007)

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its securities for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $28.4 million related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its securities, primarily due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain of the Company's securities, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination and the Company has established an initial estimate for credit losses on such securities; as of September 30, 2020, the estimated credit losses on such securities was $4.0 million. As of September 30, 2020, the Company determined for certain securities that a portion of such

securities cost basis is not collectible; for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized realized losses on these securities of $(2.5) million and $(16.3) million, respectively, which are reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $10.1 million and $16.1 million, respectively, on the cost basis of its securities, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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Investment in Loans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Receivables [Abstract]

Investment in Loans

Investment in Loans

The Company invests in various types of loans, such as residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, consumer, and corporate loans. As discussed in Note 2, the Company has elected the FVO for its investments in loans. The following table is a summary of the Company's investments in loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Loan Type	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
Residential mortgage loans	$	1,004,980	$	1,030,709	$	911,705	$	932,203
Commercial mortgage loans	252,305		252,231		277,870		274,759
Consumer loans	150,062		152,609		179,743		186,954
Corporate loans	7,063		7,063		18,415		18,510
Total	$	1,414,410	$	1,442,612	$	1,387,733	$	1,412,426

The Company is subject to credit risk in connection with its investments in loans. The two primary components of credit risk are default risk, which is the risk that a borrower fails to make scheduled principal and interest payments, and severity risk, which is the risk of loss upon a borrower default on a mortgage loan or other secured or unsecured loan. Severity risk includes the risk of loss of value of the property or other asset, if any, securing the loan, as well as the risk of loss associated with taking over the property or other asset, if any, including foreclosure costs. Credit risk in our loan portfolio can be amplified by exogenous shocks impacting our borrowers such as man-made or natural disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following table provides details, by accrual status, for loans that are 90 days or more past due as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
90 days or more past due—non-accrual status
Residential mortgage loans	$	67,121	$	64,414	$	22,092	$	19,401
Commercial mortgage loans	23,750		23,671		28,936		26,545
Consumer loans	1,284		1,131		5,633		5,225

Residential Mortgage Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield		Life (Years)(1)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment(2)	$	996,429	$	8,676	$	1,005,105	$	21,504	$	(4,355)	$	1,022,254	6.23	%	5.15	%	1.66
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale	8,551		(863)		7,688		793		(26)		8,455		4.73	%	6.04	%	5.50
Total	$	1,004,980	$	7,813	$	1,012,793	$	22,297	$	(4,381)	$	1,030,709	6.22	%	5.16	%	1.70

(1)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Includes $760.4 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $17.5 million and $(0.2) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are presented on a gross basis on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield		Life (Years)(1)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment(2)	$	911,705	$	9,354	$	921,059	$	13,082	$	(1,938)	$	932,203	6.44	%	5.79	%	1.90

(1)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Includes $628.4 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts.

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
California	44.0	%	46.6	%
Florida	13.8	%	11.9	%
Texas	10.4	%	11.9	%
Colorado	2.8	%	3.2	%
Massachusetts	2.6	%	2.9	%
Oregon	2.4	%	2.2	%
Arizona	1.9	%	2.4	%
Utah	1.9	%	1.9	%
Illinois	1.8	%	1.7	%
New Jersey	1.8	%	1.1	%
Nevada	1.7	%	1.6	%
Washington	1.6	%	1.6	%
New York	1.3	%	1.3	%
North Carolina	1.2	%	—	%
Georgia	1.1	%	—	%
Maryland	1.0	%	1.1	%
Connecticut	1.0	%	—	%
Other	7.7	%	8.6	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following table presents information on the Company's residential mortgage loans by re-performing or non-performing status, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
Re-performing	$	23,002	$	21,572	$	27,663	$	25,323
Non-performing	64,710		62,343		17,757		15,580

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its residential mortgage loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $2.6 million related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its residential mortgage loans, primarily due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain of the Company's residential mortgage loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination and the Company has established an initial estimate for credit losses on such loans; as of September 30, 2020, the estimated credit losses on such loans was $0.4 million. The Company has determined for certain of its residential mortgage loans that a portion of such loans' cost basis is not collectible; for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized realized losses on these loans of $51 thousand and $(0.5) million, which are reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, on the cost basis of its residential mortgage loans, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had residential mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure with a fair value of $11.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively.

Commercial Mortgage Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's commercial mortgage loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield(1)		Life (Years)(2)
Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment	$	252,305	$	(122)	$	252,183	$	535	$	(487)	$	252,231	8.25	%	8.14	%	0.77

(1)Excludes commercial mortgage loans, in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $23.8 million.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield(1)		Life (Years)(2)
Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment	$	277,870	$	(3,302)	$	274,568	$	253	$	(62)	$	274,759	7.65	%	8.58	%	1.07

(1)Excludes commercial mortgage loans, held at par in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $10.7 million.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Florida	17.6	%	31.7	%
New York	16.5	%	17.7	%
Pennsylvania	11.5	%	—	%
Connecticut	9.3	%	8.2	%
Missouri	6.6	%	4.6	%
Ohio	6.1	%	—	%
California	5.7	%	—	%
Massachusetts	5.2	%	4.7	%
New Jersey	4.9	%	13.3	%
Arizona	3.7	%	3.8	%
Virginia	3.6	%	6.8	%
Indiana	2.4	%	2.1	%
North Carolina	2.0	%	1.8	%
Nevada	1.6	%	1.5	%
Tennessee	1.6	%	1.5	%
Illinois	1.3	%	1.2	%
Other	0.4	%	1.1	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had two non-performing commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance and fair value of $23.8 million and $23.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had three non-performing commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance and fair value of $28.9 million and $26.5 million, respectively.

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its commercial mortgage loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020, the expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $0.4 million related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its commercial mortgage loans. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company did not recognize any impairment charge on the cost basis of its commercial mortgage loans.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company did not have any commercial mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had two commercial mortgage loans with a fair value of $16.0 million that were in the process of foreclosure.

Consumer Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's consumer loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value(1)		Life (Years)(2)	Delinquency (Days)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	$	150,062	$	7,347	$	157,409	$	1,430	$	(6,230)	$	152,609	0.88	4

(1)Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value(1)		Life (Years)(2)	Delinquency (Days)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	$	179,743	$	5,027	$	184,770	$	2,561	$	(377)	$	186,954	0.82	4

(1)Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The table below provides details on the delinquency status as a percentage of total unpaid principal balance of the Company's consumer loans, which the Company uses as an indicator of credit quality, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Days Past Due	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Current	96.2	%	95.3	%
30-59 Days	1.6	%	2.1	%
60-89 Days	1.1	%	1.4	%
90-119 Days	0.8	%	1.2	%
>120 Days	0.3	%	—	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company charged off $3.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, of unpaid principal balance of consumer loans that were greater than 120 days delinquent. During each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company charged off $13.9 million of unpaid principal balance of consumer loans that were greater than 120 days delinquent. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company held charged-off consumer loans with an aggregate fair value of $0.6 million for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its consumer loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $4.7 million on its consumer loans. The Company has determined for certain of its consumer loans that a portion of such loans' cost basis is not collectible; for each of the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized realized losses on these loans of $0.1 million.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, on the cost basis of its consumer loan pools, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Corporate Loans

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's corporate loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Rate		Remaining Term (Years)
Corporate loans, held-for-investment(1)	$	7,063	$	7,063	19.43	%	1.98

(1)See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans.

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Rate		Remaining Term (Years)
Corporate loans, held-for-investment(1)(2)	$	18,415	$	18,510	17.62	%	0.87

(1)See Note 13 for further details on the Company's transactions involving a loan originator in which the Company also holds an equity investment.

(2)See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans.

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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in Unconsolidated EntitiesThe Company has various equity investments in entities where it has the ability to exert significant influence over such entity, but does not control such entity. In these cases the criteria for consolidation have not been met and the Company is required to account for such investments under ASC 323-10; the Company has elected the FVO for its investments in unconsolidated entities. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities had an aggregate fair value of $95.8 million and $71.9 million, respectively, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $11.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $10.6 million and $6.9 million, respectively, in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Certain of the entities that the Company accounts for under ASC 323-10 are deemed to be VIEs, and the maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities that have been deemed to be VIEs was $37.1 million and $28.5 million.

The following table provides details about the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

		Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity
Investment in Unconsolidated Entity	Form of Investment	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
Longbridge Financial, LLC(1)	Preferred shares	49.7%	49.7%
LendSure Mortgage Corp.(1)(2)	Common shares	49.9%	49.9%
Jepson Holdings Limited(1)	Membership Interest	30.1%	30.1%
Elizon AFG 2018-1 LLC(1)(3)(4)	Membership Interest	22.1%	13.4%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC(1)(3)(5)	Membership Interest	8.5%	3.5%
Other	Various	7.4%–51.0%	7.7%–51.0%

(1)See Note 13 for additional details on the Company's related party transactions.

(2)Excludes investment in warrants convertible into non-voting common shares; including such warrants the Company's additional non-voting stake in the entity was 15.0% as of September 30, 2020. See Note 13 Related Party Transactions—Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators for additional information.

(3)The Company has evaluated this entity and determined that it meets the definition of a VIE. The Company evaluated its interest in the VIE and determined that the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE and does not have control of the underlying assets, where applicable. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of this VIE and therefore has not consolidated the VIE.

(4)As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions—Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities, the Company and the Affiliated Entities (as defined in Note 13) each consolidate their segregated portions of the Joint Entity (as defined in Note 13). The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated portions of the Joint Entity, was 61.7% and 70.4% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

(5)As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions—Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities, the Company and the Affiliated Entities each consolidate their segregated portions of the Joint Entity . The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated portions of the Joint Entity, was 53.1% and 48.7% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized unrealized gains that may be deemed to be significant in relation to the Company's net income related to one of the Company's investments in an unconsolidated entity, a mortgage originator. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $8.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively of unrealized gains included in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $13.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively of unrealized gains included in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table provides a summary of the results of operations of this entity for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Revenue	$	4,827	$	6,957	$	10,030	$	14,486
Net income (loss)	$	15,962	$	4,739	$	28,901	$	3,074

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Real Estate Owned

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Real Estate Owned, Disclosure of Detailed Components [Abstract]

Real Estate Owned

Real Estate Owned

As discussed in Note 2, the Company obtains possession of REO as a result of foreclosures on the associated mortgage loans. The following tables detail activity in the Company's carrying value of REO for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Number of Properties	Carrying Value		Number of Properties	Carrying Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Beginning Balance (June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively)	13	$	24,044	20	$	47,621
Transfers from mortgage loans	4	676		1	601
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost		27			—
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value		147			6
Disposals	(1)	(100)		(7)	(3,805)
Ending Balance (September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)	16	$	24,794	14	$	44,423

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Number of Properties	Carrying Value		Number of Properties	Carrying Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Beginning Balance (December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2019, respectively)	15	$	30,584	20	$	30,778
Transfers from mortgage loans	9	2,198		5	18,314
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost		153			240
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value		(813)			(257)
Disposals	(8)	(7,328)		(11)	(4,652)
Ending Balance (September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)	16	$	24,794	14	$	44,423

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold one REO property, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $(18) thousand. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold seven REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $1.2 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold eight REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $0.1 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold eleven REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $1.2 million. Such realized gains (losses) are included in Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 all of the Company's REO had been obtained as a result of obtaining physical possession through foreclosure. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had REO measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis of $18.4 million and $19.4 million, respectively.

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Financial Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company manages certain risks associated with its investments and borrowings, including interest rate, credit, liquidity, and foreign exchange rate risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its investments and borrowings, and through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company's derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of its known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to its investments and borrowings.

The following table details the fair value of the Company's holdings of financial derivatives as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
TBA securities purchase contracts	$	394	$	90
TBA securities sale contracts	756		506
Fixed payer interest rate swaps	5		3,914
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps	13,785		1,554
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	351		993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	9,722		3,319
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	39		2
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	2,419		5,599
Total return swaps	105		620
Futures	1		148
Forwards	256		43
Warrants	31		—
Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value	27,864		16,788
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
TBA securities purchase contracts	$	(156)	$	—
TBA securities sale contracts	(130)		(1,012)
Fixed payer interest rate swaps	(29,712)		(8,513)
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps	(62)		(206)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(142)		(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	(580)		(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(3,572)		(14,524)
Total return swaps	(88)		(1,209)
Futures	(331)		(45)
Forwards	(41)		(169)
Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value	(34,814)		(27,621)
Total	$	(6,950)	$	(10,833)

Interest Rate Swaps

The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed payer interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	17,500	$	(223)	2.75	%	0.23	%	0.47
2022	129,975		(1,952)		1.21		0.26		1.40
2023	146,012		(5,052)		1.50		0.24		2.67
2025	31,500		(902)		0.95		0.25		4.61
2026	28,104		(1,463)		1.25		0.22		5.74
2027	34,000		(89)		0.49		0.22		6.73
2028	32,942		(4,721)		2.40		0.23		7.59
2029	92,594		(9,789)		1.78		0.25		9.04
2030	68,463		(2,781)		1.10		0.25		9.44
2036	1,100		(84)		1.45		0.22		15.39
2049	5,796		(2,651)		2.89		0.30		28.28
Total	$	587,986	$	(29,707)	1.43	%	0.25	%	5.15

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount(1)		Fair Value(1)		Pay Rate(2)(3)		Receive Rate(2)		Remaining Years to Maturity(4)
	(In thousands)
2020	$	68,607	$	(234)	1.74	%	1.93	%	0.24
2021	268,929		(419)		1.73		1.95		1.64
2022	31,350		9		1.65		1.93		2.14
2023	101,012		(1,265)		2.06		1.91		3.29
2024	13,000		99		1.56		1.89		4.90
2025	12,800		(24)		n/a		n/a		5.22
2026	59,902		1,946		1.24		1.94		6.50
2028	32,942		(1,634)		2.40		1.93		8.34
2029	136,838		(2,018)		2.02		1.96		9.61
2030	685		(32)		2.38		1.90		10.90
2036	1,100		87		1.45		1.94		16.14
2049	5,796		(1,114)		2.89		2.09		29.03
Total	$	732,961	$	(4,599)	1.83	%	1.94	%	4.31

(1)Includes forward-starting interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $20.9 million and fair value of $(41) thousand.

(2)Excludes forward-starting interest rate swaps.

(3)Including forward-starting interest rate swaps the total weighted average pay rate was 1.83%.

(4)Includes forward-starting interest rate swaps, all of which start within six months of period end.

The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed receiver interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	12,950	$	201	0.23	%	1.75	%	0.96
2022	87,683		1,514		0.26		1.33		1.45
2023	48,657		2,234		0.23		2.00		2.51
2024	86,342		5,262		0.26		1.65		3.99
2025	39,685		226		0.24		0.44		4.66
2027	25,108		343		0.30		0.63		6.50
2029	9,800		1,030		0.24		1.78		9.02
2030	128,335		2,913		0.25		0.90		9.47
Total	$	438,560	$	13,723	0.25	%	1.25	%	5.15

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	181,950	$	(49)	1.89	%	1.67	%	1.84
2022	53,974		441		1.91		1.85		2.17
2023	48,657		709		1.92		2.00		3.26
2024	11,342		306		2.09		2.33		4.23
2029	9,800		(59)		1.91		1.78		9.77
Total	$	305,723	$	1,348	1.91	%	1.78	%	2.47

Credit Default Swaps

The following table provides information about the Company's credit default swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
Type(1)	Notional		Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)	Notional		Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)
($ in thousands)
Asset:
Long:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	$	416	$	6	17.25	$	695	$	10	23.80
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	1,600		39		5.22	430		2		0.47
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	69,381		1,913		2.71	130,707		5,547		2.42
Short:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	(955)		351		14.95	(2,640)		993		15.63
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(30,668)		9,716		37.71	(63,515)		3,309		38.40
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(10,036)		506		1.64	(1,997)		52		3.97
Liability:
Long:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	480		(142)		32.61	344		(145)		29.35
Short:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(1)		—		29.25	(4,501)		(105)		40.31
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	(12,200)		(580)		3.71	(10,800)		(1,693)		3.92
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(126,983)		(3,572)		2.07	(250,088)		(14,524)		2.51
	$	(108,966)	$	8,237	11.71	$	(201,365)	$	(6,554)	14.88

(1)Long notional represents contracts where the Company has written protection and short notional represents contracts where the Company has purchased protection.

Futures

The following table provides information about the Company's long and short positions in futures as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
Description	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Remaining Months to Expiration	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Remaining Months to Expiration
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
Assets:
Short Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	$	(300)	$	1	2.73	$	—	$	—	—
Liabilities:
Long Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	$	1,900	$	(31)	2.73	—		—		—
Short Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	(165,600)		(300)		3.00	(16,000)		148		2.77
Eurodollar futures	—		—		—	(14,000)		(45)		4.05
Total, net	$	(164,000)	$	(330)	3.00	$	(30,000)	$	103	3.37

Warrants

The following table provides information about the Company's warrants contracts to purchase shares as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020				As of December, 31, 2019
Description	Number of Shares Underlying Warrant	Fair Value		Remaining Years to Expiration	Number of Shares Underlying Warrant	Fair Value		Remaining Years to Expiration
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Warrants	1,546	$	31	2.08	1,515	$	—	2.82

TBAs

The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. Pursuant to these TBA transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered is not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. TBAs are generally liquid, have quoted market prices, and represent the most actively traded class of MBS. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for investment purposes, including holding long positions.

The Company does not generally take delivery of TBAs; rather, it settles the associated receivable and payable with its trading counterparties on a net basis. Transactions with the same counterparty for the same TBA that result in a reduction of the position are treated as extinguished.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding TBA purchase and sale contracts as follows:

	September 30, 2020								December 31, 2019
TBA Securities	Notional Amount(1)		Cost Basis(2)		Market Value(3)		Net Carrying Value(4)		Notional Amount(1)		Cost Basis(2)		Market Value(3)		Net Carrying Value(4)
(In thousands)
Purchase contracts:
Assets	$	100,890	$	103,882	$	104,276	$	394	$	40,100	$	40,585	$	40,675	$	90
Liabilities	68,000		71,370		71,214		(156)		—		—		—		—
	168,890		175,252		175,490		238		40,100		40,585		40,675		90
Sale contracts:
Assets	(401,722)		(428,049)		(427,293)		756		(319,981)		(332,080)		(331,574)		506
Liabilities	(86,845)		(91,369)		(91,499)		(130)		(773,749)		(806,568)		(807,580)		(1,012)
	(488,567)		(519,418)		(518,792)		626		(1,093,730)		(1,138,648)		(1,139,154)		(506)
Total TBA securities, net	$	(319,677)	$	(344,166)	$	(343,302)	$	864	$	(1,053,630)	$	(1,098,063)	$	(1,098,479)	$	(416)

(1)Notional amount represents the principal balance of the underlying Agency RMBS.

(2)Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS.

(3)Market value represents the current market value of the underlying Agency RMBS (on a forward delivery basis) as of period end.

(4)Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA contract as of period end and the cost basis, and is reported in Financial derivatives-assets, at fair value and Financial derivatives-liabilities, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Gains and losses on the Company's derivative contracts for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the tables below:

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	(1,150)	$	(29)	$	(1,179)	$	516	$	1,104	$	1,620
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			1		1				(1)		(1)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(239)		(239)				503		503
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(1,067)		(1,067)				(1,059)		(1,059)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(93)		(93)				(334)		(334)
Total return swaps	Credit			(125)		(125)				(348)		(348)
TBAs	Interest Rate			2,367		2,367				(744)		(744)
Futures	Interest Rate			(402)		(402)				52		52
Forwards	Currency			(898)		(898)				33		33
Total		$	(1,150)	$	(485)	$	(1,635)	$	516	$	(794)	$	(278)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $(15) thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $20 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	82	$	34	$	116	$	171	$	(2,598)	$	(2,427)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			16		16				(12)		(12)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(261)		(261)				(81)		(81)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(1,113)		(1,113)				909		909
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(259)		(259)				268		268
Total return swaps	Equity Market/Credit			251		251				(716)		(716)
TBAs	Interest Rate			(5,067)		(5,067)				1,542		1,542
Futures	Interest Rate/Currency			(3,551)		(3,551)				1,627		1,627
Forwards	Currency			525		525				379		379
Total		$	82	$	(9,425)	$	(9,343)	$	171	$	1,318	$	1,489

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $17 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $16 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	(1,900)	$	(8,761)	$	(10,661)	$	541	$	(16,373)	$	(15,832)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			(955)		(955)				915		915
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			3,660		3,660				7,642		7,642
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(550)		(550)				3,080		3,080
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			356		356				711		711
Total return swaps	Credit			(2,180)		(2,180)				607		607
TBAs	Interest Rate			(6,778)		(6,778)				1,280		1,280
Futures	Interest Rate			(7,866)		(7,866)				(434)		(434)
Forwards	Currency			(616)		(616)				343		343
Warrants	Equity Market/Credit			—		—				(382)		(382)
Options	Credit			(100)		(100)				—		—
Total		$	(1,900)	$	(23,790)	$	(25,690)	$	541	$	(2,611)	$	(2,070)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $12 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $39 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	852	$	(1,117)	$	(265)	$	(60)	$	(11,915)	$	(11,975)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			419		419				(394)		(394)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(1,245)		(1,245)				(832)		(832)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(4,387)		(4,387)				(1,026)		(1,026)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(764)		(764)				1,110		1,110
Total return swaps	Equity Market/Credit			(1,046)		(1,046)				(681)		(681)
TBAs	Interest Rate			(17,183)		(17,183)				3,680		3,680
Futures	Interest Rate/Currency			(8,365)		(8,365)				761		761
Forwards	Currency			1,068		1,068				228		228
Options	Interest Rate			(35)		(35)				1		1
Total		$	852	$	(32,655)	$	(31,803)	$	(60)	$	(9,068)	$	(9,128)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $47 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $8 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

The table below details the average notional values of the Company's financial derivatives, using absolute value of month end notional values, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019:

Derivative Type	Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020		Year Ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	$	1,078,808	$	731,941
TBAs	732,048		973,331
Credit default swaps	290,822		399,316
Total return swaps	7,819		39,434
Futures	143,440		167,708
Options	1,950		19,825
Forwards	36,935		30,930
Warrants	1,543		2,222

From time to time the Company enters into credit derivative contracts for which the Company sells credit protection ("written credit derivatives"). As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, all of the Company's open written credit derivatives were credit default swaps on either mortgage/asset-backed indices (ABX and CMBX indices) or corporate bond indices (CDX), collectively referred to as credit indices, or on individual corporate bonds, for which the Company receives periodic payments at fixed rates from credit protection buyers, and is obligated to make payments to the credit protection buyer upon the occurrence of a "credit event" with respect to underlying reference assets.

Written credit derivatives held by the Company at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are summarized below:

Credit Derivatives	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Fair Value of Written Credit Derivatives, Net	$	1,816	$	5,414
Fair Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives with Third Parties (1)	—		(3,248)
Notional Value of Written Credit Derivatives (2)	71,877		132,176
Notional Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives with Third Parties (1)	—		(81,637)

(1)Offsetting transactions with third parties include purchased credit derivatives which have the same reference obligation.

(2)The notional value is the maximum amount that a seller of credit protection would be obligated to pay, and a buyer of credit protection would receive, upon occurrence of a "credit event." Movements in the value of credit default swap transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive collateral. Amounts due or owed under credit derivative contracts with an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, or "ISDA," counterparty may be offset against amounts due or owed on other credit derivative contracts with the same ISDA counterparty. As a result, the notional value of written credit derivatives involving a particular underlying reference asset or index has been reduced (but not below zero) by the notional value of any contracts where the Company has purchased credit protection on the same reference asset or index with the same ISDA counterparty.

A credit default swap on a credit index or a corporate bond typically terminates at the stated maturity date in the case of corporate indices or bonds, or, in the case of ABX and CMBX indices, the date that all of the reference assets underlying the index are paid off in full, retired, or otherwise cease to exist. Implied credit spreads may be used to determine the market value of such contracts and are reflective of the cost of buying/selling credit protection. Higher spreads would indicate a greater likelihood that a seller will be obligated to perform (i.e., make protection payments) under the contract. In situations where the credit quality of the underlying reference assets has deteriorated, the percentage of notional values that would be paid up front to enter into a new such contract ("points up front") is frequently used as an indication of credit risk. Credit protection sellers entering the market in such situations would expect to be paid points up front corresponding to the approximate fair value of the contract. For the Company's written credit derivatives that were outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, implied credit spreads on such contracts ranged between 53.2 and 382.3 basis points and 10.9 and 440.0 basis points, respectively. Excluded from these spread ranges are contracts outstanding for which the individual spread is greater than 2,000 basis points. The Company believes that these contracts would be quoted based on estimated points up front. The total fair value of contracts with individual implied credit spreads in excess of 2,000 basis points was $(0.1) million as of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Estimated points up front on these contracts as of September 30, 2020 ranged between 54.2 and 85.2 and as of December 31, 2019 estimated points up front on these contracts was 57.0. Total net up-front payments (paid) or received relating to written credit derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $(2.1) million and $(3.3) million, respectively.

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Consolidated VIEs

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Consolidated VIEs

Consolidated VIEs

As discussed in Note 2, the Company has interests in entities that it has determined to be VIEs. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the Company's consolidated VIEs that are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020 (1)		December 31, 2019 (1)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,152	$	6,016
Restricted cash	175		175
Securities, at fair value	46,857		47,923
Loans, at fair value	1,423,035		1,393,916
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	6,289		5,641
Real estate owned	24,794		30,584
Investment related receivables	43,542		28,668
Other assets	2,250		6,191
Total Assets	$	1,548,094	$	1,519,114
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	$	260,310	$	302,791
Investment related payables	—		3,275
Other secured borrowings	142,674		150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	695,516		594,396
Interest payable	402		1,247
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,301		2,279
Total Liabilities	1,100,203		1,054,322
Total Stockholders' Equity	422,217		440,394
Non-controlling interests	25,674		24,400
Total Equity	447,891		464,794
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,548,094	$	1,519,116

(1)See Note 10 and Note 13 for additional information on the Company's consolidated VIEs.

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Securitization Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Securitization Transactions [Abstract]

Securitization Transactions

Securitization Transactions

Participation in CLO Transactions

Since June 2017, an affiliate of Ellington has sponsored four CLO securitization transactions (the "Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations"), collateralized by corporate loans and managed by an affiliate of Ellington (the "CLO Manager"). Ellington, the Company, several other affiliates of Ellington, and in certain cases, third parties, participated in the Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations (collectively, the "CLO Co-Participants").

Pursuant to each Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitization, a newly formed securitization trust (each a "CLO Issuer") issued various classes of notes, which were in turn sold to unrelated third parties and the applicable CLO Co-Participants.

The CLO Issuers are each deemed to be a VIE. The Company evaluates its interests in the CLO Issuers under ASC 810, and while the Company retains credit risk in each of the securitization trusts through its beneficial ownership of a portion of the subordinated interests of each of the securitization trusts, which are the first to absorb credit losses on the securitized assets, the Company does not retain control of these assets or the power to direct the activities of the CLO Issuers that most significantly impact the CLO Issuers' economic performance. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the CLO Issuers, and therefore the Company has not consolidated the CLO Issuers. The Company's maximum amount at risk is limited to the Company's investment in each of the CLO Issuers. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company's investment in the notes issued by the CLO Issuers was $13.8 million and $39.7 million, respectively.

See Note 13 for further details on the Company's participation in CLO transactions.

Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations

Since November 2017, the Company, through certain wholly owned subsidiaries (each, a "Sponsor"), has sponsored several securitizations of non-QM loans. In each case, the applicable Sponsor transferred a pool of non-QM loans (each, a Collateral Pool") to a wholly owned entity (each, a "Depositor") and on the closing date such loans were deposited into newly created securitization trusts (collectively, the "Issuing Entities"). Pursuant to the securitizations, the Issuing Entities issued various classes of mortgage pass-through certificates (the "Certificates") which are backed by the cash flows from the underlying non-QM loans.

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, sponsors of securitizations are generally required to retain at least 5% of the economic interest in the credit risk of the securitized assets (the "Risk Retention Rules"). In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, in each securitization, the applicable Sponsor purchased and intends to hold, at a minimum, the requisite amount of the most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates. The applicable Sponsor also purchased the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees in each securitization, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated parties.

Notwithstanding that the Certificates carry final scheduled distribution dates of October 25, 2047 or later, the applicable Depositor may, at its sole option, purchase all of the outstanding Certificates (an "Optional Redemption") following the earlier of (1) the applicable anniversary of the closing date (typically two or three years) of the respective securitization or (2) the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the applicable Collateral Pool has declined below 30% of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the applicable Collateral Pool as of the date as of which such loans were originally transferred to the applicable Issuing Entity. The purchase price that the Depositor is required to pay in connection with an Optional Redemption is equal to the sum of the unpaid principal balance of each class of Certificates as of the redemption date and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In light of these Optional Redemption rights held by the applicable Depositor, the transfers of non-QM loans to each of the Issuing Entities do not qualify as sales under ASC 860-10.

In the event that certain breaches of representations or warranties are discovered with respect to any underlying non-QM loans, the Company could be required to repurchase or replace such loans.

Each Sponsor also serves as the servicing administrator of its respective securitization, for which it is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of the product of (a) 0.03% and (b) the unpaid principal balance of the underlying non-QM loans as of the first day of the related due period. Each Sponsor in its role as servicing administrator provides direction and consent for certain loss mitigation activities to the third-party servicer of the underlying non-QM loans. In certain circumstances, the servicing administrator will be required to reimburse the servicer for principal and interest advances and servicing advances made by the servicer.

In light of the Company's retained interests in each of the securitizations, together with the Optional Redemption rights and the Company's ability to direct the third-party servicer regarding certain loss mitigation activities, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Issuing Entities, which are VIEs, and has consolidated the Issuing Entities. Interest income from these loans and the expenses related to the servicing of these loans are included in Interest income and Investment related expenses—Servicing expense, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Issuing Entities each meet the definition of a CFE as defined in Note 2, and as a result the assets of each of the Issuing Entities have been valued using the fair value of the liabilities of the respective Issuing Entity, as such liabilities have been assessed to be more observable than such assets.

The debt of the Issuing Entities is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and is shown net of the Certificates held by the Company. In November 2019, the Company exercised its Optional Redemption right with respect to Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2017-1.

The following table details the Company's outstanding consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations:

Issuing Entity	Closing Date	Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued
		(In thousands)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2018-1	11/18	$	232,518	$	232,518	(1)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-1	6/19	226,913		226,913		(2)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-2	11/19	267,255		267,255		(3)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-1	6/20	259,273		259,273		(4)

(1)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 5.7% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(2)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.1% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.2 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(3)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.4% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.7 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(4)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 8.0% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. Additionally, the Sponsor purchased another subordinated class of Certificates with an aggregate value equal to 3.5% of the fair value of all Certificates issued as of the settlement date. Finally, the Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

The following table details the assets and liabilities of the consolidated securitization trusts included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets:
Loans, at fair value	$	760,420	$	628,415
Real estate owned	658		658
Investment related receivables	5,793		10,409
Liabilities:
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	695,516		594,396

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Borrowings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Borrowings

Borrowings

Secured Borrowings

The Company's secured borrowings consist of repurchase agreements, Other secured borrowings, and Other secured borrowings, at fair value. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's total secured borrowings were $2.3 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively.

Repurchase Agreements

The Company enters into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement involves the sale of an asset to a counterparty together with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred asset or similar asset from such counterparty at a future date. The Company accounts for its repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the transferred assets effectively serving as collateral for the related borrowing. The Company's repurchase agreements typically range in term from 30 to 180 days, although the Company also has repurchase agreements that provide for longer or shorter terms. The principal economic terms of each repurchase agreement—such as loan amount, interest rate, and maturity date—are typically negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Other terms and conditions, such as those relating to events of default, are typically governed under the Company's master repurchase agreements. Absent an event of default, the Company maintains beneficial ownership of the transferred securities during the term of the repurchase agreement and receives the related principal and interest payments. Interest rates on these borrowings are generally fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and for most repurchase agreements, interest is generally paid at the termination of the repurchase agreement, at which time the Company may enter into a new repurchase agreement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty, repay that counterparty and possibly negotiate financing terms with a different counterparty, or choose to no longer finance the

related asset. Some repurchase agreements provide for periodic payments of interest, such as monthly payments. In response to a decline in the fair value of the transferred securities, whether as a result of changes in market conditions, security paydowns, or other factors, repurchase agreement counterparties will typically make a margin call, whereby the Company will be required to post additional securities and/or cash as collateral with the counterparty in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateralization requirements. In the event of increases in fair value of the transferred securities, the Company can generally require the counterparty to post collateral with it in the form of cash or securities. The Company is generally permitted to sell or re-pledge any securities posted by the counterparty as collateral; however, upon termination of the repurchase agreement, or other circumstance in which the counterparty is no longer required to post such margin, the Company must return to the counterparty the same security that had been posted.

At any given time, the Company seeks to have its outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements with several different counterparties in order to reduce the exposure to any single counterparty. The Company had outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements with 24 counterparties as of September 30, 2020 as compared to 28 counterparties as of December 31, 2019.

As of September 30, 2020, remaining days to maturity on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 1 day to 608 days. Interest rates on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 0.22% to 5.24% as of September 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, remaining days to maturity on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 2 days to 882 days. Interest rates on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 0.15% to 5.20% as of December 31, 2019.

The following table details the Company's outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements for Agency RMBS and credit assets (which can include non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, consumer loans, corporate debt, residential mortgage loans, and commercial mortgage loans and REO), by remaining maturity as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
			Weighted Average					Weighted Average
Remaining Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		Interest Rate		Remaining Days to Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		Interest Rate		Remaining Days to Maturity
Agency RMBS:	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
30 Days or Less	$	241,423	0.31	%	17	$	511,996	2.08	%	17
31-60 Days	418,573		0.27	%	44	744,387		1.93	%	47
61-90 Days	107,446		0.45	%	72	594,738		1.96	%	76
91-120 Days	5,675		1.35	%	99	10,270		2.24	%	93
151-180 Days	17,237		0.29	%	168	3,082		2.67	%	171
181-360 Days	93,432		0.30	%	287	—		—	%	—
Total Agency RMBS	883,786		0.31	%	69	1,864,473		1.98	%	48
Credit:
30 Days or Less	40,785		2.14	%	10	16,549		3.38	%	25
31-60 Days	98,068		2.85	%	45	104,491		3.14	%	48
61-90 Days	113,027		2.54	%	77	138,837		3.03	%	73
91-120 Days	154,379		2.79	%	106	—		—	%	—
121-150 Days	6,015		3.29	%	134	7,460		3.89	%	123
151-180 Days	13,750		3.23	%	167	31,498		3.87	%	173
181-360 Days	81,933		4.83	%	228	186,661		3.80	%	250
> 360 Days	48,241		3.05	%	608	95,331		4.52	%	678
Total Credit Assets	556,198		3.04	%	145	580,827		3.61	%	229
Total	$	1,439,984	1.37	%	98	$	2,445,300	2.37	%	91

Repurchase agreements involving underlying investments that the Company sold prior to period end, for settlement following period end, are shown using their original maturity dates even though such repurchase agreements may be expected to be terminated early upon settlement of the sale of the underlying investment.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of investments transferred as collateral under outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements was $1.783 billion and $2.763 billion, respectively. Collateral transferred under outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2019 include investments in the amount of

$64.7 million, that were sold prior to period end but for which such sale had not yet settled. In addition, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company posted net cash collateral of $27.7 million and $31.0 million, respectively, as well as posting additional securities with a fair value of $28 thousand and $0.2 million, respectively, to its counterparties.

Amount at risk represents the excess, if any, for each counterparty of the fair value of collateral held by such counterparty over the amounts outstanding under repurchase agreements. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was no single counterparty for which the amount at risk relating to our repurchase agreements was greater than 10% of total equity.

Other Secured Borrowings

In February 2018, the Company entered into agreements to finance a portfolio of unsecured loans through a recourse secured borrowing facility. The facility has a term ending in February 2021. The facility accrues interest on a floating-rate basis. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $10.5 million and $16.0 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 2.28% and 3.85% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of unsecured loans collateralizing this borrowing was $13.9 million and $22.3 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

In November 2019, the Company amended its non-recourse secured borrowing facility that is used to finance a portfolio of unsecured loans. The facility includes a reinvestment period ending in December 2020 (or earlier following an early amortization event), whereby the Company can vary its borrowings based on the size of its portfolio, subject to certain maximum limits. Following the reinvestment period, the facility will begin to amortize based on the collections from the underlying loans. The facility accrues interest on a floating rate basis. As of September 30, 2020 and December 2019, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $95.7 million and $102.5 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate on this facility, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 2.53% and 4.01%, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of unsecured loans collateralizing this borrowing was $132.4 million and $144.1 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

In December 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to finance a portfolio of ABS backed by consumer loans through a recourse secured borrowing facility. The facility includes a revolving borrowing period ending in June 2021 (or earlier following a trigger event), whereby the Company can vary its borrowings based on the size of its portfolio, subject to certain maximum limits. Following the revolving borrowing period, the facility amortizes, with a final termination date in June 2023. The facility accrues interest on a floating rate basis. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $30.2 million and $31.8 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.The effective interest rate on this facility, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 5.20% and 5.23% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of ABS backed by consumer loans collateralizing this borrowing was $46.9 million and $47.9 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

The Company has completed securitization transactions, as discussed in Note 10, whereby it financed portfolios of non-QM loans. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company's outstanding liabilities associated with these securitization transactions was $695.5 million and $594.4 million, respectively, representing the fair value of the securitization trust certificates held by third parties as of such date, and is included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other secured borrowings, at fair value. The weighted average coupon of the Certificates held by third parties was 2.91% and 3.19% as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of non-QM loans and the carrying value of REO held in the consolidated securitization trusts was $761.1 million and $629.1 million, respectively.

In March 2020, the Company entered into a participation agreement with an unrelated third-party, the "Junior Participant," whereby the Company transferred to the Junior Participant an interest in a small balance commercial mortgage loan, the "Partial Loan," (together with the Company's interest, the "Whole Commercial Loan"). The Partial Loan is subordinate to the interest in the loan held by the Company. In accordance with ASC 860-10, the Partial Loan transferred to the Junior Participant does not meet the definition of a participating interest and, as a result, the Company does not recognize the transfer of the Partial Loan to the Junior Participant as a sale. The Company has recorded the Whole Commercial Loan in Loans, at fair value, on the

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of the Whole Commercial Loan was $16.9 million. The Company's liability to the Junior Participant as of September 30, 2020 was $6.3 million and is included in Other secured borrowings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the terms of the participation agreement, the Junior Participant is entitled to a portion of the cashflows of the underlying commercial mortgage loan.

Unsecured Borrowings

Senior Notes

On August 18, 2017, the Company issued $86.0 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes (the "Old Senior Notes"). The total net proceeds to the Company from the issuance of the Old Senior Notes was approximately $84.7 million, after deducting debt issuance costs. The Old Senior Notes had an interest rate of 5.25%, subject to adjustment based on changes in the ratings, if any, of the Old Senior Notes. On February 13, 2019, in connection with the REIT Election, the Company exchanged all $86.0 million in principal amount of the Old Senior Notes for new unsecured long-term debt jointly and severally co-issued by certain of its consolidated subsidiaries and fully guaranteed by the Company (the "Senior Notes"). At any time, the Company is permitted to add others of its consolidated subsidiaries as co-issuers of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.50%, subject to adjustment based on changes, if any, in the ratings of the Senior Notes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on September 1, 2022. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, at its option, in whole or in part, prior to March 1, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the applicable "make-whole" premium as of the applicable date of redemption. At any time on or after March 1, 2022, the Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes are carried at amortized cost. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with the Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.

The Company amortizes debt issuance costs over the life of the associated debt; the amortized portion of debt issuance costs is included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Senior Notes have an effective interest rate of 5.80%, inclusive of debt issuance costs.

The Senior Notes are unsecured and are effectively subordinated to secured indebtedness of the Company, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

Schedule of Principal Repayments

The following table details the Company's principal repayment schedule, over the next 5 years, for outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2020:

Year	Repurchase Agreements(1)		Other Secured Borrowings(2)		Senior Notes(1)		Total
(In thousands)
Next Twelve Months	$	1,391,743	$	523,802	$	—	$	1,915,545
Year 2	48,241		91,199		86,000		225,440
Year 3	—		261,991		—		261,991
Year 4	—		—		—		—
Year 5	—		—		—		—
Total	$	1,439,984	$	876,992	$	86,000	$	2,402,976

(1)Reflects the Company's contractual principal repayment dates.

(2)Includes $734.3 million of expected principal repayments related to the Company's consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations, which are projected based upon the underlying assets' expected repayments and may be prior to the stated contractual maturities.

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Income Tax [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income TaxesThe Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. A REIT is generally not subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on the portion of its income that is distributed to its owners if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income within the prescribed time frames, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. The Company intends to operate in a manner which will allow it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT. Accordingly, Ellington Financial Inc. does not believe that it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on the portion of its net taxable income that is distributed to its stockholders as long as certain asset, income, and share ownership tests are met.

Certain foreign and domestic subsidiaries of the Company have elected to be treated as TRSs and therefore are taxed as corporations for U.S. federal, state, and local income tax purposes. To the extent that those entities incur U.S. federal, state, or local income taxes, or foreign income taxes, such taxes are recorded in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In response to the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the "CARES Act," was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and provided for significant stimulus spending and included numerous tax provisions. As of September 30, 2020, there was no material impact on the Company's tax provision as a result of the CARES Act; however, the Company continues to monitor and evaluate the impact of the CARES Act and other COVID-19-related legislation.

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences that may exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities under U.S. GAAP and the carrying amounts used for income tax purposes. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $2.5 million and $2 thousand, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

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Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

The Company is party to the Management Agreement (which may be amended from time to time), pursuant to which the Manager manages the assets, operations, and affairs of the Company, in consideration of which the Company pays the Manager management and incentive fees. The descriptions of the Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees are detailed below.

Base Management Fees

The Operating Partnership pays the Manager 1.50% per annum of total equity of the Operating Partnership calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP as of the end of each fiscal quarter (before deductions for base management fees and incentive fees payable with respect to such fiscal quarter), provided that total equity is adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP, as well as non-cash charges after discussion between the Manager and the Company's independent directors, and approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors in the case of non-cash charges.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, if the Company invests at issuance in the equity of any collateralized debt obligation that is managed, structured, or originated by Ellington or one of its affiliates, or if the Company invests in any other investment fund or other investment for which Ellington or one of its affiliates receives management, origination, or structuring fees, then, unless agreed otherwise by a majority of the Company's independent directors, the base management and incentive fees payable by the Company to its Manager will be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable portion (as described in the Management Agreement) of any such management, origination, or structuring fees.

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the total base management fee incurred was $3.0 million, consisting of $3.2 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.2 million of management fee rebates. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, the total base management fee incurred was $1.9 million, consisting of $2.4 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.5 million of management fee rebates. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the total base management fee incurred was $8.3 million, consisting of $9.2 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.9 million of management fee rebates. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the total base management fee incurred was $5.3 million consisting of $6.8 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $1.5 million of management fee rebates. See "—Participation in CLO Transactions" below for details on management fee rebates.

Incentive Fees

The Manager is entitled to receive a quarterly incentive fee equal to the positive excess, if any, of (i) the product of (A) 25% and (B) the excess of (1) Adjusted Net Income (described below) for the Incentive Calculation Period (which means such fiscal quarter and the immediately preceding three fiscal quarters) over (2) the sum of the Hurdle Amounts (described below) for the Incentive Calculation Period, over (ii) the sum of the incentive fees already paid or payable for each fiscal quarter in the Incentive Calculation Period preceding such fiscal quarter.

For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, "Adjusted Net Income" for the Incentive Calculation Period means the net increase in equity from operations of the Operating Partnership, after all base management fees but before any incentive fees for such period, and excluding any non-cash equity compensation expenses for such period, as reduced by any Loss Carryforward (as described below) as of the end of the fiscal quarter preceding the Incentive Calculation Period.

For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the "Loss Carryforward" as of the end of any fiscal quarter is calculated by

determining the excess, if any, of (1) the Loss Carryforward as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter over (2) the Company's net increase in equity from operations (expressed as a positive number) or net decrease in equity from operations (expressed as a negative number) of the Operating Partnership for such fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2020, there was a Loss Carryforward of $46.3 million. There was no Loss Carryforward as of December 31, 2019.

For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the "Hurdle Amount" means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) one-fourth of the greater of (A) 9% and (B) 3% plus the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate for such fiscal quarter, (ii) the sum of (A) the weighted average gross proceeds per share of all common stock and OP Unit issuances since inception of the Company and up to the end of such fiscal quarter, with each issuance weighted by both the number of shares of common stock and OP Units issued in such issuance and the number of days that such issued shares of common stock and OP Units were outstanding during such fiscal quarter, using a first-in first-out basis of accounting (i.e. attributing any share of common stock and OP Unit repurchases to the earliest issuances first) and (B) the result obtained by dividing (I) retained earnings attributable to shares of common stock and OP Units at the beginning of such fiscal quarter by (II) the average number of shares of common stock and OP Units outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter, (iii) the sum of (x) the average number of shares of common stock and long term incentive plan units of the Company outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter, and (y) the average number of Convertible Non-controlling Interests outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter. For purposes of determining the Hurdle Amount, issuances of common stock, and Convertible Non-controlling Interests (a) as equity incentive awards, (b) to the Manager as part of its base management fee or incentive fee and (c) to the Manager or any of its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions, are excluded from the calculation. The payment of the incentive fee will be in a combination of shares of common stock and cash, provided that at least 10% of any quarterly payment will be made in shares of common stock.

The Company did not accrue an incentive fee for any of the three- or nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, since on a rolling four quarter basis, the Company's income did not exceed the prescribed hurdle amount.

Termination Fees

The Management Agreement requires the Company to pay a termination fee to the Manager in the event of (1) the Company's termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement without cause or (2) the Company's termination of the Management Agreement based on unsatisfactory performance by the Manager that is materially detrimental to the Company or (3) the Manager's termination of the Management Agreement upon a default by the Company in the performance of any material term of the Management Agreement. Such termination fee will be equal to the amount of three times the sum of (i) the average annual quarterly base management fee amounts paid or payable with respect to the two 12-month periods ending on the last day of the latest fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the notice of termination or non-renewal and (ii) the average annual quarterly incentive fee amounts paid or payable with respect to the two 12-month periods ending on the last day of the latest fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the notice of termination or non-renewal.

Expense Reimbursement

Under the terms of the Management Agreement the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company that are incurred by the Manager, including expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence, other services, and all other costs and expenses. The Company's reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation. Expenses will be reimbursed in cash within 60 days following delivery of the expense statement by the Manager; provided, however, that such reimbursement may be offset by the Manager against amounts due to the Company from the Manager. The Company will not reimburse the Manager for the salaries and other compensation of the Manager's personnel except that the Company will be responsible for expenses incurred by the Manager in employing certain dedicated or partially dedicated personnel as further described below.

The Company reimburses the Manager for the allocable share of the compensation, including, without limitation, wages, salaries, and employee benefits paid or reimbursed, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to certain dedicated or partially dedicated personnel who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company's affairs, based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to the Company's affairs. In their capacities as officers or personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, such personnel will devote such portion of their time to the Company's affairs as is necessary to enable the Company to operate its business.

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company reimbursed the Manager $7.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively, for previously incurred operating expenses. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding payable to the Manager for operating expenses was $2.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, which are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the loan originators in which the Company holds equity investments represent related parties. Transactions that have been entered into with these related party mortgage originators are summarized below.

The Company is a party to a mortgage loan purchase and sale flow agreement, with a mortgage originator in which the Company holds an equity investment, whereby the Company purchases residential mortgage loans that satisfy certain specified criteria. The Company has also provided a $5.0 million line of credit to the mortgage originator. Under the terms of this line of credit, the Company has agreed to make advances to the mortgage originator solely for the purpose of funding specifically identified residential mortgage loans designated for sale to the Company. To the extent the advances are drawn by the mortgage originator, it must pay interest, at a rate of 15% per annum, on the outstanding balance of each advance from the date the advance is made until such advance is repaid in full. The mortgage originator is required to repay advances in full no later than two business days following the date that the Company purchases the related residential mortgage loans from the mortgage originator. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no advances outstanding. The Company has also entered into two agreements whereby it guarantees the performance of such mortgage originator under third-party master repurchase agreements. See Note 21, Commitments and Contingencies, for further information on the Company's guarantees of the third-party borrowing arrangements. Additionally, in August 2020, the Company entered into a commitment agreement whereby the Company committed to purchase $150 million of residential mortgage loans that meet specified criteria, or the "Commitment Agreement." As of September 30, 2020, the Company had purchased the entire $150 million of eligible residential mortgage loans under the terms of the Commitment Agreement. In connection with the Commitment Agreement, the Company also entered into an agreement whereby the Company would be entitled to receive warrants proportionally as it satisfied its purchase commitment under the Commitment Agreement to purchase a maximum of 9.329 million shares of non-voting common stock. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has received warrants for the maximum 9.329 million shares; such warrants have a fair value of $2.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company, through a related party of Ellington, or the "Loan Purchaser," is a party to a consumer loan purchase and sale flow agreement with a consumer loan originator in which the Company holds an investment in preferred stock and warrants to purchase additional preferred stock, whereby the Loan Purchaser purchases consumer loans that satisfy certain specified criteria. The Company has investments in participation certificates related to consumer loans titled in the name of the Loan Purchaser. Through its participation certificates, the Company has beneficial interests in the loan cash flows, net of servicing-related fees and expenses. The total fair value of the Company's participation certificates was $46.9 million and $47.9 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

In May 2019 the Company entered into a note purchase agreement whereby it agreed to lend up to $5.0 million to a mortgage originator ("the Initial Note") in which the Company also holds an equity investment. The Initial Note carried an interest rate of 15% per annum on the outstanding balance. In July and December 2019, the Company amended the note purchase agreement whereby it agreed to lend an additional $5.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively, (the "Additional Notes") to the mortgage originator. The Additional Notes each carried an interest rate of 18% per annum. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate outstanding balance on the Initial Note and the Additional Notes was $12.5 million. In January 2020, the Initial Note and the Additional Notes were repaid. The Initial Note and the Additional Notes are classified as Corporate loans and included in Loans, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Consumer, Residential, and Commercial Loan Transactions with Affiliates

The Company purchases certain of its consumer loans through an affiliate, or the "Purchasing Entity." The Purchasing Entity has entered into purchase agreements, open-ended in duration, with third party consumer loan originators whereby it has agreed to purchase eligible consumer loans. The amount of loans purchased under these purchase agreements is dependent on, among other factors, the amount of loans originated in any given period by the selling originators. The Company and other affiliates of Ellington have entered into agreements with the Purchasing Entity whereby the Company and each of the affiliates of Ellington have agreed to purchase their allocated portion (subject to monthly determination based on available capital and other factors) of the eligible loans acquired by the Purchasing Entity under each purchase agreement. Immediately after the Purchasing Entity purchases beneficial interests in the loans, the Company and other affiliates of Ellington purchase such beneficial interests from the Purchasing Entity, at the same price paid by the Purchasing Entity. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company purchased loans under these agreements with an aggregate principal balance of $84.7 million and $72.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated remaining contingent purchase obligations of the Company under these purchase agreements was approximately $77.1 million and $287.1 million, respectively, in principal balance.

The Company's beneficial interests in the consumer loans purchased through the Purchasing Entity are evidenced by

participation certificates issued by trusts that hold legal title to the loans. These trusts are owned by a related party of Ellington and were established to hold such loans. Through its participation certificates, the Company participates in the cash flows of the underlying loans held by each trust. The total amount of consumer loans underlying the Company's participation certificates and held in the related party trusts was $151.7 million and $185.4 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company has beneficial interests in residential mortgage loans and REO held in a trust owned by a related party of Ellington. Through these beneficial interests, the Company participates in the cash flows of the underlying loans held by such trust. The total amount of residential mortgage loans and REO underlying the Company's beneficial interests and held in the related party trust was $272.4 million and $304.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company is a co-investor in certain small balance commercial mortgage loans with several other investors, including an unrelated third party and various affiliates of Ellington. These loans are beneficially owned by a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value of the small balance commercial loans was $33.6 million and $29.5 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, the non-controlling interests held by the unrelated third party and the Ellington affiliates were $4.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the non-controlling interests held by the unrelated third party and the Ellington affiliates were $3.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a payable to an Ellington affiliate in the amount of $0.7 million, which is included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company did not have any payables to or receivables from the Ellington affiliates as of September 30, 2020.

The Company is also a co-investor in certain small balance commercial mortgage loans and REO with other investors, including various unrelated third parties and various affiliates of Ellington. Each co-investor in a particular loan has an interest in the limited liability company that owns such loan or REO. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value of the Company's investments in the jointly owned limited liability companies was approximately $30.4 million and $17.3 million, respectively. Such investments are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The consumer, residential mortgage, and certain commercial mortgage loans that are the subject of the foregoing loan transactions are held in trusts, each of which the Company has determined to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated each of these VIEs and determined that the Company has the power to direct the activities of each VIE that most significantly impact such VIE's economic performance and the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary of each of these VIEs and has consolidated each VIE.

Equity Investment in Unconsolidated Entity

The Company was a co-investor, together with other affiliates of Ellington, in Jepson Holdings Limited, the parent of an entity (the "Right Holder Entity") that held a call right (the "Call Right") to a European mortgage loan securitization (the "Initial Securitization"). The Right Holder Entity issued notes (the "Right Holder Notes") to the Company and its affiliates, and to an unrelated third party.

In March 2019, the Right Holder Entity assigned the Call Right to a newly formed entity, which exercised the Call Right and re-securitized the underlying European mortgage loan assets of the Initial Securitization through a new securitization trust (the "New Securitization"). In exchange for assigning the Call Right, the Right Holder Entity received a combination of (i) cash and (ii) certain notes issued by the New Securitization (the "New Securitization Notes"). The Right Holder Entity fully repaid the unrelated third party's Right Holder Note with a combination of cash and New Securitization Notes. The Right Holder Notes held by the Company and its affiliates were also fully repaid with cash and New Securitization Notes. Certain of the New Securitization Notes were distributed to the Company and its affiliates on a pro rata basis. The Right Holder Entity is expected to continue to hold certain of the New Securitization Notes in order to comply with European risk retention rules. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's equity investment in Jepson Holdings Limited had a fair value of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively. See Note 6 for additional details on this equity investment.

Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities

The Company is a co-participant with certain other entities managed by Ellington or its affiliates (the "Affiliated Entities") in various entities (each, a "Joint Entity"), which were formed in order to facilitate the financing of small balance commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, and REO (collectively, the "Mortgage Loan and REO Assets"), through repurchase agreements. Each Joint Entity has a master repurchase agreement with a particular financing counterparty.

In connection with the financing of the Mortgage Loan and REO Assets under repurchase agreements, each of the Company and the Affiliated Entities transferred certain of their respective Mortgage Loan and REO Assets to one of the Joint Entities in exchange for its pro rata share of the financing proceeds that the respective Joint Entity received from the financing counterparty. While the Company's Mortgage Loan and REO Assets were transferred to the Joint Entity, the Company's Mortgage Loan and REO Assets and the related debt were not derecognized for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860-10, because the Company continued to retain the risks and rewards of ownership of its Mortgage Loan and REO Assets. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Joint Entities had aggregate outstanding issued debt under the repurchase agreements in the amount of $258.0 million and $350.6 million, respectively. The Company's segregated portion of this debt as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $135.9 million and $174.4 million, respectively, and is included under the caption Repurchase agreements on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. To the extent that there is a default under the repurchase agreements, all of the assets of each respective Joint Entity, including those beneficially owned by any non-defaulting owners of such Joint Entity, could be used to satisfy the outstanding obligations under such repurchase agreement. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no party to any of the repurchase agreements was in default.

Each of the Joint Entities has been determined to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated each of these VIEs and determined that it continued to retain the risks and rewards of ownership of certain of the Mortgage Loan and REO Assets, where such Mortgage Loan and REO Assets and the related debt are segregated for the Company and each of the Affiliated Entities. On account of the segregation of certain of each co-participant's assets and liabilities within each of the Joint Entities, as well as the retention by each co-participant of control over its segregated Mortgage Loan and REO Assets within the Joint Entities, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of, and has consolidated its segregated portion of assets and liabilities within, each of the Joint Entities. See Note 9 and Note 11 for additional information.

Participation in CLO Transactions

As discussed in Note 10, the Company participated in a number of CLO securitization transactions, all managed by the CLO Manager.

The CLO Manager is entitled to receive management and incentive fees in accordance with the respective management agreements between the CLO Manager and the respective CLO Issuers. In accordance with the Management Agreement, the Manager rebates to the Company the portion of the management fees payable by each CLO Issuer to the CLO Manager that are allocable to the Company's participating interest in the unsecured subordinated notes issued by such CLO Issuer. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the amount of such management fee rebates was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the amount of such management fee rebates was $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

In addition, from time to time, the Company along with various other affiliates of Ellington, and in certain cases various third parties, advance funds in the form of loans ("Initial Funding Loans") to securitization vehicles to enable them to establish warehouse facilities for the purpose of acquiring the assets to be securitized. Pursuant to the terms of the warehouse facilities and the Initial Funding Loans, the applicable securitization trust is required, at the closing of each respective CLO securitization, first to repay the warehouse facility, then to repay the Initial Funding Loans, and then to distribute interest earned, net of any necessary reserves and/or interest expense, and the aggregate realized or unrealized gains, if any, on assets purchased into the warehouse facility. In the event that such CLO securitization fails to close, the assets held by the respective securitization vehicle would, subject to a cure period, be liquidated. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's investment in such warehouse facilities was $5.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively, which are included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Investments in unconsolidated entities.

During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company purchased various underperforming corporate debt and equity securities from certain of the Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations at market prices determined through the procedures set forth in the indentures of the respective Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitization. The total amount of such debt and equity securities purchased during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 was $6.8 million; no such securities were purchased during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. The total amount of such debt and equity securities purchased during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $1.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively.

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Long-Term Incentive Plan Units

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units

Long-Term Incentive Plan UnitsOP LTIP Units subject to the Company's incentive plans are generally exercisable by the holder at any time after vesting. Each OP LTIP Unit is convertible into an OP Unit on a one-for-one basis. Subject to certain conditions, the OP Units are redeemable by the holder for an equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Company or for the cash value of such shares of common stock, at the Company's election. Costs associated with the OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans are measured as of the grant date and expensed ratably over the vesting period. Total expense associated with

OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Total expense associated with OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

On March 4, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 14,811 OP LTIP Units to certain of Ellington's personnel dedicated to the Company pursuant to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

On September 10, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 22,840 OP LTIP Units to certain of its directors pursuant to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. These OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable on September 9, 2021.

The below table details unvested OP LTIP Units as of September 30, 2020:

Grant Recipient	Number of OP LTIP Units Granted	Grant Date	Vesting Date(1)
Directors:
	22,840	September 10, 2020	September 9, 2021
Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel:
	12,818	December 13, 2019	December 13, 2020
	10,067	December 13, 2019	December 13, 2021
	8,691	December 11, 2018	December 11, 2020
	4,977	March 4, 2020	December 31, 2020
	9,834	March 4, 2020	December 31, 2021
Total unvested OP LTIP Units at September 30, 2020	69,227

(1)Date at which such OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable.

The following tables summarize issuance and exercise activity of OP LTIP Units for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	195,009	560,527	375,000	146,371	521,371
Granted	—	22,840	22,840	—	14,552	14,552
Exercised	—	(3,638)	(3,638)	—	(3,610)	(3,610)
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	214,211	579,729	375,000	157,313	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	—	69,227	69,227	—	37,821	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	144,984	510,502	375,000	119,492	494,492

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2019, respectively)	365,518	180,198	545,716	375,000	146,371	521,371
Granted	—	37,651	37,651	—	14,552	14,552
Exercised	—	(3,638)	(3,638)	—	(3,610)	(3,610)
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	214,211	579,729	375,000	157,313	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	—	69,227	69,227	—	37,821	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	144,984	510,502	375,000	119,492	494,492

There were an aggregate of 1,794,021 and 1,832,309 shares of common stock of the Company underlying awards, including OP LTIP Units, available for future issuance under the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

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Non-controlling Interests

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling Interests

Operating Partnership

Non-controlling interests include the Convertible Non-controlling Interests in the Operating Partnership owned by an affiliate of our Manager, our directors, and certain current and former Ellington employees and their related parties. On December 31, 2018, the Company redeemed 503,988 outstanding long term incentive plan units of the Company and exchanged them on a one-for-one basis for OP LTIP Units. Income allocated to Convertible Non-controlling Interests is based on the non-controlling interest owners' ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership during the period, calculated using a daily weighted average of all shares of common stock of the Company and Convertible Non-controlling Interests outstanding during the period. Holders of Convertible Non-controlling Interests are entitled to receive the same distributions that holders of shares of common stock of the Company receive. Convertible Non-controlling Interests are non-voting with respect to matters as to which holders of common stock of the Company are entitled to vote.

On March 2, 2020, certain related parties of current Ellington employees converted 129,516 OP Units into shares of common stock.

As September 30, 2020, the Convertible Non-controlling Interests consisted of the outstanding 579,729 OP LTIP Units and 48,409 OP Units, and represented an interest of approximately 1.2% in the Operating Partnership. As December 31, 2019, the Convertible Non-controlling Interests consisted of the outstanding 545,716 OP LTIP Units and 177,925 OP Units, and represented an interest of approximately 1.6% in the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, non-controlling interests related to all outstanding Convertible Non-controlling Interests was $10.4 million and $13.4 million, respectively.

Joint Venture Interests

Non-controlling interests also include the interests of joint venture partners in various consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. These subsidiaries hold the Company's investments in certain commercial mortgage loans and REO. The joint venture partners participate in the income, expense, gains and losses of such subsidiaries as set forth in the related operating agreements of the subsidiaries. The joint venture partners make capital contributions to the subsidiaries as new approved investments are purchased by the subsidiaries, and are generally entitled to distributions when investments are sold or otherwise disposed of. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the joint venture partners' interests in subsidiaries of the Company were $26.6 million and $25.9 million, respectively.

The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of common stock of the Company or OP Units, nor are the joint venture partners entitled to receive distributions that holders of shares of common stock of the Company receive.

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Equity

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Common Stock Capitalization

16. Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 4,600,000 shares of 6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share ("Series A Preferred Stock") outstanding.

The Company's Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to its common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interests with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Additionally, the Company's Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the Company prior to October 30, 2024, except under circumstances where it is necessary to allow the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except in certain instances upon the occurrence of a change of control. Holders of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock generally do not have any voting rights.

Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends (i) from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, October 30, 2024, at a fixed rate equal to 6.750% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference and (ii) from and including October 30, 2024, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.196% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 30th day of each January, April, July, and October, commencing with the first dividend payment on January 30, 2020, which the Board of Directors declared in December 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total amount of cumulative preferred dividends in arrears was $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Common Stock

The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of additional shares, subject to the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of common stock then outstanding present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 43,781,684 and 38,647,943, respectively, shares of common stock outstanding.

On January 24, 2020, the Company completed a follow-on offering of 5,290,000 shares of its common stock, of which 690,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' option. The issuance and sale of the 5,290,000 shares of common stock generated net proceeds, after underwriters' discount and offering costs, of $95.3 million.

The following table summarizes issuance, repurchase, and other activity with respect to the Company's common stock for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended		Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020	September 30, 2019	September 30, 2020	September 30, 2019
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (6/30/2020, 6/30/2019, 12/31/2019 and 1/1/2019, respectively)	43,779,924	29,745,776	38,647,943	29,796,601
Share Activity:
Shares of common stock issued	—	4,025,000	5,290,000	4,025,000
Shares of common stock issued in connection with incentive fee payment	—	—	637	—
Shares of common stock repurchased	(1,878)	—	(290,050)	(50,825)
OP Units exercised	3,638	3,610	133,154	3,610
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (9/30/2020, 9/30/2019, 9/30/2020, 9/30/2019, respectively)	43,781,684	33,774,386	43,781,684	33,774,386

If all Convertible Non-controlling Interests that have been previously issued were to become fully vested and exchanged for shares of common stock as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock would increase to 44,409,822 and 39,371,584 shares, respectively.

On June 13, 2018, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 1.55 million shares of common stock. The program, which is open-ended in duration, allows the Company to make repurchases from time to time on the open market or in negotiated transactions,

including under Rule 10b5-1 plans. Repurchases are at the Company's discretion, subject to applicable law, share availability, price and financial performance, among other considerations. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,878 shares at an average price per share of $11.00 and a total cost of $21 thousand. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 290,050 shares at an average price per share of $10.54 and a total cost of $3.1 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company repurchased 50,825 shares at an average price per share of $15.39 and a total cost of $0.8 million. From inception of the current repurchase plan through September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 701,965 shares at an average price per share of $13.36 and a total cost of $9.4 million.

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Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The components of the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands except share amounts)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	46,203	$	17,293	$	(45,917)	$	45,345
Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests(1)	647		387		(916)		1,079
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	46,850		17,680		(46,833)		46,424
Dividends Paid:
Common stockholders	(11,821)		(14,185)		(42,514)		(43,038)
Convertible Non-controlling Interests	(166)		(309)		(627)		(1,021)
Total dividends paid to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	(11,987)		(14,494)		(43,141)		(44,059)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Common stockholders	34,382		3,108		(88,431)		2,307
Convertible Non-controlling Interests	481		78		(1,543)		58
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	$	34,863	$	3,186	$	(89,974)	$	2,365
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	43,779,134		32,835,652		43,387,168		30,787,634
Weighted average Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding	613,319		735,789		635,836		734,186
Weighted average shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding	44,392,453		33,571,441		44,023,004		31,521,820
Basic earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit:
Distributed	$	0.27	$	0.42	$	0.97	$	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of)	0.79		0.11		(2.03)		0.08
	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47
Diluted earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit:
Distributed	$	0.27	$	0.42	$	0.97	$	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of)	0.79		0.11		(2.03)		0.08
	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47

(1)For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excludes net income (loss) of $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excludes net income (loss) of $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15.

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Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted CashThe Company is required to maintain a specific cash balance in a segregated account pursuant to a flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company's restricted cash balance related to the flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement was $0.2 million.

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Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

The Company generally records financial instruments at fair value as described in Note 2. Financial instruments are generally recorded on a gross basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. In connection with the vast majority of its derivative, reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, and the related trading agreements, the Company and its counterparties are required to pledge collateral. Cash or other collateral is exchanged as required with each of the Company's counterparties in connection with open derivative positions, and reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements.

The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities representing financial instruments as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company has not entered into master netting agreements with any of its counterparties. Certain of the Company's reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and financial derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide a right of net settlement, as well as a right of offset in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction.

September 30, 2020:

Description	Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)		Financial Instruments Available for Offset		Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral(2)(3)		Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged(2)(3)		Net Amount
(In thousands)
Assets
Financial derivatives–assets	$	27,864	$	(16,646)	$	—	$	(6,469)	$	4,749
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		(47,041)		—		—		—
Liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities	(34,814)		16,646		—		18,088		(80)
Repurchase agreements	(1,439,984)		1,439,984		(27,744)		27,744		—

(1)In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.

(2)For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2020 was $1.8 billion. As of September 30, 2020, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged (received) of $3.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively.

(3)When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

December 31, 2019:

Description	Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)		Financial Instruments Available for Offset		Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral(2)(3)		Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged(2)(3)		Net Amount
(In thousands)
Assets
Financial derivatives–assets	$	16,788	$	(12,755)	$	—	$	(807)	$	3,226
Reverse repurchase agreements	73,639		(73,639)		—		—		—
Liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities	(27,621)		12,755		—		12,233		(2,633)
Repurchase agreements	(2,445,300)		73,639		2,340,656		31,005		—

(1)In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.

(2)For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2019 was $2.8 billion. As of December 31, 2019, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged of $4.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively.

(3)When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

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Counterparty Risk

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Counterparty Risk

Counterparty Risk

The Company is exposed to concentrations of counterparty risk. It seeks to mitigate such risk by diversifying its exposure among various counterparties, when appropriate. The following table summarizes the Company's exposure to counterparty risk as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	10	28.5	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	1,810,825		24	18.6	%
Due from brokers	63,991		22	35.4	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	5,086		2	87.0	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

December 31, 2019:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	72,302	11	42.2	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	2,793,696		28	13.8	%
Due from brokers	79,829		24	30.9	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	69,995		5	62.3	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies and Commitments

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company provides current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Company.

In the normal course of business the Company may also enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations, warranties, and general indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements, including future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred, is unknown. The Company has not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements.

The Company's maximum risk of loss from credit events on its securities (excluding Agency securities, which are guaranteed by the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise), loans, and investments in unconsolidated entities is limited to the amount paid for such investment.

Commitments and Contingencies Related to Investments in Residential Mortgage Loans

In connection with certain of the Company's investments in residential mortgage loans, the Company has unfunded commitments in the amount of $3.2 million and $5.2 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies Related to Investments in Mortgage Loan Originators

In connection with certain of its investments in mortgage loan originators, the Company has outstanding commitments and contingencies as described below.

As described in Note 13, the Company is party to a flow mortgage loan purchase and sale agreement with a mortgage loan originator. The Company has entered into two agreements whereby it guarantees the performance of this mortgage loan originator under master repurchase agreements. The Company's maximum guarantees are capped at $25.0 million. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the mortgage loan originator had $17.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of outstanding borrowings under the agreements guaranteed by the Company. The Company's obligations under these arrangements are deemed to be guarantees under ASC 460-10. The Company has elected the FVO for its guarantees, which are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of such guarantees was insignificant.

Commitments and Contingencies Related to Corporate Loans

The Company has investments in certain corporate loans whereby the borrowers can request additional funds under the respective agreements. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the Company had unfunded commitments related to such investments in the amount of $1.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

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Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

On October 7, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.09 per share of common stock payable on November 25, 2020 to stockholders of record as of October 30, 2020 and a dividend in the amount of $0.421875 per share of Series A Preferred Stock payable on October 30, 2020 to stockholders of record as of October 19, 2020.

On November 2, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share of common stock payable on December 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of November 30, 2020.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or "U.S. GAAP," and Regulation S-X. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or "VIEs," for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material (particularly in light of the significant volatility, lack of pricing transparency, and market dislocations that have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated responses to the pandemic). In management's opinion, all material adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company's interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and are only of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. The information included in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II. Item 1A—Risk Factors, included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.The Company adopted ASC 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies ("ASC 946") upon its commencement of operations in August 2007, and applied U.S. GAAP for investment companies. In connection with the Company's internal restructuring and the Company's intention to qualify as a REIT for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company determined that, effective January 1, 2019, it no longer qualified for investment company accounting in accordance with ASC 946-10-25, and has prospectively discontinued its use. The Company elected the fair value option, or "FVO," for, and therefore the Company continued to measure at fair value, those of its assets and liabilities it had previously measured at fair value and for which such election is permitted, as provided for under ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825"). Due to the prospective application of a change in accounting as required under ASC 946-10-25-2, the Company determined that the presentation of its condensed consolidated financial statements for periods beginning after December 31, 2018 are not comparable to the condensed consolidated financial statements previously prepared for prior periods for which the Company applied ASC 946.

Reclassification and Presentation

Reclassification and Presentation

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company prospectively discontinued its application of ASC 946. Upon its change in status, the following significant changes and elections were made:

•Investments in securities are now accounted for in accordance with ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities ("ASC 320");

•The Company elected the FVO as provided for under ASC 825-10-25-4 for all eligible financial instruments for which the Company had previously measured at fair value, including investments in securities, loans, financial derivatives, and certain of the Company's secured borrowings. As a result, all changes in the fair value of such financial instruments will continue to be recorded in earnings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations;

•Real estate owned, or "REO," is not eligible for the FVO election. As a result, REO is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company's cost basis in any REO that was previously measured at fair value under ASC 946 was adjusted on January 1, 2019 to equal the fair value of such investment as of December 31, 2018;

•The Company elected not to designate its financial derivatives as hedging instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). As a result, all changes in the fair value of financial derivatives will continue to be recorded in earnings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations;

•Forward settling to-be-announced mortgage-backed-securities, or "TBAs," are no longer classified as investments. TBAs will be classified as financial derivatives, with the difference between the forward contract price and the market

value of the TBA position as of the reporting date included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations; and

•The Company is required to account for certain of its equity investments under ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures ("ASC 323-10"). The Company has elected the FVO for such equity investments and changes in fair value will be reported in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Valuation

Valuation: The Company applies ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820") to its holdings of financial instruments. ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

•Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Currently, the types of financial instruments the Company generally includes in this category are listed equities and exchange-traded derivatives;

•Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices included in Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Currently, the types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are Agency RMBS, U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt, certain non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, corporate debt, and actively traded derivatives such as interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards, and other over-the-counter derivatives; and

•Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are certain RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS, credit default swaps, or "CDS," on individual ABS, and total return swaps on distressed corporate debt, in each case where there is less price transparency. Also included in this category are residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans, and private corporate debt and equity investments.

For certain financial instruments, the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. For each such financial instrument, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value, with the highest priority given to inputs that are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1), and the lowest priority given to inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (Level 3). The 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 Company may use valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. The market approach uses third-party valuations and information obtained from market transactions involving identical or similar financial instruments. The income approach uses projections of the future economic benefit of an instrument to determine its fair value, such as in the discounted cash flow methodology. The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these financial instruments. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are assumed to occur at the end of the reporting period.

Summary Valuation Techniques

For financial instruments that are traded in an "active market," the best measure of fair value is the quoted market price. However, many of the Company's financial instruments are not traded in an active market. Therefore, management generally uses third-party valuations when available. If third-party valuations are not available, management uses other valuation techniques, such as the discounted cash flow methodology. The following are summary descriptions, for various categories of financial instruments, of the valuation methodologies management uses in determining fair value of the Company's financial instruments in such categories. Management utilizes such methodologies to assign a fair value (the estimated price that, in an orderly transaction at the valuation date, would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be) to each such financial instrument.

For mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS," TBAs, CLOs, and corporate debt and equity, management seeks to obtain at least one third-party valuation, and often obtains multiple valuations when available. Management has been able to obtain third-party valuations on the vast majority of these instruments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. Management generally values each financial instrument at the average of third-party valuations received and not rejected as described below. Third-party valuations are not binding, management may adjust the valuations it receives (e.g., downward adjustments for odd lots), and management may challenge or reject a valuation when, based on its validation criteria, management determines that such valuation is unreasonable or erroneous. Furthermore, based on its validation criteria,

management may determine that the average of the third-party valuations received for a given financial instrument does not result in what management believes to be the fair value of such instrument, and in such circumstances management may override this average with its own good faith valuation. The validation criteria may take into account output from management's own models, recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments, and valuations received from third parties. The use of proprietary models requires the use of a significant amount of judgment and the application of various assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning future prepayment rates and default rates. Given their relatively high level of price transparency, Agency RMBS pass-throughs are typically classified as Level 2. Non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, Agency interest only and inverse interest only RMBS, CLOs, and corporate bonds are generally classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 based on analysis of available market data and/or third-party valuations. The Company's investments in distressed corporate debt can be in the form of loans as well as total return swaps on loans. These investments, as well as related non-listed equity investments, are generally designated as Level 3 assets. Valuations for total return swaps are typically based on prices of the underlying loans received from third-party pricing services. Private equity investments are generally classified as Level 3. Furthermore, the methodology used by the third-party valuation providers is reviewed at least annually by management, so as to ascertain whether such providers are utilizing observable market data to determine the valuations that they provide.

For residential and commercial mortgage loans and consumer loans, management determines fair value by taking into account both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. Management has obtained third-party valuations on the majority of these investments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. In determining fair value for non-performing mortgage loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as management's estimates of the value of the underlying real estate, using information including general economic data, broker price opinions, or "BPOs," recent sales, property appraisals, and bids. In determining fair value for performing mortgage loans and consumer loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as discounted cash flows of the loans based on market assumptions. Cash flow assumptions typically include projected default and prepayment rates and loss severities, and may include adjustments based on appraisals and BPOs. Mortgage and consumer loans are classified as Level 3.

The Company has securitized certain mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or "non-QM loans." The Company's securitized non-QM loans are held as part of a collateralized financing entity, or "CFE." A CFE is a VIE that holds financial assets, issues beneficial interests in those assets, and has no more than nominal equity, and for which the issued beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CFE. ASC 810 allows the Company to elect to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the CFE using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the CFE. The Company has elected the FVO for initial and subsequent recognition of the debt issued by its consolidated securitization trusts and has determined that each consolidated securitization trust meets the definition of a CFE; see Note 10 "Securitization Transactions—Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations" for further discussion on the Company's securitization trusts. The Company has determined the inputs to the fair value measurement of the financial liabilities of each of its CFEs to be more observable than those of the financial assets and, as a result, has used the fair value of the financial liabilities of each of the CFEs to measure the fair value of the financial assets of each of the CFEs. The fair value of the debt issued by each CFE is typically valued using discounted cash flows and other market data. The securitized non-QM loans, which are assets of the CFEs, are included in Loans, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The debt issued by the CFEs is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrealized gains (losses) from changes in fair value of Other secured borrowings, at fair value, are included in Other, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The securitized non-QM loans and the debt issued by the Company's CFEs are both classified as Level 3.

For financial derivatives with greater price transparency, such as CDS on asset-backed indices, CDS on corporate indices, certain options on the foregoing, and total return swaps on publicly traded equities or indices, market-standard pricing sources are used to obtain valuations; these financial derivatives are generally classified as Level 2. Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and foreign currency forwards are typically valued based on internal models that use observable market data, including applicable interest rates and foreign currency rates in effect as of the measurement date; the model-generated valuations are then typically compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. These financial derivatives are also generally classified as Level 2. Financial derivatives with less price transparency, such as CDS on individual ABS, are generally valued based on internal models, and are classified as Level 3. In the case of CDS on individual ABS, the valuation process typically starts with an estimation of the value of the underlying ABS. In valuing its financial derivatives, the Company also considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each financial derivative agreement.

Investments in private operating entities, such as loan originators, are valued based on available metrics, such as relevant market multiples and comparable company valuations, company specific-financial data including actual and projected results, and independent third party valuation estimates. These investments are classified as Level 3.

The Company's repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2, based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature.

The Company's valuation process, including the application of validation criteria, is overseen by the Manager's Valuation Committee (the "Valuation Committee"). The Valuation Committee includes senior level executives from various departments within the Manager, and each quarter, the Valuation Committee reviews and approves the valuations of the Company's financial instruments. The valuation process also includes a monthly review by the Company's third-party administrator. The goal of this review is to replicate various aspects of the Company's valuation process based on the Company's documented procedures.

Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed, and the differences could be material to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Securities

Accounting for Securities: Purchases and sales of investments in securities are generally recorded on trade date, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated based on identified cost. Investments in securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320 or ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets ("ASC 325-40"). The Company generally classifies its securities as available-for-sale. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in securities. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

Many of the Company's investments in securities, such as MBS and CLOs, are issued by entities that are deemed to be VIEs. For the majority of such investments, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of such VIEs and therefore has not consolidated such VIEs. The Company's maximum risk of loss in these unconsolidated VIEs is generally limited to the fair value of the Company's investment in the VIE.

The Company evaluates its investments in interest only securities to determine whether they meet the requirements for classification as financial derivatives under ASC 815. For interest only securities, where the holder is entitled only to a portion of the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS, and inverse interest only securities, which are interest only securities whose coupon has an inverse relationship to its benchmark rate, such as LIBOR, the Company has determined that such investments do not meet the requirements for treatment as financial derivatives and are classified as securities.

Periods after January 1, 2020—For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses ("ASU 2016-13"), as discussed below, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its investments in securities on at least a quarterly basis, under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Available-for-Sale Debt Securities ("ASC 326-30"). When the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis is considered impaired. The Company must evaluate the decline in the fair value of the impaired security and determine whether such decline resulted from a credit loss or non-credit related factors. In its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of estimated future cash flows of the impaired security with the amortized cost basis of such security. The estimated future cash flows reflect those that a "market participant" would use and typically include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, collateral performance, and the timing and amount of projected credit losses, as well incorporating observations of current market developments and events. Cash flows are discounted at an interest rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. If the present value of estimated future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a security's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the security's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the security is reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—For periods prior to the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company evaluated the cost basis of its investments in securities for other-than-temporary impairment, or "OTTI," on at least a quarterly basis.

When the fair value of a security was less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis was considered impaired, and the impairment was designated as either temporary or other-than-temporary. When a security's cost basis was impaired, an OTTI was considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intended to sell the security, (ii) it was more likely than not that the Company would have been required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (iii) the Company did not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if the Company did not intend to sell the security and it was not more likely than not that the Company would have been required to sell the security.

Additionally, for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40, an impairment of the cost basis was recorded when there was an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security was less than its carrying amount. Any resulting OTTI adjustments made to the cost basis of the security were reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Accounting for Loans

Accounting for Loans: The Company's loan portfolio primarily consists of residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, and consumer loans. The Company's loans are accounted for under ASC 310-10, Receivables, and are classified as held-for-investment when the Company has the intent and ability to hold such loans for the foreseeable future or to maturity/payoff. When the Company has the intent to sell loans, such loans will be classified as held-for-sale. Mortgage loans held-for-sale are accounted for under ASC 948-310, Financial services—mortgage banking. The Company may aggregate its loans into pools based on common risk characteristics at purchase. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolios. Loans are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and changes in fair value are recorded in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. The Company generates income from fees on certain loans, generally commercial mortgage loans, that it originates and holds for investment, including origination and exit fees. Such fee income is recorded when earned and included in Other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Transfers between held-for-investment and held-for-sale occur once the Company's intent to sell the loans changes.

For residential and commercial mortgage loans, the Company generally accrues interest payments. Such loans are typically moved to non-accrual status if the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent. The Company does not accrue interest payments on its consumer loans; interest payments are recorded upon receipt. Once consumer loans are more than 120 days past due, the Company will generally charge off such loans. The Company evaluates its charged-off loans and determines collectibility, if any, on such loans.

The Company evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal on each of its loan investments and whether the cost basis of the loan is impaired. A loan's cost basis is impaired when, based on current information and market developments, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan's cost basis is impaired, the Company does not record an allowance for loan loss as it elected the FVO on all of its loan investments.

Periods after January 1, 2020—For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, in its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan with the amortized cost basis of such loan. If the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan is less than the amortized cost basis of such loan, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a loan's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the loan's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan is reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—For periods prior to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, the Company recognized impairments through an adjustment to the amortized cost basis; the Company recognized a realized loss in the period such adjustment was made, which is included in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Interest Income

Interest Income: The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on its debt securities. Coupon interest income on fixed-income investments is generally accrued based on the outstanding principal balance or notional value and the current coupon rate.

For debt securities that are deemed to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest only securities), premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective interest method. For such securities whose cash flows vary depending on prepayments, an effective yield retroactive to the time of purchase is periodically recomputed based on actual prepayments and changes in projected prepayment activity, and a catch-up adjustment, or "Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment," is made to amortization to reflect the cumulative impact of the change in effective yield.

For debt securities (generally non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS, CLOs, and interest only securities) that are deemed not to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase, interest income is recognized based on the effective interest method. For purposes of estimating future expected cash flows, management uses assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions for future prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities (each of which may in turn incorporate various macro-economic assumptions, such as future housing prices, GDP growth rates, and unemployment rates). These assumptions are re-evaluated

not less than quarterly. Changes in projected cash flows may result in prospective changes in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities based on the updated expected future cash flows.

For each loan purchased with the expectation that both interest and principal will be paid in full, the Company generally amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the loan utilizing the effective interest method. However, based on current information and market developments, the Company re-assesses the collectibility of interest and principal, and generally designates a loan as in non-accrual status either when any payments have become 90 or more days past due, or when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect either interest or principal in full. Once a loan is designated as in non-accrual status, as long as principal is still expected to be collectible in full, interest payments are recorded as interest income only when received (i.e., under the cash basis method); accruals of interest income are only resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. However, if principal is not expected to be collectible in full, the cost recovery method is used (i.e., no interest income is recognized, and all payments received—whether contractually interest or principal—are applied to cost).

Periods after January 1, 2020—Certain of the Company's debt securities and loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. For periods subsequent to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, if at the date of acquisition for a particular asset the Company projects a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows, it establishes an initial estimate for credit losses as an upward adjustment to the acquisition cost of the asset for the purpose of calculating interest income using the effective yield method.

Periods prior to January 1, 2020—Prior to the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, for each loan acquired that had evidence of credit deterioration since origination and the expectation that either principal or interest would not be paid in full, interest income was generally recognized using the effective interest method for so long as the cash flows could be reasonably estimated. Here, instead of amortizing the purchase discount (i.e., the excess of the unpaid principal balance over the purchase price) over the life of the loan, the Company effectively amortized the accretable yield (i.e., the excess of the Company's estimate of the total cash flows to be collected over the life of the loan over the purchase price). Not less than quarterly, the Company updated its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the loan, and applied revised yields prospectively.

In estimating future cash flows on the Company's debt securities, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, including, in the case of MBS, assumptions relating to prepayment rates, default rates, loan loss severities, and loan repurchases. These estimates require the use of a significant amount of judgment.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in unconsolidated entities: The Company has made and may in the future make non-controlling equity investments in various entities, such as loan originators. Such investments are generally in the form of preferred and/or common equity, or membership interests. In certain cases, the Company can exercise significant influence over the entity (e.g. by having representation on the entity's board of directors) but the requirements for consolidation under ASC 810 are not met; in such cases the Company is required to account for such equity investments under ASC 323-10. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in unconsolidated entities, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period, as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner. The period change in fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities.

REO

REO: When the Company obtains possession of real property in connection with a foreclosure or similar action, the Company de-recognizes the associated mortgage loan according to ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure ("ASU 2014-04"). Under the provisions of ASU 2014-04, the Company is deemed to have received physical possession of real estate property collateralizing a mortgage loan when it obtains legal title to the property upon completion of a foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to it through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The Company's initial cost basis in REO is equal to the fair value of the real estate associated with the foreclosed mortgage loan, less expected costs to sell. REO valuations are reflected at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of such REO is typically based on management's estimates which generally use information including general economic data, BPOs, recent sales, property appraisals, and bids, and takes into account the expected costs to sell the property. REO recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are classified as Level 3.

Securities Sold Short

Securities Sold Short: The Company may purchase or engage in short sales of U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt to mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates on the performance of its portfolio. When the Company sells securities short, it typically satisfies its security delivery settlement obligation by borrowing or purchasing the security sold short from the same or a different counterparty. When borrowing a security sold short from a counterparty, the Company generally is required to deliver cash or securities to such counterparty as collateral for the Company's obligation to return the borrowed security. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its securities sold short. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. As such, securities sold short are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the period change in fair value is recorded in current period earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. A realized gain or loss will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is less or greater than the original sale price. Such realized gain or loss is recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net.

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives: The Company enters into various types of financial derivatives subject to its investment guidelines, which include restrictions associated with qualifying and maintaining qualification as a REIT. The Company's financial derivatives are predominantly subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the "Dodd-Frank Act." The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into derivative transactions. In addition, changes in the relative value of derivative transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. In the case of cleared derivatives, the clearinghouse becomes the Company's counterparty and a futures commission merchant acts as an intermediary between the Company and the clearinghouse with respect to all facets of the related transaction, including the posting and receipt of required collateral. Cash collateral received by the Company is included in Due to brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Conversely, cash collateral posted by the Company is included in Due from brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The types of derivatives primarily utilized by the Company are swaps, TBAs, futures, options, and forwards.

Swaps: The Company may enter into various types of swaps, including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, and total return swaps. The primary risk associated with the Company's interest rate swap activity is interest rate risk. The primary risk associated with the Company's credit default swaps and total return swaps is credit risk.

The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interest rate on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed-rate payment on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time. Interest rate swaps change in value with movements in interest rates. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps whereby the Company pays one floating rate and receives a different floating rate, or "basis swaps."

The Company enters into credit default swaps. A credit default swap is a contract under which one party agrees to compensate another party for the financial loss associated with the occurrence of a "credit event" in relation to a "reference amount" or notional value of a "reference asset" (usually a bond, loan, or an index or basket of bonds or loans). The definition of a credit event may vary from contract to contract. A credit event may occur (i) when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) fails to make scheduled principal or interest payments to its holders, (ii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing mortgage/asset-backed securities and indices, when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) is downgraded below a certain rating level, or (iii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing corporate entities and indices, upon the bankruptcy of the obligor of the reference asset (or underlying obligor, in the case of a reference asset that is an index). The Company typically writes (sells) protection to take a "long" position with respect to the underlying reference assets, or purchases (buys) protection to take a "short" position with respect to the underlying reference assets or to hedge exposure to other investment holdings.

The Company enters into total return swaps in order to take a "long" or "short" position with respect to an underlying reference asset. The Company is subject to market price volatility of the underlying reference asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional value. To the extent that the total return of the corporate debt, security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Company will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

Swaps change in value with movements in interest rates, credit quality, or total return of the reference securities. During the term of swap contracts, changes in value are recognized as unrealized gains or losses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. When a contract is terminated, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract, if any. Periodic payments or receipts required by swap agreements are recorded as unrealized gains or losses when accrued and realized gains or losses when received or paid. Upfront payments paid and/or received by the Company to open swap contracts are recorded as an asset and/or liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are recorded as a realized gain or loss on the termination date.

TBA Securities: The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. A TBA position is a forward contract for the purchase ("long position") or sale ("short position") of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and maturity on an agreed-upon future delivery date. For each TBA contract and delivery month, a uniform settlement date for all market participants is determined by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The specific Agency RMBS to be delivered into the contract at the settlement date are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company typically does not take delivery of TBAs, but rather enters into offsetting transactions and settles the associated receivable and payable balances with its counterparties. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for speculative purposes, including holding long positions.

TBAs are accounted for by the Company as financial derivatives. The difference between the forward contract price and the market value of the TBA position as of the reporting date is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell an asset for a set price on a future date. The Company enters into Eurodollar and/or U.S. Treasury security futures contracts to hedge its interest rate risk. The Company may also enter into various other futures contracts, including equity index futures and foreign currency futures. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can generally be either in the form of cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking-to-market to reflect the current market value of the contract. Variation margin payments are made or received periodically, depending upon whether unrealized losses or gains are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.

Options: The Company may purchase or write put or call options contracts or enter into swaptions. The Company enters into options contracts typically to help mitigate overall market, credit, or interest rate risk depending on the type of options contract. However, the Company also enters into options contracts from time to time for speculative purposes. When the Company purchases an options contract, the option asset is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium paid, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums paid for purchasing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized losses. If an options contract is exercised, the premium paid is subtracted from the proceeds of the sale or added to the cost of the purchase to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related transaction. When the Company writes an options contract, the option liability is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium received, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums received for writing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized gains. If an options contract is exercised, the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the purchase or added to the proceeds of the sale to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related investment transaction. When the Company enters into a closing transaction, the Company will realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the amount from the closing transaction is greater or less than the premiums paid or received. The Company may also enter into options contracts that contain forward-settling premiums. In this case, no money is exchanged upfront. Instead, the agreed-upon premium is paid by the buyer upon expiration of the option, regardless of whether or not the option is exercised.

Forward Currency Contracts: A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specific quantity of currency with the delivery and settlement at a specific future date and exchange rate. During the period the forward currency contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is settled, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.

Financial derivative assets are included in Financial derivatives—assets, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Financial derivative liabilities are included in Financial derivatives—liabilities, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its financial derivatives. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. Changes in unrealized gains and losses on financial derivatives are included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Realized gains and losses on financial derivatives are included in Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. Cash and cash equivalents typically include amounts held in interest bearing overnight accounts and amounts held in money market funds, and these balances generally exceed insured limits. The Company holds its cash at institutions that it believes to be highly creditworthy. Restricted cash represents cash that the Company can use only for specific purposes. See Note 18 for further discussion of restricted cash balances.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of Financial Assets: The Company enters into transactions whereby it transfers financial assets to third parties. Upon such a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire interests in the related assets. The Company evaluates transferred assets pursuant to ASC 860-10, Transfers of Financial Assets, or "ASC 860-10," which requires that a determination be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor's continuing involvement 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. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify as a sale, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral. ASC 860-10 is a standard that requires the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a "sale" or a "financing."

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities: VIEs are entities in which: (i) the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) there is insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. Consolidation of a VIE is required by the entity that is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation under ASC 810. The primary beneficiary is generally the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant to the VIE. When the Company has an interest in an entity that has been determined to be a VIE, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company will only consolidate a VIE for which it has concluded it is the primary beneficiary. To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes (i) identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and (ii) identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, it considers all of its economic interests, including debt and/or equity investments, as well as other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. These assessments to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary require significant judgment. In instances where the Company and its related parties have interests in a VIE, the Company considers whether there is a single party in the related party group that meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary. If one party within the related party group meets such criteria, that reporting entity would be deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and no further analysis is needed. If no party within the related party group on its own meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary, but the related party group as a whole meets such criteria, the determination of the primary beneficiary within the related party group requires significant judgment. The Company performs analysis, which is based upon qualitative as well as quantitative factors, such as the relationship of the VIE to each of the members of the

related party group, as well as the significance of the VIE's activities to those members, with the objective of determining which party is most closely associated with the VIE.

The Company performs ongoing reassessments of (i) whether any entities previously evaluated have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to assessment to determine whether consolidation is appropriate, and (ii) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company's involvement with a VIE causes its consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 9 and Note 13 for further information on the Company's consolidated VIEs.

The Company's maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. The Company is generally not contractually required to provide and has not provided any form of financial support to the VIEs.

The Company holds beneficial interests in certain securitization trusts that are considered VIEs. The beneficial interests in these securitization trusts are represented by certificates issued by the trusts. The securitization trusts have been structured as pass-through entities that receive principal and interest payments on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders, which include both third-party investors and the Company. The certificates held by the Company typically include some or all of the most subordinated tranches. The assets held by the trusts are restricted in that they can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the related trust. In certain cases, the design and structure of the securitization trust is such that the Company effectively retains control of the assets as well as the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the trust. In such cases, the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, and the Company consolidates the trust and all intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. In cases where the Company does not effectively retain control of the assets of, or have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of, the related trust, it does not consolidate the trust. See Note 10 for further discussion of the Company's securitization trusts.

Offering Costs/Underwriters' Discount

Offering Costs/Underwriters' Discount: Offering costs and underwriters' discount are charged against stockholders' equity as incurred. Offering costs typically include legal, accounting, and other fees associated with the cost of raising capital.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs associated with debt for which the Company has elected the FVO are expensed at the issuance of the debt, and are included in Investment related expenses—Other on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Costs associated with the issuance of debt for which the Company has not elected the FVO are deferred and amortized over the life of the debt, which approximates the effective interest rate method, and are included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Deferred debt issuance costs are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, unless such deferred debt issuance costs are associated with borrowing facilities that are expected to have a future benefit, such as giving the Company the ability to access additional borrowings over the contractual term of the debt, in which case such deferred debt issuance costs are included in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs include legal and accounting fees, purchasers' or underwriters' discount, as well as other fees associated with the cost of the issuance of the related debt.

Expenses

Expenses: Expenses are recognized as incurred on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Investment Related Expenses

Investment Related Expenses: Investment related expenses consist of expenses directly related to specific financial instruments. Such expenses generally include dividend expense on common stock sold short, servicing fees and corporate and escrow advances on mortgage and consumer loans, and various other expenses and fees related directly to the Company's financial instruments. The Company has elected the FVO for its investments, and as a result all investment related expenses are expensed as incurred and included in Investment related expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Investment Related Receivables [Policy Text Block]

Investment Related Receivables: Investment related receivables on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes receivables for securities sold and interest and principal receivable on securities and loans.

LTIP Units

Long Term Incentive Plan Units: Long term incentive plan units of the Operating Partnership ("OP LTIP Units") have been issued to certain Ellington personnel dedicated or partially dedicated to the Company, certain of the Company's directors, as well as the Manager. Costs associated with OP LTIP Units issued to dedicated or partially dedicated personnel, or to the Company's directors, are measured as of the grant date based on the Company's closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange and are amortized over the vesting period in accordance with ASC 718-10, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The vesting periods for OP LTIP Units are typically one year from issuance for non-executive directors, and are typically one year to two years from issuance for dedicated or partially dedicated personnel.

Non-controlling interest

Non-controlling interests: Non-controlling interests include interests in the Operating Partnership represented by units convertible into shares of the Company's common stock ("Convertible Non-controlling Interests"). Convertible Non-controlling Interests include both the OP LTIP Units and those common units ("OP Units") of the Operating Partnership not held by the Company (collectively, the "Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units"). Non-controlling interests also include the interests of joint venture partners in certain of our consolidated subsidiaries. The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of the Company's common stock. The Company adjusts the Convertible Non-controlling Interests to align their carrying value with their share of total outstanding Operating Partnership units, including both the OP Units held by the Company and the Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Any such adjustments are reflected in Adjustment to non-controlling interests, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. See Note 15 for further discussion of non-controlling interests.

Dividends

Dividends: Dividends payable on shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units are recorded on the declaration date.

Shares Repurchased

Shares Repurchased: Shares of common stock that are repurchased by the Company subsequent to issuance are immediately retired upon settlement and decrease the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The cost of such repurchases is charged against Additional paid-in-capital on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Earnings Per Share ("EPS")

Earnings Per Share ("EPS"): Basic EPS is computed using the two class method by dividing net income (loss) after adjusting for the impact of Convertible Non-controlling Interests which are participating securities, by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding calculated including Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Because the Company's Convertible Non-controlling Interests are participating securities, they are included in the calculation of both basic and diluted EPS.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company is U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the following dates: (i) assets, liabilities, and unrealized gains/losses—at the valuation date; and (ii) income, expenses, and realized gains/losses—at the accrual/transaction date. The Company isolates the portion of realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments and financial derivatives from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair value of investments and financial derivatives held. Changes in realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) due to foreign currency are included in Other, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company's reporting currency is U.S. Dollars. If the Company has investments in unconsolidated entities that have a functional currency other than U.S. Dollars, the fair value is translated to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate at the valuation date. The cumulative translation adjustment, if any, associated with the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of consolidated stockholders' equity.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to corporate-level federal and state income tax on net income it distributes to its stockholders within the prescribed timeframes. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including distributing at least 90% of its annual taxable income to stockholders. Even if the Company qualifies as a REIT, it may be subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries as TRSs, and may in the future elect to treat other current or future subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. A domestic TRS may, but is not required to, declare dividends to the Company; such dividends will be included in the Company's taxable income/(loss) and may necessitate a distribution to the Company's stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the level of a domestic TRS, such earnings will increase the book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxes. The Company has elected and may elect in the future to treat certain of its foreign corporate subsidiaries as TRSs and, accordingly, taxable income generated by these TRSs may not be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company's income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed. However, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries may be subject to income taxes in the relevant foreign jurisdictions.

The Company's financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty on tax positions, which requires management to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. For uncertain tax positions, the tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions related to the current period or its open tax years. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examination by federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable, for the current period and its open tax years. The Company may take positions with respect to certain tax issues which depend on legal interpretation of facts or applicable tax regulations. Should the relevant tax regulators successfully challenge any of such positions, the Company might be found to have a tax liability that has not been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Also, management's conclusions regarding the authoritative guidance may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on changing tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or "FASB," issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). This amends ASC 820 to remove or modify various current disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement. Additionally, ASU 2018-13 requires certain additional disclosures around fair value measurement. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. Entities are permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which introduced a new model related to the accounting for credit losses on financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-13 amends the guidance which required an OTTI charge only when fair value is below the amortized cost of an asset. The length of time the fair value of an available-for-sale debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists; as a result, there is no longer an other-than-temporary impairment model. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will now be limited to the difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value. The new debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses. While generally not applicable for financial assets for which the fair value option has been elected, the Company has applied the principles of ASU 2016-13 as described above. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"), which provides optional guidance for a limited period meant to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, reform to LIBOR and certain other reference rates. The standard is effective for all entities beginning on March 12, 2020 and may be elected over time. However, ASU 2020-04 is only applicable to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, and that were entered into or evaluated prior to January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2020-04 would have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial Assets Sold under Agreement to Repurchase [Member]

Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]

Repurchase and Resale Agreements

Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into repurchase agreements with third-party broker-dealers whereby it sells securities under agreements to be repurchased at an agreed-upon price and date. The Company accounts for repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the initial sale price representing the amount borrowed, and with the future repurchase price consisting of the amount borrowed plus interest, at the implied interest rate of the repurchase agreement, on the amount borrowed over the term of the repurchase agreement. The interest rate on a repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. When the Company enters into a repurchase agreement, the lender establishes and maintains an account containing cash and/or securities having a value not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest, of the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximate fair value as the debt is short-term in nature.

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell [Member]

Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]

Repurchase and Resale Agreements

Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreement transactions whereby it purchases securities under agreements to resell at an agreed-upon price and date. In general, securities received pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are delivered to counterparties of short sale transactions. The interest rate on a reverse repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. Assets held pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are reflected as assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Reverse repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are conducted with the same counterparty may be reported on a net basis if they meet the requirements of ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. There are no repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements reported on a net basis in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Valuation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The tables below reflect the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	—	$	907,715	$	12,140	$	919,855
Non-Agency RMBS	—		73,538		139,199		212,737
CMBS	—		62,206		42,809		105,015
CLOs	—		50,304		112,990		163,294
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans	—		—		47,298		47,298
Corporate debt securities	—		—		2,207		2,207
Corporate equity securities	—		—		1,014		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	—		—		1,030,709		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	—		—		252,231		252,231
Consumer loans	—		—		152,609		152,609
Corporate loans	—		—		7,063		7,063
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	—		—		95,803		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	—		—		351		351
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		9,722		—		9,722
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		39		—		39
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		2,419		—		2,419
Interest rate swaps	—		13,790		—		13,790
TBAs	—		1,150		—		1,150
Total return swaps	—		—		105		105
Warrants	—		31		—		31
Futures	1		—		—		1
Forwards	—		256		—		256
Total assets	$	1	$	1,121,170	$	1,896,528	$	3,017,699
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at fair value:
Government debt	$	—	$	(51,032)	$	—	$	(51,032)
Corporate debt securities	—		(461)		—		(461)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		(142)		—		(142)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		(580)		—		(580)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		(3,572)		—		(3,572)
Interest rate swaps	—		(29,774)		—		(29,774)
TBAs	—		(286)		—		(286)
Futures	(331)		—		—		(331)
Forwards	—		(41)		—		(41)
Total return swaps	—		—		(88)		(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		(695,516)		(695,516)
Total liabilities	$	(331)	$	(85,888)	$	(695,604)	$	(781,823)

December 31, 2019:

Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	—	$	1,917,059	$	19,904	$	1,936,963
Non-Agency RMBS	—		76,969		89,581		166,550
CMBS	—		95,063		29,805		124,868
CLOs	—		125,464		44,979		170,443
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans	—		—		48,610		48,610
Corporate debt securities	—		—		1,113		1,113
Corporate equity securities	—		—		1,394		1,394
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	—		—		932,203		932,203
Commercial mortgage loans	—		—		274,759		274,759
Consumer loans	—		—		186,954		186,954
Corporate loans	—		—		18,510		18,510
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	—		—		71,850		71,850
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	—		—		993		993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		3,319		—		3,319
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		2		—		2
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		5,599		—		5,599
Interest rate swaps	—		5,468		—		5,468
TBAs	—		596		—		596
Total return swaps	—		—		620		620
Futures	148		—		—		148
Forwards	—		43		—		43
Total assets	$	148	$	2,229,582	$	1,721,275	$	3,951,005
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at fair value:
Government debt	$	—	$	(72,938)	$	—	$	(72,938)
Corporate debt securities	—		(471)		—		(471)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	—		(250)		—		(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	—		(1,693)		—		(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	—		(14,524)		—		(14,524)
Interest rate swaps	—		(8,719)		—		(8,719)
TBAs	—		(1,012)		—		(1,012)
Futures	(45)		—		—		(45)
Forwards	—		(169)		—		(169)
Total return swaps	—		(773)		(436)		(1,209)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	—		—		(594,396)		(594,396)
Total liabilities	$	(45)	$	(100,549)	$	(594,832)	$	(695,426)

Schedule of Financial Instruments

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of all other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Other financial instruments
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	$	126,783	$	72,302	$	72,302
Restricted cash	175		175		175		175
Due from brokers	63,991		63,991		79,829		79,829
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		47,041		73,639		73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,439,984		1,439,984		2,445,300		2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	142,674		142,674		150,334		150,334
Senior notes, net	86,000		85,495		88,365		85,298
Due to brokers	7,147		7,147		2,197		2,197

Cash and cash equivalents generally includes cash held in interest bearing overnight accounts, for which fair value equals the carrying value, and investments which are liquid in nature, such as investments in money market accounts or U.S. Treasury Bills, for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Restricted cash includes cash held in a segregated account for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Due from brokers and Due to brokers include collateral transferred to or received from counterparties, along with receivables and payables for open and/or closed derivative positions. These receivables and payables are short term in nature and any collateral transferred consists primarily of cash; fair value of these items is approximated by carrying value and such items are considered Level 1. The Company's reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short term nature. Reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are classified as Level 2 based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature. The Senior notes are considered Level 3 liabilities given the relative unobservability of the most significant inputs to valuation estimation as well as the lack of trading activity of these instruments. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of the Company's Senior notes was based on a third-party valuation.

Schedule of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Qualitative Information

The following tables identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range						Weighted Average
Description					Min			Max
	(In thousands)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	85,183	Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	$	9.43		$	314.93		$	87.41
CMBS	41,602		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	4.56			95.32			59.06
CLOs	88,907		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	2.00			93.50			78.04
Agency interest only RMBS	3,503		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	0.80			22.13			12.60
Corporate loans	7,063		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	100.00			100.00			100.00
ABS backed by consumer loans	107		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	96.01			97.58			96.80
Non-Agency RMBS	54,016		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	0.8		%	60.0		%	8.5		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	13.5		%	77.6		%	59.2		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.0		%	70.3		%	8.7		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	0.0		%	46.5		%	10.3		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	7.7		%	70.4		%	21.8		%
											100.0		%
Non-Agency CMBS	1,207		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	23.1		%	25.7		%	23.7		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.7		%	0.9		%	0.8		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	1.9		%	3.8		%	3.4		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	95.4		%	97.4		%	95.8		%
											100.0		%
Corporate debt and equity	3,221		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
CLOs	24,083		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	6.7		%	85.2		%	20.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	65.7		%	88.5		%	71.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	4.4		%	20.9		%	17.0		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	4.3		%	11.2		%	9.7		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0		%	2.8		%	2.0		%
											100.0		%
ABS backed by consumer loans	47,191		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	14.0		%	23.6		%	14.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0		%	9.8		%	7.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	1.0		%	34.7		%	16.3		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	56.7		%	99.0		%	76.4		%
											100.0		%

(continued)	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range				Weighted Average
Description					Min		Max
	(In thousands)
Consumer loans	$	152,609	Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.0	%	12.0	%	10.0	%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0	%	37.1	%	12.9	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	1.1	%	86.6	%	10.7	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	13.4	%	98.2	%	76.4	%
									100.0	%
Performing commercial mortgage loans	228,560		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	6.8	%	10.4	%	8.0	%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans	23,671		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.5	%	16.2	%	12.5	%
				Months to Resolution	4.9		8.8		7.0
Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans	245,027		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	0.6	%	54.3	%	6.0	%
Securitized residential mortgage loans(1)(2)	760,420		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.8	%	7.3	%	4.2	%
Non-performing residential mortgage loans	25,262		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.5	%	28.4	%	10.3	%
				Months to Resolution	—		90.9		33.2
Total return swaps—asset	105		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	11.7	%	20.8	%	12.7	%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	351		Net Discounted Cash Flows	Projected Collateral Prepayments	33.3	%	41.0	%	39.2	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	6.8	%	11.2	%	9.1	%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	13.6	%	18.3	%	15.2	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	35.1	%	41.6	%	36.5	%
									100.0	%
Agency interest only RMBS	8,637		Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")	LIBOR OAS(3)(4)	160		3,992		954
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.7	%	100.0	%	78.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0	%	99.3	%	21.7	%
									100.0	%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	95,803		Enterprise Value	Equity Price-to-Book(5)	1.0x		4.0x		1.3x
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)(6)	(695,516)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.8%		3.3%		2.4%
Total return swaps—liability	(88)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	20.8%		20.8%		20.8%

(1)Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2.

(2)Includes $37.1 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans.

(3)Shown in basis points.

(4)For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $1.4 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 596 basis points.

(5)Represents an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.

(6)For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of yield, excludes Other secured borrowings, at fair value with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $(116.1) million. Including these borrowings the weighted average yield was 1.81%.

December 31, 2019:

	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range						Weighted Average
Description					Min			Max
	(In thousands)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	38,754	Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	$	6.68		$	144.79		$	86.21
CMBS	29,630		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	5.08			80.72			64.73
CLOs	38,220		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	40.00			96.00			73.98
Agency interest only RMBS	3,753		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	1.36			16.61			5.11
Corporate loans	6,010		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	100.00			100.00			100.00
ABS backed by consumer loans	139		Market Quotes	Non Binding Third-Party Valuation	95.47			96.78			96.12
Non-Agency RMBS	50,827		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	3.3		%	60.9		%	10.0		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.8		%	72.0		%	49.3		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.0		%	22.7		%	6.6		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	0.0		%	32.4		%	6.9		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	16.9		%	92.9		%	37.2		%
											100.0		%
Non-Agency CMBS	175		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.0		%	100.0		%	100.0		%
											100.0		%
Corporate debt and equity	2,507		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	10.0		%	10.0		%	10.0		%
CLOs	6,759		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	14.0		%	41.9		%	26.2		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	48.5		%	84.6		%	72.5		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	11.7		%	36.4		%	19.9		%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	3.7		%	15.1		%	7.6		%
											100.0		%
ABS backed by consumer loans	48,471		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	12.0		%	20.2		%	12.1		%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0		%	11.2		%	9.7		%
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.6		%	18.0		%	15.4		%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	71.3		%	99.4		%	74.9		%
											100.0		%

(continued)	Fair Value		Valuation  Technique	Unobservable Input	Range				Weighted Average
Description					Min		Max
	(In thousands)
Consumer loans	$	186,954	Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	7.0	%	10.0	%	8.1	%
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.0	%	44.2	%	16.0	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	3.0	%	84.5	%	8.6	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	15.5	%	95.8	%	75.4	%
									100.0	%
Corporate loans	12,500		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	15.0	%	18.0	%	16.8	%
Performing commercial mortgage loans	248,214		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	7.7	%	16.6	%	8.8	%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans	26,545		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	9.8	%	14.7	%	12.4	%
				Months to Resolution	1.1		23.0		11.4
Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans	289,672		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.6	%	19.5	%	6.2	%
Securitized residential mortgage loans(1)(2)	628,415		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	3.2	%	4.3	%	3.6	%
Non-performing residential mortgage loans	14,116		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	1.0	%	26.6	%	9.1	%
				Months to Resolution	1.1		165.4		54.6
Total return swaps—asset	620		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	8.5	%	27.7	%	11.5	%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	993		Net Discounted Cash Flows	Projected Collateral Prepayments	35.4	%	42.0	%	37.3	%
				Projected Collateral Losses	4.2	%	12.4	%	10.2	%
				Projected Collateral Recoveries	10.0	%	18.2	%	15.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	36.2	%	41.5	%	37.2	%
									100.0	%
Agency interest only RMBS	16,151		Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")	LIBOR OAS(3)	93		3,527		701
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	12.3	%	100.0	%	72.3	%
				Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization	0.0	%	87.7	%	27.7	%
									100.0	%
Investment in unconsolidated entities	41,392		Enterprise Value	Equity Price-to-Book(4)	1.0x		4.7x		1.7x
Investment in unconsolidated entities	30,458		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield(5)	3.7%		14.8%		9.9%
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	(594,396)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	2.9%		4.0%		3.3%
Total return swaps—liability	(436)		Discounted Cash Flows	Yield	27.7%		27.7%		27.7%

(1)Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2.

(2)Includes $1.5 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans.

(3)Shown in basis points.

(4)Represent an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.

(5)Represents the significant unobservable inputs used to fair value the financial instruments of the unconsolidated entity. The fair value of such financial instruments is the largest component of the valuation of such entity as a whole.

Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs

The tables below includes a roll-forward of the Company's financial instruments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  June 30, 2020		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/Payments(1)		Sales/Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2020
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	12,907	$	(1,482)	$	494	$	280	$	3,490	$	(2,243)	$	2,621	$	(3,927)	$	12,140
Non-Agency RMBS	128,607		884		(77)		2,610		21,138		(6,395)		10,895		(18,463)		139,199
CMBS	65,695		659		8		4,117		12,699		(8)		560		(40,921)		42,809
CLOs	136,466		1,962		(82)		1,920		2,241		(127)		6,483		(35,873)		112,990
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	47,941		(1,435)		(4)		1,165		7,455		(7,824)		—		—		47,298
Corporate debt securities	1,951		—		296		509		28		(577)		—		—		2,207
Corporate equity securities	1,084		—		—		(73)		3		—		—		—		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	948,447		(2,009)		(146)		15,672		139,609		(70,864)		—		—		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	295,496		17		36		(6)		18,881		(62,193)		—		—		252,231
Consumer loans	166,681		(6,342)		(112)		(1,627)		28,554		(34,545)		—		—		152,609
Corporate loan	6,227		—		—		—		836		—		—		—		7,063
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	72,553		—		62		11,381		15,307		(3,500)		—		—		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	353		—		1		(2)		3		(4)		—		—		351
Total return swaps	442		—		(129)		(338)		209		(79)		—		—		105
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,884,850	$	(7,746)	$	347	$	35,608	$	250,453	$	(188,359)	$	20,559	$	(99,184)	$	1,896,528
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	(77)	$	—	$	4	$	(11)	$	(4)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(742,688)		—		—		(5,178)		52,350		—		—		—		(695,516)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(742,765)	$	—	$	4	$	(5,189)	$	52,346	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(695,604)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $9.3 million, $14.2 million, $11.3 million, $(0.3) million, $(11) thousand, and $(5.2) million, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $99.2 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $20.6 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  June 30, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/ Payments(1)		Sales/ Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2019
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	11,034	$	(1,164)	$	(621)	$	696	$	13,254	$	—	$	737	$	(437)	$	23,499
Non-Agency RMBS	96,790		(121)		7,836		(6,457)		6,483		(21,457)		5,808		(7,400)		81,482
CMBS	6,278		25		374		(302)		6,815		(1,474)		652		—		12,368
CLOs	17,222		(184)		1,158		184		—		(1,139)		15,287		(4,520)		28,008
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	25,019		(611)		(100)		(320)		18,638		(3,310)		—		—		39,316
Corporate debt securities	4,081		—		(583)		142		6,425		(6,883)		—		—		3,182
Corporate equity securities	1,791		—		(768)		(61)		1,316		—		—		—		2,278
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	663,880		(2,241)		(400)		3,559		191,512		(58,582)		—		—		797,728
Commercial mortgage loans	260,034		(52)		(1)		507		32,426		(32,288)		—		—		260,626
Consumer loans	162,609		(6,474)		(1,055)		28		33,101		(36,510)		—		—		151,699
Corporate loans	5,000		—		—		—		10,790		—		—		—		15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	69,676		—		(139)		2,935		9,643		(11,680)		—		—		70,435
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	1,090		—		16		(12)		10		(26)		—		—		1,078
Total return swaps	87		—		(15)		148		—		15		—		—		235
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,324,591	$	(10,822)	$	5,702	$	1,047	$	330,413	$	(173,334)	$	22,484	$	(12,357)	$	1,487,724
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	—	$	—	$	48	$	(214)	$	—	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(214)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	$	(475,816)	$	—	$	—	$	(72)	$	37,259	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(438,629)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(475,816)	$	—	$	48	$	(286)	$	37,259	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(438,843)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(4.7) million, $4.1 million, $3.3 million, $0.1 million, $(0.2) million, and $(0.1) million, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2019, the Company transferred $12.4 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $22.5 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  December 31, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/Payments(1)		Sales/Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2020
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	19,904	$	(6,072)	$	614	$	2,803	$	8,219	$	(3,295)	$	2,177	$	(12,210)	$	12,140
Non-Agency RMBS	89,581		1,113		303		(1,996)		61,933		(29,811)		22,974		(4,898)		139,199
CMBS	29,805		617		(867)		(4,638)		51,432		(32,284)		7,828		(9,084)		42,809
CLOs	44,979		1,237		(7,586)		(24,206)		47,730		—		53,462		(2,626)		112,990
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	48,610		(3,584)		(200)		(1,501)		25,001		(21,028)		—		—		47,298
Corporate debt securities	1,113		—		504		991		3,450		(3,851)		—		—		2,207
Corporate equity securities	1,394		—		7		(741)		366		(12)		—		—		1,014
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	932,203		(4,414)		(722)		7,008		340,842		(244,208)		—		—		1,030,709
Commercial mortgage loans	274,759		113		135		(140)		107,608		(130,244)		—		—		252,231
Consumer loans	186,954		(21,712)		(97)		(6,965)		104,872		(110,443)		—		—		152,609
Corporate loan	18,510		—		—		—		1,053		(12,500)		—		—		7,063
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	71,850		—		62		10,528		29,522		(16,159)		—		—		95,803
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	993		—		(955)		915		29		(631)		—		—		351
Total return swaps	620		—		113		(515)		209		(322)		—		—		105
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,721,275	$	(32,702)	$	(8,689)	$	(18,457)	$	782,266	$	(604,788)	$	86,441	$	(28,818)	$	1,896,528
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	(436)	$	—	$	(501)	$	349	$	500	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(88)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(594,396)		—		—		(6,636)		138,608		(233,092)		—		—		(695,516)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(594,832)	$	—	$	(501)	$	(6,287)	$	139,108	$	(233,092)	$	—	$	—	$	(695,604)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(56.3) million, $12 thousand, $10.2 million, $0.6 million, $(0.1) million, and $(6.6) million, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $28.8 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $86.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)	Beginning Balance as of  January 1, 2019		Accreted Discounts / (Amortized Premiums)		Net Realized Gain/ (Loss)		Change in Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		Purchases/ Payments(1)		Sales/ Issuances(2)		Transfers Into Level 3		Transfers Out of Level 3		Ending Balance as of  September 30, 2019
Assets:
Securities, at fair value:
Agency RMBS	$	7,293	$	(2,228)	$	(1,228)	$	1,430	$	14,854	$	(463)	$	4,708	$	(867)	$	23,499
Non-Agency RMBS	91,291		104		7,187		(4,482)		10,239		(27,514)		14,633		(9,976)		81,482
CMBS	803		(16)		76		(73)		7,937		(221)		3,862		—		12,368
CLOs	14,915		(670)		(536)		1,889		816		(1,125)		15,287		(2,568)		28,008
Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans	22,800		(1,580)		(765)		537		28,189		(9,865)		—		—		39,316
Corporate debt securities	6,318		22		(928)		65		9,257		(11,552)		—		—		3,182
Corporate equity securities	1,534		—		(910)		337		1,317		—		—		—		2,278
Loans, at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	496,829		(4,515)		1,554		7,717		452,958		(156,815)		—		—		797,728
Commercial mortgage loans	195,301		1,087		1,412		(1,844)		128,839		(64,169)		—		—		260,626
Consumer loans	183,961		(22,432)		(4,565)		2,726		103,983		(111,974)		—		—		151,699
Corporate loan	—		—		—		—		15,790		—		—		—		15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	72,298		276		1,545		5,125		40,097		(48,906)		—		—		70,435
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	1,472		—		419		(394)		18		(437)		—		—		1,078
Total return swaps	—		—		1		235		—		(1)		—		—		235
Total assets, at fair value	$	1,094,815	$	(29,952)	$	3,262	$	13,268	$	814,294	$	(433,042)	$	38,490	$	(13,411)	$	1,487,724
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
Total return swaps	$	—	$	—	$	48	$	(214)	$	—	$	(48)	$	—	$	—	$	(214)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	(297,948)		—		—		(32)		78,887		(219,536)		—		—		(438,629)
Total liabilities, at fair value	$	(297,948)	$	—	$	48	$	(246)	$	78,887	$	(219,584)	$	—	$	—	$	(438,843)

(1)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities.

(2)For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities.

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2019, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(0.4) million, $10.2 million, $2.4 million, $(0.2) million, $(0.2) million, and $(32) thousand, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively.

At September 30, 2019, the Company transferred $13.4 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $38.5 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.

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Investment in Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Summary of Investment Holdings

The following tables detail the Company's investment in securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Current Principal		Unamortized Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon(1)		Yield		Life (Years)(2)
Long:
Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages	$	69,491	$	2,641	$	72,132	$	1,890	$	(27)	$	73,995	3.31	%	1.89	%	3.38
20-year fixed-rate mortgages	587		39		626		29		—		655		4.71	%	2.94	%	3.88
30-year fixed-rate mortgages	625,882		30,133		656,015		26,286		(371)		681,930		4.06	%	2.42	%	4.06
Adjustable rate mortgages	6,751		173		6,924		123		(1)		7,046		3.65	%	2.15	%	3.35
Reverse mortgages	94,741		5,466		100,207		4,317		—		104,524		4.02	%	2.36	%	5.10
Interest only securities	n/a		n/a		47,507		5,682		(1,484)		51,705		3.47	%	10.17	%	4.58
Non-Agency RMBS	336,997		(131,976)		205,021		12,488		(7,959)		209,550		3.16	%	6.35	%	4.68
CMBS	184,695		(62,938)		121,757		803		(24,307)		98,253		2.54	%	7.74	%	8.43
Non-Agency interest only securities	n/a		n/a		8,367		1,832		(250)		9,949		1.17	%	16.73	%	2.75
CLOs	n/a		n/a		211,236		1		(47,943)		163,294		3.25	%	8.48	%	3.84
ABS backed by consumer loans	71,617		(24,277)		47,340		1,052		(1,094)		47,298		11.82	%	17.39	%	1.08
Corporate debt	24,174		(23,187)		987		1,220		—		2,207		—	%	—	%	2.85
Corporate equity	n/a		n/a		1,604		160		(750)		1,014		n/a		n/a		n/a
Total Long	1,414,935		(203,926)		1,479,723		55,883		(84,186)		1,451,420		3.86	%	5.05	%	4.37
Short:
Corporate debt	(450)		(6)		(456)		5		(10)		(461)		5.32	%	5.21	%	4.14
U.S. Treasury securities	(14,000)		(273)		(14,273)		—		(37)		(14,310)		0.63	%	0.41	%	6.21
European sovereign bonds	(36,280)		1,622		(34,658)		—		(2,064)		(36,722)		0.22	%	0.06	%	3.36
Total Short	(50,730)		1,343		(49,387)		5		(2,111)		(51,493)		0.39	%	0.21	%	4.16
Total	$	1,364,205	$	(202,583)	$	1,430,336	$	55,888	$	(86,297)	$	1,399,927	3.98	%	4.89	%	4.38

(1)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

(2)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Current Principal		Unamortized Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon(1)		Yield		Life (Years)(2)
Long:
Agency RMBS:
15-year fixed-rate mortgages	$	314,636	$	6,369	$	321,005	$	2,604	$	(203)	$	323,406	3.05	%	2.28	%	3.05
20-year fixed-rate mortgages	804		49		853		24		—		877		4.62	%	2.99	%	4.80
30-year fixed-rate mortgages	1,358,762		64,846		1,423,608		13,821		(2,830)		1,434,599		4.20	%	2.95	%	6.63
Adjustable rate mortgages	9,651		315		9,966		90		(54)		10,002		3.99	%	2.03	%	4.09
Reverse mortgages	122,670		8,133		130,803		2,023		(26)		132,800		4.43	%	2.78	%	6.67
Interest only securities	n/a		n/a		34,044		1,624		(389)		35,279		2.81	%	9.27	%	3.86
Non-Agency RMBS	274,353		(122,685)		151,668		12,549		(1,081)		163,136		3.41	%	7.25	%	5.31
CMBS	185,417		(67,961)		117,456		2,990		(480)		119,966		3.31	%	6.62	%	8.94
Non-Agency interest only securities	n/a		n/a		6,517		1,817		(18)		8,316		1.10	%	8.18	%	4.14
CLOs	n/a		n/a		169,238		4,219		(3,014)		170,443		5.05	%	9.62	%	4.75
ABS backed by consumer loans	67,080		(19,154)		47,926		1,596		(912)		48,610		12.17	%	14.00	%	1.22
Corporate debt	22,125		(21,241)		884		229		—		1,113		—	%	—	%	0.33
Corporate equity	n/a		n/a		1,242		152		—		1,394		n/a		n/a		n/a
Total Long	2,355,498		(151,329)		2,415,210		43,738		(9,007)		2,449,941		4.15	%	4.09	%	5.88
Short:
Corporate debt	(450)		(6)		(456)		—		(15)		(471)		5.44	%	5.21	%	4.90
U.S. Treasury securities	(63,140)		381		(62,759)		63		(298)		(62,994)		1.76	%	1.87	%	6.11
European sovereign bonds	(9,759)		133		(9,626)		—		(318)		(9,944)		0.77	%	0.12	%	1.58
Total Short	(73,349)		508		(72,841)		63		(631)		(73,409)		1.65	%	1.66	%	5.49
Total	$	2,282,149	$	(150,821)	$	2,342,369	$	43,801	$	(9,638)	$	2,376,532	4.23	%	4.01	%	5.90

(1)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

(2)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

Securities by Weighted Average Life

The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

($ in thousands)	Agency RMBS						Agency Interest Only Securities
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)
Less than three years	$	150,492	$	146,624	4.26	%	$	8,893	$	8,267	3.90	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	706,422		678,227		3.95	%	39,604		36,038		3.63	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	11,236		11,053		3.01	%	1,048		1,049		0.28	%
Greater than eleven years	—		—		—	%	2,160		2,153		0.78	%
Total	$	868,150	$	835,904	3.99	%	$	51,705	$	47,507	3.47	%

(1)Average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

December 31, 2019:

($ in thousands)	Agency RMBS						Agency Interest Only Securities
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(2)
Less than three years	$	188,593	$	187,099	3.39	%	$	9,011	$	8,611	3.35	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	961,839		953,031		4.25	%	25,334		24,512		2.66	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	713,862		708,805		3.89	%	934		921		1.90	%
Greater than eleven years	37,390		37,300		3.51	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	1,901,684	$	1,886,235	4.02	%	$	35,279	$	34,044	2.81	%

(1)Average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's long non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and CLOs and other securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

($ in thousands)	Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS						Non-Agency IOs						CLOs and Other Securities(2)
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)
Less than three years	$	80,873	$	77,739	3.67	%	$	4,079	$	2,685	0.55	%	$	61,222	$	63,694	9.43	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	106,561		102,374		3.38	%	5,870		5,682		1.47	%	150,175		193,955		3.38	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	96,327		119,267		2.48	%	—		—		—	%	1,402		1,914		—	%
Greater than eleven years	24,042		27,398		1.04	%	—		—		—	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	307,803	$	326,778	2.93	%	$	9,949	$	8,367	1.17	%	$	212,799	$	259,563	4.84	%

(1)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities.

(3)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

December 31, 2019:

($ in thousands)	Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS						Non-Agency IOs						CLOs and Other Securities(2)
Estimated Weighted Average Life(1)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon(3)
Less than three years	$	50,120	$	48,213	2.73	%	$	439	$	401	1.37	%	$	54,446	$	54,090	11.11	%
Greater than three years and less than seven years	87,436		79,326		4.42	%	7,877		6,116		1.08	%	157,384		155,651		5.38	%
Greater than seven years and less than eleven years	127,533		123,924		3.31	%	—		—		—	%	8,336		8,307		—	%
Greater than eleven years	18,013		17,661		0.81	%	—		—		—	%	—		—		—	%
Total	$	283,102	$	269,124	3.37	%	$	8,316	$	6,517	1.10	%	$	220,166	$	218,048	6.60	%

(1)Average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities.

(3)Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.

Investment Income

The following tables detail the components of interest income by security type for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Security Type	Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income		Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income
Agency RMBS	$	14,117	$	(7,454)	$	6,663	$	16,026	$	(6,290)	$	9,736
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	3,311		1,911		5,222		3,383		430		3,813
CLOs	2,256		2,179		4,435		3,480		(627)		2,853
Other securities(1)	2,970		(1,435)		1,535		1,670		(611)		1,059
Total	$	22,654	$	(4,799)	$	17,855	$	24,559	$	(7,098)	$	17,461

	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020						September 30, 2019
Security Type	Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income		Coupon Interest		Net Amortization		Interest Income
Agency RMBS	$	47,632	$	(25,516)	$	22,116	$	42,681	$	(15,883)	$	26,798
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	10,995		4,001		14,996		10,514		1,666		12,180
CLOs	11,662		1,543		13,205		11,391		(1,138)		10,253
Other securities(1)	8,992		(3,584)		5,408		4,706		(1,528)		3,178
Total	$	79,281	$	(23,556)	$	55,725	$	69,292	$	(16,883)	$	52,409

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt securities, and U.S. Treasury securities.

Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss)

The following tables present proceeds from sales and the resulting realized gains and (losses) of the Company's securities for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020								September 30, 2019(1)
Security Type	Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)		Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Agency RMBS	$	10,675	$	2,467	$	(564)	$	1,903	$	331,572	$	4,511	$	(34)	$	4,477
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	17,926		1,669		(171)		1,498		16,496		9,606		(341)		9,265
CLOs	—		—		256		256		2,060		1,287		27		1,314
Other securities(4)	11,861		373		(74)		299		138,000		63		(220)		(157)
Total	$	40,462	$	4,509	$	(553)	$	3,956	$	488,128	$	15,467	$	(568)	$	14,899

(1)Conformed to current period presentation.

(2)Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end.

(3)Excludes realized losses of $(2.5) million and $(10.1) million, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible.

(4)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

	Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020								September 30, 2019(1)
Security Type	Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses		Net Realized Gain (Loss)		Proceeds(2)		Gross Realized Gains		Gross Realized Losses(3)		Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Agency RMBS	$	1,438,469	$	15,982	$	(3,369)	$	12,613	$	719,082	$	6,954	$	(1,950)	$	5,004
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	116,349		11,081		(3,880)		7,201		165,180		11,356		(3,835)		7,521
CLOs	41,714		1,122		(2,928)		(1,806)		58,157		1,169		(816)		353
Other securities(4)	169,172		1,273		(329)		944		602,443		801		(1,206)		(405)
Total	$	1,765,704	$	29,458	$	(10,506)	$	18,952	$	1,544,862	$	20,280	$	(7,807)	$	12,473

(1)Conformed to current period presentation.

(2)Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end.

(3)Excludes realized losses of $(16.3) million and $(16.1) million, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible.

(4)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value

The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities, excluding those where there are expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date in relation to such securities' cost bases, by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2020.

September 30, 2020:

(In thousands)	Less than 12 Months				Greater than 12 Months				Total
Security Type	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Agency RMBS	$	138,286	$	(673)	$	1,881	$	(112)	$	140,167	$	(785)
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	18,887		(1,560)		1,665		(84)		20,552		(1,644)
CLOs	10,204		(10,069)		54		—		10,258		(10,069)
Other securities(1)	647		(431)		—		—		647		(431)
Total	$	168,024	$	(12,733)	$	3,600	$	(196)	$	171,624	$	(12,929)

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2019.

December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)	Less than 12 Months				Greater than 12 Months				Total
Security Type	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Agency RMBS	$	328,968	$	(1,503)	$	125,095	$	(1,999)	$	454,063	$	(3,502)
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS	88,495		(880)		27,218		(699)		115,713		(1,579)
CLOs	37,354		(1,911)		9,245		(1,103)		46,599		(3,014)
Other securities(1)	16,562		(852)		1,380		(60)		17,942		(912)
Total	$	471,379	$	(5,146)	$	162,938	$	(3,861)	$	634,317	$	(9,007)

(1)Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

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Investment in Loans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Receivables [Abstract]

Summary of Investments in Loans

The following table is a summary of the Company's investments in loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Loan Type	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
Residential mortgage loans	$	1,004,980	$	1,030,709	$	911,705	$	932,203
Commercial mortgage loans	252,305		252,231		277,870		274,759
Consumer loans	150,062		152,609		179,743		186,954
Corporate loans	7,063		7,063		18,415		18,510
Total	$	1,414,410	$	1,442,612	$	1,387,733	$	1,412,426

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield		Life (Years)(1)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment(2)	$	996,429	$	8,676	$	1,005,105	$	21,504	$	(4,355)	$	1,022,254	6.23	%	5.15	%	1.66
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale	8,551		(863)		7,688		793		(26)		8,455		4.73	%	6.04	%	5.50
Total	$	1,004,980	$	7,813	$	1,012,793	$	22,297	$	(4,381)	$	1,030,709	6.22	%	5.16	%	1.70

(1)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Includes $760.4 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $17.5 million and $(0.2) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are presented on a gross basis on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield		Life (Years)(1)
Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment(2)	$	911,705	$	9,354	$	921,059	$	13,082	$	(1,938)	$	932,203	6.44	%	5.79	%	1.90

(1)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

(2)Includes $628.4 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts.

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's commercial mortgage loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield(1)		Life (Years)(2)
Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment	$	252,305	$	(122)	$	252,183	$	535	$	(487)	$	252,231	8.25	%	8.14	%	0.77

(1)Excludes commercial mortgage loans, in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $23.8 million.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon		Yield(1)		Life (Years)(2)
Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment	$	277,870	$	(3,302)	$	274,568	$	253	$	(62)	$	274,759	7.65	%	8.58	%	1.07

(1)Excludes commercial mortgage loans, held at par in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $10.7 million.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's consumer loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value(1)		Life (Years)(2)	Delinquency (Days)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	$	150,062	$	7,347	$	157,409	$	1,430	$	(6,230)	$	152,609	0.88	4

(1)Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

December 31, 2019:

							Gross Unrealized						Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value(1)		Life (Years)(2)	Delinquency (Days)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	$	179,743	$	5,027	$	184,770	$	2,561	$	(377)	$	186,954	0.82	4

(1)Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest.

(2)Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal.

The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's corporate loans as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Rate		Remaining Term (Years)
Corporate loans, held-for-investment(1)	$	7,063	$	7,063	19.43	%	1.98

(1)See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans.

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
($ in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Rate		Remaining Term (Years)
Corporate loans, held-for-investment(1)(2)	$	18,415	$	18,510	17.62	%	0.87

(1)See Note 13 for further details on the Company's transactions involving a loan originator in which the Company also holds an equity investment.

(2)See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans.

Financing Receivable, Past Due [Table Text Block]

The following table provides details, by accrual status, for loans that are 90 days or more past due as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
90 days or more past due—non-accrual status
Residential mortgage loans	$	67,121	$	64,414	$	22,092	$	19,401
Commercial mortgage loans	23,750		23,671		28,936		26,545
Consumer loans	1,284		1,131		5,633		5,225

Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
California	44.0	%	46.6	%
Florida	13.8	%	11.9	%
Texas	10.4	%	11.9	%
Colorado	2.8	%	3.2	%
Massachusetts	2.6	%	2.9	%
Oregon	2.4	%	2.2	%
Arizona	1.9	%	2.4	%
Utah	1.9	%	1.9	%
Illinois	1.8	%	1.7	%
New Jersey	1.8	%	1.1	%
Nevada	1.7	%	1.6	%
Washington	1.6	%	1.6	%
New York	1.3	%	1.3	%
North Carolina	1.2	%	—	%
Georgia	1.1	%	—	%
Maryland	1.0	%	1.1	%
Connecticut	1.0	%	—	%
Other	7.7	%	8.6	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Florida	17.6	%	31.7	%
New York	16.5	%	17.7	%
Pennsylvania	11.5	%	—	%
Connecticut	9.3	%	8.2	%
Missouri	6.6	%	4.6	%
Ohio	6.1	%	—	%
California	5.7	%	—	%
Massachusetts	5.2	%	4.7	%
New Jersey	4.9	%	13.3	%
Arizona	3.7	%	3.8	%
Virginia	3.6	%	6.8	%
Indiana	2.4	%	2.1	%
North Carolina	2.0	%	1.8	%
Nevada	1.6	%	1.5	%
Tennessee	1.6	%	1.5	%
Illinois	1.3	%	1.2	%
Other	0.4	%	1.1	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following table summarizes the Company's exposure to counterparty risk as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	10	28.5	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	1,810,825		24	18.6	%
Due from brokers	63,991		22	35.4	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	5,086		2	87.0	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

December 31, 2019:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	72,302	11	42.2	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	2,793,696		28	13.8	%
Due from brokers	79,829		24	30.9	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	69,995		5	62.3	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]

The following table presents information on the Company's residential mortgage loans by re-performing or non-performing status, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

	As of
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value
Re-performing	$	23,002	$	21,572	$	27,663	$	25,323
Non-performing	64,710		62,343		17,757		15,580

Consumer Loans, Delinquency Status [Table Text Block]

The table below provides details on the delinquency status as a percentage of total unpaid principal balance of the Company's consumer loans, which the Company uses as an indicator of credit quality, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Days Past Due	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Current	96.2	%	95.3	%
30-59 Days	1.6	%	2.1	%
60-89 Days	1.1	%	1.4	%
90-119 Days	0.8	%	1.2	%
>120 Days	0.3	%	—	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

The following table provides a summary of the results of operations of this entity for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Revenue	$	4,827	$	6,957	$	10,030	$	14,486
Net income (loss)	$	15,962	$	4,739	$	28,901	$	3,074

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Real Estate Owned (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Real Estate Owned, Disclosure of Detailed Components [Abstract]

Schedule of Real Estate Owned

The following tables detail activity in the Company's carrying value of REO for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Number of Properties	Carrying Value		Number of Properties	Carrying Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Beginning Balance (June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively)	13	$	24,044	20	$	47,621
Transfers from mortgage loans	4	676		1	601
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost		27			—
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value		147			6
Disposals	(1)	(100)		(7)	(3,805)
Ending Balance (September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)	16	$	24,794	14	$	44,423

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Number of Properties	Carrying Value		Number of Properties	Carrying Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Beginning Balance (December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2019, respectively)	15	$	30,584	20	$	30,778
Transfers from mortgage loans	9	2,198		5	18,314
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost		153			240
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value		(813)			(257)
Disposals	(8)	(7,328)		(11)	(4,652)
Ending Balance (September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)	16	$	24,794	14	$	44,423

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Financial Derivatives (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments

The following table details the fair value of the Company's holdings of financial derivatives as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
TBA securities purchase contracts	$	394	$	90
TBA securities sale contracts	756		506
Fixed payer interest rate swaps	5		3,914
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps	13,785		1,554
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	351		993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	9,722		3,319
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	39		2
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	2,419		5,599
Total return swaps	105		620
Futures	1		148
Forwards	256		43
Warrants	31		—
Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value	27,864		16,788
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
TBA securities purchase contracts	$	(156)	$	—
TBA securities sale contracts	(130)		(1,012)
Fixed payer interest rate swaps	(29,712)		(8,513)
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps	(62)		(206)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(142)		(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	(580)		(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(3,572)		(14,524)
Total return swaps	(88)		(1,209)
Futures	(331)		(45)
Forwards	(41)		(169)
Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value	(34,814)		(27,621)
Total	$	(6,950)	$	(10,833)

Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives [Table Text Block]

The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed payer interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	17,500	$	(223)	2.75	%	0.23	%	0.47
2022	129,975		(1,952)		1.21		0.26		1.40
2023	146,012		(5,052)		1.50		0.24		2.67
2025	31,500		(902)		0.95		0.25		4.61
2026	28,104		(1,463)		1.25		0.22		5.74
2027	34,000		(89)		0.49		0.22		6.73
2028	32,942		(4,721)		2.40		0.23		7.59
2029	92,594		(9,789)		1.78		0.25		9.04
2030	68,463		(2,781)		1.10		0.25		9.44
2036	1,100		(84)		1.45		0.22		15.39
2049	5,796		(2,651)		2.89		0.30		28.28
Total	$	587,986	$	(29,707)	1.43	%	0.25	%	5.15

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount(1)		Fair Value(1)		Pay Rate(2)(3)		Receive Rate(2)		Remaining Years to Maturity(4)
	(In thousands)
2020	$	68,607	$	(234)	1.74	%	1.93	%	0.24
2021	268,929		(419)		1.73		1.95		1.64
2022	31,350		9		1.65		1.93		2.14
2023	101,012		(1,265)		2.06		1.91		3.29
2024	13,000		99		1.56		1.89		4.90
2025	12,800		(24)		n/a		n/a		5.22
2026	59,902		1,946		1.24		1.94		6.50
2028	32,942		(1,634)		2.40		1.93		8.34
2029	136,838		(2,018)		2.02		1.96		9.61
2030	685		(32)		2.38		1.90		10.90
2036	1,100		87		1.45		1.94		16.14
2049	5,796		(1,114)		2.89		2.09		29.03
Total	$	732,961	$	(4,599)	1.83	%	1.94	%	4.31

(1)Includes forward-starting interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $20.9 million and fair value of $(41) thousand.

(2)Excludes forward-starting interest rate swaps.

(3)Including forward-starting interest rate swaps the total weighted average pay rate was 1.83%.

(4)Includes forward-starting interest rate swaps, all of which start within six months of period end.

The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed receiver interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

September 30, 2020:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	12,950	$	201	0.23	%	1.75	%	0.96
2022	87,683		1,514		0.26		1.33		1.45
2023	48,657		2,234		0.23		2.00		2.51
2024	86,342		5,262		0.26		1.65		3.99
2025	39,685		226		0.24		0.44		4.66
2027	25,108		343		0.30		0.63		6.50
2029	9,800		1,030		0.24		1.78		9.02
2030	128,335		2,913		0.25		0.90		9.47
Total	$	438,560	$	13,723	0.25	%	1.25	%	5.15

December 31, 2019:

					Weighted Average
Maturity	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Pay Rate		Receive Rate		Remaining Years to Maturity
	(In thousands)
2021	$	181,950	$	(49)	1.89	%	1.67	%	1.84
2022	53,974		441		1.91		1.85		2.17
2023	48,657		709		1.92		2.00		3.26
2024	11,342		306		2.09		2.33		4.23
2029	9,800		(59)		1.91		1.78		9.77
Total	$	305,723	$	1,348	1.91	%	1.78	%	2.47

Schedule of Credit Default Swaps [Table Text Block]

The following table provides information about the Company's credit default swaps as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
Type(1)	Notional		Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)	Notional		Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)
($ in thousands)
Asset:
Long:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	$	416	$	6	17.25	$	695	$	10	23.80
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	1,600		39		5.22	430		2		0.47
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	69,381		1,913		2.71	130,707		5,547		2.42
Short:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	(955)		351		14.95	(2,640)		993		15.63
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(30,668)		9,716		37.71	(63,515)		3,309		38.40
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(10,036)		506		1.64	(1,997)		52		3.97
Liability:
Long:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	480		(142)		32.61	344		(145)		29.35
Short:
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	(1)		—		29.25	(4,501)		(105)		40.31
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	(12,200)		(580)		3.71	(10,800)		(1,693)		3.92
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	(126,983)		(3,572)		2.07	(250,088)		(14,524)		2.51
	$	(108,966)	$	8,237	11.71	$	(201,365)	$	(6,554)	14.88

(1)Long notional represents contracts where the Company has written protection and short notional represents contracts where the Company has purchased protection.

Schedule of Futures Contracts [Table Text Block]

The following table provides information about the Company's long and short positions in futures as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	As of
	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
Description	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Remaining Months to Expiration	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Remaining Months to Expiration
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
Assets:
Short Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	$	(300)	$	1	2.73	$	—	$	—	—
Liabilities:
Long Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	$	1,900	$	(31)	2.73	—		—		—
Short Contracts:
U.S. Treasury futures	(165,600)		(300)		3.00	(16,000)		148		2.77
Eurodollar futures	—		—		—	(14,000)		(45)		4.05
Total, net	$	(164,000)	$	(330)	3.00	$	(30,000)	$	103	3.37

Schedule of Derivative Warrant Contracts [Table Text Block]

Warrants

The following table provides information about the Company's warrants contracts to purchase shares as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020				As of December, 31, 2019
Description	Number of Shares Underlying Warrant	Fair Value		Remaining Years to Expiration	Number of Shares Underlying Warrant	Fair Value		Remaining Years to Expiration
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Warrants	1,546	$	31	2.08	1,515	$	—	2.82

Schedule of TBA securities [Table Text Block]

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding TBA purchase and sale contracts as follows:

	September 30, 2020								December 31, 2019
TBA Securities	Notional Amount(1)		Cost Basis(2)		Market Value(3)		Net Carrying Value(4)		Notional Amount(1)		Cost Basis(2)		Market Value(3)		Net Carrying Value(4)
(In thousands)
Purchase contracts:
Assets	$	100,890	$	103,882	$	104,276	$	394	$	40,100	$	40,585	$	40,675	$	90
Liabilities	68,000		71,370		71,214		(156)		—		—		—		—
	168,890		175,252		175,490		238		40,100		40,585		40,675		90
Sale contracts:
Assets	(401,722)		(428,049)		(427,293)		756		(319,981)		(332,080)		(331,574)		506
Liabilities	(86,845)		(91,369)		(91,499)		(130)		(773,749)		(806,568)		(807,580)		(1,012)
	(488,567)		(519,418)		(518,792)		626		(1,093,730)		(1,138,648)		(1,139,154)		(506)
Total TBA securities, net	$	(319,677)	$	(344,166)	$	(343,302)	$	864	$	(1,053,630)	$	(1,098,063)	$	(1,098,479)	$	(416)

(1)Notional amount represents the principal balance of the underlying Agency RMBS.

(2)Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS.

(3)Market value represents the current market value of the underlying Agency RMBS (on a forward delivery basis) as of period end.

(4)Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA contract as of period end and the cost basis, and is reported in Financial derivatives-assets, at fair value and Financial derivatives-liabilities, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivative Contracts

Gains and losses on the Company's derivative contracts for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the tables below:

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	(1,150)	$	(29)	$	(1,179)	$	516	$	1,104	$	1,620
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			1		1				(1)		(1)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(239)		(239)				503		503
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(1,067)		(1,067)				(1,059)		(1,059)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(93)		(93)				(334)		(334)
Total return swaps	Credit			(125)		(125)				(348)		(348)
TBAs	Interest Rate			2,367		2,367				(744)		(744)
Futures	Interest Rate			(402)		(402)				52		52
Forwards	Currency			(898)		(898)				33		33
Total		$	(1,150)	$	(485)	$	(1,635)	$	516	$	(794)	$	(278)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $(15) thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $20 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	82	$	34	$	116	$	171	$	(2,598)	$	(2,427)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			16		16				(12)		(12)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(261)		(261)				(81)		(81)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(1,113)		(1,113)				909		909
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(259)		(259)				268		268
Total return swaps	Equity Market/Credit			251		251				(716)		(716)
TBAs	Interest Rate			(5,067)		(5,067)				1,542		1,542
Futures	Interest Rate/Currency			(3,551)		(3,551)				1,627		1,627
Forwards	Currency			525		525				379		379
Total		$	82	$	(9,425)	$	(9,343)	$	171	$	1,318	$	1,489

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $17 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $16 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	(1,900)	$	(8,761)	$	(10,661)	$	541	$	(16,373)	$	(15,832)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			(955)		(955)				915		915
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			3,660		3,660				7,642		7,642
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(550)		(550)				3,080		3,080
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			356		356				711		711
Total return swaps	Credit			(2,180)		(2,180)				607		607
TBAs	Interest Rate			(6,778)		(6,778)				1,280		1,280
Futures	Interest Rate			(7,866)		(7,866)				(434)		(434)
Forwards	Currency			(616)		(616)				343		343
Warrants	Equity Market/Credit			—		—				(382)		(382)
Options	Credit			(100)		(100)				—		—
Total		$	(1,900)	$	(23,790)	$	(25,690)	$	541	$	(2,611)	$	(2,070)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $12 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $39 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019:

Derivative Type	Primary  Risk Exposure	Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(1)		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(1)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps(2)		Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives(2)
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	Interest Rate	$	852	$	(1,117)	$	(265)	$	(60)	$	(11,915)	$	(11,975)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities	Credit			419		419				(394)		(394)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices	Credit			(1,245)		(1,245)				(832)		(832)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices	Credit			(4,387)		(4,387)				(1,026)		(1,026)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds	Credit			(764)		(764)				1,110		1,110
Total return swaps	Equity Market/Credit			(1,046)		(1,046)				(681)		(681)
TBAs	Interest Rate			(17,183)		(17,183)				3,680		3,680
Futures	Interest Rate/Currency			(8,365)		(8,365)				761		761
Forwards	Currency			1,068		1,068				228		228
Options	Interest Rate			(35)		(35)				1		1
Total		$	852	$	(32,655)	$	(31,803)	$	(60)	$	(9,068)	$	(9,128)

(1)Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $47 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

(2)Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $8 thousand for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.

Derivative activity, volume

The table below details the average notional values of the Company's financial derivatives, using absolute value of month end notional values, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019:

Derivative Type	Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2020		Year Ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps	$	1,078,808	$	731,941
TBAs	732,048		973,331
Credit default swaps	290,822		399,316
Total return swaps	7,819		39,434
Futures	143,440		167,708
Options	1,950		19,825
Forwards	36,935		30,930
Warrants	1,543		2,222

Schedule of Credit Derivatives

Written credit derivatives held by the Company at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are summarized below:

Credit Derivatives	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
(In thousands)
Fair Value of Written Credit Derivatives, Net	$	1,816	$	5,414
Fair Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives with Third Parties (1)	—		(3,248)
Notional Value of Written Credit Derivatives (2)	71,877		132,176
Notional Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives with Third Parties (1)	—		(81,637)

(1)Offsetting transactions with third parties include purchased credit derivatives which have the same reference obligation.

(2)The notional value is the maximum amount that a seller of credit protection would be obligated to pay, and a buyer of credit protection would receive, upon occurrence of a "credit event." Movements in the value of credit default swap transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive collateral. Amounts due or owed under credit derivative contracts with an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, or "ISDA," counterparty may be offset against amounts due or owed on other credit derivative contracts with the same ISDA counterparty. As a result, the notional value of written credit derivatives involving a particular underlying reference asset or index has been reduced (but not below zero) by the notional value of any contracts where the Company has purchased credit protection on the same reference asset or index with the same ISDA counterparty.

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Consolidated VIEs (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Consolidated VIEs

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the Company's consolidated VIEs that are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020 (1)		December 31, 2019 (1)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,152	$	6,016
Restricted cash	175		175
Securities, at fair value	46,857		47,923
Loans, at fair value	1,423,035		1,393,916
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	6,289		5,641
Real estate owned	24,794		30,584
Investment related receivables	43,542		28,668
Other assets	2,250		6,191
Total Assets	$	1,548,094	$	1,519,114
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	$	260,310	$	302,791
Investment related payables	—		3,275
Other secured borrowings	142,674		150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	695,516		594,396
Interest payable	402		1,247
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,301		2,279
Total Liabilities	1,100,203		1,054,322
Total Stockholders' Equity	422,217		440,394
Non-controlling interests	25,674		24,400
Total Equity	447,891		464,794
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,548,094	$	1,519,116

(1)See Note 10 and Note 13 for additional information on the Company's consolidated VIEs.

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Securitization Transactions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Securitization Transactions [Abstract]

Schedule of Residential Loan Securitizations

The following table details the Company's outstanding consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations:

Issuing Entity	Closing Date	Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued
		(In thousands)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2018-1	11/18	$	232,518	$	232,518	(1)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-1	6/19	226,913		226,913		(2)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-2	11/19	267,255		267,255		(3)
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-1	6/20	259,273		259,273		(4)

(1)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 5.7% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(2)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.1% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.2 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(3)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.4% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.7 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

(4)In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 8.0% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. Additionally, the Sponsor purchased another subordinated class of Certificates with an aggregate value equal to 3.5% of the fair value of all Certificates issued as of the settlement date. Finally, the Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.

Schedule of Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Securitization Trusts

The following table details the assets and liabilities of the consolidated securitization trusts included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets:
Loans, at fair value	$	760,420	$	628,415
Real estate owned	658		658
Investment related receivables	5,793		10,409
Liabilities:
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	695,516		594,396

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Borrowings (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]

The following table details the Company's outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements for Agency RMBS and credit assets (which can include non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, consumer loans, corporate debt, residential mortgage loans, and commercial mortgage loans and REO), by remaining maturity as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
			Weighted Average					Weighted Average
Remaining Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		Interest Rate		Remaining Days to Maturity	Outstanding Borrowings		Interest Rate		Remaining Days to Maturity
Agency RMBS:	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
30 Days or Less	$	241,423	0.31	%	17	$	511,996	2.08	%	17
31-60 Days	418,573		0.27	%	44	744,387		1.93	%	47
61-90 Days	107,446		0.45	%	72	594,738		1.96	%	76
91-120 Days	5,675		1.35	%	99	10,270		2.24	%	93
151-180 Days	17,237		0.29	%	168	3,082		2.67	%	171
181-360 Days	93,432		0.30	%	287	—		—	%	—
Total Agency RMBS	883,786		0.31	%	69	1,864,473		1.98	%	48
Credit:
30 Days or Less	40,785		2.14	%	10	16,549		3.38	%	25
31-60 Days	98,068		2.85	%	45	104,491		3.14	%	48
61-90 Days	113,027		2.54	%	77	138,837		3.03	%	73
91-120 Days	154,379		2.79	%	106	—		—	%	—
121-150 Days	6,015		3.29	%	134	7,460		3.89	%	123
151-180 Days	13,750		3.23	%	167	31,498		3.87	%	173
181-360 Days	81,933		4.83	%	228	186,661		3.80	%	250
> 360 Days	48,241		3.05	%	608	95,331		4.52	%	678
Total Credit Assets	556,198		3.04	%	145	580,827		3.61	%	229
Total	$	1,439,984	1.37	%	98	$	2,445,300	2.37	%	91

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]

Schedule of Principal Repayments

The following table details the Company's principal repayment schedule, over the next 5 years, for outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2020:

Year	Repurchase Agreements(1)		Other Secured Borrowings(2)		Senior Notes(1)		Total
(In thousands)
Next Twelve Months	$	1,391,743	$	523,802	$	—	$	1,915,545
Year 2	48,241		91,199		86,000		225,440
Year 3	—		261,991		—		261,991
Year 4	—		—		—		—
Year 5	—		—		—		—
Total	$	1,439,984	$	876,992	$	86,000	$	2,402,976

(1)Reflects the Company's contractual principal repayment dates.

(2)Includes $734.3 million of expected principal repayments related to the Company's consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations, which are projected based upon the underlying assets' expected repayments and may be prior to the stated contractual maturities.

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Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Unvested LTIP Units

The below table details unvested OP LTIP Units as of September 30, 2020:

Grant Recipient	Number of OP LTIP Units Granted	Grant Date	Vesting Date(1)
Directors:
	22,840	September 10, 2020	September 9, 2021
Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel:
	12,818	December 13, 2019	December 13, 2020
	10,067	December 13, 2019	December 13, 2021
	8,691	December 11, 2018	December 11, 2020
	4,977	March 4, 2020	December 31, 2020
	9,834	March 4, 2020	December 31, 2021
Total unvested OP LTIP Units at September 30, 2020	69,227

(1)Date at which such OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable.

Roll-Forward of Company's LTIP Units Outstanding

The following tables summarize issuance and exercise activity of OP LTIP Units for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	195,009	560,527	375,000	146,371	521,371
Granted	—	22,840	22,840	—	14,552	14,552
Exercised	—	(3,638)	(3,638)	—	(3,610)	(3,610)
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	214,211	579,729	375,000	157,313	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	—	69,227	69,227	—	37,821	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	144,984	510,502	375,000	119,492	494,492

	Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total	Manager	Director/ Employee	Total
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2019, respectively)	365,518	180,198	545,716	375,000	146,371	521,371
Granted	—	37,651	37,651	—	14,552	14,552
Exercised	—	(3,638)	(3,638)	—	(3,610)	(3,610)
OP LTIP Units Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	214,211	579,729	375,000	157,313	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	—	69,227	69,227	—	37,821	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	365,518	144,984	510,502	375,000	119,492	494,492

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Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Summary of Common Shares Outstanding

The following table summarizes issuance, repurchase, and other activity with respect to the Company's common stock for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

	Three-Month Period Ended		Nine-Month Period Ended
	September 30, 2020	September 30, 2019	September 30, 2020	September 30, 2019
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (6/30/2020, 6/30/2019, 12/31/2019 and 1/1/2019, respectively)	43,779,924	29,745,776	38,647,943	29,796,601
Share Activity:
Shares of common stock issued	—	4,025,000	5,290,000	4,025,000
Shares of common stock issued in connection with incentive fee payment	—	—	637	—
Shares of common stock repurchased	(1,878)	—	(290,050)	(50,825)
OP Units exercised	3,638	3,610	133,154	3,610
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (9/30/2020, 9/30/2019, 9/30/2020, 9/30/2019, respectively)	43,781,684	33,774,386	43,781,684	33,774,386

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation Of Basic And Diluted EPS

The components of the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:

	Three-Month Period Ended				Nine-Month Period Ended
(In thousands except share amounts)	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	46,203	$	17,293	$	(45,917)	$	45,345
Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests(1)	647		387		(916)		1,079
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	46,850		17,680		(46,833)		46,424
Dividends Paid:
Common stockholders	(11,821)		(14,185)		(42,514)		(43,038)
Convertible Non-controlling Interests	(166)		(309)		(627)		(1,021)
Total dividends paid to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	(11,987)		(14,494)		(43,141)		(44,059)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Common stockholders	34,382		3,108		(88,431)		2,307
Convertible Non-controlling Interests	481		78		(1,543)		58
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	$	34,863	$	3,186	$	(89,974)	$	2,365
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	43,779,134		32,835,652		43,387,168		30,787,634
Weighted average Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding	613,319		735,789		635,836		734,186
Weighted average shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding	44,392,453		33,571,441		44,023,004		31,521,820
Basic earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit:
Distributed	$	0.27	$	0.42	$	0.97	$	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of)	0.79		0.11		(2.03)		0.08
	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47
Diluted earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit:
Distributed	$	0.27	$	0.42	$	0.97	$	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of)	0.79		0.11		(2.03)		0.08
	$	1.06	$	0.53	$	(1.06)	$	1.47

(1)For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excludes net income (loss) of $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, excludes net income (loss) of $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15.

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Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule of Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities representing financial instruments as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company has not entered into master netting agreements with any of its counterparties. Certain of the Company's reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and financial derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide a right of net settlement, as well as a right of offset in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction.

September 30, 2020:

Description	Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)		Financial Instruments Available for Offset		Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral(2)(3)		Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged(2)(3)		Net Amount
(In thousands)
Assets
Financial derivatives–assets	$	27,864	$	(16,646)	$	—	$	(6,469)	$	4,749
Reverse repurchase agreements	47,041		(47,041)		—		—		—
Liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities	(34,814)		16,646		—		18,088		(80)
Repurchase agreements	(1,439,984)		1,439,984		(27,744)		27,744		—

(1)In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.

(2)For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2020 was $1.8 billion. As of September 30, 2020, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged (received) of $3.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively.

(3)When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

December 31, 2019:

Description	Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet(1)		Financial Instruments Available for Offset		Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral(2)(3)		Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged(2)(3)		Net Amount
(In thousands)
Assets
Financial derivatives–assets	$	16,788	$	(12,755)	$	—	$	(807)	$	3,226
Reverse repurchase agreements	73,639		(73,639)		—		—		—
Liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities	(27,621)		12,755		—		12,233		(2,633)
Repurchase agreements	(2,445,300)		73,639		2,340,656		31,005		—

(1)In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.

(2)For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2019 was $2.8 billion. As of December 31, 2019, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged of $4.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively.

(3)When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

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Counterparty Risk (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Schedules of Exposure to Counterparty Risk

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
California	44.0	%	46.6	%
Florida	13.8	%	11.9	%
Texas	10.4	%	11.9	%
Colorado	2.8	%	3.2	%
Massachusetts	2.6	%	2.9	%
Oregon	2.4	%	2.2	%
Arizona	1.9	%	2.4	%
Utah	1.9	%	1.9	%
Illinois	1.8	%	1.7	%
New Jersey	1.8	%	1.1	%
Nevada	1.7	%	1.6	%
Washington	1.6	%	1.6	%
New York	1.3	%	1.3	%
North Carolina	1.2	%	—	%
Georgia	1.1	%	—	%
Maryland	1.0	%	1.1	%
Connecticut	1.0	%	—	%
Other	7.7	%	8.6	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Property Location by U.S. State	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Florida	17.6	%	31.7	%
New York	16.5	%	17.7	%
Pennsylvania	11.5	%	—	%
Connecticut	9.3	%	8.2	%
Missouri	6.6	%	4.6	%
Ohio	6.1	%	—	%
California	5.7	%	—	%
Massachusetts	5.2	%	4.7	%
New Jersey	4.9	%	13.3	%
Arizona	3.7	%	3.8	%
Virginia	3.6	%	6.8	%
Indiana	2.4	%	2.1	%
North Carolina	2.0	%	1.8	%
Nevada	1.6	%	1.5	%
Tennessee	1.6	%	1.5	%
Illinois	1.3	%	1.2	%
Other	0.4	%	1.1	%
	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following table summarizes the Company's exposure to counterparty risk as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,783	10	28.5	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	1,810,825		24	18.6	%
Due from brokers	63,991		22	35.4	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	5,086		2	87.0	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

December 31, 2019:

	Amount of Exposure		Number of Counterparties with Exposure	Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty(1)
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	72,302	11	42.2	%
Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers(2)	2,793,696		28	13.8	%
Due from brokers	79,829		24	30.9	%
Receivable for securities sold(3)	69,995		5	62.3	%

(1)Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution.

(2)Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements.

(3)Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Organization and Investment Objective (Details) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Common shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC [Member] | Total Stockholders' Equity
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	98.80%

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days to determine non-performance of loan	90 days
Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] | Director [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Minimum | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Maximum | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	2 years

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Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	95,803	71,850
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		27,864	16,788
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(51,493)	(73,409)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(34,814)	(27,621)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	(695,516)	(594,396)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		95,803	71,850
Total assets		3,017,699	3,951,005
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		(695,516)	(594,396)
Total liabilities		(781,823)	(695,426)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(461)	(471)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(51,032)	(72,938)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(3,572)	(14,524)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(580)	(1,693)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(142)	(250)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(29,774)	(8,719)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(286)	(1,012)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(331)	(45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(41)	(169)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(88)	(1,209)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		919,855	1,936,963
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		212,737	166,550
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		105,015	124,868
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		163,294	170,443
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		47,298	48,610
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		2,207	1,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		1,014	1,394
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,030,709	932,203
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		252,231	274,759
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		152,609	186,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		7,063	18,510
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		351	993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,419	5,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-			2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		9,722	3,319
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		13,790	5,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		1,150	596
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		1	148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		256	43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		105	620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		31
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		0	0
Total assets		1	148
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0	0
Total liabilities		(331)	(45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(331)	(45)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-			0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		1	148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		0	0
Total assets		1,121,170	2,229,582
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0	0
Total liabilities		(85,888)	(100,549)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(461)	(471)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(51,032)	(72,938)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(3,572)	(14,524)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(580)	(1,693)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(142)	(250)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(29,774)	(8,719)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(286)	(1,012)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(41)	(169)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	(773)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		907,715	1,917,059
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		73,538	76,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		62,206	95,063
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		50,304	125,464
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,419	5,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-			2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		9,722	3,319
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		13,790	5,468
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		1,150	596
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		256	43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		31
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		95,803	71,850
Total assets		1,896,528	1,721,275
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		(695,516)	(594,396)
Total liabilities		(695,604)	(594,832)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(88)	(436)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		12,140	19,904
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		139,199	89,581
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		42,809	29,805
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		112,990	44,979
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		47,298	48,610
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		2,207	1,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		1,014	1,394
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,030,709	932,203
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		252,231	274,759
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		152,609	186,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		7,063	18,510
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		351	993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-			0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		105	$ 620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		$ 0

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Valuation (Schedule of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Qualitative Information) (Details) - Level 3 $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares
Total return swaps | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.117	0.085
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input		0.208	0.277
Total return swaps | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.208	0.277
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input		0.208	0.277
Total return swaps | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.127	0.115
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input		0.208	0.277
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 85,183	$ 38,754
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		9.43	6.68
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		314.93	144.79
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		87.41	86.21
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 41,602	$ 29,630
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		4.56	5.08
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		95.32	80.72
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		59.06	64.73
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 3,503	$ 3,753
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		0.80	1.36
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		22.13	16.61
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		12.60	5.11
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 88,907	$ 38,220
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		2.00	40.00
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		93.50	96.00
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		78.04	73.98
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 107	$ 139
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		96.01	95.47
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		97.58	96.78
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		96.80	96.12
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 7,063	$ 6,010
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		100.00	100.00
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		100.00	100.00
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares		100.00	100.00
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 54,016	$ 50,827
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.008	0.033
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.600	0.609
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.085	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.135	0.008
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.776	0.720
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.592	0.493
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.000	0.000
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.703	0.227
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.087	0.066
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.000	0.000
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.465	0.324
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.103	0.069
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.077	0.169
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.704	0.929
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.218	0.372
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 1,207	$ 175
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.231	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.257	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.237	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input			1.000
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input			1.000
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input			1.000
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.007
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.009
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.008
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.019
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.038
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.034
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.954
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.974
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.958
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 8,637	$ 16,151
Fair Value of Agency IOs, negative OAS measurement input		$ 1,400
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, LIBOR OAS | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.0160	0.0093
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, LIBOR OAS | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.3992	0.3527
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, LIBOR OAS | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.0954	0.0701
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Net LIBOR OAS [Member] | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.0596
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.007	0.123
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		1.000	1.000
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.783	0.723
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.000	0.000
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.993	0.877
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.217	0.277
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 3,221	$ 2,507
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.100	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.100	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.100	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value			$ 30,458
Valuation, Income Approach | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input			0.037
Valuation, Income Approach | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input			0.148
Valuation, Income Approach | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input			0.099
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 24,083	$ 6,759
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.067	0.140
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.852	0.419
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.201	0.262
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.657	0.485
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.885	0.846
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.713	0.725
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.044	0.117
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.209	0.364
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.170	0.199
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.043	0.037
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.112	0.151
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.097	0.076
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.000
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.028
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.020
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 47,191	$ 48,471
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.140	0.120
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.236	0.202
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.141	0.121
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.000	0.000
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.098	0.112
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.073	0.097
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.010	0.006
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.347	0.180
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.163	0.154
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.567	0.713
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.990	0.994
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.764	0.749
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 152,609	$ 186,954
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.090	0.070
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.120	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.100	0.081
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.000	0.000
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.371	0.442
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.129	0.160
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.011	0.030
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.866	0.845
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.107	0.086
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.134	0.155
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.982	0.958
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input		0.764	0.754
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value			$ 12,500
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input			0.150
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input			0.180
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input			0.168
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 351	$ 993
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total outstanding collateral		100.00%	100.00%
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.333	0.354
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.410	0.420
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.392	0.373
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.068	0.042
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.112	0.124
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.091	0.102
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.136	0.100
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.183	0.182
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.152	0.153
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.351	0.362
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.416	0.415
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement input, Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input		0.365	0.372
Valuation, Income Approach | Total return swaps
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 105	$ 620
Fair value		(88)	(436)
Valuation, Income Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		(695,516)	$ (594,396)
Fair Value of borrowings, negative yield measurement input		$ (116,100)
Valuation, Income Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input		0.018	0.029
Valuation, Income Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input		0.033	0.040
Valuation, Income Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input		0.024	0.033
Valuation, Income Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateIncludingNegativeRateMember [Member] | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input		0.0181
Enterprise Value | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 95,803	$ 41,392
Enterprise Value | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Equity Price-to-Book | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input		1.0	1.0
Enterprise Value | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Equity Price-to-Book | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input		4.0	4.7
Enterprise Value | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Equity Price-to-Book | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input		1.3	1.7
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.006	0.016
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.543	0.195
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.060	0.062
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 228,560	$ 248,214
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.068	0.077
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.104	0.166
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.080	0.088
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 245,027	$ 289,672
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 760,420	$ 628,415
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.018	0.032
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.073	0.043
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.042	0.036
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 37,100	$ 1,500
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.015	0.010
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.284	0.266
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.103	0.091
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 23,671	$ 26,545
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	1 month 3 days	4 months 27 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	23 months	8 months 24 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	11 months 12 days	7 months
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.095	0.098
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.162	0.147
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input		0.125	0.124
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value		$ 25,262	$ 14,116
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	1 month 3 days	0 months
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	165 months 12 days	90 months 27 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	54 months 18 days	33 months 6 days

XML

Valuation (Significant Unobservable Inputs Rollforward) (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	$ 1,884,850	$ 1,324,591	$ 1,721,275	$ 1,094,815
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(7,746)	(10,822)	(32,702)	(29,952)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	347	5,702	(8,689)	3,262
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	35,608	1,047	(18,457)	13,268
Assets, Purchases	250,453	330,413	782,266	814,294
Assets, Sales	188,359	173,334	(604,788)	(433,042)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	20,559	22,484	86,441	38,490
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	99,184	12,357	(28,818)	(13,411)
Assets, Ending Balance	1,896,528	1,487,724	1,896,528	1,487,724
Liabilities, Begining Balance	742,765	(475,816)	(594,832)	(297,948)
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)	4	48	(501)	48
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(5,189)	(286)	(6,287)	(246)
Liabilities Purchases/Payments	52,346	37,259	139,108	78,887
Liabilities, Sales/Issuance	0	(48)	(233,092)	(219,584)
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Ending Balance	(695,604)	(438,843)	(695,604)	(438,843)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Liabilities, Begining Balance	742,688	(475,816)	(594,396)	(297,948)
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(5,178)	(72)	(6,636)	(32)
Liabilities, Payments	52,350	37,259	138,608	78,887
Liabilities, Issuances	0	0	(233,092)	(219,536)
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Ending Balance	(695,516)	(438,629)	(695,516)	(438,629)
Change in unrealized gains (losses), liabilities	(5,200)	(100)	(6,600)	(32)
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), liabilities	(11)	(200)	(100)	(200)
Securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	9,300	(4,700)	(56,300)	(400)
Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	12,907	11,034	19,904	7,293
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(1,482)	(1,164)	(6,072)	(2,228)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	494	(621)	614	(1,228)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	280	696	2,803	1,430
Assets, Purchases	3,490	13,254	8,219	14,854
Assets, Sales	2,243	0	(3,295)	(463)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	2,621	737	2,177	4,708
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	3,927	437	(12,210)	(867)
Assets, Ending Balance	12,140	23,499	12,140	23,499
Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	128,607	96,790	89,581	91,291
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	884	(121)	1,113	104
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(77)	7,836	303	7,187
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	2,610	(6,457)	(1,996)	(4,482)
Assets, Purchases	21,138	6,483	61,933	10,239
Assets, Sales	6,395	21,457	(29,811)	(27,514)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	10,895	5,808	22,974	14,633
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	18,463	7,400	(4,898)	(9,976)
Assets, Ending Balance	139,199	81,482	139,199	81,482
Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	65,695	6,278	29,805	803
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	659	25	617	(16)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	8	374	(867)	76
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	4,117	(302)	(4,638)	(73)
Assets, Purchases	12,699	6,815	51,432	7,937
Assets, Sales	8	1,474	(32,284)	(221)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	560	652	7,828	3,862
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	40,921	0	9,084	0
Assets, Ending Balance	42,809	12,368	42,809	12,368
Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	136,466	17,222	44,979	14,915
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	1,962	(184)	1,237	(670)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(82)	1,158	(7,586)	(536)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	1,920	184	(24,206)	1,889
Assets, Purchases	2,241	0	47,730	816
Assets, Sales	127	1,139	0	(1,125)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	6,483	15,287	53,462	15,287
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	35,873	4,520	(2,626)	(2,568)
Assets, Ending Balance	112,990	28,008	112,990	28,008
Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	47,941	25,019	48,610	22,800
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(1,435)	(611)	(3,584)	(1,580)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(4)	(100)	(200)	(765)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	1,165	(320)	(1,501)	537
Assets, Purchases	7,455	18,638	25,001	28,189
Assets, Sales	7,824	3,310	(21,028)	(9,865)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	47,298	39,316	47,298	39,316
Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	1,951	4,081	1,113	6,318
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	22
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	296	(583)	504	(928)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	509	142	991	65
Assets, Purchases	28	6,425	3,450	9,257
Assets, Sales	577	6,883	(3,851)	(11,552)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	2,207	3,182	2,207	3,182
Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	1,084	1,791	1,394	1,534
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	0	(768)	7	(910)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(73)	(61)	(741)	337
Assets, Purchases	3	1,316	366	1,317
Assets, Sales	0	0	(12)	0
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	1,014	2,278	1,014	2,278
Loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	14,200	4,100	12	10,200
Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	948,447	663,880	932,203	496,829
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(2,009)	(2,241)	(4,414)	(4,515)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(146)	(400)	(722)	1,554
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	15,672	3,559	7,008	7,717
Assets, Purchases	139,609	191,512	340,842	452,958
Assets, Sales	70,864	58,582	(244,208)	(156,815)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	1,030,709	797,728	1,030,709	797,728
Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	295,496	260,034	274,759	195,301
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	17	(52)	113	1,087
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	36	(1)	135	1,412
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(6)	507	(140)	(1,844)
Assets, Purchases	18,881	32,426	107,608	128,839
Assets, Sales	62,193	32,288	(130,244)	(64,169)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	252,231	260,626	252,231	260,626
Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	166,681	162,609	186,954	183,961
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(6,342)	(6,474)	(21,712)	(22,432)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(112)	(1,055)	(97)	(4,565)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(1,627)	28	(6,965)	2,726
Assets, Purchases	28,554	33,101	104,872	103,983
Assets, Sales	34,545	36,510	(110,443)	(111,974)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	152,609	151,699	152,609	151,699
Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	6,227	5,000	18,510	0
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	0	0	0	0
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	0	0	0	0
Assets, Purchases	836	10,790	1,053	15,790
Assets, Sales	0	0	(12,500)	0
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	7,063	15,790	7,063	15,790
Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	72,553	69,676	71,850	72,298
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	276
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	62	(139)	62	1,545
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	11,381	2,935	10,528	5,125
Assets, Purchases	15,307	9,643	29,522	40,097
Assets, Sales	3,500	11,680	(16,159)	(48,906)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	95,803	70,435	95,803	70,435
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	11,300	3,300	10,200	2,400
Financial Derivatives - Assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	(300)	100	600	(200)
Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	442	87	620	0
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(129)	(15)	113	1
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(338)	148	(515)	235
Assets, Purchases	209	0	209	0
Assets, Sales	79	(15)	(322)	(1)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	105	235	105	235
Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	353	1,090	993	1,472
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	1	16	(955)	419
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(2)	(12)	915	(394)
Assets, Purchases	3	10	29	18
Assets, Sales	4	26	(631)	(437)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	351	1,078	351	1,078
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Liabilities, Begining Balance	77	0	(436)	0
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)	4	48	(501)	48
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(11)	(214)	349	(214)
Liabilities, Payments	(4)	0	500	0
Liabilities, Issuances	0	(48)	0	(48)
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Liabilities, Ending Balance	$ (88)	$ (214)	$ (88)	$ (214)

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Valuation (Narrative) (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses)	$ 9,300	$ (4,700)	$ (56,300)	$ (400)
Loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses)	14,200	4,100	12	10,200
Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses)	11,300	3,300	10,200	2,400
Financial Derivatives - Assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses)	(300)	100	600	(200)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses)	(5,200)	(100)	(6,600)	(32)
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses)	$ (11)	$ (200)	$ (100)	$ (200)

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Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 126,783	$ 72,302
Due from brokers	[1]	63,991	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,439,984	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	[1]	142,674	150,334
Senior notes, net		85,495	85,298
Due to brokers		7,147	2,197
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		126,783	72,302
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		63,991	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,439,984	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings		142,674	150,334
Senior notes, net		86,000	88,365
Due to brokers		7,147	2,197
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		126,783	72,302
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		63,991	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,439,984	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings		142,674	150,334
Senior notes, net		85,495	85,298
Due to brokers		$ 7,147	$ 2,197

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Securities (Summary of Investment in Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 1,364,205	$ 2,282,149
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(202,583)	(150,821)
Amortized Cost		1,430,336	2,342,369
Gross Unrealized Gains		55,888	43,801
Gross Unrealized Losses		(86,297)	(9,638)
Investment Owned At Fair Value, Net		1,399,927	2,376,532
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	1,451,420	2,449,941
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (51,493)	$ (73,409)
Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.98%	4.23%
Weighted Average Yield		4.89%	4.01%
Weighted average life		4 years 4 months 17 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Long
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 1,414,935	$ 2,355,498
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(203,926)	(151,329)
Amortized Cost		1,479,723	2,415,210
Gross Unrealized Gains		55,883	43,738
Gross Unrealized Losses		(84,186)	(9,007)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
Long | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.86%	4.15%
Weighted Average Yield		5.05%	4.09%
Weighted average life		4 years 4 months 13 days	5 years 10 months 17 days
Long | 15-year fixed-rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 69,491	$ 314,636
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		2,641	6,369
Amortized Cost		72,132	321,005
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,890	2,604
Gross Unrealized Losses		(27)	(203)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 73,995	$ 323,406
Long | 15-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.31%	3.05%
Weighted Average Yield		1.89%	2.28%
Weighted average life		3 years 4 months 17 days	3 years 18 days
Long | 20-year fixed-rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 587	$ 804
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		39	49
Amortized Cost		626	853
Gross Unrealized Gains		29	24
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	0
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 655	$ 877
Long | 20-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.71%	4.62%
Weighted Average Yield		2.94%	2.99%
Weighted average life		3 years 10 months 17 days	4 years 9 months 18 days
Long | 30-year fixed-rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 625,882	$ 1,358,762
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		30,133	64,846
Amortized Cost		656,015	1,423,608
Gross Unrealized Gains		26,286	13,821
Gross Unrealized Losses		(371)	(2,830)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 681,930	$ 1,434,599
Long | 30-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.06%	4.20%
Weighted Average Yield		2.42%	2.95%
Weighted average life		4 years 21 days	6 years 7 months 17 days
Long | Adjustable rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 6,751	$ 9,651
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		173	315
Amortized Cost		6,924	9,966
Gross Unrealized Gains		123	90
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1)	(54)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 7,046	$ 10,002
Long | Adjustable rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.65%	3.99%
Weighted Average Yield		2.15%	2.03%
Weighted average life		3 years 4 months 6 days	4 years 1 month 2 days
Long | Reverse mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 94,741	$ 122,670
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		5,466	8,133
Amortized Cost		100,207	130,803
Gross Unrealized Gains		4,317	2,023
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	(26)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 104,524	$ 132,800
Long | Reverse mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.02%	4.43%
Weighted Average Yield		2.36%	2.78%
Weighted average life		5 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 8 months 1 day
Long | Interest only securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 47,507	$ 34,044
Gross Unrealized Gains		5,682	1,624
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,484)	(389)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 51,705	$ 35,279
Long | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.47%	2.81%
Weighted Average Yield		10.17%	9.27%
Weighted average life		4 years 6 months 29 days	3 years 10 months 9 days
Long | Non-Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 336,997	$ 274,353
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(131,976)	(122,685)
Amortized Cost		205,021	151,668
Gross Unrealized Gains		12,488	12,549
Gross Unrealized Losses		(7,959)	(1,081)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 209,550	$ 163,136
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.16%	3.41%
Weighted Average Yield		6.35%	7.25%
Weighted average life		4 years 8 months 4 days	5 years 3 months 21 days
Long | CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 184,695	$ 185,417
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(62,938)	(67,961)
Amortized Cost		121,757	117,456
Gross Unrealized Gains		803	2,990
Gross Unrealized Losses		(24,307)	(480)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 98,253	$ 119,966
Long | CMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.54%	3.31%
Weighted Average Yield		7.74%	6.62%
Weighted average life		8 years 5 months 4 days	8 years 11 months 8 days
Long | Non-Agency IOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 8,367	$ 6,517
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,832	1,817
Gross Unrealized Losses		(250)	(18)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 9,949	$ 8,316
Long | Non-Agency IOs | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.17%	1.10%
Weighted Average Yield		16.73%	8.18%
Weighted average life		2 years 9 months	4 years 1 month 20 days
Long | CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 211,236	$ 169,238
Gross Unrealized Gains		1	4,219
Gross Unrealized Losses		(47,943)	(3,014)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 163,294	$ 170,443
Long | CLOs | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.25%	5.05%
Weighted Average Yield		8.48%	9.62%
Weighted average life		3 years 10 months 2 days	4 years 9 months
Long | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 71,617	$ 67,080
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(24,277)	(19,154)
Amortized Cost		47,340	47,926
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,052	1,596
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,094)	(912)
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 47,298	$ 48,610
Long | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		11.82%	12.17%
Weighted Average Yield		17.39%	14.00%
Weighted average life		1 year 29 days	1 year 2 months 19 days
Long | Corporate debt securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 24,174	$ 22,125
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(23,187)	(21,241)
Amortized Cost		987	884
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,220	229
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	0
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 2,207	$ 1,113
Long | Corporate debt securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
Weighted Average Yield		0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average life		2 years 10 months 6 days	3 months 29 days
Long | Corporate equity securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 1,604	$ 1,242
Securities, at fair value(1)		1,014	1,394
Corporate equity, gross unrealized gains		160	152
Corporate equity, gross unrealized losses		(750)	0
Short
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		(50,730)	(73,349)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		1,343	508
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(49,387)	(72,841)
Gross Unrealized Gains		5	63
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2,111)	(631)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (51,493)	$ (73,409)
Short | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.39%	1.65%
Weighted Average Yield		0.21%	1.66%
Weighted average life		4 years 1 month 28 days	5 years 5 months 26 days
Short | Corporate debt securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ (450)	$ (450)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(6)	(6)
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(456)	(456)
Gross Unrealized Gains		5	0
Gross Unrealized Losses		(10)	(15)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (461)	$ (471)
Short | Corporate debt securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		5.32%	5.44%
Weighted Average Yield		5.21%	5.21%
Weighted average life		4 years 1 month 20 days	4 years 10 months 24 days
Short | U.S. Treasury securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ (14,000)	$ (63,140)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(273)	381
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(14,273)	(62,759)
Gross Unrealized Gains		0	63
Gross Unrealized Losses		(37)	(298)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (14,310)	$ (62,994)
Short | U.S. Treasury securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.63%	1.76%
Weighted Average Yield		0.41%	1.87%
Weighted average life		6 years 2 months 15 days	6 years 1 month 9 days
Short | European sovereign bonds
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ (36,280)	$ (9,759)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		1,622	133
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(34,658)	(9,626)
Gross Unrealized Gains		0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2,064)	(318)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (36,722)	$ (9,944)
Short | European sovereign bonds | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.22%	0.77%
Weighted Average Yield		0.06%	0.12%
Weighted average life		3 years 4 months 9 days	1 year 6 months 29 days

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Securities (Maturities of Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
Amortized Cost		$ 1,430,336	$ 2,342,369
Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.98%	4.23%
Long
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
Amortized Cost		$ 1,479,723	$ 2,415,210
Long | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.86%	4.15%
Long | Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 868,150	$ 1,901,684
Amortized Cost		$ 835,904	$ 1,886,235
Long | Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.99%	4.02%
Long | Agency RMBS | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 150,492	$ 188,593
Amortized Cost		$ 146,624	$ 187,099
Long | Agency RMBS | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.26%	3.39%
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 706,422	$ 961,839
Amortized Cost		$ 678,227	$ 953,031
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.95%	4.25%
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 11,236	$ 713,862
Amortized Cost		$ 11,053	$ 708,805
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.01%	3.89%
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 0	$ 37,390
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 37,300
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	3.51%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 51,705	$ 35,279
Amortized Cost		$ 47,507	$ 34,044
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.47%	2.81%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 8,893	$ 9,011
Amortized Cost		$ 8,267	$ 8,611
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.90%	3.35%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 39,604	$ 25,334
Amortized Cost		$ 36,038	$ 24,512
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.63%	2.66%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 1,048	$ 934
Amortized Cost		$ 1,049	$ 921
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.28%	1.90%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 2,160	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 2,153	$ 0
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.78%	0.00%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 307,803	$ 283,102
Amortized Cost		$ 326,778	$ 269,124
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.93%	3.37%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 80,873	$ 50,120
Amortized Cost		$ 77,739	$ 48,213
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.67%	2.73%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 106,561	$ 87,436
Amortized Cost		$ 102,374	$ 79,326
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.38%	4.42%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 96,327	$ 127,533
Amortized Cost		$ 119,267	$ 123,924
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.48%	3.31%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 24,042	$ 18,013
Amortized Cost		$ 27,398	$ 17,661
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.04%	0.81%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 209,550	$ 163,136
Amortized Cost		$ 205,021	$ 151,668
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.16%	3.41%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 9,949	$ 8,316
Amortized Cost		$ 8,367	$ 6,517
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.17%	1.10%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 4,079	$ 439
Amortized Cost		$ 2,685	$ 401
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.55%	1.37%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 5,870	$ 7,877
Amortized Cost		$ 5,682	$ 6,116
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.47%	1.08%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 212,799	$ 220,166
Amortized Cost		$ 259,563	$ 218,048
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.84%	6.60%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 61,222	$ 54,446
Amortized Cost		$ 63,694	$ 54,090
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		9.43%	11.11%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 150,175	$ 157,384
Amortized Cost		$ 193,955	$ 155,651
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.38%	5.38%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 1,402	$ 8,336
Amortized Cost		$ 1,914	$ 8,307
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Securities (Summary of Investment Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Interest Income	$ 43,075	$ 39,985	$ 134,463	$ 114,548
Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	14,117	16,026	47,632	42,681
Net Amortization	(7,454)	(6,290)	(25,516)	(15,883)
Interest Income	6,663	9,736	22,116	26,798
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	3,311	3,383	10,995	10,514
Net Amortization	1,911	430	4,001	1,666
Interest Income	5,222	3,813	14,996	12,180
CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	2,256	3,480	11,662	11,391
Net Amortization	2,179	(627)	1,543	(1,138)
Interest Income	4,435	2,853	13,205	10,253
Other Securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	2,970	1,670	8,992	4,706
Net Amortization	(1,435)	(611)	(3,584)	(1,528)
Interest Income	1,535	1,059	5,408	3,178
Securities Investment [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	22,654	24,559	79,281	69,292
Net Amortization	(4,799)	(7,098)	(23,556)	(16,883)
Interest Income	$ 17,855	$ 17,461	$ 55,725	$ 52,409

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Investment in Securities (Proceeds, Realized Gains (Losses) on Sales) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities Realizes Losses - Write offs	$ (2,500)		$ (16,300)
Proceeds	40,462	$ 488,128	1,765,704	$ 1,544,862
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	4,509	15,467	29,458	20,280
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(553)	(568)	(10,506)	(7,807)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	3,956	14,899	18,952	12,473
OTTI charge on securities		10,100		16,100
Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	10,675	331,572	1,438,469	719,082
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	2,467	4,511	15,982	6,954
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(564)	(34)	(3,369)	(1,950)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	1,903	4,477	12,613	5,004
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	17,926	16,496	116,349	165,180
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	1,669	9,606	11,081	11,356
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(171)	(341)	(3,880)	(3,835)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	1,498	9,265	7,201	7,521
CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	0	2,060	41,714	58,157
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	0	1,287	1,122	1,169
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	256	27	(2,928)	(816)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	256	1,314	(1,806)	353
Other Securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	11,861	138,000	169,172	602,443
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	373	63	1,273	801
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(74)	(220)	(329)	(1,206)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	$ 299	$ (157)	$ 944	$ (405)

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Investment in Securities (Unrealized Loss Positions Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	$ 168,024	$ 471,379
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(12,733)	(5,146)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	3,600	162,938
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(196)	(3,861)
Fair Value, Total	171,624	634,317
Unrealized Loss, Total	(12,929)	(9,007)
Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	138,286	328,968
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(673)	(1,503)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	1,881	125,095
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(112)	(1,999)
Fair Value, Total	140,167	454,063
Unrealized Loss, Total	(785)	(3,502)
Non-Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	18,887	88,495
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(1,560)	(880)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	1,665	27,218
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(84)	(699)
Fair Value, Total	20,552	115,713
Unrealized Loss, Total	(1,644)	(1,579)
CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	10,204	37,354
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(10,069)	(1,911)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	54	9,245
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	0	(1,103)
Fair Value, Total	10,258	46,599
Unrealized Loss, Total	(10,069)	(3,014)
Other Securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	647	16,562
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(431)	(852)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	0	1,380
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	0	(60)
Fair Value, Total	647	17,942
Unrealized Loss, Total	$ (431)	$ (912)

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Investment in Securities (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	$ 86,297		$ 86,297		$ 9,638
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss	28,400		28,400
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Purchased with Credit Deterioration, Allowance for Credit Loss at Acquisition Date			4,000
Available-for-sale securities Realizes Losses - Write offs	(2,500)		(16,300)
Catch-up premium amortization adjustment	300	$ (1,500)	(4,400)	$ (2,900)
OTTI charge on securities		$ 10,100		$ 16,100
Long
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	$ 84,186		$ 84,186		$ 9,007

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Fair Value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		1,004,980	911,705
Fair Value		1,030,709	932,203
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		252,305	277,870
Fair Value		252,231	274,759
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		150,062	179,743
Fair Value		152,609	186,954
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		7,063	18,415
Fair Value		$ 7,063	$ 18,510

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		252,305	277,870
Loans, at fair value		252,231	274,759
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,004,980	911,705
Loans, at fair value		1,030,709	932,203
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		150,062	179,743
Loans, at fair value		152,609	186,954
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		23,800	10,700
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		23,750	28,936
Loans, at fair value		23,671	26,545
Non-accrual status [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		67,121	22,092
Loans, at fair value		64,414	19,401
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,284	5,633
Loans, at fair value		$ 1,131	$ 5,225

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(202,583)	(150,821)
Fair Value	[1]	$ 1,442,612	$ 1,412,426
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.98%	4.23%
Weighted Average Yield		4.89%	4.01%
Weighted average life		4 years 4 months 17 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,004,980	$ 911,705
Fair Value		1,030,709	932,203
Consolidated securitization trusts [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gains		17,500
Losses		200
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		996,429	911,705
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		8,676	9,354
Amortized Cost		1,005,105	921,059
Gains		21,504	13,082
Losses		(4,355)	(1,938)
Fair Value		$ 1,022,254	$ 932,203
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		6.23%	6.44%
Weighted Average Yield		5.15%	5.79%
Weighted average life		1 year 7 months 28 days	1 year 10 months 24 days
Non-QM loan securitization | Residential mortgage loans | Consolidated Entities [Member] | Securitized loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair Value		$ 760,420	$ 628,415

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Geographic Distribution) (Details) - Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] - Residential mortgage loans - Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	100.00%	100.00%
CALIFORNIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	44.00%	46.60%
Florida [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	13.80%	11.90%
Texas [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	10.40%	11.90%
Colorado [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.80%	3.20%
MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.60%	2.90%
MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.60%	1.60%
NEVADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.70%	1.60%
OREGON
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.40%	2.20%
ARIZONA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.90%	2.40%
UTAH
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.90%	1.90%
Maryland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.30%	1.30%
CONNECTICUT
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.00%	0.00%
MARYLAND
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.00%	1.10%
NORTH CAROLINA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.20%	0.00%
NEW JERSEY
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.80%	1.10%
ILLINOIS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.80%	1.70%
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	7.70%	8.60%
GEORGIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.10%	0.00%

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Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,004,980	911,705
Loans, at fair value		1,030,709	932,203
Residential mortgage loans | Performing Financial Instruments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		23,002	27,663
Loans, at fair value		21,572	25,323
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		64,710	17,757
Loans, at fair value		$ 62,343	$ 15,580

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) loan	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) loan	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) loan
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410		$ 1,414,410		$ 1,387,733
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612		1,442,612		1,412,426
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Impairment Losses, Recognized in Earnings			$ 300		$ 700
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		11,100		11,100		10,900
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,004,980		1,004,980		911,705
Loans, at fair value		1,030,709		1,030,709		932,203
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		64,710		64,710		17,757
Loans, at fair value		62,343		62,343		15,580
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Losses		(487)		(487)		(62)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		400		400
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount						$ 16,000
Number of mortgage loans in process of foreclosure						2
Unpaid Principal Balance		252,305		252,305		$ 277,870
Loans, at fair value		$ 252,231		$ 252,231		$ 274,759
Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of loans | loan		2		2		3
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 23,800		$ 23,800		$ 28,900
Loans, at fair value		23,700		23,700		26,500
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Losses		(6,230)		(6,230)		(377)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss				4,700
Delinquent loans, charged off		3,900	4,900	13,900	13,900
Fair value of charged-off loans		600		600		600
Impairment Losses, Recognized in Earnings			$ 1,100		$ 4,600
Unpaid Principal Balance		150,062		150,062		179,743
Loans, at fair value		152,609		152,609		186,954
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		7,063		7,063		18,415
Loans, at fair value		7,063		7,063		18,510
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Losses		(4,355)		(4,355)		(1,938)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		2,600		2,600
Financing Receivable, Purchased with Credit Deterioration, Allowance for Credit Loss at Acquisition Date				400
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		51		(500)
Unpaid Principal Balance		996,429		996,429		911,705
Loans, at fair value		1,022,254		1,022,254		$ 932,203
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ 100		$ 100

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Commercial Mortgage Loans) (Details) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(202,583)	(150,821)
Loans, at fair value	[1]	$ 1,442,612	$ 1,412,426
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.98%	4.23%
Weighted Average Yield		4.89%	4.01%
Weighted average life		4 years 4 months 17 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 252,305	$ 277,870
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(122)	(3,302)
Amortized Cost		252,183	274,568
Gains		535	253
Losses		(487)	(62)
Loans, at fair value		$ 252,231	$ 274,759
Number of mortgage loans in process of foreclosure			2
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount			$ 16,000
Commercial mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		8.25%	7.65%
Weighted Average Yield		8.14%	8.58%
Weighted average life		9 months 7 days	1 year 25 days
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		$ 23,800	$ 10,700

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Commercial Loans: Geographic Distribution) (Details) - Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] - Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] - Commercial mortgage loans	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	100.00%	100.00%
Florida [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	31.70%	17.60%
NEW YORK
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	17.70%	16.50%
NEW JERSEY
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	0.00%	11.50%
Virginia [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	6.80%	3.60%
CONNECTICUT
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	8.20%	9.30%
MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	13.30%	4.90%
NORTH CAROLINA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	4.60%	6.60%
CALIFORNIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	0.00%	5.70%
MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	4.70%	5.20%
ARIZONA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	3.80%	3.70%
Indiana [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.10%	2.40%
PENNSYLVANIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.80%	2.00%
NEVADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.50%	1.60%
Tennessee [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.50%	1.60%
ILLINOIS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.20%	1.30%
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.10%	0.40%
OHIO
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	0.00%	6.10%

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Consumer Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance			$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Unamortized Premium (Discount)			(202,583)	(150,821)
Loans, at fair value	[1]		$ 1,442,612	$ 1,412,426
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life			4 years 4 months 17 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair value of charged-off loans			$ 600	$ 600
Unpaid Principal Balance			150,062	179,743
Unamortized Premium (Discount)			7,347	5,027
Amortized Cost			157,409	184,770
Gains			1,430	2,561
Losses			(6,230)	(377)
Loans, at fair value			$ 152,609	$ 186,954
Consumer loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life		9 months 25 days	10 months 17 days
Delinquency (Days)			4 days	4 days

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investment in Loans (Schedule of Consumer Loans: Delinquency Status) (Details) - Consumer loans	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	100.00%	100.00%
Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	96.20%	95.30%
30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	1.60%	2.10%
60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	1.10%	1.40%
90-119 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	0.80%	1.20%
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 120 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	0.30%	0.00%

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Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Corporate Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		7,063	18,415
Loans, at fair value		$ 7,063	$ 18,510
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.98%	4.23%
Weighted average life		4 years 4 months 17 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted Average | Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		19.43%	17.62%
Weighted average life		1 year 11 months 23 days	10 months 13 days

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 95,803		$ 95,803		$ 71,850
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		11,443	$ 2,796	10,590	$ 6,947
Mortgage loan originator [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		8,900	$ 2,100	13,200	$ 600
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 37,100		$ 37,100		$ 28,500

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Schedule of Ownership of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Mortgage loan originator [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	$ 4,827	$ 6,957	$ 10,030	$ 14,486
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	$ 15,962	$ 4,739	$ 28,901	$ 3,074
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.70%		49.70%		49.70%
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.90%		49.90%		49.90%
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	15.00%		15.00%
Jepson Holdings Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.10%		30.10%		30.10%
Elizon AFG 2018-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	22.10%		22.10%		13.40%
Effective Ownership Percentage	61.70%		61.70%		70.40%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	8.50%		8.50%		3.50%
Effective Ownership Percentage	53.10%		53.10%		48.70%
Minimum | Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.40%		7.40%		7.70%
Maximum | Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	51.00%		51.00%		51.00%

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Real Estate Owned (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Real Estate Owned, Disclosure of Detailed Components [Abstract]
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Disposals, Number Of Properties | property	1	7	8	11
Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties	$ (18)	$ 1,200	$ 100	$ 1,200
REO, fair value	$ 18,400		$ 18,400		$ 19,400

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Real Estate Owned Schedule of Real Estate Owned Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property
Number of Properties
Beginning Balance | property	13	20	15	20
Transfers from mortgage loans | property	4	1	9	5
Disposals | property	(1)	(7)	(8)	(11)
Ending Balance | property	16	14	16	14
Carrying Value
Beginning Balance	$ 24,044	$ 47,621	$ 30,584	$ 30,778
Transfers from mortgage loans	676	601	2,198	18,314
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost	27	0	153	240
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value	147	6	(813)	(257)
Disposals	(100)	(3,805)	(7,328)	(4,652)
Ending Balance	$ 24,794	$ 44,423	$ 24,794	$ 44,423

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To Be Announced RMBS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
To Be Announced Securities [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(51,493)	(73,409)
Payable for securities purchased relating to unsettled TBA purchases	[1]	0	(66,133)
Net short TBA securities, at fair value		$ (1,399,927)	$ (2,376,532)

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Financial Derivatives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 27,864	$ 16,788
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(34,814)	(27,621)
Total	(6,950)	(10,833)
TBA Securities, Purchase Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	394	90
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(156)	0
TBA Securities, Sale Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	756	506
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(130)	(1,012)
Interest rate swaps | Short
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	5	3,914
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(29,712)	(8,513)
Interest rate swaps | Long
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	13,785	1,554
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(62)	(206)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	351	993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	9,722	3,319
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(142)	(250)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	39	2
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(580)	(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2,419	5,599
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(3,572)	(14,524)
Total return swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	105	620
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(88)	(1,209)
Futures
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	1	148
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(331)	(45)
Futures | Short
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total	(330)	103
Forwards
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	256	43
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(41)	(169)
Warrants
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 31	$ 0

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Financial Derivatives (Interest Rate Swaps) (Details) - Interest rate swaps - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 438,560	$ 305,723
Fair Value	13,723	1,348
Long | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	12,950	181,950
Fair Value	201	(49)
Long | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	87,683	53,974
Fair Value	1,514	441
Long | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	48,657	48,657
Fair Value	2,234	709
Long | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	86,342	11,342
Fair Value	5,262	306
Long | 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	39,685
Fair Value	226
Long | 2027 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	25,108
Fair Value	343
Long | 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	9,800	9,800
Fair Value	1,030	$ (59)
Long | 2030 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	128,335
Fair Value	$ 2,913
Long | Weighted Average
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.25%	1.78%
Receive Rate	0.25%	1.91%
Remaining Years to Maturity	5 years 1 month 24 days	2 years 5 months 19 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.75%	1.67%
Receive Rate	0.23%	1.89%
Remaining Years to Maturity	11 months 15 days	1 year 10 months 2 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.33%	1.85%
Receive Rate	0.26%	1.91%
Remaining Years to Maturity	1 year 5 months 12 days	2 years 2 months 1 day
Long | Weighted Average | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	2.00%	2.00%
Receive Rate	0.23%	1.92%
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 6 months 3 days	3 years 3 months 3 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.65%	2.33%
Receive Rate	0.26%	2.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 years 11 months 26 days	4 years 2 months 23 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.44%
Receive Rate	0.24%
Remaining Years to Maturity	4 years 7 months 28 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2027 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.63%
Receive Rate	0.30%
Remaining Years to Maturity	6 years 6 months
Long | Weighted Average | 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.78%	1.78%
Receive Rate	0.24%	1.91%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 7 days	9 years 9 months 7 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2030 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.90%
Receive Rate	0.25%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 5 months 19 days
Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 587,986	$ 732,961
Fair Value	(29,707)	(4,599)
Short | 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	17,500	68,607
Fair Value	(223)	(234)
Short | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	129,975	268,929
Fair Value	(1,952)	(419)
Short | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	146,012	31,350
Fair Value	(5,052)	9
Short | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	31,500	101,012
Fair Value	(902)	(1,265)
Short | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		13,000
Fair Value		99
Short | 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	28,104	12,800
Fair Value	(1,463)	(24)
Short | 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	34,000	59,902
Fair Value	(89)	1,946
Short | 2028 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	32,942	32,942
Fair Value	(4,721)	(1,634)
Short | 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	92,594	136,838
Fair Value	(9,789)	(2,018)
Short | 2030 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	68,463	685
Fair Value	(2,781)	(32)
Short | 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,100	1,100
Fair Value	(84)	87
Short | 2049 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	5,796	5,796
Fair Value	$ (2,651)	$ (1,114)
Short | Weighted Average
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.43%	1.83%
Receive Rate	0.25%	1.94%
Remaining Years to Maturity	5 years 1 month 24 days	4 years 3 months 21 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	2.75%	1.74%
Receive Rate	0.23%	1.93%
Remaining Years to Maturity	5 months 19 days	2 months 26 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.21%	1.73%
Receive Rate	0.26%	1.95%
Remaining Years to Maturity	1 year 4 months 24 days	1 year 7 months 20 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.50%	1.65%
Receive Rate	0.24%	1.93%
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 8 months 1 day	2 years 1 month 20 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.95%	2.06%
Receive Rate	0.25%	1.91%
Remaining Years to Maturity	4 years 7 months 9 days	3 years 3 months 14 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate		1.56%
Receive Rate		1.89%
Remaining Years to Maturity		4 years 10 months 24 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.25%
Receive Rate	0.22%
Remaining Years to Maturity	5 years 8 months 26 days	5 years 2 months 19 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.49%	1.24%
Receive Rate	0.22%	1.94%
Remaining Years to Maturity	6 years 8 months 23 days	6 years 6 months
Short | Weighted Average | 2028 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	2.40%	2.40%
Receive Rate	0.23%	1.93%
Remaining Years to Maturity	7 years 7 months 2 days	8 years 4 months 2 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.78%	2.02%
Receive Rate	0.25%	1.96%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 14 days	9 years 7 months 9 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2030 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.10%	2.38%
Receive Rate	0.25%	1.90%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 5 months 8 days	10 years 10 months 24 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.45%	1.45%
Receive Rate	0.22%	1.94%
Remaining Years to Maturity	15 years 4 months 20 days	16 years 1 month 20 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2049 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	2.89%	2.89%
Receive Rate	0.30%	2.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	28 years 3 months 10 days	29 years 10 days
Forward-starting interest rate swap [Member] | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 20,900
Fair Value		$ (41)
Derivative fixed interest rate including forward-starting swaps		1.83%

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Financial Derivatives (Credit Default Swaps) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		$ 27,864	$ 16,788
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(34,814)	(27,621)
Fair Value		6,950	10,833
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		9,722	3,319
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(142)	(250)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(416)	(695)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		6	10
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(30,668)	(63,515)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		9,716	3,309
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(480)	(344)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(142)	(145)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(1)	(4,501)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	(105)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		351	993
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(955)	(2,640)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		351	993
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		39	2
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(580)	(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(1,600)	(430)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		39	2
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(12,200)	(10,800)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(580)	(1,693)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,419	5,599
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(3,572)	(14,524)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(69,381)	(130,707)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		1,913	5,547
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(10,036)	(1,997)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		506	52
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(126,983)	(250,088)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(3,572)	(14,524)
Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(108,966)	(201,365)
Fair Value		$ (8,237)	$ 6,554
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		17 years 3 months	23 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		37 years 8 months 15 days	38 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		32 years 7 months 9 days	29 years 4 months 6 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		29 years 3 months	40 years 3 months 21 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		14 years 11 months 12 days	15 years 7 months 17 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		0 days	5 months 19 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	0 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		3 years 8 months 15 days	3 years 11 months 1 day
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		2 years 8 months 15 days	2 years 5 months 1 day
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		1 year 7 months 20 days	3 years 11 months 19 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	0 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		2 years 25 days	2 years 6 months 3 days
Weighted Average | Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity		11 years 8 months 15 days	14 years 10 months 17 days

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Financial Derivatives (Futures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value		$ (6,950)	$ (10,833)
Short | Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		(164,000)	(30,000)
Fair Value		$ (330)	103
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 months 10 days	3 months
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short | U.S. Treasury futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ (165,600)	(16,000)
Fair Value		$ (300)	148
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 months 23 days	3 months
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short | Eurodollar futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 0	(14,000)
Fair Value		$ 0	(45)
Remaining Years to Maturity	4 months 2 days	0 years
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long | U.S. Treasury futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 1,900	0
Fair Value		$ (31)	0
Remaining Years to Maturity	0 years	2 months 23 days
Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short | U.S. Treasury futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ (300)	0
Fair Value		$ 1	$ 0
Remaining Years to Maturity	0 years	2 months 23 days

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Financial Derivatives (TBAs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 27,864	$ 16,788
Derivative Liability	34,814	27,621
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(6,950)	(10,833)
TBA securities
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(319,677)	(1,053,630)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(344,166)	(1,098,063)
Market Value Underlying	(343,302)	(1,098,479)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	864	(416)
TBA securities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(168,890)	(40,100)
Derivative, Cost Basis	175,252	40,585
Market Value Underlying	175,490	40,675
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	238	90
TBA securities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(488,567)	(1,093,730)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(519,418)	(1,138,648)
Market Value Underlying	(518,792)	(1,139,154)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	626	(506)
Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(100,890)	(40,100)
Derivative, Cost Basis	103,882	40,585
Market Value Underlying	104,276	40,675
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	394	90
Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(401,722)	(319,981)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(428,049)	(332,080)
Market Value Underlying	(427,293)	(331,574)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	756	506
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	68,000	0
Derivative, Cost Basis	71,370	0
Market Value Underlying	71,214	0
Derivative Liability	(156)	0
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(86,845)	(773,749)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(91,369)	(806,568)
Market Value Underlying	(91,499)	(807,580)
Derivative Liability	$ (130)	$ (1,012)

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Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivative Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	$ (1,150)	$ 82	$ (1,900)	$ 852
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(485)	(9,425)	(23,790)	(32,655)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1,635)	(9,343)	(25,690)	(31,803)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	516	171	541	(60)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(794)	1,318	(2,611)	(9,068)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(278)	1,489	(2,070)	(9,128)
Derivative [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency transactions	(15)	17	12	47
Foreign currency translation	20	16	39	8
Interest rate swaps | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(1,150)	82	(1,900)	852
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(29)	34	(8,761)	(1,117)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1,179)	116	(10,661)	(265)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	516	171	541	(60)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	1,104	(2,598)	(16,373)	(11,915)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	1,620	(2,427)	(15,832)	(11,975)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	1	16	(955)	419
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	1	16	(955)	419
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(1)	(12)	915	(394)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1)	(12)	915	(394)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(239)	(261)	3,660	(1,245)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(239)	(261)	3,660	(1,245)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	503	(81)	7,642	(832)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	503	(81)	7,642	(832)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(1,067)	(1,113)	(550)	(4,387)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1,067)	(1,113)	(550)	(4,387)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(1,059)	909	3,080	(1,026)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(1,059)	909	3,080	(1,026)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(93)	(259)	356	(764)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(93)	(259)	356	(764)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(334)	268	711	1,110
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(334)	268	711	1,110
Total return swaps | Equity Market/Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(125)	251	(2,180)	(1,046)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(125)	251	(2,180)	(1,046)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(348)	(716)	607	(681)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(348)	(716)	607	(681)
TBA securities | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	2,367	(5,067)	(6,778)	(17,183)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	2,367	(5,067)	(6,778)	(17,183)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(744)	1,542	1,280	3,680
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(744)	1,542	1,280	3,680
Futures | Interest Rate/Currency Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(402)	(3,551)	(7,866)	(8,365)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(402)	(3,551)	(7,866)	(8,365)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	52	1,627	(434)	761
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	52	1,627	(434)	761
Forwards | Currency risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(898)	525	(616)	1,068
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(898)	525	(616)	1,068
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	33	379	343	228
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	$ 33	$ 379	343	228
Warrants | Equity Market/Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps			0
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net			0
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps			(382)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net			(382)
Options | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps				(35)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net				(35)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps				1
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net				$ 1
Options | Credit [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps			(100)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net			(100)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps			0
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net			$ 0

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Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Derivative Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	$ 1,078,808	$ 731,941
TBA securities
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	732,048	973,331
Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	290,822	399,316
Total return swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	7,819	39,434
Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	143,440	167,708
Options
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	1,950	19,825
Forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	36,935	30,930
Warrants
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	$ 1,543	$ 2,222

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Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Credit Derivatives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 1,816	$ 5,414
Notional value	71,877	132,176
Credit Default Swap, Buying Protection [Member]
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Fair Value of Purchased Credit Derivatives Offsetting Written Credit Derivatives	0	(3,248)
Notional value of purchased credit derivatives offsetting written credit derivatives	$ 0	$ (81,637)

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Financial Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Written credit derivative spread threshold		20.00%	20.00%
Upfront points on written credit derivative in excess of threshold			57.0
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit risk derivative in excess of threshold, at fair value, net		$ (0.1)	$ (0.1)
Total net up-front payments received	$ (3.3)	$ (2.1)
Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Spread on written credit derivatives		10.01%	1.09%
Upfront points on written credit derivative in excess of threshold		57.0
Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Spread on written credit derivatives		100.11%	44.00%
Upfront points on written credit derivative in excess of threshold		85.2

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Financial Derivatives Schedule of Options Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 27,864	$ 16,788
Put Option [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	15 days

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Financial Derivatives Schedule of Warrant Contracts (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 27,864	$ 16,788
Warrants
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Shares Underlying Warrant Contracts	1,546	1,515
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 31	$ 0
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 29 days	2 years 9 months 25 days

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Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 126,783			$ 72,302
Restricted cash	[1]	175			175
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	1,451,420			2,449,941
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612			1,412,426
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	95,803			71,850
Real estate owned	[1]	24,794			30,584
Due from brokers	[1]	63,991			79,829
Investment related receivables	[1]	67,540			123,120
Other assets	[1]	2,850			7,563
Total Assets		3,350,873			4,338,217
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,439,984			2,445,300
Investment related payables	[1]	0			66,133
Other secured borrowings	[1]	142,674			150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	695,516			594,396
Interest payable	[1]	2,074			7,320
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	11,119			7,753
Total Liabilities		2,478,596			3,469,518
Total Stockholders' Equity		835,130			829,265
Non-controlling interests	[1]	37,147			39,434
Total Equity		872,277	$ 837,679	$ 809,481	868,699	$ 668,967	$ 593,114	$ 592,434	$ 595,170
Total Liabilities and Equity		3,350,873			4,338,217
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		1,152			6,016
Restricted cash		175			175
Securities, at fair value(1)		46,857			47,923
Loans, at fair value		1,423,035			1,393,916
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		6,289			5,641
Real estate owned		24,794			30,584
Investment related receivables		43,542			28,668
Other assets		2,250			6,191
Total Assets		1,548,094			1,519,114
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		260,310			302,791
Investment related payables		0			3,275
Other secured borrowings		142,674			150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		695,516			594,396
Interest payable		402			1,247
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,301			2,279
Total Liabilities		1,100,203			1,054,322
Total Stockholders' Equity		422,217			440,394
Non-controlling interests		25,674			24,400
Total Equity		447,891			464,794
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 1,548,094			$ 1,519,116

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Securitization Transactions Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
Participation in Multi-Seller Consumer Loan Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Company's current percentage ownership of jointly owned entity			51.00%
CLOs | Related Party CLO securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 13,800	$ 39,700
Non-QM loan securitization
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Threshold for exercising Optional Redemption		30.00%
Percentage used to calculate servicing administrator fee		0.03%

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Securitization Transactions (Schedule of CLO Securitization Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
CLOs | Related Party CLO securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 13,800	$ 39,700

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Securitization Transactions (Schedule of Residential Loan Securitizations) (Details) - Non-QM loan securitization $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
November 2018 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	$ 232,518
Economic interest retained	5.70%
Purchase of certificates	$ 1,300
June 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	$ 226,913
Economic interest retained	6.10%
Purchase of certificates	$ 1,200
November 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	$ 267,255
Economic interest retained	6.40%
Purchase of certificates	$ 1,700
June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	259,273
Purchase of certificates	1,900
The Company [Member] | November 2018 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	232,518
The Company [Member] | June 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	226,913
The Company [Member] | November 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	267,255
The Company [Member] | June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	$ 259,273
Retained, non-risk retention [Member] | June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Economic interest retained	3.50%
Retained, risk retention rules [Member] | June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Economic interest retained	8.00%

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Securitization Transactions (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Attributable to Consolidated VIEs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 126,783	$ 72,302
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Real estate owned	[1]	24,794	30,584
Investment related receivables	[1]	67,540	123,120
Interest payable	[1]	2,074	7,320
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	695,516	594,396
Non-QM loan securitization | Consolidated Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment related receivables		5,793	10,409
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		695,516	594,396
Residential mortgage loans
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,030,709	932,203
Securitized loans [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Non-QM loan securitization | Consolidated Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		760,420	628,415
Real estate owned		$ 658	$ 658

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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(Schedule of Reverse Repurchase Agreements by Maturity) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) counterparty	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) counterparty
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	[1]		$ 1,439,984	$ 2,445,300
Number of Counterparties with Outstanding Reverse Repurchase Agreements | counterparty			24	28
Total secured borrowings			$ 2,300,000	$ 3,200,000
Agency RMBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			883,786	1,864,473
Agency RMBS | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			241,423	511,996
Agency RMBS | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			418,573	744,387
Agency RMBS | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			107,446	594,738
Agency RMBS | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			5,675	10,270
Agency RMBS | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			17,237	3,082
Agency RMBS | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			93,432	0
Credit
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			556,198	580,827
Credit | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			40,785	16,549
Credit | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			98,068	104,491
Credit | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			113,027	138,837
Credit | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			154,379	0
Credit | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			6,015	7,460
Credit | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			13,750	31,498
Credit | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			81,933	186,661
Credit | Total Credit Assets
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements			$ 48,241	$ 95,331
Minimum
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.22%	0.15%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		2 days	1 day
Maximum
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			5.24%	5.20%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		882 days	608 days
Weighted Average
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			1.37%	2.37%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			98 days	91 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.31%	1.98%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			69 days	48 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.31%	2.08%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			17 days	17 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.27%	1.93%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			44 days	47 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.45%	1.96%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			72 days	76 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			1.35%	2.24%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			99 days	93 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.29%	2.67%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			168 days	171 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			0.30%	0.00%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		0 days	287 days
Weighted Average | Credit
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			3.04%	3.61%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			145 days	229 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			2.14%	3.38%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			10 days	25 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			2.85%	3.14%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			45 days	48 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			2.54%	3.03%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			77 days	73 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			2.79%	0.00%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		0 days	106 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			3.29%	3.89%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			134 days	123 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			3.23%	3.87%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			167 days	173 days
Weighted Average | Credit | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			4.83%	3.80%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			228 days	250 days
Weighted Average | Credit | Total Credit Assets
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate			3.05%	4.52%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			608 days	678 days

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Borrowings (Details) $ in Thousands				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Feb. 13, 2019	Aug. 18, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) counterparty	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) counterparty
Borrowings [Line Items]
Total secured borrowings					$ 2,300,000	$ 3,200,000
Number of Counterparties with Outstanding Reverse Repurchase Agreements | counterparty					24	28
Financial Instruments transferred as collateral for repurchase agreements					$ 1,783,000	$ 2,763,000
Collateral on repurchase agreements, unsettled sales						64,700
Repurchase Agreements amount at risk threshold					10.00%
Other secured borrowings	[1]				$ 142,674	150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]				$ 695,516	$ 594,396
Minimum
Borrowings [Line Items]
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Maturity					30 days
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity				2 days	1 day
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate					0.22%	0.15%
Maximum
Borrowings [Line Items]
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Maturity					180 days
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity				882 days	608 days
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate					5.24%	5.20%
Reverse repurchase agreements
Borrowings [Line Items]
Cash collateral posted for securities sold under agreements to repurchase					$ 27,700	$ 31,000
Security Owned and Pledged as Collateral, Fair Value					28	200
Securitized residential mortgage loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings					761,100	629,100
Secured borrowing recourse facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings					$ 10,500	$ 16,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate					2.28%	3.85%
Secured borrowing recourse facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio | Unsecured loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings					$ 13,900	$ 22,300
Non-QM loan securitization
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings						$ 594,400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate					2.91%	3.19%
Secured borrowing facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings					$ 95,700	$ 102,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate					2.53%	4.01%
Secured borrowing facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio | Unsecured loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings					$ 132,400	$ 144,100
Secured borrowing facility collateralized by ABS backed by consumer loans [Member]
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings					$ 30,200	$ 31,800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate					5.20%	5.23%
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings					$ 46,900	$ 47,900
Commercial mortgage loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings					6,300
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings					$ 16,900
Senior Notes
Borrowings [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate					5.80%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 86,000
Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs			$ 84,700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.50%	5.25%
Redemption percentage		100.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Sep. 01, 2022

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Borrowings (Schedule of Debt Repayments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Expected principal repayments related to consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations	$ 734,300
Repurchase Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	1,391,743
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	48,241
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	1,439,984
Other Secured Borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	523,802
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	91,199
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	261,991
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	876,992
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	86,000
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	86,000
Total
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	1,915,545
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	225,440
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	261,991
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	$ 2,402,976

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Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 2,494	$ 2	$ 3,490	$ 378

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Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) numberOfWarrants period	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Annual base management fee percentage					1.50%
Base management fee to affiliate	[1]	$ 2,981	$ 1,942		$ 8,330	$ 5,324
Base management fee, gross		3,200	2,400		9,200	6,800
Management Fee Expense, Rebates		201	503	[1]	$ 853	1,458	[1]
Incentive fee rate					25.00%
Incentive Fee, Loss Carryforward		46,300			$ 46,300			$ 0
Incentive fee hurdle rate fixed					9.00%
Incentive fee hurdle rate floating					3.00%
Minimum percentage of incentive fee to be paid in share					10.00%
Termination Fee, Number Of Periods | period					2
Termination Fee, Period					12 months
Expense Reimbursement Period					60 days
Expense Reimbursement - Manager					$ 7,400	8,200
Real estate owned	[2]	24,794			24,794			30,584
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[2]	95,803			95,803			71,850
Securities, at fair value(1)	[2]	1,451,420			1,451,420			2,449,941
Non-controlling interests	[2]	37,147			37,147			39,434
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[2]	11,119			11,119			7,753
Reverse repurchase agreements		1,439,984			1,439,984			2,445,300
Other assets	[2]	2,850			2,850			7,563
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,414,410			1,414,410			1,387,733
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party			$ 6,800		1,600	6,800
Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair Value		33,600			33,600			29,500
Reverse repurchase agreements		135,900			135,900			174,400
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	[2]	2,400			2,400			2,000
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[2]							700
Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Warehouse facility, monetary amount		$ 5,000			$ 5,000
Interest rate		15.00%			15.00%
Advances made under warehouse facility		$ 0			$ 0			0
Loans purchased under commitment agreement					$ 150,000
Number of warrants purchased under commitment agreement | numberOfWarrants					9,329,000
Mortgage Originator | Warrants
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		2,800			$ 2,800
Related Party-Consumer Loans Titled in Name of Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of loans held in related party trust		46,900			46,900			47,900
Purchasing Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of loans held in related party trust		151,700			151,700			185,400
Consumer loans purchased through affiliate					84,700	$ 72,400
Estimated remaining contingent purchase obligations		77,100			77,100			287,100
Related party trust - Residential Mortgage Loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of loans held in related party trust		272,400			272,400			304,800
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Unrelated third party joint venture interest | Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		4,100			4,100			3,600
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Related party joint venture interest | Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		8,900			8,900			7,000
Mortgage-related Commercial | Corporate equity securities
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair Value		30,400			30,400			17,300
Jepson Holdings Limited
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		1,700			1,700			1,900
Corporate loan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		7,063			7,063			18,415
Corporate loan [Member] | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance								12,500
Long
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		1,451,420			1,451,420			2,449,941
Long | Non-Agency RMBS
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		209,550			209,550			163,136
Loan receivable from affiliated entity related to warehouse facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Other assets		5,400			5,400			8,100
Participation in multi-borrower financing facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Outstanding debt of related party		$ 258,000			258,000			$ 350,600
Maximum | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Commitment to purchase loans					$ 150,000
Number of warrants available for purchase under commitment agreement | numberOfWarrants					9,329,000
Note Purchase Agreement May 2019 [Member] | Corporate loan [Member] | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment Interest Rate		15.00%			15.00%
Note Purchase Agreement May 2019 [Member] | Maximum | Corporate loan [Member] | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note Agreement, Lending Amount Per Agreement		$ 5,000			$ 5,000
Note Purchase Agreement July 2019 [Member] | Corporate loan [Member] | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment Interest Rate		18.00%			18.00%
Note Purchase Agreement July 2019 [Member] | Maximum | Corporate loan [Member] | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note Agreement, Lending Amount Per Agreement		$ 5,000			$ 5,000
Note Purchase Agreement December 2019 [Member] | Maximum | Corporate loan [Member] | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note Agreement, Lending Amount Per Agreement		$ 2,500			$ 2,500

[1] See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.

[2] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 10, 2020	Mar. 04, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based long term incentive plan unit expense			$ 0.2	$ 0.1	$ 0.5	$ 0.3
Capital shares reserved for future issuance (in shares)			1,794,021		1,794,021		1,832,309
Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			3,638	3,610	3,638	3,610
Grants in Period (in shares)					69,227
Director [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)					22,840
Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
LTIP Unit Grants in Period (in units)	22,840	14,811
Manager [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			0	0	0	0
Vest December 13, 2020 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)					12,818
Vest December 11, 2020 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)					8,691
Vest December 13, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)					10,067
Non-controlling interest in Operating Partnership [Member] | Non-controlling Interest
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Operating Partnership LTIP Units Redeemed (in units)								503,988

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Long-Term Incentive Plan Units Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Unvested LTIP Units) (Details) - Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 shares
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	69,227
Director [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	22,840
Grant Date	Sep. 10, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Sep. 09, 2021
Vest December 13, 2020 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	12,818
Grant Date	Dec. 13, 2019
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 13, 2020
Vest December 13, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	10,067
Grant Date	Dec. 13, 2019
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 13, 2021
Vest December 11, 2020 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	8,691
Grant Date	Dec. 11, 2018
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 11, 2020
Vest December 31, 2020 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	4,977
Grant Date	Mar. 04, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 31, 2020
Vest December 31, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	9,834
Grant Date	Mar. 04, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 31, 2021

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Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Roll-Forward of Company's LTIP Units Outstanding) (Details) - Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding, beginning of period	560,527	521,371	545,716	521,371
Granted	22,840	14,552	37,651	14,552
Exercised	(3,638)	(3,610)	(3,638)	(3,610)
LTIP Units Outstanding, end of period	579,729	532,313	579,729	532,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding end of period	69,227	37,821	69,227	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding end of period	510,502	494,492	510,502	494,492
Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding, beginning of period	365,518	375,000	365,518	375,000
Granted	0	0	0	0
Exercised	0	0	0	0
LTIP Units Outstanding, end of period	365,518	375,000	365,518	375,000
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding end of period	0	0	0	0
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding end of period	365,518	375,000	365,518	375,000
Non-Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding, beginning of period	195,009	146,371	180,198	146,371
Granted	22,840	14,552	37,651	14,552
Exercised	(3,638)	(3,610)	(3,638)	(3,610)
LTIP Units Outstanding, end of period	214,211	157,313	214,211	157,313
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding end of period	69,227	37,821	69,227	37,821
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding end of period	144,984	119,492	144,984	119,492

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Non-controlling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Mar. 02, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests	[1]			$ 37,147	$ 39,434
Non-controlling interest in Operating Partnership [Member] | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Operating Partnership LTIP Units Redeemed (in units)						503,988
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests				$ 26,600	$ 25,900
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Operating Partnership Units, converted during period		(129,516)
Non-controlling interest in Operating Partnership [Member] | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Operating Partnership LTIP Units (in units)			545,716	579,729
Operating Partnership Units (in units)			177,925	48,409
Ownership Percentage				1.20%	1.60%
Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnerships				$ 10,400	$ 13,400

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		25 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 13, 2018
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued		4,600,000				4,600,000				4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			6.75%			6.75%
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,600,000				4,600,000				4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized		100,000,000				100,000,000				100,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share		$ 0.001				$ 0.001				$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 25.00				$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, Amount of Preferred Dividends in Arrears			$ 1,500			$ 1,300
Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Variable Rate Spread						5.196%
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)		100,000,000				100,000,000				100,000,000
Common shares		$ 0.001				$ 0.001				$ 0.001
Common stock, shares outstanding		43,781,684		33,774,386		43,781,684	33,774,386	43,779,924		38,647,943	29,745,776	29,796,601
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.27		$ 0.42		$ 0.97	$ 1.39
Dividends paid						$ (50,642)	$ (39,226)
Common shares issued and outstanding upon conversion of all convertible securities (in shares)		44,409,822				44,409,822				39,371,584
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)													1,550,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)		1,878		0		290,050	50,825	701,965
Average price per share (USD per share)		$ 11.00				$ 10.54	$ 15.39	$ 13.36
Total cost		$ (21)	$ (3,035)		$ (782)	$ (3,100)	$ (800)	$ (9,400)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	5,290,000	0		4,025,000		5,290,000	4,025,000
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net									$ 95,300
Over-Allotment Option [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	690,000
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units		3,638		3,610		133,154	3,610

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Equity (Summary of Common Stock Outstanding) (Details) - shares		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		25 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		43,779,924	29,745,776	38,647,943	29,796,601
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	5,290,000	0	4,025,000	5,290,000	4,025,000
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		0	0	637	0
Shares repurchased		(1,878)	0	(290,050)	(50,825)	(701,965)
Ending balance (in shares)		43,781,684	33,774,386	43,781,684	33,774,386	43,779,924
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units		3,638	3,610	133,154	3,610

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Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Net increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity resulting from operations
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 46,203	$ 17,293	$ (45,917)	$ 45,345
Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests	647	387	(916)	1,079
Net income (loss) related to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	46,850	17,680	(46,833)	46,424
Dividends Paid:
Dividends	(11,987)	(14,494)	(43,141)	(44,059)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings	$ 34,863	$ 3,186	$ (89,974)	$ 2,365
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	44,392,453	33,571,441	44,023,004	31,521,820
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Distributed (in usd per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.42	$ 0.97	$ 1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) (in usd per share)	0.79	0.11	(2.03)	0.08
Basic earnings per common share (in usd per share)	1.06	0.53	(1.06)	1.47
Diluted earnings per share of common stock:
Distributed (in usd per share)	0.27	0.42	0.97	1.39
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) (usd per share)	0.79	0.11	(2.03)	0.08
Diluted earnings per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.06	$ 0.53	$ (1.06)	$ 1.47
Net increase (decrease) in equity resulting from operations	$ 900	$ 1,000	$ 2,800	$ 2,400
Net increase (decrease) in equity resulting from operations	900	1,000	2,800	2,400
Common Stock
Dividends Paid:
Dividends	(11,821)	(14,185)	(42,514)	(43,038)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings	$ 34,382	$ 3,108	$ (88,431)	$ 2,307
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	43,779,134	32,835,652	43,387,168	30,787,634
Non-controlling Interest
Dividends Paid:
Dividends	$ (166)	$ (309)	$ (627)	$ (1,021)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings	$ 481	$ 78	$ (1,543)	$ 58
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	613,319	735,789	635,836	734,186

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(Schedule of Restricted Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement
Restricted Cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 0.2	$ 0.2

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Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 27,864	$ 16,788
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	(16,646)	(12,755)
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	(6,469)	(807)
Net Amount	4,749	3,226
Reverse repurchase agreements
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	47,041	73,639
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	(47,041)	(73,639)
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	0	0
Repurchase agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements	(1,439,984)	(2,445,300)
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	1,439,984	73,639
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	27,744	31,005
Net Amount	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(34,814)	(27,621)
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	16,646	12,755
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	18,088	12,233
Net Amount	(80)	(2,633)
Securities Collateral relating to Reverse Repurchase Agreements	1,800,000	2,800,000
Financial Derivatives - Assets
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Excess cash collateral	3,100	4,300
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell [Member]
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Excess cash collateral	7,800	23,400
Reverse repurchase agreements
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	$ (27,744)	$ 2,340,656

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Counterparty Risk (Exposure to Counterparty Risk) (Details) - Counterparty Risk [Member] $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) counterparty	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) counterparty
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 126,783	$ 72,302
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	10	11
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	28.50%	42.20%
Collateral On Repurchase Agreements Held By Dealers [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 1,810,825	$ 2,793,696
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	24	28
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	18.60%	13.80%
Due From Broker [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 63,991	$ 79,829
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	22	24
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	35.40%	30.90%
Receivable For Securities Sold [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 5,086	$ 69,995
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	2	5
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	87.00%	62.30%

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Counterparty Risk (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Financial Instruments transferred as collateral for repurchase agreements		$ 1,783,000	$ 2,763,000
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 126,783	$ 72,302

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Counterparty Risk (Cash and Cash Equivalents) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	[1]	$ 126,783	$ 72,302

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related party mortgage originator (with flow mortgage loan purchase and sale agreement) [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Equity Investment in Mortgage Originators [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Maximum guarantees	$ 25.0
Drawn down amount being guaranteed	17.3	$ 0.4
Residential mortgage loans
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Unfunded commitment	3.2	5.2
Corporate loan [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Unfunded commitment	$ 1.5	$ 1.9

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Subsequent Events (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] - $ / shares	Nov. 02, 2020	Oct. 07, 2020
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (USD per share)	$ 0.10
Declared date	Nov. 02, 2020	Oct. 07, 2020
Payment Date	Dec. 28, 2020
Record Date	Nov. 30, 2020
Common Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (USD per share)		$ 0.09
Payment Date		Nov. 25, 2020
Record Date		Oct. 30, 2020
Preferred Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (USD per share)		$ 0.421875
Payment Date		Oct. 30, 2020
Record Date		Oct. 19, 2020