SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. When the Company has significant influence over operating and financial decisions for an entity but does not own a majority of the voting interests, the Company accounts for the investment using the equity method of accounting.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events—The Company has evaluated the effects of all events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2016. There have been no material events that would require recognition in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has made certain disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2016. No other material subsequent events have occurred that would require disclosure.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, including guaranty obligations, allowance for risk-sharing obligations, allowance for loan losses, capitalized mortgage servicing rights, derivative instruments, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may vary from these estimates.

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities and Mortgage Servicing Rights

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities and Mortgage Servicing Rights—Gains from mortgage banking activities income is recognized when the Company records a derivative asset upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. This commitment asset is recognized at fair value, which reflects the fair value of the contractual loan origination related fees and sale premiums, net of any co-broker fees, and the estimated fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of the estimated net future cash flows associated with any guaranty obligations retained. For loans the Company brokers, gains from mortgage banking activities are recognized when the loan is closed and represent the origination fee earned by the Company. The co-broker fees for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 were $35.8 million, $18.0 million, and $15.9 million, respectively.

Transfer of financial assets is reported as a sale when (a) the transferor surrenders control over those assets, (b) the transferred financial assets have been legally isolated from the Company’s creditors, (c) the transferred assets can be pledged or exchanged by the transferee, and (d) consideration other than beneficial interests in the transferred assets is received in exchange. The transferor is considered to have surrendered control over transferred assets if, and only if, certain conditions are met. The Company determined that all loans sold during the periods presented met these specific conditions and accounted for all transfers of loans held for sale as completed sales.

When a loan is sold, the Company retains the right to service the loan and initially recognizes an individual mortgage servicing right (“MSR”) for the loan sold at fair value. The initial capitalized amount is equal to the estimated fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loans, net of the expected net cash flows associated with any guaranty obligations. The following describes the principal assumptions used in estimated capitalized MSRs:

Discount rate—Depending upon loan type, the discount rate used is management's best estimate of market discount rates. The rates used for loans sold were 10% to 15% for each of the periods presented and varied based on loan type.

Estimated Life—The estimated life of the MSRs is derived based upon the stated yield maintenance and/or prepayment protection term of the underlying loan and may be reduced by 6 to 12 months based upon the expiration of various types of prepayment penalty and/or lockout provisions prior to that stated maturity date. The Company’s historical experience is that the prepayment provisions typically do not provide a significant deterrent to a borrower’s paying off the loan within 6 to 12 months of the expiration of the prepayment provisions.

Servicing Cost—The estimated future cost to service the loan for the estimated life of the MSR is subtracted from the estimated future cash flows.

The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of MSRs at loan sale are based on internal models and are compared to assumptions used by other market participants periodically. When such comparisons indicate that these assumptions have changed significantly, the Company adjusts its assumptions accordingly.

Subsequent to the initial measurement date, MSRs are amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received and presented as a component of Amortization and depreciation in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For MSRs recognized at loan sale, the individual loan-level MSR is written off through a charge to Amortization and depreciation when a loan prepays, defaults, or is probable of default. We evaluate MSRs for impairment quarterly. The Company tests for impairment on the purchased stand-alone servicing portfolio separately from the Company’s other MSRs. The MSRs from both stand-alone portfolio purchases and from loan sales are tested for impairment at the portfolio level. The Company engages a third party to assist in determining an estimated fair value of our existing and outstanding MSRs on at least a semi-annual basis.

The fair value of MSRs acquired through a stand-alone servicing portfolio purchase is equal to the purchase price paid. For purchased stand-alone servicing portfolios, we record a portfolio-level MSR asset and determine the estimated life of the portfolio based on the prepayment characteristics of the portfolio. We subsequently amortize such MSRs and test for impairment quarterly as discussed in more detail above.

For MSRs related to purchased stand-alone servicing portfolios, a constant rate of prepayments and defaults is included in the determination of the portfolio’s estimated life (and thus included as a component of the portfolio’s amortization). Accordingly, prepayments and defaults of individual MSRs do not change the level of amortization expense recorded for the portfolio unless the pattern of actual prepayments and defaults varies significantly from the estimated pattern. When such a significant difference in the pattern of estimated and actual prepayments and defaults occurs, we prospectively adjust the estimated life of the portfolio (and thus future amortization) to approximate the actual pattern observed.

Guaranty Obligation and Allowance for Risk-sharing Obligations

Guaranty Obligation and Allowance for Risk-sharing Obligations—When a loan is sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program, the Company undertakes an obligation to partially guarantee the performance of the loan. Upon loan sale, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guaranty is recognized and presented as Guaranty obligation, net of accumulated amortization. The recognized guaranty obligation is the greater of the fair value of the Company’s obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guaranty (the noncontingent guaranty) and the fair value of the Company’s obligation to make future payments should those triggering events or conditions occur (contingent guaranty).

Historically, the fair value of the contingent guaranty at inception has been de minimis; therefore, the fair value of the noncontingent guaranty has been recognized. In determining the fair value of the guaranty obligation, the Company considers the risk profile of the collateral, historical loss experience, and various market indicators. Generally, the estimated fair value of the guaranty obligation is based on the present value of the cash flows expected to be paid under the guaranty over the estimated life of the loan (historically three to five basis points per year) discounted using a 12-15 percent discount rate. The discount rate used is consistent with what is used for the calculation of the MSR for each loan. The estimated life of the guaranty obligation is the estimated period over which the Company believes it will be required to stand ready under the guaranty. Subsequent to the initial measurement date, the liability is amortized over the life of the guaranty period using the straight-line method as a component of and reduction to Amortization and depreciation in the Consolidated Statements of Income, unless, as discussed more fully below, the loan defaults or management determines that the loan’s risk profile is such that amortization should cease.

The Company monitors the performance of each risk-sharing loan for events or conditions which may signal a potential default. Our process for identifying which risk-sharing loans may be probable of loss consists of an assessment of several qualitative and quantitative factors including payment status, property financial performance, local real estate market conditions, loan-to-value ratio, debt-service-coverage ratio, and property condition. Historically, initial loss recognition occurs at or before a loan becomes 60 days delinquent. In instances where payment under the guaranty on a specific loan is determined to be probable and estimable (as the loan is probable of foreclosure or in foreclosure), the Company records a liability for the estimated allowance for risk-sharing (a “specific reserve”) through a charge to the provision for risk-sharing obligations, which is a component of Provision (benefit) for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, along with a write-off of the associated loan-specific MSR.

The amount of the allowance considers the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of repayment by the borrower or key principal(s), the risk characteristics of the loan, the loan’s risk rating, historical loss experience, adverse situations affecting individual loans, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral, and the level of risk sharing. The estimate of property fair value at initial recognition of the allowance for risk-sharing obligations is based on appraisals, broker opinions of value, or net operating income and market capitalization rates, depending on the facts and circumstances associated with the loan.We regularly monitor the specific reserves on all applicable loans and update loss estimates as current information is received. The settlement with Fannie Mae is based on the actual sales price of the property and selling and property preservation costs and considers the Fannie Mae loss-sharing requirements.

In addition to the specific reserves discussed above, the Company also records an allowance for risk-sharing obligations related to risk-sharing loans on its watch list (“general reserves”). Such loans are not probable of foreclosure but are probable of loss as the characteristics of these loans indicate that it is probable that these loans include some losses even though the loss cannot be attributed to a specific loan. For all other risk-sharing loans not on our watch list, the Company continues to carry a guaranty obligation. The Company calculates the general reserves based on a migration analysis of the loans on its historical watch lists, adjusted for qualitative factors. When the Company places a risk-sharing loan on its watch list, the Company ceases to amortize the guaranty obligation and transfers the remaining unamortized balance of the guaranty obligation to the general reserves. The Company recognizes a provision for risk-sharing obligations to the extent the calculated general reserve exceeds the remaining unamortized guaranty obligation. If a risk-sharing loan is subsequently removed from the watch list due to improved financial performance or other factors, the Company transfers the unamortized balance of the guaranty obligation back to the guaranty obligation classification on the balance sheet and amortizes the remaining unamortized balance evenly over the remaining estimated life.

For each loan for which we have a risk-sharing obligation, we record one of the following liabilities associated with that loan as discussed above: guaranty obligation, general reserve, or specific reserve. Although the liability type may change over the life of the loan, at any particular point in time, only one such liability is associated with a loan for which we have a risk-sharing obligation. The total of the specific reserves and general reserves is presented as Allowance for risk-sharing obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Loans Held for Investment, net

Loans Held for Investment, net—The Company offers an interim loan program for floating-rate, interest-only loans for terms of up to three years to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent GSE or HUD (collectively, the “Agencies”) financing (the “Interim Program”). These loans are classified as held for investment on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet during such time that they are outstanding. The loans are carried at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for net unamortized loan fees and costs, and net of any allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued based on the actual coupon rate, adjusted for the amortization of net deferred fees and costs, and is recognized as revenue when earned and deemed collectible. All loans held for investment are multifamily loans with similar risk characteristics with no geographic concentration.

The Company uses the interest method to determine an effective yield to amortize the loan fees and costs on real estate loans held for investment. All loans held for investment are floating-rate loans; therefore, the Company uses the initial coupon interest rate of the loans (without regard to future changes in the underlying indices) and anticipated principal payments, if any, to determine periodic amortization. As of December 31, 2016,  Loans held for investment, net consisted of 12 loans with an aggregate $222.3 million of unpaid principal balance less $1.5 million of net unamortized deferred fees and costs and $0.4 million of allowance for loan losses. As of December 31, 2015,  Loans held for investment, net consisted of 13 loans with an aggregate $233.4 million of unpaid principal balance less $1.1 million of net unamortized deferred fees and costs and $0.8 million of allowance for loan losses.

The Company will reclassify loans held for investment as loans held for sale if it determines that the loans will be sold or transferred to third parties. To date, the Company has not sold any of its loans held for investment.

The allowance for loan losses is the Company’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company has established a process to determine the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the losses inherent in the portfolio. That process includes assessing the credit quality of each of the loans held for investment by monitoring the financial condition of the borrower and the financial trends of the underlying property. The allowance levels are influenced by the aggregate outstanding principal balance, delinquency status, historic loss experience, and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as economic conditions.

The allowance for loan losses is estimated collectively for loans with similar characteristics and for which there is no evidence of impairment. The collective allowance is based on recent historical loss probability and historical loss rates incurred in our risk-sharing portfolio, adjusted as needed for current market conditions. We use the loss experience from our risk-sharing portfolio as a proxy for losses incurred in our loans held for investment portfolio since (i) we have not experienced any actual losses related to our loans held for investment to date and (ii) the loans in the loans-held-for-investment portfolio have similar characteristics to loans held in the risk-sharing portfolio. The allowance for loan losses recorded as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is based on the Company’s collective assessment of the portfolio.

Loans held for investment are placed on non-accrual status when full and timely collection of interest or principal is not probable. Loans held for investment are considered past due when contractually required principal or interest payments have not been made on the due dates and are charged off when the loan is considered uncollectible. The Company evaluates all loans held for investment for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when the Company believes that the facts and circumstances of the loan suggest that the Company will not be able to collect all contractually due principal and interest. Delinquency status and property financial condition are key components of the Company’s consideration of impairment status.

None of the loans held for investment was delinquent, impaired, or on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. Additionally, we have not experienced any delinquencies related to these loans or charged off any loan held for investment since the inception of the Interim Program in 2012.

Provision (Benefit) for Credit Losses

Provision (Benefit) for Credit Losses—The Company records the income statement impact of the changes in the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for risk-sharing obligations within Provision (benefit) for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Provision (benefit) for credit losses consisted of the following activity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:

(in thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Provision (benefit) for loan losses	$	(467)	$	(36)	$	423
Provision (benefit) for risk-sharing obligations		(145)		1,680		1,783
Provision (benefit) for credit losses	$	(612)	$	1,644	$	2,206

Business Combinations

Business Combinations—The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, under which the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities (both specific and contingent) assumed at their fair values at the acquisition date. Furthermore, acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are not capitalized or applied in determining the fair value of the acquired assets. The excess of the purchase price over the assets acquired, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. During the measurement period, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with corresponding adjustment to goodwill in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. After the measurement period, which could be up to one year after the transaction date, subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

Goodwill

Goodwill—The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually. In addition to the annual impairment evaluation, the Company evaluates at least quarterly whether events or circumstances have occurred in the period subsequent to the annual impairment testing which indicate that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has occurred. The Company currently has only one reporting unit; therefore, all goodwill is allocated to that one reporting unit. The Company performs its impairment testing annually as of October 1. The annual impairment analysis begins by comparing the Company’s market capitalization to its net assets. If the market capitalization exceeds the net asset value, further analysis is not required, and goodwill is not considered impaired. As of the date of our latest annual impairment test, October 1, 2016, the Company’s market capitalization exceeded its net asset value by $218.6 million, or 38.5%. As of December 31, 2016, there have been no events subsequent to that analysis that are indicative of an impairment loss.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities

Derivative Assets and Liabilities—Certain loan commitments and forward sales commitments meet the definition of a derivative and are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair value of loan commitments includes the fair value of loan origination fees and premiums on anticipated sale of the loan, net of co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any estimated net future cash flows associated with the risk-sharing obligation. The estimated fair value of forward sale commitments includes the effects of interest rate movements between the trade date and balance sheet date. Adjustments to the fair value are reflected as a component of income within Gains on mortgage banking in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans Held for Sale—Loans held for sale represent originated loans that are generally transferred or sold within 60 days from the date that a mortgage loan is funded. The Company initially measures all originated loans at fair value. Subsequent to initial measurement, the Company measures all mortgage loans at fair value, unless the Company documents at the time the loan is originated that it will measure the specific loan at the lower of cost or fair value for the life of the loan. Electing to use fair value allows a better offset of the change in fair value of the loan and the change in fair value of the derivative instruments used as economic hedges. During the period prior to its sale, interest income on a loan held for sale is calculated in accordance with the terms of the individual loan. There were no loans held for sale that were valued at the lower of cost or fair value or on a non-accrual status at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Share-Based Payment

Share-Based Payment—The Company recognizes compensation costs for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including restricted stock, restricted stock units, and employee stock options based on the grant date fair value.

Restricted stock awards are granted without cost to the Company’s officers, employees, and non-employee directors, for which the fair value of the award was calculated as the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

Stock option awards are granted principally to executive officers, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant, and are granted with a ten-year exercise period, vesting ratably over three years dependent solely on continued employment. To estimate the grant-date fair value of stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Black-Scholes model estimates the per share fair value of an option on its date of grant based on the following inputs: the option’s exercise price, the price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, the estimated option life, the estimated dividend yield, a “risk-free” interest rate, and the expected volatility. For each of the years presented, the Company used the simplified method to estimate the expected term of the options as the Company did not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis for estimating the expected term. The Company uses an estimated dividend yield of zero as the Company has not historically issued dividends and does not currently pay dividends. For the “risk-free” rate, the Company uses a U.S. Treasury Bond due in a number of years equal to the option’s expected term. For all years presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income, the expected volatility was calculated based on the Company’s historical common stock volatility. The Company issues new shares from the pool of authorized but not yet issued shares when an employee exercises stock options.

Generally, the Company’s stock option and restricted stock awards for its officers and employees vest ratably over a three-year period based solely on continued employment.  Restricted stock awards for non-employee directors fully vest after one year.

In 2014 and 2016, the Company offered a performance share plan (“PSP”) for the Company’s executives and certain other members of senior management. The performance period for each PSP is three full calendar years beginning on January 1 of the first year of the performance period. Participants in the PSP receive restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on the grant date for the PSP. If the performance targets are met at the end of the performance period and the participant remains employed by the Company, the participant fully vests in the RSUs, which immediately convert to unrestricted shares of common stock. If the performance targets are not met or the participant is no longer employed by the Company, the participant forfeits the RSUs. The performance targets for the 2014 PSP are based on meeting adjusted diluted earnings per share and total revenues goals. The performance targets for the 2016 PSP are based on meeting diluted earnings per share, return on equity, and total revenues goals. The Company records compensation expense for the PSP based on the grant-date fair value in an amount proportionate to the service time rendered by the participant when it is probable that the achievement of the goals will be met.

Compensation expense is adjusted for actual forfeitures and is recognized on a straight-line basis, for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award were in substance multiple awards, over the requisite service period of the award. Share-based compensation is recognized within the income statement as Personnel, the same expense line as the cash compensation paid to the respective employees.

Net Warehouse Interest Income

Net Warehouse Interest Income—The Company presents warehouse interest income net of warehouse interest expense. Warehouse interest income is the interest earned from loans held for sale and loans held for investment. For the periods presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, all loans that were held for sale were financed with matched borrowings under our warehouse facilities incurred to fund a specific loan held for sale. A portion of all loans that are held for investment is financed with matched borrowings under our warehouse facilities. The portion of loans held for investment not funded with matched borrowings is financed with the Company’s own cash. Warehouse interest expense is incurred on borrowings used to fund loans solely while they are held for sale or for investment. Warehouse interest income and expense are earned or incurred on loans held for sale after a loan is closed and before a loan is sold. Warehouse interest income and expense are earned or incurred on loans held for investment after a loan is closed and before a loan is repaid. Included in Net warehouse interest income for the three and year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are the following components:

	For the year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Warehouse interest income - loans held for sale	$	47,523	$	37,675	$	24,615
Warehouse interest expense - loans held for sale		(31,278)		(23,134)		(13,272)
Net warehouse interest income - loans held for sale	$	16,245	$	14,541	$	11,343
Warehouse interest income - loans held for investment	$	12,808	$	15,456	$	11,092
Warehouse interest expense - loans held for investment		(5,326)		(6,037)		(4,941)
Net warehouse interest income - loans held for investment	$	7,482	$	9,419	$	6,151

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows—The Company records the fair value of premiums and origination fees as a component of the fair value of derivatives when a loan intended to be sold is rate locked and records the related income within Gains from mortgage banking activities within the Consolidated Statements of Income. The cash for the origination fee is received upon closing of the loan, and the cash for the premium is received upon loan sale, resulting in a mismatch of the recognition of income and the receipt of cash in a given period when the derivative or loan held for sale remains outstanding at period end.

The Company accounts for this mismatch by recording an adjustment called Change in the fair value of premiums and origination fees within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The amount of the adjustment reflects a reduction to cash provided by or used in operations for the amount of income recognized upon rate lock (i.e., non-cash income) for derivatives and loans held for sale outstanding at period end and an increase to cash provided by or used in operations for cash received upon loan origination or sale for derivatives and loans held for sale that were outstanding at prior period end. When income recognized upon rate lock is greater than cash received upon loan origination or sale, the adjustment is a negative amount. When income recognized upon rate lock is less than cash received upon loan origination or loan sale, the adjustment is a positive amount.

As noted below in greater detail, in 2016 the Company early adopted an accounting standard related to the presentation of the statement of cash flows that requires entities to show the change in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. For presentation in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers Pledged securities, at fair value to be restricted cash equivalents. The following table presents a reconciliation of the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to the related captions in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015		2014		2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$	118,756	$	136,988	$	113,354	$	170,563
Restricted cash		9,861		5,306		13,854		5,427
Pledged securities, at fair value (restricted cash equivalents)		84,850		72,190		67,719		49,651
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	$	213,467	$	214,484	$	194,927	$	225,641

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—The Company files income tax returns in the applicable U.S. federal, state, and local jurisdictions and generally is subject to examination by the respective jurisdictions for three years from the filing of a tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted.

Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realizable based on consideration of available evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

The Company had no accruals for tax uncertainties as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income—For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, comprehensive income equaled Net income before noncontrolling interests; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Pledged Securities

Pledged Securities—As collateral against its Fannie Mae risk-sharing obligations (NOTES 5 and 10), certain securities have been pledged to the benefit of Fannie Mae to secure the Company's risk-sharing obligations. The balance of securities pledged against Fannie Mae risk-sharing obligations and included as a component of Pledged securities, at fair value within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $80.5 million and $70.9 million, respectively. Additionally, the Company has pledged an immaterial amount of cash as collateral against its risk-sharing obligations with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The pledged securities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist primarily of a highly liquid investment valued using quoted market prices from recent trades, and are therefore considered restricted cash equivalents for presentation in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The term cash and cash equivalents, as used in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, includes currency on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions, and short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company had no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash—Restricted cash represents primarily good faith deposits from borrowers. The Company records a corresponding liability for these good faith deposits from borrowers within Performance deposits from borrowers within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Servicing Fees and Other Receivables, Net

Servicing Fees and Other Receivables, Net—Servicing fees and other receivables, net represents amounts currently due to the Company pursuant to contractual servicing agreements, investor good faith deposits held in escrow by others, general accounts receivable, and advances of principal and interest payments and tax and insurance escrow amounts if the borrower is delinquent in making loan payments, to the extent such amounts are determined to be reimbursable and recoverable. Advances related to Fannie Mae at-risk loans may be used to reduce the amount of cash required to settle loan losses under the Company’s risk-sharing obligation with Fannie Mae.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk—Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, loans held for sale, and derivative financial instruments.

The Company places the cash and temporary investments with high-credit-quality financial institutions and believes no significant credit risk exists. The counterparties to the loans held for sale and funding commitments are owners of residential multifamily properties located throughout the United States. Mortgage loans are generally transferred or sold within 60 days from the date that a mortgage loan is funded. There is no material counterparty risk with respect to the Company's funding commitments as each potential borrower must make a non-refundable good faith deposit when the funding commitment is executed. The counterparty to the forward sale is Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or a broker-dealer that has been determined to be a credit-worthy counterparty by us and our warehouse lenders. There is a risk that the purchase price agreed to by the investor will be reduced in the event of a late delivery. The risk for non-delivery of a loan primarily results from the risk that a borrower does not close on the funding commitment in a timely manner. This risk is generally mitigated by the non-refundable good faith deposit.

Recently Adopted and Recently Announced Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements—In the second quarter of 2015, Accounting Standards Update 2015-05 (“ASU 2015-05”), Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, was issued. ASU 2015-05 provides entities with guidance on determining whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license that should be accounted for as internal-use software. ASU 2015-05 is effective for the annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Entities may select retrospective or prospective adoption of ASU 2015-05. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2015-05 in the first quarter of 2016. There was no impact to the Company as none of the Company’s cloud computing arrangements permits the Company the contractual right to take possession of the software.

In the first quarter of 2016, Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, was issued. ASU 2016-09 includes the following changes to the accounting for share-based payments that have the potential to impact the Company’s reported financial results:

 All excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies arising from stock compensation arrangements are recognized as an income tax benefit or expense in the income statement instead of as an adjustment to additional paid in capital (“APIC”). The APIC pool is eliminated. In addition, excess tax benefits are no longer included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding. The transition guidance related to these changes requires prospective application. NOTE 13 discloses the current-year impact of recognizing excess tax benefit related to stock compensation arrangements through the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 Excess tax benefits are recorded along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. The transition guidance related to this change requires prospective application. Cash paid when remitting cash to the tax authorities must be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The transition guidance related to this change requires retrospective application. There was no effect on prior periods for the retrospective application of the classification of payments to tax authorities as the Company previously presented such payments in a manner consistent with ASU 2016-09.

 Entities can elect to continue to apply current GAAP or to reverse compensation cost of forfeited awards when they occur. If an entity makes a change in its accounting policy to account for forfeitures as they occur, the transition guidance requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings.

ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as long as the entire ASU is early adopted. The Company early adopted the entire ASU during the first quarter of 2016. In connection with the early adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company changed its accounting policy related to forfeitures. The Company’s previous accounting policy was to adjust compensation expense for estimated forfeitures. With the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company changed its accounting policy to adjust compensation expense for actual forfeitures and recorded an immaterial cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning total equity as disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The Company did not adjust any balances related to prior periods as a result of adopting ASU 2016-09.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 (“ASU 2016-18”), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) – Restricted Cash, was issued. ASU 2016-18 requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. Previous guidance required the change in cash and cash equivalents be shown on the statement of cash flows, with cash used to fund restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents shown as a component of operating, investing, or financing activities. Entities are now also required to reconcile the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents as presented in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet when these balances are presented separately in the balance sheet. ASU 2016-18 is effective January 1, 2018 for the Company, with retrospective application required. The Company early adopted ASU 2016-18 as permitted in the fourth quarter of 2016. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 had the following impact on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

(in thousands)		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
As previously reported under GAAP applicable at the time
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$	113,354	$	170,563
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		23,634		(57,209)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		136,988		113,354
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities: change in restricted cash and pledged securities		4,268		(26,495)
As currently reported under ASU 2016-18
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	$	194,927	$	225,641
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents		19,557		(30,714)
Total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period		214,484		194,927
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities: change in restricted cash and pledged securities		—		—

Recently Announced Accounting Pronouncements—The following table presents the accounting pronouncements that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued and that have the potential to impact the Company but have not yet been adopted by the Company.

Standard	Issue Date	Description	Effective Date	Expected Financial Statement Impact
Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments	Q2 2016	ASU 2016-13 ("the Standard") represents a significant change to the incurred loss model currently used to account for credit losses. The Standard requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of the credit exposure upon initial recognition of that exposure. The expected credit losses consider historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. Exposures with similar risk characteristics are required to be grouped together when estimating expected credit losses. The initial estimate and subsequent changes to the estimated credit losses are required to be reported in current earnings in the income statement and through an allowance in the balance sheet. ASU 2016-13 is applicable to financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The Standard will modify the way the Company estimates its allowance for risk-sharing obligations and its allowance for loan losses. ASU 2016-13 requires modified retrospective application to all outstanding, in-scope instruments, with a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.	January 1, 2020 (early adoption permitted January 1, 2019)	The Company is in the preliminary stages of implementation as it is still in the process of determining the significance of the impact the Standard will have on its financial statements and the timing of when it will adopt ASU 2016-13. The Company expects its Allowance for risk-sharing obligations and allowance for loan losses to increase when ASU 2016-13 is adopted.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	Q1 2016	ASU 2016-02 represents a significant reform to the accounting for leases. Lessees initially recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The ROU asset is measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and the lessee’s initial direct costs. Lessees generally recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis, which is similar to what they do today. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements.	January 1, 2019 (early adoption is permitted)	The Company is in the preliminary stages of implementation as it is still in the process of determining the significance of the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial statements and the timing of when it will adopt ASU 2016-02.
ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities	Q1 2016	The guidance requires that unconsolidated equity investments not accounted for under the equity method be recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded through net income. The accounting principles that permitted available-for-sale classification with unrealized holding gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income for equity securities will no longer be applicable. The guidance is not applicable to debt securities and loans and requires minor changes to the disclosure and presentation of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 generally requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.	January 1, 2018 (early adoption permitted for certain parts)	The Company does not believe that ASU 2016-01 will have a material impact on its reported financial results.
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	Q2 2014	ASU 2014-09 represents a comprehensive reform of many of the revenue recognition requirements in GAAP. The guidance in the ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and supersedes or amends much of the industry-specific revenue recognition guidance found throughout the Accounting Standards Codification. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The ASU creates a five-step process for achieving the core principle: 1) identifying the contract with the customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and 5) recognizing revenue when an entity has completed the performance obligations. The ASU also requires additional disclosures that allow users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows resulting from contracts with customers. The guidance permits the use of the full retrospective or modified retrospective transition methods.	January 1, 2018 (early adoption permitted January 1, 2017)	The Company completed its analysis of ASU 2014-09 and concluded that it will not have a material impact on the amount or timing of revenue the Company records under its current revenue recognition practices. Additionally, the Company believes that this ASU will not impact the presentation of the Company's financial statements or require significant additional footnote disclosures.

There were no other accounting pronouncements issued during 2017 or 2016 that have the potential to impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications—The Company has made certain immaterial reclassifications to prior-year balances to conform to current-year presentation.