8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

_____________________________________________________________________ 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2022

ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Maryland	001-35517	45-3148087
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

245 Park Avenue,	42nd Floor,	New York,	NY	10167
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 750-7300

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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, $0.01 par value per share	ACRE	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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. o

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 3, 2022, the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 3, 2022, the registrant made available on its website an earnings presentation with respect to its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. A copy of the presentation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2, and incorporated herein by reference. 

The information disclosed under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)          Exhibits:

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated May 3, 2022
99.2	Presentation of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, dated May 3, 2022
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
Date:	May 3, 2022	By:	/s/ Tae-Sik Yoon
		Name:	Tae-Sik Yoon
		Title:	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION REPORTS

FIRST QUARTER 2022 RESULTS

First quarter GAAP net income of $16.2 million or $0.34 per diluted common share and

Distributable Earnings(1) of $16.3 million or $0.34 per diluted common share

Closed $263 million of new loan commitments

- Subsequent to end of first quarter-

Closed $123 million of new loan commitments

Declared second quarter 2022 dividend of $0.33 per common share and

a supplemental dividend of $0.02 per common share

NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”) (NYSE:ACRE), a specialty finance company engaged in originating and investing in commercial real estate assets, reported generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) net income of $16.2 million or $0.34 per diluted common share and Distributable Earnings(1) of $16.3 million or $0.34 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2022.

“With respect to investment activity, we are off to a strong start in 2022 with $263 million of new loans closed in the first quarter and $123 million closed thus far in the second quarter with more than $200 million of additional loans in the closing process,” said Bryan Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation. “We expect that the accelerated pace of investments coupled with increased credit spreads and higher potential base interest rates will result in a pickup in our Distributable Earnings for the second quarter. In addition, ACRE continues to benefit from the significant scale and global reach of Ares Management’s real estate platform which has more than doubled in size within the last year.”

“Our credit quality remains stable and we continue to experience positive credit migration across the portfolio,” said Tae-Sik Yoon, Chief Financial Officer of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation. “Looking forward, our earnings are positioned to continue to benefit from potential increases in interest rates given our floating rate loan portfolio combined with the interest rate hedges on our liabilities.”

_________________________________

(1) Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Schedule I for the definition and reconciliation of Distributable Earnings.

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COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND

On February 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.33 per common share and a supplemental cash dividend of $0.02 per common share for the first quarter of 2022. The first quarter 2022 dividend and supplemental cash dividend were paid on April 14, 2022 to common stockholders of record as of March 31, 2022.

On May 3, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.33 per common share and a supplemental cash dividend of $0.02 per common share for the second quarter of 2022. The second quarter 2022 dividend and supplemental cash dividend will be payable on July 15, 2022 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2022.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company issued a presentation of its first quarter 2022 results, which can be viewed at www.arescre.com on the Investor Resources section of our home page under Events and Presentations. The presentation is titled “First Quarter 2022 Earnings Presentation.” The Company also filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2022.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the Company invites all interested persons to attend its webcast/conference call at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its first quarter 2022 financial results.

All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website at http://www.arescre.com. Please visit the website to test your connection before the webcast. Domestic callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (888) 317-6003. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (412) 317-6061. All callers will need to enter the Participant Elite Entry Number 4178416 followed by the # sign and reference “Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation” once connected with the operator. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call will be available through June 3, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic callers by dialing +1 (877) 344-7529 and to international callers by dialing +1 (412) 317-0088. For all replays, please reference conference number 7027178. An archived replay will also be available through June 3, 2022 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website.

ABOUT ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation is a specialty finance company primarily engaged in originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments. Through its national direct origination platform, the Company provides a broad offering of flexible and reliable financing solutions for commercial real estate owners and operators. The Company originates senior mortgage loans, as well as subordinate financings, mezzanine debt and preferred equity, with an emphasis on providing value added financing on a variety of properties located in liquid markets across the United States. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation elected and qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and is externally managed by a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation. For more information, please visit www.arescre.com. The contents of such website are not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein or on the webcast / conference call may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which relate to future events or the Company’s future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the returns on current and future investments, rates of repayments and prepayments on the Company’s mortgage loans, availability of investment opportunities, the Company’s ability to originate additional investments and completion of pending investments, the availability of capital, the availability and cost of financing, market trends and conditions in the Company’s industry and the general economy, the level of lending and borrowing spreads and interest rates, commercial real estate loan volumes, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic's impact on the U.S. and global economy, the Company’s ability to pay future dividends at historical levels or at all, and the risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with

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the SEC on February 15, 2022 and the risk factors described in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2022. Any forward-looking statement, including any contained herein, speaks only as of the time of this press release and Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein or on the webcast/conference call. Projections and forward-looking statements are based on management’s good faith and reasonable assumptions, including the assumptions described herein.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation

Carl Drake or Veronica Mendiola Mayer

(888) 818-5298

iracre@aresmgmt.com

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ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	As of
	March 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,759	$	50,615
Loans held for investment ($1,028,398 and $974,424 related to consolidated VIEs, respectively)	2,421,772		2,414,383
Current expected credit loss reserve	(20,452)		(23,939)
Loans held for investment, net of current expected credit loss reserve	2,401,320		2,390,444
Real estate owned held for sale, net	—		36,602
Other assets ($2,267 and $2,592 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively; $74,615 and $128,589 of other receivables related to consolidated VIEs, respectively)	100,726		154,177
Total assets	$	2,515,805	$	2,631,838
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Secured funding agreements	$	740,022	$	840,047
Notes payable	22,631		50,358
Secured term loan	149,061		149,016
Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIEs)	861,788		861,188
Secured borrowings	22,612		22,589
Due to affiliate	3,823		4,156
Dividends payable	16,740		16,674
Other liabilities ($689 and $570 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively)	9,794		9,182
Total liabilities	1,826,471		1,953,210
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and 47,412,436 and 47,144,058 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively	467		465
Additional paid-in capital	707,579		703,950
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,458		2,844
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(29,170)		(28,631)
Total stockholders' equity	689,334		678,628
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,515,805	$	2,631,838

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ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2022		2021
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Revenue:
Interest income	$	33,364	$	30,704
Interest expense	(12,013)		(12,139)
Net interest margin	21,351		18,565
Revenue from real estate owned	2,672		2,658
Total revenue	24,023		21,223
Expenses:
Management and incentive fees to affiliate	2,974		2,567
Professional fees	778		785
General and administrative expenses	1,613		1,157
General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate	834		752
Expenses from real estate owned	4,309		3,277
Total expenses	10,508		8,538
Provision for current expected credit losses	(594)		(3,240)
Gain on sale of real estate owned	2,197		—
Income before income taxes	16,306		15,925
Income tax expense, including excise tax	105		185
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	16,201	$	15,740
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.34	$	0.46
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.34	$	0.45
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	47,204,397		34,417,040
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	47,654,549		34,720,950
Dividends declared per share of common stock(1)	$	0.35	$	0.35

(1) There is no assurance dividends will continue at these levels or at all.

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SCHEDULE I

Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Distributable Earnings

Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that helps the Company evaluate its financial performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that it believes are not necessarily indicative of its current loan origination portfolio and operations. To maintain the Company’s REIT status, the Company is generally required to annually distribute to its stockholders substantially all of its taxable income. The Company believes the disclosure of Distributable Earnings provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's ability to pay dividends, which is one of the principal reasons investors invest in the Company. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Distributable Earnings is defined as net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fees the Company pays to its Manager (Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC), depreciation and amortization (to the extent that any of the Company’s target investments are structured as debt and the Company forecloses on any properties underlying such debt), any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income (loss), one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between the Company’s Manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Loan balances that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off as a realized loss and are included in Distributable Earnings. Distributable Earnings is aligned with the calculation of “Core Earnings,” which is defined in the Management Agreement and is used to calculate the incentive fees the Company pays to its Manager.

Reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Distributable Earnings is set forth in the table below for the three months and twelve months ended March 31, 2022 ($ in thousands):

	For the three months ended March 31, 2022		For the twelve months ended March 31, 2022
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	16,201	$	60,921
Stock-based compensation	766		2,185
Incentive fees to affiliate	358		2,452
Depreciation of real estate owned(1)	(2,385)		(1,784)
Provision for current expected credit losses	(594)		2,656
Realized gain on termination of interest rate cap derivative(2)	1,960		1,960
Distributable Earnings	$	16,306	$	68,390
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	0.34	$	1.34
Stock-based compensation	0.02		0.05
Incentive fees to affiliate	0.01		0.05
Depreciation of real estate owned(1)	(0.05)		(0.04)
Provision for current expected credit losses	(0.01)		0.06
Realized gain on termination of interest rate cap derivative(2)	0.04		0.04
Basic Distributable Earnings per common share	$	0.35	$	1.50
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	0.34	$	1.33
Stock-based compensation	0.02		0.05
Incentive fees to affiliate	—		0.05
Depreciation of real estate owned(1)	(0.05)		(0.04)
Provision for current expected credit losses	(0.01)		0.06
Realized gain on termination of interest rate cap derivative(2)	0.04		0.04
Diluted Distributable Earnings per common share	$	0.34	$	1.49

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(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Distributable Earnings include a $2.4 million adjustment to reverse the impact of accumulated depreciation following the sale of the hotel property that was recognized as real estate owned. For periods prior to the sale, depreciation of real estate owned was an additive adjustment to Distributable Earnings.

(2)For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Distributable Earnings include a $2.0 million adjustment to include the realized gain from the termination of the interest rate cap derivative.

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EX-99.2

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE First Quarter 2022 Earnings Presentation Exhibit 99.2

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 1 Disclaimer Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statementsˮ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which may relate to future events or the future performance or financial condition of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (“ACREˮ or, the “Companyˮ), Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC (“ACREMˮ), a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation (“Ares Corp.ˮ), Ares Corp., certain of their subsidiaries and certain funds and accounts managed by ACREM, Ares Corp. and/or their subsidiaries, including, without limitation, ACRE. These statements are not guarantees of future results or financial condition and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the returns on current and future investments, rates of repayments and prepayments on ACRE’s mortgage loans, availability of investment opportunities, ACRE’s ability to originate additional investments and completion of pending investments, the availability of capital, the availability and cost of financing, imposition of margin calls or valuation adjustment events in connection with such financings, market trends and conditions in ACRE’s industry and the general economy, the level of lending and borrowing spreads, commercial real estate loan volumes, the impact of the novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19ˮ) pandemic and significant market volatility on ACRE’s business, ACRE’s borrowers, ACRE’s industry and the global economy, ACRE’s ability to pay future dividends at historical levels or at all, government-sponsored enterprise activity and other risks described from time to time in ACRE’s filings within the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SECˮ). Any forward-looking statement, including any contained herein, speaks only as of the time of this release and none of ACRE, ARES Corp. nor ACREM undertakes any duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein. Any such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions available under applicable securities laws. Ares Corp. is the parent to several registered investment advisers, including Ares Management LLC (“Ares Managementˮ) and ACREM. Collectively, Ares Corp., its affiliated entities, and all underlying subsidiary entities shall be referred to as “Aresˮ unless specifically noted otherwise. For a discussion regarding potential risks on ACRE, see Part I., Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operationsˮ and Part I., Item 1A. “Risk Factorsˮ in ACRE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Part II., Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in ACRE's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The information contained in this presentation is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of ACRE’s SEC filings and other public announcements that ACRE, ACREM or Ares may make, by press release or otherwise, from time to time. ACRE, ACREM and Ares undertake no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements or other information contained in this presentation. These materials contain information about ACRE, ACREM and Ares, and certain of their respective personnel and affiliates, information about their respective historical performance and general information about the market. You should not view information related to the past performance of ACRE, ACREM or Ares or information about the market, as indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured. Nothing in these materials should be construed as a recommendation to invest in any securities that may be issued by ACRE or any other fund or account managed by ACREM or Ares, or as legal, accounting or tax advice. None of ACRE, ACREM, Ares or any affiliate of ACRE, ACREM or Ares makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein and nothing contained herein shall be relied upon as a promise or representation whether as to the past or future performance. Certain information set forth herein includes estimates and projections and involves significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis. Further, such information, unless otherwise stated, is before giving effect to management and incentive fees and deductions for taxes. No representations are made as to the accuracy of such estimates or projections or that all assumptions relating to such estimates or projections have been considered or stated or that such estimates or projections will be realized. In addition, in light of the various investment strategies of such other investment partnerships, funds and/or pools, it is noted that such other investment programs may have portfolio investments inconsistent with those of the investment vehicle or strategy discussed herein. These materials are not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security, the offer and/or sale of which can only be made by definitive offering documentation. Any offer or solicitation with respect to any securities that may be issued by ACRE will be made only by means of definitive offering memoranda or prospectus, which will be provided to prospective investors and will contain material information that is not set forth herein, including risk factors relating to any such investment. For the definitions of certain terms used in this presentation, please refer to the "Glossary" slide in the appendix. This presentation may contain information obtained from third parties, including ratings from credit ratings agencies such as Standard & Poor’s. Such information has not been independently verified and, accordingly, ACRE makes no representation or warranty in respect of this information. Reproduction and distribution of third party content in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of the related third party. Third party content providers do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of any information, including ratings, and are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of such content. THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS GIVE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, COMPENSATORY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, LEGAL FEES, OR LOSSES (INCLUDING LOST INCOME OR PROFITS AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS OR LOSSES CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE) IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THEIR CONTENT, INCLUDING RATINGS. Credit ratings are statements of opinions and are not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold or sell securities. They do not address the suitability of securities or the suitability of securities for investment purposes, and should not be relied on as investment advice.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 2 Company Highlights As of March 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is no guarantee or assurance investment objectives will be achieved. Diversification does not ensure profit or protect against market loss. 1. Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. See page 20 for Distributable Earnings definition and page 19 for the Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Distributable Earnings. Well- Positioned Loan Portfolio $2.4 billion outstanding principal balance 99% Senior Loans Stable credit quality; sold single REO asset Benefit from Rising Interest Rates 98% floating rate loans ~50% of loans have LIBOR/SOFR floors less than 80 bps Well-positioned for a rising interest rate environment TBD - D:E ratio highlight, dividend highlightEarnings and Dividends $0.34 Distributable Earnings(1) per diluted common share Declared Q2 2022 regular dividend of $0.33 plus $0.02 supplemental dividend per common share Strong Ares Sponsorship $325 billion ARES AUM $46 billion ARES real estate platform AUM Benefits from market intelligence and deep relationships

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 3 Summary of Q1 2022 Results and Activity Earnings Results • GAAP net income of $0.34 per diluted common share • Distributable Earnings of $0.34 per diluted common share(1) • Book value per diluted common share of $14.54 • Cash dividend of $0.33 and supplemental cash dividend of $0.02(2) Portfolio Activity and Performance • Portfolio with $2.4 billion in outstanding principal balance • Originated $263 million in new commitments, with $223 million in outstanding principal funded(3) • $213 million in full or partial loan repayments • Closed sale of Westchester Marriott REO property Balance Sheet Positioning • Moderate leverage with total debt to equity ratio of 2.5x and recourse debt to equity ratio of 1.2x(4) • Well-positioned for potential material increases in short-term interest rates with 98% of the loan portfolio in floating rate assets combined with interest rate hedge on liabilities Recent Developments • Originations momentum in Q2 2022 with $123 million in new commitments and $73 million in outstanding principal funded quarter to date • On May 3, 2022, declared a cash dividend for second quarter 2022 of $0.33 per common share and a supplemental cash dividend of $0.02 per common share Note: As of March 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted. 1. Inclusive of $0.01 benefit per diluted common share for Q1 2022 for CECL. 2. There is no assurance dividends will continue at these levels or at all. 3. Outstanding principal funded includes fundings on previously originated loans. 4. Total debt to equity ratio of 2.6x and recourse debt to equity ratio of 1.3x including CECL reserve.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 4 32% 24% 20% 18% 6% Southeast West Midwest Mid-Atlantic / Northeast Southwest 35% 13% 10% 12% 12% 9% 6% 3% Office Multifamily Industrial Mixed-Use Hotel Self Storage Residential/Condo Student Housing Loan Portfolio Positioning and Performance Note: As of March 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure profit or protect against market loss. 1. Weighted average unpaid principal balance of loan portfolio of $2.362 billion during Q1 2022. 2. Based on outstanding principal balance. 3. Excludes impact of two loans on non-accrual status. Including the two non-accrual loans, total weighted average unleveraged effective yield for total loans held for investment is 5.5%. Portfolio Metrics By Asset Type Focused and Geographically Diverse Portfolio(2) By Geography and April 2022 58% in multifamily, office and industrial Outstanding principal balance(1) $2.4 billion Number of loans 77 Percentage of senior loans(2) 99% Percentage of floating loans(2) 98% Weighted average unleveraged effective yield(3) 5.6%

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 5 Note: Differences may arise due to rounding. 1. Based on commitment amount for new loan commitments closed in Q1 2022. 2. Outstanding principal funded includes fundings on previously originated loans. 3. Represents outstanding principal balance. $1,919 $2,439 $1,259 Fundings Repayments Q1 2021 Portfolio Q1 2022 Portfolio Portfolio Activity $263 million new commitments 10 new loans New Investment Commitments 100% senior loans [-] portfolio growth from Q1-21 ($ in millions) 44% 35% 5% 16% Hotel Residential/Condo Industrial Self Storage Q1 2022 Loan Origination Composition(1) 100% floating rate loans LTM Portfolio Activity 7.1% weighted average unleveraged effective yield $223 million outstanding principal funded(2) $739 (3) (3) (2)

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 6 Well-Positioned Balance Sheet Note: As of March 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted. Diversification does not ensure profit or protect against market loss. 1. Weighted average unpaid principal balance of $1.835 billion across all financings for Q1 2022. 2. Excludes Notes Payable. See page 11 for additional details on sources of funding. 3. Excludes CECL reserve. Total debt to equity ratio of 2.6x including CECL reserve. 4. Secured funding agreements are not subject to capital markets mark-to-market provisions based on changes in market borrowing spreads but are subject to remargining provisions based on the credit performance of our loans. 5. Based on outstanding principal balance. Diversified Sources of Financing(5) Total capacity across all financings(1) $2.3 billion Sources of financing(2) 8 Percentage of non-recourse financing 50% Debt to equity ratio(3) 2.5x Spread based mark to market provisions(4) 0% 42% 8% 49% 1% Secured Funding Agreements Secured Term Loan CLO Securitizations Notes Payable Financing Metrics Decrease in Expenses with Increase in Scale(6) $468,389 $651,595 $679,936 3.60% 3.13% 3.10% Wtd. Avg. Equity ($mm) G&A % of Wtd. Avg. Equity 2020 2021 LTM Q1 2022 1.85% 1.27% 1.26% Wtd. Avg. Equity ($mm) G&A % of Wtd. Avg. Equity 2020 2021 LTM Q1 2022

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 7 Well-Positioned for Potential Rise in Short-Term Interest Rates Interest Rate Sensitivity to Benchmark Interest Rate Index(1) Changes $(0.07) $0.01 $0.08$0.12 $0.24 $0.37 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% Annual estimated increase/(decrease) in net income(2) Change in Benchmark Interest Rate Index from March 31, 2022 Spot Rate With Hedging Without Hedging(3) Note: As of March 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted. 1. Benchmark Interest Rate Index represents the interest rates indexed to LIBOR and SOFR. 2. The chart estimates the hypothetical increases/(decreases) in net income for a twelve month period, assuming (1) an immediate increase or decrease in 30-day Benchmark Interest Rate Index as of March 31, 2022, (2) no change in the outstanding principal balance of our loans held for investment portfolio and borrowings as of March 31, 2022 and (3) no changes in the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreement entered into as of March 31, 2022. 3. Represents the hypothetical impact to net income if we did not enter into interest rate swap agreement as of the reporting date. ($ per share) 98% of the loan portfolio in floating rate assets combined with 52% of outstanding floating rate financing protected by hedging transactions in a rising interest rate environment 98% floating rate loans ~50% of loans have LIBOR/SOFR floors less than 80 bps ~40% of total debt is either fixed rate or protected by interest rate hedging $(0.05) $0.04 $(0.04) $0.01

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 8 Dividend Coverage (per share) 1.2x 1.1x 1.0x 1.1x 1.1x Supplemental dividend of $0.02 Distributable Earnings 2018 2019 2020 2021 Q1 2022 LTM $0.28 $0.28 $0.29 $0.31 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.35 $0.35 $0.35 $0.35 $0.35 Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Q4 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 2019 Q3 2019 Q4 2019 Q1 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021 Q4 2021 Q1 2022 $0.26 $0.28 $0.30 $0.32 $0.34 $0.36 History of Growing and Consistent Dividends 1. There is no assurance that dividends will be paid at historical levels or at all. Dividend History(1) Full Dividend Coverage from Distributable Earnings $1.16 $1.32 $1.40 $1.32 $1.36 $1.49 $1.41$1.43 Dividend Dividend Dividend Dividends (per share) Dividend $1.40 $1.55 Dividend

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE Appendix

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 10 Current Expected Credit Losses • No specific loan impairments on loan portfolio • Decrease in CECL reserve of $0.6 million (bifurcated between a decrease in funded commitments provision of $3.5 million and an increase in unfunded commitments provision of $2.9 million) primarily attributable to forecasted improvement in macroeconomic factors ($ in thousands) Balance at 12/31/2021 $ 25,247 Provision for CECL (594) Balance at 3/31/2022 $ 24,653 25% 10% 40% 8% 5% 1% 5% 6% Office Hotel Residential/Condominium Multifamily Mixed-use Student Housing Industrial Self Storage 92% 8% Senior Loans Sub. Debt & Pref. Equity Investments Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve by Property Type Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve by Loan Type

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 11 Additional Details on Sources of Funding ($ in millions) Financing Sources Total Commitments Outstanding Balance Pricing Range Mark-to-Market Secured Funding Agreements Wells Fargo Facility $450.0 $345.9 Base Rate(1)+1.50 to 2.75% Credit Citibank Facility 325.0 201.0 Base Rate(1)+1.50 to 2.10% Credit CNB Facility 75.0 — SOFR+2.65% Credit Morgan Stanley Facility 250.0 172.5 Base Rate(1)+1.50 to 3.00% Credit MetLife Facility 180.0 20.6 Base Rate(1)+2.10 to 2.50% Credit Subtotal $1,280.0 $740.0 Asset Level Financing Notes Payable $23.5 $22.8 LIBOR+ 3.75% None Capital Markets Secured Term Loan $150.0 $150.0 4.50% Credit 2017-FL3 Securitization 445.6 445.6 LIBOR+ 1.70% None 2021-FL4 Securitization 419.2 419.2 LIBOR+ 1.26% None Subtotal $1,014.8 $1,014.8 Total Debt $2,318.3 $1,777.7 Note: As of March 31, 2022. 1. The base rate is LIBOR for loans pledged prior to December 31, 2021 and SOFR for loans pledged subsequent to December 31, 2021.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 12 Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details ($ in millions) # Loan Type Location Origination Date Current Loan Commitment Outstanding Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate LIBOR/ SOFR Floor Unleveraged Effective Yield Maturity Date Payment Terms(1) Office Loans: 1 Senior IL Nov 2020 $151.5 $150.5 $150.0 L+3.61% 1.5% 5.5% Mar 2023 I/O 2 Senior Diversified Jan 2020 122.6 114.4 114.3 L+3.65% 1.6% 5.7% Jan 2023 I/O 3 Senior AZ Sep 2021 115.7 77.4 76.6 L+3.50% 0.1% 4.3% Oct 2024 I/O 4 Senior NC Mar 2019 69.5 69.5 69.3 L+4.25% 2.4% 7.0% Mar 2023 I/O 5 Senior NC Aug 2021 85.0 64.8 64.1 L+3.55% 0.2% 4.5% Aug 2024 I/O 6 Senior NY Jul 2021 81.0 62.7 62.0 L+3.85% 0.1% 4.6% Aug 2025 I/O 7 Senior IL Nov 2017 61.0 61.0 60.9 L+3.75% 1.3% 5.3% Dec 2022 I/O 8 Senior IL May 2018 59.1 57.0 57.0 L+3.95% 2.0% 6.2% Jun 2022 P/I 9 Senior GA Nov 2019 56.2 47.3 47.1 L+3.05% 2.0% 5.7% Dec 2022 I/O 10 Senior CA Oct 2019 37.2 32.4 32.3 L+3.35% 2.0% 6.0% Nov 2022 I/O 11 Senior IL Dec 2019 41.9 28.5 28.4 L+3.80% 1.8% 6.2% Jan 2023 I/O 12 Senior NC Apr 2019 30.5 28.5 28.2 L+3.53% 2.3% 6.8% May 2023 I/O 13 Senior CA Nov 2018 22.9 22.9 22.8 L+3.40% 2.3% 6.0% Nov 2022 I/O 14 Subordinated NJ Mar 2016 17.4 17.4 16.8 12.00% —% 13.7% Jan 2026 I/O 15 Senior NC Oct 2018 13.5 9.4 9.4 L+4.00% 2.1% 6.6% Nov 2022 I/O Total Office $965.0 $843.7 $839.2 Multifamily Loans: 16 Senior(2) SC Dec 2021 $67.0 $67.0 $66.7 L+2.90% 0.1% 3.6% Nov 2024 I/O 17 Senior TX Nov 2021 68.8 66.2 65.6 L+2.85% 0.1% 3.7% Dec 2024 I/O 18 Senior SC Jun 2021 37.5 37.5 37.3 L+2.75% 0.2% 3.6% Jun 2023 I/O 19 Senior SC Aug 2019 34.6 34.0 33.9 L+6.50% 2.2% 10.2% Sep 2022 I/O 20 Senior CA Nov 2021 31.7 31.7 31.4 L+2.90% —% 3.6% Dec 2025 I/O 21 Senior PA Dec 2018 30.2 29.3 29.3 L+3.00% 1.3% 4.5% Dec 2022 I/O 22 Senior WA Dec 2021 23.1 23.1 23.0 L+2.90% —% 3.5% Nov 2025 I/O 23 Senior TX Oct 2021 23.1 21.9 21.7 L+2.50% 0.1% 3.3% Oct 2024 I/O 24 Senior WA Feb 2020 19.0 18.7 18.6 L+3.00% 1.7% 5.1% Mar 2023 I/O Total Multifamily $335.0 $329.4 $327.5 Note: As of March 31, 2022. 1. I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest. 2. Loan commitment is allocated between a multifamily property ($60.5 million) and an office property ($6.5 million).

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 13 ($ in millions) # Loan Type Location Origination Date Current Loan Commitment Outstanding Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate LIBOR/ SOFR Floor Unleveraged Effective Yield Maturity Date Payment Terms(1) Hotel Loans: 25 Senior OR/WA May 2018 $68.1 $68.1 $67.9 L+3.45% 1.9% 7.4% May 2022 I/O 26 Senior Diversified Sep 2018 60.4 60.4 60.3 L+3.60% 2.1% 6.1% Sep 2022 P/I 27 Senior CA Dec 2017 40.0 40.0 39.8 L+4.12% 1.4% 6.0% Jan 2023 I/O 28 Senior CA Mar 2022 60.8 38.9 38.3 S+4.20% —% 5.1% Mar 2025 I/O 29 Senior IL Apr 2018 35.0 35.0 30.5 S+4.00% 0.3% —%(2) May 2024 I/O 30 Senior MI Nov 2015 33.2 33.2 33.2 L+3.95% 0.3% 4.6% Jul 2022 I/O 31 Senior NY Mar 2022 55.7 30.7 30.2 S+4.40% 0.1% 5.2% Mar 2026 I/O Total Hotel $353.2 $306.3 $300.2 Mixed-Use Loans: 32 Senior FL Feb 2019 $84.0 $84.0 $84.0 L+4.25% 1.5% 5.7% Feb 2023 I/O 33 Senior NY Jul 2021 78.3 75.0 74.4 L+3.65% 0.1% 4.5% Jul 2024 I/O 34 Senior CA Jan 2021 58.8 57.5 57.4 (3) 0.2% 6.8% Jan 2024 I/O 35 Senior CA Feb 2020 37.9 37.9 37.8 L+4.10% 1.7% 6.3% Mar 2023 I/O 36 Senior TX Sep 2019 42.2 35.8 35.7 (4) 0.3% 4.9% Sep 2022 I/O Total Mixed-Use $301.2 $290.2 $289.3 Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details Note: As of March 31, 2022. 1. I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest. 2. Loan was on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2022 and therefore, there is no Unleveraged Effective Yield as the loan is non-interest accruing. 3. At origination, the California loan was structured as both a senior and mezzanine loan with us holding both positions. The senior loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $45.0 million as of March 31, 2022, accrues interest at a per annum rate of L+3.80% with a 0.20% LIBOR floor and the mezzanine loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $12.5 million as of March 31, 2022, accrues interest at a per annum rate of 15.00%. 4. The Texas loan is split into two separate notes: Note A, which had an outstanding principal balance of $35.3 million as of March 31, 2022, accrues interest at a per annum rate of L + 3.75% and Note B, which had an outstanding principal balance of $0.4 million as of March 31, 2022, accrues interest at a per annum rate of L + 10.00%.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 14 ($ in millions) # Loan Type Location Origination Date Current Loan Commitment Outstanding Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate LIBOR/ SOFR Floor Unleveraged Effective Yield Maturity Date Payment Terms(1) Industrial Loans: 37 Senior IL May 2021 $100.7 $86.5 $85.9 L+4.55% 0.2% 5.4% May 2024 I/O 38 Senior FL Dec 2021 25.5 25.5 25.3 L+2.90% 0.1% 3.6% Dec 2025 I/O 39 Senior(3) CO Jul 2021 24.6 24.6 24.4 (2) 0.3% 8.2% Feb 2023 I/O 40 Senior NJ Jun 2021 28.3 23.3 23.0 L+3.75% 0.3% 4.8% May 2024 I/O 41 Senior CA Aug 2019 19.6 19.6 19.5 L+3.75% 2.0% 6.3% Mar 2023 I/O 42 Senior(3) TX Nov 2021 10.4 10.4 10.3 L+5.25% 0.3% 6.1% Dec 2024 I/O 43 Senior(3) PA Sep 2021 8.0 8.0 8.0 L+5.50% 0.3% 6.3% Sep 2024 I/O 44 Senior(3) FL Nov 2021 9.5 7.8 7.7 L+5.90% 0.3% 6.8% Nov 2024 I/O 45 Senior(3) PA Oct 2021 7.0 7.0 6.9 L+5.90% 0.3% 6.7% Nov 2024 I/O 46 Senior(3) TN Oct 2021 6.7 6.7 6.6 L+5.50% 0.3% 6.3% Nov 2024 I/O 47 Senior FL Feb 2022 5.9 5.9 5.9 S+5.90% 0.3% 6.6% Feb 2025 I/O 48 Senior FL Feb 2022 4.7 4.7 4.6 S+5.75% 0.3% 6.4% Mar 2025 I/O 49 Senior(3) CO Sep 2021 2.9 2.9 2.9 L+6.25% 0.3% 7.1% Sep 2024 I/O 50 Senior(3) AZ Sep 2021 2.7 2.7 2.6 L+5.90% 0.3% 6.7% Oct 2024 I/O 51 Senior(3) GA Aug 2021 1.3 1.3 1.3 L+5.25% 0.3% 6.1% Sep 2024 I/O Total Industrial $257.8 $236.9 $234.9 Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details Note: As of March 31, 2022. 1. I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest. 2. At origination, the Colorado loan was structured as a senior loan and in January 2022, the Company also originated the mezzanine loan. The senior loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $20.8 million as of March 31, 2022, accrues interest at a per annum rate of L + 6.75% and the mezzanine loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $3.8 million as of March 31, 2022, accrues interest at a per annum rate of S + 8.50%. 3. Loans are a cross-collateralized portfolio with affiliates of the same borrower.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 15 Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details Note: As of March 31, 2022. 1. I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest. ($ in millions) # Loan Type Location Origination Date Current Loan Commitment Outstanding Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate LIBOR/ SOFR Floor Unleveraged Effective Yield Maturity Date Payment Terms(1) Self Storage Loans: 52 Senior NJ Apr 2021 $55.5 $55.5 $55.6 L+3.80% 0.4% 4.2% Feb 2024 I/O 53 Senior PA Mar 2022 18.2 17.2 17.0 L+2.90% 1.0% 4.2% Dec 2025 I/O 54 Senior PA Nov 2021 12.8 12.8 12.7 L+3.05% 1.0% 4.4% Oct 2024 I/O 55 Senior MD Nov 2021 12.5 12.5 12.4 L+3.05% 1.0% 4.3% Oct 2024 I/O 56 Senior MD Nov 2021 12.2 12.1 12.0 L+3.05% 1.0% 4.3% Oct 2024 I/O 57 Senior FL Jan 2021 10.8 10.8 10.8 L+2.90% 1.0% 4.4% Dec 2023 I/O 58 Senior WA Nov 2021 10.2 10.2 10.2 L+3.05% 1.0% 4.3% Oct 2024 I/O 59 Senior MO Nov 2021 9.0 8.9 8.8 L+3.05% 1.0% 4.4% Oct 2024 I/O 60 Senior AZ Jul 2021 8.6 8.5 8.5 L+2.90% 0.9% 4.0% May 2024 I/O 61 Senior MA Mar 2022 8.5 8.5 8.5 L+2.90% 0.9% 3.9% Dec 2024 I/O 62 Senior AZ Jul 2021 7.4 7.4 7.3 L+2.90% 0.9% 4.1% May 2024 I/O 63 Senior FL Jan 2021 7.0 7.0 6.9 L+2.90% 1.0% 4.3% Dec 2023 I/O 64 Senior FL Jan 2021 6.4 6.4 6.4 L+2.90% 1.0% 4.3% Dec 2023 I/O 65 Senior MO Jan 2021 6.5 6.2 6.2 L+3.00% 1.3% 4.4% Dec 2023 I/O 66 Senior NJ Mar 2022 5.9 5.9 5.9 L+2.90% 0.9% 4.2% Jul 2024 I/O 67 Senior IL Jan 2021 5.6 5.6 5.6 L+3.00% 1.0% 4.3% Dec 2023 I/O 68 Senior WI Mar 2022 5.4 5.4 5.4 L+2.90% 0.9% 3.9% Jul 2024 I/O 69 Senior FL Jan 2021 4.4 4.4 4.4 L+2.90% 1.0% 4.2% Dec 2023 I/O 70 Senior CO Jul 2021 3.2 3.2 3.2 L+2.90% 0.9% 3.8% Apr 2024 I/O 71 Senior TX Mar 2022 2.9 2.9 2.9 L+2.90% 0.9% 3.9% Sep 2024 I/O Total Self Storage $213.0 $211.4 $210.7

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 16 Note: As of March 31, 2022. 1. I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest. 2. Loan was on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2022 and therefore, there is no Unleveraged Effective Yield as the loan is non-interest accruing. As of March 31, 2022, the senior California loan, which is collateralized by a residential property, is in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the May 2021 maturity date. The Company evaluated this loan for impairment and concluded that no impairment charge should be recognized as of March 31, 2022. This conclusion was based in part on: (1) the current estimated fair market value of the underlying collateral property, (2) the estimated value of the contractual right to residual proceeds from the sale of a second residential property and (3) the recourse payment guarantee from two individuals that are the owners of the underlying collateral. The estimated fair market value of the underlying collateral property was determined using the comparable market sales approach. 3. The weighted average floor is calculated based on loans with LIBOR or SOFR floors. Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details ($ in millions) # Loan Type Location Origination Date Current Loan Commitment Outstanding Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate LIBOR/ SOFR Floor Unleveraged Effective Yield Maturity Date Payment Terms(1) Residential/Condominium Loans: 72 Senior FL Jul 2021 $75.0 $68.0 $67.5 L+5.25% —% 6.3% Jul 2023 I/O 73 Senior NY Mar 2022 91.1 61.8 60.9 S+8.95% 0.4% 11.4% Oct 2023 I/O 74 Senior CA Jan 2018 14.3 14.3 14.3 13.00% —% —%(2) May 2021 I/O Total Residential/Condominium $180.4 $144.1 $142.7 Student Housing Loans: 75 Senior CA Jun 2017 $35.9 $35.9 $35.9 L+3.95% 0.4% 4.4% Jul 2022 I/O 76 Senior FL Jul 2019 22.0 22.0 22.0 L+3.25% 2.3% 6.0% Aug 2022 I/O 77 Senior AL Apr 2021 19.5 19.5 19.4 L+3.85% 0.2% 4.7% May 2024 I/O Total Student Housing $77.4 $77.4 $77.3 Loan Portfolio Total/Weighted Average $2,683.0 $2,439.4 $2,421.8 0.98%(3) 5.5%

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 17 As of ($ in thousands, except share and per share data) 3/31/2022 12/31/2021 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,759 $ 50,615 Loans held for investment ($1,028,398 and $974,424 related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 2,421,772 2,414,383 Current expected credit loss reserve (20,452) (23,939) Loans held for investment, net of current expected credit loss reserve 2,401,320 2,390,444 Real estate owned held for sale, net — 36,602 Other assets ($2,267 and $2,592 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively; $74,615 and $128,589 of other receivables related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 100,726 154,177 Total assets $ 2,515,805 $ 2,631,838 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Secured funding agreements $ 740,022 $ 840,047 Notes payable 22,631 50,358 Secured term loan 149,061 149,016 Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIEs) 861,788 861,188 Secured borrowings 22,612 22,589 Due to affiliate 3,823 4,156 Dividends payable 16,740 16,674 Other liabilities ($689 and $570 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 9,794 9,182 Total liabilities 1,826,471 1,953,210 Commitments and contingencies STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and 47,412,436 and 47,144,058 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively 467 465 Additional paid-in capital 707,579 703,950 Accumulated other comprehensive income 10,458 2,844 Accumulated earnings (deficit) (29,170) (28,631) Total stockholders' equity 689,334 678,628 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,515,805 $ 2,631,838 Consolidated Balance Sheets

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 18 Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Three Months Ended ($ in thousands, except share and per share data) 3/31/2022 12/31/2021 9/30/2021 6/30/2021 3/31/2021 Revenue: Interest income $ 33,364 $ 38,044 $ 34,023 $ 30,859 $ 30,704 Interest expense (12,013) (14,180) (12,669) (11,092) (12,139) Net interest margin 21,351 23,864 21,354 19,767 18,565 Revenue from real estate owned 2,672 6,247 5,850 3,764 2,658 Total revenue 24,023 30,111 27,204 23,531 21,223 Expenses: Management and incentive fees to affiliate 2,974 3,443 3,175 2,951 2,567 Professional fees 778 556 480 615 785 General and administrative expenses 1,613 1,271 1,119 1,195 1,157 General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate 834 703 773 788 752 Expenses from real estate owned 4,309 6,089 5,339 3,842 3,277 Total expenses 10,508 12,062 10,886 9,391 8,538 Provision for current expected credit losses (594) 765 6,367 (3,883) (3,240) Gain on sale of real estate owned 2,197 — — — — Income before income taxes 16,306 17,284 9,951 18,023 15,925 Income tax expense, including excise tax 105 130 — 408 185 Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 16,201 $ 17,154 $ 9,951 $ 17,615 $ 15,740 Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per common share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.21 $ 0.43 $ 0.46 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.21 $ 0.43 $ 0.45 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 47,204,397 47,026,252 46,957,339 41,009,175 34,417,040 Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 47,654,549 47,312,873 47,209,469 41,294,597 34,720,950 Dividends declared per share of common stock(1) $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.35 1. There is no assurance dividends will continue at these levels or at all.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 19 Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Distributable Earnings For the Three Months Ended ($ in thousands, except per share data) 3/31/2022 12/31/2021 9/30/2021 6/30/2021 3/31/2021 Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 16,201 $ 17,154 $ 9,951 $ 17,615 $ 15,740 Stock-based compensation 766 494 428 497 521 Incentive fees to affiliate 358 830 572 693 658 Depreciation of real estate owned(1) (2,385) 151 225 225 224 Provision for current expected credit losses (594) 765 6,367 (3,883) (3,240) Realized gain on termination of interest rate cap derivative(2) 1,960 — — — — Distributable Earnings $ 16,306 $ 19,394 $ 17,543 $ 15,147 $ 13,903 Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.21 $ 0.43 $ 0.46 Stock-based compensation 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 Incentive fees to affiliate 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 Depreciation of real estate owned(1) (0.05) — — 0.01 0.01 Provision for current expected credit losses (0.01) 0.02 0.14 (0.09) (0.09) Realized gain on termination of interest rate cap derivative(2) 0.04 — — — — Basic Distributable Earnings per common share $ 0.35 $ 0.41 $ 0.37 $ 0.37 $ 0.40 Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.21 $ 0.43 $ 0.45 Stock-based compensation 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 Incentive fees to affiliate — 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 Depreciation of real estate owned(1) (0.05) — — 0.01 0.01 Provision for current expected credit losses (0.01) 0.02 0.13 (0.09) (0.09) Realized gain on termination of interest rate cap derivative(2) 0.04 — — — — Diluted Distributable Earnings per common share $ 0.34 $ 0.41 $ 0.37 $ 0.37 $ 0.40 1. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Distributable Earnings include a $2.4 million adjustment to reverse the impact of accumulated depreciation following the sale of the hotel property that was recognized as real estate owned. For periods prior to the sale, depreciation of real estate owned was an additive adjustment to Distributable Earnings. 2. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Distributable Earnings include a $2.0 million adjustment to include the realized gain from the termination of the interest rate cap derivative.

0 42 65 155 112 42 4 94 109 127 127 127 0 42 65 2 87 133 71 126 163 120 163 198 Credit Private Equit y Real Estat e Strategi c Initiat ives BUSINE SS SECTOR PALETT E GENER AL PALET TE 20 Glossary Ares Warehouse The Ares Warehouse represents a real estate debt warehouse investment vehicle maintained by an affiliate of ACREM. The Ares Warehouse holds Ares Management originated commercial real estate loans, which are made available to purchase by other investment vehicles, including ACRE and other Ares Management managed investment vehicles. Distributable Earnings Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that helps the Company evaluate its financial performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that it believes are not necessarily indicative of its current loan origination portfolio and operations. To maintain the Company’s REIT status, the Company is generally required to annually distribute to its stockholders substantially all of its taxable income. The Company believes the disclosure of Distributable Earnings provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's ability to pay dividends, which is one of the principal reasons investors invest in the Company. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Distributable Earnings is defined as net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fees the Company pays to its Manager, depreciation and amortization (to the extent that any of the Company’s target investments are structured as debt and the Company forecloses on any properties underlying such debt), any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income (loss), one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between the Company’s manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Loan balances that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off as a realized loss and are included in Distributable Earnings. Distributable Earnings is aligned with the calculation of “Core Earnings,ˮ which is defined in the Management Agreement and is used to calculate the incentive fees the Company pays to its Manager. Unleveraged Effective Yield Unleveraged effective yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield Weighted average unleveraged effective yield is calculated based on the average of unleveraged effective yield of all loans held by the Company as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.

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Cover Page Cove Page	May 03, 2022
Cover Page [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	May 03, 2022
Entity Registrant Name	ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity File Number	001-35517
Entity Tax Identification Number	45-3148087
Entity Address, Address Line One	245 Park Avenue,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	42nd Floor,
Entity Address, City or Town	New York,
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10167
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	750-7300
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	ACRE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001529377