Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated August 1, 2019)

14,000,000 Shares

New Residential Investment Corp.
6.375% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
(Liquidation Preference $25.00 Per Share)

We are offering 14,000,000 shares of our 6.375% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends (i) from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, February 15, 2025 at a fixed rate equal to 6.375% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference (equivalent to $1.59375 per annum per share) and (ii) from and including February 15, 2025, at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.969% per annum. Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of February, May, August and November of each year, when and as declared, beginning on May 15, 2020 (long first Dividend Period (as defined herein)). Dividends will accumulate and be cumulative from, and including, the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Stock.

The Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable by us prior to February 15, 2025, except under circumstances where it is necessary to preserve our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except as described below upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein). On or after February 15, 2025, we may, at our option, subject to certain procedural requirements, redeem any or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, subject to certain procedural requirements, redeem any or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest. The Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption, and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (our “common stock”), in connection with a Change of Control by the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our election to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described above, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined herein)) to convert some or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of the Series C Preferred Stock equal to the lesser of:

•

the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a dividend record date (as defined herein) and prior to the corresponding dividend payment date (as defined herein) for the Series C Preferred Stock, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividends to be paid on such dividend payment date will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price (as defined herein); and

•

2.89352 (the “Share Cap”), subject to certain adjustments as explained herein;

in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus supplement, including provisions for the receipt, under specified circumstances, of alternative consideration as described in this prospectus supplement.

No current market exists for the Series C Preferred Stock. We intend to apply to list the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “NRZ PR C.” If the application is approved, trading of the Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE is expected to commence within 30 days after the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Stock. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “NRZ.”

There are restrictions on ownership of the Series C Preferred Stock intended to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Please see the sections entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, except under limited circumstances as described in this prospectus supplement, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock generally do not have any voting rights.

Investing in the Series C Preferred Stock involves a number of risks. Before making a decision to invest in the Series C Preferred Stock, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in the Series C Preferred Stock in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement and in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Neither the SEC nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

	Per Share		Total⁽¹⁾
Public offering price	$	25.00	$	350,000,000
Underwriting discount	$	0.7875	$	11,025,000
Proceeds to us (before expenses)	$	24.2125	$	338,975,000

(1)

Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 2,100,000 additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any, on the same terms and conditions set forth above within 30 days of the date of this prospectus supplement.

The underwriters are offering the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock subject to certain conditions. The underwriters expect that the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company on or about February 14, 2020.

Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Securities	J.P. Morgan	Morgan Stanley	RBC Capital Markets	UBS Investment Bank
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods A Stifel Company			Citigroup

Co-Managers
B. Riley FBR	BTIG	Credit Suisse	Raymond James	Wedbush Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is February 11, 2020.

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of the Series C Preferred Stock only in jurisdictions where the offers and sales are permitted. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference, as the case may be, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any sale of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock.

All references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “New Residential” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus mean New Residential Investment Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where it is made clear that the term means only the parent company.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE		S-1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		S-2
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY		S-4
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.		S-4
THE OFFERING		S-9
RISK FACTORS		S-15
USE OF PROCEEDS		S-68
DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK		S-69
SUPPLEMENT TO U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS		S-84
UNDERWRITING		S-86
LEGAL MATTERS		S-91
EXPERTS		S-91

Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE		2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		3
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.		5
RISK FACTORS		6
USE OF PROCEEDS		6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		7
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		9
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		14
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		16
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS		17
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE UNITS		18
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS		18
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS		19
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS		22
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS		46
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		48
LEGAL MATTERS		52
EXPERTS		52

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus information that we file with the SEC prior to the completion of this offering. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring to these filed documents. Any information referenced in this way is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any such information filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement (but prior to the completion of this offering) will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents which we have already filed with the SEC, except that any information which is furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K (including financial statements or exhibits relating thereto furnished pursuant to Item 9.01) and not filed shall not be deemed incorporated by reference herein:

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2019;

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Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, filed with the SEC on May 2, 2019, August 1, 2019 and October 29, 2019, respectively;

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Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2019, March 15, 2019, April 15, 2019, May 24, 2019, June 18 2019, June 26, 2019, July 2, 2019, July 26, 2019, August 2, 2019, August 9, 2019, August 15, 2019, August 16, 2019, August 21, 2019, September 6, 2019, September 13, 2019, September 20, 2019, October 2, 2019, October 18, 2019 and November 6, 2019;

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The portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed on April 11, 2019, which are incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018;

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The description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, filed on April 29, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;

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The description of our Series A Preferred Stock included in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on July 2, 2019, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

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The description of our Series B Preferred Stock included in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on August 15, 2019, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

Whenever after the date of this prospectus supplement (but prior to the completion of this offering) we file reports or documents under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, those reports and documents will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the time they are filed (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules). Any statement made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part. Requests should be directed to New Residential Investment Corp., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York 10105, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone number (212) 479-3150 and email address ir@newresicom). Our SEC filings are also available free of charge at our website (www.newresi.com). The information on or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the operating performance of our investments, the stability of our earnings, our financing needs and the size and attractiveness of market opportunities. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations, cash flows or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Our ability to predict results or the actual outcome of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. As set forth more fully under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item IA in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Part II, Item 1A. in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, which are incorporated by reference herein, and under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement, factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:

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reductions in the value of, or cash flows received from, our investments;

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the quality and size of the investment pipeline and our ability to take advantage of investment opportunities at attractive risk-adjusted prices;

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the relationship between yields on assets which are paid off and yields on assets in which such monies can be reinvested;

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our ability to deploy capital accretively and the timing of such deployment;

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our counterparty concentration and default risks in Nationstar Mortgage LLC (d/b/a Mr. Cooper, “Mr. Cooper”), LoanCare, LLC (“LoanCare”), OneMain Holdings, Inc. (“OneMain”), PHH Mortgage Corporation (“PHH”) and other third parties;

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events, conditions or actions that might occur at Mr. Cooper, LoanCare, OneMain, PHH and other third parties, as well as the continued effect of prior events;

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a lack of liquidity surrounding our investments, which could impede our ability to vary our portfolio in an appropriate manner;

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the impact that risks associated with subprime mortgage loans and consumer loans, as well as deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, may have on the value of our mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), excess mortgage servicing rights (“Excess MSRs”), servicer advance investments, residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), residential mortgage loans and consumer loan portfolios;

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the risks related to our acquisitions of Shellpoint Partners LLC (“Shellpoint”) and certain assets from the bankruptcy estate of Ditech Holding Company and Ditech Financial LLC (“Ditech”), as well as ownership of entities that perform origination and servicing affiliated services;

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the risks that default and recovery rates on our MSRs, Excess MSRs, servicer advance investments, servicer advance receivables, RMBS, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans deteriorate compared to our underwriting estimates;

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changes in prepayment rates on the loans underlying certain of our assets, including, but not limited to, our MSRs or Excess MSRs;

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the risk that projected recapture rates on the loan pools underlying our MSRs or Excess MSRs are not achieved;

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servicer advances may not be recoverable or may take longer to recover than we expect, which could cause us to fail to achieve our targeted return on our servicer advance investments or MSRs;

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impairments in the value of the collateral underlying our investments and the relation of any such impairments to our judgments as to whether changes in the market value of our securities or loans are temporary or not and whether circumstances bearing on the value of such assets warrant changes in carrying values;

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the relative spreads between the yield on the assets in which we invest and the cost of financing;

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adverse changes in the financing markets we access affecting our ability to finance our investments on attractive terms, or at all;

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changing risk assessments by lenders that potentially lead to increased margin calls, not extending our repurchase agreements or other financings in accordance with their current terms or not entering into new financings with us;

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changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, as well as the success of any hedging strategy we may undertake in relation to such changes;

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the availability and terms of capital for future investments;

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changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate and bond markets specifically;

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competition within the finance and real estate industries;

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the legislative/regulatory environment, including, but not limited to, the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, U.S. government programs intended to grow the economy, future changes to tax laws, the federal conservatorship of Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and legislation that permits modification of the terms of residential mortgage loans;

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the risk that Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and collectively with Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) or other regulatory initiatives or actions may adversely affect returns from investments in MSRs and Excess MSRs;

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our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the potentially onerous consequences that any failure to maintain such qualification would have on our business;

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our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the fact that maintaining such exclusion imposes limits on our operations;

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the impact of current or future legal proceedings and regulatory investigations and inquiries;

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the impact of any material transactions with FIG LLC (our “Manager”) or one of its affiliates, including the impact of any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest; and

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effects of the completed merger of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”) with affiliates of SoftBank Group Corp.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect our management’s views as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The factors noted above could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

We encourage you to read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, in their entireties. In evaluating forward-looking statements, you should consider the discussion regarding risks and uncertainties under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our reports filed with the SEC. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that we may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before making a decision to invest in the Series C Preferred Stock. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, carefully before making an investment decision, especially the risks of investing in the Series C Preferred Stock discussed under “Risk Factors” herein and therein and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference herein and therein.

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.

General

New Residential is a publicly traded REIT and a leading provider of capital and services to the mortgage and financial services industry. The NYSE lists our common stock under the trading symbol “NRZ,” our Series A Preferred Stock (as defined below) under the trading symbol “NRZ PR A” and our Series B Preferred Stock (as defined below) under the trading symbol “NRZ PR B.”

During the fourth quarter of 2019, due to the acquisition of select assets and liabilities from Ditech that are core to the forward origination and servicing businesses of our origination and servicing subsidiary NewRez LLC (“NewRez”), we reevaluated the composition of our reportable segments based on the significance of certain business activities to our operations and performance evaluation, which drive resource allocation. Since the fourth quarter of 2019, we have been managing and reviewing our consolidated operations through the following six reportable segments: (i) origination, (ii) servicing, (iii) MSR related investments, (iv) residential securities and loans, (v) consumer loans, and (vi) corporate, instead of the following reportable segments prior to that time: (i) servicing and originations, (ii) residential securities and loans, (iii) consumer loans and (iv) corporate. Reporting of the new segmentation will be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, with historical financial segment information restated to conform to the new segment presentation.

We seek to generate long-term value for our investors by using our investment expertise to identify, manage and invest in mortgage related assets, including operating companies, that offer attractive risk-adjusted returns. Our investment strategy also involves opportunistically pursuing acquisitions and seeking to establish strategic partnerships that we believe enable us to maximize the value of the mortgage loans we originate and/or service by offering products and services to customers, servicers, and other parties through the lifecycle of transactions that affect each mortgage loan and underlying residential property.

We are externally managed by our Manager, an affiliate of Fortress. We are able to draw upon the long-standing expertise and resources of Fortress, a global investment management firm. Pursuant to the terms of our management agreement with our Manager, our Manager provides a management team and other professionals who are responsible for implementing our business strategy and performing certain services for us, subject to oversight by our board of directors. For its services, our Manager is entitled to an annual management fee and is eligible to receive incentive compensation, depending upon our performance. An affiliate of our Manager will also receive options relating to shares of our common stock in connection with this offering.

Recent Developments

As part of a previously announced earnings release, we disclosed the following preliminary results of operations for our fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.

Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2019

	4Q 2019	3Q 2019	Year Ended December 31, 2019	Year Ended December 31, 2018
Summary Operating Results:
GAAP Net Income per Diluted Common Share⁽¹⁾	$0.51	$0.54	$1.34	$2.81
GAAP Net Income	$211.8 million	$224.6 million	$550.0 million	$964.0 million

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	4Q 2019	3Q 2019	Year Ended December 31, 2019	Year Ended December 31, 2018
Non-GAAP Results:
Core Earnings per Diluted Common Share⁽¹⁾	$0.61	$0.50	$2.17	$2.38
Core Earnings⁽²⁾	$255.4 million	$207.3 million	$886.8 million	$815.2 million

NRZ Common Dividend:
Common Dividend per Share⁽¹⁾	$0.50	$0.50	$2.00	$2.00
Common Dividend	$207.8 million	$207.8 million	$831.0 million	$692.7 million

⁽¹⁾

Per common share calculations of GAAP Net Income and Core Earnings are based on 408,990,107 average diluted shares during the full year ended December 31, 2019; 343,137,361 average diluted shares during the full year ended December 31, 2018; 415,673,185 weighted average diluted shares during the quarter ended December 31, 2019; and 415,588,238 weighted average diluted shares during the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Per share calculations of Common Dividend are based on 415,520,780 basic shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019; 415,520,780 basic shares outstanding as of June 30, 2019; 415,429,677 basic shares outstanding as of March 31, 2019; 369,104,429 basic shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018; 340,354,429 basic shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018; 339,862,769 basic shares outstanding as of June 30, 2018; and 336,135,391 basic shares outstanding as of March 31, 2018.

⁽²⁾

Core Earnings is a non-GAAP measure. For a reconciliation of Core Earnings to GAAP Net Income, as well as an explanation of this measure, please refer to “Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliation to GAAP Net Income” below.

Our preliminary financial results described above may change as a result of the completion of our closing procedures for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2019 and, as a result, our final results upon completion of the closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates. These results, which are the responsibility of our management, were prepared by our management in connection with the preparation of our financial statements and are based upon a number of assumptions. Additional items that may require adjustments to the preliminary operating results may be identified and could result in material changes to our estimated preliminary operating results. The preliminary operating results are inherently uncertain and we undertake no obligation to update this information. Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has not audited, reviewed or performed any procedures with respect to this preliminary financial information. Accordingly, Ernst & Young LLP does not express an opinion or provide any form of assurance with respect thereto. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019 are prepared by our management. Our auditors have not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to this preliminary financial information. Our financial results upon completion of the closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates.”

Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliation to GAAP Net Income

	Three Months Ended						Year Ended December 31,
	December 31, 2019			September 30, 2019			2019			2018
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	211,780		$	224,584		$	550,015		$	963,967
Adjustments for Non-Core Earnings:
Impairment		5,360			(5,123	)		35,344			90,641
Change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights		(100,344	)		45,541			171,915			(244,624	)
Change in fair value of servicer advance investments		5,644			(6,641	)		(10,288	)		89,332
Change in fair value of investments in residential mortgage loans		145,308			7,290			43,009			(74,162	)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		31,113			(41,910	)		49,699			113,558
(Gain) loss on settlement of investments, net		(112,584	)		(114,325	)		(158,640	)		(96,319	)
Other (income) loss		(44,487	)		35,271			(27,985	)		11,425
Other Income and Impairment attributable to non-controlling interests		(4,495	)		(994	)		(13,548	)		(22,247	)
Non-capitalized transaction-related expenses		31,984			8,155			56,289			21,946
Incentive compensation to affiliate		42,627			36,307			91,892			94,900

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	Three Months Ended					Year Ended December 31,
	December 31, 2019		September 30, 2019			2019			2018
Preferred stock management fee to affiliate		1,588		1,055			2,642			—
Deferred taxes		20,127		(6,652	)		38,207			(80,054	)
Interest income on residential mortgage loans, held-for sale		15,648		18,852			60,689			13,374
Limit on RMBS discount accretion related to called deals		—		(34	)		(19,590	)		(58,581	)
Adjust consumer loans to level yield		355		1,922			5,239			(21,181	)
Core earnings of equity method investees:
Excess mortgage servicing rights		5,803		3,987			11,905			13,183
Core Earnings	$	255,427	$	207,286		$	886,794		$	815,158

Net Income Per Diluted Share	$	0.51	$	0.54		$	1.34		$	2.81
Core Earnings Per Diluted Share	$	0.61	$	0.50		$	2.17		$	2.38
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding, Diluted		415,673,185		415,588,238			408,990,107			343,137,361

The reconciliation of estimated preliminary Net Income to Core Earnings results was calculated based on our preliminary estimates of the expected base case differences between Net Income and Core Earnings. Similar to the estimated preliminary operating results noted above, our final reconciliation upon completion of our closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates.

We have five primary variables that impact our operating performance: (i) the current yield earned on our investments, (ii) the interest expense under the debt incurred to finance our investments, (iii) our operating expenses and taxes, (iv) our realized and unrealized gains or losses, including any impairment, on our investments, and (v) income from our origination and servicing businesses. “Core earnings” is a non-GAAP measure of our operating performance, excluding the fourth variable above and adjusts the earnings from the consumer loan investment to a level yield basis. Core earnings is used by management to evaluate our performance without taking into account: (i) realized and unrealized gains and losses, which although they represent a part of our recurring operations, are subject to significant variability and are generally limited to a potential indicator of future economic performance; (ii) incentive compensation paid to our manager; (iii) non-capitalized transaction-related expenses; and (iv) deferred taxes, which are not representative of current operations.

Our definition of core earnings includes accretion on held-for-sale loans as if they continued to be held-for-investment. Although we intend to sell such loans, there is no guarantee that such loans will be sold or that they will be sold within any expected timeframe.

During the period prior to sale, we continue to receive cash flows from such loans and believe that it is appropriate to record a yield thereon. In addition, our definition of core earnings excludes all deferred taxes, rather than just deferred taxes related to unrealized gains or losses, because we believe deferred taxes are not representative of current operations. Our definition of core earnings also limits accreted interest income on RMBS where we receive par upon the exercise of associated call rights based on the estimated value of the underlying collateral, net of related costs including advances. We created this limit in order to be able to accrete to the lower of par or the net value of the underlying collateral, in instances where the net value of the underlying collateral is lower than par. We believe this amount represents the amount of accretion we would have expected to earn on such bonds had the call rights not been exercised.

Our investments in consumer loans are accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 310-20 and ASC No. 310-30, including certain non-performing consumer loans with revolving privileges that are explicitly excluded from being accounted for under ASC No. 310-30. Under ASC No. 310-20, the recognition of expected losses on these non-performing consumer loans is delayed in comparison to the level yield methodology under ASC No. 310-30, which recognizes income based on an expected cash flow model reflecting an investment’s lifetime expected losses. The purpose of the core earnings adjustment to adjust consumer loans to a level yield is to present income recognition across the consumer loan portfolio in the manner in which it is economically earned,

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avoid potential delays in loss recognition, and align it with our overall portfolio of mortgage-related assets which generally record income on a level yield basis. With respect to consumer loans classified as held-for-sale, the level yield is computed through the expected sale date. With respect to the gains recorded under GAAP in 2014 and 2016 as a result of a refinancing of the debt related to our investments in consumer loans, and the consolidation of entities that own our investments in consumer loans, respectively, we continue to record a level yield on those assets based on their original purchase price.

While incentive compensation paid to our manager may be a material operating expense, we exclude it from core earnings because (i) from time to time, a component of the computation of this expense will relate to items (such as gains or losses) that are excluded from core earnings, and (ii) it is impractical to determine the portion of the expense related to core earnings and non-core earnings, and the type of earnings (loss) that created an excess (deficit) above or below, as applicable, the incentive compensation threshold. To illustrate why it is impractical to determine the portion of incentive compensation expense that should be allocated to core earnings, we note that, as an example, in a given period, we may have core earnings in excess of the incentive compensation threshold but incur losses (which are excluded from core earnings) that reduce total earnings below the incentive compensation threshold. In such case, we would either need to (a) allocate zero incentive compensation expense to core earnings, even though core earnings exceeded the incentive compensation threshold, or (b) assign a “pro forma” amount of incentive compensation expense to core earnings, even though no incentive compensation was actually incurred. We believe that neither of these allocation methodologies achieves a logical result. Accordingly, the exclusion of incentive compensation facilitates comparability between periods and avoids the distortion to our non-GAAP operating measure that would result from the inclusion of incentive compensation that relates to non-core earnings.

With regard to non-capitalized transaction-related expenses, management does not view these costs as part of our core operations, as they are considered by management to be similar to realized losses incurred at acquisition. Non-capitalized transaction-related expenses are generally legal and valuation service costs, as well as other professional service fees, incurred when we acquire certain investments, as well as costs associated with the acquisition and integration of acquired businesses.

Since the third quarter of 2018, as a result of our acquisition of Shellpoint, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary, NewRez (formerly New Penn Financial), originate conventional, government-insured and nonconforming residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization. In connection with the transfer of loans to the GSEs or mortgage investors, we report realized gains or losses on the sale of originated residential mortgage loans and retention of mortgage servicing rights, which we believe is an indicator of performance for the Servicing and Origination segments and therefore included in core earnings. Realized gains or losses on the sale of originated residential mortgage loans had no impact on core earnings in any prior period, but may impact core earnings in future periods.

Beginning with the third quarter of 2019, as a result of the continued evaluation of how Shellpoint operates its business and its impact on our operating performance, core earnings includes Shellpoint’s GAAP net income with the exception of the unrealized gains or losses due to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions on MSRs owned by NewRez, and non-capitalized transaction-related expenses. This change was not material to core earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Management believes that the adjustments to compute “core earnings” specified above allow investors and analysts to readily identify and track the operating performance of the assets that form the core of our activity, assist in comparing the core operating results between periods, and enable investors to evaluate our current core performance using the same measure that management uses to operate the business. Management also utilizes core earnings as a measure in its decision-making process relating to improvements to the underlying fundamental operations of our investments, as well as the allocation of resources between those investments, and management also relies on core earnings as an indicator of the results of such decisions. Core earnings excludes certain recurring items, such as gains and losses (including impairment as well as derivative activities) and non-capitalized transaction-related expenses, because they are not considered by management to be part of our core operations for the reasons described herein. As such, core earnings is not intended to reflect all of our activity and should be considered as only one of the factors used by management in assessing our performance, along with GAAP net income which is inclusive of all of our activities.

The primary differences between core earnings and the measure we use to calculate incentive compensation relate to (i) realized gains and losses (including impairments), (ii) non-capitalized transaction-related expenses and

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(iii) deferred taxes (other than those related to unrealized gains and losses). Each are excluded from core earnings and included in our incentive compensation measure (either immediately or through amortization). In addition, our incentive compensation measure does not include accretion on held-for-sale loans and the timing of recognition of income from consumer loans is different. Unlike core earnings, our incentive compensation measure is intended to reflect all realized results of operations. The gain on remeasurement of consumer loans investment was treated as an unrealized gain for the purposes of calculating incentive compensation and was therefore excluded from such calculation.

Core earnings does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, net income or as a substitute for, or superior to, cash flows from operating activities, each as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies.

Our Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York 10105. Our telephone number is (212) 479-3150. Our web address is www.newresi.com. The information on or otherwise accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, accompanying prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.

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THE OFFERING

This summary of the offering provides a brief overview of the key aspects of the Series C Preferred Stock. You should read carefully this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to understand fully the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, as well as the tax and other considerations that are important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the Series C Preferred Stock. You should pay special attention to the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement to determine whether an investment in the Series C Preferred Stock is appropriate for you.

Issuer

New Residential Investment Corp.

Securities Offered

We are offering 14,000,000 shares of the Series C Preferred Stock ($350,000,000 aggregate liquidation preference), with each share of the Series C Preferred Stock having a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation preference of $25.00, plus up to 2,100,000 additional shares upon the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

We may elect from time to time to issue additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock without notice to, or consent from, the existing holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, and all such additional Series C Preferred Stock would be deemed to form a single series with the shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Dividends

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends (i) from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, February 15, 2025 (the “Fixed Rate Period”) at a fixed rate equal to 6.375% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference (equivalent to $1.59375 per annum per share of the Series C Preferred Stock) and (ii) from and including February 15, 2025 (the “Floating Rate Period”), at a floating rate per annum equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.969% per annum.

Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of February, May, August and November of each year (each, a “dividend payment date”), when and as declared, provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, as defined in the certificate of designations (as defined herein), then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day. Dividends payable for any Dividend Period during the Fixed Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and dividends payable for any Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed in such Dividend Period. Dividends will accumulate and be cumulative from, and including, the original issue date, which is expected to be February 14, 2020. The first dividend, payable on or about May 15, 2020 (long first Dividend Period) in the amount of $0.4028646 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, will be paid to the persons who are the

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holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on the corresponding dividend record date, which will be on or about April 15, 2020.

Optional Redemption

The Series C Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no maturity date. Generally, the Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable by us prior to February 15, 2025, except under circumstances where it is necessary to preserve our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except as described below under “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption.” On and after February 15, 2025, we may, at our option, subject to certain procedural requirements, redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest. See “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Redemption—Optional Redemption.” The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not have the right to require redemption.

Special Optional Redemption

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, subject to certain procedural requirements, redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right described above or this special optional redemption right), the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not have any right to convert the Series C Preferred Stock as described below under “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Conversion Rights” with respect to the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock called for redemption. Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement.

A “Change of Control” is deemed to occur when, after the original issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

•

the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction

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or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of our capital stock entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of our directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

•

following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”) or the Nasdaq Stock Market, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Conversion Rights

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will have the right, subject to our election to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock in whole or in part prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, to convert some or all of the Series C Preferred Stock on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of the Series C Preferred Stock equal to the lesser of:

•

the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a dividend record date and prior to the corresponding dividend payment date for the Series C Preferred Stock, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividends to be paid on such dividend payment date will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price; and

•

2.89352, subject to adjustments to this Share Cap for any splits, subdivisions or combinations of our common stock;

For definitions of “Change of Control Conversion Right,” “Change of Control Conversion Date” and

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“Common Stock Price” and a description of certain adjustments and provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration that may be applicable to the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock in the event of a Change of Control, and for other important information, please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Conversion Rights.”

Liquidation Preference

If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will have the right to receive $25.00 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date of payment, before any payment is made to the holders of our common stock Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Liquidation Preference.”

Voting Rights

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly Dividend Periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock (voting together as class with the holders of our 7.50% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), the holders of our 7.125% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) and the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock we have issued or may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election referred to below), will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our board of directors until we pay all dividends that we owe on the Series C Preferred Stock, subject to certain limitations described in the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.” In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock is required for us to authorize or issue any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to amend any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (as defined herein) so as to materially and adversely affect any rights of the Series C Preferred Stock or to take certain other actions. Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.”

Ranking

The Series C Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (1) senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us that expressly indicate are subordinated to the Series C

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Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; (2) on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, including our currently outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, other than the equity securities referred to in clauses (1) and (3); (3) junior to all equity securities issued by us and approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (4) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our common stock or preferred stock) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries. Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock— Ranking.”

At September 30, 2019, we and our subsidiaries had approximately $32.3 billion of indebtedness and other liabilities ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock. Certain of our existing or future debt instruments may restrict the authorization, payment or setting apart of dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock.

Preemptive Rights

No holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for our common stock or any other security.

Listing

We intend to apply to list the Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE under the symbol “NRZ PR C.” If approved, trading of the Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE is expected to commence within 30 days after the original issue date of the shares. While the underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Series C Preferred Stock prior to commencement of any trading on the NYSE, they are under no obligation to do so and no assurance can be given that a market for the Series C Preferred Stock will develop prior to commencement of trading or, if developed, will be maintained or be liquid.

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from our sale of the Series C Preferred Stock in this offering will be approximately $338,695,000 (or $389,541,250 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock in full) after deducting the expenses of this offering and the underwriting discount. We intend to use the net proceeds from our sale of the Series C Preferred Stock in this offering for investments and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Manager Options

Options relating to 1,400,000 shares of our common stock (or 1,610,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of the Series C

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Preferred Stock in full) at an exercise price per share of the Series C Preferred Stock equal to $17.41, which is the closing price of our common stock on the date of this prospectus supplement, representing 10% of the number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock being offered by us hereby, have been approved by the compensation committee of our board of directors to be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of our Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), to our Manager or an affiliate of our Manger in connection with this offering, and subject to adjustment if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock. The options are fully vested as of the date of grant, become exercisable as to 1/30 of the shares to which it is subject on the first day of each of the 30 calendar months following the first month after the date of the grant and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

These options will be settled in an amount of cash equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, unless advance approval is made to settle the option in shares.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Book-Entry and Form

The Series C Preferred Stock will be represented by one or more global certificates in definitive fully registered form deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of, a nominee of The Depository Trust Company.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of owning and disposing of the Series C Preferred Stock and any common stock received upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock, please see the sections entitled “Supplement to U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus supplement and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus. See “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfers of Stock.”

Risk Factors

Investing in the Series C Preferred Stock involves risks that are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, which are incorporated by reference herein.

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RISK FACTORS

In evaluating an investment in the Series C Preferred Stock, you should consider carefully the following risk factors and the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus supplement, any other documents incorporated by reference herein and, if applicable, in any free writing prospectus we may provide you in connection with this offering.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019 were prepared by our management. Our auditors have not audited, reviewed or performed any procedures with respect to this preliminary financial information. Our final results upon completion of the closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates.

The preliminary financial results included under “Prospectus Supplement Summary—Recent Developments” were prepared by our management in connection with the preparation of our financial statements and are based upon a number of assumptions. We are still in the process of preparing our full financial statements for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019. Additional items that may require adjustments to the preliminary operating results may be identified and could result in material changes to our estimated preliminary operating results. Ernst & Young LLP has not audited, reviewed or performed any procedures with respect to this preliminary financial information. As a result, our final results upon completion of the closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates.

We may not be able to successfully operate our business strategy or generate sufficient revenue to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully operate our business or implement our operating policies and strategies. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient returns to pay our operating expenses and make satisfactory distributions to our stockholders, or any distributions at all. Our results of operations and our ability to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders depend on several factors, including the availability of opportunities to acquire attractive assets, the level and volatility of interest rates, the availability of adequate short- and long-term financing, and conditions in the real estate market, the financial markets and economic conditions.

The value of our investments is based on various assumptions that could prove to be incorrect and could have a negative impact on our financial results.

When we make investments, we base the price we pay and, in some cases, the rate of amortization of those investments on, among other things, our projection of the cash flows from the related pool of loans. We generally record such investments on our balance sheet at fair value, and we measure their fair value on a recurring basis. Our projections of the cash flow from our investments, and the determination of the fair value thereof, are based on assumptions about various factors, including, but not limited to:

•

rates of prepayment and repayment of the underlying loans;

•

potential fluctuations in prevailing interest rates and credit spreads;

•

rates of delinquencies and defaults, and related loss severities;

•

costs of engaging a subservicer to service MSRs;

•

market discount rates;

•

in the case of MSRs and Excess MSRs, recapture rates; and

•

in the case of servicer advance investments and servicer advances receivable, the amount and timing of servicer advances and recoveries.

Our assumptions could differ materially from actual results. The use of different estimates or assumptions in connection with the valuation of these investments could produce materially different fair values for such

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investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. The ultimate realization of the value of our investments may be materially different than the fair values of such investments.

We refer to our MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs, and the base fee portion of the related MSRs included in our servicer advance investments, collectively, as our interests in MSRs.

With respect to our investments in interests in MSRs, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, and a portion of our RMBS, when the related loans are prepaid as a result of a refinancing or otherwise, the related cash flows payable to us will either, in the case of interest-only RMBS, and/or interests in MSRs, cease (unless, in the case of our interests in MSRs, the loans are recaptured upon a refinancing), or we will cease to receive interest income on such investments, as applicable. Borrowers under residential mortgage loans and consumer loans are generally permitted to prepay their loans at any time without penalty. Our expectation of prepayment rates is a significant assumption underlying our cash flow projections. Prepayment rate is the measurement of how quickly borrowers pay down the unpaid principal balance (“UPB”) of their loans or how quickly loans are otherwise brought current, modified, liquidated or charged off. A significant increase in prepayment rates could materially reduce the ultimate cash flows and/or interest income, as applicable, we receive from our investments, and we could ultimately receive substantially less than what we paid for such assets, decreasing the fair value of our investments. If the fair value of our investment portfolio decreases, we would generally be required to record a non-cash charge, which would have a negative impact on our financial results. Consequently, the price we pay to acquire our investments may prove to be too high if there is a significant increase in prepayment rates.

The values of our investments are highly sensitive to changes in interest rates. Historically, the value of MSRs, which underpin the value of our investments, including interests in MSRs, has increased when interest rates rise and decreased when interest rates decline due to the effect of changes in interest rates on prepayment rates. Prepayment rates could increase as a result of a general economic recovery or other factors, which would reduce the value of our interests in MSRs.

Moreover, delinquency rates have a significant impact on the value of our investments. When the UPB of mortgage loans cease to be a part of the aggregate UPB of the serviced loan pool (for example, when delinquent loans are foreclosed on or repurchased, or otherwise sold, from a securitized pool), the related cash flows payable to us, as the holder of an interest in the related MSR, cease. An increase in delinquencies will generally result in lower revenue because typically we will only collect on our interests in MSRs from the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae” and, collectively with the GSEs, the “Agencies” (with each of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae an “Agency”)) and other Agencies or mortgage owners for performing loans. An increase in delinquencies with respect to the loans underlying our servicer advances could also result in a higher advance balance and the need to obtain additional financing, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all. Additionally, in the case of residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and RMBS that we own, an increase in foreclosures could result in an acceleration of repayments, resulting in a decrease in interest income. Alternatively, increases in delinquencies and defaults could also adversely affect our investments in RMBS, residential mortgage loans and/or consumer loans if and to the extent that losses are suffered on residential mortgage loans, consumer loans or, in the case of RMBS, the residential mortgage loans underlying such RMBS. Accordingly, if delinquencies are significantly greater than expected, the estimated fair value of these investments could be diminished. As a result, we could suffer a loss, which would have a negative impact on our financial results.

We are party to several “recapture agreements” whereby our MSR or Excess MSR is retained if the applicable New Residential Mortgage LLC (“NRM” or “Servicing Partner” when contextually applicable) originates a new loan the proceeds of which are used to repay a loan underlying an MSR or Excess MSR in our portfolio. We believe that such agreements will mitigate the impact on our returns in the event of a rise in voluntary prepayment rates, with respect to investments where we have such agreements. There are no assurances, however, that counterparties will enter into such arrangements with us in connection with any future investment in MSRs or Excess MSRs. We are not party to any such arrangements with respect to any of our investments other than MSRs and Excess MSRs.

If the applicable Servicing Partner does not meet anticipated recapture targets, the servicing cash flow on a given pool could be significantly lower than projected, which could have a material adverse effect on the value of our MSRs or Excess MSRs and consequently on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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Servicer advances may not be recoverable or may take longer to recover than we expect, which could cause us to fail to achieve our targeted return on our servicer advance investments or MSRs.

We are generally required to make servicer advances related to the pools of loans for which we are the named servicer. In addition, we have agreed (in the case of Mr. Cooper, together with certain third-party investors) to purchase from certain of the servicers and subservicers that we engage, which we refer to as our “Servicing Partners,” all servicer advances related to certain loan pools, as a result of which we are entitled to amounts representing repayment for such advances. During any period in which a borrower is not making payments, a servicer is generally required under the applicable servicing agreement to advance its own funds to cover the principal and interest remittances due to investors in the loans, pay property taxes and insurance premiums to third parties, and to make payments for legal expenses and other protective advances. The servicer also advances funds to maintain, repair and market real estate properties on behalf of investors in the loans.

Repayment of servicer advances and payment of deferred servicing fees are generally made from late payments and other collections and recoveries on the related residential mortgage loan (including liquidation, insurance and condemnation proceeds) or, if the related servicing agreement provides for a “general collections backstop,” from collections on other residential mortgage loans to which such servicing agreement relates. The rate and timing of payments on servicer advances and deferred servicing fees are unpredictable for several reasons, including the following:

•

payments on the servicer advances and the deferred servicing fees depend on the source of repayment, and whether and when the related servicer receives such payment. Certain servicer advances are reimbursable only out of late payments and other collections and recoveries on the related residential mortgage loan, while others are also reimbursable out of principal and interest collections with respect to all residential mortgage loans serviced under the related servicing agreement, and as a consequence, the timing of such reimbursement is highly uncertain;

•

the length of time necessary to obtain liquidation proceeds may be affected by conditions in the real estate market or the financial markets generally, the availability of financing for the acquisition of the real estate and other factors, including, but not limited to, government intervention;

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the length of time necessary to effect a foreclosure may be affected by variations in the laws of the particular jurisdiction in which the related mortgaged property is located, including whether or not foreclosure requires judicial action;

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the requirements for judicial actions for foreclosure (which can result in substantial delays in reimbursement of servicer advances and payment of deferred servicing fees), which vary from time to time as a result of changes in applicable state law; and

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the ability of the related servicer to sell delinquent residential mortgage loans to third parties prior to a sale of the underlying real estate, resulting in the early reimbursement of outstanding unreimbursed servicer advances in respect of such residential mortgage loans.

As home values change, the servicer may have to reconsider certain of the assumptions underlying its decisions to make advances. In certain situations, its contractual obligations may require the servicer to make certain advances for which it may not be reimbursed. In addition, when a residential mortgage loan defaults or becomes delinquent, the repayment of the advance may be delayed until the residential mortgage loan is repaid or refinanced, or a liquidation occurs. To the extent that one of our Servicing Partners fails to recover the servicer advances in which we have invested, or takes longer than we expect to recover such advances, the value of our investment could be adversely affected and we could fail to achieve our expected return and suffer losses.

Servicing agreements related to residential mortgage securitization transactions generally require a residential mortgage servicer to make servicer advances in respect of serviced residential mortgage loans unless the servicer determines in good faith that the servicer advance would not be ultimately recoverable from the proceeds of the related residential mortgage loan, mortgaged property or mortgagor. In many cases, if the servicer determines that a servicer advance previously made would not be recoverable from these sources, the servicer is entitled to withdraw funds from the related custodial account in respect of payments on the related pool of serviced mortgages to reimburse the related servicer advance. This is what is often referred to as a “general collections backstop.” The timing of when a servicer may utilize a general collections backstop can vary (some contracts require actual liquidation of the related loan first, while others do not), and contracts vary in terms of the types of servicer advances

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for which reimbursement from a general collections backstop is available. Accordingly, a servicer may not ultimately be reimbursed if both (i) the payments from related loan, property or mortgagor payments are insufficient for reimbursement, and (ii) a general collections backstop is not available or is insufficient. Also, if a servicer improperly makes a servicer advance, it would not be entitled to reimbursement. While we do not expect recovery rates to vary materially during the term of our investments, there can be no assurance regarding future recovery rates related to our portfolio.

We rely heavily on our Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objective and have no direct ability to influence their performance.

The value of substantially all of our investments is dependent on the satisfactory performance of servicing obligations by the related mortgage servicer or subservicer, as applicable. The duties and obligations of mortgage servicers are defined through contractual agreements, generally referred to as Servicing Guides in the case of GSEs, the MBS Guide in the case of Ginnie Mae or pooling agreements, securitization servicing agreements, pooling and servicing agreements or other similar agreements (collectively, “PSAs”) in the case of RMBS issued by either public trusts or private label securitization (“Non-Agency”) RMBS (collectively, the “Servicing Guidelines”). The duties of the subservicers we engage to service the loans underlying our MSRs are contained in subservicing agreements with our subservicers. The duties of a subservicer under a subservicing agreement may not be identical to the obligations of the servicer under Servicing Guidelines. Our interests in MSRs are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the applicable Servicing Guidelines. Servicing Guidelines generally provide for the possibility of termination of the contractual rights of the servicer in the absolute discretion of the owner of the mortgages being serviced (or the required bondholders in the case of Non-Agency RMBS). Under the Agency Servicing Guidelines, the servicer may be terminated by the applicable Agency for any reason, “with” or “without” cause, for all or any portion of the loans being serviced for such Agency. In the event mortgage owners (or bondholders) terminate the servicer (regardless of whether such servicer is a subsidiary of New Residential or one of its subservicers), the related interests in MSRs would under most circumstances lose all value on a going forward basis. If the servicer is terminated as servicer for any Agency pools, the servicer’s right to service the related mortgage loans will be extinguished and our interests in related MSRs will likely lose all of their value. Any recovery in such circumstances, in the case of Non-Agency RMBS, will be highly conditioned and may require, among other things, a new servicer willing to pay for the right to service the applicable residential mortgage loans while assuming responsibility for the origination and prior servicing of the residential mortgage loans. In addition, in the case of Agency MSRs, any payment received from a successor servicer will be applied first to pay the applicable Agency for all of its claims and costs, including claims and costs against the servicer that do not relate to the residential mortgage loans for which we own interests in the MSRs. A termination could also result in an event of default under our related financings. It is expected that any termination of a servicer by mortgage owners (or bondholders) would take effect across all mortgages of such mortgage owners (or bondholders) and would not be limited to a particular vintage or other subset of mortgages. Therefore, it is possible that all investments with a given servicer would lose all their value in the event mortgage owners (or bondholders) terminate such servicer. See “—We have significant counterparty concentration risk in certain of our Servicing Partners, and are subject to other counterparty concentration and default risks.” As a result, we could be materially and adversely affected if one of our Servicing Partners is unable to adequately carry out its duties as a result of:

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its failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations;

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its failure to comply with contractual and financing obligations and covenants;

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a downgrade in, or failure to maintain, any of its servicer ratings;

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its failure to maintain sufficient liquidity or access to sources of liquidity;

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its failure to perform its loss mitigation obligations;

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its failure to perform adequately in its external audits;

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a failure in or poor performance of its operational systems or infrastructure;

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regulatory or legal scrutiny or regulatory actions regarding any aspect of a servicer’s operations, including, but not limited to, servicing practices and foreclosure processes lengthening foreclosure timelines;

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an Agency’s or a whole-loan owner’s transfer of servicing to another party; or

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any other reason.

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In the ordinary course of business, our Servicing Partners are subject to numerous legal proceedings, federal, state or local governmental examinations, investigations or enforcement actions which could adversely affect their reputation and their liquidity, financial position and results of operations. Mortgage servicers, including certain of our Servicing Partners, have experienced heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions, and our Servicing Partners could be adversely affected by the market’s perception that they could experience, or continue to experience, regulatory issues. See “—Certain of our Servicing Partners have been and are subject to federal and state regulatory matters and other litigation, which may adversely impact us.”

Loss mitigation techniques are intended to reduce the probability that borrowers will default on their loans and to minimize losses when defaults occur, and they may include the modification of mortgage loan rates, principal balances and maturities. If any of our Servicing Partners fail to adequately perform their loss mitigation obligations, we could be required to make or purchase, as applicable, servicer advances in excess of those that we might otherwise have had to make or purchase, and the time period for collecting servicer advances may extend. Any increase in servicer advances or material increase in the time to resolution of a defaulted loan could result in increased capital requirements and financing costs for us and our co-investors and could adversely affect our liquidity and net income. In the event that one of our servicers from which we are obligated to purchase servicer advances is required by the applicable Servicing Guidelines to make advances in excess of amounts that we or, in the case of Mr. Cooper, the co-investors, are willing or able to fund, such servicer may not be able to fund these advance requests, which could result in a termination event under the applicable Servicing Guidelines, an event of default under our advance facilities and a breach of our purchase agreement with such servicer. As a result, we could experience a partial or total loss of the value of our servicer advance investments.

MSRs and servicer advances are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations and may be subject to various judicial and administrative decisions. If the Servicing Partner actually or allegedly failed to comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations, it could be terminated as the servicer, and could lead to civil and criminal liability, loss of licensing, damage to our reputation and litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, servicer advances that are improperly made may not be eligible for financing under our facilities and may not be reimbursable by the related securitization trust or other owner of the residential mortgage loan, which could cause us to suffer losses.

Favorable servicer ratings from third-party rating agencies, such as S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), are important to the conduct of a mortgage servicer’s loan servicing business, and a downgrade in a Servicing Partner’s servicer ratings could have an adverse effect on the value of our interests in MSRs and result in an event of default under our financings. Downgrades in a Servicing Partner’s servicer ratings could adversely affect our ability to finance our assets and maintain their status as an approved servicer by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Downgrades in servicer ratings could also lead to the early termination of existing advance facilities and affect the terms and availability of financing that a Servicing Partner or we may seek in the future. A Servicing Partner’s failure to maintain favorable or specified ratings may cause their termination as a servicer and may impair their ability to consummate future servicing transactions, which could result in an event of default under our financing for servicer advances and have an adverse effect on the value of our investments because we will rely heavily on Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objectives and have no direct ability to influence their performance.

For additional information about the ways in which we may be affected by mortgage servicers, see “—The value of our interests in MSRs, servicer advances, residential mortgage loans and RMBS may be adversely affected by deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, as well as related delays in the foreclosure process.”

A number of lawsuits, including class-actions, have been filed against mortgage servicers alleging improper servicing in connection with residential non-agency mortgage securitizations. Investors in, and counterparties to, such securitizations may commence legal action against us and responding to such claims, and any related losses, could negatively impact our business.

A number of lawsuits, including class actions, have been filed against mortgage servicers alleging improper servicing in connection with residential non-agency mortgage securitizations. Investors in, and counterparties to, such securitizations may commence legal action against us and responding to such claims, and any related losses, could negatively impact our business. The number of counterparties on behalf of which we service loans significantly increases as the size of our non-agency MSR portfolio increases and we may become subject to claims and legal proceedings, including purported class-actions, in the ordinary course of our business, challenging whether our loan servicing practices and other aspects of our business comply with applicable laws, agreements and regulatory

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requirements. We are unable to predict whether any such claims will be made, the ultimate outcome of any such claims, the possible loss, if any, associated with the resolution of such claims or the potential impact any such claims may have on us or our business and operations. Regardless of the merit of any such claims or lawsuits, defending any claims or lawsuits may be time consuming and costly and we may be required to expend significant internal resources and incur material expenses, and management time may be diverted from other aspects of our business, in connection therewith. Further, if our efforts to defend any such claims or lawsuits are not successful, our business could be materially and adversely affected. As a result of investor and other counterparty claims, we could also suffer reputational damage and trustees, lenders and other counterparties could cease wanting to do business with us.

Certain of our Servicing Partners have been and are subject to federal and state regulatory matters and other litigation, which may adversely impact us.

Regulatory actions or legal proceedings against certain of our Servicing Partners could increase our financing costs or operating expenses, reduce our revenues or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Such Servicing Partners may be subject to additional federal and state regulatory matters in the future that could materially and adversely affect the value of our investments to the extent we rely on them to achieve our investment objectives because we have no direct ability to influence their performance. Certain of our Servicing Partners have disclosed certain matters in their periodic reports filed with the SEC, and there can be no assurance that such events will not have a material adverse effect on them. We are currently evaluating the impact of such events and cannot assure you what impact these events may have or what actions we may take under our agreements with the servicer. In addition, any of our Servicing Partners could be removed as servicer by the related loan owner or certain other transaction counterparties, which could have a material adverse effect on our interests in the loans and MSRs serviced by such Servicing Partner.

In addition, certain of our Servicing Partners have been and continue to be subject to regulatory and governmental examinations, information requests and subpoenas, inquiries, investigations and threatened legal actions and proceedings. In connection with formal and informal inquiries, such Servicing Partners may receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders for documents, testimony and information in connection with various aspects of their activities, including whether certain of their residential loan servicing and originations practices, bankruptcy practices and other aspects of their business comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements. Such Servicing Partners cannot provide any assurance as to the outcome of any of the aforementioned actions, proceedings or inquiries, or that such outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on their reputation, business, prospects, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Completion of certain pending transactions related to MSRs (the “MSR Transactions”) is subject to various closing conditions, involves significant costs, and we cannot assure you if, when or the terms on which such transactions will close. Failure to complete the pending MSR Transactions could adversely affect our future business and results of operations.

We have entered into an agreement for Ocwen to transfer its remaining interests in $110.0 billion of UPB of non-Agency MSRs (the “Ocwen Subject MSRs”) to our subsidiaries, NRM and NewRez. We currently hold certain interests in the Ocwen Subject MSRs (including all servicer advances) pursuant to existing agreements with Ocwen. The transfer of Ocwen’s interests in the Ocwen Subject MSRs is subject to numerous consents of third parties and certain actions by rating agencies. While certain of the Ocwen Subject MSRs have previously transferred to our subsidiaries, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such consents in order to transfer Ocwen’s interests in the Ocwen Subject MSRs to our subsidiaries. We have spent considerable time and resources, and incurred substantial costs, in connection with the negotiation of such transaction and we will incur such costs even if the Ocwen Subject MSRs cannot be transferred to our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2019, MSRs representing approximately $66.7 billion UPB of underlying loans have been transferred pursuant to the Ocwen Transaction. Economics related to the remaining MSRs subject to the Ocwen Transaction were transferred pursuant to the New Ocwen Agreements.

We may be unable to become the named servicer in respect of certain non-agency MSRs. If we are unable to become the named servicer in respect of any of the Ocwen Subject MSRs in accordance with the Ocwen Transaction, Ocwen has the right, in certain circumstances, to purchase from us our interests in the related MSRs. In such a situation, we will be required to sell Ocwen those assets (and will cease to receive income on those investments) and/or may be required to refinance certain indebtedness on terms that are not favorable to us.

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Our ability to acquire MSRs may be subject to the approval of various third parties and such approvals may not be provided on a timely basis or at all, or may be subject to conditions, representations and warranties and indemnities.

Our ability to acquire MSRs may be subject to the approval of various third parties and such approvals may not be provided on a timely basis or at all, or may be conditioned upon our satisfaction of significant conditions which could require material expenditures and the provision of significant representations, warranties and indemnities. Such third parties may include the Agencies and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) with respect to agency MSRs, and securitization trustees, master servicers, depositors, rating agencies and insurers, among others, with respect to non-agency MSRs. The process of obtaining any such approvals required for a servicing transfer, especially with respect to non-agency MSRs, may be time consuming and costly and we may be required to expend significant internal resources and incur material expenses in connection with such transactions. Further, the parties from whom approval is necessary may require that we provide significant representations and warranties and broad indemnities as a condition to their consent, which such representations and warranties and indemnities, if given, may expose us to material risks in addition to those arising under the related servicing agreements. Consenting parties may also charge a material consent fee and may require that we reimburse them for the legal expenses they incur in connection with their approval of the servicing transfer, which such expenses may include costs relating to substantial contract due diligence and may be significant. No assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully obtain the consents required to acquire the MSRs that we have agreed to purchase.

We have significant counterparty concentration risk in certain of our Servicing Partners and are subject to other counterparty concentration and default risks.

We are not restricted from dealing with any particular counterparty or from concentrating any or all of our transactions with a few counterparties. Any loss suffered by us as a result of a counterparty defaulting, refusing to conduct business with us or imposing more onerous terms on us would also negatively affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Our interests in MSRs relate to loans serviced or subserviced, as applicable, by our Servicing Partners. Certain of our Servicing Partners service and/or subservice a substantial portion of our interests in MSRs. If any of these Servicing Partners is the named servicer of the related MSR and is terminated, its servicing performance deteriorates, or in the event that any of them files for bankruptcy, our expected returns on these investments could be severely impacted. In addition, a large portion of the loans underlying our Non-Agency RMBS are serviced by certain of our Servicing Partners. We closely monitor our Servicing Partners’ mortgage servicing performance and overall operating performance, financial condition and liquidity, as well as their compliance with applicable regulations and Servicing Guidelines. We have various information, access and inspection rights in our agreements with these Servicing Partners that enable us to monitor aspects of their financial and operating performance and credit quality, which we periodically evaluate and discuss with their management. However, we have no direct ability to influence our Servicing Partners’ performance, and our diligence cannot prevent, and may not even help us anticipate, the termination of any such Servicing Partners’ servicing agreement or a severe deterioration of any of our Servicing Partners’ servicing performance on our portfolio of interests in MSRs.

Furthermore, certain of our Servicing Partners are subject to numerous legal proceedings, federal, state or local governmental examinations, investigations or enforcement actions, which could adversely affect their operations, reputation and liquidity, financial position and results of operations. See “—Certain of our Servicing Partners have been and are subject to federal and state regulatory matters and other litigation, which may adversely impact us” for more information.

None of our Servicing Partners has an obligation to offer us any future co-investment opportunity on the same terms as prior transactions, or at all, and we may not be able to find suitable counterparties from which to acquire interests in MSRs, which could impact our business strategy. See “—We rely heavily on our Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objective and have no direct ability to influence their performance.”

Repayment of the outstanding amount of servicer advances (including payment with respect to deferred servicing fees) may be subject to delay, reduction or set-off in the event that the related Servicing Partner breaches any of its obligations under the Servicing Guidelines, including, without limitation, any failure of such Servicing Partner to perform its servicing and advancing functions in accordance with the terms of such Servicing Guidelines. If any applicable Servicing Partner is terminated or resigns as servicer and the applicable successor servicer does not purchase all outstanding servicer advances at the time of transfer, collection of the servicer advances will be

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dependent on the performance of such successor servicer and, if applicable, reliance on such successor servicer’s compliance with the “first-in, first-out” or “FIFO” provisions of the Servicing Guidelines. In addition, such successor servicers may not agree to purchase the outstanding advances on the same terms as our current purchase arrangements and may require, as a condition of their purchase, modification to such FIFO provisions, which could further delay our repayment and adversely affect the returns from our investment.

We are subject to substantial other operational risks associated with our Servicing Partners in connection with the financing of servicer advances. In our current financing facilities for servicer advances, the failure of our Servicing Partner to satisfy various covenants and tests can result in an amortization event and/or an event of default. We have no direct ability to control our Servicing Partners’ compliance with those covenants and tests. Failure of our Servicing Partners to satisfy any such covenants or tests could result in a partial or total loss on our investment.

In addition, our Servicing Partners are party to our servicer advance financing agreements, with respect to those advances where they service or subservice the loans underlying the related MSRs. Our ability to obtain financing for these assets is dependent on our Servicing Partners’ agreement to be a party to the related financing agreements. If our Servicing Partners do not agree to be a party to these financing agreements for any reason, we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all. Our ability to obtain financing on such assets is dependent on our Servicing Partners’ ability to satisfy various tests under such financing arrangements. Breaches and other events with respect to our Servicing Partners (which may include, without limitation, failure of a Servicing Partner to satisfy certain financial tests) could cause certain or all of the relevant servicer advance financing to become due and payable prior to maturity.

We are dependent on our Servicing Partners as the servicer or subservicer of the residential mortgage loans with respect to which we hold interests in MSRs, and their servicing practices may impact the value of certain of our assets. We may be adversely impacted:

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By regulatory actions taken against our Servicing Partners;

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By a default by one of our Servicing Partners under their debt agreements;

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By downgrades in our Servicing Partners’ servicer ratings;

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If our Servicing Partners fail to ensure their servicer advances comply with the terms of their Pooling and Servicing Agreements (“PSAs”);

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If our Servicing Partners were terminated as servicer under certain PSAs;

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If our Servicing Partners become subject to a bankruptcy proceeding; or

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If our Servicing Partners fail to meet their obligations or are deemed to be in default under the indenture governing notes issued under any servicer advance facility with respect to which such Servicing Partner is the servicer.

Our interests in MSRs relate to loans serviced or subserviced, as applicable, by our Servicing Partners. Certain of our Servicing Partners service and/or subservice a substantial portion of our interests in MSRs. In addition, Mr. Cooper is currently the servicer for a significant portion of our loans, and the loans underlying our RMBS. If the servicing performance of one of our subservicers deteriorates, if one of our subservicers files for bankruptcy or if one of our subservicers is otherwise unwilling or unable to continue to subservice MSRs for us, our expected returns on these investments would be severely impacted. In addition, if a subservicer becomes subject to a regulatory consent order or similar enforcement proceeding, that regulatory action could adversely affect us in several ways. For example, the regulatory action could result in delays of transferring servicing from an interim subservicer to our designated successor subservicer or cause the subservicer’s performance to degrade. Any such development would negatively affect our expected returns on these investments, and such effect could be materially adverse to our business and results of operations. We closely monitor each subservicer’s mortgage servicing performance and overall operating performance, financial condition and liquidity, as well as its compliance with applicable regulations and GSE servicing guidelines. We have various information, access and inspection rights in our respective agreements with our subservicers that enable us to monitor their financial and operating performance and credit quality, which we periodically evaluate and discuss with each subservicer’s respective management. However, we have no direct ability to influence each subservicer’s performance, and our diligence cannot prevent, and may not even help us anticipate, a severe deterioration of each subservicer’s respective servicing performance on our MSR portfolio.

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In addition, a material portion of the consumer loans in which we have invested are serviced by OneMain. If OneMain is terminated as the servicer of some or all of these portfolios, or in the event that it files for bankruptcy or is otherwise unable to continue to service such loans, our expected returns on these investments could be severely impacted.

Moreover, we are party to repurchase agreements with a limited number of counterparties. If any of our counterparties elected not to renew our repurchase agreements, we may not be able to find a replacement counterparty, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Our risk-management processes may not accurately anticipate the impact of market stress or counterparty financial condition, and as a result, we may not take sufficient action to reduce our risks effectively. Although we will monitor our credit exposures, default risk may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect, foresee or evaluate. In addition, concerns about, or a default by, one large participant could lead to significant liquidity problems for other participants, which may in turn expose us to significant losses.

In the event of a counterparty default, particularly a default by a major investment bank or Servicing Partner, we could incur material losses rapidly, and the resulting market impact of a major counterparty default could seriously harm our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In the event that one of our counterparties becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, our ability to eventually recover any losses suffered as a result of that counterparty’s default may be limited by the liquidity of the counterparty or the applicable legal regime governing the bankruptcy proceeding.

A bankruptcy of any of our Servicing Partners could materially and adversely affect us.

If any of our Servicing Partners becomes subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, we could be materially and adversely affected, and you could suffer losses, as discussed below.

A sale of MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets, including loans, could be re-characterized as a pledge of such assets in a bankruptcy proceeding.

We believe that a mortgage servicer’s transfer to us of MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other asset transferred pursuant to a related purchase agreement, including loans, constitutes a sale of such assets, in which case such assets would not be part of such servicer’s bankruptcy estate. The servicer (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding), a bankruptcy trustee appointed in such servicer’s bankruptcy proceeding, or any other party in interest, however, might assert in a bankruptcy proceeding MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other assets transferred to us pursuant to the related purchase agreement were not sold to us but were instead pledged to us as security for such servicer’s obligation to repay amounts paid by us to the servicer pursuant to the related purchase agreement. We generally create and perfect security interests with respect to the MSRs that we acquire, though we do not do so in all instances. If such assertion were successful, all or part of the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other asset transferred to us pursuant to the related purchase agreement would constitute property of the bankruptcy estate of such servicer, and our rights against the servicer could be those of a secured creditor with a lien on such present and future assets. Under such circumstances, cash proceeds generated from our collateral would constitute “cash collateral” under the provisions of the U.S. bankruptcy laws. Under U.S. bankruptcy laws, the servicer could not use our cash collateral without either (a) our consent or (b) approval by the bankruptcy court, subject to providing us with “adequate protection” under the U.S. bankruptcy laws. In addition, under such circumstances, an issue could arise as to whether certain of these assets generated after the commencement of the bankruptcy proceeding would constitute after-acquired property excluded from our entitlement pursuant to the U.S. bankruptcy laws.

If such a recharacterization occurs, the validity or priority of our security interest in the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets could be challenged in a bankruptcy proceeding of such servicer.

If the purchases pursuant to the related purchase agreement are recharacterized as secured financings as set forth above, we nevertheless created and perfected security interests with respect to the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances and other assets that we may have purchased from such servicer by including a pledge of collateral in the related purchase agreement and filing financing statements in appropriate jurisdictions. Nonetheless, to the extent we have created and perfected a security interest, our security interests may be challenged and ruled unenforceable, ineffective or subordinated by a bankruptcy court, and the amount of our claims may be disputed so as not to include all MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances to be collected. If this were to occur, or if we

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have not created a security interest, then the servicer’s obligations to us with respect to purchased MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets would be deemed unsecured obligations, payable from unencumbered assets to be shared among all of such servicer’s unsecured creditors. In addition, even if the security interests are found to be valid and enforceable, if a bankruptcy court determines that the value of the collateral is less than such servicer’s underlying obligations to us, the difference between such value and the total amount of such obligations will be deemed an unsecured “deficiency” claim and the same result will occur with respect to such unsecured claim. In addition, even if the security interest is found to be valid and enforceable, such servicer would have the right to use the proceeds of our collateral subject to either (a) our consent or (b) approval by the bankruptcy court, subject to providing us with “adequate protection” under U.S. bankruptcy laws. Such servicer also would have the ability to confirm a chapter 11 plan over our objections if the plan complied with the “cramdown” requirements under U.S. bankruptcy laws.

Payments made by a servicer to us could be voided by a court under federal or state preference laws.

If one of our Servicing Partners were to file, or to become the subject of, a bankruptcy proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar state insolvency laws, and our security interest (if any) is declared unenforceable, ineffective or subordinated, payments previously made by a servicer to us pursuant to the related purchase agreement may be recoverable on behalf of the bankruptcy estate as preferential transfers. Among other reasons, a payment could constitute a preferential transfer if a court were to find that the payment was a transfer of an interest of property of such servicer that:

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Was made to or for the benefit of a creditor;

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Was for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by such servicer before that transfer was made;

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Was made while such servicer was insolvent (a company is presumed to have been insolvent on and during the 90 days preceding the date the company’s bankruptcy petition was filed);

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Was made on or within 90 days (or if we are determined to be a statutory insider, on or within one year) before such servicer’s bankruptcy filing;

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Permitted us to receive more than we would have received in a Chapter 7 liquidation case of such servicer under U.S. bankruptcy laws; and

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Was a payment as to which none of the statutory defenses to a preference action apply.

If the court were to determine that any payments were avoidable as preferential transfers, we would be required to return such payments to such servicer’s bankruptcy estate and would have an unsecured claim against such servicer with respect to such returned amounts.

Payments made to us by such servicer, or obligations incurred by it, could be voided by a court under federal or state fraudulent conveyance laws.

The mortgage servicer (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding), a bankruptcy trustee appointed in such servicer’s bankruptcy proceeding, or another party in interest could also claim that such servicer’s transfer to us of MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets or such servicer’s agreement to incur obligations to us under the related purchase agreement was a fraudulent conveyance. Under U.S. bankruptcy laws and similar state insolvency laws, transfers made or obligations incurred could be voided if, among other reasons, such servicer, at the time it made such transfers or incurred such obligations: (a) received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for such transfer or incurrence and (b) either (i) was insolvent at the time of, or was rendered insolvent by reason of, such transfer or incurrence; (ii) was engaged in, or was about to engage in, a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with such servicer were an unreasonably small capital; or (iii) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature. If any transfer or incurrence is determined to be a fraudulent conveyance, our Servicing Partner, as applicable (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding), or a bankruptcy trustee on such Servicing Partner’s behalf would be entitled to recover such transfer or to avoid the obligation previously incurred.

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Any purchase agreement pursuant to which we purchase interests in MSRs, servicer advances or other assets, including loans, or any subservicing agreement between us and a subservicer on our behalf could be rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding of one of our Servicing Partners or counterparties.

A mortgage servicer (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding) or a bankruptcy trustee appointed in such servicer’s or counterparty’s bankruptcy proceeding could seek to reject the related purchase agreement or subservicing agreement with a counterparty and thereby terminate such servicer’s or counterparty’s obligation to service the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other asset transferred pursuant to such purchase agreement, and terminate our right to acquire additional assets under such purchase agreement and our right to require such servicer to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer servicing. If the bankruptcy court approved the rejection, we would have a claim against such servicer or counterparty for any damages from the rejection, and the resulting transfer of our interests in MSRs or servicing of the MSRs relating to our Excess MSRs to another subservicer may result in significant cost and may negatively impact the value of our interests in MSRs.

A bankruptcy court could stay a transfer of servicing to another servicer.

Our ability to terminate a subservicer or to require a mortgage servicer to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer servicing rights to a new servicer would be subject to the automatic stay in such servicer’s bankruptcy proceeding. To enforce this right, we would have to seek relief from the bankruptcy court to lift such stay, and there is no assurance that the bankruptcy court would grant this relief.

Any Subservicing Agreement could be rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding.

If one of our Servicing Partners were to file, or to become the subject of, a bankruptcy proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar state insolvency laws, such Servicing Partner (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding) or the bankruptcy trustee could reject its subservicing agreement with us and terminate such Servicing Partner’s obligation to service the MSRs, servicer advances or loans in which we have an investment. Any claim we have for damages arising from the rejection of a subservicing agreement would be treated as a general unsecured claim for purposes of distributions from such Servicing Partner’s bankruptcy estate.

Our Servicing Partners could discontinue servicing.

If one of our Servicing Partners were to file, or to become the subject of, a bankruptcy proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code, such Servicing Partner could be terminated as servicer (with bankruptcy court approval) or could discontinue servicing, in which case there is no assurance that we would be able to continue receiving payments and transfers in respect of the interests in MSRs, servicer advances and other assets purchased under the related purchase agreement or subserviced under the related subservicing agreement. Even if we were able to obtain the servicing rights or terminate the related subservicer, we may need to engage an alternate subservicer (which may not be readily available on acceptable terms or at all) or negotiate a new subservicing agreement with such servicer, which presumably would be on less favorable terms to us. Any engagement of an alternate subservicer by us would require the approval of the related RMBS trustees or the Agencies, as applicable.

An automatic stay under the United States Bankruptcy Code may prevent the ongoing receipt of servicing fees or other amounts due.

Even if we are successful in arguing that we own the interests in MSRs, servicer advances and other assets, including loans, purchased under the related purchase agreement, we may need to seek relief in the bankruptcy court to obtain turnover and payment of amounts relating to such assets, and there may be difficulty in recovering payments in respect of such assets that may have been commingled with other funds of such servicer.

A bankruptcy of any of our Servicing Partners may default our MSR, Excess MSR and servicer advance financing facilities and negatively impact our ability to continue to purchase interests in MSRs.

If any of our Servicing Partners were to file for bankruptcy or become the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding, it could result in an event of default under certain of our financing facilities that would require the immediate paydown of such facilities. In this scenario, we may not be able to comply with our obligations to purchase interests in MSRs and servicer advances under the related purchase agreements. Notwithstanding this inability to purchase, the related seller may try to force us to continue making such purchases. If it is determined that we are in breach of our obligations under our purchase agreements, any claims that we may have against such related seller may be subject to offset against claims such seller may have against us by reason of this breach.

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Certain of our subsidiaries originate and service residential mortgage loans, which subject us to various operational risks that could have a negative impact on our financial results.

As a result of our previously disclosed acquisitions of Shellpoint Partners LLC and assets from the bankruptcy estate of Ditech, among others, certain subsidiaries of New Residential perform various mortgage and real estate related services, and have origination and servicing operations, which entail borrower-facing activities and employing personnel. Prior to such acquisitions, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries have previously originated or serviced loans directly, and owning entities that perform these and other operations could expose us to risks similar to those of our Servicing Partners, as well as various other risks, including, but not limited to those pertaining to:

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risks related to compliance with applicable laws, regulations and other requirements;

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significant increases in delinquencies for the loans;

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compliance with the terms of related servicing agreements;

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financing related servicer advances and the origination business;

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expenses related to servicing high risk loans;

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unrecovered or delayed recovery of servicing advances;

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a general risk in foreclosure rates, which may ultimately reduce the number of mortgages that we service (also see-“The residential mortgage loans underlying the securities we invest in and the loans we directly invest in are subject to delinquency, foreclosure and loss, which could result in losses to us.”);

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maintaining the size of the related servicing portfolio and the volume of the origination business;

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compliance with the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) underwriting guidelines; and

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termination of government mortgage refinancing programs.

Any of the foregoing risks, among others, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Our subsidiaries that perform mortgage lending and servicing activities are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental and regulatory authorities, and our subsidiaries’ business results may be significantly impacted by the existing and future laws and regulations to which they are subject. If our subsidiaries performing mortgage lending and servicing activities fail to operate in compliance with both existing and future statutory, regulatory and other requirements, our business, financial condition, liquidity and/or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our subsidiaries that perform mortgage lending and servicing activities are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental and regulatory authorities, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), the SEC and various state agencies that license, audit, investigate and conduct examinations of such subsidiaries’ mortgage servicing, origination, debt collection, and other activities. In the current regulatory environment, the policies, laws, rules and regulations applicable to our subsidiaries’ mortgage origination and servicing businesses have been rapidly evolving. Federal, state or local governmental authorities may continue to enact laws, rules or regulations that will result in changes in our and our subsidiaries’ business practices and may materially increase the costs of compliance. We are unable to predict whether any such changes will adversely affect our business.

We and our subsidiaries must comply with a large number of federal, state and local consumer protection laws including, among others, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the Homeowners Protection Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as well as individual state licensing and foreclosure laws and federal and local bankruptcy rules. These statutes apply to many facets of our subsidiaries’ businesses, including loan origination, default servicing and collections, use of credit reports, safeguarding of nonpublic personally identifiable information about customers, foreclosure and claims handling, investment of and interest payments on escrow balances and escrow payment features, and such statutes mandate certain disclosures and notices to borrowers. These requirements can and will change as statutes and regulations are enacted, promulgated, amended, interpreted and enforced.

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In addition, the GSEs, Ginnie Mae and other business counterparties subject our subsidiaries’ mortgage origination and servicing businesses to periodic examinations, reviews and audits, and we routinely conduct our own internal examinations, reviews and audits. These various examinations, reviews and audits of our subsidiaries’ businesses and related activities may reveal deficiencies in such subsidiaries’ compliance with our policies and other requirements to which they are subject. While we strive to investigate and remediate such deficiencies, there can be no assurance that our internal investigations will reveal any deficiencies or that any remedial measures that we implement, which could involve material expense, will ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws, regulations and other requirements or be deemed sufficient by the GSEs, Ginnie Mae, federal and local governmental authorities or other interested parties.

We and our subsidiaries devote substantial resources to regulatory compliance and regulatory inquiries, and we incur, and expect to continue to incur, significant costs in connection therewith. Our business, financial condition, liquidity and/or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by the substantial resources we devote to, and the significant compliance costs we incur in connection with, regulatory compliance and regulatory inquiries, including any fines, penalties, restitution or similar payments we may be required to make in connection with resolving such matters.

The actual or alleged failure of our mortgage origination and servicing subsidiaries to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and GSE, Ginnie Mae and other business counterparty requirements, or to implement and adhere to adequate remedial measures designed to address any identified compliance deficiencies, could lead to:

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the loss or suspension of licenses and approvals necessary to operate our or our subsidiaries’ business;

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limitations, restrictions or complete bans on our or our subsidiaries’ business or various segments of our business;

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our or our subsidiaries’ disqualification from participation in governmental programs, including GSE, Ginnie Mae, and VA programs;

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breaches of covenants and representations under our servicing, debt, or other agreements;

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negative publicity and damage to our reputation;

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governmental investigations and enforcement actions;

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administrative fines and financial penalties;

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litigation, including class action lawsuits;

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civil and criminal liability;

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termination of our servicing and subservicing agreements or other contracts;

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demands for us to repurchase loans;

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loss of personnel who are targeted by prosecutions, investigations, enforcement actions or litigation;

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a significant increase in compliance costs;

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a significant increase in the resources we and our subsidiaries devote to regulatory compliance and regulatory inquiries;

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an inability to access new, or a default under or other loss of current, liquidity and funding sources necessary to operate our business;

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restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ business activities;

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impairment of assets; and

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an inability to execute on our business strategy.

Any of these outcomes could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, prospects, liquidity and/ or results of operations.

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We cannot guarantee that any such scrutiny and investigations will not materially adversely affect us. Additionally, in recent years, the general trend among federal, state and local lawmakers and regulators has been toward increasing laws, regulations and investigative proceedings with regard to residential mortgage lenders and servicers. The CFPB continues to take an active role in supervising the mortgage industry, and its rule-making and regulatory agenda relating to loan servicing and originations continues to evolve. Individual states have also been increasingly active in supervising non-bank mortgage lenders and servicers such as NewRez, and certain regulators have communicated recommendations, expectations or demands with respect to areas such as corporate governance, safety and soundness, risk and compliance management, and cybersecurity, in addition to their focus on traditional licensing and examination matters.

Following the 2018 Congressional elections, a level of heightened uncertainty exists with respect to the future of regulation of mortgage lending and servicing, including the future of the Dodd-Frank Act and CFPB. We cannot predict the specific legislative or executive actions that may result or what actions federal or state regulators might take in response to potential changes to the Dodd-Frank Act or to the federal regulatory environment generally. Such actions could impact the mortgage industry generally or us specifically, could impact our relationships with other regulators, and could adversely impact our business.

The CFPB and certain state regulators have increasingly focused on the use, and adequacy, of technology in the mortgage servicing industry. For example, in 2016, the CFPB issued a special edition supervision report that stressed the need for mortgage servicers to assess and make necessary improvements to their information technology systems in order to ensure compliance with the CFPB’s mortgage servicing requirements. The New York Department of Financial Services (“NY DFS”) also issued Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, effective in 2017, which requires banks, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions regulated by the NY DFS to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program designed to protect consumers and ensure the safety and soundness of New York State’s financial services industry. In addition, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), effective as of January 2020, requires businesses that maintain personal information of California residents, including certain mortgage lenders and servicers, to notify certain consumers when collecting their data, respond to consumer requests relating to the uses of their data, verify the identities of consumers who make requests, disclose details regarding transactions involving their data, and maintain records of consumer’ requests relating to their data, among various other obligations, and to create procedures designed to comply with CCPA requirements. The impact of the CCPA and its implementing regulations on our mortgage origination and servicing businesses remains uncertain, and may result in an increase in legal and compliance costs.

New regulatory and legislative measures, or changes in enforcement practices, including those related to the technology we use, could, either individually or in the aggregate, require significant changes to our business practices, impose additional costs on us, limit our product offerings, limit our ability to efficiently pursue business opportunities, negatively impact asset values or reduce our revenues. Accordingly, any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

A failure to maintain minimum servicer ratings could have an adverse effect on our business, financing activities, financial condition or results of operations.

S&P, Moody’s and Fitch rates NewRez as a residential loan servicer, and a downgrade, or failure to maintain, any of our servicer ratings could:

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adversely affect NewRez’s ability to maintain our status as an approved servicer by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;

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adversely affect NewRez’s and/or New Residential’s ability to finance servicing advance receivables and certain other assets;

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lead to the early termination of existing advance facilities and affect the terms and availability of advance facilities that we may seek in the future;

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cause NewRez’s termination as servicer in our servicing agreements that require NewRez to maintain specified servicer ratings; and

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further impair NewRez’s ability to consummate future servicing transactions.

Any of the above could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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GSE initiatives and other actions, including changes to the minimum servicing amount for GSE loans, could occur at any time and could impact us in significantly negative ways that we are unable to predict or protect against.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) and other industry stakeholders or regulators may implement or require changes to current mortgage servicing practices and compensation that could have a material adverse effect on the economics or performance of our investments in MSRs.

Currently, when a loan is sold into the secondary market for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans, the servicer is generally required to retain a minimum servicing amount (“MSA”) of 25 basis points of the UPB for fixed rate mortgages. As has been widely publicized, in September 2011, the FHFA announced that a Joint Initiative on Mortgage Servicing Compensation was seeking public comment on two alternative mortgage servicing compensation structures detailed in a discussion paper. Changes to the MSA structure could significantly impact our business in negative ways that we cannot predict or protect against. For example, the elimination of a MSA could radically change the mortgage servicing industry and could severely limit the supply of interests in MSRs available for sale. In addition, a removal of, or reduction in, the MSA could significantly reduce the recapture rate on the affected loan portfolio, which would negatively affect the investment return on our interests in MSRs. We cannot predict whether any changes to current MSA rules will occur or what impact any changes will have on our business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Our interests in MSRs may involve complex or novel structures.

Interests in MSRs may entail new types of transactions and may involve complex or novel structures. Accordingly, the risks associated with the transactions and structures are not fully known to buyers and sellers. In the case of interests in MSRs on Agency pools, Agencies may require that we submit to costly or burdensome conditions as a prerequisite to their consent to an investment in, or our financing of, interests in MSRs on Agency pools. Agency conditions, including capital requirements, may diminish or eliminate the investment potential of interests in MSRs on Agency pools by making such investments too expensive for us or by severely limiting the potential returns available from interests in MSRs on Agency pools.

It is possible that an Agency’s views on whether any such acquisition structure is appropriate or acceptable may not be known to us when we make an investment and may change from time to time for any reason or for no reason, even with respect to a completed investment. An Agency’s evolving posture toward an acquisition or disposition structure through which we invest in or dispose of interests in MSRs on Agency pools may cause such Agency to impose new conditions on our existing interests in MSRs on Agency pools, including the owner’s ability to hold such interests in MSRs on Agency pools directly or indirectly through a grantor trust or other means. Such new conditions may be costly or burdensome and may diminish or eliminate the investment potential of the interests in MSRs on Agency pools that are already owned by us. Moreover, obtaining such consent may require us or our co-investment counterparties to agree to material structural or economic changes, as well as agree to indemnification or other terms that expose us to risks to which we have not previously been exposed and that could negatively affect our returns from our investments.

Our ability to finance the MSRs and servicer advance receivables acquired in the MSR Transactions may depend on the related Servicing Partner’s cooperation with our financing sources and compliance with certain covenants.

We have in the past and intend to continue to finance some or all of the MSRs or servicer advance receivables acquired in the MSR Transactions, and as a result, we will be subject to substantial operational risks associated with the related Servicing Partners. In our current financing facilities for interests in MSRs and servicer advance receivables, the failure of the related Servicing Partner to satisfy various covenants and tests can result in an amortization event and/or an event of default. Our financing sources may require us to include similar provisions in any financing we obtain relating to the MSRs and servicer advances acquired in the MSR Transactions. If we decide to finance such assets, we will not have the direct ability to control any party’s compliance with any such covenants and tests and the failure of any party to satisfy any such covenants or tests could result in a partial or total loss on our investment. Some financing sources may be unwilling to finance any assets acquired in the MSR Transactions.

In addition, any financing for the MSRs and servicer advances acquired in the MSR Transactions may be subject to regulatory approval and the agreement of the relevant Servicing Partner to be party to such financing agreements. If we cannot get regulatory approval or these parties do not agree to be a party to such financing agreements, we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.

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Mortgage servicing is heavily regulated at the U.S. federal, state and local levels, and each transfer of MSRs to our subservicer of such MSRs may not be approved by the requisite regulators.

Mortgage servicers must comply with U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations cover topics such as licensing; allowable fees and loan terms; permissible servicing and debt collection practices; limitations on forced-placed insurance; special consumer protections in connection with default and foreclosure; and protection of confidential, nonpublic consumer information. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations has increased in recent years, and states and individual cities and counties continue to enact laws that either restrict or impose additional obligations in connection with certain loan origination, acquisition and servicing activities in those cities and counties. The laws and regulations are complex and vary greatly among the states and localities, and in some cases, these laws are in conflict with each other or with U.S. federal law. In connection with the MSR Transactions, there is no assurance that each transfer of MSRs to our selected subservicer will be approved by the requisite regulators. If regulatory approval for each such transfer is not obtained, we may incur additional costs and expenses in connection with the approval of another replacement subservicer.

We do not have legal title to the MSRs underlying our Excess MSRs or certain of our servicer advance investments.

We do not have legal title to the MSRs underlying our Excess MSRs or certain of the MSRs related to the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreements pursuant to which we acquire servicer advance investments or MSR financing receivables from Ocwen, Specialized Loan Servicing LLC (“SLS”) and Mr. Cooper, and are subject to increased risks as a result of the related servicer continuing to own the mortgage servicing rights. The validity or priority of our interest in the underlying mortgage servicing could be challenged in a bankruptcy proceeding of the servicer, and the related purchase agreement could be rejected in such proceeding. Any of the foregoing events might have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. As part of the Ocwen Transaction, we and Ocwen have agreed to cooperate to obtain any third party consents required to transfer Ocwen’s remaining interest in the Ocwen Subject MSRs to us. As noted above, however, there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining those consents.

Many of our investments may be illiquid, and this lack of liquidity could significantly impede our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions or to realize the value at which such investments are carried if we are required to dispose of them.

Many of our investments are illiquid. Illiquidity may result from the absence of an established market for the investments, as well as legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, refinancing or other disposition. Dispositions of investments may be subject to contractual and other limitations on transfer or other restrictions that would interfere with subsequent sales of such investments or adversely affect the terms that could be obtained upon any disposition thereof.

Interests in MSRs are highly illiquid and may be subject to numerous restrictions on transfers, including without limitation the receipt of third-party consents. For example, the Servicing Guidelines of a mortgage owner may require that holders of Excess MSRs obtain the mortgage owner’s prior approval of any change of direct ownership of such Excess MSRs. Such approval may be withheld for any reason or no reason in the discretion of the mortgage owner. Moreover, we have not received and do not expect to receive any assurances from any GSEs that their conditions for the sale by us of any interests in MSRs will not change. Therefore, the potential costs, issues or restrictions associated with receiving such GSEs’ consent for any such dispositions by us cannot be determined with any certainty. Additionally, interests in MSRs may entail complex transaction structures and the risks associated with the transactions and structures are not fully known to buyers or sellers. As a result of the foregoing, we may be unable to locate a buyer at the time we wish to sell interests in MSRs. There is some risk that we will be required to dispose of interests in MSRs either through an in-kind distribution or other liquidation vehicle, which will, in either case, provide little or no economic benefit to us, or a sale to a co-investor in the interests in MSRs, which may be an affiliate. Accordingly, we cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain any return or any benefit of any kind from any disposition of interests in MSRs. We may not benefit from the full term of the assets and for the aforementioned reasons may not receive any benefits from the disposition, if any, of such assets.

In addition, some of our real estate and other securities may not be registered under the relevant securities laws, resulting in a prohibition against their transfer, sale, pledge or other disposition except in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of, or is otherwise in accordance with, those laws. There are also no established trading markets for a majority of our intended investments. Moreover, certain of our investments, including our

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investments in consumer loans and certain of our interests in MSRs, are made indirectly through a vehicle that owns the underlying assets. Our ability to sell our interest may be contractually limited or prohibited. As a result, our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be limited.

Our real estate and other securities have historically been valued based primarily on third-party quotations, which are subject to significant variability based on the liquidity and price transparency created by market trading activity. A disruption in these trading markets could reduce the trading for many real estate and other securities, resulting in less transparent prices for those securities, which would make selling such assets more difficult. Moreover, a decline in market demand for the types of assets that we hold would make it more difficult to sell our assets. If we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our illiquid investments quickly, we may realize significantly less than the amount at which we have previously valued these investments.

Market conditions could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The market in which we operate is affected by a number of factors that are largely beyond our control but can nonetheless have a potentially significant, negative impact on us. These factors include, among other things:

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interest rates and credit spreads;

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the availability of credit, including the price, terms and conditions under which it can be obtained;

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the quality, pricing and availability of suitable investments;

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the ability to obtain accurate market-based valuations;

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the ability of securities dealers to make markets in relevant securities and loans;

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loan values relative to the value of the underlying real estate assets;

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default rates on the loans underlying our investments and the amount of the related losses, and credit losses with respect to our investments;

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prepayment and repayment rates, delinquency rates and legislative/regulatory changes with respect to our investments, and the timing and amount of servicer advances;

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the availability and cost of quality Servicing Partners, and advance, recovery and recapture rates;

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competition;

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the actual and perceived state of the real estate markets, bond markets, market for dividend-paying stocks and public capital markets generally;

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unemployment rates; and

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the attractiveness of other types of investments relative to investments in real estate or REITs generally.

Changes in these factors are difficult to predict, and a change in one factor can affect other factors. For example, at various points in time, increased default rates in the subprime mortgage market played a role in causing credit spreads to widen, reducing availability of credit on favorable terms, reducing liquidity and price transparency of real estate related assets, resulting in difficulty in obtaining accurate mark-to-market valuations, and causing a negative perception of the state of the real estate markets and of REITs generally. Market conditions could be volatile or could deteriorate as a result of a variety of factors beyond our control with adverse effects to our financial condition.

The geographic distribution of the loans underlying, and collateral securing, certain of our investments subjects us to geographic real estate market risks, which could adversely affect the performance of our investments, our results of operations and financial condition.

The geographic distribution of the loans underlying, and collateral securing, our investments, including our interests in MSRs, servicer advances, Non-Agency RMBS and loans, exposes us to risks associated with the real estate and commercial lending industry in general within the states and regions in which we hold significant investments. These risks include, without limitation: possible declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds; overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; increased energy costs; unemployment; costs resulting from the clean-up of, and liability to third parties for damages

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resulting from, environmental problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or other natural disasters; and changes in interest rates.

As of December 31, 2019, 24.9% and 21.9% of the total UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying our Excess MSRs and MSRs, respectively, was secured by properties located in California, which are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes and mudslides. 7.6% and 6.9% of the total UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying our Excess MSRs and MSRs, respectively, was secured by properties located in Florida, which are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. As of December 31, 2019, 36.6% of the collateral securing our Non-Agency RMBS was located in the Western U.S., 24.2% was located in the Southeastern U.S., 21.9% was located in the Northeastern U.S., 10.4% was located in the Midwestern U.S. and 5.8% was located in the Southwestern U.S. We were unable to obtain geographical information for 1.1% of the collateral. As a result of this concentration, we may be more susceptible to adverse developments in those markets than if we owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. To the extent any of the foregoing risks arise in states and regions where we hold significant investments, the performance of our investments, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could suffer a material adverse effect.

The value of our interests in MSRs, servicer advances, residential mortgage loans and RMBS may be adversely affected by deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, as well as related delays in the foreclosure process.

Allegations of deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices among several large sellers and servicers of residential mortgage loans that surfaced in 2010 raised various concerns relating to such practices, including the improper execution of the documents used in foreclosure proceedings (so-called “robo signing”), inadequate documentation of transfers and registrations of mortgages and assignments of loans, improper modifications of loans, violations of representations and warranties at the date of securitization and failure to enforce put-backs.

As a result of alleged deficiencies in foreclosure practices, a number of servicers temporarily suspended foreclosure proceedings beginning in the second half of 2010 while they evaluated their foreclosure practices. In late 2010, a group of state attorneys general and state bank and mortgage regulators representing nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the U.S. Justice Department and HUD, began an investigation into foreclosure practices of banks and servicers. The investigations and lawsuits by several state attorneys general led to a settlement agreement in early February 2012 with five of the nation’s largest banks, pursuant to which the banks agreed to pay more than $25.0 billion to settle claims relating to improper foreclosure practices. The settlement does not prohibit the states, the federal government, individuals or investors from pursuing additional actions against the banks and servicers in the future.

Under the terms of the agreements governing our servicer advance investments and MSRs, we (in certain cases, together with third-party co-investors) are required to make or purchase from certain of our Servicing Partners, servicer advances on certain loan pools. While a residential mortgage loan is in foreclosure, servicers are generally required to continue to advance delinquent principal and interest and to also make advances for delinquent taxes and insurance and foreclosure costs and the upkeep of vacant property in foreclosure to the extent it determines that such amounts are recoverable. Servicer advances are generally recovered when the delinquency is resolved.

Foreclosure moratoria or other actions that lengthen the foreclosure process increase the amount of servicer advances we or our Servicing Partners are required to make and we are required to purchase, lengthen the time it takes for us to be repaid for such advances and increase the costs incurred during the foreclosure process. In addition, servicer advance financing facilities contain provisions that modify the advance rates for, and limit the eligibility of, servicer advances to be financed based on the length of time that servicer advances are outstanding, and, as a result, an increase in foreclosure timelines could further increase the amount of servicer advances that we need to fund with our own capital. Such increases in foreclosure timelines could increase our need for capital to fund servicer advances (which do not bear interest), which would increase our interest expense, reduce the value of our investment and potentially reduce the cash that we have available to pay our operating expenses or to pay dividends.

Even in states where servicers have not suspended foreclosure proceedings or have lifted (or will soon lift) any such delayed foreclosures, servicers, including our Servicing Partners, have faced, and may continue to face, increased delays and costs in the foreclosure process. For example, the current legislative and regulatory climate could lead borrowers to contest foreclosures that they would not otherwise have contested under ordinary circumstances, and servicers may incur increased litigation costs if the validity of a foreclosure action is challenged by a borrower. In general, regulatory developments with respect to foreclosure practices could result in increases in the amount of servicer advances and the length of time to recover servicer advances, fines or increases in operating

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expenses, and decreases in the advance rate and availability of financing for servicer advances. This would lead to increased borrowings, reduced cash and higher interest expense which could negatively impact our liquidity and profitability. Although the terms of our servicer advance investments contain adjustment mechanisms that would reduce the amount of performance fees payable to the related Servicing Partner if servicer advances exceed pre-determined amounts, those fee reductions may not be sufficient to cover the expenses resulting from longer foreclosure timelines.

The integrity of the servicing and foreclosure processes is critical to the value of the residential mortgage loans in which we invest and of the portfolios of loans underlying our interests in MSRs and RMBS, and our financial results could be adversely affected by deficiencies in the conduct of those processes. For example, delays in the foreclosure process that have resulted from investigations into improper servicing practices may adversely affect the values of, and result in losses on, these investments. Foreclosure delays may also increase the administrative expenses of the securitization trusts for the RMBS, thereby reducing the amount of funds available for distribution to investors.

In addition, the subordinate classes of securities issued by the securitization trusts may continue to receive interest payments while the defaulted loans remain in the trusts, rather than absorbing the default losses. This may reduce the amount of credit support available for senior classes of RMBS that we may own, thus possibly adversely affecting these securities. Additionally, a substantial portion of the $25.0 billion settlement is a “credit” to the banks and servicers for principal write-downs or reductions they may make to certain mortgages underlying RMBS. There remains uncertainty as to how these principal reductions will work and what effect they will have on the value of related RMBS. As a result, there can be no assurance that any such principal reductions will not adversely affect the value of our interests in MSRs and RMBS.

While we believe that the sellers and servicers would be in violation of the applicable Servicing Guidelines to the extent that they have improperly serviced mortgage loans or improperly executed documents in foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings, or do not comply with the terms of servicing contracts when deciding whether to apply principal reductions, it may be difficult, expensive, time consuming and, ultimately, uneconomic for us to enforce our contractual rights. While we cannot predict exactly how the servicing and foreclosure matters or the resulting litigation or settlement agreements will affect our business, there can be no assurance that these matters will not have an adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

A failure by any or all of the members of Buyer to make capital contributions for amounts required to fund servicer advances could result in an event of default under our advance facilities and a complete loss of our investment.

New Residential and third-party co-investors, through a joint venture entity (Advance Purchaser LLC, the “Buyer”) have agreed to purchase all future arising servicer advances from Mr. Cooper under certain residential mortgage servicing agreements. Buyer relies, in part, on its members to make committed capital contributions in order to pay the purchase price for future servicer advances. A failure by any or all of the members to make such capital contributions for amounts required to fund servicer advances could result in an event of default under our advance facilities and a complete loss of our investment.

The residential mortgage loans underlying the securities we invest in and the loans we directly invest in are subject to delinquency, foreclosure and loss, which could result in losses to us.

The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by a residential property is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors may impair borrowers’ abilities to repay their loans, including, among other things, changes in the borrower’s employment status, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions, changes in interest rates or the availability of credit on favorable terms, changes in regional or local real estate values, changes in regional or local rental rates and changes in real estate taxes.

Our mortgage backed securities are securities backed by mortgage loans. Many of the RMBS in which we invest are backed by collateral pools of subprime residential mortgage loans. “Subprime” mortgage loans refer to mortgage loans that have been originated using underwriting standards that are less restrictive than the underwriting requirements used as standards for other first and junior lien mortgage loan purchase programs, such as the programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These lower standards include mortgage loans made to borrowers having imperfect or impaired credit histories (including outstanding judgments or prior bankruptcies), mortgage loans where the amount of the loan at origination is 80% or more of the value of the mortgage property, mortgage loans made to borrowers with low credit scores, mortgage loans made to borrowers who have other debt that represents a large

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portion of their income and mortgage loans made to borrowers whose income is not required to be disclosed or verified. Subprime mortgage loans may experience delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss rates that are higher, and that may be substantially higher, than those experienced by mortgage loans underwritten in a more traditional manner. To the extent losses are realized on the loans underlying the securities in which we invest, we may not recover the amount invested in, or, in extreme cases, any of our investment in such securities.

Residential mortgage loans, including manufactured housing loans and subprime mortgage loans are secured by single-family residential property and are also subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure, and risks of loss. A significant portion of the residential mortgage loans that we acquire are, or may become, sub-performing loans, non-performing loans or real estate owned (“REO”) assets where the borrower has failed to make timely payments of principal and/or interest. As part of the residential mortgage loan portfolios we purchase, we also may acquire performing loans that are or subsequently become sub-performing or non-performing, meaning the borrowers fail to timely pay some or all of the required payments of principal and/or interest. Under current market conditions, it is likely that some of these loans will have current loan-to-value ratios in excess of 100%, meaning the amount owed on the loan exceeds the value of the underlying real estate.

In the event of default under a residential mortgage loan held directly by us, we will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the loan. Even though we typically pay less than the amount owed on these loans to acquire them, if actual results differ from our assumptions in determining the price we paid to acquire such loans, we may incur significant losses. In addition, we may acquire REO assets directly, which involves the same risks. Any loss we incur may be significant and could materially and adversely affect us.

Our investments in real estate and other securities are subject to changes in credit spreads as well as available market liquidity, which could adversely affect our ability to realize gains on the sale of such investments.

Real estate and other securities are subject to changes in credit spreads. Credit spreads measure the yield demanded on securities by the market based on their credit relative to a specific benchmark.

Fixed rate securities are valued based on a market credit spread over the rate payable on fixed rate U.S. Treasuries of like maturity. Floating rate securities are valued based on a market credit spread over LIBOR and are affected similarly by changes in LIBOR spreads. As of December 31, 2019, 74.9% of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio consisted of floating rate securities and 25.1% consisted of fixed rate securities, and 100.0% of our Agency RMBS portfolio consisted of fixed rate securities, based on the amortized cost basis of all securities (including the amortized cost basis of interest-only and residual classes). Excessive supply of these securities combined with reduced demand will generally cause the market to require a higher yield on these securities, resulting in the use of a higher, or “wider,” spread over the benchmark rate to value such securities. Under such conditions, the value of our real estate and other securities portfolios would tend to decline. Conversely, if the spread used to value such securities were to decrease, or “tighten,” the value of our real estate and other securities portfolio would tend to increase. Such changes in the market value of our real estate securities portfolios may affect our net equity, net income or cash flow directly through their impact on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, and therefore our ability to realize gains on such securities, or indirectly through their impact on our ability to borrow and access capital. Widening credit spreads could cause the net unrealized gains on our securities and derivatives, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or retained earnings, and therefore our book value per share, to decrease and result in net losses.

Prepayment rates on our residential mortgage loans and those underlying our real estate and other securities may adversely affect our profitability.

In general, residential mortgage loans may be prepaid at any time without penalty. Prepayments result when homeowners/ mortgagors satisfy (i.e., pay off) the mortgage upon selling or refinancing their mortgaged property. When we acquire a particular loan or security, we anticipate that the loan or underlying residential mortgage loans will prepay at a projected rate which, together with expected coupon income, provides us with an expected yield on such investments. If we purchase assets at a premium to par value, and borrowers prepay their mortgage loans faster than expected, the corresponding prepayments on our assets may reduce the expected yield on such assets because we will have to amortize the related premium on an accelerated basis. Conversely, if we purchase assets at a discount to par value, when borrowers prepay their mortgage loans slower than expected, the decrease in corresponding prepayments on our assets may reduce the expected yield on such assets because we will not be able to accrete the related discount as quickly as originally anticipated.

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Prepayment rates on loans are influenced by changes in mortgage and market interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic, political and other factors, all of which are beyond our control. Consequently, such prepayment rates cannot be predicted with certainty and no strategy can completely insulate us from prepayment or other such risks. In periods of declining interest rates, prepayment rates on mortgage loans generally increase. If general interest rates decline at the same time, the proceeds of such prepayments received during such periods are likely to be reinvested by us in assets yielding less than the yields on the assets that were prepaid. In addition, the market value of our loans and real estate and other securities may, because of the risk of prepayment, benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining interest rates.

We may purchase assets that have a higher or lower coupon rate than the prevailing market interest rates. In exchange for a higher coupon rate, we would then pay a premium over par value to acquire these securities. In accordance with GAAP, we would amortize the premiums over the life of the related assets. If the mortgage loans securing these assets prepay at a more rapid rate than anticipated, we would have to amortize our premiums on an accelerated basis which may adversely affect our profitability. As compensation for a lower coupon rate, we would then pay a discount to par value to acquire these assets. In accordance with GAAP, we would accrete any discounts over the life of the related assets. If the mortgage loans securing these assets prepay at a slower rate than anticipated, we would have to accrete our discounts on an extended basis which may adversely affect our profitability. Defaults on the mortgage loans underlying Agency RMBS typically have the same effect as prepayments because of the underlying Agency guarantee.

Prepayments, which are the primary feature of mortgage backed securities that distinguish them from other types of bonds, are difficult to predict and can vary significantly over time. As the holder of the security, on a monthly basis, we receive a payment equal to a portion of our investment principal in a particular security as the underlying mortgages are prepaid. In general, on the date each month that principal prepayments are announced (i.e., factor day), the value of our real estate related security pledged as collateral under our repurchase agreements is reduced by the amount of the prepaid principal and, as a result, our lenders will typically initiate a margin call requiring the pledge of additional collateral or cash, in an amount equal to such prepaid principal, in order to re-establish the required ratio of borrowing to collateral value under such repurchase agreements. Accordingly, with respect to our Agency RMBS, the announcement on factor day of principal prepayments is in advance of our receipt of the related scheduled payment, thereby creating a short-term receivable for us in the amount of any such principal prepayments. However, under our repurchase agreements, we may receive a margin call relating to the related reduction in value of our Agency RMBS and, prior to receipt of this short-term receivable, be required to post additional collateral or cash in the amount of the principal prepayment on or about factor day, which would reduce our liquidity during the period in which the short-term receivable is outstanding. As a result, in order to meet any such margin calls, we could be forced to sell assets in order to maintain liquidity. Forced sales under adverse market conditions may result in lower sales prices than ordinary market sales made in the normal course of business. If our real estate and other securities were liquidated at prices below our amortized cost (i.e., the cost basis) of such assets, we would incur losses, which could adversely affect our earnings. In addition, in order to continue to earn a return on this prepaid principal, we must reinvest it in additional real estate and other securities or other assets; however, if interest rates decline, we may earn a lower return on our new investments as compared to the real estate and other securities that prepay.

Prepayments may have a negative impact on our financial results, the effects of which depend on, among other things, the timing and amount of the prepayment delay on our Agency RMBS, the amount of unamortized premium or discount on our loans and real estate and other securities, the rate at which prepayments are made on our Non-Agency RMBS, the reinvestment lag and the availability of suitable reinvestment opportunities.

Our investments in residential mortgage loans, REO and RMBS may be subject to significant impairment charges, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

We are required to periodically evaluate our investments for impairment indicators. The judgment regarding the existence of impairment indicators is based on a variety of factors depending upon the nature of the investment and the manner in which the income related to such investment was calculated for purposes of our financial statements. If we determine that an impairment has occurred, we are required to make an adjustment to the net carrying value of the investment, which would adversely affect our results of operations in the applicable period and thereby adversely affect our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

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The lenders under our financing agreements may elect not to extend financing to us, which could quickly and seriously impair our liquidity.

We finance a meaningful portion of our investments with repurchase agreements and other short-term financing arrangements. Under the terms of repurchase agreements, we will sell an asset to the lending counterparty for a specified price and concurrently agree to repurchase the same asset from our counterparty at a later date for a higher specified price. During the term of the repurchase agreement—which can be as short as 30 days—the counterparty will make funds available to us and hold the asset as collateral. Our counterparties can also require us to post additional margin as collateral at any time during the term of the agreement. When the term of a repurchase agreement ends, we will be required to repurchase the asset for the specified repurchase price, with the difference between the sale and repurchase prices serving as the equivalent of paying interest to the counterparty in return for extending financing to us. If we want to continue to finance the asset with a repurchase agreement, we ask the counterparty to extend—or “roll”—the repurchase agreement for another term.

Our counterparties are not required to roll our repurchase agreements or other financing agreements upon the expiration of their stated terms, which subjects us to a number of risks. Counterparties electing to roll our financing agreements may charge higher spread and impose more onerous terms upon us, including the requirement that we post additional margin as collateral. More significantly, if a financing agreement counterparty elects not to extend our financing, we would be required to pay the counterparty in full on the maturity date and find an alternate source of financing. Alternate sources of financing may be more expensive, contain more onerous terms or simply may not be available. If we were unable to pay the repurchase price for any asset financed with a repurchase agreement, the counterparty has the right to sell the asset being held as collateral and require us to compensate it for any shortfall between the value of our obligation to the counterparty and the amount for which the collateral was sold (which may be a significantly discounted price). Moreover, our financing agreement obligations are currently with a limited number of counterparties. If any of our counterparties elected not to roll our financing agreements, we may not be able to find a replacement counterparty in a timely manner. Finally, some of our financing agreements contain covenants and our failure to comply with such covenants could result in a loss of our investment.

The financing sources under our servicer advance financing facilities may elect not to extend financing to us or may have or take positions adverse to us, which could quickly and seriously impair our liquidity.

We finance a meaningful portion of our servicer advance investments and servicer advance receivables with structured financing arrangements. These arrangements are commonly of a short-term nature. These arrangements are generally accomplished by having the named servicer, if the named servicer is our subsidiary, or the purchaser of such servicer advance investments (which is our subsidiary) transfer our right to repayment for certain servicer advances that we have as servicer under the relevant Servicing Guidelines or that we have acquired from one of our Servicing Partners, as applicable, to one of our wholly owned bankruptcy remote subsidiaries (a “Depositor”). We are generally required to continue to transfer to the related Depositor all of our rights to repayment for any particular pool of servicer advances as they arise (and, if applicable, are transferred from one of our Servicing Partners) until the related financing arrangement is paid in full and is terminated. The related Depositor then transfers such rights to an “Issuer.” The Issuer then issues limited recourse notes to the financing sources backed by such rights to repayment.

The outstanding balance of servicer advance receivables securing these arrangements is not likely to be repaid on or before the maturity date of such financing arrangements. Accordingly, we rely heavily on our financing sources to extend or refinance the terms of such financing arrangements. Our financing sources are not required to extend the arrangements upon the expiration of their stated terms, which subjects us to a number of risks. Financing sources electing to extend may charge higher interest rates and impose more onerous terms upon us, including without limitation, lowering the amount of financing that can be extended against any particular pool of servicer advances.

If a financing source is unable or unwilling to extend financing, including, but not limited to, due to legal or regulatory matters applicable to us or our Servicing Partners, the related Issuer will be required to repay the outstanding balance of the financing on the related maturity date. Additionally, there may be substantial increases in the interest rates under a financing arrangement if the related notes are not repaid, extended or refinanced prior to the expected repayment dated, which may be before the related maturity date. If an Issuer is unable to pay the outstanding balance of the notes, the financing sources generally have the right to foreclose on the servicer advances pledged as collateral.

Currently, certain of the notes issued under our structured servicer advance financing arrangements accrue interest at a floating rate of interest. Servicer advance receivables are non-interest bearing assets. Accordingly, if there

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is an increase in prevailing interest rates and/or our financing sources increase the interest rate “margins” or “spreads.” the amount of financing that we could obtain against any particular pool of servicer advances may decrease substantially and/or we may be required to obtain interest rate hedging arrangements. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such interest rate hedging arrangements.

Alternate sources of financing may be more expensive, contain more onerous terms or simply may not be available. Moreover, our structured servicer advance financing arrangements are currently with a limited number of counterparties. If any of our sources are unable to or elected not to extend or refinance such arrangements, we may not be able to find a replacement counterparty in a timely manner.

Many of our servicer advance financing arrangements are provided by financial institutions with whom we have substantial relationships. Some of our servicer advance financing arrangements entail the issuance of term notes to capital markets investors with whom we have little or no relationships or the identities of which we may not be aware and, therefore, we have no ability to control or monitor the identity of the holders of such term notes. Holders of such term notes may have or may take positions - for example, “short” positions in our stock or the stock of our servicers - that could be benefited by adverse events with respect to us or our Servicing Partners. If any holders of term notes allege or assert noncompliance by us or the related Servicing Partner under our servicer advance financing arrangements in order to realize such benefits, we or our Servicing Partners, or our ability to maintain servicer advance financing on favorable terms, could be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to finance our investments on attractive terms or at all, and financing for interests in MSRs or servicer advance receivables may be particularly difficult to obtain.

The ability to finance investments with securitizations or other long-term non-recourse financing not subject to margin requirements has been challenging as a result of market conditions. These conditions may result in having to use less efficient forms of financing for any new investments, or the refinancing of current investments, which will likely require a larger portion of our cash flows to be put toward making the investment and thereby reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders and funds available for operations and investments, and which will also likely require us to assume higher levels of risk when financing our investments. In addition, there is a limited market for financing of interests in MSRs, and it is possible that one will not develop for a variety of reasons, such as the challenges with perfecting security interests in the underlying collateral.

Certain of our advance facilities may mature in the short term, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to renew these facilities on favorable terms or at all. Moreover, an increase in delinquencies with respect to the loans underlying our servicer advance receivables could result in the need for additional financing, which may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we are not able to obtain adequate financing to purchase servicer advance receivables from our Servicing Partners or fund servicer advances under our MSRs in accordance with the applicable Servicing Guidelines, we or any such Servicing Partner, as applicable, could default on its obligation to fund such advances, which could result in its termination of us or any applicable Servicing Partner, as applicable, as servicer under the applicable Servicing Guidelines, and a partial or total loss of our interests in MSRs and servicer advances, as applicable.

The non-recourse long-term financing structures we use expose us to risks, which could result in losses to us.

We use structured finance and other non-recourse long-term financing for our investments to the extent available and appropriate. In such structures, our financing sources typically have only a claim against the assets included in the securitizations rather than a general claim against us as an entity. Prior to any such financing, we would seek to finance our investments with relatively short-term facilities until a sufficient portfolio is accumulated. As a result, we would be subject to the risk that we would not be able to acquire, during the period that any short-term facilities are available, sufficient eligible assets or securities to maximize the efficiency of a securitization. We also bear the risk that we would not be able to obtain new short-term facilities or would not be able to renew any short-term facilities after they expire should we need more time to seek and acquire sufficient eligible assets or securities for a securitization. In addition, conditions in the capital markets may make the issuance of any such securitization less attractive to us even when we do have sufficient eligible assets or securities. While we would generally intend to retain a portion of the interests issued under such securitizations and, therefore, still have exposure to any investments included in such securitizations, our inability to enter into such securitizations may increase our overall exposure to risks associated with direct ownership of such investments, including the risk of default. Our inability to refinance any short-term facilities would also increase our risk because borrowings thereunder would likely be recourse to us

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as an entity. If we are unable to obtain and renew short-term facilities or to consummate securitizations to finance our investments on a long-term basis, we may be required to seek other forms of potentially less attractive financing or to liquidate assets at an inopportune time or price.

The final Basel FRTB Ruling, which raised capital charges for bank holders of ABS, CMBS and Non-Agency MBS beginning in 2019, could adversely impact available trading liquidity and access to financing.

In January 2006, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released a finalized framework for calculating minimum capital requirements for market risk, which became effective in January 2019. In the final proposal, capital requirements would overall be meaningfully higher than current requirements, but are less punitive than the previous December 2014 proposal. However, each country’s specific regulator may codify the rules differently. Under the framework, capital charges on a bond are calculated based on three components: default, market and residual risk. Implementation of the final proposal could impose meaningfully higher capital charges on dealers compared with current requirements, and could reduce liquidity in the securitized products market.

Risks associated with our investment in the consumer loan sector could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

Our portfolio includes an investment in the consumer loan sector. Although many of the risks applicable to consumer loans are also applicable to residential mortgage loans, and thus the type of risks that we have experience managing, there are nevertheless substantial risks and uncertainties associated with engaging in a different category of investment.

The ability of borrowers to repay the consumer loans we invest in may be adversely affected by numerous personal factors, including unemployment, divorce, major medical expenses or personal bankruptcy. General factors, including an economic downturn, high energy costs or acts of God or terrorism, may also affect the financial stability of borrowers and impair their ability or willingness to repay the consumer loans in our investment portfolio. Furthermore, our returns on our consumer loan investments are dependent on the interest we receive exceeding any losses we may incur from defaults or delinquencies. The relatively higher interest rates paid by consumer loan borrowers could lead to increased delinquencies and defaults, or could lead to financially stronger borrowers prepaying their loans, thereby reducing the interest we receive from them, while financially weaker borrowers become delinquent or default, either of which would reduce the return on our investment or could cause losses.

In the event of any default under a loan in the consumer loan portfolio in which we have invested, we will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral securing the loan, if any, and the principal and accrued interest of the loan. In addition, our investments in consumer loans may entail greater risk than our investments in residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. Further, repossessing personal property securing a consumer loan can present additional challenges, including locating the collateral and taking possession of it. In addition, borrowers under consumer loans may have lower credit scores. There can be no guarantee that we will not suffer unexpected losses on our investments as a result of the factors set out above, which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

In addition, a portion of our investment in consumer loans is secured by second and third liens on real estate. When we hold the second or third lien, another creditor or creditors, as applicable, holds the first and/or second, as applicable, lien on the real estate that is the subject of the security. In these situations our second or third lien is subordinate in right of payment to the first and/or second, as applicable, holder’s right to receive payment. Moreover, as the servicer of the loans underlying our consumer loan portfolio is not able to track the default status of a senior lien loan in instances where we do not hold the related first mortgage, the value of the second or third lien loans in our portfolio may be lower than our estimates indicate.

Finally, one of our consumer loan investments is held through LoanCo, in which we hold a minority, non-controlling interest. We do not control LoanCo and, as a result, LoanCo may make decisions, or take risks, that we would otherwise not make, and LoanCo may not have access to the same management and financing expertise that we have. Failure to successfully manage these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

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The consumer loan investment sector is subject to various initiatives on the part of advocacy groups and extensive regulation and supervision under federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

In recent years consumer advocacy groups and some media reports have advocated governmental action to prohibit or place severe restrictions on the types of short-term consumer loans in which we have invested. Such consumer advocacy groups and media reports generally focus on the annual percentage rate to a consumer for this type of loan, which is compared unfavorably to the interest typically charged by banks to consumers with top-tier credit histories.

The fees charged on the consumer loans in the portfolio in which we have invested may be perceived as controversial by those who do not focus on the credit risk and high transaction costs typically associated with this type of investment. If the negative characterization of these types of loans becomes increasingly accepted by consumers, demand for the consumer loan products in which we have invested could significantly decrease. Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of loans is accepted by legislators and regulators, we could become subject to more restrictive laws and regulations in the area.

In addition, we are, or may become, subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations, or regulatory policies and practices, including the Dodd-Frank Act (which, among other things, established the CFPB with broad authority to regulate and examine financial institutions), which may, amongst other things, limit the amount of interest or fees allowed to be charged on the consumer loans we invest in, or the number of consumer loans that customers may receive or have outstanding. The operation of existing or future laws, ordinances and regulations could interfere with the focus of our investments which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

Certain jurisdictions require licenses to purchase, hold, enforce or sell residential mortgage loans and/or MSRs, and we may not be able to obtain and/or maintain such licenses.

Certain jurisdictions require a license to purchase, hold, enforce or sell residential mortgage loans and/or MSRs. In the event that any licensing requirement is applicable to us, and we do not hold such licenses, there can be no assurance that we will obtain such licenses or, if obtained, that we will be able to maintain them. Our failure to obtain or maintain such licenses could restrict our ability to invest in loans in these jurisdictions if such licensing requirements are applicable. With respect to mortgage loans, in lieu of obtaining such licenses, we may contribute our acquired residential mortgage loans to one or more wholly owned trusts whose trustee is a national bank, which may be exempt from state licensing requirements. We have formed one or more subsidiaries to apply for certain state licenses. If these subsidiaries obtain the required licenses, any trust holding loans in the applicable jurisdictions may transfer such loans to such subsidiaries, resulting in these loans being held by a state-licensed entity. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the requisite licenses in a timely manner or at all or in all necessary jurisdictions, or that the use of the trusts will reduce the requirement for licensing. In addition, even if we obtain necessary licenses, we may not be able to maintain them. Any of these circumstances could limit our ability to invest in residential mortgage loans or MSRs in the future and have a material adverse effect on us.

Our determination of how much leverage to apply to our investments may adversely affect our return on our investments and may reduce cash available for distribution.

We leverage certain of our assets through a variety of borrowings. Our investment guidelines do not limit the amount of leverage we may incur with respect to any specific asset or pool of assets. The return we are able to earn on our investments and cash available for distribution to our stockholders may be significantly reduced due to changes in market conditions, which may cause the cost of our financing to increase relative to the income that can be derived from our assets.

A significant portion of our investments are not match funded, which may increase the risks associated with these investments.

When available, a match funding strategy mitigates the risk of not being able to refinance an investment on favorable terms or at all. However, our Manager may elect for us to bear a level of refinancing risk on a short-term or longer-term basis, as in the case of investments financed with repurchase agreements, when, based on its analysis, our Manager determines that bearing such risk is advisable or unavoidable. In addition, we may be unable, as a result of conditions in the credit markets, to match fund our investments. For example, non-recourse term financing not subject to margin requirements has been more difficult to obtain, which impairs our ability to match fund our investments. Moreover, we may not be able to enter into interest rate swaps. A decision not to, or the inability to, match fund certain investments exposes us to additional risks.

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Furthermore, we anticipate that, in most cases, for any period during which our floating rate assets are not match funded with respect to maturity, the income from such assets may respond more slowly to interest rate fluctuations than the cost of our borrowings. Because of this dynamic, interest income from such investments may rise more slowly than the related interest expense, with a consequent decrease in our net income. Interest rate fluctuations resulting in our interest expense exceeding interest income would result in operating losses for us from these investments.

Accordingly, to the extent our investments are not match funded with respect to maturities and interest rates, we are exposed to the risk that we may not be able to finance or refinance our investments on economically favorable terms, or at all, or may have to liquidate assets at a loss.

Interest rate fluctuations and shifts in the yield curve may cause losses.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. Our primary interest rate exposures relate to our interests in MSRs, RMBS, loans, derivatives and any floating rate debt obligations that we may incur. Changes in interest rates, including changes in expected interest rates or “yield curves,” affect our business in a number of ways. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on our interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing liabilities and hedges. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect, among other things, our ability to acquire real estate and other securities and loans at attractive prices, the value of our real estate and other securities, loans and derivatives and our ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets. We may wish to use hedging transactions to protect certain positions from interest rate fluctuations, but we may not be able to do so as a result of market conditions, REIT rules or other reasons. In such event, interest rate fluctuations could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Recently, the Federal Reserve has increased the benchmark interest rate and indicated that there may be further increases in the future. In the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, loan and collateral defaults may increase and result in credit losses that would adversely affect our liquidity and operating results.

Our ability to execute our business strategy, particularly the growth of our investment portfolio, depends to a significant degree on our ability to obtain additional capital. Our financing strategy is dependent on our ability to place the debt we use to finance our investments at rates that provide a positive net spread. If spreads for such liabilities widen or if demand for such liabilities ceases to exist, then our ability to execute future financings will be severely restricted.

Interest rate changes may also impact our net book value as most of our investments are marked to market each quarter. Debt obligations are not marked to market. Generally, as interest rates increase, the value of our fixed rate securities decreases, which will decrease the book value of our equity.

Furthermore, shifts in the U.S. Treasury yield curve reflecting an increase in interest rates would also affect the yield required on our investments and therefore their value. For example, increasing interest rates would reduce the value of the fixed rate assets we hold at the time because the higher yields required by increased interest rates result in lower market prices on existing fixed rate assets in order to adjust the yield upward to meet the market, and vice versa. This would have similar effects on our real estate and other securities and loan portfolio and our financial position and operations to a change in interest rates generally.

Changes in banks’ inter-bank lending rate reporting practices or the method pursuant to which LIBOR is determined may adversely affect the value of the financial obligations to be held or issued by us that are linked to LIBOR.

LIBOR and other indices which are deemed “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. Some of these reforms are already effective while others are still to be implemented. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past, or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. In particular, regulators and law enforcement agencies in the U.K. and elsewhere conducted criminal and civil investigations into whether the banks that contributed information to the British Bankers’ Association (“BBA”) in connection with the daily calculation of LIBOR may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating or attempting to manipulate LIBOR. A number of BBA member banks

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have entered into settlements with their regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to this alleged manipulation of LIBOR. LIBOR is calculated by reference to a market for interbank lending that continues to shrink, as it is based on increasingly fewer actual transactions. This increases the subjectivity of the LIBOR calculation process and increases the risk of manipulation. Actions by the regulators or law enforcement agencies, as well as ICE Benchmark Administration (the current administrator of LIBOR), may result in changes to the manner in which LIBOR is determined or the establishment of alternative reference rates. For example, on July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021.

It is likely that, over time, U.S. Dollar LIBOR will be replaced by the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. However, the manner and timing of this shift is currently unknown. SOFR is an overnight rate instead of a term rate, making SOFR an inexact replacement for LIBOR. There is currently no perfect way to create robust, forward-looking, SOFR term rates. Market participants are still considering how various types of financial instruments and securitization vehicles should react to a discontinuation of LIBOR. It is possible that not all of our assets and liabilities will transition away from LIBOR at the same time, and it is possible that not all of our assets and liabilities will transition to the same alternative reference rate, in each case increasing the difficulty of hedging. Switching existing financial instruments and hedging transactions from LIBOR to SOFR requires calculations of a spread. Industry organizations are attempting to structure the spread calculation in a manner that minimizes the possibility of value transfer between counterparties, borrowers, and lenders by virtue of the transition, but there is no assurance that the calculated spread will be fair and accurate or that all asset types and all types of securitization vehicles will use the same spread. We and other market participants have less experience understanding and modeling SOFR-based assets and liabilities than LIBOR-based assets and liabilities, increasing the difficulty of investing, hedging, and risk management. The process of transition involves operational risks. It is also possible that no transition will occur for many financial instruments, meaning that those instruments would continue to be subject to the weaknesses of the LIBOR calculation process. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be implemented. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes, alternative reference rates or other reforms may adversely affect the market for or value of any securities on which the interest or dividend is determined by reference to LIBOR, loans, derivatives and other financial obligations or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. More generally, any of the above changes or any other consequential changes to LIBOR or any other “benchmark” as a result of international, national or other proposals for reform or other initiatives or investigations, or any further uncertainty in relation to the timing and manner of implementation of such changes, could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on any securities based on or linked to a “benchmark.”

Any hedging transactions that we enter into may limit our gains or result in losses.

We may use, when feasible and appropriate, derivatives to hedge a portion of our interest rate exposure, and this approach has certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the cash available for distribution to stockholders and that such losses may exceed the amount invested in such instruments. We have adopted a general policy with respect to the use of derivatives, which generally allows us to use derivatives where appropriate, but does not set forth specific policies and procedures or require that we hedge any specific amount of risk. From time to time, we may use derivative instruments, including forwards, futures, swaps and options, in our risk management strategy to limit the effects of changes in interest rates on our operations. A hedge may not be effective in eliminating all of the risks inherent in any particular position. Our profitability may be adversely affected during any period as a result of the use of derivatives.

There are limits to the ability of any hedging strategy to protect us completely against interest rate risks. When rates change, we expect the gain or loss on derivatives to be offset by a related but inverse change in the value of any items that we hedge. We cannot assure you, however, that our use of derivatives will offset the risks related to changes in interest rates. We cannot assure you that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest rate volatility or that our hedging transactions will not result in losses. In addition, our hedging strategy may limit our flexibility by causing us to refrain from taking certain actions that would be potentially profitable but would cause adverse consequences under the terms of our hedging arrangements. The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code limit our ability to hedge. In managing our hedge instruments, we consider the effect of the expected hedging income on the REIT qualification tests that limit the amount of gross income that a REIT may receive from hedging. We need to carefully monitor, and may have to limit, our hedging

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strategy to assure that we do not realize hedging income, or hold hedges having a value, in excess of the amounts that would cause us to fail the REIT gross income and asset tests. See “—Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT—Complying with the REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.”

Accounting for derivatives under GAAP is extremely complicated. Any failure by us to account for our derivatives properly in accordance with GAAP in our financial statements could adversely affect us. In addition, under applicable accounting standards, we may be required to treat some of our investments as derivatives, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Cybersecurity incidents and technology disruptions or failures could damage our business operations and reputation, increase our costs and subject us to potential liability.

As our reliance on rapidly changing technology has increased, so have the risks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information systems, both internal and those provided to us by third-party service providers (including, but not limited to, our Servicing Partners). Cybersecurity incidents may involve gaining authorized or unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of theft of certain personally identifiable information of consumers, misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Disruptions and failures of our systems or those of our third-party vendors could result from these incidents or be caused by fire, power outages, natural disasters and other similar events and may interrupt or delay our ability to provide services to our customers, expose us to remedial costs and reputational damage, and otherwise adversely affect our operations.

Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, there can be no assurance that any such cyber incidents will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. We also may not be able to anticipate or implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches, especially because the methods and sources of breaches change frequently or may not be immediately detected.

In addition, we are subject to various privacy and data protection laws and regulations, and any changes to laws or regulations, including new restrictions or requirements applicable to our business, could impose additional costs and liability on us and could limit our use and disclosure of such information. For example, the New York State Department of Financial Services requires certain financial services companies, such as NRM and NewRez, to establish a detailed cybersecurity program and comply with other requirements, and the CCPA creates new compliance regulations on businesses that collect information from California residents.

Any of the foregoing events could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our customers, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, additional regulatory scrutiny, significant litigation exposure and harm to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

We depend on counterparties and vendors to provide certain services, which subjects us to various risks.

We have a number of counterparties and vendors, who provide us with financial, technology and other services that support our businesses. If our current counterparties and vendors were to stop providing services to us on acceptable terms, we may be unable to procure alternative services from other counterparties or vendors in a timely and efficient manner and on similarly acceptable terms, or at all. With respect to vendors engaged to perform certain servicing activities, we are required to assess their compliance with various regulations and establish procedures to provide reasonable assurance that the vendor’s activities comply in all material respects with such regulations. In the event that a vendor’s activities are not in compliance, it could negatively impact our relationships with our regulators, as well as our business and operations. Accordingly, we may incur significant costs to resolve any such disruptions in service which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

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We are subject to risks related to securitization of any loans originated and/or serviced by our subsidiaries.

The securitization of any loans that we originate and/or service subject us to various risks that may increase our compliance costs and adversely impact our financial results, including:

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compliance with the terms of the agreements governing the securitized pools of loans, including any indemnification and repurchase provisions;

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reliance on programs administered by the GSEs and Ginnie Mae that facilitate the issuance of mortgage-backed securities in the secondary market and the effect of any changes or modifications thereto (see “—GSE initiatives and other actions, including changes to the minimum servicing amount for GSE loans, could occur at any time and could impact us in significantly negative ways that we are unable to predict or protect against” and “—The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between these agencies and the U.S. government, may adversely affect our business”); and

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federal and state legislation in securitizations, such as the risk retention requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act, could result in higher costs of certain lending operations and impose on us additional compliance requirements to meet servicing and originations criteria for securitized mortgage loans.

Maintenance of our 1940 Act exclusion imposes limits on our operations.

We intend to continue to conduct our operations so that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act. We believe we will not be considered an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act because we will not engage primarily, or hold ourselves out as being engaged primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. However, under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act, because we are a holding company that will conduct its businesses primarily through wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries, the securities issued by our subsidiaries that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, together with any other investment securities we may own, may not have a combined value in excess of 40% of the value of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. Government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, unless another exclusion from the definition of “investment company” is available to us. For purposes of the foregoing, we currently treat our interest in our SLS Servicer Advance Investment and our subsidiaries that hold consumer loans as investment securities because these subsidiaries presently rely on the exclusion provided by Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. The 40% test under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act limits the types of businesses in which we may engage through our subsidiaries. In addition, the assets we and our subsidiaries may originate or acquire are limited by the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act, which may adversely affect our business.

If the value of securities issued by our subsidiaries that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” by Section 3(c) (1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, together with any other investment securities we own, exceeds the 40% test under Section 3(a)(1) (C) of the 1940 Act (e.g., the value of our interests in the taxable REIT subsidiaries that hold servicer advance investments and are not excluded from the definition of “investment company” by Section 3(c)(5)(A), (B) or (C) of the 1940 Act increases significantly in proportion to the value of our other assets), or if one or more of such subsidiaries fail to maintain an exclusion or exception from the 1940 Act, we could, among other things, be required either (a) to substantially change the manner in which we conduct our operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company or (b) to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, either of which could have an adverse effect on us and the market price of our securities. As discussed above, for purposes of the foregoing, we generally treat our interests in our SLS Servicer Advance Investment and our subsidiaries that hold consumer loans as investment securities because these subsidiaries presently rely on the exclusion provided by Section 3(c) (7) of the 1940 Act. If we or any of our subsidiaries were required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the registered entity would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to capital structure (including the ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act), portfolio composition, including restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration, compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly change our operations.

Failure to maintain an exclusion would require us to significantly restructure our investment strategy. For example, because affiliate transactions are generally prohibited under the 1940 Act, we would not be able to enter into transactions with any of our affiliates if we are required to register as an investment company, and we might be

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required to terminate our management agreement and any other agreements with affiliates, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business and pay distributions. If we were required to register us as an investment company but failed to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us. In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement, and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.

For purposes of the foregoing, we treat our interests in certain of our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries, which constitute more than 60% of the value of our adjusted total assets on an unconsolidated basis, as non-investment securities because such subsidiaries qualify for exclusion from the definition of an investment company under the 1940 Act pursuant to Section 3(c) (5)(C) of the 1940 Act. The Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion is available for entities “primarily engaged” in the business of “purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” The Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion generally requires that at least 55% of these subsidiaries’ assets must comprise qualifying real estate assets and at least 80% of each of their portfolios must comprise qualifying real estate assets and real estate-related assets under the 1940 Act. We expect each of our subsidiaries relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) to rely on guidance published by the SEC staff or on our analyses of such guidance to determine which assets are qualifying real estate assets and real estate-related assets. However, the SEC’s guidance was issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations each of our subsidiaries may face, and much of the guidance was issued more than 20 years ago. No assurance can be given that the SEC staff will concur with the classification of each of our subsidiaries’ assets. In addition, the SEC staff may, in the future, issue further guidance that may require us to re-classify some of our subsidiaries’ assets for purposes of qualifying for an exclusion from regulation under the 1940 Act. For example, the SEC and its staff have not published guidance with respect to the treatment of whole pool Non-Agency RMBS for purposes of the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion. Accordingly, based on our own judgment and analysis of the guidance from the SEC and its staff identifying Agency whole pool certificates as qualifying real estate assets under Section 3(c)(5)(C), we treat whole pool Non-Agency RMBS issued with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans in which our subsidiary relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) holds all of the certificates issued by the pool as qualifying real estate assets. Based on our own judgment and analysis of the guidance from the SEC and its staff with respect to analogous assets, we treat Excess MSRs for which we do not own the related servicing rights as real estate-related assets for purposes of satisfying the 80% test under the Section 3(c)(5) (C) exclusion. If we are required to re-classify any of our subsidiaries’ assets, including those subsidiaries holding whole pool Non-Agency RMBS and/or Excess MSRs, such subsidiaries may no longer be in compliance with the exclusion from the definition of an “investment company” provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act, and in turn, we may not satisfy the requirements to avoid falling within the definition of an “investment company” provided by Section 3(a)(1)(C). To the extent that the SEC staff publishes new or different guidance or disagrees with our analysis with respect to any assets of our subsidiaries we have determined to be qualifying real estate assets or real estate-related assets, we may be required to adjust our strategy accordingly. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make certain investments and these limitations could result in a subsidiary holding assets we might wish to sell or selling assets we might wish to hold.

In August 2011, the SEC issued a concept release soliciting public comments on a wide range of issues relating to companies engaged in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related instruments and that rely on Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the laws and regulations governing the 1940 Act status of REITs, or guidance from the SEC or its staff regarding the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion, will not change in a manner that adversely affects our operations. If we or our subsidiaries fail to maintain an exclusion or exception from the 1940 Act, we could, among other things, be required either to (a) change the manner in which we conduct our operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company, (b) effect sales of our assets in a manner that, or at a time when, we would not otherwise choose to do so, or (c) register as an investment company, any of which could negatively affect the value of our common stock, the sustainability of our business model, and our ability to make distributions. In addition, if we or any of our subsidiaries were required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the registered entity would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to capital structure (including the ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act), portfolio composition, including restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration, compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly change our operations.

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Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exclusion from the 1940 Act.

If the market value or income potential of qualifying assets for purposes of our qualification as a REIT or our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act declines as a result of increased interest rates, changes in prepayment rates or other factors, or the market value or income from non-qualifying assets increases, we may need to increase our investments in qualifying assets and/or liquidate our non-qualifying assets to maintain our REIT qualification or our exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act. If the change in market values or income occurs quickly, this may be especially difficult to accomplish. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the illiquid nature of any non-qualifying assets we may own. We may have to make investment decisions that we otherwise would not make absent the intent to maintain our qualification as a REIT and exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act.

We are subject to significant competition, and we may not compete successfully.

We are subject to significant competition in seeking investments. We compete with other companies, including other REITs, insurance companies and other investors, including funds and companies affiliated with our Manager. Some of our competitors have greater resources than we possess or have greater access to capital or various types of financing structures than are available to us, and we may not be able to compete successfully for investments or provide attractive investment returns relative to our competitors. These competitors may be willing to accept lower returns on their investments and, as a result, our profit margins could be adversely affected. Furthermore, competition for investments that are suitable for us, including, but not limited to, interests in MSRs, may lead to decreased availability, higher market prices and decreased returns available from such investments, which may further limit our ability to generate our desired returns. We cannot assure you that other companies will not be formed that compete with us for investments or otherwise pursue investment strategies similar to ours or that we will be able to compete successfully against any such companies.

Our business could suffer if we fail to attract and retain highly skilled personnel.

Our future success will depend on our ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified personnel for all areas of the Company, in particular skilled managers, loan officers, underwriters, loan servicers, debt default specialists and other personnel specialized in finance, risk and compliance. Trained and experienced personnel are in high demand and may be in short supply in some areas. We may not be able to attract, develop and maintain an adequate skilled workforce necessary to operate our businesses and labor expenses may increase as a result of a shortage in the supply of qualified personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain such personnel, we may not be able to take advantage of acquisitions and other growth opportunities that may be presented to us and this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

The valuations of our assets are subject to uncertainty because most of our assets are not traded in an active market.

There is not anticipated to be an active market for most of the assets in which we will invest. In the absence of market comparisons, we will use other pricing methodologies, including, for example, models based on assumptions regarding expected trends, historical trends following market conditions believed to be comparable to the then current market conditions and other factors believed at the time to be likely to influence the potential resale price of, or the potential cash flows derived from, an investment. Such methodologies may not prove to be accurate and any inability to accurately price assets may result in adverse consequences for us. A valuation is only an estimate of value and is not a precise measure of realizable value. Ultimate realization of the market value of a private asset depends to a great extent on economic and other conditions beyond our control. Further, valuations do not necessarily represent the price at which a private investment would sell since market prices of private investments can only be determined by negotiation between a willing buyer and seller. If we were to liquidate a particular private investment, the realized value may be more than or less than the valuation of such asset as carried on our books.

Changes in accounting rules could occur at any time and could impact us in significantly negative ways that we are unable to predict or protect against.

As has been widely publicized, the SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and other regulatory bodies that establish the accounting rules applicable to us have recently proposed or enacted a wide array of changes to accounting rules. Moreover, in the future these regulators may propose additional changes that we do

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not currently anticipate. Changes to accounting rules that apply to us could significantly impact our business or our reported financial performance in negative ways that we cannot predict or protect against. We cannot predict whether any changes to current accounting rules will occur or what impact any codified changes will have on our business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition, directly or through their impact on our Servicing Partners or counterparties.

A prolonged economic slowdown, a lengthy or severe recession, or declining real estate values could harm our operations.

We believe the risks associated with our business are more severe during periods in which an economic slowdown or recession is accompanied by declining real estate values, as was the case in 2008. Declining real estate values generally reduce the level of new mortgage loan originations, since borrowers often use increases in the value of their existing properties to support the purchase of, or investment in, additional properties. Borrowers may also be less able to pay principal and interest on our loans or the loans underlying our securities, interests in MSRs and servicer advances, if the real estate economy weakens. Further, declining real estate values significantly increase the likelihood that we will incur losses on our investments in the event of default because the value of our collateral may be insufficient to cover our basis. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses could adversely affect our net interest income from the assets in our portfolio, which would significantly harm our revenues, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, business prospects and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure has and will continue to result in increased compliance costs and pose challenges for our management team.

Certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act remain subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on us and, more generally, the financial services and mortgage industries. Additionally, we cannot predict whether there will be additional proposed laws or reforms that would affect us, whether or when such changes may be adopted, how such changes may be interpreted and enforced or how such changes may affect us. However, the costs of complying with any additional laws or regulations could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We have engaged and may in the future engage in a number of acquisitions and we may be unable to successfully integrate the acquired assets and assumed liabilities in connection with such acquisitions.

As part of our business strategy, we regularly evaluate acquisitions of what we believe are complementary assets. Identifying and achieving the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions is subject to a number of uncertainties, including, without limitation, whether we are able to acquire the assets, within our parameters, integrate the acquired assets and manage the assumed liabilities efficiently. It is possible that the integration process could take longer than anticipated and could result in additional and unforeseen expenses, the disruption of our ongoing business, processes and systems, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices and policies, any of which could adversely affect our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions. There may be increased risk due to integrating the assets into our financial reporting and internal control systems. Difficulties in adding the assets into our business could also result in the loss of contract counterparties or other persons with whom we conduct business and potential disputes or litigation with contract counterparties or other persons with whom we or such counterparties conduct business. We could also be adversely affected by any issues attributable to the related seller’s operations that arise or are based on events or actions that occurred prior to the closing of such acquisitions. Completion of the integration process is subject to a number of uncertainties, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated benefits will be realized in their entirety or at all or, if realized, the timing of their realization. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs or decreases in the amount of expected revenues and could adversely affect our future business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Due to the costs of engaging in a number of acquisitions, we may also have difficulty completing more acquisitions in the future.

There may be difficulties with integrating the loans underlying MSR acquisitions involving servicing transfers into the successor servicer’s servicing platform, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

In connection with certain MSR acquisitions, servicing is transferred from the seller to a subservicer appointed by us. The ability to integrate and service the assets acquired will depend in large part on the success of our subservicer’s integration of expanded servicing capabilities with its current operations. We may fail to realize some

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or all of the anticipated benefits of these transactions if the integration process takes longer, or is more costly, than expected. Potential difficulties we may encounter during the integration process with the assets acquired in MSR acquisitions involving servicing transfers include, but are not limited to, the following:

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the integration of the portfolio into our applicable subservicer’s information technology platforms and servicing systems;

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the quality of servicing during any interim servicing period after we purchase the portfolio but before our applicable subservicer assumes servicing obligations from the seller or its agents;

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the disruption to our ongoing businesses and distraction of our management teams from ongoing business concerns;

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incomplete or inaccurate files and records;

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the retention of existing customers;

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the creation of uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems;

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the occurrence of unanticipated expenses; and

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potential unknown liabilities associated with the transactions, including legal liability related to origination and servicing prior to the acquisition.

Our failure to meet the challenges involved in successfully integrating the assets acquired in MSR acquisitions involving servicing transfers with our current business could impair our operations. For example, it is possible that the data our applicable subservicer acquires upon assuming the direct servicing obligations for the loans may not transfer from the seller’s platform to its systems properly. This may result in data being lost, key information not being locatable on our applicable subservicer’s systems, or the complete failure of the transfer. If our employees are unable to access customer information easily, or is unable to produce originals or copies of documents or accurate information about the loans, collections could be affected significantly, and our subservicer may not be able to enforce its right to collect in some cases. Similarly, collections could be affected by any changes to our applicable subservicer’s collections practices, the restructuring of any key servicing functions, transfer of files and other changes that occur as a result of the transfer of servicing obligations from the seller to our subservicer.

We could be materially and adversely affected by past events, conditions or actions with respect to Home Loan Servicing Solutions (“HLSS”) or Ocwen.

HLSS acquired assets and assumed liabilities could be adversely affected as a result of events or conditions that occurred or existed before the closing of the HLSS Acquisition. Adverse changes in the assets or liabilities we have acquired or assumed, respectively, as part of the HLSS Acquisition, could occur or arise as a result of actions by HLSS or Ocwen, legal or regulatory developments, including the emergence or unfavorable resolution of pre-acquisition loss contingencies, deteriorating general business, market, industry or economic conditions, and other factors both within and beyond the control of HLSS or Ocwen. We are subject to a variety of risks as a result of our dependence on Servicing Partners, including, without limitation, the potential loss of all of the value of our Excess MSRs in the event that the servicer of the underlying loans is terminated by the mortgage loan owner or RMBS bondholders. A significant decline in the value of HLSS assets or a significant increase in HLSS liabilities we have acquired could adversely affect our future business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. HLSS is subject to a number of other risks and uncertainties, including regulatory investigations and legal proceedings against HLSS, and others with whom HLSS conducted business. Moreover, any insurance proceeds received with respect to such matters may be inadequate to cover the associated losses. Adverse developments at Ocwen, including liquidity issues, ratings downgrades, defaults under debt agreements, servicer rating downgrades, failure to comply with the terms of PSAs, termination under PSAs, Ocwen bankruptcy proceedings and additional regulatory issues and settlements, including those described above, could have a material adverse effect on us. See “—We rely heavily on our Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objective and have no direct ability to influence their performance.”

Our ability to borrow may be adversely affected by the suspension or delay of the rating of the notes issued under certain of our financing facilities by the credit agency providing the ratings.

Certain of our financing facilities are rated by one rating agency and we may sponsor financing facilities in the future that are rated by credit agencies. The related agency or rating agencies may suspend rating notes backed by servicer advances, MSRs, Excess MSRs and our other investments at any time. Rating agency delays may result in

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our inability to obtain timely ratings on new notes, or amend or modify other financing facilities which could adversely impact the availability of borrowings or the interest rates, advance rates or other financing terms and adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity. Further, if we are unable to secure ratings from other agencies, limited investor demand for unrated notes could result in further adverse changes to our liquidity and profitability.

A downgrade of certain of the notes issued under our financing facilities could cause such notes to become due and payable prior to their expected repayment date/maturity date, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Regulatory scrutiny regarding foreclosure processes could lengthen foreclosure timelines, which could increase advances and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

When a residential mortgage loan is in foreclosure, the servicer is generally required to continue to advance delinquent principal and interest to the securitization trust and to also make advances for delinquent taxes and insurance and foreclosure costs and the upkeep of vacant property in foreclosure to the extent it determines that such amounts are recoverable. These servicer advances are generally recovered when the delinquency is resolved. Foreclosure moratoria or other actions that lengthen the foreclosure process increase the amount of servicer advances, lengthen the time it takes for reimbursement of such advances and increase the costs incurred during the foreclosure process. In addition, servicer advance financing facilities generally contain provisions that limit the eligibility of servicer advances to be financed based on the length of time that servicer advances are outstanding, and, as a result, an increase in foreclosure timelines could further increase the amount of servicer advances that need to be funded from the related servicer’s own capital. Such increases in foreclosure timelines could increase the need for capital to fund servicer advances, which would increase our interest expense, delay the collection of interest income or servicing revenue until the foreclosure has been resolved and, therefore, reduce the cash that we have available to pay our operating expenses or to pay dividends. For more information, see “—We could be materially and adversely affected by past events, conditions or actions with respect to HLSS or Ocwen” above.

Certain of our Servicing Partners have triggered termination events or events of default under some PSAs underlying the MSRs with respect to which we are entitled to the basic fee component or Excess MSRs.

In certain of these circumstances, the related Servicing Partner may be terminated without any right to compensation for its loss, other than the right to be reimbursed for any outstanding servicer advances as the related loans are brought current, modified, liquidated or charged off. So long as we are in compliance with our obligations under our servicing agreements and purchase agreements, if we or one of our Servicing Partners is terminated as servicer, we may have the right to receive an indemnification payment from the applicable Servicing Partner, even if such termination related to servicer termination events or events of default existing at the time of any transaction with such Servicing Partner. If one of our Servicing Partners is terminated as servicer under a PSA, we will lose any investment related to such Servicing Partner’s MSRs. If we or such Servicing Partner is terminated as servicer with respect to a PSA and we are unable to enforce our contractual rights against such Servicing Partner, or if such Servicing Partner is unable to make any resulting indemnification payments to us, if any such payment is due and payable, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, ability to make distributions, liquidity and financing arrangements, including our servicer advance financing facilities, and may make it more difficult for us to acquire additional interests in MSRs in the future.

Representations and warranties made by us in our collateralized borrowings and loan sale agreements may subject us to liability.

Our financing facilities require us to make certain representations and warranties regarding the assets that collateralize the borrowings. Although we perform due diligence on the assets that we acquire, certain representations and warranties that we make in respect of such assets may ultimately be determined to be inaccurate. In addition, our loan sale agreements require us to make representations and warranties to the purchaser regarding the loans that were sold. Such representations and warranties may include, but are not limited to, issues such as the validity of the lien; the absence of delinquent taxes or other liens; the loans’ compliance with all local, state and federal laws and the delivery of all documents required to perfect title to the lien.

In the event of a breach of a representation or warranty, we may be required to repurchase affected loans, make indemnification payments to certain indemnified parties or address any claims associated with such breach. Further, we may have limited or no recourse against the seller from whom we purchased the loans. Such recourse may be

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limited due to a variety of factors, including the absence of a representation or warranty from the seller corresponding to the representation provided by us or the contractual expiration thereof. A breach of a representation or warranty could adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity.

Our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights may be limited or delayed if a third party contests our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights, if the related securitization trustee refuses to permit the exercise of such rights, or if a related party is subject to bankruptcy proceedings.

Certain servicing contracts permit more than one party to exercise a cleanup call-meaning the right of a party to collapse a securitization trust by purchasing all of the remaining loans held by the securitization trust pursuant to the terms set forth in the applicable servicing agreement. While the servicers from which we acquired our cleanup call rights (or other servicers from which these servicers acquired MSRs) may be named as the party entitled to exercise such rights, certain third parties may also be permitted to exercise such rights. If any such third party exercises a cleanup call, we could lose our ability to exercise our cleanup call right and, as a result, lose the ability to generate positive returns with respect to the related securitization transaction. In addition, another party could impair our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights by contesting our rights (for example, by claiming that they hold the exclusive cleanup call right with respect to the applicable securitization trust). Moreover, because the ability to exercise a cleanup call right is governed by the terms of the applicable servicing agreement, any ambiguous or conflicting language regarding the exercise of such rights in the agreement may make it more difficult and costly to exercise a cleanup call right. Finally, many of our call rights are not currently exercisable and may not become exercisable for a period of years. As a result, our ability to realize the benefits from these rights will depend on a number of factors at the time they become exercisable many of which are outside our control, including interest rates, conditions in the capital markets and conditions in the residential mortgage market.

The exercise of cleanup calls could negatively impact our interests in MSRs.

The exercise of cleanup call rights results in the termination of the MSRs on the loans held within the related securitization trusts. To the extent we own interests in MSRs with respect to loans held within securitization trusts where cleanup call rights are exercised, whether they are exercised by us or a third party, the value of our interests in those MSRs will likely be reduced to zero and we could incur losses and reduced cash flows from any such interests.

New Residential’s subsidiaries, NRM and NewRez, are or may become subject to significant state and federal regulations.

Subsidiaries of New Residential, NRM and NewRez, have obtained applicable qualifications, licenses and approvals to own Non-Agency and certain Agency MSRs in the United States and certain other jurisdictions. As a result of NRM and NewRez’s current and expected approvals, NRM and NewRez are subject to extensive and comprehensive regulation under federal, state and local laws in the United States. These laws and regulations do, and may in the future, significantly affect the way that NRM and NewRez do business, and subject NRM, NewRez and New Residential to additional costs and regulatory obligations, which could impact our financial results.

NRM’s and NewRez’s business may become subject to increasing regulatory oversight and scrutiny in the future as they continues seeking and obtaining additional approvals to hold MSRs, which may lead to regulatory investigations or enforcement, including both formal and informal inquiries, from various state and federal agencies as part of those agencies’ oversight of the mortgage servicing business. An adverse result in governmental investigations or examinations or private lawsuits, including purported class action lawsuits, may adversely affect NRM, NewRez and our financial results or result in serious reputational harm. In addition, a number of participants in the mortgage servicing industry have been the subject of purported class action lawsuits and regulatory actions by state or federal regulators, and other industry participants have been the subject of actions by state Attorneys General.

Failure of New Residential’s subsidiaries, NRM and NewRez, to obtain or maintain certain licenses and approvals required for NRM or NewRez to purchase and own MSRs could prevent us from purchasing or owning MSRs, which could limit our potential business activities.

State and federal laws require a business to hold certain state licenses prior to acquiring MSRs. NRM and NewRez are currently licensed or otherwise eligible to hold MSRs in each applicable state. As licensees in such states, NRM and NewRez may become subject to administrative actions in those states for failing to satisfy ongoing license requirements or for other state law violations, the consequences of which could include fines or suspensions

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or revocations of NRM or NewRez licenses by applicable state regulatory authorities, which could in turn result in NRM or NewRez becoming ineligible to hold MSRs in the related jurisdictions. We could be delayed or prohibited from conducting certain business activities if we do not maintain necessary licenses in certain jurisdictions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain all of the required state licenses.

Additionally, both NRM and NewRez have received approval from FHA to hold MSRs associated with FHA-insured mortgage loans, from Fannie Mae to hold MSRs associated with loans owned by Fannie Mae, and from Freddie Mac to hold MSRs associated with loans owned by Freddie Mac. As approved Fannie Mae Servicers, Freddie Mac Servicers and FHA Lenders, NRM and NewRez are required to conduct aspects of its operations in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines published by FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to maintain those approvals. Should NRM or NewRez fail to maintain FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac approval, NRM or NewRez may be unable to purchase or hold MSRs associated with FHA-insured, Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac loans, which could limit our potential business activities.

In addition, NewRez has received approval to issue securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae and service the mortgage loans related to such securities (“Ginnie Mae Issuer”). As an approved Ginnie Mae Issuer, NewRez is required to conduct aspects of its operations in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines published by Ginnie Mae in order to maintain its approvals. Should NewRez fail to maintain Ginnie Mae approval, we may be unable to purchase or hold MSRs associated with Ginnie Mae loans, which could limit our potential business activities.

NRM and NewRez -are currently subject to various, and may become subject to additional information reporting and other regulatory requirements, and there is no assurance that we will be able to satisfy those requirements or other ongoing requirements applicable to mortgage loan servicers under applicable state and federal laws. Any failure by NRM or NewRez to comply with such state or federal regulatory requirements may expose us to administrative or enforcement actions, license or approval suspensions or revocations or other penalties that may restrict our business and investment options, any of which could adversely impact our business and financial results and damage our reputation.

We may become subject to fines or other penalties based on the conduct of mortgage loan originators and brokers that originate residential mortgage loans related to MSRs that we acquire, and the third-party servicers we may engage to subservice the loans underlying MSRs we acquire.

We have acquired MSRs and may in the future acquire additional MSRs from third-party mortgage loan originators, brokers or other sellers, and we therefore are or will become dependent on such third parties for the related mortgage loans’ compliance with applicable law, and on third-party mortgage servicers, including our Servicing Partners, to perform the day-to-day servicing on the mortgage loans underlying any such MSRs. Mortgage loan originators and brokers are subject to strict and evolving consumer protection laws and other legal obligations with respect to the origination of residential mortgage loans. These laws and regulations include the residential mortgage servicing standards, “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” regulations promulgated by the CFPB, which became effective in 2014. In addition, there are various other federal, state, and local laws and regulations that are intended to discourage predatory lending practices by residential mortgage loan originators. These laws may be highly subjective and open to interpretation and, as a result, a regulator or court may determine that that there has been a violation where an originator or servicer of mortgage loans reasonably believed that the law or requirement had been satisfied. Failure or alleged failure by originators or servicers to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to state or CFPB administrative proceedings, which could result in monetary penalties, license suspensions or revocations, or restrictions to our business, all of which could adversely impact our business and financial results and damage our reputation.

The final servicing rules promulgated by the CFPB to implement certain sections of the Dodd-Frank Act include provisions relating to, among other things, periodic billing statements and disclosures, responding to borrower inquiries and complaints, force-placed insurance, and adjustable rate mortgage interest rate adjustment notices. Further, the mortgage servicing rules require servicers to, among other things, make good faith early intervention efforts to notify delinquent borrowers of loss mitigation options, to implement specified loss mitigation procedures, and if feasible, exhaust all loss mitigation options before proceeding to foreclosure. Proposed updates to further refine these rules have been published and will likely lead to further changes in requirements applicable to servicing mortgage loans.

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In addition to NewRez d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, we engage third-party servicers to subservice mortgage loans relating to any MSRs we acquire. It is therefore possible that a third-party servicer’s failure to comply with the new and evolving servicing protocols could adversely affect the value of the MSRs we acquire. Additionally, we may become subject to fines, penalties or civil liability based upon the conduct of any third-party servicer who services mortgage loans related to MSRs that we have acquired or will acquire in the future.

Investments in MSRs may expose us to additional risks.

We hold investments in MSRs. Our investments in MSRs may subject us to certain additional risks, including the following:

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We have limited experience acquiring MSRs and operating a servicer. Although ownership of MSRs and the operation of a servicer includes many of the same risks as our other target assets and business activities, including risks related to prepayments, borrower credit, defaults, interest rates, hedging, and regulatory changes, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully operate a servicer subsidiary and integrate MSR investments into our business operations.

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As of today, we rely on subservicers to subservice the mortgage loans underlying our MSRs on our behalf. We are generally responsible under the applicable Servicing Guidelines for any subservicer’s non-compliance with any such applicable Servicing Guideline. In addition, there is a risk that our current subservicers will be unwilling or unable to continue subservicing on our behalf on terms favorable to us in the future. In such a situation, we may be unable to locate a replacement subservicer on favorable terms.

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NRM’s and NewRez’s existing approvals from government-related entities or federal agencies are subject to compliance with their respective servicing guidelines, minimum capital requirements, reporting requirements and other conditions that they may impose from time to time at their discretion. Failure to satisfy such guidelines or conditions could result in the unilateral termination of NRM’s or NewRez’s existing approvals or pending applications by one or more entities or agencies.

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NRM and NewRez are presently licensed, approved, or otherwise eligible to hold MSRs in all states within the United States and the District of Columbia. Such state licenses may be suspended or revoked by a state regulatory authority, and we may as a result lose the ability to own MSRs under the regulatory jurisdiction of such state regulatory authority.

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Changes in minimum servicing compensation for Agency loans could occur at any time and could negatively impact the value of the income derived from any MSRs that we hold or may acquire in the future.

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Investments in MSRs are highly illiquid and subject to numerous restrictions on transfer and, as a result, there is risk that we would be unable to locate a willing buyer or get approval to sell any MSRs in the future should we desire to do so.

Our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation could be adversely impacted if we are not able to successfully manage these or other risks related to investing and managing MSR investments.

Risks Related to Our Manager

We are dependent on our Manager and may not find a suitable replacement if our Manager terminates the management agreement.

None of our officers or other senior individuals who perform services for us (other than three part-time employees of NRM), is an employee of New Residential. Instead, these individuals are employees of our Manager. Accordingly, we are completely reliant on our Manager, which has significant discretion as to the implementation of our operating policies and strategies, to conduct our business. We are subject to the risk that our Manager will terminate the management agreement and that we will not be able to find a suitable replacement for our Manager in a timely manner, at a reasonable cost or at all. Furthermore, we are dependent on the services of certain key employees of our Manager whose compensation is partially or entirely dependent upon the amount of incentive or management compensation earned by our Manager and whose continued service is not guaranteed, and the loss of such services could adversely affect our operations.

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On December 27, 2017, SoftBank Group Corp. (“SoftBank”) acquired Fortress (the “SoftBank Merger”) and Fortress now operates within SoftBank as an independent business headquartered in New York. There can be no assurance that the SoftBank Merger will not have an impact on us or our relationship with the Manager.

There are conflicts of interest in our relationship with our Manager.

Our management agreement with our Manager was not negotiated between unaffiliated parties, and its terms, including fees payable, although approved by the independent directors of New Residential as fair, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.

There are conflicts of interest inherent in our relationship with our Manager insofar as our Manager and its affiliates—including investment funds, private investment funds, or businesses managed by our Manager—invest in real estate and other securities and loans, consumer loans and interests in MSRs and whose investment objectives overlap with our investment objectives. Certain investments appropriate for us may also be appropriate for one or more of these other investment vehicles. Certain members of our board of directors and employees of our Manager who are our officers also serve as officers and/or directors of these other entities. Although we have the same Manager, we may compete with entities affiliated with our Manager or Fortress for certain target assets. From time to time, affiliates of Fortress focus on investments in assets with a similar profile as our target assets that we may seek to acquire. These affiliates may have meaningful purchasing capacity, which may change over time depending upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, available equity capital and debt financing, market conditions and cash on hand. Fortress has two funds primarily focused on investing in Excess MSRs with approximately $0.7 billion in investments in aggregate. We have broad investment guidelines, and we have co-invested and may co-invest with Fortress funds or portfolio companies of private equity funds managed by our Manager (or an affiliate thereof) in a variety of investments. We also may invest in securities that are senior or junior to securities owned by funds managed by our Manager. Fortress funds generally have a fee structure similar to ours, but the fees actually paid will vary depending on the size, terms and performance of each fund.

Our management agreement with our Manager generally does not limit or restrict our Manager or its affiliates from engaging in any business or managing other pooled investment vehicles that invest in investments that meet our investment objectives. Our Manager intends to engage in additional real estate related management and real estate and other investment opportunities in the future, which may compete with us for investments or result in a change in our current investment strategy. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that if Fortress or an affiliate or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, they have no duty, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our stockholders or our affiliates. In the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of Fortress or its affiliates acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person’s capacity as a director or officer of New Residential and such person acts in good faith, then to the fullest extent permitted by law such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person’s fiduciary duties owed to us and is not liable to us if Fortress or its affiliates pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.

The ability of our Manager and its officers and employees to engage in other business activities, subject to the terms of our management agreement with our Manager, may reduce the amount of time our Manager, its officers or other employees spend managing us. In addition, we may engage (subject to our investment guidelines) in material transactions with our Manager or another entity managed by our Manager or one of its affiliates, which may include, but are not limited to, certain financing arrangements, purchases of debt, co-investments in interests in MSRs, consumer loans, and other assets that present an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. It is possible that actual, potential or perceived conflicts could give rise to investor dissatisfaction, litigation or regulatory enforcement actions. Appropriately dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and difficult, and our reputation could be damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with one or more potential, actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Regulatory scrutiny of, or litigation in connection with, conflicts of interest could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, which could materially adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including causing an inability to raise additional funds, a reluctance of counterparties to do business with us, a decrease in the prices of our equity securities and a resulting increased risk of litigation and regulatory enforcement actions.

The management compensation structure that we have agreed to with our Manager, as well as compensation arrangements that we may enter into with our Manager in the future (in connection with new lines of business or other

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activities), may incentivize our Manager to invest in high risk investments. In addition to its management fee, our Manager is currently entitled to receive incentive compensation. In evaluating investments and other management strategies, the opportunity to earn incentive compensation may lead our Manager to place undue emphasis on the maximization of earnings, including through the use of leverage, at the expense of other criteria, such as preservation of capital, in order to achieve higher incentive compensation. Investments with higher yield potential are generally riskier or more speculative than lower-yielding investments. Moreover, because our Manager receives compensation in the form of options in connection with the completion of our common equity offerings, our Manager may be incentivized to cause us to issue additional common stock, which could be dilutive to existing stockholders. In addition, our Manager’s management fee is not tied to our performance and may not sufficiently incentivize our Manager to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for us.

It would be difficult and costly to terminate our management agreement with our Manager.

It would be difficult and costly for us to terminate our management agreement with our Manager. The management agreement may only be terminated annually upon (i) the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our independent directors, or by a vote of the holders of a simple majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, that there has been unsatisfactory performance by our Manager that is materially detrimental to us or (ii) a determination by a simple majority of our independent directors that the management fee payable to our Manager is not fair, subject to our Manager’s right to prevent such a termination by accepting a mutually acceptable reduction of fees. Our Manager will be provided 60 days’ prior notice of any termination and will be paid a termination fee equal to the amount of the management fee earned by the Manager during the 12-month period preceding such termination. In addition, following any termination of the management agreement, our Manager may require us to purchase its right to receive incentive compensation at a price determined as if our assets were sold for their fair market value (as determined by an appraisal, taking into account, among other things, the expected future performance of the underlying investments) or otherwise we may continue to pay the incentive compensation to our Manager. These provisions may increase the effective cost to us of terminating the management agreement, thereby adversely affecting our ability to terminate our Manager without cause.

Our directors have approved broad investment guidelines for our Manager and do not approve each investment decision made by our Manager. In addition, we may change our investment strategy without a stockholder vote, which may result in our making investments that are different, riskier or less profitable than our current investments.

Our Manager is authorized to follow broad investment guidelines. Consequently, our Manager has great latitude in determining the types and categories of assets it may decide are proper investments for us, including the latitude to invest in types and categories of assets that may differ from those in which we currently invest. Our directors will periodically review our investment guidelines and our investment portfolio. However, our board does not review or pre-approve each proposed investment or our related financing arrangements. In addition, in conducting periodic reviews, the directors rely primarily on information provided to them by our Manager. Furthermore, transactions entered into by our Manager may be difficult or impossible to unwind by the time they are reviewed by the directors, even if the transactions contravene the terms of the management agreement. In addition, we may change our investment strategy, including our target asset classes, without a stockholder vote.

Our investment strategy may evolve in light of existing market conditions and investment opportunities, and this evolution may involve additional risks depending upon the nature of the assets in which we invest and our ability to finance such assets on a short or long-term basis. Investment opportunities that present unattractive risk-return profiles relative to other available investment opportunities under particular market conditions may become relatively attractive under changed market conditions, and changes in market conditions may therefore result in changes in the investments we target. Decisions to make investments in new asset categories present risks that may be difficult for us to adequately assess and could therefore reduce our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or have adverse effects on our liquidity, results of operations or financial condition. A change in our investment strategy may also increase our exposure to interest rate, foreign currency, real estate market or credit market fluctuations and expose us to new legal and regulatory risks. In addition, a change in our investment strategy may increase our use of non-match-funded financing, increase the guarantee obligations we agree to incur or increase the number of transactions we enter into with affiliates. Our failure to accurately assess the risks inherent in new asset categories or the financing risks associated with such assets could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

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Our Manager will not be liable to us for any acts or omissions performed in accordance with the management agreement, including with respect to the performance of our investments.

Pursuant to our management agreement, our Manager will not assume any responsibility other than to render the services called for thereunder in good faith and will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors in following or declining to follow its advice or recommendations. Our Manager, its members, managers, officers and employees will not be liable to us or any of our subsidiaries, to our board of directors, or our or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for any acts or omissions by our Manager, its members, managers, officers or employees, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of our Manager’s duties under our management agreement. We shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold our Manager, its members, managers, officers and employees and each other person, if any, controlling our Manager harmless of and from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of an indemnified party made in good faith in the performance of our Manager’s duties under our management agreement and not constituting such indemnified party’s bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of our Manager’s duties under our management agreement.

Our Manager’s due diligence of investment opportunities or other transactions may not identify all pertinent risks, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our Manager intends to conduct due diligence with respect to each investment opportunity or other transaction it pursues. It is possible, however, that our Manager’s due diligence processes will not uncover all relevant facts, particularly with respect to any assets we acquire from third parties. In these cases, our Manager may be given limited access to information about the investment and will rely on information provided by the target of the investment. In addition, if investment opportunities are scarce, the process for selecting bidders is competitive, or the timeframe in which we are required to complete diligence is short, our ability to conduct a due diligence investigation may be limited, and we would be required to make investment decisions based upon a less thorough diligence process than would otherwise be the case. Accordingly, investments and other transactions that initially appear to be viable may prove not to be over time, due to the limitations of the due diligence process or other factors.

The ownership by our executive officers and directors of shares of common stock, options, or other equity awards of entities either owned by Fortress funds managed by affiliates of our Manager or managed by our Manager may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest.

Some of our directors, officers and other employees of our Manager hold positions with entities either owned by Fortress funds managed by affiliates of our Manager or managed by our Manager and own such entities’ common stock, options to purchase such entities’ common stock or other equity awards. Such ownership may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors, officers and other employees are faced with decisions that could have different implications for such entities than they do for us.

Risks Related to the Financial Markets

The impact of legislative and regulatory changes on our business, as well as the market and industry in which we operate, are uncertain and may adversely affect our business.

The Dodd-Frank Act was enacted in July 2010, which affects almost every aspect of the U.S. financial services industry, including certain aspects of the markets in which we operate, and imposes new regulations on us and how we conduct our business. As we describe in more detail below, it affects our business in many ways but it is difficult at this time to know exactly how or what the cumulative impact will be.

Generally, the Dodd-Frank Act strengthens the regulatory oversight of securities and capital markets activities by the SEC and established the CFPB to enforce laws and regulations for consumer financial products and services. It requires market participants to undertake additional record-keeping activities and imposes many additional disclosure requirements for public companies.

Moreover, the Dodd-Frank Act contains a risk retention requirement for all asset-backed securities, which we issue. In October 2014, final rules were promulgated by a consortium of regulators implementing the final credit risk retention requirements of Section 941(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act. Under these “Risk Retention Rules,” sponsors of both public and private securitization transactions or one of their majority owned affiliates are required to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing such securitization transactions. These regulations generally

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prohibit the sponsor or its affiliate from directly or indirectly hedging or otherwise selling or transferring the retained interest for a specified period of time, depending on the type of asset that is securitized. Certain limited exemptions from these rules are available for certain types of assets, which may be of limited use under our current market practices. In any event, compliance with these new Risk Retention Rules has increased and will likely continue to increase the administrative and operational costs of asset securitization.

Further, the Dodd-Frank Act imposes mandatory clearing and exchange-trading requirements on many derivatives transactions (including formerly unregulated over-the-counter derivatives) in which we may engage. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act is expected to increase the margin requirements for derivatives transactions that are not subject to mandatory clearing requirements, which may impact our activities. The Dodd-Frank Act also creates new categories of regulated market participants, such as “swap-dealers,” “security-based swap dealers,” “major swap participants” and “major security-based swap participants,” and subjects or may subject these regulated entities to significant new capital, registration, recordkeeping, reporting, disclosure, business conduct and other regulatory requirements that will give rise to new administrative costs.

Also, under the Dodd-Frank Act, financial regulators belonging to the Financial Stability Oversight Council are authorized to designate nonbank financial institutions and financial activities as systemically important to the economy and therefore subject to closer regulatory supervision. Such systemically important financial institutions, or (“SIFIs”) may be required to operate with greater safety margins, such as higher levels of capital, and may face further limitations on their activities. The determination of what constitutes a SIFI is evolving, and in time SIFIs may include large investment funds and even asset managers. There can be no assurance that we will not be deemed to be a SIFI or engage in activities later determined to be systemically important and thus subject to further regulation.

Even new requirements that are not directly applicable to us may still increase our costs of entering into transactions with the parties to whom the requirements are directly applicable. For instance, if the exchange-trading and trade reporting requirements lead to reductions in the liquidity of derivative transactions we may experience higher pricing or reduced availability of derivatives, or the reduction of arbitrage opportunities for us, which could adversely affect the performance of certain of our trading strategies. Importantly, many key aspects of the changes imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to be established by various regulatory bodies and other groups over the next several years.

In addition, there is significant uncertainty regarding the legislative and regulatory outlook for the Dodd-Frank Act and related statutes governing financial services, which may include Dodd-Frank Act amendments, mortgage finance and housing policy in the U.S., and the future structure and responsibilities of regulatory agencies such as the CFPB and the FHFA. For example, in March 2018, the U.S. Senate approved banking reform legislation intended to ease some of the restrictions imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. Due to this uncertainty, it is not possible for us to predict how future legislative or regulatory proposals by Congress and the Administration will affect us or the market and industry in which we operate, and there can be no assurance that the resulting changes will not have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. It is possible that such regulatory changes could, among other things, increase our costs of operating as a public company, impose restrictions on our ability to securitize assets and reduce our investment returns on securitized assets.

The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between these agencies and the U.S. government, may adversely affect our business.

The payments we receive on the Agency RMBS in which we invest depend upon a steady stream of payments by borrowers on the underlying mortgages and the fulfillment of guarantees by GSEs. Ginnie Mae is part of a U.S. Government agency and its guarantees are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are GSEs, but their guarantees are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

In response to the deteriorating financial condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the credit market disruption beginning in 2007, Congress and the U.S. Treasury undertook a series of actions to stabilize these GSEs and the financial markets, generally. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was signed into law on July 30, 2008, and established the FHFA, with enhanced regulatory authority over, among other things, the business activities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the size of their portfolio holdings. On September 7, 2008, FHFA placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into federal conservatorship and, together with the U.S. Treasury, established a program designed to boost investor confidence in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s debt and Agency RMBS.

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As the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FHFA controls and directs the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and may (1) take over the assets of and operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with all the powers of the stockholders, the directors and the officers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and conduct all business of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (3) perform all functions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.

Those efforts resulted in significant U.S. Government financial support and increased control of the GSEs.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) announced in November 2008 a program of large-scale purchases of Agency RMBS in an attempt to lower longer-term interest rates and contribute to an overall easing of adverse financial conditions. Subject to specified investment guidelines, the portfolios of Agency RMBS purchased through the programs established by the U.S. Treasury and the Fed may be held to maturity and, based on mortgage market conditions, adjustments may be made to these portfolios. This flexibility may adversely affect the pricing and availability of Agency RMBS that we seek to acquire during the remaining term of these portfolios.

There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government’s intervention in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be adequate for the longer-term viability of these GSEs. These uncertainties lead to questions about the availability of and trading market for, Agency RMBS. Accordingly, if these government actions are inadequate and the GSEs defaulted on their guaranteed obligations, suffered losses or ceased to exist, the value of our Agency RMBS and our business, operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Additionally, because of the financial problems faced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that led to their federal conservatorships, the Administration and Congress have been examining reform of the GSEs, including the value of a federal mortgage guarantee and the appropriate role for the U.S. government in providing liquidity for residential mortgage loans. The respective chairmen of the Congressional committees of jurisdiction, as well as the Secretary of the Treasury, has each stated that GSE reform, including a possible wind down of the GSEs, is a priority. However, the final details of any plans, policies or proposals with respect to the housing GSEs are unknown at this time. Other bills have been introduced that change the GSEs’ business charters and eliminate the entities or make other changes to the existing framework. We cannot predict whether or when such legislation may be enacted. If enacted, such legislation could materially and adversely affect the availability of, and trading market for, Agency RMBS and could, therefore, materially and adversely affect the value of our Agency RMBS and our business, operations and financial condition.

Legislation that permits modifications to the terms of outstanding loans may negatively affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

The U.S. government has enacted legislation that enables government agencies to modify the terms of a significant number of residential and other loans to provide relief to borrowers without the applicable investor’s consent. These modifications allow for outstanding principal to be deferred, interest rates to be reduced, the term of the loan to be extended or other terms to be changed in ways that can permanently eliminate the cash flow (principal and interest) associated with a portion of the loan. These modifications are currently reducing, or in the future may reduce, the value of a number of our current or future investments, including investments in mortgage backed securities and interests in MSRs. As a result, such loan modifications are negatively affecting our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. In addition, certain market participants propose reducing the amount of paperwork required by a borrower to modify a loan, which could increase the likelihood of fraudulent modifications and materially harm the U.S. mortgage market and investors that have exposure to this market. Additional legislation intended to provide relief to borrowers may be enacted and could further harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT

Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing

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basis. Compliance with these requirements must be carefully monitored on a continuing basis. Monitoring and managing our REIT compliance has become challenging due to the increased size and complexity of the assets in our portfolio, a meaningful portion of which are not qualifying REIT assets. There can be no assurance that our Manager’s personnel responsible for doing so will be able to successfully monitor our compliance or maintain our REIT status.

Our failure to qualify as a REIT would result in higher taxes and reduced cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We intend to operate in a manner intended to qualify us as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we do not obtain independent appraisals. See “—Risks Related to our Business—The valuations of our assets are subject to uncertainty because most of our assets are not traded in an active market,” and “—Risks Related to Our Business—Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exclusion from the 1940 Act.” Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to successfully manage the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Moreover, the proper classification of one or more of our investments such as to-be-announced forward contract positions (“TBAs”) may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT qualification requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will not contend that our investments violate the REIT requirements.

If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and distributions to stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of, and market price for, our stock. See also “—Our failure to qualify as a REIT would cause our stock to be delisted from the NYSE.”

Unless entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we initially ceased to qualify as a REIT. The rule against reelecting REIT status following a loss of such status would also apply to us if Drive Shack Inc. (formerly Newcastle Investment Corp., “Drive Shack”) failed to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year ended on or before December 31, 2014, and we were treated as a successor to Drive Shack for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although Drive Shack (i) represented in the separation and distribution agreement that it entered into with us on April 26, 2013 (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”) that it has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and (ii) covenanted in the Separation and Distribution Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain its REIT status for each of Drive Shack’s taxable years ended on or before December 31, 2014 (unless Drive Shack obtains an opinion from a nationally recognized tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that Drive Shack’s failure to maintain its REIT status will not cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT under the successor REIT rule referred to above), no assurance can be given that such representation and covenant would prevent us from failing to qualify as a REIT. Although, in the event of a breach, we may be able to seek damages from Drive Shack, there can be no assurance that such damages, if any, would appropriately compensate us. In addition, if Drive Shack were to fail to qualify as a REIT despite its reasonable best efforts, we would have no claim against Drive Shack.

Our failure to qualify as a REIT would cause our stock to be delisted from the NYSE.

The NYSE requires, as a condition to the listing of our shares, that we maintain our REIT status. Consequently, if we fail to maintain our REIT status, our shares would promptly be delisted from the NYSE, which would decrease the trading activity of such shares. This could make it difficult to sell shares and would likely cause the market volume of the shares trading to decline.

If we were delisted as a result of losing our REIT status and desired to relist our shares on the NYSE, we would have to reapply to the NYSE to be listed as a domestic corporation. As the NYSE’s listing standards for REITs are less onerous than its standards for domestic corporations, it would be more difficult for us to become a listed company under these heightened standards. We might not be able to satisfy the NYSE’s listing standards for a domestic corporation. As a result, if we were delisted from the NYSE, we might not be able to relist as a domestic corporation, in which case our shares could not trade on the NYSE.

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The failure of assets subject to repurchase agreements to qualify as real estate assets could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We enter into financing arrangements that are structured as sale and repurchase agreements pursuant to which we nominally sell certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase these assets at a later date in exchange for a purchase price. Economically, these agreements are financings that are secured by the assets sold pursuant thereto. We believe that, for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests, we should be treated as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such sale and repurchase agreement, notwithstanding that those agreements generally transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the assets during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we might fail to qualify as a REIT.

The failure of our Excess MSRs to qualify as real estate assets or the income from our Excess MSRs to qualify as mortgage interest could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We have received from the IRS a private letter ruling substantially to the effect that our Excess MSRs represent interests in mortgages on real property and thus are qualifying “real estate assets” for purposes of the REIT asset test, which generate income that qualifies as interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the REIT income test. The ruling is based on, among other things, certain assumptions as well as on the accuracy of certain factual representations and statements that we and Drive Shack have made to the IRS. If any of the representations or statements that we have made in connection with the private letter ruling, are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect with respect to one or more Excess MSR investments, or if we acquire an Excess MSR investment with terms that are not consistent with the terms of the Excess MSR investments described in the private letter ruling, then we will not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. If we are unable to rely on the private letter ruling with respect to an Excess MSR investment, the IRS could assert that such Excess MSR investments do not qualify under the REIT asset and income tests, and if successful, we might fail to qualify as a REIT.

Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some “qualified dividends.”

Dividends payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts, and estates are generally taxed at reduced tax rates applicable to “qualified dividends.” Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for those reduced rates. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common stock. In addition, the relative attractiveness of real estate in general may be adversely affected by the favorable tax treatment given to non-REIT corporate dividends, which could affect the value of our real estate assets negatively.

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to execute our business plan.

We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding any net capital gain, in order for corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. However, differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis to meet the 90% distribution requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. Certain of our assets, such as our investment in consumer loans, generate substantial mismatches between taxable income and available cash. As a result, the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our net taxable income could cause us to: (i) sell assets in adverse market conditions; (ii) borrow on unfavorable terms; (iii) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt; or (iv) make taxable distributions of our capital stock or debt securities in order to comply with REIT requirements. Further, amounts distributed will not be available to fund investment activities. If we fail to obtain debt or equity capital in the future, it could limit our ability to satisfy our liquidity needs, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

We may be required to report taxable income for certain investments in excess of the economic income we ultimately realize from them.

Based on IRS guidance concerning the classification of Excess MSRs, we intend to treat our Excess MSRs as ownership interests in the interest payments made on the underlying residential mortgage loans, akin to an “interest only” strip. Under this treatment, for purposes of determining the amount and timing of taxable income, each Excess

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MSR is treated as a bond that was issued with original issue discount on the date we acquired such Excess MSR. In general, we will be required to accrue original issue discount based on the constant yield to maturity of each Excess MSR, and to treat such original issue discount as taxable income in accordance with the applicable U.S. federal income tax rules. The constant yield of an Excess MSR will be determined, and we will be taxed, based on a prepayment assumption regarding future payments due on the residential mortgage loans underlying the Excess MSR. If the residential mortgage loans underlying an Excess MSR prepay at a rate different than that under the prepayment assumption, our recognition of original issue discount will be either increased or decreased depending on the circumstances. Thus, in a particular taxable year, we may be required to accrue an amount of income in respect of an Excess MSR that exceeds the amount of cash collected in respect of that Excess MSR. Furthermore, it is possible that, over the life of the investment in an Excess MSR, the total amount we pay for, and accrue with respect to, the Excess MSR may exceed the total amount we collect on such Excess MSR. No assurance can be given that we will be entitled to a deduction for such excess, meaning that we may be required to recognize “phantom income” over the life of an Excess MSR.

Other debt instruments that we may acquire, including consumer loans, may be issued with, or treated as issued with, original issue discount. Those instruments would be subject to the original issue discount accrual and income computations that are described above with regard to Excess MSRs.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) enacted in late 2017, we generally will be required to take certain amounts into income no later than the time such amounts are reflected on certain financial statements. The application of this rule may require the accrual of, among other categories of income, income with respect to certain debt instruments or mortgage-backed securities, such as original issue discount, earlier than would be the case under the general tax rules, although the precise application of this rule is unclear at this time.

We may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount will nevertheless generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions.

In addition, we may acquire debt instruments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding instrument are “significant modifications” under the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, the modified instrument will be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may be required to recognize taxable gain to the extent the principal amount of the modified instrument exceeds our adjusted tax basis in the unmodified instrument, even if the value of the instrument or the payment expectations have not changed. Following such a taxable modification, we would hold the modified loan with a cost basis equal to its principal amount for U.S. federal tax purposes.

Finally, in the event that any debt instruments acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular instrument are not made when due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income as it accrues, despite doubt as to its ultimate collectability. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to debt instruments at the stated rate regardless of whether corresponding cash payments are received or are ultimately collectible. In each case, while we would in general ultimately have an offsetting loss deduction available to us when such interest was determined to be uncollectible, the utility of that deduction could depend on our having taxable income of an appropriate character in that later year or thereafter.

In any event, if our investments generate more taxable income than cash in any given year, we may have difficulty satisfying our annual REIT distribution requirement.

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash from operations to pay our operating expenses and to pay distributions to our stockholders.

As a REIT, we are generally required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and not including net capital gains) each year to our stockholders. To qualify for the tax benefits accorded to REITs, we intend to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that we distribute all or substantially all of our net taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, although there can be no assurance that our operations will generate sufficient cash to make such distributions. Moreover, our ability to make

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distributions may be adversely affected by the risk factors described herein. See also “—Risks Related to our Stock—We have not established a minimum distribution payment level, and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay distributions in the future.”

The stock ownership limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for REITs and our certificate of incorporation may inhibit market activity in our stock and restrict our business combination opportunities.

In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year after our first taxable year. Our certificate of incorporation, with certain exceptions, authorizes our board of directors to take the actions that are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Stockholders are generally restricted from owning more than 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock, or 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of capital stock. Our board may grant an exemption in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions, representations and undertakings as it may determine in its sole discretion. These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.

Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. Moreover, if a REIT distributes less than 85% of its ordinary income and 95% of its capital gain net income plus any undistributed shortfall from the prior year (the “Required Distribution”) to its stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then it is required to pay an excise tax on 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders. In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we may hold some of our assets through TRSs. Such subsidiaries generally will be subject to corporate level income tax at regular rates and the payment of such taxes would reduce our return on the applicable investment. Currently, we hold some of our investments in TRSs, including servicer advance investments and MSRs, and we may contribute other non-qualifying investments, such as our investment in consumer loans, to a TRS in the future.

Complying with the REIT requirements may negatively impact our investment returns or cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities, liquidate assets or contribute assets to a TRS.

To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. As a result of these tests, we may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution, forgo otherwise attractive investment opportunities, liquidate assets in adverse market conditions or contribute assets to a TRS that is subject to regular corporate federal income tax. Our ability to acquire and hold MSRs, interests in consumer loans, servicer advance investments and other investments is subject to the applicable REIT qualification tests, and we may have to hold these interests through TRSs, which would negatively impact our returns from these assets. In general, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make and retain certain attractive investments.

Complying with the REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.

The existing REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may substantially limit our ability to hedge our operations because a significant amount of the income from those hedging transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both REIT gross income tests. In addition, we must limit our aggregate income from non-qualified hedging transactions, from our provision of services and from other non-qualifying sources, to less than 5% of our annual gross income (determined without regard to gross income from qualified hedging transactions).

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As a result, we may have to limit our use of certain hedging techniques or implement those hedges through TRSs. This could result in greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to incur or could increase the cost of our hedging activities. If we fail to comply with these limitations, we could lose our REIT qualification for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless our failure was due to reasonable cause, and not due to willful neglect, and we meet certain other technical requirements. Even if our failure were due to reasonable cause, we might incur a penalty tax. See also “—Risks Related to Our Business—Any hedging transactions that we enter into may limit our gains or result in losses.”

Distributions to tax-exempt investors may be classified as unrelated business taxable income.

Neither ordinary nor capital gain distributions with respect to our stock nor gain from the sale of stock should generally constitute unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. In particular:

•

part of the income and gain recognized by certain qualified employee pension trusts with respect to our stock may be treated as unrelated business taxable income if shares of our stock are predominantly held by qualified employee pension trusts, and we are required to rely on a special look-through rule for purposes of meeting one of the REIT ownership tests, and we are not operated in a manner to avoid treatment of such income or gain as unrelated business taxable income;

•

part of the income and gain recognized by a tax-exempt investor with respect to our stock would constitute unrelated business taxable income if the investor incurs debt in order to acquire the stock; and

•

to the extent that we are (or a part of us, or a disregarded subsidiary of ours, is) a “taxable mortgage pool,” or if we hold residual interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”), a portion of the distributions paid to a tax exempt stockholder that is allocable to excess inclusion income may be treated as unrelated business taxable income.

The “taxable mortgage pool” rules may increase the taxes that we or our stockholders may incur, and may limit the manner in which we effect future securitizations.

We may enter into securitization or other financing transactions that result in the creation of taxable mortgage pools for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, so long as we own 100% of the equity interests in a taxable mortgage pool, we would generally not be adversely affected by the characterization of a securitization as a taxable mortgage pool. Certain categories of stockholders, however, such as foreign stockholders eligible for treaty or other benefits, stockholders with net operating losses, and certain tax exempt stockholders that are subject to unrelated business income tax, could be subject to increased taxes on a portion of their dividend income from us that is attributable to the taxable mortgage pool. In addition, to the extent that our stock is owned by tax exempt “disqualified organizations,” such as certain government-related entities and charitable remainder trusts that are not subject to tax on unrelated business income, we could incur a corporate level tax on a portion of our income from the taxable mortgage pool. In that case, we might reduce the amount of our distributions to any disqualified organization whose stock ownership gave rise to the tax. Moreover, we may be precluded from selling equity interests in these securitizations to outside investors, or selling any debt securities issued in connection with these securitizations that might be considered to be equity interests for tax purposes. These limitations may prevent us from using certain techniques to maximize our returns from securitization transactions.

Uncertainty exists with respect to the treatment of TBAs for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests, and the failure of TBAs to be qualifying assets or of income/gains from TBAs to be qualifying income could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We purchase and sell Agency RMBS through TBAs and recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. In a dollar roll transaction, we exchange an existing TBA for another TBA with a different settlement date. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. For a particular taxable year, we would treat such TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and income and gains from such TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that (i) for purposes

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of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying Agency RMBS, and (ii) for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of such TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying Agency RMBS. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, it must be emphasized that any opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP would be based on various assumptions relating to any TBAs that we enter into and would be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding such TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets or income are not qualifying assets or income. If the IRS were to successfully challenge any conclusions of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs or a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.

The tax on prohibited transactions will limit our ability to engage in transactions that would be treated as prohibited transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net income that we derive from a “prohibited transaction” is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (including mortgage loans, but other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our trade or business. We might be subject to this tax if we were to dispose of or securitize loans or Excess MSRs in a manner that was treated as a prohibited transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held-for-sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. As a result, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of loans or Excess MSRs at the REIT level, and may limit the structures we utilize for our securitization transactions, even though the sales or structures might otherwise be beneficial to us. In addition, whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held-for-sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% prohibited transaction tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to prevent prohibited transaction characterization.

Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification or create additional tax liability for us.

To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding the composition of our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.

Changes to U.S. federal income tax laws could materially and adversely affect us and our stockholders.

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs and their shareholders may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time, which could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our shares. The U.S. federal income tax rules, including those dealing with REITs, are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, which results in statutory changes as well as frequent revisions to regulations and interpretations.

The TCJA, which was enacted in 2017, made substantial changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Among those changes are a significant permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers that generally but not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to “sunset” provisions, the elimination or modification of various currently allowed deductions (including substantial limitations on the deductibility of interest and, in the case of individuals, the deduction for personal state and local taxes), certain additional limitations on the deduction of net operating losses, and preferential rates of taxation on most ordinary REIT dividends and certain business income derived by non-corporate taxpayers in comparison to other ordinary income recognized by such taxpayers. The effect of these, and the many other, changes made in the TCJA remains uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect on the taxation of an investment in our common stock and their indirect effect on the value of our assets or market conditions generally. Furthermore,

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many of the provisions of the TCJA still require guidance through the issuance of Treasury regulations in order to assess their effect. There may be a substantial delay before such regulations are promulgated, increasing the uncertainty as to the ultimate effect of the statutory amendments on us. There also may be technical corrections legislation proposed with respect to the TCJA, the effect of which cannot be predicted and may be adverse to us or our stockholders.

Risks Relating to this Offering

The Series C Preferred Stock ranks junior to all of our indebtedness and other liabilities and is effectively junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities and any preferred equity of our subsidiaries.

In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, our assets will be available to pay obligations on the Series C Preferred Stock only after all of our indebtedness and other liabilities have been paid. The rights of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock to participate in the distribution of our assets will rank junior to the prior claims of our current and future creditors and any future series or class of preferred stock we may lawfully issue that ranks senior to the Series C Preferred Stock In addition, the Series C Preferred Stock effectively ranks junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no legal obligation to pay any amounts to us in respect of dividends due on the Series C Preferred Stock If we are forced to liquidate our assets to pay our creditors or any senior preferred stock, we may not have sufficient assets to pay amounts due on any or all of the Series C Preferred Stock then outstanding and any parity securities then outstanding, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, in which case, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will share ratably with holders of such parity securities. We and our subsidiaries have incurred and may in the future incur substantial amounts of debt and other liabilities that will rank or effectively rank senior to the Series C Preferred Stock. As of September 30, 2019, we and our subsidiaries had approximately $32.3 billion of indebtedness and other liabilities ranking or effectively ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock. Certain of our existing or future debt instruments may restrict the authorization, payment or setting apart of dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock.

Future offerings of debt or senior equity securities may adversely affect the market price of the Series C Preferred Stock. If we decide to issue debt or senior equity securities in the future, it is possible that these securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility.

Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of the Series C Preferred Stock and may result in dilution to owners of the Series C Preferred Stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of the Series C Preferred Stock and diluting the value of their holdings in us.

We may issue additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock and additional series and classes of preferred stock that rank on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, as to dividend rights, rights upon liquidation or voting rights.

We currently have 6.21 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 11.5 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding that will each rank on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

We are allowed to issue additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock and additional series and classes of preferred stock that would rank on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend payments and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designations for the Series C Preferred Stock without any vote of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock. The issuance of additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and additional series and classes of parity preferred stock could have the effect of reducing the amounts available to the Series C Preferred Stock issued in this offering upon our liquidation or dissolution or the winding up of our affairs. It also may reduce dividend payments on the Series C Preferred Stock issued in this offering if we do not have sufficient funds to pay dividends on all Series C Preferred Stock outstanding and other classes of stock with equal priority with respect to dividends, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.

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In addition, although holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to limited voting rights, as described in “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Voting Rights,” with respect to such matters, the Series C Preferred Stock will vote together as a class along with all other series and classes of our preferred stock that we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable. As a result, the voting rights of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may be significantly diluted, and the holders of such other series and classes of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue may be able to control or significantly influence the outcome of any vote.

Future issuances and sales of parity preferred stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales could occur, may cause prevailing market prices for the Series C Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and our common stock to decline, and may adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital in the financial markets at times and prices favorable to us.

We may not be able to pay dividends (or other distributions) on the Series C Preferred Stock.

Under Delaware law, cash dividends on capital stock may only be paid from “surplus” or, if there is no “surplus,” from the corporation’s net profits for the then-current or the preceding fiscal year. Unless we operate profitably, our ability to pay cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock would require the availability of adequate “surplus,” which is defined as the excess, if any, of our net assets (total assets less total liabilities) over our capital. Further, even if adequate surplus is available to pay cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, we may not have sufficient cash to pay dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock. Our ability to pay dividends may be impaired if any of the risks described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus were to occur. In addition, payment of our dividends depends upon our earnings, liquidity and financial condition, maintenance of our REIT qualification, financial covenants and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings or other capital will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to make distributions on our common stock and preferred stock, including the Series C Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus supplement, to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

The historical levels of three-month LIBOR are not an indication of the future levels of three-month LIBOR.

During the Floating Rate Period, the dividend rate for the Series C Preferred Stock will be determined based on three-month LIBOR. In the past, the level of three-month LIBOR has experienced significant fluctuations. Historical levels, fluctuations and trends of three-month LIBOR are not necessarily indicative of future levels. Any historical upward or downward trend in three-month LIBOR is not an indication that three-month LIBOR is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the Floating Rate Period, and you should not take the historical levels of three-month LIBOR as an indication of its future performance.

Although the actual three-month LIBOR on a dividend payment date or at other times during a Dividend Period within the Floating Rate Period may be higher than the three-month LIBOR on the applicable Dividend Determination Date (as defined herein), you will not benefit from the three-month LIBOR at any time other than on the Dividend Determination Date for such Dividend Period. As a result, changes in the three-month LIBOR during the Floating Rate Period may not result in a comparable change in the market value of the Series C Preferred Stock.

Changes in banks’ inter-bank lending rate reporting practices or the method pursuant to which LIBOR is determined may adversely affect the value of the Series C Preferred Stock.

See “—Changes in banks’ inter-bank lending rate reporting practices or the method pursuant to which LIBOR is determined may adversely affect the value of the financial obligations to be held or issued by us that are linked to LIBOR.” Uncertainty as to the nature of the potential changes, alternative reference rates or other reforms described therein may adversely affect the trading market for the Series C Preferred Stock since the dividend payable thereon is determined by reference to LIBOR. To the extent the Three-Month LIBOR Rate (as defined herein) is discontinued or is no longer quoted, the applicable base rate used to calculate dividend payments on the Series C Preferred Stock during the Floating Rate Period will be determined using the alternative methods described in “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Dividends.” Any of these alternative methods may result in dividend payments that are lower than or that do not otherwise correlate over time with the dividend payments that would have been made on the Series C Preferred Stock during the Floating Rate Period if the Three-Month LIBOR Rate was available in its current form. For example, one alternative method sets the dividend rate for a Dividend Period during

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the Floating Rate Period at the same rate as the immediately preceding Dividend Period or, in the case of the first Dividend Period in Floating Rate Period, the most recent dividend rate that would have been determined based on the last available Reuters Page LIBOR01 (as defined herein) had the Floating Rate Period been applicable prior to the first Dividend Period in the Floating Rate Period, which may result in effectively converting the Series C Preferred Stock into a fixed dividend rate instrument. More generally, any of the above changes or any other consequential changes to LIBOR or any other “benchmark” as a result of international, national or other proposals for reform or other initiatives or investigations, or any further uncertainty in relation to the timing and manner of implementation of such changes, could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on the Series C Preferred Stock. Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock.” Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Dividends” for additional alternative calculation methods.

You may not be able to exercise conversion rights upon a Change of Control. If exercisable, the Change of Control Conversion Rights (as defined herein) described in this prospectus supplement may not adequately compensate a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock. These Change of Control Conversion Rights may also make it more difficult for a party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder as described under “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Redemption Optional Redemption” or “—Special Optional Redemption,” in which case such holder will have the right only with respect to shares of the Series C Preferred Stock that are not called for redemption) to convert some or all of such holder’s Series C Preferred Stock into shares of common stock (or, under specified circumstances, certain alternative consideration). Notwithstanding that we generally may not redeem the Series C Preferred Stock prior to February 15, 2025, we have a special optional redemption right to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock in the event of a Change of Control, and holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not have the right to convert any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock that we have elected to redeem prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. Please see the sections entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption” and “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Conversion Rights.”

If we do not elect to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, then upon an exercise of the conversion rights provided for in this prospectus supplement, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be limited to a maximum number of shares of our common stock (or, if applicable, the Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined herein)) equal to the Share Cap multiplied by the number of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock converted. If the Common Stock Price is less than $8.64 (which is 50% of the per share closing sale price of our common stock reported on the NYSE on February 10, 2020), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will receive a maximum of 2.89352 shares of our common stock per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, which may result in a holder receiving shares of common stock (or Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) with a value that is less than the liquidation preference of the Series C Preferred Stock plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.

In addition, the Change of Control conversion feature of the Series C Preferred Stock may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us or of delaying, deferring or preventing certain of our change of control transactions under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock and Series C Preferred Stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-current market price of such stock or that stockholders may otherwise believe is in their best interests.

The market price of the Series C Preferred Stock could be substantially affected by various factors.

The market price of the Series C Preferred Stock will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including:

•

prevailing interest rates, increases in which may have an adverse effect on the market price of the shares;

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a shift in our investor base;

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quarterly or annual earnings and cash flows, or actual or anticipated variations therein, of us and comparable companies;

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trading prices of our common stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and common and preferred equity securities issued by REITs and other real estate companies;

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•

the annual yield from distributions on the Series C Preferred Stock as compared to yields on other financial instruments;

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uncertainty as to the calculation of LIBOR during the Floating Rate Period, or the perception that the manner in which LIBOR is calculated during the Floating Rate Period is more adverse to holders of the Series C Preferred Stock than the manner in which LIBOR would be calculated on the date of this prospectus supplement;

•

general economic and financial market conditions;

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changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts with respect to us, our competitors or our industry;

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government action or regulation;

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the financial condition, performance and prospects of us and our competitors;

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changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

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our failure to qualify as a REIT, maintain our exemption under the 1940 Act or satisfy the NYSE listing requirements;

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negative public perception of us, our competitors or industry;

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our issuance of additional preferred equity or debt securities; and

As a result of these and other factors, investors who purchase the Series C Preferred Stock in this offering may experience a decrease, which could be substantial and rapid, in the market price of the Series C Preferred Stock, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designations establishing the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock will contain restrictions upon ownership and transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock, which may impair the ability of holders of shares to effect the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock into our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as in effect as of the date hereof (our “amended and restated certificate of incorporation”) and the certificate of designations (the “certificate of designations”) establishing the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock will contain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock intended to assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no person may beneficially or constructively own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common or capital stock, subject to certain exceptions.

See “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfers of Stock” in this prospectus supplement. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series C Preferred Stock, no holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such stock into our common stock to the extent that receipt of our common stock would cause the holder to exceed the ownership limitations contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and in the certificate of designations for the Series C Preferred Stock In addition, these restrictions could have anti-takeover effects and could reduce the possibility that a third party will attempt to acquire control of us, which could adversely affect the market price of the Series C Preferred Stock

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will have extremely limited voting rights.

The voting rights of a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will be limited. Our shares of common stock are the only class of our securities that carry full voting rights. Voting rights for holders of the Series C Preferred Stock exist primarily with respect to the ability to elect, voting together with the holders of any other series and classes of our preferred stock having similar voting rights (including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock), two additional directors to our board of directors, subject to limitations described in the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Voting Rights,” in the event that six or more quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on the Series C Preferred Stock are in arrears, and with respect to voting on amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations relating to the

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Series C Preferred Stock that materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock or authorize, increase or create additional classes or series of our shares of preferred stock that are senior to the Series C Preferred Stock Other than the limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights. Please see the section entitled “Description of the Series C Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.”

The Series C Preferred Stock is a new issue of securities and does not have an established trading market, which may negatively affect its value and your ability to transfer and sell the Series C Preferred Stock.

The Series C Preferred Stock is a new issue of securities and currently no market exists for such securities. We intend to apply to list the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE. However, we cannot assure you that the Series C Preferred Stock will be approved for listing on the NYSE. Even if so approved, trading of the Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE is not expected to begin until sometime during the period ending 30 days after the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Stock and, in any event, a trading market on the NYSE for the Series C Preferred Stock may never develop or, even if one develops, may not be maintained and may not provide you with adequate liquidity. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Series C Preferred Stock prior to the commencement of any trading on the NYSE, but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. The liquidity of any market for the Series C Preferred Stock that may develop will depend on a number of factors, including prevailing interest rates, the dividend rate (or manner of calculation thereof) on the Series C Preferred Stock and our common stock, our financial condition, liquidity and operating results, the number of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, the market for similar securities and the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the Series C Preferred Stock. As a result, the ability to transfer or sell the Series C Preferred Stock and the amount you receive upon any sale or transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock could be materially and adversely affected.

If our common stock is delisted, your ability to transfer or sell your shares may be limited and the market value of the Series C Preferred Stock will likely be materially adversely affected.

Other than in connection with a Change of Control, the Series C Preferred Stock does not contain provisions that are intended to protect you if our common stock is delisted from the NYSE. Because the Series C Preferred Stock does not have a stated maturity date, you may be forced to hold the Series C Preferred Stock and receive stated dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and paid by us with no assurance as to ever receiving the liquidation value thereof. In addition, if our common stock is delisted from the NYSE, it is likely that the Series C Preferred Stock will be delisted from the NYSE as well. Accordingly, if our common stock is delisted from the NYSE, your ability to transfer or sell the Series C Preferred Stock may be limited and the market value of the Series C Preferred Stock will likely be materially adversely affected.

The Series C Preferred Stock has not been rated.

We have not sought to obtain a rating for the Series C Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock may never be rated. It is possible, however, that one or more rating agencies might independently determine to issue such ratings or that such ratings, if issued, would materially and adversely affect the market price of such securities. In addition, we may elect in the future to obtain a rating for the Series C Preferred Stock, which could materially and adversely affect the market price of such securities. Ratings only reflect the views of the rating agency or agencies issuing the ratings and such ratings could be revised downward, placed on a watch list or negative outlook or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency if in its judgment circumstances so warrant. Any such downward revision, placing on a watch list or withdrawal of a rating could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Series C Preferred Stock. In addition, ratings do not reflect market prices or suitability of a security for a particular investor and any future rating of the Series C Preferred Stock may not reflect all risks related to the us and our business, or the structure or market price of the Series C Preferred Stock.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from our sale of the Series C Preferred Stock in this offering will be approximately $338,695,000 (or $389,541,250 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock in full), after deducting the underwriting discount and expenses of this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from our sale of the Series C Preferred Stock in this offering for investments and general corporate purposes.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

This description of certain terms of the Series C Preferred Stock supplements, and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of our preferred stock set forth in the accompanying prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made. The description of certain terms of the Series C Preferred Stock in this prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is in all respects subject to, and qualified in its entirety by references to the relevant provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the certificate of designations designating the Series C Preferred Stock, our bylaws and Delaware law. Copies of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms a part.

General

Shares of the Series C Preferred Stock represent a single series of our authorized preferred stock. By this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we are offering 14,000,000 shares of the Series C Preferred Stock ($350,000,000 aggregate liquidation preference), with each share of the Series C Preferred Stock having a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. We may elect from time to time to issue additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock without notice to, or consent from, the existing holders of shares, and all those additional shares would be deemed to form a single series with the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we are currently authorized to designate and issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more classes or series and, subject to the limitations prescribed by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and Delaware law, with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each class or series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series as our board of directors may determine, without any vote or action by our stockholders. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, 17.71 million shares of our preferred stock are issued and outstanding, 6.21 million of which are designated as the Series A Preferred Stock and 11.5 million of which are designated as the Series B Preferred Stock, each of which constitute parity stock, as described below under “—Ranking.” In connection with this offering, our board of directors or a committee of our board of directors will, as permitted by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, designate a new series of preferred stock with the rights set forth herein, consisting of 14,000,000 shares, plus up to an additional 2,100,000 shares which may be issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares, designated as 6.375% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, which we refer to herein as the Series C Preferred Stock, by adopting the certificate of designations. Subsequent to the completion of this offering, we will have available for issuance 69,790,000 authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock (or 67,690,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase 2,100,000 additional shares in full). Our board of directors may, without the approval of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock or our common stock, designate additional series of authorized preferred stock ranking junior to or on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock or designate additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock and authorize the issuance of such shares.

The registrar and transfer agent in respect of the Series C Preferred Stock will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The principal business address for American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is 6201 15^th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. The certificate of designations designating the Series C Preferred Stock will provide that we will maintain an office or agency where shares of the Series C Preferred Stock may be surrendered for payment (including redemption), registration of transfer or exchange, or conversion.

Maturity

The Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. Shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to redeem or otherwise repurchase them or they become convertible and are converted as described below under “—Conversion Rights.” We are not required to set aside funds to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock.

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Ranking

The Series C Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up:

senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us that expressly indicate are subordinated to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;

on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, other than the equity securities referred to in clauses (1) and (3);

junior to all equity securities issued by us and approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (please see the section entitled “—Voting Rights” below); and

effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible to our common stock or preferred stock) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and preferred equity and to the indebtedness of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.

Dividends

Holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends. The initial dividend rate for the Series C Preferred Stock from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, February 15, 2025 will be at the fixed annual rate of 6.375% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock, on and after February 15, 2025 dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will accumulate at a percentage of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock equal to an annual floating rate of the Three-Month LIBOR Rate plus a spread of 4.969%. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock shall accumulate daily and be cumulative from, and including, the original issue date and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of each February, May, August and November (each, a “dividend payment date”); provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, as defined in the certificate of designations, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day. The first dividend (or other distribution) on the Series C Preferred Stock is scheduled to be paid on or about May 15, 2020 (long first Dividend Period) in the amount of $0.4028646 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock and that dividend will be paid to the persons who are the holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on the corresponding dividend record date, which will be on or about April 15, 2020. Dividends payable for any Dividend Period during the Fixed Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and dividends payable for any Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed in such Dividend Period. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in our stock transfer records for the Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable dividend record date, which shall be the first day of the calendar month, whether or not a business day, in which the applicable dividend payment date falls (each, a “dividend record date”). The dividends payable on any dividend payment date shall include dividends accumulated to, but excluding, such dividend payment date.

For each Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period, LIBOR (the London interbank offered rate) (“Three-Month LIBOR Rate”) will be determined by us or a Calculation Agent (as defined herein) as of the applicable Dividend Determination Date, in accordance with the following provisions:

•

LIBOR will be the rate (expressed as a percentage per year) for deposits in U.S. dollars having an index maturity of three months, in amounts of at least $1,000,000, as such rate appears on “Reuters Page LIBOR01” at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the relevant Dividend Determination Date; or

•

if no such rate appears on “Reuters Page LIBOR01” or if the “Reuters Page LIBOR01” is not available at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the relevant Dividend Determination Date, then we will select four nationally recognized banks in the London interbank market and request that the principal

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London offices of those four selected banks provide us with their offered quotation for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of three months, commencing on the first day of the applicable Dividend Period, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on that Dividend Determination Date for the applicable Dividend Period. Offered quotations must be based on a principal amount equal to an amount that, in our discretion, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, the Three-Month LIBOR Rate for such Dividend Period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary, to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of those quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, the Three-Month LIBOR Rate for such Dividend Period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary, to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that Dividend Determination Date for such Dividend Period by three nationally recognized banks in New York, New York selected by us, for loans in U.S. dollars to nationally recognized European banks (as selected by us), for a period of three months commencing on the first day of such Dividend Period. The rates quoted must be based on an amount that, in our discretion, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in that market at that time. If no quotation is provided as described above, then if a Calculation Agent has not been appointed at such time, we will appoint a Calculation Agent who shall, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing quotations or display page, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate LIBOR or any of the foregoing lending rates or display page, shall determine LIBOR for the second London Business Day (as defined herein) immediately preceding the first day of the applicable Dividend Period in its sole discretion. If the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to determine LIBOR as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, then LIBOR will be equal to Three-Month LIBOR for the then current Dividend Period, or, in the case of the first Dividend Period in the Floating Rate Period, the most recent dividend rate that would have been determined based on the last available Reuters Page LIBOR01 had the Floating Rate Period been applicable prior to the first Dividend Period in the Floating Rate Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we determine on the relevant Dividend Determination Date that LIBOR has been discontinued, then we will appoint a Calculation Agent and the Calculation Agent will consult with an investment bank of national standing to determine whether there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate to Three-Month LIBOR Rate. If, after such consultation, the Calculation Agent determines that there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate, the Calculation Agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate. In such case, the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion may (without implying a corresponding obligation to do so) also implement changes to the business day convention, the definition of business day, the Dividend Determination Date and any method for obtaining the substitute or successor base rate if such rate is unavailable on the relevant Business Day, in a manner that is consistent with industry accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. Unless the Calculation Agent determines that there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate as so provided above, the Calculation Agent will, in consultation with us, follow the steps specified in the second bullet point in the immediately preceding paragraph in order to determine Three-Month LIBOR Rate for the applicable Dividend Period.

“Calculation Agent” means a third party independent financial institution of national standing with experience providing such services, which has been selected by us.

“Dividend Determination Date” means the second London Business Day immediately preceding the first date of the applicable Dividend Period.

“Dividend Period” means the period from, and including, the immediately preceding dividend payment date to, but excluding, the applicable dividend payment date, except for the initial Dividend Period, which will be the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Stock to, but excluding, May 15, 2020 (long first Dividend Period).

“London Business Day” means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

“Reuters Page LIBOR01” means the display so designated on the Reuters 3000 Xtra (or such other page as may replace the LIBOR01 page on that service, or such other service as may be nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, or ICE, or its successor, or such other entity assuming the responsibility of ICE or its

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successor in the event ICE or its successor no longer does so, as the successor service, for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits).

No dividends on shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall be declared by our board of directors or paid or set apart for payment by us at any time when the terms and provisions of any agreement of ours, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, prohibit the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment thereof or provide that the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of the agreement or a default under the agreement, or if the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law. You should review the information appearing above under “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to this Offering—We may not be able to pay dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock” for information as to, among other things, other circumstances under which we may be unable to pay dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will accumulate whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those dividends and whether or not those dividends are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series C Preferred Stock which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the Series C Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to those shares.

Future distributions on our common stock and preferred stock, including the Series C Preferred Stock offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash flow from operations, financial condition and capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, any debt service requirements, financial covenants and any other factors our board of directors deems relevant. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to make cash distributions on the Series C Preferred Stock or what the actual distributions will be for any future period.

Unless full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods, no dividends or other distributions (other than in shares of common stock or in shares of any class or series of preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment upon shares of our common stock or preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. In addition, any shares of our common stock or preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation shall not be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by us (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, our other capital stock that we may issue ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation and except for transfers made pursuant to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, relating to restrictions on ownership and transfers of our capital stock). The foregoing will not, however, prevent the redemption, purchase or acquisition by us of shares of any class or series of stock for the purpose of enforcing restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including in order to preserve our qualification as a REIT, or the redemption, purchase or acquisition by us of shares of our common stock for purposes of and in compliance with any incentive or benefit plan of ours.

When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series C Preferred Stock and the shares of any other class or series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue ranking on a parity as to dividends with the Series C Preferred Stock, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series C Preferred Stock and any class or other series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue ranking on a parity as to dividends with the Series C Preferred Stock, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of the Series C Preferred Stock and such other class or series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series C Preferred Stock and accumulated dividends per share on such other classes or series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of undeclared

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and unpaid dividends for past Dividend Periods if such preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series C Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital stock we may lawfully issue ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of our stock that we may issue that ranks junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights.

In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of our preferred stock that we have issued or may issue ranking on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock in the distribution of assets then, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and all other such classes or series of preferred stock, including our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to written notice of any such liquidation no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. The consolidation or merger of us with or into any other corporation, trust or entity or of any other entity with or into us, or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, individually or in a series of related transactions, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us (although such events may give rise to the special optional redemption and contingent conversion rights described below).

Redemption

The Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable by us prior to February 15, 2025, except as described below under “—Special Optional Redemption” and except that, as provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we may purchase or redeem shares of the Series C Preferred Stock prior to that date in order to preserve our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus.

Optional Redemption. On and after February 15, 2025, we may, at our option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest. If we elect to redeem any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock as described in this paragraph, we may use any available cash to pay the redemption price, and we will not be required to pay the redemption price only out of the proceeds from the issuance of other equity securities or any other specific source.

Special Optional Redemption. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right described above under “—Optional Redemption” or this special optional redemption right), the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not have the Change of Control Conversion Right described below under “—Conversion Rights” with respect to the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock called for redemption. If we elect to redeem any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock as described in this paragraph, we may use any available cash

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to pay the redemption price, and we will not be required to pay the redemption price only out of the proceeds from the issuance of other equity securities or any other specific source.

“Change of Control” is deemed to occur when, after the original issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

•

the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of our capital stock entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of our directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

•

following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE American or the Nasdaq Stock Market, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Redemption Procedures. In the event we elect to redeem any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, the notice of redemption will be mailed to each holder of record of the Series C Preferred Stock called for redemption at such holder’s address as it appears on our stock transfer records and will state the following:

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the redemption date;

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the number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed;

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the redemption price;

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the place or places where certificates (if any) for the Series C Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;

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that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date;

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whether such redemption is being made pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Optional Redemption” or “—Special Optional Redemption”;

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if applicable, that such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control and, in that case, a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; and

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if such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control, that the holders of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock being so called for redemption will not be able to tender such shares of the Series C Preferred Stock for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and that each share of the Series C Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is called, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined herein), for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date.

If less than all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender the Series C Preferred Stock at the place designated in the notice of redemption and shall be entitled to the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends payable upon the redemption following the surrender. If notice of redemption of any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock has been given and if we have irrevocably set aside the funds necessary for redemption for the benefit of the holders of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date (unless default shall be made by us in providing for the payment of the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any), dividends will cease to accumulate on those shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, those shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights

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of the holders of those shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption. If any redemption date is not a business day, then the redemption price and accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption may be paid on the next business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accrue on the amount payable for the period from and after that redemption date to that next business day. If less than all of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock is to be redeemed, the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata or by lot (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) that will not result in the automatic transfer of any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to a trust as described below under “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

As part of any redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock, we shall pay, in cash, any accumulated and unpaid dividends through and including the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a dividend record date and prior to the corresponding dividend payment date, in which case each holder of the Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on such dividend record date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such dividend payment date. Except as provided above, we will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed.

Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods, no shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed and we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, our other preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to preserve our REIT status for federal income tax purposes or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock.

Subject to applicable law, we may purchase shares of the Series C Preferred Stock in the open market, by tender or by private agreement. Any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock that we acquire may be retired and re-classified as authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be reissued as any class or series of preferred stock

Conversion Rights

•

the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not authorized or declared thereon to, but excluding, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a dividend record date and prior to the corresponding dividend payment date for the Series C Preferred Stock, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividends to be paid on such dividend payment date will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price, as defined herein (such quotient, the “Conversion Rate”); and

•

2.89352, subject to certain adjustments to this Share Cap as described below.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the certificate of designations and except as otherwise required by law, the persons who are the holders of record of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the conversion of those shares after such dividend record date and on or prior to such dividend

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payment date and, in such case, the full amount of such dividend shall be paid on such dividend payment date to the persons who were the holders of record at the close of business on such dividend record date. Except as provided above, we will make no allowance for unpaid dividends that are in arrears on the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be converted.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of our common stock to existing holders of our common stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to our common stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split will be the number of shares of our common stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) issuable or deliverable, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right will not exceed 40,509,280 shares of our common stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable), subject to proportionate increase to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares is exercised, not to exceed 46,585,672 shares of our common stock in total (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) (the “Exchange Cap”). The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Share Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustment to the Share Cap.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which our common stock is or will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will receive upon conversion of such shares of the Series C Preferred Stock the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration”; the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, whichever shall be applicable to a Change of Control, is referred to as the “Conversion Consideration”).

If the holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration in respect of such Change of Control will be deemed to be the kind and amount of consideration actually received by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock that made or voted for such an election (if electing between two types of consideration) or holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of our common stock that made or voted for such an election (if electing between more than two types of consideration), as the case may be, and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in such Change of Control.

We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control Instead, we will make a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional shares based upon the Common Stock Price used in determining the Common Stock Conversion Consideration for such Change of Control.

Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, provided that we have not then exercised our right to redeem all shares of the Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the redemption provisions described above, we will provide to holders of the Series C Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control that describes the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right. This notice will be delivered to the holders of record of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock at their addresses as they appear on our stock transfer records. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the giving thereof will affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. This notice will state the following:

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the events constituting the Change of Control;

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the date of the Change of Control;

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the last date on which the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right;

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the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price;

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the Change of Control Conversion Date;

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that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem all or any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, holders will not be able to convert the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock called for redemption and such shares will be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if such shares have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right;

•

if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of the Series C Preferred Stock;

•

the name and address of the paying agent and transfer agent for the Series C Preferred Stock;

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the procedures that the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right (including procedures for surrendering shares for conversion through the facilities of a Share Depositary (as defined herein)), including the form of conversion notice to be delivered by such holders as described below; and

•

the last date on which holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may withdraw shares surrendered for conversion and the procedures that such holders must follow to effect such a withdrawal.

Under such circumstances, we will also issue a press release containing such notice for publication on Dow Jones & Company, Inc., the Wall Street Journal, Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), and post a notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first business day following any date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock

To exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates (if any) representing the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer (or, in the case of any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock held in book-entry form through a Share Depositary, to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be converted through the facilities of such Share Depositary), together with a written conversion notice in the form provided by us, duly completed, to our transfer agent. The conversion notice must state:

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the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date;

•

the number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be converted; and

•

that the Series C Preferred Stock is to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Series C Preferred Stock.

The “Change of Control Conversion Date” is the date the Series C Preferred Stock is to be converted, which will be a business day selected by us that is no fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock.

The “Common Stock Price” is (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of our common stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of our common stock or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of our common stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per share of our common stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices per share) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for our common stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive

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trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred, if our common stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to our transfer agent prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal delivered by any holder must state:

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the number of withdrawn shares of the Series C Preferred Stock;

•

if certificated Series C Preferred Stock has been surrendered for conversion, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn shares of the Series C Preferred Stock; and

•

the number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the holder’s conversion notice.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or a similar depositary (each, a “Share Depositary”), the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures, if any, of the applicable Share Depositary.

Series C Preferred Stock as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, as described above under “—Redemption—Optional Redemption” or “—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption,” in which case only the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock properly surrendered for conversion and not properly withdrawn that are not called for redemption will be converted as aforesaid. If we elect to redeem shares of the Series C Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Change of Control Conversion Date, such shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date the redemption price described above under “—Redemption—Optional Redemption” or “—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption,” as applicable.

We will deliver all securities, cash and any other property owing upon conversion no later than the third business day following the Change of Control Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the persons entitled to receive any shares of our common stock or other securities delivered on conversion will be deemed to have become the holders of record thereof as of the Change of Control Conversion Date.

In connection with the exercise of any Change of Control Conversion Right, we will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock or other property. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series C Preferred Stock, no holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such Series C Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock to the extent that receipt of such common stock would cause such holder (or any other person) to exceed the applicable share ownership limitations contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designations, unless we provide an exemption from this limitation to such holder. Please see the section entitled “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” below and “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus.

The Change of Control conversion feature may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to this Offering—You may not be able to exercise conversion rights upon a Change of Control If exercisable, the Change of Control Conversion Rights described in this prospectus supplement may not adequately compensate a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock. These Change of Control Conversion Rights may also make it more difficult for a party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us.”

Except as provided above in connection with a Change of Control, the Series C Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

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Voting Rights

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by law or any applicable stock exchange rules.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are in arrears for six or more quarterly Dividend Periods, whether or not consecutive, the number of directors constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any other class or series of our preferred stock that we have issued or may issue and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series C Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors) and the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with all other classes or series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election of those two directors) will be entitled to vote for the election of those two additional directors at a special meeting called by us at the request of the holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock or by the holders of any other class or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election of those two directors (unless the request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of stockholders, in which case, such vote will be held at the earlier of the next annual or special meeting of stockholders), and at each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends accumulated on the Series C Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods and the then current Dividend Period shall have been fully paid. In that case, the right of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock to elect any directors will cease and, unless there are other classes or series of our preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, any directors elected by holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall immediately resign and the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be reduced accordingly. In no event shall the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our capital stock is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series C Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with all other classes or series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election of such directors) pursuant to these voting rights exceed two.

If at any time when the voting rights conferred upon the Series C Preferred Stock (as described above) are exercisable any vacancy in the office of a director elected pursuant to the procedures described above shall occur, then such vacancy may be filled only by the remaining director or by the vote of the holders of record of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock and any other classes or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election of directors (as described above). Any director elected or appointed pursuant to the procedures described above may be removed at any time, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock and any other classes or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which classes or series of preferred stock are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election of directors pursuant to the procedures described above, such removal to be effected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock and any such other classes or series of preferred stock, and may not be removed by the holders of our common stock.

If a special meeting is not called by us within 30 days after request from the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock as described above, then the holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock may designate a holder to call the meeting at our expense.

On each matter on which holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, each share of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote, except that when shares of any other class or series of our preferred stock have the right to vote with the Series C Preferred Stock as a single class on any matter, the Series C Preferred Stock and the shares of each such other class or series will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (excluding accumulated dividends).

So long as any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock and all

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other parity stock having like voting rights that are exercisable at the time, voting as a single class, outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting together as a class with all classes or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock that we have issued or may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable), (a) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any of our authorized capital stock into such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (b) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series C Preferred Stock (each, an “Event”); provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth in (b) above, so long as the Series C Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon an occurrence of an Event, we may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and, provided further, that any increase in the amount of the authorized preferred stock, including the Series C Preferred Stock, or the creation or issuance of any additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock or other class or series of preferred stock that we may issue, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of such class or series, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series C Preferred Stock that we may issue with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series C Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to other classes or series of any parity stock having like voting rights that are exercisable at the time, then the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class) shall also be required.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

Except as expressly stated in the certificate of designations or as may be required by applicable law, the Series C Preferred Stock will not have any relative, participating, optional and other special voting rights or powers and the consent of the holders thereof shall not be required for the taking of any corporate action.

Information Rights

During any period in which we are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will use our best efforts to (i) transmit through our website at www.newresi.com (or other permissible means under the Exchange Act) to all holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, as their names and addresses appear on our record books and without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject thereto (other than any exhibits that would have been required) and (ii) promptly, upon request, supply copies of such reports to any holders or prospective holder of the Series C Preferred Stock. We will use our best effort to mail (or otherwise provide) the information to the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock within 15 days after the respective dates by which a periodic report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, as the case may be, in respect of such information would have been required to be filed with the SEC, if we were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case, based on the dates on which we would be required to file such periodic reports if we were a “non-accelerated filer” within the meaning of the Exchange Act.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, our shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of capital stock may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year.

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designations establishing the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock will contain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock which are intended to assist us in complying with these requirements and continuing to qualify as a REIT. The certificate of designations will provide that all holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be subject to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which provides that no person may beneficially or constructively own more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common or capital stock, subject to certain exceptions. For the purposes of determining the percentage ownership of our capital stock by any person, shares of capital stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any of our securities directly or constructively held by such person, but not capital stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of our securities held by other persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise. All Series C Preferred Stock will be counted as capital stock for purposes of the 9.8% ownership limitation applicable to our capital stock.

Moreover, the constructive ownership rules are complex, and may cause shares of the Series C Preferred Stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, Series C Preferred Stock) by an individual or entity could nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock and thus violate the ownership limitations, or any other limitations in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Any acquisition by you of the Series C Preferred Stock (whether in this offering or following completion of the offering) or other classes of our capital stock that results in your exceeding the 9.8% common stock or the 9.8% capital stock ownership threshold may not be valid. In addition, no holder of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert the Series C Preferred Stock into our common stock to the extent that receipt of our common stock would cause the holder to actually or constructively own stock exceeding either of the 9.8% ownership thresholds unless we provide an exemption from these ownership limitations to such holder at our sole discretion.

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and the certificate of designations for the Series C Preferred Stock, any attempted transfer of our capital stock, which, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions will cause the number of shares of stock causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares. Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the foregoing restrictions; however, it is not obligated to do so.

Furthermore, under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and, consequently, if the board of directors or any duly authorized committee thereof (or other designees if permitted by Delaware law) shall at any time determine in good faith that a transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of the foregoing restrictions, or that a person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of any shares of our capital stock in violation of the foregoing restrictions, we may take actions to refuse to give effect to or prevent such transfer or other event, including, without limitation, redeeming shares of capital stock, refusing to give effect to such transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin such transfer or other event.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate the foregoing restrictions or any person who would have owned shares of capital stock that resulted in a transfer to the trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries as described above shall immediately give written notice to us of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to us such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on the our qualification as a REIT.

For further information regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Series C Preferred Stock, please see the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus.

Preemptive Rights

No holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for our common stock or any other security.

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Book-Entry Procedures

All interests in the global securities certificates representing the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC and, therefore, you must allow for sufficient time in order to comply with these procedures if you wish to exercise any of your rights with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock. We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. Neither we nor the underwriters are responsible for those operations or procedures or for the accuracy or completeness of the following disclosure.

DTC will act as securities depositary for the Series C Preferred Stock. We will issue one or more fully registered global securities certificates in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. These certificates will represent the total aggregate number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock. We will deposit these certificates with DTC or a custodian appointed by DTC. We will not issue certificates to you for the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock that you purchase, unless DTC’s services are discontinued as described below.

Title to book-entry interests in the Series C Preferred Stock will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of DTC in accordance with its procedures. Book-entry interests in the securities may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for these purposes by DTC. So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of the global securities certificates, that nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock represented by those certificates for all purposes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the certificates will not be entitled to have shares of the Series C Preferred Stock registered in their names; will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated shares of the Series C Preferred Stock; and will not be considered the owners or holders of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock for any purpose. As a result, each person owning a beneficial interest in shares of the Series C Preferred Stock must rely on the procedures of DTC and the participant through which such person owns its interest to exercise its rights as a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State banking law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among Direct Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in Direct Participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The rules applicable to DTC and its Direct and Indirect Participants are on file with the SEC.

When you purchase shares of the Series C Preferred Stock within the DTC system, the purchase must be by or through a Direct Participant. The Direct Participant will receive a credit for the Series C Preferred Stock on DTC’s records. You will be considered to be the “beneficial owner” of the Series C Preferred Stock. Your beneficial ownership interest will be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records, but DTC will have no knowledge of your individual ownership. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are credited.

You will not receive written confirmation from DTC of your purchase. The Direct or Indirect Participants through whom you purchased the Series C Preferred Stock should send you written confirmations providing details of your transactions, as well as periodic statements of your holdings. The Direct and Indirect Participants are responsible for keeping an accurate account of the holdings of their customers like you.

Transfers of ownership interests held through Direct and Indirect Participants will be accomplished by entries on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of the beneficial owners.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

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We understand that, under DTC’s existing practices, in the event that we request any action of the holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security, such as you, desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (including the certificate of designations designating the Series C Preferred Stock), DTC would authorize the Direct Participants holding the relevant shares to take such action, and those Direct Participants and any Indirect Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those Direct and Indirect Participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Any redemption notices with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock will be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are being redeemed, DTC will reduce each Direct Participant’s holdings of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock in accordance with its procedures.

In those instances where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. itself will consent or vote with respect to the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the dividend record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants whose accounts the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are credited to on the dividend record date, which are identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will be made directly to DTC’s nominee (or its successor, if applicable). DTC’s practice is to credit participants’ accounts on the relevant dividend payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that dividend payment date.

Payments by Direct and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” These payments will be the responsibility of the Direct and Indirect Participants and not of DTC, us or any agent of ours.

Title of each class of securities to be registered	Maximum aggregate offering price			Amount of registration fee⁽¹⁾
6.375% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share	$	402,500,000		$	52,244.50