2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented in this report reflects all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report, as certain disclosures would substantially duplicate those contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have not been included in this interim report. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared, without audit, and do not necessarily include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair statement of our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP.

The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its subsidiaries which are majority-owned and/or controlled by the Company and variable interest entities for which the Company has determined itself to be the primary beneficiary, if any. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 — Consolidation (“ASC 810”), provides guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) and the determination of which business enterprise, if any, should consolidate the VIEs. Generally, the consideration of whether an entity is a VIE applies when either: (1) the equity investors (if any) lack one or more of the essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest; (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest. The Company consolidates VIEs in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the VIE’s performance; and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and right to receive the returns from the VIE that would be significant to the VIE. See Note 3 for further information on the Company’s consolidated variable interest entities.

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are defined as “the portion of the equity (net assets) in the subsidiaries not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.” Noncontrolling interests are presented as a separate component of capital in the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the presentation of net income attributes earnings to shareholders/unitholders (controlling interest) and noncontrolling interests.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of resulting changes are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period the changes are deemed to be necessary. Significant estimates made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to the following:


•	valuation of real estate securities;


•	allocation of purchase price for acquired real estate;


•	impairment, and useful lives, of real estate;


•	useful lives of intangible assets;


•	valuation of derivative instruments;


•	valuation of deferred tax asset (liability);


•	amounts payable pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement;


•	determination of effective yield for recognition of interest income;


•	adequacy of provision for loan losses;


•	determination of other than temporary impairment of real estate securities and investments in unconsolidated joint ventures;


•	certain estimates and assumptions used in the accrual of incentive compensation and calculation of the fair value of equity compensation issued to employees;


•	determination of the effective tax rate for income tax provision; and


•	certain estimates and assumptions used in the allocation of revenue and expenses for our segment reporting.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all investments with original maturities of three months or less, at the time of acquisition, to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash accounts at several financial institutions, which are insured up to a maximum of $250,000 per account as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and at various times during the years, the balances exceeded the insured limits.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is comprised of accounts the Company maintains with brokers to facilitate financial derivative and repurchase agreement transactions in support of its loan and securities investments and risk management activities. Based on the value of the positions in these accounts and the associated margin requirements, the Company may be required to deposit additional cash into these broker accounts. The cash collateral held by broker is considered restricted cash. Restricted cash also includes tenant security deposits, deposits related to real estate sales and acquisitions and required escrow balances on credit facilities. Prior to January 1, 2017, these amounts were previously recorded in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Out-of-Period Adjustments

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment to reduce depreciation expense of $0.8 million related to prior periods. The Company has concluded that this adjustment is not material to the financial position or results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 or any prior periods; accordingly, the Company recorded the related adjustment in the three month period ended March 31, 2017.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment to increase tenant real estate tax recoveries on a net lease property by $1.1 million, which was not billed until the three month period ended March 31, 2018, but related to prior periods. The Company has concluded that this adjustment is not material to the financial position or results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 or any prior periods; accordingly, the Company recorded the related adjustment in the three month period ended March 31, 2018.

Change in Accounting Principle

As more fully described in Note 4, on June 29, 2017, the Company completed its first sponsored securitization transaction whereby it transferred $625.7 million of loans to LCCM 2017-LC26 securitization trust. The Company initially concluded that the transfer restrictions placed on the Third Party Purchaser (“TPP”) of the risk retention securities, imposed by the risk retention rules of the Dodd-Frank Act, precluded sale accounting under ASC 860 and, accordingly, the Company originally accounted for the transaction as a financing in its interim financial statements for the periods ended June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017. As a result of industry discussions, in November 2017 the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC staff”) indicated that, despite such restrictions, they would not take exception to a registrant treating such transfers as sales if they otherwise met all the criteria for sale accounting. The Company believes treatment of such transfers as sales is more consistent with the substance of such transaction and, accordingly, changed its accounting principle to treat such transfers as sales in the quarter ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company reflected this change in accounting principle retrospectively to prior interim periods within 2017. The retrospective changes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 are reflected in this Quarterly Report. The retrospective changes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 will be reflected in the Company’s quarterly report for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Refer to Note 20, Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) in the Company’s December 31, 2017 Annual Report for a summary of these changes.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), that outlined a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and superseded most then-current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. ASU 2014-09 was initially scheduled to become effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period; early adoption was not permitted. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) — Deferral of the Effective Date (“ASU 2015-14”), which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year and permitted early adoption as early as the original effective date of ASU 2014-09. The new revenue standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. In 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance to clarify the implementation guidance, ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) (“ASU 2016-08”); ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2017-10”); ASU 2016-11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Meeting (SEC Update) (“ASU 2016-11”), ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (“ASU 2016-12”); and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2016-20”). In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20) (“ASU 2017-05”). In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission f Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments (SEC Update) (“ASU 2017-13”). In November 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-14, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (SEC Update) (“ASU 2017-14”). These amendments provide additional clarification and implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2014-09.

Under the full retrospective method, a company will apply the rules to contracts in all reporting periods presented, subject to certain allowable exceptions. Under the modified retrospective method, a company will apply the rules to all contracts existing as of January 1, 2018, recognizing in beginning retained earnings an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the change and providing additional disclosures comparing results to previous rules. The Company believes the effects on its existing accounting policies will be associated with its non-leasing revenue components, specifically the amount, timing and presentation of tenant expense reimbursements revenue. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018 and there was no cumulative effect adjustment recognized. The Company’s revenues impacted by this standard are included in tenant recoveries in the consolidated statements of income.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, (“ASU 2016-01”), which was further amended in February and in March 2018 by ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities, (“ASU 2018-03”) and ASU 2018-04, Investments—Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273 (SEC Update), (“ASU 2018-04”) to clarify certain aspects of ASU 2016-01 and to update Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) interpretive guidance in connection with the provisions of ASU 2016-01. These updates provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other changes, the updates require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, and clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entities' other deferred tax assets. These standards are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. Upon adoption, the fair value of the Company's loan portfolio is now presented using an exit price method. Also, the Company is no longer required to disclose the methodologies used for estimating fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The remaining requirements of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), (“ASU 2017-09”). The ASU provides clarification on when modification accounting should be used for changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. ASU 2017-09 does not change the accounting for modifications but clarifies that modification accounting guidance should only be applied if there is a change to the value, vesting conditions or award classification and would not be required if the changes are considered non-substantive. The amendments of this ASU are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2018, FASB issued ASU No. 2018-06, Codification Improvements to Topic 942, Depository and Lending—Income Taxes, (“ASU 2018-06”). The amendments in ASU 2018-06 supersede the guidance within Subtopic 942-741 that has been rescinded by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and is no longer relevant. A cross-reference between Subtopic 740-30, Income Taxes—Other Considerations or Special Areas, and Subtopic 942-740 is being added to the remaining guidance in Subtopic 740-30 to improve the usefulness of the codification. The amendments in ASU 2018-06 are effective upon issuance, as no accounting requirements are affected. The amendments in ASU 2018-06 do not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sale-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. ASU 2016-02 supersedes the previous lease standard, Leases (Topic 840). In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 (Leases) (“ASU 2018-10”), which provides narrow amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new leasing standard. In July 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2018-11”), which provides a new transition method at the adoption date through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings; prior periods will not require restatement. ASU 2018-11 also provides a new practical expedient for lessors adopting the new lease standard. Lessors have the option to aggregate nonlease components with the related lease component upon adoption of the new standard if the following conditions are met: (1) the timing and pattern of transfer for the nonlease component and the related lease component are the same and (2) the stand-alone lease component would be classified as an operating lease if accounted for separately. Each of the standards are effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with an early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the effect the adoption of ASU 2016-02, ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-11 will have on the Company’s financial position and/or results of operations. The Company currently believes that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will not have a material impact for operating leases where it is a lessor and will continue to record revenues from rental properties for its operating leases on a straight-line basis. However, for leases where the Company is the lessee, primarily for the Company’s corporate headquarters, the Company expects to record a lease liability and a right of use asset on its consolidated financial statements at fair value upon adoption. The lease liability and right-of-use asset are to be carried at the present value of remaining expected future lease payments.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, (“ASU 2016-13”). The guidance changes the impairment model for most financial assets. The new model uses a forward-looking expected loss method, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company must apply the amendments in this update through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements. In general, the allowance for credit losses is expected to increase when changing from an incurred loss to expected loss methodology. The models and methodologies that are currently used in estimating the allowance for credit losses are being evaluated to identify the changes necessary to meet the requirements of the new standard.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), (“ASU 2017-04”). The ASU simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance will be applied prospectively and is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not currently expect any impact on its consolidated financial statements as the Company (absent a business combination) has no recorded goodwill.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), (“ASU 2017-08”). The ASU shortens the amortization period for the premium on certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date. Today, entities generally amortize the premium over the contractual life of the security. The new guidance does not change the accounting for purchased callable debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. ASU No. 2017-08 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. The guidance calls for a modified retrospective transition approach under which a cumulative-effect adjustment will be made to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements when adopted.

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; II. Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception, (“ASU 2017-11”). Part I of this update addresses the complexity of accounting for certain financial instruments with down round features. Down round features are features of certain equity-linked instruments (or embedded features) that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of the pricing of future equity offerings. Current accounting guidance creates cost and complexity for entities that issue financial instruments (such as warrants and convertible instruments) with down round features that require fair value measurement of the entire instrument or conversion option. Part II of this update addresses the difficulty of navigating Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, because of the existence of extensive pending content in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This pending content is the result of the indefinite deferral of accounting requirements about mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of certain nonpublic entities and certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests. The amendments in Part II of this update do not have an accounting effect. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2017-11 on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, (“ASU 2018-01”). This ASU provides an optional transition practical expedient that, if elected, would not require companies to reconsider their accounting for existing or expired land easements before adoption of Topic 842 and that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. This ASU will be effective January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2018-01 on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), (“ASU 2018-02”). This ASU allows an entity to elect to reclassify the stranded tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income into retained earnings. This ASU will be effective January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-02 to have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SEC Update), (“ASU 2018-05”), which included amendments to SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”). The pronouncement addresses certain circumstances that may arise for registrants in accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including when certain income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are incomplete by the time financial statements are issued. The Company has complied with the amendments related to SAB 118, as discussed further in Note 16.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements, (“ASU 2018-09”). This standard does not prescribe any new accounting guidance, but instead makes minor improvements and clarifications of several different FASB Accounting Standards Codification areas based on comments and suggestions made by various stakeholders. Certain updates are applicable immediately while others provide for a transition period to adopt as part of the next fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Any new accounting standards not disclosed above that have been issued or proposed by FASB and that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.