UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

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

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

Commission File Number: 001-38082

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland	47-2009094
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

30 Hudson Yards,	Suite 7500	New York,	NY	10001
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)

(212) 750-8300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	KREF	New York Stock Exchange
6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share	KREF PRA	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    ☒ Yes    ☐ No

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

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

    Large accelerated filer    ☐    Accelerated filer    ☒

    Non-accelerated filer     ☐    Smaller reporting company    ☐

            Emerging growth company    ☐

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

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

The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of October 21, 2021 was 55,823,370.

KKR REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

INDEX

	PAGE
Part I - Financial Information	5
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	5
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	7
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020	9
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	11
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	46
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	73
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	75
Part II - Other Information	76
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	76
Item 1A. Risk Factors	76
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	77
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	77
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	77
Item 5. Other Information	77
Item 6. Exhibits	78
Signatures	79

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believe," "expect," "potential," "continue," "may," "should," "seek," "approximately," "predict," "intend," "will," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate," the negative version of these words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate strictly to historical or factual matters. By their nature, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not statements of historical fact or guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify, in particular due to the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the projected impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial performance and operating results. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the "Form 10-K"). Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

•how widely utilized COVID-19 vaccines will be, whether they will be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (including its variant strains), and their impact on the ultimate severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to treat its impact;

•the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and on the Company’s loan portfolio, financial condition and business operations;

•adverse developments in the availability of desirable investment opportunities whether they are due to competition, regulation or otherwise;

•the general political, economic and competitive conditions in the United States and in any foreign jurisdictions in which we invest;

•the level and volatility of prevailing interest rates and credit spreads;

•adverse changes in the real estate and real estate capital markets;

•difficulty or delays in redeploying the proceeds from repayments of our existing investments;

•general volatility of the securities markets in which we participate;

•changes in our business, investment strategies or target assets;

•deterioration in the performance of the properties securing our investments that may cause deterioration in the performance of our investments and, potentially, principal losses to us;

•acts of God such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters, pandemics such as COVID-19, acts of war and/or terrorism and other events that may cause unanticipated and uninsured performance declines and/or losses to us or the owners and operators of the real estate securing our investments;

•the adequacy of collateral securing our investments and declines in the fair value of our investments;

•difficulty in obtaining financing or raising capital;

•difficulty in successfully managing our growth, including integrating new assets into our existing systems;

•reductions in the yield on our investments and increases in the cost of our financing;

•defaults by borrowers in paying debt service on outstanding indebtedness;

•the availability of qualified personnel and our relationship with our Manager;

•subsidiaries of KKR & Co. Inc. control us and KKR's interests may conflict with those of our stockholders in the future;

•the cost of operating our platform, including, but not limited to, the cost of operating a real estate investment platform;

•adverse legislative or regulatory developments;

•our qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"); and

•authoritative accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") or policy changes from such standard-setting bodies such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB"), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Internal Revenue Service, the New York Stock Exchange and other authorities that we are subject to, as well as their counterparts in any foreign jurisdictions where we might do business.

There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K and Part I, Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Form 10-Q, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on the investor relations section of our website at www.kkrreit.com. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q apply only as of the date made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Form 10-Q and in other filings we make with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Except where the context requires otherwise, the terms "Company," "we," "us," "our" and "KREF" refer to KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries; "Manager" refers to KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, our external manager; and "KKR" refers to KKR & Co. Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	307,731	$	110,832
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment	5,442,734		4,844,534
Less: Allowance for credit losses	(58,807)		(59,801)
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net	5,383,927		4,784,733
Equity method investments	34,809		33,651
Accrued interest receivable	13,924		15,412
Other assets(A)	13,107		20,984
Total Assets	$	5,753,498	$	4,965,612
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities
Secured financing agreements, net	$	2,960,833	$	2,574,747
Collateralized loan obligations, net	1,086,900		810,000
Secured term loan, net	287,051		288,028
Convertible notes, net	141,502		140,465
Loan participations sold, net	—		66,232
Dividends payable	24,285		24,287
Accrued interest payable	7,495		5,381
Due to affiliates	5,190		6,243
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities(B)	3,065		4,823
Total Liabilities	4,516,321		3,920,206
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)	—		—
Temporary Equity
Redeemable preferred stock	2,589		1,852
Permanent Equity
Preferred Stock, 50,000,000 shares authorized
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value (1 share issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)	—		—
Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $0.01 par value (6,900,000 and zero shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; liquidation preference of $25.00 per share)	69		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000,000 authorized (59,537,806 and 59,519,754 shares issued; 55,637,480 and 55,619,428 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)	556		556
Additional paid-in capital	1,341,986		1,169,695
Accumulated deficit	(47,024)		(65,698)
Repurchased stock (3,900,326 shares repurchased as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)	(60,999)		(60,999)
Total KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,234,588		1,043,554
Total Permanent Equity	1,234,588		1,043,554
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	5,753,498	$	4,965,612

(A)    Includes $8.2 million and $15.9 million of loan repayment proceeds held by servicer and receivable by KREF as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

(B)    Includes $0.9 million of expected loss reserve for unfunded loan commitments as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	75,320	$	67,689	$	207,235	$	205,987
Interest expense	29,832		28,832		84,173		98,477
Total net interest income	45,488		38,857		123,062		107,510
Other Income
Income (loss) from equity method investments	2,162		973		4,508		(631)
Other income	130		102		296		658
Total other income (loss)	2,292		1,075		4,804		27
Operating Expenses
General and administrative	3,659		3,563		10,852		11,376
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	1,165		(126)		(982)		53,782
Management fees to affiliate	4,964		4,223		14,089		12,740
Incentive compensation to affiliate	2,215		990		6,810		3,845
Total operating expenses	12,003		8,650		30,769		81,743
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Preferred Dividends and Redemption Value Adjustment	35,777		31,282		97,097		25,794
Income tax expense	106		96		257		255
Net Income (Loss)	35,671		31,186		96,840		25,539
Preferred stock dividends and redemption value adjustment	3,682		(165)		6,403		762
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	31,989	$	31,351	$	90,437	$	24,777
Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic	$	0.57	$	0.56	$	1.63	$	0.44
Diluted	$	0.57	$	0.56	$	1.62	$	0.44
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic	55,637,480		55,491,405		55,629,810		56,107,765
Diluted	56,011,243		55,632,170		55,883,197		56,187,461
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	1.29	$	1.29

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

	Permanent Equity																	Temporary Equity
	KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
	Preferred Stock			Series A Preferred Stock			Common Stock
	Shares	Stated Value		Shares	Par Value		Shares	Par Value		Additional Paid-In Capital		Accumulated Deficit		Repurchased Stock		Total KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Stockholders' Equity		Redeemable Preferred Stock
Balance at December 31, 2020	1	$	—	—	$	—	55,619,428	$	556	$	1,169,695	$	(65,698)	$	(60,999)	$	1,043,554	$	1,852
Special non-voting preferred dividends declared	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		(198)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(23,916)		—		(23,916)		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		1,994		—		—		1,994		—
Adjustment of redeemable preferred stock to redemption value	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(710)		—		(710)		710
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		29,894		—		29,894		198
Balance at March 31, 2021	1	$	—	—	$	—	55,619,428	$	556	$	1,171,689	$	(60,430)	$	(60,999)	$	1,050,816	$	2,562
Issuance of Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock (liquidation preference of $25.00 per share)	—	—		6,900,000	69		—	—		172,431		—		—		172,500		—
Offering costs	—	—		—	—		—	—		(6,154)		—		—		(6,154)		—
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.27 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(1,838)		—		(1,838)		—
Special non-voting preferred dividends declared	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		(221)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(23,924)		—		(23,924)		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		18,052	*		1,993		—		—		1,993		—
Adjustment of redeemable preferred stock to redemption value	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		246		—		246		(246)
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		30,856		—		30,856		221
Balance at June 30, 2021	1	$	—	6,900,000	$	69	55,637,480	$	556	$	1,339,959	$	(55,090)	$	(60,999)	$	1,224,495	$	2,316
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.46 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(3,177)		—		(3,177)		—
Special non-voting preferred dividends declared	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		(231)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(23,924)		—		(23,924)		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		2,027		—		—		2,027		—
Adjustment of redeemable preferred stock to redemption value	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(273)		—		(273)		273
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		35,440		—		35,440		231
Balance at September 30, 2021	1	$	—	6,900,000	$	69	55,637,480	$	556	$	1,341,986	$	(47,024)	$	(60,999)	$	1,234,588	$	2,589

* Rounds to zero.

7

	Permanent Equity																	Temporary Equity
	KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
	Preferred Stock			Series A Preferred Stock			Common Stock
	Shares	Stated Value		Shares	Par Value		Shares	Par Value		Additional Paid-In Capital		Accumulated Deficit		Repurchased Stock		Total KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Stockholders' Equity		Redeemable Preferred Stock
Balance at December 31, 2019	1	$	—	—	$	—	57,486,583	$	575	$	1,165,995	$	(8,594)	$	(35,958)	$	1,122,018	$	1,694
Cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 (Note 2)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(15,009)		—		(15,009)		—
Repurchase of common stock	—	—		—	—		(1,648,551)	—		—		—		(19,244)		(19,244)		—
Special non-voting preferred dividends declared	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		(178)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(24,010)		—		(24,010)		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		1,607		—		—		1,607		—
Adjustment of redeemable preferred stock to redemption value	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(414)		—		(414)		414
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(34,750)		—		(34,750)		178
Balance at March 31, 2020	1	$	—	—	$	—	55,838,032	$	575	$	1,167,602	$	(82,777)	$	(55,202)	$	1,030,198	$	2,108
Repurchase of common stock	—	—		—	—		(389,086)	(20)		—		—		(5,797)		(5,817)		—
Special non-voting preferred dividends declared	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		(168)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(23,861)		—		(23,861)		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		42,459	*		1,118		—		—		1,118		—
Adjustment of redeemable preferred stock to redemption value	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(167)		—		(167)		167
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		28,757		—		28,757		168
Balance at June 30, 2020	1	$	—	—	$	—	55,491,405	$	555	$	1,168,720	$	(78,048)	$	(60,999)	$	1,030,228	$	2,275
Special non-voting preferred dividends declared	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		(159)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		(23,861)		—		(23,861)		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		—	—		1,390		—		—		1,390		—
Adjustment of redeemable preferred stock to redemption value	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		324		—		324		(324)
Net income (loss)	—	—		—	—		—	—		—		31,026		—		31,026		159
Balance at September 30, 2020	1	$	—	—	$	—	55,491,405	$	555	$	1,170,110	$	(70,559)	$	(60,999)	$	1,039,107	$	1,951

* Rounds to zero.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$	96,840	$	25,539
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and discounts	10,491		16,720
Accretion of net deferred loan fees and discounts	(15,693)		(12,115)
Payment-in-kind interest	(1,676)		(2,360)
(Income) Loss from equity method investments	(2,085)		3,255
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	(982)		53,782
Stock-based compensation expense	6,014		4,371
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable, net	1,488		739
Other assets	(355)		(1,210)
Accrued interest payable	2,112		900
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	41		1,546
Due to affiliates	663		251
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	96,858		91,418
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from principal repayments and sale/syndication of commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment	1,674,488		466,283
Origination of commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment	(2,247,673)		(462,142)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(573,185)		4,141
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from borrowings under secured financing agreements	2,080,383		970,580
Proceeds from issuance of collateralized loan obligations	1,095,250		—
Net proceeds from issuance of secured term loan	—		292,500
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	167,066		—
Payments of common stock dividends	(71,756)		(72,590)
Payments of preferred stock dividends	(5,675)		(546)
Principal repayments on borrowings under secured financing agreements	(1,694,571)		(1,016,543)
Principal repayments on collateralized loan obligations	(810,000)		—
Principal repayments on loan participations	(66,248)		—
Payments of debt and collateralized debt obligation issuance costs	(17,504)		(8,689)
Payments of stock issuance costs	(414)		(157)
Payments to reacquire common stock	—		(25,061)
Tax withholding on stock-based compensation	(1,720)		(1,297)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	674,811		138,197
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	198,484		233,756
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	110,832		67,619
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	309,316	$	301,375
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents	307,731		301,375
Restricted cash	1,585		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	309,316		301,375

9

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	69,492	$	78,717
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	409		50
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Loan principal payments held by servicer	8,205		42,000
Dividend declared, not yet paid	24,348		24,138

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

10

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 1. Business and Organization

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to throughout this report as the "Company" or "KREF") is a Maryland corporation that was formed and commenced operations on October 2, 2014 as a mortgage real estate investment trust ("REIT") that focuses primarily on originating and acquiring transitional senior loans secured by commercial real estate ("CRE") assets.

KREF has elected and intends to maintain its qualification to be taxed as a REIT under the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"), for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, KREF will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that portion of its income that it distributes to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. See Note 15 regarding taxes applicable to KREF.

KREF is externally managed by KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC ("Manager"), an indirect subsidiary of KKR & Co. Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "KKR"), through a management agreement ("Management Agreement") pursuant to which the Manager provides a management team and other professionals who are responsible for implementing KREF’s business strategy, subject to the supervision of KREF’s board of directors. For its services, the Manager is entitled to management fees and incentive compensation, both defined in, and in accordance with the terms of, the Management Agreement (Note 13).

As of September 30, 2021, KKR beneficially owned 14,250,000 shares, or 25.6% of KREF's outstanding common stock.

KREF's principal business activities are related to the origination and purchase of credit investments related to CRE. Management assesses the performance of KREF's current portfolio of leveraged and unleveraged commercial real estate loans and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") as a whole and makes operating decisions accordingly. As a result, management presents KREF's operations within a single reporting segment.

11

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of KREF are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and instructions to Form 10-Q. The condensed consolidated financial statements, including the accompanying notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in annual financial statements. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KREF and its consolidated subsidiaries, and all intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of KREF’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with KREF's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Risks and Uncertainties — The coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created disruption in global supply chains, increased rates of unemployment and adversely impacted many industries, including industries related to the collateral underlying certain of our loans. The impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving around the globe, with several countries taking drastic measures to limit the spread of the virus by instituting quarantines or lockdowns, imposing travel restrictions and limiting operations of non-essential offices and retail centers.

In 2021, the global economy has, with certain setbacks, begun reopening, and wider distribution of vaccines will likely encourage greater economic activity. However, wide disparities in vaccination rates and continued vaccine hesitancy, combined with the emergence of COVID-19 variants and surges in COVID-19 cases, could trigger the reinstatement of restrictions, including mandatory business shut-downs, travel restrictions, reduced business operations and social distancing requirements, which could dampen or delay any economic recovery and could materially and adversely affect KREF’s results and financial condition. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt global supply chains, has caused labor shortages and has added broad inflationary pressures, which has a potential negative impact on KREF's borrowers’ ability to execute on their business plans and potentially their ability to perform under the terms of their loan obligations. Although KREF has observed signs of economic recovery and is generally encouraged by the response of its borrowers, KREF cannot predict the time required for a widespread sustainable economic recovery to take hold.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Management makes subjective estimates to project cash flows KREF expects to receive on its investments in loans and securities as well as the related market discount rates, which significantly impacts the interest income, impairments, allowance for loan loss and fair values recorded or disclosed. The effects of COVID-19 may negatively and materially impact significant estimates and assumptions used by the Company including, but not limited to estimates of expected credit losses, valuation of our equity method investments and the fair value estimates of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Consolidation — KREF consolidates those entities for which (i) it controls through either majority ownership or voting rights or (ii) management determines that KREF is the primary beneficiary of entities deemed to be variable interest entities ("VIEs").

Variable Interest Entities — VIEs are entities (i) in which equity investors do not have an interest with the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, (ii) do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (iii) established with non-substantive voting rights. A VIE is required to be consolidated only by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and that has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE (Note 9).

To assess whether KREF has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, KREF considers all the facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes, first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power to direct those activities. To assess whether KREF has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE,

12

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

KREF considers all of its economic interests and applies judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE.

Collateralized Loan Obligations — KREF consolidates collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”) when it determines that the CLO issuers, wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF, are VIEs and that KREF is the primary beneficiary of such VIEs.

The collateral assets of KREF's CLO, comprised of a pool of loan participations, are included in “Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liabilities of KREF's consolidated CLO consist solely of obligations to the senior CLO noteholders, excluding subordinated CLO tranches held by KREF as such interests are eliminated in consolidation, are presented in “Collateralized loan obligations, net” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The collateral assets of a CLO can only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated CLO. The interest income from the CLO’s collateral assets and the interest expense on the CLO’s liabilities are presented on a gross basis in “Interest income” and “Interest expense”, respectively, in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Temporary Equity — KREF's Special Non-Voting Preferred Stock (“SNVPS”) became redeemable in the second quarter of 2018. As a result, starting with the second quarter of 2018, KREF adjusts the carrying value of the SNVPS to its redemption value quarterly. Accordingly, KREF adjusted the carrying value of the SNVPS to its redemption value of $2.6 million as of September 30, 2021, and recorded a $0.3 million and $0.7 million non-cash redemption value adjustment to the SNVPS (“SNVPS Redemption Value Adjustment”) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The SNVPS Redemption Value Adjustment is treated similar to a dividend on preferred stock for GAAP purposes and therefore is deducted from (or added back to) “Net Income (Loss)” to arrive at “Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders” on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Equity method investments — Investments are accounted for under the equity method when KREF has significant influence over the operations of an investee but does not consolidate that investment. Equity method investments, for which management has not elected a fair value option, are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for KREF's share of net income or loss and cash contributions and distributions each period.

Management determined that KREF's investment in the Manager is an interest in a VIE, however KREF is not the primary beneficiary. KREF does not have substantive participating or kick-out rights nor the power to direct activities and the obligation to absorb losses of the Manager that could be significant to the Manager. KREF accounts for its investment in the Manager using the equity method (Note 9).

Management determined that KREF's investment in an aggregator vehicle alongside KKR Real Estate Credit Opportunity Partners L.P. ("RECOP I ") is an interest in a VIE, however KREF is not the primary beneficiary and does not have substantive participating or kick-out rights. KREF records its share of net asset value in RECOP I in “Equity method investments” on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and its share of unrealized gains or losses in “Income from equity method investments” in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Management elected the fair value option for KREF's investment in RECOP I.

KREF classifies distributions received from equity method investees using the cumulative earnings approach. Distributions received up to the cumulative earnings from each equity method investee are considered returns on investment and presented within “Cash Flows from Operating Activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; excess distributions received are considered returns of investment and presented within “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Fair Value — GAAP requires the categorization of the fair value of financial instruments into three broad levels that form a hierarchy based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation.

Level 1    -    Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2    -    Inputs are other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

Level 3    -    Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

13

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

KREF follows this hierarchy for its financial instruments. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Valuation Process — The Manager reviews the valuation of Level 3 financial instruments as part of KKR's quarterly process. As of September 30, 2021, KKR’s valuation process for Level 3 measurements, as described below, subjected valuations to the review and oversight of various committees. KKR has a global valuation committee assisted by the asset class-specific valuation committees, including a real estate valuation committee that reviews and approves all preliminary Level 3 valuations for real estate assets, including the financial instruments held by KREF. The global valuation committee is responsible for coordinating and implementing KKR’s valuation process to ensure consistency in the application of valuation principles across portfolio investments and between periods. All Level 3 valuations are also subject to approval by the global valuation committee.

Valuation of Commercial Real Estate Loans and Participation Sold — Management generally considers KREF's commercial real estate loans Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy as such assets are illiquid, structured investments that are specific to the sponsor, underlying property and its operating performance (Note 14). On a quarterly basis, management engages an independent valuation firm to estimate the fair value of each loan categorized as a Level 3 asset. Management reviews the quarterly loan valuation estimates provided by the independent valuation firm. These loans are generally valued using a discounted cash flow model using discount rates derived from observable market data applied to the capital structure of the respective sponsor and/or estimated property value. In the event that management's estimate of fair value differs from the fair value estimate provided by the independent valuation firm, KREF ultimately relies solely upon the valuation prepared by the investment personnel of the Manager.

Valuation of CLO Consolidated VIEs — Management estimates the fair value of the CLO liabilities using prices obtained from an independent valuation firm. If prices received from the independent valuation firm are inconsistent with values determined in connection with management’s independent review, management makes inquiries to the independent valuation firm about the prices received and related methods. In the event management determines the price obtained from an independent valuation firm to be unreliable or inaccurate representation of the fair value of the CLO liabilities (based on considerations given to observable market data), management then compiles evidence independently and presents the independent valuation firm with such evidence supporting a different value. As a result, the independent valuation firm may revise their price after evaluating any additional evidence.

However, if management continues to disagree with the price from the independent valuation firm, in light of evidence that management compiled independently and believes to be compelling, valuations are then prepared using inputs based on non-binding broker quotes obtained from independent, well-known, major financial brokers that are CLO market makers. In validating any non-binding broker quote used in this circumstance, management compares the non-binding quote to the observable market data points in addition to understanding the valuation methodologies used by the market makers. These market participants may utilize a similar methodology as the independent valuation firm to value the CLO liabilities, with the key input of expected yield determined independently based on both observable and unobservable factors. To avoid reliance on any single broker-dealer, management receives a minimum of two non-binding quotes, of which the average is used.

Other Valuation Matters — For Level 3 financial assets originated, or otherwise acquired, and financial liabilities assumed during the current calendar quarter that were conducted in an orderly transaction with an unrelated party, management generally believes that the transaction price provides the most observable indication of fair value given the illiquid nature of these financial instruments, unless management is aware of any circumstances that may cause a material change in the fair value through the remainder of the quarterly reporting period. For instance, significant changes to the underlying property or its planned operations may cause material changes in the fair value of commercial real estate loans acquired, or originated, by KREF.

KREF’s determination of fair value is based upon the best information available for a given circumstance and may incorporate assumptions that are management’s best estimates after consideration of a variety of internal and external factors. When an independent valuation firm expresses an opinion on the fair value of a financial instrument in the form of a range, management selects a value within the range provided by the independent valuation firm, generally the midpoint, to assess the reasonableness of management’s estimated fair value for that financial instrument.

See Note 14 for additional information regarding the valuation of KREF's financial assets and liabilities.

14

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Sales of Financial Assets and Financing Agreements — KREF will, from time to time, transfer loans, securities and other assets as well as finance assets in the form of secured borrowings. In each case, management evaluates whether the transaction constitutes a sale through legal isolation of the transferred financial asset from KREF, the ability of the transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred asset without constraint and the transfer of control of the transferred asset. For transfers that constitute sales, KREF (i) recognizes the financial assets it retains and liabilities it has incurred, if any, (ii) derecognizes the financial assets it has sold, and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished and (iii) recognizes a realized gain, or loss, based upon the excess, or deficient, proceeds received over the carrying value of the transferred asset. KREF does not recognize a gain, or loss, on interests retained, if any, where management elected the fair value option prior to sale.

Balance Sheet Measurement

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — KREF considers cash equivalents as highly liquid short-term investments with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Substantially all amounts on deposit with major financial institutions exceed insured limits.

KREF must maintain sufficient cash and cash equivalents to satisfy liquidity covenants related to its secured financing agreements. However, such amounts are not restricted from use in KREF's current operations, and KREF does not present these cash and cash equivalents as restricted. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, KREF was required to maintain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of at least $53.5 million and $42.6 million, respectively, to satisfy its liquidity covenants (Note 4).

As of September 30, 2021, KREF had $1.6 million of restricted cash held in lender-controlled bank accounts. Such amount is presented within "Other Assets" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Commercial Real Estate Loans Held-For-Investment and Allowance for Credit Losses — KREF recognizes its investments in commercial real estate loans based on management's intent, and KREF's ability, to hold those investments through their contractual maturity. Management classifies those loans that management does not intend to sell in the foreseeable future, and KREF is able to hold until maturity, as held-for-investment. Loans that are held-for-investment are carried at their aggregate outstanding principal, net of applicable (i) unamortized origination or acquisition premiums and discounts, (ii) unamortized deferred nonrefundable fees and other direct loan origination costs, and (iii) allowance for credit losses, net of write-offs of impaired loans. If a loan is determined to be impaired, management writes off the loan through a charge to the "Allowance for credit losses" and respective loan balance. KREF applies the interest method to amortize origination or acquisition premiums and discounts and deferred nonrefundable fees or other direct loan origination costs, or on a straight-line basis when it approximates the interest method. Loans for which management elects the fair value option at the time of origination, or acquisition, are carried at fair value on a recurring basis (Note 3).

On January 1, 2020, KREF adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, and subsequent amendments (“ASU 2016-13”), which replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model. CECL amended the previous credit loss model to reflect a reporting entity's current estimate of all expected credit losses, not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information. The measurement of expected credit losses under CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for credit losses required under ASU 2016-13 is deducted from the respective loans’ amortized cost basis on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowance for credit losses attributed to unfunded loan commitments is included in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The guidance also required a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption.

In connection with KREF’s adoption of ASU 2016-13, KREF implemented new processes including the utilization of loan loss forecasting models, updates to KREF's reserve policy documentation, changes to internal reporting processes and related internal controls. KREF has implemented loan loss forecasting models for estimating expected life-time credit losses, at the individual loan level, for its commercial real estate loan portfolio. The CECL forecasting methods used by KREF include (i) a probability of default and loss given default method using underlying third-party CMBS/CRE loan database with historical loan losses from 1998 to 2021 and (ii) probability weighted expected cash flow method, depending on the type of loan and the availability of relevant historical market loan loss data. KREF might use other acceptable alternative approaches in the future

15

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

depending on, among other factors, the type of loan, underlying collateral, and availability of relevant historical market loan loss data.

KREF estimates the CECL allowance for its loan portfolio, including unfunded loan commitments, at the individual loan level. Significant inputs to KREF’s forecasting methods include (i) key loan-specific inputs such as loan-to-value ("LTV"), vintage year, loan-term, underlying property type, geographic location, and expected timing and amount of future loan fundings, (ii) performance against the underwritten business plan and KREF's internal loan risk rating and (iii) a macro-economic forecast. These estimates may change in future periods based on available future macro-economic data and might result in a material change in the KREF’s future estimates of expected credit losses for its loan portfolio. KREF considers the individual loan internal risk rating as the primary credit quality indicator underlying the CECL assessment. In certain instances, KREF considers relevant loan-specific qualitative factors to certain loans to estimate its CECL allowance.

KREF considers loan investments that are both (i) expected to be substantially repaid through the operation or sale of the underlying collateral, and (ii) for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, to be “collateral-dependent” loans. For such loans that KREF determines that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, KREF measures the expected losses based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For collateral-dependent loans that KREF determines foreclosure is not probable, KREF applies a practical expedient to estimate expected losses using the difference between the collateral’s fair value (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan.

See "Expense Recognition — Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-For-Investment" for additional discussion regarding management’s determination for loan losses.

Commercial Real Estate Loans Held-For-Sale — Loans that KREF originates or acquires, which KREF is unable to hold, or management intends to sell or otherwise dispose of, in the foreseeable future are classified as held-for-sale and are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

Secured Financing Agreements — KREF's secured financing agreements, including uncommitted repurchase facilities, term lending agreements, warehouse facility, asset specific financings and term loan financings, are treated as floating-rate collateralized financing arrangements carried at their contractual amounts, net of unamortized debt issuance costs (Note 4). Included within KREF's secured financing agreements is KREF's corporate revolving credit facility ("Revolver"), which is full recourse to certain guarantor wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF.

Secured Term Loan, Net — KREF records its secured term loan at its contractual amount, net of unamortized original issuance discount and deferred financing costs (Note 6) on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any original issuance discount or deferred financing costs are amortized through the maturity date of the secured term loan as additional non-cash interest expense.

Convertible Notes, Net — KREF accounts for its convertible debt with a cash conversion feature in accordance with ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options, which requires the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, to be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The initial proceeds from the sale of convertible notes are allocated between a liability component and an equity component in a manner that reflects interest expense at the rate of similar nonconvertible debt that could have been issued at such time. The equity component represents the excess initial proceeds received over the fair value of the liability component of the notes as of the date of issuance. KREF measured the estimated fair value of the debt component of the 6.125% convertible senior notes due May 15, 2023 (“Convertible Notes”) as of the issuance date based on KREF’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The equity component of the Convertible Notes is reflected within "Additional Paid-in Capital" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the resulting debt discount is amortized over the period during which such Convertible Notes are expected to be outstanding (through the maturity date) as additional non-cash interest expense using the interest method, or on a straight line basis when it approximates the interest method. The additional non-cash interest expense attributable to such convertible notes will increase in subsequent periods through the maturity date as the notes accrete to their par value over the same period (Note 7).

Loan Participations Sold, Net — In connection with its investments in CRE loans, KREF finances certain investments through the syndication of non-recourse, or limited-recourse, loan participation to unaffiliated third parties. KREF’s presentation of the senior loan and related financing involved in the syndication depends upon whether the transaction is recognized as a sale under

16

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

GAAP, though such differences in presentation do not generally impact KREF’s net stockholders’ equity or net income aside from timing differences in the recognition of certain transaction costs.

To the extent that a sale is recognized under GAAP from the syndication, KREF derecognizes the participation in the senior/whole loan that KREF sold and continues to carry the retained portion of the loan as an investment. While KREF does not generally expect to recognize a material gain or loss on these sales, KREF would realize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net proceeds received from the third party purchaser and its carrying value of the loan participation that KREF sold at time of sale. Furthermore, KREF recognizes interest income only on the portion of the loan that it retains as a result of the sale.

To the extent that a sale is not recognized under GAAP from the syndication, KREF does not derecognize the participation in the senior/whole loan that it sold. Instead, KREF recognizes a loan participation sold liability in an amount equal to the principal of the loan participation syndicated less any unamortized discounts or financing costs resulting from the syndication. KREF continues to recognize interest income on the entire senior loan, including the interest attributable to the loan participation sold, as well as interest expense on the loan participation sold liability (Note 8).

Other Assets and Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities — As of September 30, 2021, other assets included $8.2 million of loan repayment proceeds held by the servicer, $1.9 million of deferred financing costs related to KREF's Revolver (Note 4), $1.6 million of restricted cash and $0.7 million of prepaid expenses. As of December 31, 2020, other assets included $15.9 million of loan repayment proceeds held by the servicer and receivable by KREF, $2.5 million of deferred financing costs related to KREF's Revolver and $0.5 million of prepaid expenses.

As of September 30, 2021, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of $1.8 million of accrued expenses, $0.9 million of allowance for credit losses related to KREF's unfunded loan commitments and $0.4 million of good faith deposits. As of December 31, 2020, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of $3.1 million of accrued expenses, $0.9 million of allowance for credit losses related to KREF's unfunded loan commitments and $0.8 million of good faith deposits.

Dividends Payable — KREF records dividends payable on its common stock and preferred stock upon declaration of such dividends. In September 2021, KREF's board of directors declared a dividend of $0.43 per share of common stock to shareholders of record as of September 30, 2021, which was accrued in “Dividends payable” on KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2021 and was subsequently paid on October 15, 2021. In September 2021, KREF's board of directors declared a dividend of $0.46 per each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s 6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, which represents an annual dividend of $1.625 per share. The dividend was paid on September 27, 2021 to KREF’s preferred stockholders of record as of September 17, 2021.

Special Non-Voting Preferred Stock — Equity instruments that are redeemable for cash or other assets are classified as temporary equity if the instrument is redeemable, at the option of the holder, at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. Redeemable equity instruments are initially carried at the fair value of the equity instrument at the issuance date, which is subsequently adjusted at each balance sheet date if the instrument is currently redeemable or probable of becoming redeemable. KREF accounted for the SNVPS as redeemable preferred stock since a third party holds a redemption option, exercisable after May 5, 2018, and such redemption is not solely within KREF's control. As a result, starting with the second quarter of 2018, KREF adjusts the carrying value of the SNVPS to its redemption value quarterly. Accordingly, KREF adjusted the carrying value of the SNVPS to its redemption value of $2.6 million as of September 30, 2021, and recorded a $0.3 million and $0.7 million non-cash SNVPS Redemption Value Adjustment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

Repurchased Stock — KREF accounts for repurchases of its common stock based on the settlement date and presents repurchased stock in “Repurchased stock” on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Note 10). Payments for stock repurchases that are not yet settled as of the reporting date are presented within “Other assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2021, KREF did not retire any repurchased stock.

Income Recognition

Interest Income — Loans where management expects to collect all contractually required principal and interest payments are considered performing loans. KREF accrues interest income on performing loans based on the outstanding principal amount

17

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

and contractual terms of the loan. Interest income also includes origination fees, direct loan origination costs and related exit fees for loans that KREF originates, but where management did not elect the fair value option, as a yield adjustment using the interest method over the loan term, or on a straight line basis when it approximates the interest method. KREF expenses origination fees and direct loan origination costs for loans acquired, but not originated, by KREF as well as loans for which management elected the fair value option, as incurred.

Other Income — KREF recognizes interest income earned on its cash balances and miscellaneous fee income in “Other income” on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments — KREF recognizes the excess, or deficiency, of net proceeds received, less the net carrying value of such investments, as realized gains or losses, respectively. KREF reverses cumulative, unrealized gains or losses previously reported in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income with respect to the investment sold at the time of sale.

Expense Recognition

Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-For-Investment — For each loan in KREF's portfolio, management performs a quarterly evaluation of credit quality indicators of loans classified as held-for-investment using applicable loan, property, market and sponsor information obtained from borrowers, loan servicers and local market participants. Such indicators may include the net present value of the underlying collateral, property operating cash flows, the sponsor’s financial wherewithal and competency in managing the property, macroeconomic trends, and property submarket—specific economic factors. The evaluation of these credit quality indicators requires significant judgment by management to determine whether failure to collect contractual amounts is probable.

If management deems that it is probable that KREF will be unable to collect all amounts owed according to the contractual terms of a loan, deterioration in credit quality of that loan is indicated. Management evaluates all available facts and circumstances that might impact KREF’s ability to collect outstanding loan balances when determining loan write-offs. These facts and circumstances may vary and may include, but are not limited to, (i) significant deterioration in the underlying collateral performance and/or value, if repayment is solely based on the collateral, (ii) correspondence from the borrower indicating that it does not intend to pay the contractual principal and interest, (iii) violation of multiple debt covenants without indication the borrower has the ability to remediate such violations, (iv) occurrence of one or more events of default by the borrower, or (v) KREF has sufficient information to determine that the borrower is insolvent, or the borrower has filed for bankruptcy, and the value of the underlying collateral is below the loan basis.

If management considers a loan to be impaired, management writes-off the loan through a charge to "Allowance for credit losses" based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective rate or the fair value of the collateral, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Significant judgment is required in determining impairment and in estimating the resulting credit loss allowance, and actual losses, if any, could materially differ from those estimates.

Management considers loans to be past due when a monthly payment is due and unpaid for 60 days or more. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status and considered non-performing when full repayment of principal and interest is in doubt, which generally occurs when principal or interest is 120 days or more past due unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Interest received on loans placed on nonaccrual status are accounted for under the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Management may return a loan to accrual status when repayment of principal and interest is reasonably assured under the terms of the restructured loan. As of September 30, 2021, one senior loan and one mezzanine loan with a total outstanding principal balance of $115.1 million were on nonaccrual status (Note 3).

In certain circumstances, KREF may also modify the original terms of a loan agreement by granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. Such modifications are considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) under GAAP and typically include interest rate reductions, payment extension and modification of loan covenants. Refer to Note 3 for additional discussion of loan modifications.

In conjunction with reviewing commercial real estate loans held-for-investment for impairment, the Manager evaluates KREF's commercial real estate loans on a quarterly basis, assesses the risk factors of each loan, and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, underlying real estate performance and asset value, values of comparable

18

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

properties, durability and quality of property cash flows, sponsor experience and financial wherewithal, and the existence of a risk-mitigating loan structure. Additional key considerations include loan-to-value ratios, debt service coverage ratios, loan structure, real estate and credit market dynamics, and risk of default or principal loss. Based on a five-point scale, KREF's loans are rated "1" through "5," from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows:

1—Very Low Risk—The underlying property performance has surpassed underwritten expectations, and the sponsor’s business plan is generally complete. The property demonstrates stabilized occupancy and/or rental rates resulting in strong current cash flow and/or a very low loan-to-value ratio (<65%). At the level of performance, it is very likely that the underlying loan can be refinanced easily in the period’s prevailing capital market conditions.

2—Low Risk—The underlying property performance has matched or exceeded underwritten expectations, and the sponsor’s business plan may be ahead of schedule or has achieved some or many of the major milestones from a risk mitigation perspective. The property has achieved improving occupancy at market rents, resulting in sufficient current cash flow and/or a low loan-to-value ratio (65%-70%). Operating trends are favorable, and the underlying loan can be refinanced in today’s prevailing capital market conditions. The sponsor/manager is well capitalized or has demonstrated a history of success in owning or operating similar real estate.

3—Average Risk—The underlying property performance is in-line with underwritten expectations, or the sponsor may be in the early stages of executing its business plan. Current cash flow supports debt service payments, or there is an ample interest reserve or loan structure in place to provide the sponsor time to execute the value-improvement plan. The property exhibits a moderate loan-to-value ratio (<75%). Loan structure appropriately mitigates additional risks. The sponsor/manager has a stable credit history and experience owning or operating similar real estate.

4—High Risk/Potential for Loss—A loan that has a risk of realizing a principal loss. The underlying property performance is behind underwritten expectations, or the sponsor is behind schedule in executing its business plan. The underlying market fundamentals may have deteriorated, comparable property valuations may be declining or property occupancy has been volatile, resulting in current cash flow that may not support debt service payments. The loan exhibits a high loan-to-value ratio (>80%), and the loan covenants are unlikely to fully mitigate some risks. Interest payments may come from an interest reserve or sponsor equity.

5—Impaired/Loss Likely—A loan that has a very high risk of realizing a principal loss or has otherwise incurred a principal loss. The underlying property performance is significantly behind underwritten expectations, the sponsor has failed to execute its business plan and/or the sponsor has missed interest payments. The market fundamentals have deteriorated, or property performance has unexpectedly declined or valuations for comparable properties have declined meaningfully since loan origination. Current cash flow does not support debt service payments. With the current capital structure, the sponsor might not be incentivized to protect its equity without a restructuring of the loan. The loan exhibits a very high loan-to-value ratio (>90%), and default may be imminent.

Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-For-Sale — For commercial real estate loans held-for-sale, KREF applies the lower of cost or fair value accounting and may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment.

Accrued Interest Receivables — KREF elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables. KREF generally writes off accrued interest receivable balance when interest is 120 days or more past due unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Write-offs of accrued interest receivable are recognized as “Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Interest Expense — KREF expenses contractual interest due in accordance with KREF's financing agreements as incurred.

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs — KREF capitalizes and amortizes deferred financing costs incurred in connection with financing arrangements over their respective expected term using the interest method, or on a straight line basis when it approximates the interest method. KREF presents such expensed amounts, as well as deferred amounts written off, as additional interest expense in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

General and Administrative Expenses — KREF expenses general and administrative costs, including legal, diligence and audit fees; information technology costs; insurance premiums; and other costs as incurred.

19

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Management and Incentive Compensation to Affiliate — KREF expenses management fees and incentive compensation earned by the Manager on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Management Agreement (Note 13).

Income Taxes — Certain activities of KREF are conducted through joint ventures that are formed as limited liability companies, taxed as partnerships, and consolidated by KREF. Some of these joint ventures are subject to state and local income taxes, based on the tax jurisdictions in which they operate. In addition, certain activities of KREF are conducted through taxable REIT subsidiaries consolidated by KREF. Taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local income taxes (Note 15).

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, KREF did not have any material deferred tax assets or liabilities arising from future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities in accordance with GAAP and their respective tax bases.

KREF recognizes tax benefits for uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are included as a component of the provision for income taxes in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2021, KREF did not have any material uncertain tax positions.

Stock-Based Compensation

KREF's stock-based compensation consists of awards issued to employees of the Manager or its affiliates that vest over the life of the awards, as well as restricted stock units issued to certain members of KREF's board of directors. KREF recognizes the compensation cost of stock-based awards to its directors and employees of the Manager or its affiliates on a straight-line basis over the awards’ term at their grant date fair value. KREF accounts for forfeitures as they occur. Refer to Note 11 for additional information.

Earnings per Share

KREF presents basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"). Basic EPS, or Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock, Basic, is calculated by dividing Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders by the Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding, for the period.

Diluted EPS, or Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock, Diluted, is calculated by starting with Basic EPS and adding the weighted average dilutive shares issuable from restricted stock units, computed using the treasury stock method, to the weighted average common shares outstanding in the denominator. Refer to Note 10 for additional discussion of earnings per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance is effective upon issuance and generally may be elected over time through December 31, 2022. KREF has not adopted any of the optional expedients or exceptions through September 30, 2021, but will continue to evaluate the possible adoption of any such expedients or exceptions during the effective period as circumstances evolve.

20

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 3. Commercial Real Estate Loans

The following table summarizes KREF's investments in commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

								Weighted Average
Loan Type	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost(A)		Carrying Value(B)		Loan Count	Floating Rate Loan %(C)		Coupon(C)		Life (Years)(D)
September 30, 2021
Loans held-for-investment
Senior loans(E)	$	5,370,827	$	5,340,881	$	5,282,882	47	100.0	%	4.3	%	3.2
Mezzanine and other loans(F)	107,217		101,853		101,045		5	94.9		11.0		4.0
	$	5,478,044	$	5,442,734	$	5,383,927	52	99.9	%	4.4	%	3.3
December 31, 2020
Loans held-for-investment
Senior loans(E)	$	4,779,367	$	4,759,624	$	4,701,268	38	100.0	%	4.7	%	3.3
Mezzanine and other loans(F)	90,329		84,910		83,465		4	93.9		12.6		4.6
	$	4,869,696	$	4,844,534	$	4,784,733	42	99.9	%	4.9	%	3.3

(A)    Amortized cost represents the outstanding principal of loan, net of applicable unamortized discounts, loan origination fees and write-off on uncollectable loan balances.

(B)    Carrying value represents the amortized cost of loan, net of applicable allowance for credit losses.

(C)    Average weighted by outstanding principal of loan. Weighted average coupon assumes the greater of applicable one-month LIBOR rates of 0.08% and 0.14% as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, or the applicable contractual LIBOR floor.

(D)    The weighted average life of each loan is based on the expected timing of the receipt of contractual principal repayments assuming all extension options are exercised by the borrower.

(E)    Senior loans may include accommodation mezzanine loans in connection with the senior mortgage financing. Also, includes vertical loan participations sold with a principal and a carrying value of $0.0 million and $66.2 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Includes CLO loan participations of $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

(F)    Includes one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with a principal and a carrying value of $31.6 million and $30.3 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2021, and $50.0 million and $48.0 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.

Activity — For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the loan portfolio activity was as follows:

	Amortized Cost		Allowance for Credit Losses		Carrying Value
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	4,844,534	$	(59,801)	$	4,784,733
Originations and future fundings, net(A)	2,247,673		—		2,247,673
Proceeds from sales and loan repayments(B)	(1,666,843)		—		(1,666,843)
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization, net(C)	15,694		—		15,694
PIK interest	1,676		—		1,676
Reversal of credit losses, net	—		994		994
Loan write-off	—		—		—
Balance at September 30, 2021	$	5,442,734	$	(58,807)	$	5,383,927

(A)    Net of applicable premiums, discounts and deferred loan origination costs. Includes fundings on previously originated loans.

(B)    Includes $150.0 million in proceeds from non-recourse sale of senior interests during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

(C)    Includes accretion of applicable discounts, certain fees and deferred loan origination costs.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was $31.3 million and $20.5 million, respectively, of unamortized deferred loan fees and discounts included in "Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-for-investment, Net" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. KREF recognized net accelerated deferred loan fees and prepayment fee income of $6.4 million and $8.5 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. KREF recognized net accelerated fee expense of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

21

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

KREF may enter into loan modifications that include, among other changes, incremental capital contributions or partial repayments from certain borrowers, repurposing of reserves, and a temporary partial deferral for a portion of the coupon as payment-in-kind interest (“PIK Interest”) due, which is capitalized, compounded, and added to the outstanding principal balance of the respective loans. As of September 30, 2021, total PIK Interest outstanding relating to loan modifications was $1.0 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, KREF modified one senior retail loan with a principal balance and an amortized cost of $109.6 million, respectively. The loan modification included a deferral of interest due and a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, which allows KREF to obtain title of the underlying property in the event of default. As of September 30, 2021, the loan had a risk rating of 5, and was placed on non-accrual status in October 2020; the loan is currently in restructuring discussions. KREF had no remaining unfunded commitment as of September 30, 2021. While KREF did not forgive or charge-off any amounts due under this loan, this modification is considered a TDR under GAAP. As of September 30, 2021, KREF held a $40.3 million allowance for credit losses against this loan. There were no other material modifications during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Loan Risk Ratings — As further described in Note 2, our Manager evaluates KREF's commercial real estate loan portfolio on a quarterly basis. In conjunction with the quarterly commercial real estate loan portfolio review, KREF's Manager assesses the risk factors of each loan and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors. Loans are rated “1” (very low risk) through “5” Impaired/Loss Likely), which ratings are defined in Note 2.

The following tables summarize the net book value of the loan portfolio based on KREF's internal risk ratings:

September 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
Risk Rating	Number of Loans	Net Book Value		Total Loan Exposure(A)		Total Loan Exposure %		Risk Rating	Number of Loans	Net Book Value		Total Loan Exposure(A)		Total Loan Exposure %
1	—	$	—	$	—	—	%	1	—	$	—	$	—	—	%
2	3	517,168		517,434		8.9		2	2	321,686		323,026		6.5
3	43	4,415,030		4,764,745		82.3		3	32	3,715,132		3,836,983		77.3
4	4	381,608		393,501		6.8		4	6	675,727		687,040		13.9
5	2	70,121		115,071		2.0		5	2	72,188		115,071		2.3
	52	$	5,383,927	$	5,790,751	100.0	%		42	$	4,784,733	$	4,962,120	100.0	%

(A)    In certain instances, KREF finances its loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior interest that is not included in the consolidated financial statements. Total loan exposure includes the entire loan KREF originated and financed, including $312.7 million and $158.7 million of such non-consolidated interests and excludes $0.0 million and $66.2 million vertical loan participation as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

As of September 30, 2021, the average risk rating of KREF's portfolio was 3.0 (Average Risk), weighted by total loan exposure, as compared to 3.1 (Average Risk) as of December 31, 2020.

22

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Loan Vintage — The following tables present the amortized cost of the loan portfolio by KREF's internal risk rating and year of origination. The risk ratings are updated as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 in the corresponding table.

September 30, 2021
				Amortized Cost by Year of Origination
Risk Rating	Number of Loans	Outstanding Principal		2021		2020		2019		2018		2017		Prior		Total		Carrying Amount
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
2	3	517,434		—		—		—		322,984		194,314		—		517,298		517,168
3	43	4,452,038		1,930,227		559,035		1,183,249		749,266		—		—		4,421,777		4,415,030
4	4	393,501		—		—		76,924		206,734		109,580		—		393,238		381,608
5	2	115,071		—		—		—		—		—		110,421		110,421		70,121
	52	$	5,478,044	$	1,930,227	$	559,035	$	1,260,173	$	1,278,984	$	303,894	$	110,421	$	5,442,734	$	5,383,927

December 31, 2020
				Amortized Cost by Year of Origination
Risk Rating	Number of Loans	Outstanding Principal		2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		2015		Total		Carrying Amount
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
2	2	323,026		—		128,514		—		193,633		—		—		322,147		321,686
3	32	3,744,559		461,406		2,105,972		1,159,818		—		—		—		3,727,196		3,715,132
4	6	687,040		101,586		76,670		340,745		165,751		—		—		684,752		675,727
5	2	115,071		—		—		—		—		—		110,439		110,439		72,188
	42	$	4,869,696	$	562,992	$	2,311,156	$	1,500,563	$	359,384	$	—	$	110,439	$	4,844,534	$	4,784,733

Allowance for Credit Losses — The following tables present the changes to the allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively:

	Commercial Real Estate Loans		Unfunded Loan Commitments		Total
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	59,801	$	902	$	60,703
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	(994)		13		(981)
Write-off charged	—		—		—
Recoveries	—		—		—
Balance as September 30, 2021	$	58,807	$	915	$	59,722

	Commercial Real Estate Loans		Unfunded Loan Commitments		Total
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	—	$	—	$	—
Cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13	13,909		1,100		15,009
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	53,476		306		53,782
Write-off charged	(4,650)		—		(4,650)
Recoveries	—		—		—
Balance as September 30, 2020	$	62,735	$	1,406	$	64,141

The $1.0 million net benefit from the reversal of credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to a more stable macro-economic outlook based on improved observed economic data, partially offset by an increase to the allowance for 4- and 5-rated loans and an increase to the allowance related to newly originated loans. The $53.8 million in provision for credit loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to the significant adverse change in the economic outlook resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and incremental reserves for 4- and 5-risk rated loans.

23

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Concentration of Credit Risk — The following tables present the geographies and property types of collateral underlying KREF's commercial real estate loans as a percentage of the loans' principal amounts:

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020			September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Geography(A)					Collateral Property Type
Texas	14.0	%	6.6	%	Multifamily	45.0	%	51.0	%
New York	13.6		14.5		Office	24.4		30.2
California	12.4		7.7		Life Science	7.8		—
Massachusetts	9.5		8.4		Hospitality	6.8		4.5
Pennsylvania	9.5		9.7		Industrial	5.5		1.8
Virginia	7.8		10.1		Condo (Residential)	4.6		6.1
Colorado	7.3		4.7		Student Housing	3.6		1.4
Florida	4.8		5.7		Retail	2.1		5.0
Illinois	4.3		11.8		Single Family Rental	0.2		—
Washington	4.0		7.2		Total	100.0	%	100.0	%
Minnesota	3.6		4.0
Washington D.C.	3.2		2.9
Oregon	2.0		2.3
Georgia	1.6		1.8
Alabama	1.2		1.4
Arizona	1.0		—
Other U.S.	0.2		1.2
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%

(A)    Excludes one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with an outstanding principal amount of $31.6 million and $50.0 million, representing 0.6% and 1.0% of KREF’s commercial real estate loans, as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

24

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 4. Debt Obligations

The following table summarizes KREF's secured master repurchase agreements and other financing arrangements in place as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	September 30, 2021																		December 31, 2020
	Facility											Collateral							Facility
	Month Issued	Maximum Facility Size		Outstanding Principal		Carrying Value(A)		Final Stated Maturity	Weighted Average Funding Cost(B)		Weighted Average Life (Years)(B)	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost Basis		Carrying Value		Weighted Average Life (Years)(C)	Carrying Value(A)
Master Repurchase Agreements(D)
Wells Fargo(E)	Oct 2015	$	1,000,000	$	494,536	$	492,310	Sep 2026	1.8	%	3.7	$	752,468	$	743,010	$	702,104	4.0	$	443,745
Morgan Stanley(F)	Dec 2016	600,000		260,104		259,832		Dec 2022	2.4		1.0	360,098		357,393		348,896		3.4	148,772
Goldman Sachs(G)	Sep 2016	240,000		92,332		92,230		Oct 2023	3.0		1.3	156,671		153,234		152,976		2.8	76,163
Term Lending Agreements
KREF Lending V(H)	Jun 2019	713,378		659,380		658,717		Jun 2026	2.1		0.6	799,928		798,573		796,808		2.2	899,363
KREF Lending IX(I)	Jul 2021	500,000		348,947		343,791		n.a	2.8		3.6	428,575		424,945		424,517		4.9	—
Warehouse Facility
HSBC Facility(J)	Mar 2020	500,000		—		(134)		Mar 2023	—		1.4	—		—		—		n.a	(353)
Asset Specific Financing
BMO Facility(K)	Aug 2018	300,000		60,000		60,000		n.a	1.8		0.4	76,000		75,920		73,382		2.4	59,795
Revolving Credit Agreement
Revolver(L)	Dec 2018	335,000		150,000		150,000		Dec 2023	2.6		2.2	n.a		n.a		n.a		n.a	—
Total / Weighted Average		$	4,188,378	$	2,065,299	$	2,056,746		2.2	%	2.0								$	1,627,485

(A)    Net of $8.6 million and $5.6 million unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

(B)    Average weighted by the outstanding principal of borrowings. Funding cost includes deferred financing costs.

(C)    Average based on the fully extended loan maturity, weighted by the outstanding principal of the collateral.

(D)    Borrowings under these repurchase agreements are collateralized by senior loans, held-for-investment, and bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index, equal to one-month LIBOR, or an index approximating LIBOR, and (ii) a margin, based on the collateral. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the percentage of the outstanding principal of the collateral sold and not borrowed under these repurchase agreements, or average "haircut" weighted by outstanding principal of collateral, was 33.3% and 36.7%, respectively (or 31.8% and 34.8%, respectively, if KREF had borrowed the maximum amount approved by its repurchase agreement counterparties as of such dates).

(E)    In September 2021, the current stated maturity date was amended to September 2024, which does not reflect two, twelve-month facility term extensions available to KREF, which is contingent upon certain covenants and thresholds. As of September 30, 2021, the collateral-based margin was between 1.25% and 2.15%.

(F)    In November 2020, the current stated maturity was extended to December 2021, with one-year extension option upon KREF giving written notice and another two one-year extension periods subject to approval by Morgan Stanley. In addition, KREF has the option to increase the facility amount to $750.0 million. As of September 30, 2021, the collateral-based margin was between 1.85% and 2.35%.

(G)    In May 2020, the facility was amended to extend the current stated maturity date to October 30, 2021. In addition, KREF has the option to extend the maturity date to October 31, 2023 by (i) electing to permanently reduce the maximum advance rate for each pledged loan to the lesser of 65% or the advance rate in effect for such loan at October 30, 2021, and (ii) payment of the applicable contractual fee, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2021, the collateral-base margin was between 1.90% and 3.20%.

(H)    In June 2019, KREF, through its wholly–owned subsidiary KREF Lending V LLC, entered into a Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement ("KREF Lending V Facility") with Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC ("Administrative Agent"), as administrative agent on behalf of Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. ("Initial Buyer"), which provides non-mark-to-market financing. The Initial Buyer subsequently syndicated a portion of the facility to multiple financial institutions. As of September 30, 2021, the Initial Buyer held 22.2% of the total commitment under the facility. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by certain loans, held for investment, and bear interest equal to one-month LIBOR, plus a 1.90% margin. In March 2021, the current stated maturity was extended to June 2022, subject to four additional one-year extension options, which may be exercised by KREF upon the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and thresholds.

(I)    In July 2021, KREF, through its wholly–owned subsidiary KREF Lending IX LLC, entered into a $500.0 million Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement with a financial institution ("KREF Lending IX Facility"). The facility, which provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to KREF, has a three-year draw period and matched term to the underlying loans. As of September 30, 2021, the collateral-based margin was between 1.65% and 1.75%.

(J)    In March 2020, KREF entered into a $500.0 million Loan and Security Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC Facility”). The facility, which matures in March 2023, provides warehouse financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to KREF.

(K)    In August 2018, KREF entered into a $200.0 million loan financing facility with BMO Harris Bank ("BMO Facility"). The facility provides asset-based financing on a non-mark to market basis with matched-term up to five years with partial recourse to KREF. During May 2019, KREF increased the borrowing capacity to $300.0 million. As of September 30, 2021, the collateral-based margin was 1.70%.

25

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

(L)    In December 2018, KREF entered into a $100.0 million corporate revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) administered by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. Additional lenders were added in 2019 and 2020, further increasing the borrowing capacity under the Revolver to $335.0 million as of September 30, 2021. The current stated maturity of the facility is December 2023. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index and (ii) a fixed margin. Borrowings under this facility are full recourse to certain guarantor wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF. As of September 30, 2021, the carrying value excluded $1.9 million unamortized debt issuance costs presented within "Other assets" on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The preceding table excludes loan participations sold (Note 8).

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, KREF had outstanding repurchase agreements and term lending agreements where the amount at risk with any individual counterparty, or group of related counterparties, exceeded 10.0% of KREF’s stockholders' equity. The amount at risk under these agreements is the net counterparty exposure, defined as the excess of the carrying amount (or market value, if higher than the carrying amount, for repurchase agreements) of the assets sold under agreement to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or other assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, over the amount of the repurchase liability, adjusted for accrued interest. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of KREF's repurchase agreements where the amount at risk with any individual counterparty, or group of related counterparties, exceeded 10.0% of KREF’s stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	Outstanding Principal		Net Counterparty Exposure		Percent of Stockholders' Equity		Weighted Average Life (Years)(A)
September 30, 2021
Wells Fargo	$	494,536	$	214,934	17.4	%	3.7
KREF Lending V(B)	659,380		139,884		11.3		0.6
Total / Weighted Average	$	1,153,916	$	354,818	28.7	%	1.9
December 31, 2020
Wells Fargo	$	446,208	$	196,715	18.9	%	2.0
KREF Lending V(B)	900,000		214,135		20.5		1.5
Total / Weighted Average	$	1,346,208	$	410,850	39.4	%	1.7

(A)    Average weighted by the outstanding principal of borrowings under the secured financing agreement.

(B)    There were multiple counterparties to the KREF Lending V Facility. Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. represented 2.5% and 4.6% of the net counterparty exposure as a percent of stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Debt obligations included in the tables above are obligations of KREF’s consolidated subsidiaries, which own the related collateral, and such collateral is generally not available to other creditors of KREF.

While KREF is generally not required to post margin under certain repurchase agreement terms for changes in general capital market conditions such as changes in credit spreads or interest rates, KREF may be required to post margin for changes in conditions to specific loans that serve as collateral for those repurchase agreements. Such changes may include declines in the appraised value of property that secures a loan or a negative change in the borrower's ability or willingness to repay a loan. To the extent that KREF is required to post margin, KREF's liquidity could be significantly impacted. Both KREF and its lenders work cooperatively to monitor the performance of the properties and operations related to KREF's loan investments to mitigate investment-specific credit risks. Additionally, KREF incorporates terms in the loans it originates to further mitigate risks related to loan nonperformance.

Term Loan Financing

In April 2018, KREF, through its consolidated subsidiaries, entered into a term loan financing agreement (“Term Loan Facility”) with third party lenders for an initial borrowing capacity of $200.0 million that was subsequently increased to $1.0 billion in October 2018. The facility provides asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with matched term up to five years and is non-recourse to KREF. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by senior loans, held-for-investment, and bear interest equal to one-month LIBOR plus a margin. The weighted average margin on the facility was 1.6% as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

26

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

The following tables summarize our borrowings under the Term Loan Facility:

	September 30, 2021
Term Loan Facility	Count	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost		Carrying Value		Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)	Guarantee(B)	Wtd. Avg. Term(C)
Collateral assets	12	$	1,102,711	$	1,100,457	$	1,099,568	L + 3.2%	n.a.	April 2024
Financing provided	n.a.	904,087		904,087		904,087		L + 1.6%	n.a.	April 2024

	December 31, 2020
Term Loan Facility	Count	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost		Carrying Value		Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)	Guarantee(B)	Wtd. Avg. Term(C)
Collateral assets	13	$	1,155,378	$	1,151,144	$	1,147,517	L + 3.0%	n.a.	January 2024
Financing provided	n.a.	948,204		947,262		947,262		L + 1.9%	n.a.	January 2024

(A)     Floating rate loans and related liabilities are indexed to one-month LIBOR. KREF's net interest rate exposure is in direct proportion to its interest in the net assets indexed to that rate. In addition to cash coupon, yield/cost includes the amortization of deferred origination/financing costs.

(B)    Financing under the Term Loan Facility is non-recourse to KREF.

(C)    The weighted-average term is determined using the maximum maturity date of the corresponding loans, assuming all extension options are exercised by the borrower.

Activity — For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the activity related to the carrying value of KREF’s secured financing agreements were as follows:

	Secured Financing Agreements, Net
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	2,574,747
Principal borrowings	2,080,384
Principal repayments/sales	(1,692,322)
Deferred debt issuance costs	(8,850)
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs	6,874
Balance as of September 30, 2021	$	2,960,833

Maturities — KREF’s secured financing agreements, term loan financing and other consolidated debt obligations in place as of September 30, 2021 had contractual maturities as follows:

Year	Nonrecourse		Recourse(A)		Total
2021	490,550		52,635		543,185
2022	905,006		211,355		1,116,361
2023	304,580		173,324		477,904
2024	202,230		57,374		259,604
Thereafter	438,195		134,136		572,331
	$	2,340,561	$	628,824	$	2,969,385

(A)    Except for the Revolver, which is full recourse, amounts borrowed subject to a maximum 25.0% recourse limit. The Revolver expires in December 2023.

Covenants — KREF is required to comply with customary loan covenants and event of default provisions related to its secured financing agreements and Revolver, including, but not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on operations with respect to KREF’s status as a REIT, and financial covenants. Such financial covenants include an interest income to interest expense ratio covenant (1.5 to 1.0); a minimum consolidated tangible net worth covenant (75.0% of the aggregate cash proceeds of any equity issuances made and any capital contributions received by KREF and certain subsidiaries or up to approximately $1,005.0 million depending upon the facility); a cash liquidity covenant (the greater of $10.0 million or 5.0% of KREF's recourse indebtedness); and a total indebtedness covenant (83.3% of KREF's Total Assets, as defined in the applicable financing agreements). As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, KREF was in compliance with its financial debt covenants.

27

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 5. Collateralized Loan Obligations

In November 2018, KREF financed a pool of loan participations from its existing loan portfolio through a managed CLO ("KREF 2018-FL1"). KREF 2018-FL1 provided KREF with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. In August 2021, KREF fully repaid its outstanding CLO notes under KREF 2018-FL1.

In August 2021, KREF financed a pool of loan participations from its existing loan portfolio through a managed CLO ("KREF 2021-FL2"). KREF 2021-FL2 provides KREF with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. KREF 2021-FL2 has a two-year reinvestment feature that allows principal proceeds of the collateral assets to be reinvested in qualifying replacement assets, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the indenture. Upon the execution of the KREF 2021-FL2, KREF recorded $8.9 million in issuance costs, inclusive of $0.9 million in structuring and placement agent fees paid to KKR Capital Markets ("KCM"), an affiliate of KREF. The issuance costs are netted against the outstanding principal balance of the CLO notes in "Collateralized loan obligations, net" in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following tables outline CLO collateral assets and respective borrowing as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	September 30, 2021
KREF 2021-FL2	Count	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost		Carrying Value		Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost	Wtd. Avg. Term(B)
Collateral assets(A)	20	$	1,300,000	$	1,300,000	$	1,298,760	L + 3.3%	January 2025
Financing provided	1	1,095,250		1,086,900		1,086,900		L + 1.7%	February 2039

	December 31, 2020
KREF 2018-FL1	Count	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost		Carrying Value		Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost	Wtd. Avg. Term(B)
Collateral assets(A)	21	$	1,000,000	$	1,000,000	$	997,336	L + 2.9%	March 2024
Financing provided	1	810,000		810,000		810,000		L + 1.4%	June 2036

(A)    Collateral loan assets represent 23.7% and 20.5% of the principal of KREF's commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 100% of KREF loans financed through the CLOs are floating rate loans.

(B)    Loan term represents weighted-average final maturity, assuming extension options are exercised by the borrower. Repayments of CLO notes are dependent on timing of related collateral loan asset repayments post reinvestment period. The term of the CLO notes represents the rated final distribution date.

The following table presents the CLO Assets and Liabilities included in KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	KREF 2021-FL2		KREF 2018-FL1
Assets	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment	$	1,300,000	$	1,000,483
Less: Allowance for credit losses	(1,240)		(2,669)
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net	1,298,760		997,814
Accrued interest receivable	3,481		3,075
Other assets	5		5
Total	$	1,302,246	$	1,000,894
Liabilities
Collateralized loan obligations, net(A)	$	1,086,900	$	810,000
Accrued interest payable	783		668
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	—		72
Total	$	1,087,683	$	810,740

(A)     Unamortized deferred financing costs related to KREF 2021-FL2 were $8.3 million as of September 30, 2021. Deferred financing costs related to KREF 2018-FL1 were fully amortized as of December 31, 2020.

28

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

The following table presents the components of net interest income of CLOs included in KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	11,979	$	11,427	$	33,932	$	34,692
Interest expense(A)	5,084		5,806		13,038		20,960
Net interest income	$	6,895	$	5,621	$	20,894	$	13,732

(A)     Includes $0.6 million and $1.7 million of deferred financing costs amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and $0.6 million and $5.0 million of deferred financing costs amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

29

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 6. Secured Term Loan, Net

In September 2020, KREF entered into a $300.0 million secured term loan at a price of 97.5%, which bears interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus a 4.75% margin, subject to a 1.0% LIBOR floor, payable quarterly beginning in December 2020. The secured term loan is partially amortizing, with an amount equal to 1.0% per annum of the principal balance due in quarterly installments starting March 31, 2021. The secured term loan matures on September 1, 2027 and contains restrictions relating to liens, asset sales, indebtedness, investments and transactions with affiliates. The secured term loan is secured by KREF level guarantees and does not include asset-based collateral. The secured term loan is open for repricing following its first anniversary.

Upon the execution of the secured term loan, KREF recorded a $7.5 million issuance discount and $5.1 million in issuance costs, inclusive of $1.1 million in arrangement and structuring fees paid to KCM. Inclusive of the amortization of the discount and issuance costs, KREF’s total cost of the secured term loan is LIBOR plus 5.3% per annum.

The following table summarizes KREF’s secured term loan at September 30, 2021:

	September 30, 2021
Principal amount	$	297,750
Unamortized discount	(6,344)
Deferred financing costs	(4,355)
Carrying amount	$	287,051

Covenants — KREF is required to comply with customary loan covenants and event of default provisions related to its secured term loan that include, but are not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on operations with respect to KREF’s status as a REIT, and financial covenants. Such financial covenants include a minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $650.0 million and a maximum Total Debt to Total Assets ratio, as defined in the secured term loan agreements, of 83.3% (the “Leverage Covenant”). KREF was in compliance with such covenants as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

30

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 7. Convertible Notes, Net

In May 2018, KREF issued $143.75 million of Convertible Notes, which bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes mature on May 15, 2023, unless earlier repurchased or converted. The Convertible Notes’ issuance costs of $5.1 million are amortized through interest expense over the life of the Convertible Notes.

The initial conversion rate for the Convertible Notes is 43.9386 shares of KREF’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $22.76 per share of KREF’s common stock, which represents a 10% conversion premium over the last reported sale price of $20.69 per share of KREF’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2018. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. In addition, upon a make-whole fundamental change as defined within the indenture governing the Convertible Notes, KREF will, under certain circumstances, increase the applicable conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert its Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. Prior to February 15, 2023, the Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. KREF will satisfy any conversion elections by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of KREF’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of KREF’s common stock, at its election. KREF has the intent and ability to settle the Convertible Notes in cash and, as a result, the Convertible Notes did not have an impact on our diluted earnings per share.

Upon the issuance of the Convertible Notes, KREF recorded a $1.8 million discount based on the implied value of the conversion option and an assumed effective interest rate of 6.50%, as well as $5.1 million of initial issuance costs, inclusive of $0.8 million paid to an affiliate of KREF. Inclusive of the amortization of this discount and the issuance costs, KREF’s total cost of the May 2018 Convertible Notes issuance is 6.92% per annum.

The following table details the interest expense related to the Convertible Notes:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Cash coupon	$	2,202	$	2,201	$	6,604	$	6,604
Discount and issuance cost amortization	350		349		1,037		1,041
Total interest expense	$	2,552	$	2,550	$	7,641	$	7,645

The following table details the net book value of the Convertible Notes on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Principal	$	143,750	$	143,750
Deferred financing costs	(1,664)		(2,431)
Unamortized discount	(584)		(854)
Net book value	$	141,502	$	140,465

Accrued interest payable for the Convertible Notes was $3.3 million and $1.1 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Refer to Note 2 for additional discussion of accounting policies for the Convertible Notes.

31

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 8. Loan Participations Sold

KREF finances certain loan investments through the syndication of a non-recourse, or limited-recourse, loan participations to unaffiliated third parties. In October 2019, KREF syndicated a $65.0 million vertical participation in one of its loan investments with a principal balance of $328.5 million to an unaffiliated third party, at par value. In June 2020, KREF increased the maximum loan amount by $6.5 million and syndicated additional $1.2 million vertical participation to the same third party. Such syndications did not qualify for "sale" accounting under GAAP and therefore were consolidated in KREF's condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020.

In September 2021, KREF fully repaid the $66.2 million vertical loan participation in connection with the payoff of the underlying loan.

During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, KREF recorded $1.5 million and $0.7 million of interest income, respectively, and $1.5 million and $0.7 million of interest expense, respectively, related to the vertical loan participation sold; and during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, KREF recorded $3.0 million and $2.1 million of interest income, respectively, and $3.0 million and $2.1 million of interest expense, respectively, related to the vertical loan participation sold.

32

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 9. Variable Interest Entities

Collateralized Loan Obligations — KREF is the primary beneficiary of its consolidated CLOs (Note 5). Management considers the CLO Issuers, wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF, to be the primary beneficiary as the CLO Issuers have the ability to control the most significant activities of the CLO, the obligation to absorb losses, and the right to receive benefits of the CLO through the subordinate interests the CLO Issuers own.

Equity method investments — KREF holds two investments in entities that it records using the equity method.

As of September 30, 2021, KREF held a 3.5% interest in RECOP I, an unconsolidated VIE of which KREF is not the primary beneficiary, at its fair value of $34.5 million. The aggregator vehicle in which KREF invests is controlled and advised by affiliates of the Manager. RECOP I primarily acquired junior tranches of CMBS newly issued by third parties. KREF will not pay any fees to RECOP I, but KREF bears its pro rata share of RECOP I's expenses. KREF reported its share of the net asset value of RECOP I in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, presented as “Equity method investments” and its share of net income, presented as “Income from equity method investments” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

As of September 30, 2021, the non-voting limited liability company interests issued by the Manager, a VIE, and held by a Taxable REIT Subsidiary ("TRS") of KREF for the benefit of the holder of the SNVPS represented 4.7% of the Manager’s outstanding limited liability company interests (Note 10). KREF reported its interest in the Manager on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, presented as “Equity method investments” and its share of net income, presented as “Income from equity method investments” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

33

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 10. Equity

Authorized Capital — On October 2, 2014, KREF's board of directors authorized KREF to issue up to 350,000,000 shares of stock, at $0.01 par value per share, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, subject to certain restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares. Restrictions placed on the transfer and ownership of shares relate to KREF's REIT qualification requirements.

Common Stock — As further described below, since December 2015, KREF issued the following shares of common stock:

Pricing Date	Shares Issued	Net Proceeds
As of December 31, 2015	13,636,416	$	272,728
February 2016	2,000,000	40,000
May 2016	3,000,138	57,130
June 2016(A)	21,838	—
August 2016	5,500,000	109,875
As of December 31, 2016	24,158,392	$	479,733
February 2017	7,386,208	147,662
April 2017	10,379,738	207,595
May 2017 - Initial Public Offering	11,787,500	219,356
As of December 31, 2017	53,711,838	$	1,054,346
August 2018	5,000,000	98,326
November 2018	500,000	9,351
As of December 31, 2018	59,211,838	$	1,162,023

(A)    KREF did not receive any proceeds with respect to 21,838 shares of common stock issued to certain current and former employees of, and non-employee consultants to, KKR and third-party investors in the private placement completed in March 2016, in accordance with KREF's Stockholders Agreement dated as of March 29, 2016.

KREF did not issue additional common stock between January 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021 other than related to the vesting of restricted stock units discussed below.

In May 2021, KKR sold 5,750,000 shares of KREF common stock through a secondary offering, including the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares, and received all of the $100.4 million net proceeds from the offering. KKR and affiliates beneficially owned 14,250,000 and 21,234,528 shares, or 25.6% and 38.2% of KREF's outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, 18,052 and 42,459 common stock was issued related to the vesting of restricted stock units. Upon any payment of shares as a result of restricted stock unit vesting, the related tax withholding obligation will generally be satisfied by KREF, reducing the number of shares to be delivered by a number of shares necessary to satisfy the related applicable tax withholding obligation. Refer to Note 11 for further detail.

Of the 59,537,806 common shares KREF issued, there were 55,637,480 common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2021, which includes 325,968 net shares of common stock issued in connection with vested restricted stock units and is net of 3,900,326 common shares repurchased.

Share Repurchase Program — Under the Company’s current share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, the Company may repurchase up to $100.0 million of its common stock beginning July 1, 2020, of which up to $50.0 million may be repurchased under a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and provide for repurchases of common stock when the market price per share is below book value per share (calculated in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent quarterly period for which financial statements are available), and the remaining $50.0 million may be used for repurchases in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, manner, price and amount of any common stock repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares of common stock, and the program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

34

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

KREF did not repurchase any of its common stocks during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, KREF repurchased 2,037,637 shares of common stock under the repurchase program at an average price per share of $12.27 for a total of $25.0 million. As of September 30, 2021, KREF had $100.0 million of remaining capacity to repurchase shares under the program.

At the Market Stock Offering Program — On February 22, 2019, KREF entered into an equity distribution agreement with certain sales agents, pursuant to which KREF may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $100.0 million of its common stock pursuant to a continuous offering program (the “ATM”). Sales of KREF’s common stock made pursuant to the ATM may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The timing and amount of actual sales will depend on a variety of factors including market conditions, the trading price of KREF’s common stock, KREF’s capital needs, and KREF’s determination of the appropriate sources of funding to meet such needs. KREF has not sold any shares of its common stock under the ATM to date.

Special Voting Preferred Stock — In March 2016, KREF issued one share of special voting preferred stock to KKR Fund Holdings L.P. ("KKR Fund Holdings") for $20.00 per share, which KKR Fund Holdings transferred to its subsidiary, KKR REFT Asset Holdings LLC. The holder of the special voting preferred stock has special voting rights related to the election of members to KREF's board of directors until KKR and its affiliates cease to own at least 25.0% of KREF's issued and outstanding common stock.

Special Non-Voting Preferred Stock — In connection with KREF's existing investors’ subscription for shares of KREF's common stock in the private placements prior to the initial public offering of KREF's equity on May 5, 2017, those investors were also allocated a class of non-voting limited liability company interest in the Manager ("Non-Voting Manager Units"). In February 2017, KREF issued an investor one share of SNVPS, at $0.01 per share, in lieu of that investor receiving Non-Voting Manager Units to facilitate compliance by the investor with regulatory requirements applicable to it. The corresponding Non-Voting Manager Units are held by a wholly-owned TRS of KREF ("KREF TRS"). All distributions received by KREF TRS from these Non-Voting Manager Units are passed through to the investor as preferred distributions on its SNVPS, less applicable taxes and withholdings. Except for the Non-Voting Manager Units, an indirect subsidiary of KKR ("KKR Member"), owns and controls the limited liability company interests of the Manager.

Dividends on the SNVPS are payable quarterly, and will accrue whether or not KREF has earnings, there are assets legally available for the payment of those dividends or those dividends have been declared. Any dividend payment made on the SNVPS shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to the SNVPS. Upon redemption of the SNVPS or liquidation of KREF, the holder of the SNVPS is entitled to payment of $0.01 per share, together with any accumulated but unpaid preferred distributions, including respective call or put amounts, before any holder of junior security interests, which includes KREF's common stock. As KREF does not control the circumstances under which the holder of the SNVPS may redeem its interests, management considers the SNVPS as temporary equity (Note 2).

KREF is required to redeem the SNVPS at the option of the holder at any time or upon the redemption by the KKR Member of the Non-Voting Manager Units (the "Call Option"). Upon redemption, KREF will pay a price in cash equal to $0.01 per share of the SNVPS, together with any accumulated but unpaid preferred distributions, including respective call or put amounts, and the SNVPS will be canceled automatically and cease to be outstanding. Concurrently, upon redemption of the SNVPS, the KKR Member will acquire from KREF TRS its respective Non-Voting Manager Units, resulting in a one-time gain, thus substantially eliminating the historical cumulative impact of the SNVPS redemption value adjustments recorded in KREF's permanent equity.

On October 1, 2021, the KKR Member exercised its Call Option to redeem the Non-Voting Manager Units, including the Non-Voting Manager Units held by KREF TRS. Accordingly, KREF TRS received a cash call amount of $5.1 million and KREF concurrently redeemed the SNVPS which will result in book value accretion in the fourth quarter of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per common share, thus eliminating the cumulative negative impact of the SNPVS on book value.

6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — In April 2021, KREF issued 6,900,000 shares of 6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), which included the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and received net proceeds after underwriting discount and commission of $167.1 million. The perpetual Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable, at KREF's option, at a liquidation price of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends commencing in April 2026. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are payable quarterly at a rate of 6.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to $1.625 per annum

35

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

per share. With respect to dividend rights and liquidation, the Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to KREF's common stock, SNVPS and special voting preferred stock.

Dividends — During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, KREF's board of directors declared the following dividends on shares of its common stock and special voting preferred stock:

			Amount
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total
2021
March 15, 2021	March 31, 2021	April 15, 2021	$	0.43	$	23,916
June 15, 2021	June 30, 2021	July 15, 2021	0.43		23,924
September 15, 2021	September 30, 2021	October 15, 2021	0.43		23,924
					$	71,764
2020
March 16, 2020	March 31, 2020	April 15, 2020	$	0.43	$	24,010
June 15, 2020	June 30, 2020	July 15, 2020	0.43		23,861
September 15, 2020	September 30, 2020	October 15, 2020	0.43		23,861
					$	71,732

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, KREF's board of directors declared the following dividends on shares of its Series A Preferred Stock:

			Amount
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Total
2021
April 23, 2021	May 31, 2021	June 15, 2021	$	0.27	$	1,838
September 8, 2021	September 17, 2021	September 27, 2021	0.46		3,177
					$	5,015

Earnings (Loss) per Share — The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Numerator
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	31,989	$	31,351	$	90,437	$	24,777
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	55,637,480		55,491,405		55,629,810		56,107,765
Dilutive restricted stock units	373,763		140,765		253,387		79,696
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	56,011,243		55,632,170		55,883,197		56,187,461
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, per:
Basic common share	$	0.57	$	0.56	$	1.63	$	0.44
Diluted common share	$	0.57	$	0.56	$	1.62	$	0.44

36

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 11. Stock-based Compensation

KREF is externally managed by the Manager and does not currently have any employees. However, as of September 30, 2021, certain individuals employed by the Manager and affiliates of the Manager, and certain members of KREF's board of directors were compensated, in part, through the issuance of stock-based awards.

As of September 30, 2021, KREF had restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards outstanding under the KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan that was adopted on February 12, 2016 and amended and restated on November 17, 2016 (the "Incentive Plan") to certain members of KREF’s board of directors and employees of the Manager or its affiliates, none of whom are KREF employees. RSUs awarded to employees of the Manager or its affiliates, generally vest over three consecutive one-year periods and awards to certain members of KREF's board of directors generally vest over a one-year period, pursuant to the terms of the respective award agreements and the terms of the Incentive Plan. RSU awards are not entitled to dividends until KREF issues shares of its common stock, which are issuable on a one-to-one basis upon the RSU award vesting.

The following table summarizes the activity in KREF’s outstanding RSUs and the weighted-average grant date fair value per RSU:

	Restricted Stock Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU(A)
Unvested as of December 31, 2020	787,942	$	18.78
Granted	15,520	19.65
Vested	(18,886)	14.60
Forfeited / cancelled	(8,226)	18.13
Unvested as of September 30, 2021	776,350	$	18.91

(A)    The grant-date fair value is based upon the last sale price of KREF’s common stock at the date of grant.

KREF expects the unvested RSUs outstanding to vest during the following years:

Year	Restricted Stock Units
2021	368,020
2022	269,174
2023	139,156
Total	776,350

KREF recognizes the compensation cost of RSUs awarded to employees of the Manager, or one or more of its affiliates, on a straight-line basis over the awards’ term at their grant date fair value, consistent with the RSUs awarded to certain members of KREF's board of directors.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, KREF recognized $2.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense included in “General and administrative” expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, KREF recognized $1.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. As of September 30, 2021, there was $7.5 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 years.

Upon any payment of shares as a result of restricted stock unit vesting, the related tax withholding obligation will generally be satisfied by KREF, reducing the number of shares to be delivered by a number of shares necessary to satisfy the related applicable tax withholding obligation. The amount results in a cash payment related to this tax liability and a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, KREF paid $1.7 million of withholding tax in connection with employee RSUs vested in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Refer to Note 13 for additional information regarding the Incentive Plan.

37

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

As of September 30, 2021, KREF was subject to the following commitments and contingencies:

Litigation — From time to time, KREF may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. KREF establishes an accrued liability for legal proceedings only when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable.

As of September 30, 2021, KREF was not involved in any material legal proceedings regarding claims or legal actions against KREF.

Indemnifications — In the normal course of business, KREF enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties that provide general indemnifications and other indemnities relating to contractual performance. In addition, certain of KREF’s subsidiaries have provided certain indemnities relating to environmental and other matters and has provided nonrecourse carve-out guarantees for fraud, willful misconduct and other customary wrongful acts, each in connection with the financing of certain real estate investments that KREF has made. KREF’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against KREF that have not yet occurred. However, KREF expects the risk of material loss to be low.

Capital Commitments — As of September 30, 2021, KREF had future funding requirements of $1,224.6 million related to its investments in commercial real estate loans. These future funding commitments primarily relate to construction projects, capital improvements, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Generally, funding commitments are subject to certain conditions that must be met, such as customary construction draw certifications, minimum credit metrics or executions of new leases before advances are made to the borrower.

In January 2017, KREF committed $40.0 million to invest in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I. The two-year investment period for RECOP I ended in April 2019. As of September 30, 2021, KREF had a remaining commitment of $4.3 million to RECOP I.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic — Although the global economy has, with certain setbacks, begun reopening and wider distribution of vaccines will likely encourage greater economic activity, KREF is unable to predict how widely utilized the vaccines will be, whether they will be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (including its variant strains), and the time required for a widespread sustainable economic recovery to take hold. Accordingly, the full extent of the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy generally, and on KREF’s business and on the businesses of KREF’s borrowers, in particular, is uncertain. However, to the extent COVID-19 continues to cause dislocations in the global economy, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely impacted. Refer to “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further discussion regarding COVID-19.

38

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 13. Related Party Transactions

Management Agreement — The Management Agreement between KREF and the Manager is a three-year agreement that provides for automatic one-year renewal periods starting October 8, 2017, subject to certain termination and nonrenewal rights, which in the case of KREF are exercisable by a two-thirds vote by the independent directors of KREF's board of directors. If the independent directors of KREF's board of directors decline to renew the Management Agreement other than for cause, KREF is required to pay the Manager a termination fee equal to three times the total 24-month trailing average annual management fee and incentive compensation earned by the Manager through the most recently completed calendar quarter. For administrative efficiency purposes, the Management Agreement was amended in August 2019 to change the expiration date of each automatic renewal period from October 7th to December 31st.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager, as agent to KREF and under the supervision of KREF's board of directors, manages the investments, subject to investment guidelines approved by KREF's board of directors; financing activities; and day-to-day business and affairs of KREF and its subsidiaries.

For its services to KREF, the Manager is entitled to a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $62,500 or 0.375% of a weighted average adjusted equity and quarterly incentive compensation equal to 20.0% of the excess of (a) the trailing 12-month distributable earnings (before incentive compensation payable to the Manager) over (b) 7.0% of the trailing 12-month weighted average adjusted equity (“Hurdle Rate”), less incentive compensation KREF already paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such trailing 12-month period. The quarterly incentive compensation is calculated and paid in arrears with a one-quarter lag.

Adjusted equity generally represents the proceeds received by KREF and its subsidiaries from equity issuances, without duplication and net of offering costs, and distributable earnings, reduced by distributions, equity repurchases, and incentive compensation paid. Distributable earnings generally represent the net income, or loss, attributable to equity interests in KREF and its subsidiaries, without duplication, as well as realized losses not otherwise included in such net income, or loss, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, incentive compensation, depreciation and amortization and unrealized gains or losses, from and after the effective date to the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter. KREF's board of directors, after majority approval by independent directors, may also exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain material non-cash income or expense items from distributable earnings. For purposes of calculating incentive compensation, adjusted equity excludes: (i) the effects of equity issued by KREF and its subsidiaries that provides for fixed distributions or other debt characteristics and (ii) unrealized provision for (reversal of) credit losses.

KREF is also required to reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for documented costs and expenses incurred by it and its affiliates on behalf of KREF except those specifically required to be borne by the Manager under the Management Agreement. The Manager is responsible for, and KREF does not reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for, the expenses related to investment personnel of the Manager and its affiliates who provide services to KREF. However, KREF does reimburse the Manager for KREF's allocable share of compensation paid to certain of the Manager’s non-investment personnel, based on the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to KREF's affairs.

Incentive Plan — KREF's compensation committee or board of directors may administer the Incentive Plan, which provides for awards of stock options; stock appreciation rights; restricted stock; RSUs; limited partnership interests of KKR Real Estate Finance Holdings L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), a wholly owned subsidiary of KREF, that are directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable or redeemable for shares of KREF's common stock pursuant to the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership (“OP Interests”); awards payable by (i) delivery of KREF's common stock or other equity interests, or (ii) reference to the value of KREF's common stock or other equity interests, including OP Interests; cash-based awards; or performance compensation awards.

No more than 7.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis, assuming the exercise of all outstanding stock options granted under the Incentive Plan and the conversion of all warrants and convertible securities into shares of common stock, or a total of 4,028,387 shares of common stock, will be available for awards under the Incentive Plan. In addition, (i) the maximum number of shares of common stock subject to awards granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director (as defined in the Incentive Plan), taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during the fiscal year, may not exceed $1.0 million and (ii) the maximum amount that can be paid to any participant for a single fiscal year during a performance period (or with respect to each single fiscal year if a performance period extends beyond a single fiscal year) pursuant to a performance compensation award denominated in cash may not exceed $10.0 million.

39

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

No awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan on and after February 12, 2026. The Incentive Plan will continue to apply to awards granted prior to such date. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, KREF granted zero and 15,520 RSUs to KREF's directors, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, KREF granted zero and 18,052 RSUs to KREF's directors, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020, KREF granted 443,052 RSUs to KREF's directors and employees of the Manager. As of September 30, 2021, 2,925,235 shares of common stock remained available for awards under the Incentive Plan.

Due to Affiliates — The following table contains the amounts presented in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that it owes to affiliates:

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Management fees	$	4,964	$	4,252
Expense reimbursements and other	226		1,991
	$	5,190	$	6,243

Affiliates Expenses — The following table contains the amounts included in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income that arose from transactions with the Manager:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Management fees	$	4,964	$	4,223	$	14,089	$	12,740
Incentive compensation	2,215		990		6,810		3,845
Expense reimbursements and other(A)	362		481		1,161		1,166
	$	7,541	$	5,694	$	22,060	$	17,751

(A)    KREF presents these amounts in "Operating Expenses — General and administrative" in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Affiliate expense reimbursements presented in the table above exclude the out-of-pocket amounts paid by the Manager to parties unaffiliated with the Manager on behalf of KREF, and for which KREF reimburses the Manager in cash. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, these cash reimbursements totaled $0.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively; and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, these cash reimbursements totaled $0.8 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

In connection with the ATM, KCM, in its capacity as one of the sales agents, will receive commissions for the shares of KREF’s common stock it sells. This amount is not to exceed, but may be less than, 2.0% of the gross sales price per share. KREF did not sell any shares under the ATM during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

In connection with the BMO Facility, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a $0.2 million structuring fee equal to 0.35% of the respective committed loan advances under the agreement in the first quarter of 2019. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the facility.

In connection with the Term Loan Facility (Note 4), KREF paid KCM a $1.5 million structuring fee equal to 0.75% of the respective committed loan advances, as defined, in the second quarter of 2019. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the life of the facility.

In connection with the Revolver, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF paid KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.75% of the aggregate amount of commitments first made available. The structuring fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost included within "Other Assets" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and amortized to interest expense over the life of the Revolver. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, KREF incurred $0.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in structuring fees in connection with the Revolver.

In connection with the HSBC Facility entered into in March 2020, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.25% of the respective committed loan advances under the agreement. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the lesser of the initial term of the loan or the facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, KREF incurred and paid KCM $0.0 million and $0.1 million in structuring fees in connection with the facility.

40

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

In connection with the secured term loan, and in consideration for structuring and arranging the loan, KREF paid KCM a $1.1 million arrangement and structuring fee equal to 0.37% of the principal amount of the secured term loan in the third quarter of 2020. Such fee was capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the life of the secured term loan.

In connection with the syndication of a senior mortgage loan in October 2020, and in consideration for its services as the placement agent, KREF paid KCM a $0.4 million placement agent fee equal to 0.30% of KREF's proportion share of the senior loan commitment. Such fee was capitalized as a direct loan origination cost and amortized to interest income over the life of the loan.

In connection with the syndication of a senior mortgage loan in February 2021, and in consideration for its services as the placement agent, KREF paid KCM a $0.4 million placement agent fee equal to 0.25% of KREF’s proportionate share of the senior loan commitment. Such fee was capitalized as a direct loan origination cost and amortized to interest income over the life of the loan.

In connection with the Series A Preferred Stock issuance in April 2021, and in consideration for its services as joint bookrunner, KREF incurred and paid KCM a $1.6 million underwriting discount and commission. The underwriting discount and commission was settled net of the preferred stock issuance proceeds and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital in KREF's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the KREF Lending IX Facility entered into in July 2021, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.75% of the respective committed loan advances under the agreement. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the draw period of the facility. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, KREF incurred and paid KCM $2.6 million in structuring fees in connection with the facility.

In connection with the KREF 2021-FL2 CLO issuance in August 2021, and in consideration for its services as the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner, KREF paid KCM $0.9 million in structuring and placement agent fees in the third quarter of 2021. The fee was capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the CLO.

41

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values and fair values of KREF’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as other financial instruments not carried at fair value, as of September 30, 2021 were as follows:

							Fair Value
	Principal Balance(A)		Amortized Cost(B)		Carrying Value(C)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	307,731	$	307,731	$	307,731	$	307,731	$	—	$	—	$	307,731
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net(D)	5,478,044		5,442,734		5,383,927		—		—		5,406,375		5,406,375
Equity method investments	34,809		34,809		34,809		—		—		34,809		34,809
	$	5,820,584	$	5,785,274	$	5,726,467	$	307,731	$	—	$	5,441,184	$	5,748,915
Liabilities
Secured financing agreements, net	$	2,969,386	$	2,960,833	$	2,960,833	$	—	$	—	$	2,960,833	$	2,960,833
Collateralized loan obligations, net	1,095,250		1,086,900		1,086,900		—		—		1,095,628		1,095,628
Secured term loan, net	297,750		287,051		287,051		—		301,844		—		301,844
Convertible notes, net	143,750		141,502		141,502		—		152,977		—		152,977
	$	4,506,136	$	4,476,286	$	4,476,286	$	—	$	454,821	$	4,056,461	$	4,511,282

(A)    The principal balance of commercial real estate loans excludes premiums and unamortized discounts.

(B)    The amortized cost of commercial real estate loans is net of $4.7 million write-off on a mezzanine loan and $31.3 million unamortized origination discounts and deferred nonrefundable fees. The amortized cost of secured financing agreements is net of $8.6 million unamortized debt issuance costs. The amortized cost of collateralized loan obligations is net of $8.3 million unamortized debt issuance costs.

(C)    The carrying value of commercial mortgage loans is net of $58.8 million allowance for credit losses.

(D)    Includes $1.3 billion of CLO loan participations as of September 30, 2021.

The carrying values and fair values of KREF’s financial assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as other financial instruments for which fair value is disclosed, as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

							Fair Value
	Principal Balance(A)		Amortized Cost(B)		Carrying Value(C)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	110,832	$	110,832	$	110,832	$	110,832	$	—	$	—	$	110,832
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net(D)	4,869,696		4,844,534		4,784,733		—		—		4,757,203		4,757,203
Equity method investments	33,651		33,651		33,651		—		—		33,651		33,651
	$	5,014,179	$	4,989,017	$	4,929,216	$	110,832	$	—	$	4,790,854	$	4,901,686
Liabilities
Secured financing agreements, net	$	2,581,324	$	2,574,747	$	2,574,747	$	—	$	—	$	2,581,324	$	2,581,324
Collateralized loan obligations, net	810,000		810,000		810,000		—		—		803,766		803,766
Secured term loan, net	300,000		288,028		288,028		—		303,000		—		303,000
Convertible notes, net	143,750		140,465		140,465		—		145,817		—		145,817
Loan participations sold, net	66,248		66,232		66,232		—		—		66,232		66,232
	$	3,901,322	$	3,879,472	$	3,879,472	$	—	$	448,817	$	3,451,322	$	3,900,139

(A)    The principal balance of commercial real estate loans excludes premiums and unamortized discounts.

(B)    The amortized cost of commercial real estate loans is net of $4.7 million write-off on a mezzanine loan and $20.5 million unamortized origination discounts and deferred nonrefundable fees. The amortized cost of secured financing agreements is net of $6.6 million unamortized debt issuance costs.

(C)    The carrying value of commercial mortgage loans is net of $59.8 million allowance for credit losses.

(D)    Includes $1.0 billion of CLO loan participations as of December 31, 2020. Includes senior loans for which KREF syndicated a vertical loan participation that did not qualify for sale accounting under GAAP, with a carrying value and a fair value of $66.2 million as of December 31, 2020.

42

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

The following table contains the Level 3 inputs used to value assets and liabilities on a recurring and nonrecurring basis or where KREF discloses fair value as of September 30, 2021:

	Fair Value		Valuation Methodologies	Unobservable Inputs(A)	Weighted Average(B)	Range
Assets and Liabilities(C)
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment(D)	$	5,406,375	Discounted cash flow	Discount rate	4.3%	1.2% - 19.1%
	$	5,406,375

(A)    An increase (decrease) in the valuation input results in a decrease (increase) in value.

(B)    Represents the average of the input value, weighted by the unpaid principal balance of the financial instrument.

(C)    KREF carries a $34.5 million investment in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I (Note 9) at its pro rata share of the aggregator's net asset value, which management believes approximates fair value.

(D)    Commercial real estate loans are generally valued using a discounted cash flow model using discount rate derived from relevant market indices and/or estimates of the underlying property's value.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment, are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For commercial real estate loans held-for-sale, KREF applies the lower of cost or fair value accounting and may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment. For commercial real estate loans held-for-investment and preferred interest in joint venture held-to-maturity, KREF applies the amortized cost method of accounting, but may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment in the form of a valuation provision or impairment. KREF did not report any significant financial assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Assets and Liabilities for Which Fair Value is Only Disclosed

KREF does not carry its secured financing agreements at fair value as management did not elect the fair value option for these liabilities. As of September 30, 2021, the fair value of KREF's financing facilities approximated their respective carrying value.

43

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 15. Income Taxes

KREF has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2014. A REIT is generally not subject to U.S. federal and state income tax on that portion of its income that is distributed to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. A REIT will also be subject to a nondeductible excise tax to the extent certain percentages of its taxable income are not distributed within specified dates. While KREF expects to distribute at least 90% of its net taxable income for the foreseeable future, KREF will continue to evaluate its capital and liquidity needs in light of the significant uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the potential for a continued and prolonged adverse impact on economic and market conditions.

KREF consolidates subsidiaries that incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes, based on the tax jurisdiction in which each subsidiary operates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, KREF recorded a current income tax provision of $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to operations of its taxable REIT subsidiaries and various other state and local taxes. There were no deferred tax assets or liabilities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

As of September 30, 2021, tax years 2017 through 2020 remain subject to examination by taxing authorities.

44

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(dollars in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 16. Subsequent Events

The following events occurred subsequent to September 30, 2021:

Investing Activities

KREF originated the following loans:

Description/ Location	Property Type	Month Originated	Committed Principal Amount		Initial Principal Funded		Interest Rate (A)	Maturity Date(B)	LTV
Senior Loan, Seattle, WA(C)	Life Science	October 2021	$	140,262	$	87,000	L + 3.1%	October 2026	69%
Senior Loan, Miami, FL	Multifamily	October 2021	89,500		89,500		L + 2.8	November 2026	76
Senior Loan, San Diego, CA	Multifamily	October 2021	103,500		103,500		L + 2.8	November 2026	71
Total/ Weighted Average			$	333,262	$	280,000	L + 2.9%		72%

(A)    Floating rate based on one-month USD LIBOR.

(B)    Maturity date assumes all extension options are exercised, if applicable.

(C)    The total whole loan is $188.0 million, co-originated by KREF and a KKR affiliate. KREF's interest is 74.6% of the loan.

Loan Repayments

KREF received approximately $102.3 million from loan repayments.

Corporate Activities

Dividends

In October 2021, KREF paid $23.9 million in dividends on its common stock, or $0.43 per share, with respect to the third quarter of 2021, to stockholders of record on September 30, 2021.

Redemption of Special Non-Voting Preferred Stock

On October 1, 2021, the KKR Member exercised its Call Option to redeem the Non-Voting Manager Units, including the Non-Voting Manager Units held by KREF TRS. Accordingly, KREF TRS received a cash call amount of $5.1 million and KREF concurrently redeemed the SNVPS which will result in book value accretion in the fourth quarter of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per common share, thus eliminating the cumulative negative impact of the SNPVS on book value.

45

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The historical consolidated financial data below reflects the historical results and financial position of KREF. In addition, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K and under "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

Our Company and Our Investment Strategy

We are a real estate finance company that focuses primarily on originating and acquiring transitional senior loans secured by commercial real estate ("CRE") assets. We are a Maryland corporation that was formed and commenced operations on October 2, 2014, and we have elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our investment strategy is to originate or acquire transitional senior loans collateralized by institutional-quality CRE assets that are owned and operated by experienced and well-capitalized sponsors and located in liquid markets with strong underlying fundamentals. The assets in which we invest include senior loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") and other real estate-related securities. Our investment allocation strategy is influenced by prevailing market conditions at the time we invest, including interest rate, economic and credit market conditions. In addition, we may invest in assets other than our target assets in the future, in each case subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act. Our investment objective is capital preservation and generating attractive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividends.

Our Manager

We are externally managed by our Manager, KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC, an indirect subsidiary of KKR & Co. Inc. KKR is a leading global investment firm with an over 45-year history of leadership, innovation, and investment excellence. KKR manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, real estate, energy, infrastructure and credit, with strategic manager partnerships that manage hedge funds. Our Manager manages our investments and our day-to-day business and affairs in conformity with our investment guidelines and other policies that are approved and monitored by our board of directors. Our Manager is responsible for, among other matters, (i) the selection, origination or purchase and sale of our portfolio investments, (ii) our financing activities and (iii) providing us with investment advisory services. Our Manager is also responsible for our day-to-day operations and performs (or causes to be performed) such services and activities relating to our investments and business and affairs as may be appropriate. Our investment decisions are approved by an investment committee of our Manager that is comprised of senior investment professionals of KKR, including senior investment professionals of KKR's global real estate group. For a summary of certain terms of the management agreement, see Note 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

46

Key Financial Measures and Indicators

As a real estate finance company, we believe the key financial measures and indicators for our business are earnings per share, dividends declared, Distributable Earnings and book value per share.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Dividends Declared

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share and dividends declared per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2021		June 30, 2021
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	31,989	$	29,264
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding
Basic	55,637,480		55,632,322
Diluted	56,011,243		55,907,086
Net income per share, basic	$	0.57	$	0.53
Net income per share, diluted	$	0.57	$	0.52
Dividends declared per share	$	0.43	$	0.43

Distributable Earnings

Distributable Earnings, a measure that is not prepared in accordance with GAAP, is a key indicator of our ability to generate sufficient income to pay our quarterly dividends and in determining the amount of such dividends, which is the primary focus of yield/income investors who comprise a significant portion of our investor base. Accordingly, we believe providing Distributable Earnings on a supplemental basis to our net income as determined in accordance with GAAP is helpful to our stockholders in assessing the overall performance of our business.

We define Distributable Earnings as net income (loss) attributable to our stockholders or, without duplication, owners of our subsidiaries, computed in accordance with GAAP, including realized losses not otherwise included in GAAP net income (loss) and excluding (i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) any unrealized gains or losses or other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the applicable reporting period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and (iv) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain material non-cash income or expense items agreed upon after discussions between our Manager and our board of directors and after approval by a majority of our independent directors. The exclusion of depreciation and amortization from the calculation of Distributable Earnings only applies to debt investments related to real estate to the extent we foreclose upon the property or properties underlying such debt investments.

While Distributable Earnings excludes the impact of our unrealized current provision for (reversal of) credit losses, any loan losses are charged off and realized through Distributable Earnings when deemed non-recoverable. Non-recoverability is determined (i) upon the resolution of a loan (i.e. when the loan is repaid, fully or partially, or in the case of foreclosure, when the underlying asset is sold), or (ii) with respect to any amount due under any loan, when such amount is determined to be non-collectible.

Distributable Earnings should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP net income. We caution readers that our methodology for calculating Distributable Earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other REITs to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and as a result, our reported Distributable Earnings may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other REITs.

We also use Distributable Earnings (before incentive compensation payable to our Manager) to determine the management and incentive compensation we pay our Manager. For its services to KREF, our Manager is entitled to a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $62,500 or 0.375% of a weighted average adjusted equity and quarterly incentive compensation equal to 20.0% of the excess of (a) the trailing 12-month Distributable Earnings (before incentive compensation payable to our Manager) over (b) 7.0% of the trailing 12-month weighted average adjusted equity(1) (“Hurdle Rate”), less incentive compensation KREF already paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such trailing 12-month period. The quarterly incentive compensation is calculated and paid in arrears with a three-month lag.

(1)    For purposes of calculating incentive compensation, adjusted equity excludes: (i) the effects of equity issued that provides for fixed distributions or other debt characteristics and (ii) unrealized provision for (reversal of) credit losses.

47

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders to Distributable Earnings (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2021		June 30, 2021
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	31,989	$	29,264
Adjustments
Non-cash equity compensation expense	2,027		1,994
Unrealized (gains) or losses(A)	(748)		(364)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	1,165		(559)
Loan write-off	—		—
Non-cash convertible notes discount amortization	91		90
Distributable Earnings(B)	$	34,524	$	30,425
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding
Basic	55,637,480		55,632,322
Diluted(C)	56,011,243		55,907,086
Distributable Earnings per Diluted Weighted Average Share(B)	$	0.62	$	0.54

(A)    Includes $0.3 million and ($0.2) million non-cash redemption value adjustment of our Special Non-Voting Preferred Stock, and ($1.0) million and ($0.1) million of unrealized mark-to-market adjustment to our RECOP I's underlying CMBS investments for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively.

(B)    We have a $40.3 million, or $0.72 per share, allowance for credit losses against one 5-rated retail loan with an outstanding principal balance of $109.6 million as of September 30, 2021. Such unrealized allowance has not been reflected in distributable earnings.

(C)    Includes 373,763 and 274,764 dilutive restricted stock units for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively.

Book Value per Share

We believe that book value per share is helpful to stockholders in evaluating the growth of our company as we have scaled our equity capital base and continue to invest in our target assets. The following table calculates our book value per share of common stock (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. stockholders' equity	$	1,234,588	$	1,043,554
Series A preferred stock (liquidation preference of $25.00 per share)	(172,500)		—
Common stockholders' equity	$	1,062,088	$	1,043,554
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding at period end	55,637,480		55,619,428
Book value per share of common stock	$	19.09	$	18.76

Book value per share as of September 30, 2021 includes the impact of an estimated CECL credit loss allowance of $59.7 million, or ($1.07) per common share, and is net of $6.2 million, or ($0.11) per common share, Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock offering costs. See Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for detailed discussion of allowance for credit losses.

In addition, book value per share includes the impact of a $0.7 million, or $(0.01) per common share, non-cash redemption value adjustment to our redeemable Special Non-Voting Preferred Stock (“SNVPS”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, resulting in a cumulative (since issuance of the SNVPS) decrease of $2.6 million, or ($0.05) per common share to our book value (“SNVPS Cumulative Impact”) as of September 30, 2021.

On October 1, 2021, the KKR Member exercised its Call Option to redeem the Non-Voting Manager Units. Accordingly, KREF TRS received a cash call amount of $5.1 million and KREF concurrently redeemed the SNVPS which will result in book value accretion in the fourth quarter of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per common share, thus eliminating the cumulative negative impact of the SNPVS on book value. See Note 10 — Equity, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for detailed discussion of the SNVPS.

48

Our Portfolio

We have established a $5,826.4 million portfolio of diversified investments, consisting primarily of performing senior loans as of September 30, 2021.

Our loan portfolio is 98.0% performing as of September 30, 2021. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, we collected 97.4% of interest payments due on our loan portfolio. As of September 30, 2021, the average risk rating of our loan portfolio was 3.0 (Average Risk), weighted by total loan exposure. As of September 30, 2021, 91.2% of our loans, based on total loan exposure, was risk-rated 3 or better. As of September 30, 2021, the average loan commitment in our portfolio was $135.9 million and multifamily and office loans comprised 71% of our loan portfolio, while hospitality and retail loans comprised 8% of the portfolio.

Since our IPO, we have continued to execute on our primary investment strategy of originating floating-rate transitional senior loans and, as we continue to scale our loan portfolio, we expect that our originations will continue to be heavily weighted toward floating-rate loans. As of September 30, 2021, 99.9% of our loans by total loan exposure earned a floating rate of interest and approximately 50% of our portfolio was subject to a LIBOR floor of at least 0.75%, with a weighted average floor of 1.0%. We expect the majority of our future investment activity to focus on originating floating-rate senior loans that we finance with our repurchase and other financing facilities, with a secondary focus on originating floating-rate loans for which we syndicate a senior position and retain a subordinated interest for our portfolio. As of September 30, 2021, all of our investments were located in the United States.

The following charts illustrate the diversification and composition of our loan portfolio, based on type of investment, interest rate, underlying property type, geographic location, vintage and LTV as of September 30, 2021(A):

The charts above are based on total assets. Total assets reflect the principal amount of our commercial real estate loans.

(A)    Excludes CMBS B-Piece investments held through RECOP I, an equity method investment.

(B)    Excludes one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with an outstanding principal amount of $31.6 million, representing 0.6% of our commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2021.

(C)    LTV is generally based on the initial loan amount divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated or by the current principal amount as of the date of the most recent as-is appraised value. Excludes (i) one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with an outstanding principal of $31.6 million as of September 30, 2021, and (ii) two non-performing 5-rated loans on non-accrual status; with a total outstanding principal of $115.1 million, representing 2.0% of our commercial real estate loan portfolio as of September 30, 2021.

49

The following table details our quarterly loan activity (dollars in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2021		June 30, 2021		March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Loan originations	$	1,536,993	$	967,108	$	534,500	$	565,351
Loan fundings(A)	$	1,142,969	$	558,387	$	575,826	$	496,005
Loan repayments/syndications(B)	(934,899)		(270,980)		(244,348)		(534,581)
Net fundings	208,070		287,407		331,478		(38,576)
PIK interest	373		458		845		1,872
Total activity	$	208,443	$	287,865	$	332,323	$	(36,704)

(A)    Includes initial funding of new loans and additional fundings made under existing loans.

(B)    Excludes $150.5 million and $79.9 million of proceeds from senior note syndications during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The following table details overall statistics for our loan portfolio as of September 30, 2021 (dollars in thousands):

				Total Loan Exposure(A)
	Balance Sheet Portfolio			Total Loan Portfolio			Floating Rate Loans			Fixed Rate Loans
Number of loans	52			52			51			1
Principal balance	$	5,478,044		$	5,790,751		$	5,785,251		$	5,500
Amortized cost	$	5,442,734		$	5,755,441		$	5,754,591		$	850
Unfunded loan commitments(B)	$	1,224,595		$	1,224,595		$	1,224,595		$	—
Weighted-average cash coupon(C)	4.4		%	4.3		%	L + 3.4		%	11.0		%
Weighted-average all-in yield(C)	4.6		%	4.5		%	L + 3.5		%	11.0		%
Weighted-average maximum maturity (years)(D)	3.3			3.3			3.3			3.8
LTV(E)	67		%	67		%	67		%	n.a.

(A)     In certain instances, we finance our loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior interest that is not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Total loan exposure includes the entire loan we originated and financed.

(B)     Unfunded commitments will primarily be funded to finance property improvements and renovations or lease-related expenditures by the borrowers. These future commitments will be funded over the term of each loan, subject in certain cases to an expiration date.

(C)     As of September 30, 2021, 100.0% of floating rate loans by principal balance are indexed to one-month USD LIBOR. In addition to cash coupon, all-in yield includes the amortization of deferred origination fees, loan origination costs and purchase discounts. Cash coupon and all-in yield for the total portfolio assume applicable floating benchmark rates as of September 30, 2021. L = the greater of one-month USD LIBOR; spot rate of 0.08%, and the applicable contractual LIBOR floor, included in portfolio-wide averages represented as fixed rates. Does not factor in prepayment fee income that might be earned upon prepayment.

(D)     Maximum maturity assumes all extension options are exercised by the borrower; however, our loans may be repaid prior to such date. As of September 30, 2021, based on total loan exposure, 49.5% of our loans were subject to yield maintenance or other prepayment restrictions and 50.5% were open to repayment by the borrower without penalty.

(E)     Loan-to-value ratio ("LTV") is generally based on the initial loan amount divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated or by the current principal amount as of the date of the most recent as-is appraised value. Weighted average LTV excludes (i) one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with an outstanding principal of $31.6 million as of September 30, 2021 and (ii) two non-performing 5-rated loans on non-accrual status; with a total outstanding principal of $115.1 million as of September 30, 2021.

50

The table below sets forth additional information relating to our portfolio as of September 30, 2021 (dollars in millions):

	Investment(A)	Location	Property Type	Investment Date	Total Whole Loan		Committed Principal Amount		Current Principal Amount		Net Equity(B)		Coupon(C)(D)	Max Remaining Term (Years)(C)(E)	Loan Per SF / Unit / Key	LTV(C)(F)		Risk Rating
	Senior Loans(H)
1	Senior Loan	Arlington, VA	Multifamily	9/30/2021	$	381.0	$	381.0	$	352.9	$	78.7	L + 3.2	5.0	$ 317,965 / unit	69	%	3
2	Senior Loan	Bellevue, WA	Office	9/13/2021	520.8		260.4		47.3		12.6		L + 3.6	5.5	$ 155 / SF	63		3
3	Senior Loan	Los Angeles, CA	Multifamily	2/19/2021	260.0		260.0		248.0		48.9		L + 3.6	4.4	$ 462,687 / unit	68		3
4	Senior Loan	Boston, MA	Life Science	5/24/2018	250.5		250.5		237.0		48.8		L + 3.2	2.3	$ 507 / SF	53		2
5	Senior Loan	Mountain View, CA	Office	7/14/2021	362.8		250.0		182.0		43.7		L + 3.3	4.9	$ 592 / SF	73		3
6	Senior Loan	New York, NY	Condo (Residential)	12/20/2018	234.5		234.5		206.9		36.0		L + 3.6	2.3	$ 1,292 / SF	71		4
7	Senior Loan	Bronx, NY	Industrial	8/27/2021	381.2		228.7		93.9		92.1		L + 4.1	4.9	$ 114 / SF	52		3
8	Senior Loan	Various	Multifamily	5/31/2019	216.5		216.5		214.9		37.1		L + 3.1	2.7	$ 200,802 / unit	74		3
9	Senior Loan(K)	Various	Industrial	6/30/2021	425.0		212.5		1.7		(0.5)		L + 5.4	4.8	$ 14 / SF	76		3
10	Senior Loan	Minneapolis, MN	Office	11/13/2017	194.4		194.4		194.4		33.2		L + 3.8	1.2	$ 179 / SF	65		2
11	Senior Loan	Boston, MA	Office	2/4/2021	375.0		187.5		187.5		37.3		L + 3.3	4.4	$ 506 / SF	71		3
12	Senior Loan	Chicago, IL	Multifamily	6/6/2019	186.0		186.0		179.5		32.3		L + 3.6	2.7	$ 364,837 / unit	72		3
13	Senior Loan	Denver, CO	Multifamily	8/13/2019	185.0		185.0		185.0		41.5		L + 2.8	2.9	$ 311,448 / unit	54		3
14	Senior Loan	The Woodlands, TX	Hospitality	9/15/2021	183.3		183.3		168.1		166.7		L + 4.2	5.0	$ 184,917 / key	64		3
15	Senior Loan	Philadelphia, PA	Office	4/11/2019	182.6		182.6		155.6		23.3		L + 2.6	2.6	$ 218 / SF	68		3
16	Senior Loan	Washington, D.C.	Office	12/20/2019	175.5		175.5		109.9		26.6		L + 3.4	3.3	$ 538 / SF	58		3
17	Senior Loan	Chicago, IL	Office	7/15/2019	170.0		170.0		133.7		22.9		L + 3.3	2.9	$ 129 / SF	59		3
18	Senior Loan	Boston, MA	Life Science	4/27/2021	332.3		166.2		105.9		15.9		L + 3.6	4.6	$ 440 / SF	66		3
19	Senior Loan	Philadelphia, PA	Office	6/19/2018	165.0		165.0		165.0		71.5		L + 2.5	1.8	$ 169 / SF	71		3
20	Senior Loan	New York, NY	Multifamily	12/5/2018	163.0		163.0		148.0		22.4		L + 2.6	2.2	$ 556,391 / unit	77		3
21	Senior Loan	Oakland, CA	Office	10/23/2020	509.9		159.7		99.5		15.7		L + 4.3	4.1	$ 306 / SF	65		3
22	Senior Loan	Plano, TX	Office	2/6/2020	153.7		153.7		127.4		31.6		L + 2.7	3.4	$ 177 / SF	63		3
23	Senior Loan	Boston, MA	Multifamily	3/29/2019	138.0		138.0		137.0		56.7		L + 2.7	2.5	$ 351,282 / unit	63		3
24	Senior Loan	West Palm Beach, FL	Multifamily	11/7/2018	135.0		135.0		133.4		21.9		L + 2.9	2.1	$ 164,321 / unit	67		3
25	Senior Loan	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Hospitality	11/9/2018	130.0		130.0		130.0		24.3		L + 3.4	2.2	$ 375,723 / key	66		3
26	Senior Loan	Fontana, CA	Industrial	5/11/2021	119.9		119.9		42.7		13.4		L + 4.6	4.7	$ 36 / SF	64		3
27	Senior Loan	Irving, TX	Multifamily	4/22/2021	117.6		117.6		107.0		17.7		L + 3.3	4.6	$ 117,836 / unit	70		3
28	Senior Loan	Pittsburgh, PA	Student Housing	6/8/2021	112.5		112.5		112.5		16.8		L + 2.9	4.7	$ 155,602 / bed	74		3
29	Senior Loan	Portland, OR	Retail	10/26/2015	109.6		109.6		109.6		89.6		L + 5.5	—	$ 101 / SF	n.a.		5
30	Senior Loan	San Diego, CA	Multifamily	2/3/2020	102.3		102.3		102.3		14.9		L + 3.3	3.4	$ 442,965 / unit	71		3
31	Senior Loan	Denver, CO	Industrial	12/11/2020	95.8		95.8		52.8		15.5		L + 3.8	4.3	$ 35 / SF	61		3
32	Senior Loan	Brisbane, CA	Life Science	7/22/2021	95.0		95.0		84.9		16.1		L + 3.0	4.9	$ 733 / SF	71		3
33	Senior Loan	State College, PA	Student Housing	10/15/2019	93.4		93.4		82.1		24.3		L + 2.7	3.1	$ 68,782 / bed	64		3
34	Senior Loan	Seattle, WA	Multifamily	9/7/2018	92.3		92.3		92.3		16.0		L + 3.4	1.9	$ 515,571 / unit	76		3
35	Senior Loan	Denver, CO	Multifamily	6/24/2021	88.5		88.5		88.5		16.1		L + 3.0	4.8	$ 295,000 / unit	77		3

51

	Investment(A)	Location	Property Type	Investment Date	Total Whole Loan		Committed Principal Amount		Current Principal Amount		Net Equity(B)		Coupon(C)(D)	Max Remaining Term (Years)(C)(E)	Loan Per SF / Unit / Key	LTV(C)(F)		Risk Rating
36	Senior Loan	Dallas, TX	Office	1/22/2021	87.0		87.0		87.0		21.0		L + 3.3	4.4	$ 288 / SF	65		3
37	Senior Loan	New York, NY	Multifamily	3/29/2018	86.0		86.0		86.0		13.2		L + 4.0	1.5	$ 462,366 / unit	63		2
38	Senior Loan	Seattle, WA	Office	3/20/2018	80.7		80.7		80.7		13.3		L + 4.1	1.5	$ 468 / SF	56		3
39	Senior Loan	Austin, TX	Multifamily	12/4/2020	80.0		80.0		78.7		12.5		L + 3.7	3.2	$ 201,695 / unit	77		3
40	Senior Loan	Mesa, AZ	Industrial	5/4/2021	77.8		77.8		43.2		17.2		L + 3.2	4.6	$ 50 / SF	55		3
41	Senior Loan	Brooklyn, NY	Hospitality	1/18/2019	77.0		77.0		77.0		16.9		L + 2.9	2.4	$ 392,879 / key	69		4
42	Senior Loan	Phoenix, AZ	Single Family Rental	4/22/2021	72.1		72.1		12.8		5.0		L + 4.8	4.6	$ 27,785 / unit	50		3
43	Senior Loan	Arlington, VA	Multifamily	10/23/2020	141.8		70.9		70.9		11.4		L + 3.8	4.0	$ 392,898 / unit	73		3
44	Senior Loan	Denver, CO	Multifamily	9/14/2021	70.3		70.3		69.3		12.0		L+ 2.7	5.0	$ 286,157 / unit	78		3
45	Senior Loan	Queens, NY	Industrial	7/21/2017	70.1		70.1		67.1		17.0		L + 3.0	0.9	$ 111 / SF	77		4
46	Senior Loan	Washington, D.C.	Multifamily	12/4/2020	69.0		69.0		66.3		10.3		L + 3.5	4.2	$ 265,132 / unit	63		3
47	Senior Loan	Dallas, TX	Multifamily	8/18/2021	68.2		68.2		68.2		9.6		L + 3.8	4.9	$ 189,444 / unit	70		3
48	Senior Loan	Austin, TX	Multifamily	9/12/2019	67.5		67.5		67.5		10.4		L + 2.5	2.9	$ 191,218 / unit	74		3
49	Senior Loan(I)	New York, NY	Condo (Residential)	8/4/2017	42.4		42.4		42.4		27.8		L + 4.2	0.5	$ 1,343 / SF	73		4
	Total/Weighted Average Senior Loans Unlevered				$	8,527.7	$	7,014.8	$	5,736.6	$	1,479.3	L + 3.3%	3.3		67	%	3.0
	Non-Senior Loans
1	Mezzanine	Westbury, NY	Multifamily	1/27/2020	17.0		17.0		17.0		16.9		L + 9.0	2.8	$ 451,477 / unit	64		3
2	Mezzanine(J)	Various	Retail	6/19/2015	5.5		5.5		5.5		0.9		11.0%	3.8	$ 45 / SF	n.a.		5
3	Corporate	n.a.	Multifamily	12/11/2020	79.1		31.6		31.6		31.0		L + 12.0	4.2	n.a.	n.a.		3
	Total/Weighted Average Non-Senior Loans Unlevered				$	101.6	$	54.1	$	54.1	$	48.8	12.3%	3.7		n.a.		3.2
	CMBS B-Pieces
1	RECOP I(G)	Various	Various	2/13/2017	n.a.		40.0		35.7		35.7		4.8	7.7	n.a.	58		n.a.
	Total/Weighted Average CMBS B-Pieces Unlevered						$	40.0	$	35.7	$	35.7	4.8%	7.7		58	%

52

*    Numbers presented may not foot due to rounding.

(A)    Our total portfolio represents the current principal amount on senior, mezzanine and corporate loans and net equity in RECOP I, which holds CMBS B-Piece investments.

For Senior Loan 11, the total whole loan is $375.0 million, co-originated and co-funded by us and a KKR affiliate. Our interest was 50% of the loan or $187.5 million, of which $150.0 million in senior notes were syndicated to a third party. Post syndication, we retained a mezzanine loan with a commitment of $37.5 million, fully funded as of September 30, 2021, at an interest rate of L+7.9%.

For Senior Loan 12, the total whole loan is $186.0 million, of which a $81.6 million senior note was syndicated to a third party lender. Post syndication, we retained the mezzanine loan and a 45% interest in the senior loan with a total commitment of $104.4 million, of which $100.7 million was funded as of September 30, 2021, at a blended interest rate of L+4.7%.

For Senior Loan 21, the total whole loan is $509.9 million, co-originated and co-funded by us and a KKR affiliate. Our interest was 31% of the loan or $159.7 million, of which $134.7 million in senior notes were syndicated to third party lenders. Post syndication, we retained a mezzanine loan with a commitment of $25.0 million, of which $15.6 million was funded as of September 30, 2021, at an interest rate of L+12.9%.

(B)    Net equity reflects (i) the amortized cost basis of our loans, net of borrowings; and (ii) the cost basis of our investment in RECOP I.

(C)    Weighted average is weighted by current principal amount for our senior, mezzanine and corporate loans and by net equity for our RECOP I CMBS B-Pieces.

(D)    L = the greater of one-month USD LIBOR; spot rate of 0.08%, and the applicable contractual LIBOR floor, included in portfolio-wide averages represented as fixed rates.

(E)    Max remaining term (years) assumes all extension options are exercised, if applicable. 

(F)    For senior loans, LTV is generally based on the initial loan amount divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated or by the current principal amount as of the date of the most recent as-is appraised value; for mezzanine loans, LTV is based on the current balance of the whole loan divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated; for RECOP I CMBS B-Pieces, LTV is based on the weighted average LTV of the underlying loan pool at issuance. Weighted Average LTV does not include (i) one fully funded corporate loan to a multifamily operator with an outstanding principal amount of $31.6 million and (ii) two non-performing 5-rated loans on non-accrual status; with a total outstanding principal of $115.1 million as of September 30, 2021.

For Senior Loan 6, LTV is based on the initial loan amount divided by the appraised bulk sale value assuming a condo-conversion and no renovation.

For Senior Loan 30, LTV is based on the current principal amount divided by the adjusted appraised gross sellout value net of sales cost.

For Senior Loans 2, 7, 9, 26, 31, 40, 42 and Mezzanine Loan 1, LTV is calculated as the total commitment amount of the loan divided by the as-stabilized value as of the date the loan was originated.

(G)    Represents our investment in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I that invests in CMBS B-Pieces. Committed principal represents our total commitment to the aggregator vehicle whereas current principal represents the current funded amount.

(H)    Senior loans include senior mortgages and similar credit quality investments, including junior participations in our originated senior loans for which we have syndicated the senior participations and retained the junior participations for our portfolio and excludes vertical loan participations.

(I)    For Senior Loan 49, Loan per SF of $1,343 is based on the allocated loan amount of the residential units. Excluding the value of the retail and parking components of the collateral, the Loan per SF is $1,894 based on allocating the full amount of the loan to only the residential units.

(J)    For Mezzanine Loan 2, Current Principal Amount is gross of $4.7 million write-off (of amortized cost).

(K)    For Senior Loan 9, the total whole loan facility is $425.0 million, co-originated and co-funded by us and a KKR affiliate. Our interest was 50% of the facility or $212.5 million. The facility is comprised of individual cross-collateralized whole loans. As of September 30, 2021, there was one underlying senior loan in the facility with a commitment of $10.4 million and outstanding principal of $1.7 million.

53

Portfolio Surveillance and Credit Quality

Our Manager actively manages our portfolio and assesses the risk of any deterioration in credit quality by quarterly evaluating the performance of the underlying property, the valuation of comparable assets as well as the financial wherewithal of the associated borrower. Our loan documents generally give us the right to receive regular property, borrower and guarantor financial statements; approve annual budgets and tenant leases; and enforce loan covenants and remedies. In addition, our Manager evaluates the macroeconomic environment, prevailing real estate fundamentals and micro-market dynamics where the underlying property is located. Through site inspections, local market experts and various data sources, as part of its risk assessment, our Manager monitors criteria such as new supply and tenant demand, market occupancy and rental rate trends, and capitalization rates and valuation trends.

We maintain a robust asset management relationship with our borrowers and have utilized these relationships to proactively address the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our loans secured by properties experiencing cash flow pressure, most significantly hospitality and retail assets. Some of our borrowers have indicated that due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be unable to timely execute their business plans, have had to temporarily close their businesses, or have experienced other negative business consequences and have requested temporary interest deferral or forbearance, or other modifications of their loans. Accordingly, discussions we have had with our borrowers have addressed potential near-term defensive loan modifications, which could include repurposing of reserves, temporary deferrals of interest, or performance test or covenant waivers on loans collateralized by assets directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and which would generally be coupled with an additional equity commitment and/or guaranty from sponsors.

We believe our loan sponsors are generally committed to supporting assets collateralizing our loans through additional equity investments, and that we will benefit from our long-standing core business model of originating senior loans collateralized by large assets in major markets with experienced, well-capitalized institutional sponsors. While we believe the principal amounts of our loans are generally adequately protected by underlying collateral value, there is a risk that we will not realize the entire principal value of certain investments.

In addition to ongoing asset management, our Manager performs a quarterly review of our portfolio whereby each loan is assigned a risk rating of 1 through 5, from lowest risk to highest risk. Our Manager is responsible for reviewing, assigning and updating the risk ratings for each loan on a quarterly basis. The risk ratings are based on many factors, including, but not limited to, underlying real estate performance and asset value, values of comparable properties, durability and quality of property cash flows, sponsor experience and financial wherewithal, and the existence of a risk-mitigating loan structure. Additional key considerations include LTVs, debt service coverage ratios, real estate and credit market dynamics, and risk of default or principal loss. Based on a five-point scale, our loans are rated "1" through "5," from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows:

1—Very Low Risk—The underlying property performance has surpassed underwritten expectations, and the sponsor’s business plan is generally complete. The property demonstrates stabilized occupancy and/or rental rates resulting in strong current cash flow and/or a very low LTV (<65%). At the level of performance, it is very likely that the underlying loan can be refinanced easily in the period’s prevailing capital market conditions.

2—Low Risk—The underlying property performance has matched or exceeded underwritten expectations, and the sponsor’s business plan may be ahead of schedule or has achieved some or many of the major milestones from a risk mitigation perspective. The property has achieved improving occupancy at market rents, resulting in sufficient current cash flow and/or a low LTV (65%-70%). Operating trends are favorable, and the underlying loan can be refinanced in today’s prevailing capital market conditions. The sponsor/manager is well capitalized or has demonstrated a history of success in owning or operating similar real estate.

3—Average Risk—The underlying property performance is in-line with underwritten expectations, or the sponsor may be in the early stages of executing its business plan. Current cash flow supports debt service payments, or there is an ample interest reserve or loan structure in place to provide the sponsor time to execute the value-improvement plan. The property exhibits a moderate LTV (<75%). Loan structure appropriately mitigates additional risks. The sponsor/manager has a stable credit history and experience owning or operating similar real estate.

54

4—High Risk/Potential for Loss—A loan that has a risk of realizing a principal loss. The underlying property performance is behind underwritten expectations, or the sponsor is behind schedule in executing its business plan. The underlying market fundamentals may have deteriorated, comparable property valuations may be declining or property occupancy has been volatile, resulting in current cash flow that may not support debt service payments. The loan exhibits a high LTV (>80%), and the loan covenants are unlikely to fully mitigate some risks. Interest payments may come from an interest reserve or sponsor equity.

5—Impaired/Loss Likely—A loan that has a very high risk of realizing a principal loss or has otherwise incurred a principal loss. The underlying property performance is significantly behind underwritten expectations, the sponsor has failed to execute its business plan and/or the sponsor has missed interest payments. The market fundamentals have deteriorated, or property performance has unexpectedly declined or valuations for comparable properties have declined meaningfully since loan origination. Current cash flow does not support debt service payments. With the current capital structure, the sponsor might not be incentivized to protect its equity without a restructuring of the loan. The loan exhibits a very high LTV (>90%), and default may be imminent.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, KREF modified one senior retail loan with a principal balance and an amortized cost of $109.6 million, respectively. The loan modification included a deferral of interest due and a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, which allows KREF to obtain title of the underlying property in the event of default. As of September 30, 2021, the loan had a risk rating of 5, and was placed on non-accrual status in October 2020; the loan is currently in restructuring discussions. KREF had no remaining unfunded commitment as of September 30, 2021. While KREF did not forgive or charge-off any amounts due under this loan, this modification is considered a TDR under GAAP. There were no other material modifications during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

As of September 30, 2021, the average risk rating of our loan portfolio was 3.0 (Average Risk), weighted by total loan exposure, as compared to 3.1 (Average Risk) as of June 30, 2021.

September 30, 2021								June 30, 2021
Risk Rating	Number of Loans	Net Book Value		Total Loan Exposure(B)		Total Loan Exposure %		Risk Rating	Number of Loans	Net Book Value		Total Loan Exposure(A)(B)		Total Loan Exposure %
1	—	$	—	$	—	—	%	1	—	$	—	$	—	—	%
2	3	517,168		517,434		8.9		2	1	194,064		194,400		3.5
3	43	4,415,030		4,764,745		82.3		3	42	4,580,309		4,854,305		87.0
4	4	381,608		393,501		6.8		4	4	405,995		418,532		7.5
5	2	70,121		115,071		2.0		5	2	70,121		115,071		2.0
	52	$	5,383,927	$	5,790,751	100.0	%		49	$	5,250,489	$	5,582,308	100.0	%

(A)    Excludes $66.2 million of vertical loan syndication as of June 30, 2021.

(B)    In certain instances, we finance our loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior interest that is not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements under GAAP. Total loan exposure includes the entire loan we originated and financed, including $312.7 million and $310.8 million of such non-consolidated senior interests as of September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively.

CMBS B-Piece Investments

Our Manager has processes and procedures in place to monitor and assess the credit quality of our CMBS B-Piece investments and promote the regular and active management of these investments. This includes reviewing the performance of the real estate assets underlying the loans that collateralize the investments and determining the impact of such performance on the credit and return profile of the investments. Our Manager holds monthly surveillance calls with the special servicer of our CMBS B-Piece investments to monitor the performance of our portfolio and discuss issues associated with the loans underlying our CMBS B-Piece investments. At each meeting, our Manager is provided with a due diligence submission for each loan underlying our CMBS B-Piece investments, which includes both property- and loan-level information. These meetings assist our Manager in monitoring our portfolio, identifying any potential loan issues, determining if a re-underwriting of any loan is warranted and examining the timing and severity of any potential losses or impairments.

Valuations for our CMBS B-Piece investments are prepared using inputs from an independent valuation firm and confirmed by our Manager via quotes from two or more broker-dealers that actively make markets in CMBS. As part of the quarterly valuation process, our Manager also reviews pricing indications for comparable CMBS and monitors the credit metrics of the loans that collateralize our CMBS B-Piece investments.

55

Our current CMBS exposure is through RECOP I, an equity method investment.

Portfolio Financing

Our portfolio financing arrangements include term loan financing, term lending agreements, collateralized loan obligations, secured term loan, warehouse facility, asset specific financing, non-consolidated senior interest (collectively “Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources”), master repurchase agreements, and loan participations sold (excluding vertical loan syndications).

Our Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources, which accounted for 81% of our total secured financing (excluding our corporate revolver) as of September 30, 2021, are not subject to credit or capital markets mark-to-market provisions. The remaining 19% of our secured borrowings, which is primarily comprised of three master repurchase agreements, are only subject to credit marks.

We continue to expand and diversify our financing sources, especially those sources that provide non-mark-to-market financing, reducing our exposure to market volatility.

The following table summarizes our portfolio financing (dollars in thousands):

		Portfolio Financing Outstanding Principal Balance(A)
	Non-/Mark-to-Market	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Master repurchase agreements	Mark-to-Credit	$	846,972	$	673,120
Term loan financing	Non-Mark-to-Market	904,087		948,204
Term lending agreements	Non-Mark-to-Market	1,008,327		900,000
Collateralized loan obligations	Non-Mark-to-Market	1,095,250		810,000
Secured term loan	Non-Mark-to-Market	297,750		300,000
Asset specific financing	Non-Mark-to-Market	60,000		60,000
Warehouse facility	Non-Mark-to-Market	—		—
Non-consolidated senior interests	Non-Mark-to-Market	312,707		158,672
Total portfolio financing		$	4,525,093	$	3,849,996

(A)    Excludes $66.2 million of vertical loan participations sold as of December 31, 2020, respectively. Such participations did not qualify for sale accounting under GAAP and therefore were consolidated in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020.

56

Financing Agreements

The following table details our financing agreements (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2021
	Maximum		Collateral		Borrowings
	Facility Size(A)		Assets(B)		Potential(C)		Outstanding		Available
Master Repurchase Agreements
Wells Fargo	$	1,000,000	$	752,468	$	502,173	$	494,536	$	7,637
Morgan Stanley	600,000		360,098		267,432		260,104		7,328
Goldman Sachs	240,000		156,671		95,425		92,332		3,093
Term Loan Facility	1,000,000		1,102,711		904,087		904,087		—
Term Lending Agreements
KREF Lending V	713,378		799,928		659,380		659,380		—
KREF Lending IX	500,000		428,575		348,947		348,947		—
Warehouse Facility
HSBC	500,000		—		—		—		—
Asset Specific Financing
BMO Facility	300,000		76,000		60,000		60,000		—
Revolver	335,000		—		335,000		150,000		185,000
	$	5,188,378	$	3,676,451	$	3,172,444	$	2,969,386	$	203,058

(A)     Maximum facility size represents the largest amount of borrowings available under a given facility once sufficient collateral assets have been approved by the lender and pledged by us.

(B)     Represents the principal balance of the collateral assets.

(C)     Potential borrowings represents the total amount we could draw under each facility based on collateral already approved and pledged. When undrawn, these amounts are available to us under the terms of each credit facility.

Master Repurchase Agreements

We utilize master repurchase facilities to finance the origination of senior loans. After a mortgage asset is identified by us, the lender agrees to advance a certain percentage of the principal of the mortgage to us in exchange for a secured interest in the mortgage. We have not received any margin calls on any of our master repurchase facilities to date.

Repurchase agreements effectively allow us to borrow against loans and participations that we own in an amount generally equal to (i) the market value of such loans and/or participations multiplied by (ii) the applicable advance rate. Under these agreements, we sell our loans and participations to a counterparty and agree to repurchase the same loans and participations from the counterparty at a price equal to the original sales price plus an interest factor. The transaction is treated as a secured loan from the financial institution for GAAP purposes. During the term of a repurchase agreement, we receive the principal and interest on the related loans and participations and pay interest to the lender under the master repurchase agreement. At any point in time, the amounts and the cost of our repurchase borrowings will be based upon the assets being financed—higher risk assets will result in lower advance rates (i.e., levels of leverage) at higher borrowing costs and vice versa. In addition, these facilities include various financial covenants and limited recourse guarantees, including those described below.

Each of our existing master repurchase facilities includes "credit mark-to-market" features. "Credit mark-to-market" provisions in repurchase facilities are designed to keep the lenders' credit exposure generally constant as a percentage of the underlying collateral value of the assets pledged as security to them. If the credit underlying collateral value decreases, the gross amount of leverage available to us will be reduced as our assets are marked-to-market, which would reduce our liquidity. The lender under the applicable repurchase facility sets the valuation and any revaluation of the collateral assets in its sole, good faith discretion. As a contractual matter, the lender has the right to reset the value of the assets at any time based on then-current market conditions, but the market convention is to reassess valuations on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis using the financial information delivered pursuant to the facility documentation regarding the real property, borrower and guarantor under such underlying loans. Generally, if the lender determines (subject to certain conditions) that the market value of the collateral in a repurchase transaction has decreased by more than a defined minimum amount, the lender may require us to provide additional collateral or lead to margin calls that may require us to repay all or a portion of the funds advanced. We closely monitor our liquidity and intend to maintain sufficient liquidity on our balance sheet in order to meet any margin calls in the event of any significant decreases in asset values. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the weighted average haircut under our

57

repurchase agreements was 33.3% and 36.7%, respectively (or 31.8% and 34.8%, respectively, if we had borrowed the maximum amount approved by its repurchase agreement counterparties as of such dates). In addition, our existing master repurchase facilities are not entirely term-matched financings and may mature before our CRE debt investments that represent underlying collateral to those financings. As we negotiate renewals and extensions of these liabilities, we may experience lower advance rates and higher pricing under the renewed or extended agreements.

Term Loan Financing

In connection with our efforts to diversify our financing sources, further expand our non-mark-to-market borrowing base and reduce our exposure to market volatility, we entered into a term loan financing agreement in April 2018 with third party lenders for an initial borrowing capacity of $200.0 million that was increased to $1.0 billion in October 2018 (“Term Loan Facility”). The facility provides us with asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with matched term up to five years and is non-recourse to us. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by senior loans, held-for-investment, and bear interest equal to one-month LIBOR plus a margin. As of September 30, 2021, the weighted average margin on the facility was 1.6%.

The following table summarizes our borrowings under the Term Loan Facility (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2021
Term Loan Facility	Count	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost		Carrying Value		Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)	Guarantee(B)	Wtd. Avg. Term(C)
Collateral assets	12	$	1,102,711	$	1,100,457	$	1,099,568	L + 3.2%	n.a.	April 2024
Financing provided	n.a.	904,087		904,087		904,087		L + 1.6%	n.a.	April 2024

(A)     Floating rate loans and related liabilities are indexed to one-month LIBOR. Our net interest rate exposure is in direct proportion to our interest in the net assets indexed to that rate. In addition to cash coupon, yield/cost includes the amortization of deferred origination/financing costs.

(B)    Financing under the Term Loan Facility is non-recourse to us.

(C)    The weighted-average term is determined using the maximum maturity date of the corresponding loans, assuming all extension options are exercised by the borrower.

Term Lending Agreements

In June 2019, we entered into a Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement ("KREF Lending V Facility") with Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC ("Administrative Agent"), as administrative agent on behalf of Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. ("Initial Buyer"), which provides non-mark-to-market financing. In March 2021, the current stated maturity was extended to June 2022, subject to four additional one-year extension options, which may be exercised by us upon the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and thresholds. The Initial Buyer subsequently syndicated a portion of the facility to multiple financial institutions. As of September 30, 2021, the Initial Buyer held 22.2% of the total commitment under the facility. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by certain loans, held for investment, and bear interest equal to one-month LIBOR, plus a 1.9% margin. Total outstanding borrowings under the facility as of September 30, 2021 was $659.4 million.

In July 2021, we entered into a $500.0 million Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement with a financial institution (“KREF Lending IX Facility”). The facility, which provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to us, has a three-year draw period and matched term to the underlying loans. As of September 30, 2021, there was $348.9 million outstanding on this facility.

Warehouse Facility

In March 2020, we entered into a $500.0 million Loan and Security Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC Facility”). The facility, which matures in March 2023, provides warehouse financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to us. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by certain loans, held for investment, and bear interest equal to one-month LIBOR, plus a margin. As of September 30, 2021, there was no balance outstanding on this facility.

Asset Specific Financing

In August 2018, we entered into a $200.0 million loan financing facility with BMO Harris Bank (the "BMO Facility”). In May 2019, we increased the borrowing capacity to $300.0 million. The facility provides asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-

58

market basis with matched-term up to five years with partial recourse to us. As of September 30, 2021, there was $60.0 million outstanding on this facility.

Revolving Credit Agreement

We have a $335.0 million corporate revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) administered by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. We may use our Revolver as a source of financing, which is designed to provide short-term liquidity to purchase or de-lever loans, pay operating expenses and borrow amounts for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index and (ii) a fixed margin. Our Revolver is secured by corporate level guarantees and does not include asset-based collateral. As of September 30, 2021, there was $150.0 million outstanding on this facility.

Collateralized Loan Obligations

In August 2021, we financed a pool of loan participations from our existing loan portfolio through a managed collateralized loan obligation ("CLO" or "KREF 2021-FL2"). The CLO provides us with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. The CLO has a two-year reinvestment feature that allows principal proceeds of the collateral assets to be reinvested in qualifying replacement assets, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the indenture. In connection with KREF 2021-FL2, we redeemed all outstanding notes issued as part of KREF 2018-FL1, our $1.0 billion managed commercial real estate collateralized loan obligation that was completed in November 2018.

The following table outlines KREF 2021-FL2 collateral assets and respective borrowing (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2021
Collateralized Loan Obligation 2021-FL2	Count	Outstanding Principal		Amortized Cost		Carrying Value		Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost	Wtd. Avg. Term(B)
Collateral assets(A)	20	$	1,300,000	$	1,300,000	$	1,298,760	L + 3.3%	January 2025
Financing provided	1	1,095,250		1,086,900		1,086,900		L + 1.7%	February 2039

(A)Collateral loan assets represent 23.7% of the principal of our commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, 100% of our loans financed through the CLO are floating rate loans.

(B)Loan term represents weighted-average final maturity, assuming extension options are exercised by the borrower. Repayments of CLO notes are dependent on timing of related collateral loan asset repayments post reinvestment period. The term of the CLO notes represents the rated final distribution date.

Loan Participations Sold

In connection with our investments in CRE loans, we finance certain investments through the syndication of a non-recourse, or limited-recourse, loan participation to unaffiliated third parties. Our presentation of the senior loan and related financing involved in the syndication depends upon whether GAAP recognized the transaction as a sale, though such differences in presentation do not generally impact our net stockholders’ equity or net income aside from timing differences in the recognition of certain transaction costs.

To the extent that GAAP recognizes a sale resulting from the syndication, we derecognize the participation in the senior/whole loan that we sold and continue to carry the retained portion of the loan as an investment. While we do not generally expect to recognize a material gain or loss on these sales, we would realize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net proceeds received from the third party purchaser and our carrying value of the loan participation we sold at time of sale. Furthermore, we recognize interest income only on the portion of the senior loan that we retain as a result of the sale.

To the extent that GAAP does not recognize a sale resulting from the syndication, we do not derecognize the participation in the senior/whole loan that we sold. Instead, we recognize a loan participation sold liability in an amount equal to the principal of the loan participation syndicated less any unamortized discounts or financing costs resulting from the syndication. We continue to recognize interest income on the entire senior loan, including the interest attributable to the loan participation sold, as well as interest expense on the loan participation sold liability.

Non-Consolidated Senior Interests

In certain instances, we finance our loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior loan interest that is not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. These non-consolidated senior interests provide structural leverage on a non-

59

mark-to-market, matched-term basis for our net investments, which are typically reflected in the form of mezzanine loans or other subordinate interests on our balance sheets and in our statements of income.

The following table details the subordinate interests retained on our balance sheet and the related non-consolidated senior interests (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2021
Non-Consolidated Senior Interests	Count	Principal Balance		Carrying Value	Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost	Guarantee	Wtd. Avg. Term
Total loan	3	$	466,504	n.a.	L + 3.6%	n.a.	May 2025
Senior participation	3	312,707		n.a.	L + 2.3%	n.a.	August 2025
Interests retained		153,797			L + 6.3%		December 2024

Secured Term Loan

In September 2020, we entered into a $300.0 million secured term loan at a price of 97.5%, which bears interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus a 4.75% margin, subject to a 1.0% LIBOR floor, payable quarterly beginning in December 2020. The secured term loan is partially amortizing, with an amount equal to 1.0% per annum of the principal balance due in quarterly installments starting March 31, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, outstanding borrowing under the secured term loan was $297.8 million. Our secured term loan is open for repricing as of its first anniversary.

The secured term loan matures on September 1, 2027 and contains restrictions relating to liens, asset sales, indebtedness, investments and transactions with affiliates. Our secured term loan is secured by corporate level guarantees and does not include asset-based collateral. Refer to Notes 2 and 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our secured term loan.

Convertible Notes

We may issue convertible debt to take advantage of favorable market conditions. In May 2018, we issued $143.75 million of 6.125% Convertible Notes due on May 15, 2023. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes mature on May 15, 2023, unless earlier repurchased or converted. Refer to Notes 2 and 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our Convertible Notes.

Borrowing Activities

The following tables provide additional information regarding our borrowings (dollars in thousands):

			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Outstanding Principal as of September 30, 2021		Average Daily Amount Outstanding(A)		Maximum Amount Outstanding		Weighted Average Daily Interest Rate
Wells Fargo	$	494,536	$	540,487	$	761,102	1.6	%
Morgan Stanley	260,104		382,062		473,902		2.1
Goldman Sachs	92,332		88,547		107,617		3.0
Term Loan Facility	904,087		924,635		992,777		1.7
KREF Lending V	659,380		876,624		900,000		2.0
KREF Lending IX	348,947		62,598		348,947		1.8
BMO Facility	60,000		60,000		60,000		1.8
Revolver	150,000		17,784		265,000		2.1
Total/Weighted Average	$	2,969,386					1.9	%

(A)     Represents the average for the period the facility was outstanding.

60

	Average Daily Amount Outstanding(A)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2021		June 30, 2021
Wells Fargo	$	598,729	$	529,169
Morgan Stanley	366,046		429,449
Goldman Sachs	97,574		91,075
Term Loan Facility	953,283		878,021
KREF Lending V	830,634		900,000
KREF Lending IX	62,598		—
BMO Facility	60,000		60,000
Revolver	32,609		—

(A)     Represents the average for the period the debt was outstanding.

Covenants—Each of our repurchase facilities, term lending agreements, warehouse facility and our Revolver contain customary terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on our operations with respect to our status as a REIT, and financial covenants, such as:

•an interest income to interest expense ratio covenant (1.5 to 1.0); 

•a minimum consolidated tangible net worth covenant (75.0% of the aggregate net cash proceeds of any equity issuances made and any capital contributions received by us and KKR Real Estate Finance Holdings L.P. (our "Operating Partnership") or up to approximately $1,005.0 million, depending on the agreement; 

•a cash liquidity covenant (the greater of $10.0 million or 5.0% of our recourse indebtedness);

•a total indebtedness covenant (83.3% of our Total Assets, as defined in the applicable financing agreements);

With respect to our secured term loan, we are required to comply with customary loan covenants and event of default provisions that include, but not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on operations with respect to our status as a REIT, and financial covenants. Such financial covenants include a minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $650.0 million and a maximum total debt to total assets ratio of 83.3% (the “Leverage Covenant”).

As of September 30, 2021, we were in compliance with the covenants of our financing facilities.

Guarantees—In connection with our financing arrangements including; master repurchase agreements, our term lending agreements, and our asset specific financing, our Operating Partnership has entered into a limited guarantee in favor of each lender, under which our Operating Partnership guarantees the obligations of the borrower under the respective financing agreement (i) in the case of certain defaults, up to a maximum liability of 25.0% of the then-outstanding repurchase price of the eligible loans, participations or securities, as applicable, or (ii) up to a maximum liability of 100.0% in the case of certain "bad boy" defaults. The borrower in each case is a special purpose subsidiary of us. In addition, some guarantees include certain full recourse insolvency-related trigger events.

With respect to our Revolver, amounts borrowed are full recourse to certain guarantor wholly-owned subsidiaries of us.

61

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

As previously disclosed, beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and for all subsequent reporting periods, we have elected to present results of operations by comparing to the immediately preceding period. Given the dynamic nature of our business and the sensitivity to the real estate and capital markets, we believe providing analysis of results of operations by comparing to the immediately preceding period is more meaningful to our stockholders in assessing the overall performance of our current business.

The following table summarizes the changes in our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended				Increase (Decrease)
	September 30, 2021		June 30, 2021		Dollars		Percentage
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	75,320	$	67,149	$	8,171	12.2	%
Interest expense	29,832		26,958		2,874		10.7
Total net interest income	45,488		40,191		5,297		13.2
Other Income
Income (loss) from equity method investments	2,162		1,256		906		72.1
Other income	130		100		30		30.0
Total other income (loss)	2,292		1,356		936		69.0
Operating Expenses
General and administrative	3,659		3,688		(29)		(0.8)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	1,165		(559)		1,724		308.4
Management fees to affiliate	4,964		4,835		129		2.7
Incentive compensation to affiliate	2,215		2,403		(188)		(7.8)
Total operating expenses	12,003		10,367		1,636		15.8
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Preferred Dividends and Redemption Value Adjustment	35,777		31,180		4,597		14.7
Income tax expense (benefit)	106		103		3		2.9
Net Income (Loss)	35,671		31,077		4,594		14.8
Preferred stock dividends and redemption value adjustment	3,682		1,813		1,869		103.1
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	31,989	$	29,264	$	2,725	9.3	%
Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic	$	0.57	$	0.53	$	0.04	7.5	%
Diluted	$	0.57	$	0.52	$	0.05	9.6	%
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic	55,637,480		55,632,322		5,158		—	%
Diluted	56,011,243		55,907,086		104,157		0.2	%
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	—	—	%

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $5.3 million, or 13.2%, during the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021, this is primarily due to an $8.2 million, or 12.2%, increase in our interest income and offset by a $2.9 million, or 10.7%, increase in our interest expense.

Our interest income increased primarily as the weighted average principal balance of our loan portfolio increased by $238.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021, as a result

62

of continuing capital deployment from loan repayments. In addition, we recognized net accelerated deferred loan fees and prepayment fee income of $6.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $1.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021.

The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the incremental interest expense from additional borrowings on our financing facilities to finance loan originations. The weighted-average principal balance of our borrowings increased by $250.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

In addition, our loans continued to benefit from in-the-money LIBOR floors during the three months ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, 50% of our loan portfolio was subject to a LIBOR floor of at least 0.75%, with a weighted average floor of 1.00%; by contrast, only 11% of total outstanding financing (inclusive of the secured term loan) is subject to a LIBOR floor greater than 0.0%.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $1.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily due to a net increase of $1.7 million in the provision for credit losses resulting from the originations activity during the three months ended September 30, 2021, partially offset by loan repayments.

63

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

The following table summarizes the changes in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

	Nine Months Ended				Increase (Decrease)
	September 30, 2021		September 30, 2020		Dollars		Percentage
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	207,235	$	205,987	$	1,248	0.6	%
Interest expense	84,173		98,477		(14,304)		(14.5)
Total net interest income	123,062		107,510		15,552		14.5
Other Income
Income (loss) from equity method investments	4,508		(631)		5,139		814.4
Other income	296		658		(362)		(55.0)
Total other income (loss)	4,804		27		4,777		17,692.6
Operating Expenses
General and administrative	10,852		11,376		(524)		(4.6)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	(982)		53,782		(54,764)		(101.8)
Management fees to affiliate	14,089		12,740		1,349		10.6
Incentive compensation to affiliate	6,810		3,845		2,965		77.1
Total operating expenses	30,769		81,743		(50,974)		(62.4)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Preferred Dividends and Redemption Value Adjustment	97,097		25,794		71,303		276.4
Income tax expense (benefit)	257		255		2		0.8
Net Income (Loss)	96,840		25,539		71,301		279.2
Preferred stock dividends and redemption value adjustment	6,403		762		5,641		740.3
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	90,437	$	24,777	$	65,660	265.0	%
Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic	$	1.63	$	0.44	$	1.19	270.55	%
Diluted	$	1.62	$	0.44	$	1.18	268.99	%
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic	55,629,810		56,107,765		(477,955)		(0.9)	%
Diluted	55,883,197		56,187,461		(304,264)		(0.5)	%
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock	$	1.29	$	1.29	$	—	—	%

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $15.6 million, or 14.5%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to a $14.3 million, or 14.5%, decrease in interest expense resulting from a decrease in LIBOR, offset by an increase in the weighted average principal balance of our financing facilities of $89.4 million. In addition, our interest income increased by $1.2 million, or 0.6%, as the weighted average principal balance of our loan portfolio increased by $178.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of continuing capital deployment from loan repayments and deployment of the net proceeds from the issuance of 6.5% Series A Preferred Stock in April 2021.

We recognized $20.1 million of deferred loan fees, inclusive of $8.7 million of accelerated loan and prepayment fees in connection with repayments, into interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $13.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We recorded $10.5 million of deferred financing costs amortization into interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $16.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

64

Other Income

Total other income increased by $4.8 million primarily due to $1.1 million unrealized mark-to-market gain from our RECOP I equity method investment during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to a $4.0 million unrealized loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses decreased by $51.0 million, or 62.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to a $54.8 million decrease in provision for credit losses, partially offset by a (i) $3.0 million increase in Manager incentive compensation and (ii) a $1.3 million increase in management fee. In addition, we accrued for $1.5 million of dead deal costs related to deals canceled as a result of the COVID-19 impact during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which did not recur during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The $1.0 million net benefit from the reversal of credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to a more stable macro-economic outlook based on improved observed economic data, partially offset by an increase to the allowance for 4- and 5-rated loans and an increase to the allowance related to newly originated loans. The $53.8 million in provision for credit loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to the significant adverse change in the economic outlook resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and incremental reserves for our 4- and 5-risk rated loans.

The following table provides additional information regarding total operating expenses (dollars in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2021		June 30, 2021		March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Professional services	$	610	$	527	$	567	$	348	$	362
Operating and other costs	1,022		1,167		946		1,209		1,811
Stock-based compensation	2,027		1,994		1,992		1,305		1,390
Total general and administrative expenses	3,659		3,688		3,505		2,862		3,563
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net	1,165		(559)		(1,588)		(3,438)		(126)
Management fees to affiliate	4,964		4,835		4,290		4,252		4,223
Incentive compensation to affiliate	2,215		2,403		2,192		2,929		990
Total operating expenses	$	12,003	$	10,367	$	8,399	$	6,605	$	8,650

COVID-19 Impact

During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created disruption in global supply chains, increased rates of unemployment and adversely impacted many industries, including industries related to the collateral underlying certain of our loans. The impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving around the globe, with several countries taking drastic measures to limit the spread of the virus by instituting quarantines or lockdowns, imposing travel restrictions and limiting operations of non-essential offices and retail centers.

In 2021, the global economy has, with certain setbacks, begun reopening and wider distribution of vaccines will likely encourage greater economic activity. However, wide disparities in vaccination rates and continued vaccine hesitancy, combined with the emergence of COVID-19 variants and surges in COVID-19 cases, could trigger the reinstatement of restrictions, including mandatory business shut-downs, travel restrictions, reduced business operations and social distancing requirements, which could dampen or delay any economic recovery and could materially and adversely affect our results and financial condition. Although we have observed signs of economic recovery and is generally encouraged by the response of its borrowers, we cannot predict the time required for a widespread sustainable economic recovery to take hold.

While the economy has improved significantly since the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, declines in rental rates and increases in rental concessions, including free rent to renew tenants early, to retain tenants who are up for renewal or to attract new tenants, or rent abatements for tenants severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such responses have resulted in, and may continue to result in, decreases in cash flows to certain of our borrowers and potentially in defaults in paying debt service on outstanding indebtedness, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial performance. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt global supply chains, has caused

65

labor shortages and has added broad inflationary pressures, which has a potential negative impact on our borrowers’ ability to execute on their business plans and potentially their ability to perform under the terms of their loan obligations. In addition, declines in economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact real estate and real estate capital markets and result in lower occupancy, lower rental rates and declining values in our portfolio, which could adversely impact the value of our investments, making it more difficult for us to make distributions or meet our financing obligations.

We believe COVID-19’s adverse impact on our business, financial performance and operating results will in part be significantly driven by a number of factors that we are unable to predict or control, including, for example: the severity and duration of the pandemic; the distribution and acceptance of vaccines and their impact on the timing and speed of economic recovery; the spread of new variants of the virus; the pandemic’s impact on the U.S. and global economies, including concerns regarding additional surges of the pandemic or the expansion of the economic impact thereof as a result of certain jurisdictions “re-opening” or otherwise lifting certain restrictions prematurely; the availability of U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. funding programs aimed at supporting the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, including uncertainties regarding the potential implementation of new or extended programs; the timing, scope and effectiveness of additional governmental responses to the pandemic; and the negative impact on our financing sources, vendors and other business partners that may indirectly adversely affect us. The prolonged duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could materially disrupt our business operations and negatively impact our business, financial performance and operating results for the year ending December 31, 2021 and potentially longer.

66

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We have capitalized our business to date primarily through the issuance and sale of our common stock and preferred stock, borrowings from Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources(1), borrowings from three master repurchase agreements, the issuance and sale of convertible notes and our secured term loan. Our Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources, which accounted for 81% of our total secured financing (excluding our corporate Revolver) as of September 30, 2021, are not subject to credit or capital markets mark-to-market provisions. The remaining 19% of our secured borrowings, which are comprised of three master repurchase agreements, are only subject to credit marks. We have not received any margin calls on our master repurchase agreements to date, nor do we expect any at this time.

Our primary sources of liquidity include $307.7 million of cash on our consolidated balance sheet, $185.0 million of available capacity on our corporate revolver, $18.1 million of available borrowings under our financing arrangements based on existing collateral, $5.4 million of net loan repayment proceeds held by servicer and receivable by us, and cash flows from operations. In addition, we had $373.7 million of unencumbered senior loans that can be financed, as of September 30, 2021. Our corporate revolver and secured term loan are secured by corporate level guarantees and do not include asset-based collateral. We may seek additional sources of liquidity from syndicated financing, other borrowings (including borrowings not related to a specific investment) and future offerings of equity and debt securities.

Our primary liquidity needs include our ongoing commitments to repay the principal and interest on our borrowings and pay other financing costs, financing our assets, meeting future funding obligations, making distributions to our stockholders, funding our operations that includes making payments to our Manager in accordance with the management agreement, and other general business needs.

We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operating partners, financing sources, borrowers and their tenants, and the economy as a whole. While the availability of approved COVID-19 vaccines and their impact on the economy is encouraging, the distribution and acceptance of such vaccines and their effectiveness with respect to new variants of the virus remain unknown. Accordingly, the ultimate magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its impact on our borrowers, lenders and the economy as a whole, remains uncertain and continues to evolve. To the extent that our operating partners, financing sources, borrower’s and their tenants continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, or by the other risks disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K, it would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources.

To facilitate future offerings of equity, debt and other securities, we have in place an effective shelf registration statement (the “Shelf”) with the SEC. The amount of securities that may be issued pursuant to this Shelf is not to exceed $750.0 million. The securities covered by this Shelf include: (i) common stock, (ii) preferred stock, (iii) depository shares, (iv) debt securities, (v) warrants, (vi) subscription rights, (vii) and purchase contracts, and (viii) units. The specifics of any future offerings, along with the use of proceeds of any securities offered, will be described in detail in a prospectus supplement, or other offering material, at the time of any offering. In February 2019, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with certain sales agents, pursuant to which we may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $100.0 million of our common stock, pursuant to a continuous offering program (the “ATM”), under the Shelf. Sales of our common stock made pursuant to the ATM may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We have not sold any shares of our common stock under the ATM to date.

See Notes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our secured financing agreements, collateralized loan obligations, secured term loan, convertible notes and stock activity.

(1)    Comprised of term loan financing, term lending agreements, collateralized loan obligations, secured term loan, warehouse facility, asset specific financing, and non-consolidated senior interests.

67

Debt-to-Equity Ratio and Total Leverage Ratio

The following table presents our debt-to-equity ratio and total leverage ratio:

	September 30, 2021	December 31, 2020
Debt-to-equity ratio(A)	1.8x	1.9x
Total leverage ratio(B)	3.4x	3.6x

(A)     Represents (i) total outstanding debt agreements (excluding non-recourse term loan facility), secured term loan and convertible notes, less cash to (ii) total permanent equity, in each case, at period end.

(B)    Represents (i) total outstanding debt agreements, secured term loan, convertible notes, and collateralized loan obligations, less cash to (ii) total permanent equity, in each case, at period end.

Sources of Liquidity

Our primary sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents and available borrowings under our secured financing agreements, inclusive of our Revolver. Amounts available under these sources as of the date presented are summarized in the following table (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	307,731	$	110,832
Available borrowings under revolving credit agreements	185,000		335,000
Available borrowings under master repurchase agreements	18,058		19,319
Available borrowings under asset specific financing	—		800
Loan principal payments receivable	5,415		15,850
	$	516,204	$	481,801

We also have $373.7 million of unpledged loans as of September 30, 2021 that can be financed. In addition to our primary sources of liquidity, we have access to further liquidity through our ATM program and public offerings of debt and equity securities. Our existing loan portfolio also provides us with liquidity as loans are repaid or sold, in whole or in part, and the proceeds from repayment become available for us to invest.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth changes in cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	$	96,858	$	91,418
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	(573,185)		4,141
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	674,811		138,197
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	$	198,484	$	233,756

68

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operating activities were primarily driven by our net interest income, which is driven by the income generated by our investments less financing costs. The following table sets forth interest received by, and paid for, our investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020
Interest Received:
Commercial real estate loans	$	187,399	$	186,559
	187,399		186,559
Interest Paid:
Interest expense	69,492		78,717
Net interest collections	$	117,907	$	107,842

Our net interest collections were partially offset by cash used to pay management and incentive fees, as follows (dollars in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020
Management Fees to affiliate	$	13,377	$	12,798
Incentive Fees to affiliate	6,810		3,845
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	20,187	$	16,643

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Our cash flows from investing activities consisted of cash outflows to fund new loan originations and our commitments under existing loan investments, partially offset by cash inflows from the sale/syndication and principal repayments on our loan investments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we funded $2,247.7 million of CRE loans and received $1,674.5 million from the repayments and sales/syndications of CRE loans.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we funded $462.1 million of CRE loans and received $466.3 million from the sale/syndication and repayments of CRE loans.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Our cash flows from financing activities were primarily driven by proceeds from borrowings under our financing agreements of $2,080.4 million, proceeds from CLO KREF 2021-FL2 issuance of $1,095.3 million and net proceeds from Series A preferred stock issuance of $167.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which were partially offset by (i) repayments of $1,694.6 million on borrowings under our financing agreements, (ii) principal repayment of $810.0 million under CLO KREF 2018-FL1, and (iii) payment of $77.4 million in dividends.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, our cash flows from financing activities were primarily driven by proceeds from borrowings under our financing agreements of $970.6 million and net proceeds from our secured term loan of $292.5 million, which were partially offset by (i) principal repayments of $1,016.5 million on borrowings under our financing agreements, (ii) payment of $73.1 million in dividends, and (iii) payment of $25.1 million for our share repurchases.

69

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table presents our contractual obligations and commitments (including interest payments) as of September 30, 2021 (dollars in thousands):

	Total		Less than 1 year		1 to 3 years		3 to 5 years		Thereafter
Recourse Obligations:
Master Repurchase Facilities(A)
Wells Fargo(B)	$	517,739	$	7,777	$	509,962	$	—	$	—
Morgan Stanley	261,138		261,138		—		—		—
Goldman Sachs	92,562		92,562		—		—		—
Term Lending Agreements(A)
KREF Lending V(C)	669,101		669,101		—		—		—
KREF Lending IX	371,562		6,190		179,348		60,982		125,042
Warehouse Facility
HSBC	—		—		—		—		—
Asset Specific Financing
BMO Facility(A)	60,386		60,386		—		—		—
Total secured financing agreements	1,972,487		1,097,153		689,309		60,982		125,042
Convertible Notes	158,229		8,927		149,302		—		—
Secured Term Loan	397,638		20,293		40,107		39,361		297,877
Future funding obligations(D)	1,224,595		496,629		663,222		64,284		460
RECOP I commitment(E)	4,324		4,324		—		—		—
Revolver(F)	153,164		153,164		—		—		—
Total recourse obligations	3,910,436		1,780,490		1,541,941		164,627		423,379
Non-Recourse Obligations:
Collateralized Loan Obligations	1,172,001		15,342		30,684		30,726		1,095,250
Term Loan Financing	917,580		611,547		269,099		36,934		—
Total	$	6,000,017	$	2,407,378	$	1,841,723	$	232,287	$	1,518,629

(A)    The allocation of repurchase facilities and term lending agreements is based on the current maturity date of each individual borrowing under these facilities. The amounts include the related future interest payment obligations, which are estimated by assuming the amounts outstanding under these facilities and the interest rates in effect as of September 30, 2021 will remain constant into the future. This is only an estimate, as actual amounts borrowed and rates may vary over time. Amounts borrowed are subject to a maximum 25.0% recourse limit.

(B)    In September 2021, the current stated maturity was amended to September 2024, subject to two, twelve-month facility term extensions available to us, which is contingent upon certain covenants and thresholds.

(C)    In March 2021, the current stated maturity was extended to June 2022, subject to four additional one-year extension options, which may be exercised by us upon the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and thresholds.

(D)    We have future funding obligations related to our investments in senior loans. These future funding obligations primarily relate to construction projects, capital improvements, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Generally, funding obligations are subject to certain conditions that must be met, such as customary construction draw certifications, minimum debt service coverage ratios, minimal debt yield tests, or executions of new leases before advances are made to the borrower. As such, the allocation of our future funding obligations is based on the earlier of the expected funding or commitment expiration date.

(E)    Amounts committed to invest in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I, which had a two-year investment period which ended in April 2019.

(F)    Any amounts borrowed are full recourse to certain subsidiaries of KREF. Includes principal and assumes interest outstanding over a one-year period. Amounts are estimated based on the amount outstanding under the Revolver and the interest rate in effect as of September 30, 2021. This is only an estimate as actual amounts borrowed, the timing of repayments and interest rates may vary over time. The Revolver matures in December 2023.

We are required to pay our Manager a base management fee, an incentive fee and reimbursements for certain expenses pursuant to our management agreement. The table above does not include the amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement as they are not fixed and determinable. See Note 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for additional terms and details of the fees payable under our management agreement.

As a REIT, we generally must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, to stockholders in the form of dividends to comply with the REIT provisions of the Code. Our taxable income does not necessarily equal our net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP, or our Distributable Earnings as described above under "Key Financial Measures and Indicators — Distributable Earnings."

70

Subsequent Events

Our subsequent events are detailed in Note 16 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires our Manager to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. There have been no material changes to our Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We originate and purchase CRE debt and related instruments generally to be held as long-term investments at amortized cost. We adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, and subsequent amendments (“ASU 2016-13”), which replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss or CECL model. CECL amends the previous credit loss model to reflect our current estimate of all expected credit losses, not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information.

In connection with our adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2020, we implemented new processes including the utilization of loan loss forecasting models, updates to our reserve policy documentation, changes to our internal reporting processes and related internal controls. We have implemented loan loss forecasting models for estimating expected life-time credit losses, at the individual loan level, for our commercial mortgage loan portfolio. The CECL forecasting methods used by us include (i) a probability of default and loss given default method using underlying third-party CMBS/CRE loan database with historical loan losses from 1998 to 2020, and (ii) probability weighted expected cash flow method, depending on the type of loan and the availability of relevant historical market loan loss data. We might use other acceptable alternative approaches in the future depending on, among other factors, the type of loan, underlying collateral, and availability of relevant historical market loan loss data.

We estimate our CECL allowance for our loan portfolio, including unfunded loan commitments, at the individual loan level. Significant inputs to our forecasting methods include (i) key loan-specific inputs such as loan-to-value ("LTV"), vintage year, loan-term, underlying property type, geographic location, and expected timing and amount of future loan fundings, (ii) performance against the underwritten business plan and our internal loan risk rating and (iii) a macro-economic forecast. In certain instances, we consider relevant loan-specific qualitative factors to certain loans to estimate its CECL allowance.

We consider loan investments that are both (i) expected to be substantially repaid through the operation or sale of the underlying collateral, and (ii) for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, to be “collateral-dependent” loans. For such loans that we determine that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, we measure the expected losses based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For collateral-dependent loans that we determine foreclosure is not probable, we apply a practical expedient to estimate expected losses using the difference between the collateral’s fair value (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan.

We consider the individual loan internal risk rating as the primary credit quality indicator underlying the CECL assessment. We perform a quarterly review of our loan portfolio at the individual loan level to determine the internal risk rating for each of our loans by assessing the risk factors of each loan, including, without limitation, LTV, debt yield, property type, geographic and local market dynamics, physical condition, cash flow volatility, leasing and tenant profile, loan structure and exit plan, and project sponsorship. Considering these factors, we rate our loans based on a five-point scale, "1" though "5", from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows:

1—Very Low Risk—The underlying property performance has surpassed underwritten expectations, and the sponsor’s business plan is generally complete. The property demonstrates stabilized occupancy and/or rental rates resulting in

71

strong current cash flow and/or a very low loan-to-value ratio (<65%). At the level of performance, it is very likely that the underlying loan can be refinanced easily in the period’s prevailing capital market conditions.

2—Low Risk—The underlying property performance has matched or exceeded underwritten expectations, and the sponsor’s business plan may be ahead of schedule or has achieved some or many of the major milestones from a risk mitigation perspective. The property has achieved improving occupancy at market rents, resulting in sufficient current cash flow and/or a low loan-to-value ratio (65%-70%). Operating trends are favorable, and the underlying loan can be refinanced in today’s prevailing capital market conditions. The sponsor/manager is well capitalized or has demonstrated a history of success in owning or operating similar real estate.

3—Average Risk—The underlying property performance is in-line with underwritten expectations, or the sponsor may be in the early stages of executing its business plan. Current cash flow supports debt service payments, or there is an ample interest reserve or loan structure in place to provide the sponsor time to execute the value-improvement plan. The property exhibits a moderate loan-to-value ratio (<75%). Loan structure appropriately mitigates additional risks. The sponsor/manager has a stable credit history and experience owning or operating similar real estate.

4—High Risk/Potential for Loss—A loan that has a risk of realizing a principal loss. The underlying property performance is behind underwritten expectations, or the sponsor is behind schedule in executing its business plan. The underlying market fundamentals may have deteriorated, comparable property valuations may be declining or property occupancy has been volatile, resulting in current cash flow that may not support debt service payments. The loan exhibits a high loan-to-value ratio (>80%), and the loan covenants are unlikely to fully mitigate some risks. Interest payments may come from an interest reserve or sponsor equity.

5—Impaired/Loss Likely—A loan that has a very high risk of realizing a principal loss or has otherwise incurred a principal loss. The underlying property performance is significantly behind underwritten expectations, the sponsor has failed to execute its business plan and/or the sponsor has missed interest payments. The market fundamentals have deteriorated, or property performance has unexpectedly declined or valuations for comparable properties have declined meaningfully since loan origination. Current cash flow does not support debt service payments. With the current capital structure, the sponsor might not be incentivized to protect its equity without a restructuring of the loan. The loan exhibits a very high loan-to-value ratio (>90%), and default may be imminent.

Refer to Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the description of our significant accounting policies.

72

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment rates and market value, while at the same time seeking to provide an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns. While risks are inherent in any business enterprise, we seek to quantify and justify risks in light of available returns and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.

Credit Risk

Our investments are subject to credit risk, including the risk of default. The performance and value of our investments depend upon the sponsors' ability to operate the properties that serve as our collateral so that they produce cash flows adequate to pay interest and principal due to us. To monitor this risk, our Manager reviews our investment portfolio and is in regular contact with the sponsors, monitoring performance of the collateral and enforcing our rights as necessary.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt global supply chains, has caused labor shortages and has added broad inflationary pressures, which has a potential negative impact on our borrowers’ ability to execute on their business plans and potentially their ability to perform under the terms of their loan obligations. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the commercial real estate markets, causing reduced occupancy, requests from tenants for rent deferral or abatement, and delays in property renovations currently planned or underway. While the economy has improved significantly from the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, these negative conditions may persist into the future and impair our borrowers’ ability to pay principal and interest due under our loan agreements. We maintain robust asset management relationships with our borrowers and have leveraged these relationships to address the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our loans secured by properties experiencing cash flow pressure, most significantly hospitality and retail assets, to which we have limited exposure.

Based on the limited loan modifications completed to date, and the relative performance of most modified loans, we are encouraged by our borrowers’ initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their properties and current trends. We believe our loan sponsors are generally committed to supporting assets collateralizing our loans through additional equity investments. While we believe the principal amounts of our loans are generally adequately protected by underlying collateral value and has adequate CECL reserves, there is a risk that we will not realize the entire principal value of certain investments.

Credit Yield Risk

Credit yields measure the return demanded on financial instruments by the lending market based on their risk of default. Increasing supply of credit-sensitive financial instruments and reduced demand will generally cause the market to require a higher yield on such financial instruments, resulting in a lower price for the financial instruments we hold.

Interest Rate Risk

Generally, the composition of our investments is such that rising interest rates will increase our net income, while declining interest rates will decrease our net income. Our net interest income currently benefits from in-the-money LIBOR floors in our loan portfolio, which benefit is expected to initially decrease as LIBOR increases. There can be no assurance that we will continue to utilize LIBOR floors. As of September 30, 2021, one-month USD LIBOR was 0.08%, as compared to 0.14% as of December 31, 2020. There can be no assurance of how our net income may be affected in future quarters, which will depend on, among other things, the interest rate environment and our then-current portfolio. As of September 30, 2021, 99.9% of our loans by principal balance earned a floating rate of interest indexed to one-month USD LIBOR. The interest rates we pay under our current financing facilities are floating rate. Accordingly, our interest expense will generally increase as interest rates increase and decrease as interest rates decrease.

As noted above, our interest income generally decreases as LIBOR decreases; in certain circumstances, however, LIBOR floors relating to our loan portfolio may offset some of the impact from declining rates. As of September 30, 2021, approximately 50% of our portfolio was subject to a LIBOR floor of at least 0.75% with a weighted average floor of 1.0%. Due to these LIBOR floors, an 8 basis point or greater decrease in LIBOR would increase our expected cash flows by approximately $2.8 million, or $0.05 per common share, for the twelve months following September 30, 2021. Conversely, a 25 basis point and 50 basis point increase in LIBOR would decrease our expected cash flows by approximately $6.1 million and $10.1 million, or $0.11 and $0.18 per common share, for the same period, respectively.

73

LIBOR Transition

On March 5, 2021, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that all LIBOR settings will either cease to be provided by any administrator or no longer be representative: (a) immediately after December 31, 2021, in the case of the one week and two month U.S. dollar settings; and (b) immediately after June 30, 2023, in the case of the remaining U.S. dollar settings. The United States Federal Reserve has also advised banks to cease entering into new contracts that use USD LIBOR as a reference rate. The Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that includes major market participants, has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR, a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities, as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. At this time, it is not possible to predict how markets will respond to SOFR or other alternative reference rates as the transition away from the LIBOR benchmarks is anticipated in coming years. Accordingly, the outcome of these reforms is uncertain and any changes in the methods by which LIBOR is determined or regulatory activity related to LIBOR’s phaseout could cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past.

As of September 30, 2021, 99.9% of our loans by principal balance earned a floating rate of interest indexed to LIBOR, and 100.0% of our outstanding financing arrangements (excluding convertible notes) bear interest indexed to LIBOR. All of these arrangements provide procedures for determining an alternative base rate in the event that LIBOR is discontinued. Regardless, there can be no assurances as to what alternative base rates may be and whether such base rate will be more or less favorable than LIBOR and any other unforeseen impacts of the discontinuation of LIBOR. We are monitoring the developments with respect to the phasing out of LIBOR and are working with our lenders and borrowers to minimize the impact of any LIBOR transition on our financial condition and results of operations, but can provide no assurances regarding the impact of the discontinuation of LIBOR.

Prepayment Risk

Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at an earlier date than anticipated, potentially causing the return on certain investments to be less than expected. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, any premiums paid on such assets are amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates accelerates the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates accelerates the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets. Additionally, we may not be able to reinvest the principal repaid at the same or higher yield of the original investment.

Financing Risk

We finance our target assets using our repurchase facilities, our term lending agreements, our Term Loan Financing, Warehouse Facility, Asset Based Financing, secured term loan, collateralized loan obligations and through syndicating senior participations in our originated senior loans. Over time, as market conditions change, we may use other forms of leverage in addition to these methods of financing. Weakness or volatility in the financial markets, the CRE and mortgage markets or the economy generally could adversely affect one or more of our lenders or potential lenders and could cause one or more of our lenders or potential lenders to be unwilling or unable to provide us with financing, or to decrease the amount of our available financing through a market to market, or to increase the costs of that financing.

Real Estate Risk

The market values of commercial real estate assets are subject to volatility and may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions; changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay the underlying loans, which could also cause us to suffer losses.

74

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired controls.

As of September 30, 2021, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

75

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The section entitled “Litigation” appearing in Note 12 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For information regarding the risk factors that could affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, see the information under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.

76

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2018, our board of directors approved a $100.0 million share repurchase program, effective June 12, 2018, which was originally scheduled to expire on June 30, 2019. On June 17, 2019, we announced that our board of directors approved an extension of the program through June 30, 2020, and on June 15, 2020, our board of directors authorized a further extension of the program. Under the extended program, which no longer has an expiration date, we may repurchase up to $100.0 million of our common stock beginning July 1, 2020, of which up to $50.0 million may be repurchased under a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that provides for repurchases of common stock when the market price per share is below book value per share (calculated in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent quarterly period for which financial statements are available), and the remaining $50.0 million may be used for repurchases in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, manner, price and amount of any common stock repurchases will be determined by us in our discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. The program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares of common stock, and the program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, we had $100.0 million of availability to repurchase shares under the program.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

77

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
	4.1	Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2021, among KREF 2021-FL2 Ltd., KREF 2021-FL2 LLC, KREF CLO Loan Seller LLC, Wilmington Trust, National Association, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2021).
	10.1	Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, dated as of September 23, 2021, between KREF Lending I LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
	31.1	Certificate of Matthew A. Salem, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	31.2	Certificate of Mostafa Nagaty, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	32.1	Certificate of Matthew A. Salem, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
	32.2	Certificate of Mostafa Nagaty, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
	101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
	101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
	101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
	101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
	101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
	101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
	104	Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.

_______________________

Certain agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this Form 10-Q contain representations and warranties that the parties thereto made to each other. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to such agreements and may have been qualified by certain information that has been disclosed to the other parties to such agreements and other documents and that may not be reflected in such agreements and other documents. In addition, these representations and warranties may be intended as a way of allocating risks among parties if the statements contained therein prove to be incorrect, rather than as actual statements of fact. Accordingly, there can be no reliance on any such representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of any such representations and warranties may have changed since the date of such agreements and other documents.

78

SIGNATURES

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

		KKR REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST INC.
Date:	October 25, 2021	By:	/s/ Matthew A. Salem
			Name:    Matthew A. Salem
			Title:    Chief Executive Officer
			(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	October 25, 2021	By:	/s/ Mostafa Nagaty
			Name:    Mostafa Nagaty
			Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
			(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

79