EX-99.1 2 a2018q4pressrelease.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit


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Farmer Mac Reports 2018 Results
Double-Digit Earnings Growth
- Announces 21% Dividend Increase and New Payout Target -
- Continued Strong Credit Quality -

WASHINGTON, February 21, 2019 The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A), the nation's largest secondary market provider that increases the availability and affordability of credit for the benefit of rural America, today announced its results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
  
2018 Highlights
Net income attributable to common stockholders grew 33% year-over-year to $94.9 million, or $8.83 per diluted common share
Core earnings, a non-GAAP measure, increased 28% year-over-year to $84.0 million, or $7.82 per diluted common share
Added $5.2 billion of gross business volume, resulting in net growth of $717.2 million
Net interest income increased 11% from the prior year to $174.4 million
Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, increased 7% from the prior year to $151.2 million
90-day delinquencies were 0.37% of the $7.2 billion Farm & Ranch portfolio as of December 31, 2018, compared to 0.71% as of December 31, 2017

Subsequent to December 31, 2018
Entered into a master participation agreement with CoBank on February 13, 2019
Purchased a portfolio of participations in seasoned Rural Utilities loans in the amount of $546 million on February 19, 2019
Represents Farmer Mac's first direct loan participation purchase with CoBank
On February 19, 2019, Farmer Mac's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per common share for first quarter 2019
Reflects an increase of $0.12 per common share, or 21%, over the quarterly dividend payout in 2018
Board of directors increased our common stock dividend payout target, as a percentage of annual core earnings, from 30% for 2018 to 35% for 2019 and beyond

"Farmer Mac reported another year of strong earnings growth in 2018 and also announced notable developments for 2019," said President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Nordholm. "We are very confident in the strength of our business outlook and our future earnings prospects, as demonstrated by our decision to increase our dividend by more than twenty percent for first quarter 2019. We also announced a significant purchase of seasoned rural utilities loan participations, which reflects the first time we've done this type of business with CoBank. This is an important step forward in serving our mission to rural America."

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Fiscal Year 2018 Results

Business Volume

During 2018, Farmer Mac added $5.2 billion of gross new business volume. Specifically, in 2018, Farmer Mac:

purchased $3.0 billion of AgVantage securities;
renewed a $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility;
purchased $960.8 million of newly originated Farm & Ranch loans;
added $430.1 million of Farm & Ranch loans under LTSPCs;
purchased $332.3 million of USDA Securities;
issued $127.9 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities; and
purchased $11.6 million of Rural Utilities loans.

After $4.5 billion of maturities and principal paydowns on existing business during 2018, Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume increased by $717.2 million from December 31, 2017 to $19.7 billion as of December 31, 2018.

This increase was driven by net growth of $477.9 million in the Institutional Credit line of business, net growth of $366.4 million in the Farm & Ranch line of business, and net growth of $163.4 million in the USDA Guarantees line of business. The net growth in these lines of business were partially offset by a net business volume decline in the Rural Utilities line of business of $290.5 million.

We achieved net growth of $477.9 million in our Institutional Credit line of business during 2018, as $3.3 billion of new business volume was offset in part by $2.8 billion of maturities and repayments. The new business consisted of: (1) $800.0 million of new AgVantage securities purchased; (2) $2.2 billion in refinances of maturing AgVantage securities; and (3) the renewal of a $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility. The maturities and repayments consisted of $2.5 billion of repayments on and maturities of AgVantage securities and the expiration of the $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility that was renewed during fourth quarter.

Our Farm & Ranch line of business experienced net growth of $366.4 million during 2018 attributable to $960.8 million of new loans purchased and $430.1 million of new LTSPCs, offset in part by loan repayments of $571.1 million and LTSPC repayments of $435.4 million. Net growth in Farm & Ranch loan purchases decreased by $294.7 million during 2018 compared to 2017, primarily due to fewer opportunities to purchase large loans in amounts greater than $15.0 million compared to 2017. We believe that this could be due to fewer eligible borrowers that are able to secure financing of that size, as well as potentially increased pricing competition for the highest credit quality borrowers of these larger loans. Also, increases in interest rates have reduced the demand for refinances in 2018 compared to 2017. Based on our analysis of bank and FCS call report data, there was a decline in the growth of the overall agricultural mortgage market in 2018. Nevertheless, we believe that our relative share of the overall agricultural mortgage market during 2018 remained consistent with prior years and that our net growth of 9.3% in Farm & Ranch loan purchases compared favorably to the 4.9% net growth of the overall agricultural mortgage loan market based on a review of bank and FCS call report data as of September 30, 2018. Net growth in Farm & Ranch loans added under LTSPCs decreased by $67.2 million during 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to the absence in 2018 of some customers that added large pools of loans under LTSPCs to restructure their credit risk profile, which occurred in 2017.

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Our USDA Guarantees line of business experienced net growth of $163.4 million during 2018, as $460.1 million of new business volume was offset in part by $296.7 million of maturities and repayments. The new business consisted of $332.3 million of new USDA Securities purchased and the issuance of $127.9 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. The repayments and maturities consisted of $282.3 million of repayments on maturing USDA Securities and $14.3 million of repayments on USDA Securities underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.

Outstanding business volume in our Rural Utilities line of business decreased by $290.5 million during 2018, primarily due to repayments on loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs. Capital expenditures have declined in the rural utilities industry, which we believe has decreased the overall demand for credit.

Spreads

Net interest income was $174.4 million for 2018, an 11% increase from $157.6 million in 2017. This increase was primarily driven by net growth in on-balance sheet AgVantage securities, Farm & Ranch loans, and USDA Securities, which contributed to a $10.1 million increase in net interest income. Fair value changes on financial derivatives and corresponding financial assets and liabilities in fair value hedge relationships also contributed $4.9 million in net interest income during 2018. The overall net interest yield was 0.96% for 2018, compared to 0.94% for 2017.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, was $151.2 million for 2018, a 7% increase from $141.3 million in 2017. The improvement was primarily due to growth in outstanding business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $10.1 million, and a $1.5 million increase in the amount of cash basis interest income received from non-accrual Farm & Ranch loans. In percentage terms, net effective spread was 0.91% for both 2018 and 2017.

Earnings

Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for 2018 was $94.9 million ($8.83 per diluted common share), a 33% increase from $71.3 million ($6.60 per diluted common share) in 2017. This increase was primarily due to an $18.4 million decrease in income tax expense due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate resulting from the enactment of new federal tax legislation in December 2017, and a $13.3 million after-tax increase in net interest income. These increases were partially offset by: (1) an increase of $3.5 million in net after-tax losses on our financial derivatives and hedging activities; (2) an increase in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses of $3.0 million after-tax; and (3) an increase in compensation and benefits expenses of $2.6 million after-tax.

G&A expenses and compensation and employee benefits expenses increased by $7.0 million, or 17.5%, in 2018 compared to 2017. Farmer Mac previously disclosed its expectation that these expenses would increase by approximately 15%, or $6.0 million, in 2018 compared to 2017. The incremental $1.0 million increase in these expenses compared to the original expectation was primarily due to nonrecurring hiring expenses of $0.6 million, primarily related to the search process for Farmer Mac's current President and Chief Executive Officer and two other key hires.

Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for 2018 were $84.0 million ($7.82 per diluted common share), a 28% increase from $65.6 million ($6.08 per diluted common share) in 2017. The $18.4 million increase in core earnings for 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to a $16.8 million decrease in income tax expense resulting from the lower federal corporate income tax rate and a $7.8 million after-tax increase in net effective

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spread resulting primarily from an increase in outstanding business volume. The increases to core earnings were partially offset by a $3.0 million after-tax increase in G&A expenses related to continued investments in technology and business infrastructure and a $2.6 million after-tax increase in compensation and employee benefits expenses.

See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" below for more information about core earnings, core earnings per share, and net effective spread and for reconciliations of the comparable GAAP measures to these non-GAAP measures.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Results

Business Volume

During fourth quarter 2018, Farmer Mac added $1.0 billion of gross new business volume. Specifically, in fourth quarter 2018, Farmer Mac:

purchased $585.8 million of AgVantage securities;
purchased $285.0 million of newly originated Farm & Ranch loans;
added $80.8 million of Farm & Ranch loans under LTSPCs;
purchased $68.1 million of USDA Securities;
issued $22.2 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities; and
purchased $3.0 million of Rural Utilities loans.

After $861.0 million of maturities and principal paydowns on existing business during fourth quarter 2018, Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume increased by $183.9 million from September 30, 2018 to $19.7 billion as of December 31, 2018. This increase was driven by net growth of $167.7 million in Farm & Ranch loan purchases, $44.4 million in the USDA Securities line of business, and $17.5 million in net new Institutional Credit business from financial fund counterparties.

Our Farm & Ranch line of business experienced net growth of $162.0 million during fourth quarter 2018 attributable to $285.0 million of new loans purchased and $80.8 million of new LTSPCs, offset in part by loan repayments of $117.3 million and LTSPC repayments of $86.6 million.

Net growth in Farm & Ranch loan purchases of $167.7 million increased 29% from fourth quarter 2017 primarily due to an increase in borrower demand for long-term financing amidst uncertainty in a rising interest rate environment. Farmer Mac also purchased a large loan over $50 million and retained a $38 million portion.

Net growth in Farm & Ranch loans added under LTSPCs decreased by $5.7 million during fourth quarter 2018.

Our USDA Guarantees line of business experienced net growth of $44.4 million during fourth quarter 2018, as $90.3 million of new business volume was offset in part by $45.9 million of maturities and repayments. The new business was comprised of $68.1 million of new USDA Securities purchased and the issuance of $22.2 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. The repayments and maturities consisted of $44.7 million of repayments on USDA Securities and $1.2 million of repayments on maturing USDA Securities underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.

Our Institutional Credit line of business achieved net growth of $17.5 million during fourth quarter 2018 attributable to (1) $33.3 million of new AgVantage securities purchased (from financial fund counterparties);

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and (2) $500.0 million in refinances of maturing AgVantage securities. These purchases were offset in part by $515.7 million of amortization of existing AgVantage securities and repayments on maturing AgVantage securities.

Outstanding business volume in our Rural Utilities line of business decreased by $39.9 million during fourth quarter 2018, primarily due to repayments on maturing loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs.

Spreads

Net interest income for fourth quarter 2018 was $42.2 million, compared to $41.3 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by net growth in on-balance sheet AgVantage securities, Farm & Ranch loans, and USDA Securities. Net interest yield was 0.93% for fourth quarter 2018, a modest decrease from 0.94% in fourth quarter 2017. This was primarily due to fair value changes on financial derivatives and corresponding financial assets and liabilities in fair value hedge relationships.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, for fourth quarter 2018 was $38.9 million, a $1.4 million increase from $37.5 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily attributable to growth in outstanding business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $1.9 million. In percentage terms, net effective spread was 0.93% for both fourth quarter 2018 and fourth quarter 2017.

Earnings

Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for fourth quarter 2018 was $19.6 million ($1.82 per diluted common share), a 17% increase from $16.7 million ($1.55 per diluted common share) in fourth quarter 2017. The $2.9 million increase was driven by a $7.1 million decrease in income tax expense primarily resulting from the lower federal corporate income tax rate and a $0.7 million after-tax increase in net interest income resulting primarily from an increase in outstanding business volume. These were partially offset by a $2.8 million after-tax increase in non-interest operating expenses related to higher compensation and employee benefits expenses and higher G&A expenses.

Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for fourth quarter 2018 was $20.5 million ($1.90 per diluted common share), a 14% increase from $17.9 million ($1.65 per diluted common share) in fourth quarter 2017. The $2.6 million year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a $5.4 million decrease in income tax expense primarily resulting from the lower federal corporate income tax rate and a $1.1 million after-tax increase in net effective spread primarily resulting from an increase in outstanding business volume. These increases to core earnings were partially offset by a $1.2 million after-tax increase in G&A expenses related to continued investments in technology and business infrastructure and a $1.5 million after-tax increase in compensation and employee benefits expenses. Significantly contributing to the increase in compensation expense was the absence in 2018 of the recoupment of approximately $1.1 million after-tax in compensation costs related to the forfeiture of unvested equity awards and annual variable incentive compensation resulting from the termination of employment of Farmer Mac's former President and Chief Executive Officer in December 2017.

Credit

Our overall credit quality improved during 2018 compared to 2017. Our total provision for losses and our 90-day delinquencies each decreased year-over-year, while our total allowance for losses and substandard assets as a percent of our Farm & Ranch portfolio each remained the same. While we expect that over time our 90-day delinquency and substandard assets rates will revert closer to Farmer Mac's historical averages,

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our overall credit quality did not deteriorate in 2018 compared to 2017 because borrowers had sufficient capacity to meet their financial obligations.

Farmer Mac's total provision for losses recorded in 2018 was $0.3 million, compared to $1.8 million in 2017, which reflects a decrease of $1.5 million year-over-year.

In the Farm & Ranch portfolio, 90-day delinquencies were $26.9 million (0.37% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018, compared to $48.4 million (0.71% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2017. The year-over-year decrease is primarily due to two permanent planting loans to one borrower in the aggregate amount of $15.3 million that became current during 2018.

There are currently no delinquent AgVantage securities or Rural Utilities loans held or underlying LTSPCs, and USDA Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.14% of total business volume as of December 31, 2018, compared to 0.25% as of December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were $232.7 million (3.2% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $221.3 million (3.2% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2017. The $11.4 million increase in substandard assets was entirely due to growth in our total Farm & Ranch portfolio, while the proportion of our substandard assets to the overall Farm & Ranch portfolio remained the same as in 2017.

Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies rate and substandard assets rate during 2018 each remained below Farmer Mac's historical averages of 1.0% and 4.0%, respectively.

Capital

Farmer Mac's core capital, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income, totaled $727.6 million as of December 31, 2018, exceeding the statutory minimum capital requirement by 34%, or $182.6 million. This compares to $657.1 million as of December 31, 2017, exceeding the statutory minimum capital requirement by 26%, or $136.8 million. Farmer Mac's Tier-1 capital ratio was 13.4% as of December 31, 2018, compared to 12.6% as of December 31, 2017. The increase in core capital was due primarily to an increase in retained earnings.

Dividends

On February 19, 2019, Farmer Mac's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share on all three classes of common stock. This is an increase of $0.12 per common share, or 21%, over the quarterly dividend payout in 2018 and reflects the board's authorization to increase Farmer Mac's common stock dividend payout target as a percentage of annual core earnings from 30% for 2018 to 35% for 2019 and beyond. This is the eighth consecutive year that Farmer Mac has increased its quarterly common stock dividend, which has grown from $0.05 per share in 2011 to $0.70 per share in first quarter 2019. In deciding to increase Farmer Mac's common stock dividend and payout target, the board of directors considered our strong capital position and the consistency of and outlook for our earnings, balanced against the need for capital to fund the significant growth objectives identified in our strategic plan and to meet regulatory requirements and metrics established by our board of directors. These actions are also consistent with Farmer Mac's goal of providing a competitive return on its common stockholders' investments through the payment of cash dividends. Our payout ratio of core earnings is also now more in line with those of our financial

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institution peers within the S&P Financial Index and NASDAQ Bank Index, many of which have significantly increased their common stock dividends during the past two years.

The $0.70 per share dividend declared on each of Farmer Mac's three classes of common stock – Class A voting common stock (NYSE: AGM.A), Class B voting common stock (not listed on any exchange), and Class C non-voting common stock (NYSE: AGM) – will be payable on March 29, 2019 to holders of record of common stock as of March 15, 2019.

Farmer Mac's board of directors also declared a dividend on each of Farmer Mac's three classes of preferred stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.3672 per share of 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (NYSE: AGM.PR.A), $0.4297 per share of 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (NYSE: AGM.PR.B), and $0.375 per share of 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (NYSE: AGM.PR.C), is for the period from but not including January 17, 2019 to and including April 17, 2019. The preferred dividends will be payable on April 17, 2019 to holders of record as of April 2, 2019.

Earnings Conference Call Information

The conference call to discuss Farmer Mac's 2018 financial results will be held beginning at 11:00 a.m. eastern time on Thursday, February 21, 2019 and can be accessed by telephone or live webcast as follows:

Telephone (Domestic): (888) 346-2616
Telephone (International): (412) 902-4254

Webcast: https://www.farmermac.com/investors/events-presentations/

Presentation materials to be referenced during the call will be posted on the webpage that can be accessed by clicking on the link noted above. When dialing in to the call, please ask for the "Farmer Mac Earnings Conference Call." The call can be heard live and will also be available for replay on Farmer Mac’s website for two weeks following the conclusion of the call.

More complete information about Farmer Mac's performance for fourth quarter and full year 2018 is in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed today with the SEC.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In the accompanying analysis of its financial information, Farmer Mac uses the following non-GAAP measures: "core earnings," "core earnings per share," and "net effective spread." Farmer Mac uses these non-GAAP measures to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, they are useful alternative measures in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends. The non-GAAP financial measures that Farmer Mac uses may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is intended to be supplemental in nature, and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Core earnings and core earnings per share principally differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations. These fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or

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results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is expected.

Core earnings and core earnings per share also differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business.

Farmer Mac uses net effective spread to measure the net spread Farmer Mac earns between its interest-earning assets and the related net funding costs of these assets. Net effective spread differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it excludes: (1) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value that are amortized as adjustments to yield in interest income over the contractual or estimated remaining lives of the underlying assets; (2) interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, which are presented on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost"; and (3) beginning January 1, 2018, the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in a fair value hedge relationship.

Net effective spread also principally differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes: (1) the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives that are not designated in hedge relationships ("undesignated financial derivatives"); and (2) effective in fourth quarter 2017, the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities. More information about Farmer Mac’s use of non-GAAP measures is available in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed today with the SEC.

For a reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and of earnings per common share to core earnings per share, and net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread, see the "Reconciliations" section below.

Forward-Looking Statements

Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve assumptions and estimates and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties. Various factors or events, both known and unknown, could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this release, including uncertainties about:

the availability to Farmer Mac of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms;
legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac, its sources of business, or the agricultural or rural utilities industries;
fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries;
the rate and direction of development of the secondary market for agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans, including lender interest in Farmer Mac's products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac;
the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities indebtedness;
the effect of economic conditions, including the effects of drought and other weather-related conditions and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values, on agricultural mortgage lending and borrower repayment capacity;

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the effect of any changes in Farmer Mac's executive leadership;
developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;
changes in the level and direction of interest rates, which could, among other things, affect the value of collateral securing Farmer Mac's agricultural mortgage loan assets;
the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to basis risk, which results from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes; and
volatility in commodity prices relative to costs of production, changes in U.S. trade policies, or fluctuations in export demand for U.S. agricultural products.

Other risk factors are discussed in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Considering these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this release. The forward-looking statements contained in this release represent management's expectations as of the date of this release. Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements included in this release to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise mandated by the SEC. The information in this release is not necessarily indicative of future results.

About Farmer Mac
Farmer Mac is a vital part of the agricultural credit markets and works to increase the availability and affordability of credit for the benefit of American agricultural and rural communities. As the nation’s largest secondary market for agricultural credit, we provide financial solutions to a broad spectrum of the agricultural community, including agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, and other institutions that can benefit from access to flexible, low-cost financing and risk management tools. Farmer Mac's customers benefit from our low cost of funds, low overhead costs, and high operational efficiency. In fact, we are often able to provide the lowest cost of borrowing to agricultural and rural borrowers. For more than thirty years, Farmer Mac has been delivering the capital and commitment rural America deserves. More information about Farmer Mac (including the Annual Report on Form 10-K referenced above) is available on Farmer Mac's website at www.farmermac.com.

CONTACT:     Jalpa Nazareth, Investor Relations
Megan Murray-Pelaez, Media Inquiries
(202) 872-7700

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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
As of
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
425,256

 
$
302,022

Investment securities:
 

 
 

Available-for-sale, at fair value
2,217,852

 
2,215,405

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
45,032

 
45,032

Total Investment Securities
2,262,884

 
2,260,437

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 

Available-for-sale, at fair value
5,974,497

 
5,471,914

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,096,618

 
2,126,274

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
8,071,115

 
7,598,188

USDA Securities:
 

 
 

Trading, at fair value
9,999

 
13,515

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,166,174

 
2,117,850

Total USDA Securities
2,176,173

 
2,131,365

Loans:
 

 
 

Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
4,004,968

 
3,873,755

Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
1,517,101

 
1,399,827

Allowance for loan losses
(7,017
)
 
(6,796
)
Total loans, net of allowance
5,515,052

 
5,266,786

Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value
128

 
139

Financial derivatives, at fair value
7,487

 
7,093

Interest receivable (includes $19,783 and $17,373, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
180,080

 
155,278

Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
40,366

 
39,895

Deferred tax asset, net
6,369

 
2,048

Prepaid expenses and other assets
9,418

 
29,023

Total Assets
$
18,694,328

 
$
17,792,274

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Equity:
 

 
 

Liabilities:
 

 
 

Notes payable:
 

 
 

Due within one year
$
7,757,050

 
$
8,089,826

Due after one year
8,486,647

 
7,432,790

Total notes payable
16,243,697

 
15,522,616

Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
1,528,957

 
1,404,945

Financial derivatives, at fair value
19,633

 
26,599

Accrued interest payable (includes $17,125 and $14,631, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
96,743

 
75,402

Guarantee and commitment obligation
38,683

 
38,400

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
11,891

 
14,096

Deferred tax liability, net

 

Reserve for losses
2,167

 
2,070

Total Liabilities
17,941,771

 
17,084,128

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
 
 
 
Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock:
 

 
 

Series A, par value $25 per share, 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
58,333

 
58,333

Series B, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,044

 
73,044

      Series C, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,382

 
73,382

Common stock:
 

 
 

Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding
1,031

 
1,031

Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding
500

 
500

Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,137,550 shares and 9,087,670 shares outstanding, respectively
9,138

 
9,088

Additional paid-in capital
118,822

 
118,979

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
24,956

 
51,085

Retained earnings
393,351

 
322,704

Total Equity
752,557

 
708,146

Total Liabilities and Equity
18,694,328

 
17,792,274






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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Year Ended
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments and cash equivalents
$
16,498

 
$
9,752

 
$
55,179

 
$
34,586

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
77,474

 
56,818

 
290,953

 
203,796

Loans
52,481

 
44,801

 
198,152

 
162,150

Total interest income
146,453

 
111,371

 
544,284

 
400,532

Total interest expense
104,237

 
70,088

 
369,848

 
242,885

Net interest income
42,216

 
41,283

 
174,436

 
157,647

Provision for loan losses
(146
)
 
(474
)
 
(238
)
 
(1,708
)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
42,070

 
40,809

 
174,198

 
155,939

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guarantee and commitment fees
3,506

 
3,484

 
13,976

 
14,114

(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives
(2,999
)
 
(1,777
)
 
(3,687
)
 
753

Gains/(losses) on trading securities
57

 
60

 
81

 
(24
)
Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities

 

 

 
89

Gains/(losses) on sale of real estate owned

 
964

 
(7
)
 
1,748

Other income
118

 
(58
)
 
1,377

 
832

Non-interest income
682

 
2,673

 
11,740

 
17,512

Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
7,167

 
5,247

 
27,534

 
24,233

General and administrative
5,829

 
4,348

 
19,707

 
15,959

Regulatory fees
687

 
625

 
2,562

 
2,500

Real estate owned operating costs, net

 

 
16

 
23

Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses
20

 
(10
)
 
97

 
50

Non-interest expense
13,703

 
10,210

 
49,916

 
42,765

Income before income taxes
29,049

 
33,272

 
136,022

 
130,686

Income tax expense
6,193

 
13,266

 
27,942

 
46,369

Net income
22,856

 
20,006

 
108,080

 
84,317

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

 
165

Net income attributable to Farmer Mac
22,856

 
20,006

 
108,080

 
84,482

Preferred stock dividends
(3,296
)
 
(3,296
)
 
(13,182
)
 
(13,182
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
19,560

 
$
16,710

 
$
94,898

 
$
71,300

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share and dividends:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.84

 
$
1.57

 
$
8.91

 
$
6.73

Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.82

 
$
1.55

 
$
8.83

 
$
6.60

Common stock dividends per common share
$
0.58

 
$
0.36

 
$
2.32

 
$
1.44




11



Reconciliations
Reconciliations of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and core earnings per share are presented in the following tables along with information about the composition of core earnings for the periods indicated:
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2018
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
19,560

 
$
26,474

 
$
16,710

Less reconciling items:
 

 
 

 
 

(Losses)/gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
(96
)
 
3,625

 
(261
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(853
)
 
1,051

 
(3
)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading securities
57

 
(3
)
 
60

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
67

 
(38
)
 
(129
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities(1)
(312
)
 
546

 
632

Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation

 

 
(1,365
)
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
238

 
(1,088
)
 
(105
)
Sub-total
(899
)
 
4,093

 
(1,171
)
Core earnings
$
20,459

 
$
22,381

 
$
17,881

 
 
 
 
 
 
Composition of Core Earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Net effective spread(2)
$
38,855

 
$
39,077

 
$
37,467

Guarantee and commitment fees(3)
5,309

 
5,170

 
5,157

Other(4)
(129
)
 
110

 
69

Total revenues
44,035

 
44,357

 
42,693

 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit related expense/(income)(GAAP):
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for/(release of) losses
166

 
(3
)
 
464

Losses/(gains) on sale of REO

 
41

 
(964
)
Total credit related expense/(income)
166

 
38

 
(500
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP):
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
7,167

 
6,777

 
5,247

General and administrative
5,829

 
4,350

 
4,348

Regulatory fees
687

 
625

 
625

Total operating expenses
13,683

 
11,752

 
10,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
30,186

 
32,567

 
32,973

Income tax expense(5)
6,431

 
6,891

 
11,796

Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

Core earnings
$
20,459

 
$
22,381

 
$
17,881

 
 
 
 
 
 
Core earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
1.92

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.68

  Diluted
1.90

 
2.08

 
1.65

(1) 
Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, which is a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. For more information, see "Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" above.
(2) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" above for an explanation of net effective spread. See below for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.

12



(3) 
Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(4) 
Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(5) 
Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.


Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
 
For the Year Ended
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
94,898

 
$
71,300

Less reconciling items:
 

 
 

Gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
7,959

 
10,218

Gains/(losses) on hedging activities due to fair value changes
4,449

 
(719
)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading securities
81

 
(24
)
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(461
)
 
(1,327
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities(1)
1,708

 
2,674

Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation

 
(1,365
)
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
(2,885
)
 
(3,788
)
Sub-total
10,851

 
5,669

Core earnings
$
84,047

 
$
65,631

 
 
 
 
Composition of Core Earnings:
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
Net effective spread(2)
$
151,195

 
$
141,303

Guarantee and commitment fees(3)
20,733

 
20,350

Other(4)
520

 
935

Total revenues
172,448

 
162,588

 
 
 
 
Credit related expense (GAAP):
 
 
 
Provision for losses
335

 
1,758

REO operating expenses
16

 
23

Losses/(gains) on sale of REO
7

 
(1,748
)
Total credit related expense
358

 
33

 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP):
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
27,534

 
24,233

General and administrative
19,707

 
15,959

Regulatory fees
2,562

 
2,500

Total operating expenses
49,803

 
42,692

 
 
 
 
Net earnings
122,287

 
119,863

Income tax expense(5)
25,058

 
41,215

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (GAAP)

 
(165
)
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)
13,182

 
13,182

Core earnings
$
84,047

 
$
65,631

 
 
 
 
Core earnings per share:
 
 
 
  Basic
$
7.89

 
$
6.20

  Diluted
7.82

 
6.08

(1) 
Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, which is a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. For more information, see "Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" above.

13



(2) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" above for an explanation of net effective spread. See below for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.
(3) 
Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(4) 
Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(5) 
Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.

Reconciliation of GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings Basic Earnings Per Share
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Year Ended
  
December 31, 2018
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Basic EPS
$
1.84

 
$
2.48

 
$
1.57

 
$
8.91

 
$
6.73

Less reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Losses)/gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
(0.01
)
 
0.34

 
(0.03
)
 
0.75

 
0.97

(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(0.08
)
 
0.10

 

 
0.41

 
(0.07
)
Unrealized gains on trading securities
0.01

 

 
0.01

 
0.01

 

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
0.01

 

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.13
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities
(0.03
)
 
0.05

 
0.06

 
0.16

 
0.25

Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation

 

 
(0.13
)
 

 
(0.13
)
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
0.02

 
(0.11
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.27
)
 
(0.36
)
Sub-total
(0.08
)
 
0.38

 
(0.11
)
 
1.02

 
0.53

Core Earnings - Basic EPS
$
1.92

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.68

 
$
7.89

 
$
6.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,669

 
10,668

 
10,618

 
10,654

 
10,594



14



Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings Diluted Earnings Per Share
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Year Ended
  
December 31, 2018
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Diluted EPS
$
1.82

 
$
2.46

 
$
1.55

 
$
8.83

 
$
6.60

Less reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Losses)/gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
(0.01
)
 
0.33

 
(0.03
)
 
0.74

 
0.94

(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(0.08
)
 
0.10

 
0.01

 
0.41

 
(0.07
)
Unrealized gains on trading securities
0.01

 

 
0.01

 
0.01

 

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
0.01

 

 
(0.01
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.12
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities
(0.03
)
 
0.05

 
0.06

 
0.16

 
0.25

Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation

 

 
(0.13
)
 

 
(0.13
)
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
0.02

 
(0.10
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.27
)
 
(0.35
)
Sub-total
(0.08
)
 
0.38

 
(0.10
)
 
1.01

 
0.52

Core Earnings - Diluted EPS
$
1.90

 
$
2.08

 
$
1.65

 
$
7.82

 
$
6.08

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,745

 
10,744

 
10,815

 
10,746

 
10,803


15



The following table presents a reconciliation of net interest income and net yield to net effective spread for the periods indicated:

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Interest Income/Yield to Net Effective Spread
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Year Ended
 
December 31, 2018
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net interest income/yield
$
42,216

 
0.93
 %
 
$
45,058

 
0.99
 %
 
$
41,283

 
0.94
 %
 
$
174,436

 
0.96
 %
 
$
157,647

 
0.94
 %
Net effects of consolidated trusts
(1,804
)
 
0.04
 %
 
(1,681
)
 
0.05
 %
 
(1,673
)
 
0.04
 %
 
(6,757
)
 
0.04
 %
 
(6,236
)
 
0.04
 %
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives
(2,161
)
 
(0.06
)%
 
(3,223
)
 
(0.08
)%
 
(1,943
)
 
(0.05
)%
 
(11,685
)
 
(0.07
)%
 
(10,261
)
 
(0.07
)%
Amortization of premiums/discounts on assets consolidated at fair value
(138
)
 
 %
 
49

 
 %
 
(28
)
 
 %
 
417

 
0.01
 %
 
1,191

 
0.01
 %
Amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities
(69
)
 
 %
 
(75
)
 
 %
 
(172
)
 
 %
 
(275
)
 
 %
 
(1,038
)
 
(0.01
)%
Fair value changes on fair value hedge relationships
811

 
0.02
 %
 
(1,051
)
 
(0.03
)%
 

 
 %
 
(4,941
)
 
(0.03
)%
 

 
 %
Net effective spread
$
38,855

 
0.93
 %
 
$
39,077

 
0.93
 %
 
$
37,467

 
0.93
 %
 
$
151,195

 
0.91
 %
 
$
141,303

 
0.91
 %


16



The following table presents core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended December 31, 2018:
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural 
Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Reconciling
Adjustments
 
Consolidated Net Income
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
15,696

 
$
5,108

 
$
3,574

 
$
15,084

 
$
2,754

 
$

 
$
42,216

Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)
(2,408
)
 
(478
)
 
(741
)
 
667

 
(401
)
 
3,361

 

Net effective spread
13,288

 
4,630

 
2,833

 
15,751

 
2,353

 
3,361

 

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
4,621

 
227

 
372

 
89

 
 
 
(1,803
)
 
3,506

Other income/(expense)(3)
179

 
2

 
8

 

 
(319
)
 
(2,694
)
 
(2,824
)
Non-interest income/(loss)
4,800

 
229

 
380

 
89

 
(319
)
 
(4,497
)
 
682

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
(146
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(146
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Release of reserve for losses
(20
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(20
)
Other non-interest expense
(5,096
)
 
(1,516
)
 
(918
)
 
(2,291
)
 
(3,862
)
 

 
(13,683
)
Non-interest expense(4)
(5,116
)
 
(1,516
)
 
(918
)
 
(2,291
)
 
(3,862
)
 

 
(13,703
)
Core earnings before income taxes
12,826

 
3,343

 
2,295

 
13,549

 
(1,828
)
 
(1,136
)
(5) 
29,049

Income tax (expense)/benefit
(2,693
)
 
(702
)
 
(482
)
 
(2,845
)
 
292

 
237

 
(6,193
)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest
10,133

 
2,641

 
1,813

 
10,704

 
(1,536
)
 
(899
)
(5) 
22,856

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 
(3,296
)
 

 
(3,296
)
Segment core earnings/(losses)
$
10,133

 
$
2,641

 
$
1,813

 
$
10,704

 
$
(4,832
)
 
$
(899
)
(5) 
$
19,560

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets at carrying value
$
4,701,736

 
$
2,240,906

 
$
945,282

 
$
8,089,410

 
$
2,716,994

 
$

 
$
18,694,328

Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance
$
7,233,972

 
$
2,515,620

 
$
1,592,115

 
$
8,382,817

 
$

 
$

 
$
19,724,524

(1) 
Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
(2) 
Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3) 
Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4) 
Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount.
(5) 
Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.



17



Supplemental Information
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of the dates indicated:

Lines of Business - Outstanding Business Volume
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
(in thousands)
On-balance sheet:
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
Loans
$
3,071,222

 
$
2,798,906

Loans held in trusts:
 
 
 
Beneficial interests owned by third party investors
1,517,101

 
1,399,827

USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
USDA Securities
2,120,553

 
2,068,017

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
27,383

 
29,980

Rural Utilities:
 
 
 
Loans
938,843

 
1,076,291

Institutional Credit:
 
 
 
AgVantage securities
8,072,919

 
7,593,322

Total on-balance sheet
$
15,748,021

 
$
14,966,343

Off-balance sheet:
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
LTSPCs(1)
$
2,509,787

 
$
2,335,342

Guaranteed Securities(1)
135,862

 
333,511

USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
367,684

 
254,217

Rural Utilities:
 
 
 
LTSPCs(2)
653,272

 
806,342

Institutional Credit:
 
 
 
AgVantage securities
9,898

 
11,556

Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility(3)
300,000

 
300,000

Total off-balance sheet
$
3,976,503

 
$
4,040,968

Total
$
19,724,524

 
$
19,007,311

(1) 
During fourth quarter 2018, Farmer Mac repurchased the 100% participation interests in loans underlying a pool of $134.1 million in Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities at par, thereby redeeming the corresponding Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from their sole security holder. These participation interests were repurchased by Farmer Mac at the request of the sole security holder in exchange for the termination of the participation interests and the reconveyance of all beneficial interest in the loans to the sole security holder that owned the loans in which the participation interests had been issued. The resulting pool of Farm & Ranch loans was concurrently added under LTSPCs. The commitment fee Farmer Mac receives on these loans added under LTSPCs is the same as the guarantee fee Farmer Mac had been earning on the Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities.
(2) 
Includes $17.0 million and $20.0 million related to one-year loan purchase commitments on which Farmer Mac receives a nominal unused commitment fee as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(3) 
During both 2018 and 2017, $100.0 million of this facility was drawn and subsequently repaid. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility. If the counterparty draws on the facility, the amounts drawn will be in the form of AgVantage securities, and Farmer Mac will earn interest income on those securities.





18



The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread by segment:

 
Net Effective Spread by Line of Business
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Net Effective Spread(1)
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018(2)
$
13,288

 
1.79
%
 
$
4,630

 
0.85
%
 
$
2,833

 
1.19
%
 
$
15,751

 
0.80
%
 
$
2,353

 
0.36
%
 
$
38,855

 
0.93
%
September 30, 2018
$
13,887

 
1.91
%
 
$
4,627

 
0.86
%
 
$
2,877

 
1.18
%
 
$
15,642

 
0.78
%
 
$
2,044

 
0.30
%
 
$
39,077

 
0.93
%
June 30, 2018
13,347

 
1.86
%
 
4,398

 
0.83
%
 
2,923

 
1.15
%
 
15,220

 
0.76
%
 
274

 
0.04
%
 
36,162

 
0.86
%
March 31, 2018
12,540

 
1.80
%
 
4,400

 
0.82
%
 
2,950

 
1.12
%
 
14,824

 
0.78
%
 
2,387

 
0.36
%
 
37,101

 
0.91
%
December 31, 2017
12,396

 
1.80
%
 
4,979

 
0.93
%
 
3,057

 
1.14
%
 
14,800

 
0.78
%
 
2,235

 
0.35
%
 
37,467

 
0.93
%
September 30, 2017
11,303

 
1.73
%
 
4,728

 
0.90
%
 
2,765

 
1.07
%
 
14,455

 
0.78
%
 
2,725

 
0.41
%
 
35,976

 
0.91
%
June 30, 2017
11,158

 
1.77
%
 
4,551

 
0.87
%
 
2,669

 
1.06
%
 
14,467

 
0.81
%
 
2,489

 
0.36
%
 
35,334

 
0.91
%
March 31, 2017
10,511

 
1.77
%
 
4,561

 
0.89
%
 
2,568

 
1.04
%
 
12,615

 
0.82
%
 
2,271

 
0.32
%
 
32,526

 
0.90
%
December 31, 2016
10,131

 
1.75
%
 
5,152

 
1.04
%
 
2,530

 
1.02
%
 
11,636

 
0.78
%
 
1,999

 
0.26
%
 
31,448

 
0.88
%
(1) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread to also include the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives and hedging activities. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised net effective spread methodology. See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" above for more information about net effective spread.
(2) 
See above for a reconciliation of GAAP net interest income by line of business to net effective spread by line of business for three months ended December 31, 2018.




19



The following table presents quarterly core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders:

Core Earnings by Quarter Ended
 
December 208
 
September 2018
 
June 2018
 
March 2018
 
December 2017
 
September 2017
 
June 2017
 
March 2017
 
December 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net effective spread
$
38,855

 
$
39,077

 
$
36,162

 
$
37,101

 
$
37,467

 
$
35,976

 
$
35,334

 
$
32,526

 
$
31,448

Guarantee and commitment fees
5,309

 
5,170

 
5,171

 
5,083

 
5,157

 
4,935

 
4,942

 
5,316

 
5,158

Other
(129
)
 
110

 
111

 
428

 
69

 
274

 
107

 
485

 
545

Total revenues
44,035

 
44,357

 
41,444

 
42,612

 
42,693

 
41,185

 
40,383

 
38,327

 
37,151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit related expense/(income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for/(release of) losses
166

 
(3
)
 
582

 
(410
)
 
464

 
384

 
466

 
444

 
512

REO operating expenses

 

 

 
16

 

 

 
23

 

 

Losses/(gains) on sale of REO

 
41

 
(34
)
 

 
(964
)
 
(32
)
 
(757
)
 
5

 

Total credit related expense/(income)
166

 
38

 
548

 
(394
)
 
(500
)
 
352

 
(268
)
 
449

 
512

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
7,167

 
6,777

 
6,936

 
6,654

 
5,247

 
5,987

 
6,682

 
6,317

 
5,949

General and administrative
5,829

 
4,350

 
5,202

 
4,326

 
4,348

 
3,890

 
3,921

 
3,800

 
4,352

Regulatory fees
687

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

Total operating expenses
13,683

 
11,752

 
12,763

 
11,605

 
10,220

 
10,502

 
11,228

 
10,742

 
10,926

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
30,186

 
32,567

 
28,133

 
31,401

 
32,973

 
30,331

 
29,423

 
27,136

 
25,713

Income tax expense
6,431

 
6,891

 
5,477

 
6,259

 
11,796

 
10,268

 
10,307

 
8,844

 
9,189

Net (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interest(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 
(150
)
 
(15
)
 
28

Preferred stock dividends
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

Core earnings
$
20,459

 
$
22,381

 
$
19,360

 
$
21,847

 
$
17,881

 
$
16,768

 
$
15,970

 
$
15,012

 
$
13,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Losses)/gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
(96
)
 
3,625

 
6,709

 
(2,279
)
 
(261
)
 
995

 
801

 
8,683

 
17,906

(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(853
)
 
1,051

 
1,687

 
2,564

 
(3
)
 
1,742

 
1,420

 
(3,878
)
 
(673
)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading assets
57

 
(3
)
 
11

 
16

 
60

 

 
(2
)
 
(82
)
 
(474
)
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
67

 
(38
)
 
196

 
(686
)
 
(129
)
 
(954
)
 
(117
)
 
(127
)
 
(40
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
(312
)
 
546

 
232

 
1,242

 
632

 
862

 
232

 
948

 
2,150

Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation

 

 

 

 
(1,365
)
 

 

 

 

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
238

 
(1,088
)
 
(1,855
)
 
(180
)
 
(105
)
 
(926
)
 
(816
)
 
(1,941
)
 
(6,604
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
19,560

 
$
26,474

 
$
26,340

 
$
22,524

 
$
16,710

 
$
18,487

 
$
17,488

 
$
18,615

 
$
25,465

(1) 
As of May 1, 2017, Farmer Mac transferred its entire 65% ownership interest in Contour Valuation Services, LLC (also known as AgVisory) back to the limited liability company.





20