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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Principles of ConsolidationThe consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries during the year: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation, whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Securities included in the Agricultural Finance line of business. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash EquivalentsFarmer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities

Securities for which Farmer Mac has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost. Securities for which Farmer Mac does not have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are carried at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity. For securities classified as trading, unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings. Gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale and trading securities are determined using the specific identification cost method.

Farmer Mac determines the fair value of investment securities using quoted market prices, when available. Farmer Mac determines the fair values of certain investment securities for which quoted market prices are not available, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities based on the present value of the associated expected future cash flows. In estimating the present value of the expected future cash flows, management is required to make estimates and assumptions. The key estimates and assumptions include discount rates and collateral repayment rates. Premiums, discounts, and other deferred costs are amortized to interest income using the effective interest method.

Farmer Mac generally receives compensation when loans with yield maintenance provisions underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities prepay. These yield maintenance payments mitigate Farmer Mac's exposure to reinvestment risk and are calculated such that, when reinvested with the prepaid principal, they should generate substantially the same cash flows that would have been generated had the loans not prepaid. Yield maintenance payments are recognized as interest income in the consolidated statements of operations upon receipt.

Interest Income Recognition on IO-FMGS

Farmer Mac recognizes interest income for its IO-FMGS by applying the effective yield methodology required by GAAP for financial assets that are either not of high credit quality at the time of acquisition or can be contractually prepaid or otherwise settled in such a way that Farmer Mac would not recover substantially all of its recorded investment. The amount of periodic interest income recognized is determined by applying the IO-FMGS effective interest rate to its amortized cost basis (or “reference amount”). At the time of acquisition, the effective interest rate is calculated by solving for the single discount rate that equates the present value of Farmer Mac's best estimate of the amount and timing of the cash flows expected to be collected from the IO-FMGS to its purchase cost. To prepare its best estimate of cash flows expected to be collected, Farmer Mac develops a number of assumptions about the future performance of the pool of mortgage loans that serve as collateral, including assumptions about the timing and amount of prepayments and credit losses. In each subsequent quarterly reporting period, the amount and timing of cash flows expected to be collected from the IO-FMGS are re-estimated based upon current information and events.

Loans

Loans for which Farmer Mac has the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment and reported at their unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized purchase discounts or premiums. Loans for which Farmer Mac does not have the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for sale and reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. Farmer Mac de-recognizes sold loans, and recognizes any associated gain or loss, when they have been legally isolated from Farmer Mac, the buyer has the right to pledge or exchange them, and Farmer Mac does not maintain effective control over them. When Farmer Mac consolidates a trust, it recognizes the loans underlying the trust in the consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost." See Note 2(o) for more information on the accounting policy related to consolidation.

Non-accrual Loans

Non-accrual loans are loans for which it is probable that Farmer Mac will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement and include all loans 90 days or more past due. When a loan becomes 90 days past due, interest accrual on the loan is discontinued and interest previously accrued is reversed against interest income in the current period. The interest on such loans is accounted for on the cash basis until a loan qualifies for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest payments contractually due are collected and certain performance criteria are met.

Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR")

A modification to the contractual terms of a loan that results in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties is considered a TDR. Farmer Mac has granted a concession when, as a result of the restructuring, it does not expect to collect all amounts due in a timely manner, including interest accrued at the original contract rate. In making its determination of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, Farmer Mac considers several factors, including whether (1) the borrower has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy, (2) there is substantial doubt as to whether the borrower will continue to be a going concern, and (3) the borrower can obtain funds from other sources at an effective interest rate at or near a current market interest rate for debt with similar risk characteristics.

Securitization

SecuritizationSecuritization involves the transfer of financial assets to another entity in exchange for cash and/or beneficial interests in the assets transferred. Farmer Mac or third parties transfer agricultural mortgage loans, Rural Utilities loans, or USDA securities into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred financial assets. The trusts issue Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that are beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts, to either Farmer Mac or third-party investors. Farmer Mac guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on the securities issued by the trusts and receives guarantee fees as compensation for its guarantee. Farmer Mac recognizes guarantee fees on the accrual basis over the terms of the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which generally coincide with the terms of the underlying loans. As such, no guarantee fees are unearned at the end of any reporting period.

Farmer Mac is required to perform under its guarantee obligation when the underlying loans for the off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities do not make their scheduled installment payments. When a loan underlying an Agricultural Finance Guaranteed Security becomes 90 days or more past due, Farmer Mac may, in its sole discretion, repurchase the loan from the trust and generally does repurchase such loans, thereby reducing the principal balance of the outstanding Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Security. When Farmer Mac purchases a delinquent loan underlying a Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security, Farmer Mac stops accruing the guarantee fee upon loan purchase.

If Farmer Mac repurchases a loan that is collateral for a Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security, Farmer Mac would have the right to enforce the terms of the loan, and in the event of a default, would have access to the underlying collateral. Farmer Mac typically recovers its investment in the defaulted loans purchased either through borrower payments, loan payoffs, payments by third parties, or foreclosure and sale of the collateral securing the loans.

Farmer Mac has recourse to the USDA for any amounts advanced for the timely payment of principal and interest on Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. That recourse is the USDA guarantee, a full-faith-and-credit obligation of the United States that becomes enforceable if a lender fails to repurchase the USDA-guaranteed portion from its owner within 30 days after written demand from the owner when (a) the borrower under the guaranteed loan is in default not less than 60 days in the payment of any principal or interest due on the USDA-guaranteed portion, or (b) the lender has failed to remit to the owner the payment made by the borrower on the USDA-guaranteed portion or any related loan subsidy within 30 days after the lender's receipt of the payment.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Farmer Mac accounts for transfers of financial assets as sales when it has surrendered control over the related assets. Whether control has been relinquished requires, among other things, an evaluation of relevant legal considerations and an assessment of the nature and extent of Farmer Mac's continuing involvement with the assets transferred. Gains and losses stemming from transfers reported as sales are included in “Gain on sale of mortgage loans” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Assets obtained and liabilities incurred in connection with transfers reported as sales are initially recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, Farmer Mac executed a structured securitization of a $299.4 million pool of Farm & Ranch loans. The securitization consisted of two classes of securities, Class A and Class B. The Class A securities are backed by 92.5% of the pool and is guaranteed by Farmer Mac. The Class B Tranche is backed by the remaining 7.5% of the pool. Credit losses on the entire pool are first allocated to the Class B securities. As a result of the transaction, Farmer Mac recognized the following:

1.A guarantee asset and liability related to the guarantee fees and the obligation to stand ready to perform on the guarantee to the Class A security holders.

2.A servicing asset related to Farmer Mac’s role as Master and Central Servicer. Farmer Mac will earn a related servicing fee.

3.A retained interest-only strip (IO-FMGS) security.

The above assets and liabilities were initially recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. For more information on fair value measurement see Footnote 13.

The securitization trust used to effect this transaction was a variable interest entity that Farmer Mac does not consolidate. See Table 2.4 below for more information about these trusts.

Gains or losses arising from securitization are recorded as the difference between the transferred loans’ carrying values and the sum of (a) the initial fair value of the assets or liabilities received and (b) net cash proceeds. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Farmer Mac recorded $6.5 million in gains attributable to securitization activity. These gains were reported in “Gain on sale of mortgage loans” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Financial Derivatives

Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets, future cash flows or debt issuance, not for trading or speculative purposes. Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swap contracts to adjust the characteristics of its short-term debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its longer-term loans and other assets, and also to adjust the characteristics of its long-term debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its short-term assets, thereby reducing interest rate risk and, often times, deriving an overall lower effective cost of borrowing than would otherwise be available to Farmer Mac in the conventional debt market.

Accounting for financial derivatives differs depending on whether a derivative is designated in a hedge accounting relationship. Derivative instruments designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of assets or liabilities. Derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships mitigate exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows or other forecasted transactions. In order to qualify for fair value or cash flow hedge accounting treatment, documentation must indicate the intention to designate the derivative as a hedge of a specific asset, or liability, or a future cash flow. Effectiveness of the hedge is assessed before the end of the quarter of inception and monitored over the life of the hedging relationship.

Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges were reported in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships, changes in the fair values of hedged items related to the risk being hedged are reported in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships are also recorded in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge relationships, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income. Because the hedging instrument is an interest rate swap and the hedged forecasted transactions are future interest payments on variable rate debt, amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to "Total interest expense" in conjunction with the recognition of interest expense on the debt.

See Notes 6 and 13 for more information on financial derivatives.

Notes Payable

Notes PayableDebt issuance costs and premiums and discounts are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the related debt.

Allowance for Losses and Reserve for Losses

Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL")

On January 1, 2020, Farmer Mac adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Under CECL, Farmer Mac's allowance for credit losses represents the difference between the carrying amount of the related financial instruments and the present value of their expected cash flows discounted at their effective interest rates, as of the respective balance sheet date. Under CECL, Farmer Mac's reserve for credit losses represents the difference between the outstanding amount of off-balance sheet credit exposures and the present value of their expected cash flows discounted at their effective interest rates.

Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover current expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date for on-balance sheet investment securities, loans held for investment, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (collectively referred to as "allowance for losses"). Additionally, Farmer Mac maintains a reserve for credit losses to cover current expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date for off-balance sheet loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (collectively referred to as "reserve for losses"). Both the allowance for losses and reserve for losses are based on historical information and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Farmer Mac has never experienced a credit loss in its Rural Infrastructure Finance line of business. Upon the adoption of CECL, Farmer Mac measures its expected credit losses for the expected life of all financial instruments, including its Rural Infrastructure Finance loans. To estimate expected credit losses on these loans, Farmer Mac relies upon industry historical credit loss data from ratings agencies and publicly available information as disclosed in the securities filings of other major lenders who serve the utilities industry.

The allowance for losses increases through periodic provisions for loan losses that are charged against net interest income and the reserve for losses increases through provisions for losses that are charged to non-interest expense. Both the allowance for losses and reserve for losses are decreased by charge-offs for realized losses, net of recoveries. Releases from the allowance for losses or reserve for losses occur when the estimate of expected credit losses as of the end of a period is less than the estimate at the beginning of the period.

The total allowance for losses consists of the allowance for losses and the reserve for losses.

Charge-offs, under CECL

Farmer Mac records a charge-off from the allowance for losses when either a) a loan, or a portion of a loan, is deemed uncollectible; or b) a loss has been confirmed through the receipt of assets, generally the underlying collateral, in full satisfaction of the loan. The charge-off equals the excess of the recorded investment in the loan over the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs.

Estimation Methodology, under CECL

Farmer Mac bases its methodology for determining its current estimate of expected losses on a statistical model, which incorporates credit loss history and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Farmer Mac's estimation methodology includes the following key components:

•An economic model for each portfolio, including Agricultural Finance loans (Corporate AgFinance and Farm & Ranch), Rural Infrastructure Finance loans (Rural Utilities and Renewable Energy), and AgVantage Securities;

•A migration matrix for each portfolio that reasonably predicts the movement of each financial asset among various risk categories over the course of each asset's expected life (the migration matrix forms the basis for our estimate of the probability of default of each financial asset);

•A loss-given-default ("LGD") model that reasonably predicts the amount of loss that Farmer Mac would incur upon the default of each financial asset;

•An economic factor forecast that updates the migration matrix model and the LGD model with current assumptions for the economic indicators that Farmer Mac has determined are most correlated with or relevant to the performance of each portfolio of assets (including Gross Domestic Product ("GDP"), credit spreads, unemployment rates, land values, and commodity prices); and

•A discounted cash flow analysis, which relies upon each of the above model outputs, plus the contractual terms of each financial asset, and the effective interest rate of each financial asset.

Management evaluates these assumptions by considering many relevant factors, including:

•economic conditions;

•geographic and agricultural commodity/product concentrations in the portfolio;

•the credit profile of the portfolio, including risk ratings and financial metrics;

•delinquency trends of the portfolio;

•historical charge-off and recovery activities of the portfolio; and

•other factors to capture current portfolio trends and characteristics that differ from historical experience.

Management believes that its methodology produces a reasonable estimate of expected credit losses, as of the balance sheet date, for the expected life of all of its financial assets.

Allowance for Loss on Available-for-Sale (AFS) Securities, under CECL

To measure current expected credit losses on impaired AFS securities, Farmer Mac first considers those impaired securities that: 1) Farmer Mac does not intend to sell, and 2) it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell before recovering its amortized cost basis. In assessing whether a credit loss exists, Farmer Mac compares the present value, discounted at the security's effective interest rate, of cash flows expected to be collected from an impaired AFS debt security to its amortized cost basis. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis of the impaired security, a credit loss exists and Farmer Mac records an allowance for loss for that credit loss. However, the amount of that allowance is limited by the amount that the security’s fair value is less than its amortized cost basis. Accrued interest receivable is recorded separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the allowance for credit losses excludes uncollectible accrued interest receivable.

Collateral Dependent Assets ("CDAs"), under CECL

CDAs are loans, loans underlying LTSPCs, or off-balance sheet credit exposures in which the borrower is either in foreclosure or is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale or operation of the collateral by Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac estimates the current expected credit loss on CDAs based upon the appraised value of the collateral, the costs to sell it, and any applicable credit protection such as a guarantee.

Probable Incurred Credit Loss (prior to January 1, 2020)

Prior to January 1, 2020, Farmer Mac maintained an allowance for losses to cover estimated probable losses incurred as of the balance sheet date on loans held ("allowance for loan losses") and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities ("reserve for losses") based on available information. Disaggregation by: commodity type, portfolio, and risk rating; was performed, where appropriate, in analyzing the need for an allowance for losses.

General Allowance for Loss, for Probable Incurred Credit Losses

Prior to January 1, 2020, Farmer Mac's methodology to determine its allowance for losses incorporated Farmer Mac's automated loan classification system. That system scored loans based on criteria such as historical repayment performance, indicators of current financial condition, loan seasoning, loan size and loan-to-value ratio. The previous allowance methodology captured the migration of loan scores across concurrent and overlapping 3-year time horizons and calculated loss rates separately within each loan classification for (1) loans underlying LTSPCs and (2) loans held and loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities. The calculated loss rates were applied to the current classification distribution of unimpaired loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio to estimate inherent losses, under the assumption that the historical credit losses and trends used to calculate loss rates would continue in the future.

Management evaluated those assumptions through considering many relevant factors, including:

• economic conditions;

• geographic and agricultural commodity/product concentrations in the portfolio;

• the credit profile of the portfolio;

• delinquency trends of the portfolio;

• historical charge-off and recovery activities of the portfolio; and

• other factors to capture current portfolio trends and characteristics that differ from historical experience.

Prior to January 1, 2020, Management believed that its use of that methodology produced a reasonable estimate of probable losses incurred as of the balance sheet date, for all loans held in the Farm & Ranch portfolio and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.

Prior to January 1, 2020, Farmer Mac separately evaluated the Rural Utilities loans it owned to determine if there were any probable losses inherent in those assets.

Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans

Prior to January 1, 2020, Farmer Mac analyzed individual loans for impairment. Those individual loans included loans 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured, in bankruptcy and certain performing loans that had previously been delinquent or were secured by real estate that produced agricultural commodities or products then under stress.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common ShareBasic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the daily weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the daily weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and unvested restricted stock awards.

Income Taxes

Deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and taxable income and are measured using the current enacted statutory tax rate. Income tax expense is equal to the income taxes payable in the current year plus the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance.

Deferred tax assets are measured at rates in effect when they arise. To the extent rates change, the deferred tax asset will be adjusted to reflect the new rate. A increase in corporate tax rates would result in an increase in the value of the deferred tax asset.

Farmer Mac evaluates its tax positions quarterly to identify and recognize any liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in its federal income tax returns. Farmer Mac uses a two-step approach in which income tax benefits are recognized if, based on the technical merits of a tax position, it is more likely than not (a probability of greater than 50%) that the tax position would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority, which includes all related appeals and litigation process. The amount of tax benefit recognized is then measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority, considering all information available at the reporting date. Farmer Mac's policy for recording interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions is to record them as a component of income tax expense. Farmer Mac establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining its deferred tax asset valuation allowance, Farmer Mac considered its taxable income of the appropriate character (for example, ordinary income or capital gain) within the carryback and carryforward periods available under the tax law and the impact of possible tax planning strategies.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Farmer Mac accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plans using the grant date fair value method of accounting. Farmer Mac measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. For performance-based grants, Farmer Mac recognizes the grant-date fair value over the vesting period as long as it remains probable that the performance conditions will be met. If the service or performance conditions are not met, Farmer Mac reverses previously recognized compensation expense upon forfeiture.

Farmer Mac recognized $4.3 million, $4.1 million, and $2.3 million of compensation expense related to SARs and non-vested restricted stock awards for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive IncomeComprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes.

Guarantees

GuaranteesFarmer Mac accounts for its LTSPCs as guarantees. LTSPCs and securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is not the primary beneficiary result in the creation of off-balance sheet obligations for Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac records, at the inception of an off-balance sheet guarantee or LTSPC, a liability for the fair value of its obligation to stand ready to perform under the terms of each guarantee or LTSPC and an asset that is equal to the fair value of the fees that will be received over the life of each guarantee or LTSPC. The fair values of the guarantee obligation and asset at inception are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Because the cash flows of these instruments may be interest rate path dependent, these values and projected discount rates are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The guarantee obligation and corresponding asset are later amortized into guarantee and commitment fee income in relation to the decrease in the unpaid principal balance on the underlying Agricultural Finance real estate mortgage loans and Rural Infrastructure Finance loans.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, Farmer Mac uses various valuation approaches, including market and income based approaches. When available, the fair value of Farmer Mac's financial instruments is based on quoted market prices, valuation techniques that use observable market-based inputs, or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. Pricing information obtained from third parties is internally validated for reasonableness before use in the consolidated financial statements.

Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are reported at fair value in the consolidated financial statements each period are referred to as recurring fair value measurements. Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are not reported at fair value each period but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances are referred to as nonrecurring fair value measurements.

Fair Value Classification and Transfers

The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The following three levels are used to classify fair value measurements:

Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 Prices or valuations that require unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.

Farmer Mac performs a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities carried at fair value to determine the appropriate level based on the transparency of the inputs used in the valuation techniques. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Farmer Mac's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement of an instrument requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the instrument. While Farmer Mac believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, using different methodologies or assumptions to

determine fair value could result in a materially different estimate of fair value for some financial instruments.

The following is a description of the fair value techniques used for instruments measured at fair value as well as the general classification of those instruments under the valuation hierarchy described above.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements and Classification

Available-for-Sale and Trading Investment Securities

The fair value of investments in U.S. Treasuries is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as "Level 1."

For a significant portion of Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, including most asset-backed securities, senior agency debt securities, and Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, fair value is primarily determined using a reputable and nationally recognized third-party pricing service. The prices obtained are non-binding and generally representative of recent market trades. The fair value of certain asset-backed and Government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities are estimated based on quotations from brokers or dealers. Farmer Mac corroborates its primary valuation source by obtaining a secondary price from another independent third-party pricing service. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as "Level 2."

For certain investment securities that are thinly traded or not quoted, Farmer Mac estimates fair value using internally-developed models that employ a discounted cash flow approach. Farmer Mac maximizes the use of observable market data, including prices of financial instruments with similar maturities and characteristics, interest rate yield curves, measures of volatility, and prepayment rates. Farmer Mac generally considers a market to be thinly traded or not quoted if the following conditions exist: (1) there are few transactions for the financial instruments; (2) the prices in the market are not current; (3) the price quotes vary significantly either over time or among independent pricing services or dealers; or (4) there is limited availability of public market information. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as "Level 3."

Available-for-Sale and Trading Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities

Farmer Mac estimates the fair value of its Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as Level 3 because there is limited market activity and therefore little or no price transparency.

Financial Derivatives

The fair value of exchange-traded U.S. Treasury futures is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical financial instruments. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as Level 1.

Farmer Mac's derivative portfolio consists primarily of interest rate swaps and forward sales contracts on the debt of other GSEs. Farmer Mac estimates the fair value of these financial instruments primarily based

upon the counterparty valuations. Farmer Mac internally values its derivative portfolio using a discounted cash flow valuation technique and obtains a secondary valuation for certain interest rate swaps to corroborate the counterparty valuations. Farmer Mac also regularly reviews the counterparty valuations as part of the collateral exchange process. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as Level 2.

See Note 13 for more information regarding fair value measurement.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

Farmer Mac has a variable interest in various entities that are considered to be VIEs. These interests include investments in securities issued by VIEs, such as Farmer Mac agricultural mortgage-backed securities created pursuant to Farmer Mac's securitization transactions and mortgage and asset-backed trusts that Farmer Mac did not create. The consolidation model uses a qualitative evaluation that requires consolidation of an entity when the reporting enterprise both: (1) has the power to direct matters which significantly impact the activities and success of the entity, and (2) has exposure to benefits and/or losses that could potentially be significant to the entity. The reporting enterprise that meets both these conditions is deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Upon consolidation of a VIE, Farmer Mac accounts for the incremental assets and liabilities initially at their carrying amounts.

The VIEs in which Farmer Mac has a variable interest are limited to securitization trusts. The major factor in determining if Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary is whether Farmer Mac has the power to direct the activities of the trust that potentially have the most significant impact on the economic performance of the trust. Generally, the ability to make decisions regarding default mitigation is evidence of that power. Farmer Mac determined that it is the primary beneficiary for the securitization trusts related to most Agricultural Finance securitization transactions because of its rights as guarantor under both programs to control the default mitigation activities of the trusts. For certain securitization trusts created when loans subject to LTSPCs were converted to Agricultural Finance Guaranteed Securities, Farmer Mac determined that it was not the primary beneficiary since the power to make decisions regarding default mitigation was shared among unrelated parties. For these trusts, the shared power provisions are substantive with respect to decision-making power and relate to the same activity (i.e., default mitigation). For similar securitization transactions where the power to make decisions regarding default mitigation was shared with a related party, Farmer Mac determined that it was the primary beneficiary because the applicable accounting guidance does not permit parties within a related party group to conclude that the power is shared. In the event that a related party status changes, consolidation or deconsolidation of these securitization trusts could occur.

For those trusts that Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary, the assets and liabilities are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost" and "Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties," respectively. These assets can only be used to satisfy the obligations of the related trust.

For those trusts in which Farmer Mac has a variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary, Farmer Mac's interests are presented as either "Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities," "USDA Securities," or "Investment securities" on the consolidated balance sheets. Farmer Mac's involvement in VIEs classified as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities or USDA Securities include securitization trusts under the Agricultural Finance line of business. In the case of USDA guaranteed trusts, Farmer Mac is not determined to be the primary beneficiary because it does not have the decision-making power over default mitigation activities. Based on the USDA's program authority over the servicing and default mitigation

activities of the USDA guaranteed portions of loans, Farmer Mac believes that the USDA has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trust's economic performance. Farmer Mac does not have exposure to losses that could be significant to the trust and there are no triggers that would result in Farmer Mac superseding the USDA's authority with regard to directing the activities of the trust. For VIEs classified as investment securities, which include auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE") guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, Farmer Mac is determined not to be the primary beneficiary because of the lack of voting rights or other powers to direct the activities of the trust.

In fourth quarter 2021, Farmer Mac executed a structured securitization of a $299.4 million pool of Farm & Ranch loans. For more information about this securitization, see Note 2(e) - Securitization. The securitization trust used to effect this transaction was a variable interest entity that Farmer Mac has not consolidated. Farmer Mac determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of the securitization trust because the subordinate class majority holder has the unilateral right to remove Farmer Mac as Master Servicer without cause.

Custodial Deposit Liability

Custodial Deposit Liability During 2021, Farmer Mac acquired the loan servicing rights for a sizeable portion of its Agricultural Finance loan and USDA Guaranteed Securities portfolios. In connection with this acquisition, Farmer Mac now collects cash from borrowers in advance of the borrower's contractual payment date. Farmer Mac's policy is to include the cash in the consolidated balance sheet as "Cash and cash equivalents" with an offsetting liability to "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" until the payment is contractually due, at which point the payment is applied to the loan. The net change in the amount of this custodial cash will also be disclosed in the consolidated statements of cash flows as "Custodial deposit liability."

Business Segments

Business Segments During fourth quarter 2021, Farmer Mac's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") – its President and Chief Executive Officer – began reviewing financial information of seven operating segments, which are reportable segments. Prior to fourth quarter 2021, the CODM reviewed the financial information of five reportable segments. The CODM reviews the financial information of the seven segments to make decisions about allocating resources and to assess the financial performance of those segments. Prior to fourth quarter 2021, the five segments were: Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, Institutional Credit, and Corporate. Beginning in fourth quarter 2021, the seven reportable segments are: Farm & Ranch, Corporate AgFinance, Rural Utilities, Renewable Energy, Funding, Investments, and Corporate. The purpose of the new alignment of the company's segments is for the CODM to review and analyze financial performance according to the type of customer and market rather than according to the type of product offerings. Additionally, the financial information for the Funding and Investments segments allow the CODM to review the results of the company's Treasury activities. All operating

expenses are managed at the enterprise level and are reported within the Corporate segment rather than allocated to any of the other segments.

The operations and financial results of the Farm & Ranch and Corporate AgFinance segments are within our Agricultural Finance line of business. Beginning in fourth quarter 2021, the Farm & Ranch segment includes the financial results of the USDA Securities portfolio and Farm & Ranch loans. Also beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Corporate AgFinance segment includes loans and AgVantage securities to larger and more complex farming operations, agribusinesses focused on food and fiber processing, and other supply chain production.

The Rural Utilities and Renewable Energy segments are within our Rural Infrastructure Finance line of business. Beginning in fourth quarter 2021, the Rural Utilities segment includes loans to rural electric generation and transmission cooperatives, distribution cooperatives, and telecommunications providers, as well as AgVantage securities secured by those types of loans. The Renewable Energy segment includes loans to rural electric solar and wind energy projects.

Prior to fourth quarter 2021, the financial results of all of the company's AgVantage Securities portfolio were included within the Institutional Credit segment.

The Funding segment includes the financial results of the company's debt issuance, hedging, asset/liability management, and capital allocation strategies. The company allocates interest expense to each of the other segments (except Corporate) using a funds transfer pricing process. That process also allocates the benefits and costs from the company's funding and hedging strategies to the Funding segment.

The Investments segment includes the financial results of the company's investment portfolio, which is held for liquidity purposes. Interest expense is allocated to the Investments segment using the same funds transfer pricing process that is used to allocate interest expense to the other segments.

The Corporate segment includes all of the company's operating expenses, including compensation, general and administrative expenses, and regulatory fees. The Corporate segment also includes items of other income and preferred stock dividend expense.

Farmer Mac uses the non-GAAP financial measure "core earnings" to measure corporate economic

performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, core earnings is a useful

alternative measure in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and

business trends. The main difference between core earnings and net income attributable to common

stockholders is that core earnings excludes the effects of fair value fluctuations, which are not expected to

have a cumulative net impact on financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with

generally accepted accounting principles if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is

generally expected. Core earnings also differs from net income attributable to common stockholders 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. This corporate economic performance measure may not be comparable to similarly

labeled measures disclosed by other companies.

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) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or

liabilities designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship.

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting StandardsRecently Adopted Accounting Guidance


Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements
ASU 2020-04 and 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting	The amendments in this Update provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform on financial reporting. They provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met.	January 1, 2020	Farmer Mac adopted optional expedients specific to discounting transition on a retrospective basis, and as a result of this election, the discounting transition did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.