Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires us to make a number of significant estimates. These include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. Our estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from our estimates and the differences could be material.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Our financial statements include assets and liabilities that are measured at their estimated fair values in accordance with GAAP. A fair value measurement represents the price at which an orderly transaction would occur between willing market participants at the measurement date. We develop fair values for financial assets or liabilities based on available inputs and pricing that is observed in the marketplace. Examples of market information that we attempt to obtain include the following:

• Quoted prices for the same or similar securities;

• Relevant reports issued by analysts and rating agencies;

• The current level of interest rates and any directional movements in relevant indices, such as credit risk indices;

• Information about the performance of the underlying mortgage loans, such as delinquency and foreclosure rates, loss experience, and prepayment rates;

• Indicative prices or yields from broker/dealers; and,

• Other relevant observable inputs, including nonperformance risk and liquidity premiums.

After considering all available indications of the appropriate rate of return that market participants would require, we consider the reasonableness of the range indicated by the results to determine an estimate that is most representative of fair value.

The markets for many of the real estate securities that we invest in and issue are generally illiquid. Establishing fair values for illiquid assets and liabilities is inherently subjective and is often dependent upon our estimates and modeling assumptions. If we determine that either the volume and/or level of trading activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased from normal market conditions, or price quotations or observable inputs are not associated with orderly transactions, the market inputs that we obtain might not be relevant. For example, broker or pricing service quotes might not be relevant if an active market does not exist for the financial asset or liability. The nature of the quote (for example, whether the quote is an indicative price or a binding offer) is also evaluated.

In circumstances where relevant market inputs cannot be obtained, increased analysis and management judgment are required to estimate fair value. This generally requires us to establish the use of our internal assumptions about future cash flows and appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates. Regardless of the valuation inputs we apply, the objective of fair value measurement is unchanged from what it would be if markets were operating at normal activity levels and/or transactions were orderly; that is, to determine the current exit price.

See Note 5 for further discussion on fair value measurements.

Fair Value Option

Fair Value Option

We have the option to measure eligible financial assets, financial liabilities, and commitments at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. This option is available when we first recognize a financial asset or financial liability or enter into a firm commitment. Subsequent changes in the fair value of assets, liabilities, and commitments where we have elected the fair value option are recorded in our consolidated statements of income.

Our decision to apply the fair value option for new financial instruments is generally based upon our funding strategy for the specific financial asset acquired. For example, securities that we anticipate funding with equity will generally be accounted for as available-for-sale (AFS) securities. Securities that we anticipate funding with a combination of debt and equity or those financed through the issuance of asset-backed liabilities will generally be accounted for in a manner consistent with the associated liabilities. Additionally, we may elect to apply the fair value option for financial instruments that may not perform similarly to our traditional real estate investments or are particularly volatile or complex.

See Note 5 for further discussion on the fair value option.

Real Estate Loans

Real Estate Loans

Residential and Commercial Real Estate Loans — Fair Value

Residential and commercial real estate loans at fair value include loans where we have elected the fair value option. Coupon interest is recognized as revenue when earned and deemed collectible or until a loan becomes more than 90 days past due. Changes in fair value are recurring and are reported through our consolidated statements of income in market valuation adjustments, net.

Residential and Commercial Real Estate Loans — Held-for-Sale

Residential and commercial real estate loans held-for-sale include loans that we are marketing for sale to third-parties. These loans are carried at the lower of their cost or fair value, as measured on an individual basis. If the fair value of a loan held-for-sale is lower than its amortized cost basis, this difference is reported as a negative market valuation adjustment through our consolidated statements of income. Coupon interest for loans held-for-sale is recognized as revenue when earned and deemed collectible or until a loan becomes more than 90 days past due. Gains or losses on the sale of real estate loans are based on the specific identification method.

Residential and Commercial Real Estate Loans — Held-for-Investment

Real estate loans held-for-investment include residential real estate loans owned and securitized at Sequoia entities and residential and commercial real estate loans owned at Redwood. These loans are carried at their unpaid principal balances adjusted for net unamortized premiums or discounts and net of any allowance for loan losses. Coupon interest is recognized as revenue when earned and deemed collectible or until a loan becomes more than 90 days past due or when a loan has been individually impaired, at which point the loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest previously accrued for loans that have become greater than 90 days past due or individually impaired is reserved for in the allowance for loan losses. Loans delinquent more than 90 days or in foreclosure are characterized as seriously delinquent. Cash principal and interest that is advanced from servicers subsequent to a loan becoming greater than 90 days past due or individually impaired is used to reduce the outstanding loan principal balance. When a seriously delinquent loan previously placed on nonaccrual status has cured, meaning all delinquent principal and interest have been remitted by the borrower, the loan is placed back on accrual status. Loans that have been individually impaired are placed back on accrual status once the loan is considered reperforming.

We use the interest method to determine an effective yield to amortize the premium or discount on real estate loans held-for-investment. For residential loans acquired prior to July 1, 2004, we use coupon interest rates as they change over time and anticipated principal payments to determine periodic amortization. For loans acquired after July 1, 2004, we use the initial coupon interest rate of the loans (without regard to future changes in the underlying indices) and anticipated principal payments, if any, to determine periodic amortization.

We reclassify loans held-for-investment as loans held-for-sale if we determine that these loans will be sold to third-parties. This may occur, for example, if we exercise our right to call ABS issued by a Sequoia securitization trust and decide to subsequently sell the underlying loans to third-parties.

See Note 6 for further discussion on real estate loans.

Real Estate Securities, at Fair Value

Real Estate Securities, at Fair Value

Trading Securities

Trading securities include residential, commercial, and collateralized debt obligation (CDO) securities. Trading securities are carried at their estimated fair values. Coupon interest is recognized as interest income when earned and deemed collectible. All changes in fair value are reported through our consolidated statements of income in market valuation adjustments, net.

We primarily denote trading securities as those securities where we have adopted the fair value option. We currently account for certain securities at Redwood and all securities at Acacia entities as trading securities, at fair value.

Available-for-Sale (AFS) Securities

AFS securities include certain residential, commercial, and CDO securities. AFS securities are carried at their estimated fair values with cumulative unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in our consolidated statements of equity. Coupon interest is recognized as interest income when earned and deemed collectible, and the interest method is used to determine an effective yield to amortize purchase premiums, discounts, and fees associated with these securities into income over time. This requires us to project cash flows over the remaining life of each security and make assumptions with regards to interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. We review our cash flow projections on an ongoing basis and monitor these projections based on input and analyses received from external sources, internal models, and our own judgment and experience.

For an AFS security where its fair value has declined below its amortized cost basis, we evaluate the security for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). If we either — (i) intend to sell the impaired security; (ii) will more likely than not be required to the sell the impaired security before it recovers in value; or, (iii) do not expect to recover the impaired security’s amortized cost basis even if we do not intend to sell the security — the impairment is deemed an OTTI and we record the entire difference between the security’s fair value and its amortized cost in our consolidated statements of income. Conversely, if none of these three conditions is met, we analyze the expected cash flows, or cost recovery of the security, to determine what, if any, OTTI is recognized through our consolidated statements of income. This analysis includes an assessment of any changes in the regulatory and/or economic environment that might affect the performance of the security.

If we conclude through our analysis that there has been no significant adverse change in our cash flow assumptions for the security, then the impairment is deemed temporary in nature and the associated difference between the security’s fair value and its amortized cost basis is recorded as an unrealized loss through accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of equity. Alternatively, if we conclude that there has been a significant adverse change in our cash flow assumptions for the security, then the impairment is deemed an OTTI and we perform an additional analysis to determine what portion of OTTI, if any, should be recorded through our consolidated statements of income. This analysis entails discounting the security’s cash flows to a present value using the prior period yield for the security to determine an “expected recoverable value.” The difference between this expected recoverable value and the amortized cost basis of the security is deemed to be the “credit” component of the OTTI that is recorded in our consolidated statements of income. The amortized cost of the security is then adjusted to the expected recoverable value, and the difference between this expected recoverable value and the fair value is deemed to be the “non-credit” component of the OTTI that is recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income. Future amortization and accretion for the security is computed based upon the new amortized cost basis.

See Note 8 for further discussion on real estate securities.

Other Investments

Other Investments

Other investments included a guaranteed investment contract (GIC) entered into by an Acacia securitization entity that we consolidate for financial reporting purposes. At December 31, 2010, the GIC had been drawn down completely to cover credit losses and principal reductions on the referenced securities. We accounted for this investment at its estimated fair value. Changes in fair value were reported through our consolidated statements of income through market valuation adjustments, net. Interest income was reported through our consolidated statements of income through interest income, other investments. This GIC represented a deposit certificate issued by a rated investment bank and serves as collateral to cover realized losses on credit default swaps (CDS) entered into by this same Acacia entity.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include non-restricted cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. At June 30, 2011, we did not have any significant concentrations of credit risk arising from cash deposits as all of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in FDIC-insured bank products.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash primarily includes principal and interest payments that are collateral for, or payable to, owners of ABS issued by consolidated securitization entities. Restricted cash may also include cash retained in Acacia or Sequoia securitization entities prior to the payments on or redemptions of outstanding ABS issued, or in the Fund prior to distributions to limited partners. At June 30, 2011, we did not have any significant concentrations of credit risk arising from restricted cash deposits as all of our restricted cash was held in custodial accounts or FDIC-insured bank products.

Accrued Interest Receivable

Accrued Interest Receivable

Accrued interest receivable includes interest that is due and payable to us. Cash interest is generally received within thirty days of recording the receivable. For financial assets where we have elected the fair value option, the associated accrued interest on these assets is measured at fair value. For financial assets where we have not elected the fair value option, the associated accrued interest carrying values approximate fair values.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments include risk management derivatives — namely interest rate agreements — and credit derivatives. All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Derivatives with a positive fair value to us are reported as an asset and derivatives with a negative fair value to us are reported as a liability. We classify each of our derivative financial instruments as either (i) a trading instrument (no hedging designation) or (ii) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge).

Changes in fair value of derivatives accounted for as trading instruments, including any associated interest income or expense, are recorded in our consolidated statements of income through market valuation adjustments, net. Changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of equity. Interest income or expense and any ineffectiveness associated with these hedging derivatives are recorded as a component of net interest income in our consolidated statements of income. We measure the effective portion of cash flow hedges by comparing the change in fair value of the expected future variable cash flows of the derivative hedging instruments with the change in fair value of the expected future variable cash flows of the hedged liabilities.

We will discontinue cash flow hedge accounting if (i) we determine that the hedging derivative is no longer expected to be effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the designated hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (iii) the derivative is de-designated as a cash flow hedge; or, (iv) it is probable that a forecasted transaction associated with the hedged item will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period. To the extent we de-designate a cash flow hedging relationship but the associated hedged item continues to exist, the fair value of the cash flow hedge at the time of de-designation remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and is amortized using the straight-line method through interest expense over the remaining life of the hedged liability.

Risk Management Derivatives

Risk management derivatives that we currently utilize include interest rate swaps and caps. Interest rate swaps are derivative contracts in which (i) one party exchanges a stream of fixed interest payments for another party’s stream of variable interest cash flows; or, (ii) each party exchanges variable interest cash flows that are referenced to different indices. Interest rate caps are derivative contracts in which the buyer receives payments at the end of each period in which the interest rate exceeds an agreed upon strike price. We enter into interest rate swaps and caps primarily to reduce significant changes in our income or equity caused by interest rate volatility. Certain of these interest rate agreements may be designated as cash flow hedges.

Other risk management derivatives we currently utilize include “To Be Announced” (TBA) contracts and financial futures contracts such as Eurodollar futures and Treasury futures. TBA contracts are forward commitments to purchase agency mortgage-backed securities to be issued in the future. Financial futures are futures contracts on short-term benchmark interest rates. We purchase or sell these hedging instruments to offset — to varying degrees — changes in the values of mortgage products for which we have exposure.

Credit Derivatives

Credit derivatives that we have historically utilized include CDS, which are agreements to provide (receive) credit event protection based on a financial index or specific security in exchange for receiving (paying) a fixed-rate fee or premium over the term of the contract. These instruments enable us, or our consolidated securitization entities, to synthetically assume the credit risk of a reference security or index of securities. The estimated fair values of these contracts fluctuate for a variety of reasons, such as the likelihood or occurrence of a qualifying credit event (e.g., an interest shortfall, a failure to pay principal, or a distressed rating downgrade), the market perception of default risk and counterparty risk, and supply and demand changes. We do not designate any credit derivatives as cash flow hedges.

See Note 9 for further discussion on derivative financial instruments.

Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred Tax Assets

Our deferred tax assets are generated by differences in GAAP and taxable income at our taxable subsidiaries. These differences generally reflect differing accounting treatments for tax and GAAP, such as accounting for discount and premium amortization, credit losses, equity awards, asset impairments, and certain valuation estimates. As a result of these differences, we may recognize taxable income in periods prior to when we recognize income for GAAP. When this occurs, we pay the tax liability and establish a deferred tax asset for GAAP. As the income is subsequently realized in future periods under GAAP, the deferred tax asset is reduced.

Deferred Securities Issuance Costs

Deferred Securities Issuance Costs

Securities issuance costs are expenses associated with the issuance of long-term debt and ABS from the Sequoia securitization entities we sponsor. These expenses typically include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting, and other fees. ABS issuance costs associated with liabilities accounted for under the fair value option are expensed as incurred. ABS issuance costs associated with liabilities reported at cost are deferred. Deferred ABS issuance costs are reported on our consolidated balance sheets as deferred charges (an asset) and are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the interest method, based upon the actual and estimated repayment schedules of the related debt and ABS issued.

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other assets include REO, derivative margin receivables, fixed assets, principal receivable, and other prepaid expenses. REO property acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value (less estimated cost to sell). Changes in the fair value of an REO property that has a fair value at or below its carrying amount are recorded in our consolidated statements of income as a component of market valuation adjustments, net. Derivative margin receivables reflect cash collateral Redwood has posted with our various derivative counterparties as required to satisfy the minimum margin requirements.

See Note 10 for further discussion on other assets.

Short-Term Debt

Short-Term Debt

Short-term debt includes master repurchase agreements, bank borrowings, and other forms of collateralized borrowings that expire within one year with various counterparties. These facilities may be unsecured or collateralized by cash, loans, or securities.

See Note 11 for further discussion on short-term debt.

Accrued Interest Payable

Accrued Interest Payable

Accrued interest payable includes interest that is due and payable to third-parties. Interest is generally paid within one to three months of recording the payable, based upon our remittance requirements. For borrowings where we have elected the fair value option, the associated accrued interest on these liabilities is measured at fair value. For financial liabilities where we have not elected the fair value option, the associated accrued interest carrying values approximate fair values.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt includes trust preferred securities and subordinated notes at Redwood and is carried at its unpaid principal balance. Our long-term debt is unsecured with quarterly interest payments determined based upon a floating rate equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin until it is redeemed in whole or matures at a future date.

See Note 13 for further discussion on long-term debt.

Equity

Equity

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Net unrealized gains and losses on real estate securities available-for-sale and interest rate agreements previously designated as cash flow hedges are reported as components of accumulated other comprehensive income on our consolidated statements of equity and comprehensive income. Net unrealized gains and losses on securities and interest rate agreements held by our taxable subsidiaries that are reported in other comprehensive income are adjusted for the effects of taxation and may create deferred tax assets or liabilities.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the aggregate limited partnership interests in the Fund held by third-parties. In accordance with GAAP, the noncontrolling interest of the Fund is shown as a component of equity on our consolidated balance sheets, and the portion of income allocable to third-parties is shown as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in our consolidated statements of income. Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest is disclosed in our consolidated statements of equity and comprehensive income.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding. Net income allocated to common shareholders represents net income applicable to common shareholders, less income allocated to participating securities (as described below). Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus amounts representing the dilutive effect of equity awards.

Accounting guidance on EPS defines unvested share-based payment awards containing nonforfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities that are included in computing EPS using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula under which EPS is calculated for common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participating rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to participating securities and common shares based on their respective rights to receive dividends.

See Note 15 for further discussion on equity.

Incentive Plans

Incentive Plans

In May 2010, our shareholders approved an amendment to our previously amended 2002 Redwood Trust, Inc. Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan) for executive officers, employees, and non-employee directors. The amendment provided for an increase in the number of shares available for distribution under the plan. The Incentive Plan authorizes our Board of Directors (or a committee appointed by our Board of Directors) to grant incentive stock options (ISOs), non-qualifying stock options (NQSOs), performance stock units (PSUs), deferred stock units (DSUs), restricted stock, performance shares, performance units (including cash), stock appreciation rights, limited stock appreciation rights (awards), and dividend equivalent rights (DERs) to eligible recipients other than non-employee directors. These awards generally vest over a three- or four-year period. Non-employee directors are also provided annual awards under the Incentive Plan that generally vest immediately.

The cost of equity awards is determined in accordance with share-based payment accounting guidance and amortized over the vesting term using an accelerated method for equity awards granted prior to December 1, 2008. For equity awards granted after December 1, 2008, the cost of the awards is amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Timing differences between the accelerated and straight-line methods of amortization were determined to not be material to our financial statements.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In May 2009, our stockholders approved an amendment to our 2002 Redwood Trust, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) to increase the number of shares available under the ESPP. The purpose of the ESPP is to give our employees an opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company through the purchase of shares of common stock at a discount. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase common stock at 85% of its fair value, subject to certain limits. Fair value as defined under the ESPP is the lesser of the closing market price of the common stock on the first day of the calendar year or the first day of the calendar quarter.

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan

In May 2002, our Board of Directors approved our 2002 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (EDCP). The EDCP allows eligible employees and directors to defer portions of current salary and certain other forms of compensation. The Company matches some deferrals. Compensation deferred under the EDCP is recorded as an asset on our consolidated balance sheet and subject to the claims of our general creditors. The EDCP allows for the investment of deferrals in either an interest crediting account or DSUs.

401(k) Plan

We offer a tax-qualified 401(k) Plan to all employees for retirement savings. Under this Plan, employees are allowed to defer and invest up to 100% of their cash earnings, subject to the maximum 401(k) contribution limit set forth by the Internal Revenue Service. We match some employee contributions to encourage participation and to provide a retirement planning benefit to employees. Vesting of the 401(k) Plan matching contributions is based on the employee’s tenure at the Company, and over time, an employee becomes increasingly vested in both prior and new matching contributions.

See Note 16 for further discussion on equity compensation plans.

Taxes

Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and the corresponding provisions of state law. To qualify as a REIT we must distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders (not including taxable income retained in our taxable subsidiaries) within the time frame set forth in the tax code and also meet certain other requirements related to assets, income, and stock ownership. We assess our tax positions for all open tax years and determine whether we have any material unrecognized liabilities in accordance with FASB guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. We record these liabilities to the extent we deem them incurred. We classify interest and penalties on material uncertain tax positions as interest expense and operating expense, respectively, in our consolidated statements of income.

See Note 18 for further discussion on taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-02, A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring, which provides additional guidance to creditors for evaluating troubled debt restructurings. The amendments clarify the guidance in ASC 310-40, Receivables: Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, which requires a creditor to classify a restructuring as a TDR if (1) the restructuring includes a concession by the creditor to the borrower and (2) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amended guidance requires a creditor to consider all aspects of the restructuring to determine whether it has granted a concession, and includes additional guidance to identify concessions, as well as indicators for determining whether the debtor is facing financial difficulties. In addition, ASU 2011-02 ended the public-entity deferral of TDR disclosures in ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.

We adopted ASU 2011-02 in the second quarter of 2011. At June 30, 2011, the recorded investment in receivables for which the allowance for loan losses was previously measured under a general allowance for loan losses and are now impaired under ASC 310-10-35 was $2.8 million, and the allowance for loan losses associated with those receivable, on a basis of current evaluation of loss, was $0.3 million at June 30, 2011. For additional disclosures related to TDRs, see Note 7.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This ASU converges fair value measurement and disclosure guidance in U.S. GAAP with the guidance concurrently issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. While the amendments in ASU 2011-04 do not modify the requirements for when fair value measurements apply, they do generally represent clarifications on how to measure and disclose fair value under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is not permitted. ASU 2011-04 may increase our disclosures related to fair value measurements, but will not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The ASU eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders’ equity and requires entities to present all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or as two separate but consecutive statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The amendments should be applied retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption of this ASU, our financial statement presentation will change.

Residential Real Estate Loans

Allowance for Loan Losses

Residential Real Estate Loans — Allowance for Loan Losses

For residential real estate loans classified as held-for-investment, we establish and maintain an allowance for loan losses based on our estimate of credit losses inherent in our loan portfolios at the reporting date. To calculate the allowance for loan losses, we assess inherent losses by determining loss factors (defaults, the timing of defaults, and loss severities upon defaults) that can be specifically applied to each of the consolidated loans or pools of loans.

We consider the following factors in setting the allowance for loan losses:

• Ongoing analyses of loans, including, but not limited to, the age of loans and year of origination, underwriting standards, business climate, economic conditions, and other observable data;

• Historical loss rates and past performance of similar loans;

• Relevant environmental factors;

• Relevant market research and publicly available third-party reference loss rates;

• Trends in delinquencies and charge-offs;

• Effects and changes in credit concentrations;

• Information supporting a borrower’s ability to meet obligations;

• Ongoing evaluations of fair values of collateral using current appraisals and other valuations; and,

• Discounted cash flow analyses.

Once we determine the amount of defaults, the timing of the defaults, and severity of losses upon the defaults, we estimate expected losses for each individual loan or pool of loans over its expected life. We then estimate the timing of these losses and the losses probable to occur over an appropriate loss confirmation period. This period is defined as the range of time between the occurrence of a credit loss (such as the initial deterioration of the borrower’s financial condition) and the confirmation of that loss (the actual impairment or charge-off of the loan). The losses expected to occur within the estimated loss confirmation period are the basis of our allowance for loan losses, since we believe these losses exist at the reported date of the financial statements. We re-evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses quarterly.

As part of the loss mitigation efforts undertaken by servicers of residential loans owned by Sequoia securitization entities, a growing number of loan modifications have been completed to help make mortgage loans more affordable for certain borrowers. Loan modifications may include, but are not limited to: (i) conversion of a floating rate mortgage loan into a fixed rate mortgage loan; (ii) reduction in the contractual interest rate of a mortgage loan; (iii) forgiveness of a portion of the contractual interest and/or principal amounts owed on a mortgage loan; and, (iv) extension of the contractual maturity of a mortgage loan. We evaluate all loan modifications performed by servicers to determine if they constitute troubled debt restructurings according to GAAP. If a loan is determined to be a troubled debt restructuring (TDR), it is removed from the general loan pools used for calculating allowances for loan losses and assessed for impairment on an individual basis based upon any adverse change in the expected future cash flows resulting from the modification. This difference is recorded to the provision for loan losses in our consolidated statements of income.

When foreclosed property is received in full satisfaction for a defaulted loan, we estimate the specific loan loss, if any, based on estimated net proceeds from the sale of the property (including accrued but unpaid interest and other costs) and charge this specific estimated loss against the allowance for loan losses. Foreclosed property is subsequently recorded as real estate owned (REO), a component of other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Actual losses incurred on loans liquidated through a short-sale are also charged against the allowance for loan losses.

Repurchase Reserves

We do not currently maintain a loan repurchase reserve and management is not aware of any outstanding repurchase claims against Redwood that would require the establishment of such a reserve. We do not originate residential loans and believe that risk of loss due to loan repurchases (i.e., due to breach of representations and warranties) would generally be a contingency to the companies from whom we acquired the loans and therefore would be covered by our recourse to those companies.

In circumstances where we believe that there is a risk of loss due to a loan repurchase demand (i.e., due to an allegation of a breach of representations and warranties) and we do not believe that full recourse to the company from whom we acquired the loan exists or is enforceable, we will review the need for any loan repurchase reserve in accordance with FASB guidance on accounting for contingencies and establish reserves when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that a matter would result in a liability and the amount of loss, if any, can be reasonably estimated.

Commercial Real Estate Loans

Allowance for Loan Losses

Commercial Real Estate Loans — Allowance for Loan Losses

For commercial real estate loans classified as held-for-investment, we establish and maintain an allowance for loan losses on an individual basis for those loans we have determined to be impaired as of the reporting date. To calculate the allowance for loan losses, we assess each loan for indications of adverse credit conditions such as delinquencies or changes in expected future cash flows. Upon identification of an adverse credit condition, the loans are evaluated for impairment and any resulting impairment is recorded in the provision for loan losses in our consolidated statements of income. We re-evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses at least quarterly.

See Note 7 for further discussion on the allowance for loan losses.

Asset-backed Securities

Asset-Backed Securities Issued

Asset-Backed Securities Issued — Sequoia and Acacia

The majority of the liabilities reported on our consolidated balance sheets represent ABS issued by bankruptcy-remote entities sponsored by Redwood. Sequoia and Acacia assets are held in the custody of securitization trustees and are not owned by Redwood. These trustees collect principal and interest payments (less servicing and related fees) from the assets and make corresponding principal and interest payments to the ABS investors.

Sequoia ABS Issued

Sequoia ABS issued are carried at their unpaid principal balances net of any unamortized discount or premium.

Acacia ABS Issued

Acacia ABS issued are accounted for under the fair value option and carried at their estimated fair values. Changes in fair value (gains or losses) are reported in our consolidated statements of income through market valuation adjustments, net.

See Note 12 for further discussion on ABS issued.