Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2019 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.30 per Share


Company Highlights:

  • GAAP net income of $0.35 and AFFO of $0.36 per diluted common share1
  • Declares a cash dividend on common stock of $0.30 per share, our third consecutive quarterly increase, and an 11% increase from a year ago

Agency Business

  • Segment income of $22.8 million
  • Loan originations of $1.42 billion
  • Servicing portfolio of $19.97 billion, up 3% from 2Q19 and 12% from a year ago

Structured Business

  • Segment income of $18.5 million
  • Loan originations of $541.5 million

Recent Development:

  • Issued $110.0 million of 4.75% senior unsecured notes due in 2024

UNIONDALE, N.Y., Nov. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.  Arbor reported net income for the quarter of $34.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share, compared to $27.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) for the quarter was $42.4 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share, compared to $36.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.1

Agency Business

Loan Origination Platform

Agency Loan Volume  (in thousands)
 Quarter Ended
 September 30,
 2019
 June 30,
 2019
Originations:   
Fannie Mae$  1,097,095 $  937,977
Freddie Mac   154,986    234,851
FHA   48,995    43,558
CMBS/Conduit   34,000    71,900
Private Label   80,740    - 
Total Originations$  1,415,816 $  1,288,286
    
Total Loan Sales$  1,488,430 $  923,046
    
Total Loan Commitments$  1,477,436 $  1,302,128
    

For the quarter ended September 30, 2019, the Agency Business generated revenues of $67.0 million, compared to $52.7 million for the second quarter of 2019. Gain on sales, including fee-based services, net was $21.3 million for the quarter, reflecting a margin of 1.43% on loan sales, compared to $14.2 million and 1.54% for the second quarter of 2019. Income from mortgage servicing rights was $29.9 million for the quarter, reflecting a rate of 2.02% as a percentage of loan commitments, compared to $18.7 million and 1.44% for the second quarter of 2019. 

At September 30, 2019, loans held-for-sale was $537.8 million which was primarily comprised of unpaid principal balances totaling $529.7 million, with financing associated with these loans totaling $461.2 million.

Fee-Based Servicing Portfolio

Our fee-based servicing portfolio totaled $19.97 billion at September 30, 2019, an increase of 3% from June 30, 2019, primarily a result of $1.42 billion of new loan originations, net of $799.7 million in portfolio runoff during the quarter. Servicing revenue, net was $13.8 million for the quarter and consisted of servicing revenue of $25.9 million, net of amortization of mortgage servicing rights totaling $12.1 million.

 Fee-Based Servicing Portfolio ($ in thousands)
 As of September 30, 2019 As of June 30, 2019
 UPBWtd. Avg.
Fee 
Wtd. Avg.
Life (in
years)
 UPBWtd. Avg.
Fee 
Wtd. Avg.
Life (in
years)
Fannie Mae$  14,616,8160.492%8.1 $  14,122,9160.495%7.8
Freddie Mac   4,664,7500.300%19.2    4,657,0970.301%10.9
FHA   684,3160.154%11.0    684,5270.153%19.1
Total$  19,965,8820.435%9.2 $  19,464,5400.436%9.0
        

Loans sold under the Fannie Mae program contain an obligation to partially guarantee the performance of the loan (“loss-sharing obligations”). At September 30, 2019, the Company’s allowance for loss-sharing obligations was $35.5 million, representing 0.24% of the Fannie Mae servicing portfolio.

Structured Business

Portfolio and Investment Activity

  • Originated 32 loans totaling $541.5 million, of which $478.3 million was funded at September 30, 2019, and consisted primarily of 29 bridge loans totaling $533.7 million
  • Payoffs and pay downs on 43 loans totaling $456.8 million

At September 30, 2019, the loan and investment portfolio’s unpaid principal balance, excluding loan loss reserves, was $3.97 billion, with a weighted average current interest pay rate of 6.33%, compared to $3.93 billion and 6.64% at June 30, 2019.  Including certain fees earned and costs associated with the loan and investment portfolio, the weighted average current interest pay rate was 7.04% at September 30, 2019, compared to 7.34% at June 30, 2019.

The average balance of the Company’s loan and investment portfolio during the third quarter of 2019, excluding loan loss reserves, was $3.94 billion with a weighted average yield of 7.31%, compared to $3.62 billion and 8.24% for the second quarter of 2019. The decrease in average yield was primarily due to higher fees on loan payoffs in the second quarter largely the result of default interest received combined with a decrease in LIBOR in the third quarter.

At September 30, 2019, the Company’s total loan loss reserves were $71.1 million on five loans with an aggregate carrying value before loan loss reserves of $131.3 million. The Company also had three non-performing loans with a carrying value of $3.5 million, net of related loan loss reserves of $1.7 million.

Financing Activity

The balance of debt that finances the Company’s loan and investment portfolio at September 30, 2019 was $3.52 billion with a weighted average interest rate including fees of 4.65% as compared to $3.62 billion and a rate of 4.96% at June 30, 2019. The average balance of debt that finances the Company’s loan and investment portfolio for the third quarter of 2019 was $3.52 billion, as compared to $3.35 billion for the second quarter of 2019. The average cost of borrowings for the third quarter was 4.87%, compared to 5.35% for the second quarter of 2019. The decrease in average costs was primarily due to the acceleration of fees related to the early repayment of debt in the second quarter combined with a decrease in LIBOR in the third quarter.

The Company is subject to various financial covenants and restrictions under the terms of its collateralized securitization vehicles, financing facilities and unsecured debt. The Company believes it was in compliance with all financial covenants and restrictions as of September 30, 2019 and as of the most recent collateralized securitization vehicle determination dates in October 2019.

Capital Markets

In October 2019, the Company issued $110.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior unsecured notes in a private placement, generating net proceeds of $108.2 million after deducting offering expenses. This offering reflects a 100 basis point reduction in rate as compared to our previous senior unsecured notes offering in March 2019. The notes are due in October 2024 and the proceeds will be used to make investments and for general corporate purposes.

Dividends

The Company announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, representing an increase of 11% from a year ago. The dividend is payable on December 2, 2019 to common stockholders of record on November 15, 2019. The ex-dividend date is November 14, 2019.

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared cash dividends on the Company's Series A, Series B and Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock reflecting accrued dividends from September 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019. The dividends are payable on December 2, 2019 to preferred stockholders of record on November 15, 2019. The Company will pay total dividends of $0.515625, $0.484375 and $0.53125 per share on the Series A, Series B and Series C preferred stock, respectively.

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the conference call will be available at www.arbor.com in the investor relations area of the website. Those without web access should access the call telephonically at least ten minutes prior to the conference call. The dial-in numbers are (866) 516-5034 for domestic callers and (678) 509-7616 for international callers. Please use participant passcode 7293785.

After the live webcast, the call will remain available on the Company's website through November 30, 2019.  In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until November 8, 2019. The replay dial-in numbers are (855) 859-2056 for domestic callers and (404) 537-3406 for international callers. Please use passcode 7293785.

About Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a Fannie Mae DUS® lender and Freddie Mac Optigo Seller/Servicer. Arbor’s product platform also includes CMBS, bridge, mezzanine and preferred equity lending. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Arbor can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arbor’s expectations include, but are not limited to, continued ability to source new investments, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, changes in the real estate markets, and other risks detailed in Arbor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and its other reports filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Arbor expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Arbor’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

1. Non-GAAP Financial Measures

During the quarterly earnings conference call, the Company may discuss non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. In addition, the Company has used non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. A supplemental schedule of non-GAAP financial measures and the comparable GAAP financial measure can be found on page 11 of this release.

  
Contacts: 
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
Paul Elenio, Chief Financial Officer
516-506-4422  
pelenio@arbor.com
Investors:
The Ruth Group
Alexander Lobo
646-536-7037
alobo@theruthgroup.com
Media:
Bonnie Habyan, Chief Marketing Officer
516-506-4615
bhabyan@arbor.com
 
  


 
ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - (Unaudited)
($ in thousands—except share and per share data)
         
  Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
         
Interest income$  80,509  $  67,500  $  233,957  $  178,408 
Interest expense   48,064     39,548     138,213     110,819 
 Net interest income   32,445     27,952     95,744     67,589 
         
Other revenue:       
Gain on sales, including fee-based services, net   21,298     17,451     51,897     51,266 
Mortgage servicing rights   29,911     25,216     62,852     62,787 
Servicing revenue, net   13,790     14,244     39,954     34,662 
Property operating income   2,237     2,651     8,187     8,525 
Other income, net   (4,678)    (3,982)    (5,412)    (1,574)
 Total other revenue   62,558     55,580     157,478     155,666 
         
Other expenses:       
Employee compensation and benefits   32,861     27,775     93,647     84,084 
Selling and administrative   10,882     9,994     31,122     27,783 
Property operating expenses   2,563     2,437     7,649     8,089 
Depreciation and amortization   1,841     1,848     5,663     5,539 
Impairment loss on real estate owned   -      -      1,000     2,000 
Provision for loss sharing  (net of recoveries)   735     2,019     1,557     2,840 
Provision for loan losses (net of recoveries)   -      836     -      (967)
Litigation settlement gain   -      (10,170)    -      (10,170)
 Total other expenses   48,882     34,739     140,638     119,198 
         
Income before extinguishment of debt, income from       
 equity affiliates and income taxes   46,121     48,793     112,584     104,057 
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -      (4,960)    (128)    (4,960)
Income (loss) from equity affiliates   3,718     (1,028)    9,133     1,104 
Provision for income taxes   (6,623)    (5,381)    (10,963)    (1,096)
         
Net income   43,216     37,424     110,626     99,105 
         
Preferred stock dividends   1,888     1,888     5,665     5,665 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   7,363     7,799     19,429     22,347 
Net income attributable to common stockholders$  33,965  $  27,737  $  85,532  $  71,093 
         
Basic earnings per common share$  0.36  $  0.37  $  0.95  $  1.05 
Diluted earnings per common share$  0.35  $  0.36  $  0.93  $  1.03 
         
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
 Basic   94,486,839     74,802,582     89,899,074     67,490,132 
 Diluted   117,468,044     98,435,964     113,033,968     91,133,607 
         
Dividends declared per common share$  0.29  $  0.25  $  0.84  $  0.71 
         


ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands—except share and per share data)
       
       
    September 30, December 31,
     2019   2018 
    (Unaudited)  
Assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$  135,285  $  160,063 
Restricted cash   190,046     180,606 
Loans and investments, net   3,874,069     3,200,145 
Loans held-for-sale, net   537,826     481,664 
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights, net   283,688     273,770 
Securities held to maturity, net   95,181     76,363 
Investments in equity affiliates   36,698     21,580 
Real estate owned, net   13,129     14,446 
Due from related party   5,011     1,287 
Goodwill and other intangible assets   112,026     116,165 
Other assets   112,675     86,086 
  Total assets$  5,395,634  $  4,612,175 
       
Liabilities and Equity:   
Credit facilities and repurchase agreements$  1,385,764  $  1,135,627 
Collateralized loan obligations   1,876,900     1,593,548 
Debt fund   68,528     68,183 
Senior unsecured notes   211,188     122,484 
Convertible senior unsecured notes, net   255,106     254,768 
Junior subordinated notes to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities   140,767     140,259 
Due to related party   3,170     -  
Due to borrowers   82,451     78,662 
Allowance for loss-sharing obligations   35,525     34,298 
Other liabilities   137,839     118,780 
  Total liabilities   4,197,238     3,546,609 
       
Equity:   
 Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity:   
  Preferred stock, cumulative, redeemable, $0.01 par value: 100,000,000   
   shares authorized; special voting preferred shares; 20,484,094 and   
   20,653,584 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; 8.25% Series A,   
   $38,787,500 aggregate liquidation preference; 1,551,500 shares issued and  
   outstanding; 7.75% Series B, $31,500,000 aggregate liquidation preference;  
   1,260,000 shares issued and outstanding; 8.50% Series C, $22,500,000   
   aggregate liquidation preference; 900,000 shares issued and outstanding   89,501     89,502 
  Common stock, $0.01 par value: 500,000,000 shares authorized; 94,774,590   
   and 83,987,707 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   948     840 
  Additional paid-in capital   1,003,355     879,029 
  Accumulated deficit   (65,790)    (74,133)
Total Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders’ equity   1,028,014     895,238 
       
Noncontrolling interest   170,382     170,328 
Total equity   1,198,396     1,065,566 
       
Total liabilities and equity$  5,395,634  $  4,612,175 
       


ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 STATEMENT OF INCOME SEGMENT INFORMATION - (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
         
         
  Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
         
  Structured
Business
 Agency
Business
 Other /
Eliminations (1)
 Consolidated
         
Interest income$  73,829 $  6,680  $  -   $  80,509 
Interest expense   43,209    4,855     -      48,064 
 Net interest income   30,620    1,825     -      32,445 
         
Other revenue:       
Gain on sales, including fee-based services, net   -     21,298     -      21,298 
Mortgage servicing rights   -     29,911     -      29,911 
Servicing revenue   -     25,916     -      25,916 
Amortization of MSRs   -     (12,126)    -      (12,126)
Property operating income   2,237    -      -      2,237 
Other income, net   17    (4,695)    -      (4,678)
 Total other revenue   2,254    60,304     -      62,558 
         
Other expenses:       
Employee compensation and benefits   7,769    25,092     -      32,861 
Selling and administrative   5,352    5,530     -      10,882 
Property operating expenses   2,563    -      -      2,563 
Depreciation and amortization   503    1,338     -      1,841 
Provision for loss sharing (net of recoveries)   -     735     -      735 
 Total other expenses   16,187    32,695     -      48,882 
         
Income before income from equity affiliates and       
 income taxes   16,687    29,434     -      46,121 
Income from equity affiliates   3,718    -      -      3,718 
Provision for income taxes   -     (6,623)    -      (6,623)
         
Net income   20,405    22,811     -      43,216 
         
Preferred stock dividends   1,888    -      -      1,888 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   -     -      7,363     7,363 
Net income attributable to common stockholders$  18,517 $  22,811  $  (7,363) $  33,965 
         
(1) Includes certain income or expenses not allocated to the two reportable segments. Amount reflects income attributable
  to the noncontrolling interest holders.       
         

 

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 BALANCE SHEET SEGMENT INFORMATION - (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
      
      
 September 30, 2019
 Structured
Business
 Agency
Business
 Consolidated
Assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$  102,734 $  32,551 $  135,285
Restricted cash   188,572    1,474    190,046
Loans and investments, net   3,874,069    -     3,874,069
Loans held-for-sale, net   -     537,826    537,826
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights, net   -     283,688    283,688
Securities held to maturity, net   20,000    75,181    95,181
Investments in equity affiliates   36,698    -     36,698
Goodwill and other intangible assets   12,500    99,526    112,026
Other assets   103,541    27,274    130,815
  Total assets$  4,338,114 $  1,057,520 $  5,395,634
      
Liabilities:     
Debt obligations$  3,477,005 $  461,248 $  3,938,253
Allowance for loss-sharing obligations   -     35,525    35,525
Other liabilities   166,780    56,680    223,460
  Total liabilities$  3,643,785 $  553,453 $  4,197,238
      

 

 

 

    

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Schedule of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - (Unaudited)
Funds from Operations ("FFO") and Adjusted Funds from Operations ("AFFO")
 ($ in thousands—except share and per share data)
 
        
 Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30,September 30,
  2019   2018   2019   2018 
        
Net income attributable to common stockholders$  33,965  $  27,737  $  85,532  $  71,093 
        
Adjustments:       
  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   7,363     7,799     19,429     22,347 
  Impairment loss on real estate owned   -      -      1,000     2,000 
  Depreciation - real estate owned   174     177     524     533 
  Depreciation - investments in equity affiliates   133     125     378     374 
        
Funds from operations  (1)$  41,635  $  35,838  $  106,863  $  96,347 
        
Adjustments:       
  Income from mortgage servicing rights   (29,911)    (25,216)    (62,852)    (62,787)
  Impairment loss on real estate owned   -      -      (1,000)    (2,000)
  Deferred tax provision (benefit)   2,223     (1,319)    (1,026)    (14,454)
  Amortization and write-offs of MSRs   18,904     18,989     52,558     52,868 
  Depreciation and amortization   2,482     2,525     7,595     7,035 
  Net loss on changes in fair value of GSE-related derivatives   4,745     4,388     6,106     2,331 
  Stock-based compensation   2,316     1,192     7,574     4,838 
        
Adjusted funds from operations  (1)$  42,394  $  36,397  $  115,818  $  84,178 
        
 Diluted FFO per share  (1)$  0.35  $  0.36  $  0.95  $  1.06 
        
 Diluted AFFO per share  (1)$  0.36  $  0.37  $  1.02  $  0.92 
        
 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  (1)   117,468,044     98,435,964     113,033,968     91,133,607 
        
(1) Amounts are attributable to common stockholders and OP Unit holders. The OP Units are redeemable for cash, or at the Company's option for shares of the Company's common stock on a one-for-one basis.
        
The Company is presenting FFO and AFFO because management believes they are important supplemental measures of the Company’s operating performance in that they are frequently used by analysts, investors and other parties in the evaluation of REITs.  The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, defines FFO as net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (losses) from sales of depreciated real properties, plus impairments of depreciated real properties and real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated ventures.
 
The Company defines AFFO as funds from operations adjusted for accounting items such as non-cash stock-based compensation expense, income from mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), changes in fair value of certain derivatives that temporarily flow through earnings, amortization and write-offs of MSRs, deferred tax (benefit) provision and the amortization of the convertible senior notes conversion option. The Company also adds back one-time charges such as acquisition costs and impairment losses on real estate and gains (losses) on sales of real estate. The Company is generally not in the business of operating real estate property and has obtained real estate by foreclosure or through partial or full settlement of mortgage debt related to the Company's loans to maximize the value of the collateral and minimize the Company's exposure.  Therefore, the Company deems such impairment and gains (losses) on real estate as an extension of the asset management of its loans, thus a recovery of principal or additional loss on the Company's initial investment.
 
FFO and AFFO are not intended to be an indication of the Company's cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) or a measure of its liquidity, nor is it entirely indicative of funding the Company's cash needs, including its ability to make cash distributions.  The Company’s calculation of FFO and AFFO may be different from the calculations used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.