10-Q
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (BMNM)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
☑
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2021
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to ___________
Commission File Number
:
001-32171
Bimini Capital Management, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
72-1571637
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3305 Flamingo Drive
,
Vero Beach
,
Florida
32963
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(
772
)
231-1400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Indicate by
check mark
whether the
registrant (1) has
filed all
reports required
to be
filed by
Section 13 or
15(d) of
the Securities
Exchange Act
of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such
reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
ý
No
☐
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every
Interactive Data File required
to be submitted pursuant
to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to submit such
files).
Yes
ý
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is
a large accelerated filer,
an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer,
a smaller reporting company,
or
an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer,"
"accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth
company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Check one:
Large accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
☒
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any
new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes
☐
No
ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Title of each Class
Latest Practicable Date
Shares Outstanding
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value
November 9, 2021
10,726,864
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value
November 9, 2021
31,938
Class C Common Stock, $0.001 par value
November 9, 2021
31,938
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial
Statements
1
Condensed
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
1
Condensed
Consolidated
Statements
of Operations
(unaudited)
2
Condensed
Consolidated
Statement
of Stockholders’
Equity (unaudited)
3
Condensed
Consolidated
Statements
of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
4
Notes to
Condensed
Consolidated
Financial
Statements
(unaudited)
5
ITEM 2. Management’s
Discussion
and Analysis
of Financial
Condition
and Results
of Operations
21
ITEM 3. Quantitative
and Qualitative
Disclosures
About Market
Risk
44
ITEM 4. Controls
and Procedures
55
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal
Proceedings
46
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
46
ITEM 2. Unregistered
Sales of Equity
Securities
and Use of
Proceeds
46
ITEM 3. Defaults
Upon Senior
Securities
46
ITEM 4. Mine
Safety Disclosures
46
ITEM 5. Other
Information
46
ITEM 6. Exhibits
46
SIGNATURES
48
- 1 -
PART I. FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
ASSETS:
Mortgage-backed securities, at fair value
Pledged to counterparties
$
64,371,408
$
65,153,274
Unpledged
18,869
24,957
Total mortgage
-backed securities
64,390,277
65,178,231
Cash and cash equivalents
7,854,843
7,558,342
Restricted cash
1,690,160
3,353,015
Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock, at fair value
12,691,296
13,547,764
Accrued interest receivable
247,716
202,192
Property and equipment, net
2,041,503
2,093,440
Deferred tax assets
34,332,078
34,668,467
Due from affiliates
934,797
632,471
Other assets
1,551,073
1,466,647
Total Assets
$
125,733,743
$
128,700,569
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Repurchase agreements
$
63,159,999
$
65,071,113
Long-term debt
27,444,508
27,612,781
Accrued interest payable
53,868
107,417
Other liabilities
1,322,784
1,421,409
Total Liabilities
91,981,159
94,212,720
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $
0.001
par value;
10,000,000
shares authorized;
100,000
shares
designated Series A Junior Preferred Stock,
9,900,000
shares undesignated;
no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December
31, 2020
-
-
Class A Common stock, $
0.001
par value;
98,000,000
shares designated:
10,794,481
and 11,608,555 shares issued and
outstanding as of September 30, 2021
and December 31, 2020, respectively.
10,794
11,609
Class B Common stock, $
0.001
par value;
1,000,000
shares designated,
31,938
shares
issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
32
32
Class C Common stock, $
0.001
par value;
1,000,000
shares designated,
31,938
shares
issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
32
32
Additional paid-in capital
331,073,064
332,642,758
Accumulated deficit
(297,331,338)
(298,166,582)
Stockholders’ Equity
33,752,584
34,487,849
Total Liabilities
and Stockholders' Equity
$
125,733,743
$
128,700,569
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
- 2 -
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Nine Months Ended September
Three Months Ended September
2021
2020
2021
2020
Revenues:
Advisory services
$
6,757,799
$
4,969,143
$
2,546,578
$
1,629,463
Interest income
1,726,268
3,167,439
537,200
604,158
Dividend income from Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
1,518,284
1,246,636
506,095
493,118
Total revenues
10,002,351
9,383,218
3,589,873
2,726,739
Interest expense
Repurchase agreements
(94,926)
(1,030,372)
(23,729)
(42,955)
Long-term debt
(747,577)
(893,299)
(248,465)
(261,341)
Net revenues
9,159,848
7,459,547
3,317,679
2,422,443
Other income (expense):
Unrealized (losses) gains on mortgage-backed securities
(2,221,521)
303,651
(323,659)
275,796
Realized gains (losses) on mortgage-backed securities
69,498
(5,804,656)
69,498
-
Unrealized (losses) gains on Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
(856,468)
38,935
(778,607)
793,727
(Losses) gains on derivative instruments
(280)
(5,292,346)
(147)
75
Gains on retained interests in securitizations
-
58,735
-
58,735
Other income (expense)
154,122
(8,248)
149
(8,890)
Total other (expense)
income
(2,854,649)
(10,703,929)
(1,032,766)
1,119,443
Expenses:
Compensation and related benefits
3,219,685
3,157,074
1,029,465
1,010,407
Directors' fees and liability insurance
568,087
511,786
190,453
166,093
Audit, legal and other professional fees
405,828
467,015
133,925
120,374
Administrative and other expenses
939,966
870,919
298,719
318,874
Total expenses
5,133,566
5,006,794
1,652,562
1,615,748
Net income (loss) before income tax provision
1,171,633
(8,251,176)
632,351
1,926,138
Income tax provision
336,389
9,295,859
167,751
608,351
Net income (loss)
$
835,244
$
(17,547,035)
$
464,600
$
1,317,787
Basic and Diluted Net income (loss) Per Share of:
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
Basic and Diluted
$
0.07
$
(1.51)
$
0.04
$
0.11
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
Basic and Diluted
$
0.07
$
(1.51)
$
0.04
$
0.11
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
Basic and Diluted
11,358,346
11,608,555
10,866,087
11,608,555
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
Basic and Diluted
31,938
31,938
31,938
31,938
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
- 3 -
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS
OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
For the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Additional
Accumulated
Shares
Par Value
Paid-in Capital
Deficit
Total
Balances, January 1, 2020
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(292,677,440)
$
39,976,991
Net loss
-
-
-
(22,332,947)
(22,332,947)
Balances, March 31, 2020
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(315,010,387)
$
17,644,044
Net income
-
-
-
3,468,125
3,468,125
Balances, June 30, 2020
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(311,542,262)
$
21,112,169
Net income
-
-
-
1,317,787
1,317,787
Balances, September 30, 2020
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(310,224,475)
$
22,429,956
Balances, January 1, 2021
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(298,166,582)
$
34,487,849
Net income
-
-
-
1,290,430
1,290,430
Balances, March 31, 2021
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(296,876,152)
$
35,778,279
Net loss
-
-
-
(919,786)
(919,786)
Balances, June 30, 2021
11,672,431
$
11,673
$
332,642,758
$
(297,795,938)
$
34,858,493
Net income
-
-
-
464,600
464,600
Class A common shares repurchased and retired
(814,074)
(815)
(1,569,694)
-
(1,570,509)
Balances, September 30, 2021
10,858,357
$
10,858
$
331,073,064
$
(297,331,338)
$
33,752,584
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
- 4 -
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
2021
2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)
$
835,244
$
(17,547,035)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation
51,937
52,223
Deferred income tax provision
336,389
9,285,344
Losses on mortgage-backed securities, net
2,152,023
5,501,005
Gains on retained interests in securitizations
-
(58,735)
PPP loan forgiveness
(153,724)
-
Unrealized losses (gains) on Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
856,468
(38,935)
Realized and unrealized losses on forward settling TBA securities
-
1,441,406
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable
(45,524)
516,444
Due from affiliates
(302,326)
32,057
Other assets
(84,426)
1,558,632
Accrued interest payable
(51,990)
(561,918)
Other liabilities
(98,625)
(26,123)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
3,495,446
154,365
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
From mortgage-backed securities investments:
Purchases
(26,189,505)
(43,129,835)
Sales
13,063,248
171,155,249
Principal repayments
11,762,188
11,170,005
Costs associated with termination of retained interests
-
58,735
Net settlement of forward settling TBA contracts
-
(1,500,000)
Purchases of Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
-
(4,071,593)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(1,364,069)
133,682,561
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from repurchase agreements
195,962,000
501,460,570
Principal repayments on repurchase agreements
(197,873,114)
(640,729,398)
Proceeds from long-term debt
-
152,165
Principal repayments on long-term debt
(16,108)
(15,238)
Class A common shares repurchased and retired
(1,570,509)
-
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(3,497,731)
(139,131,901)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS
AND RESTRICTED CASH
(1,366,354)
(5,294,975)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS
AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of the period
10,911,357
12,385,117
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS
AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of the period
$
9,545,003
$
7,090,142
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest expense
$
896,052
$
2,485,589
Income taxes
$
-
$
(1,568,363)
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
- 5 -
BIMINI CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
September
30, 2021
NOTE 1.
ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business
Description
Bimini Capital Management, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Bimini Capital” or the “Company”)
formed in September 2003, is a
holding company.
The Company operates in two business segments through its principal
wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Royal
Palm Capital LLC, which includes its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bimini Advisors Holdings, LLC.
Bimini Advisors Holdings, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bimini Advisors, LLC (an investment advisor registered with
the
Securities and Exchange Commission), are collectively referred to as "Bimini
Advisors."
Bimini Advisors manages a residential
mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) portfolio for Orchid Island Capital, Inc.
("Orchid") and receives fees for providing these services.
Bimini Advisors also manages the MBS portfolio of Royal Palm Capital, LLC.
Royal Palm Capital, LLC maintains an investment portfolio, consisting primarily of MBS investments
and shares of Orchid common
stock, for its own benefit. Royal Palm Capital, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries
are collectively referred to as "Royal Palm."
Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bimini
Capital, Bimini Advisors and Royal Palm.
All
inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated
financial statements.
Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)
A variable interest entity ("VIE") is consolidated by an enterprise if it is deemed the
primary beneficiary of the VIE. Bimini Capital
has a common share investment
in a trust used in connection with the issuance of Bimini Capital's junior subordinated
notes. See Note
8 for a description of the accounting used for this VIE.
The Company obtains interests in VIEs through its investments in mortgage-backed
securities.
The interests in these VIEs are
passive in nature and are not expected to result in the Company obtaining a controlling
financial interest in these VIEs in the future.
As
a result, the Company does not consolidate these VIEs and accounts for the interest
in these VIEs as mortgage-backed securities.
See Note 3 for additional information regarding the Company’s investments in mortgage-backed securities.
The maximum exposure to
loss for these VIEs is the carrying value of the mortgage-backed securities.
Basis of
Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial
information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and
Article 8 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they may not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete
financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for
a fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the nine and three-month periods ended September
30, 2021 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December
31, 2021.
- 6 -
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 has been derived from the
audited financial statements at that date but
does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for
complete consolidated financial statements.
For further
information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2020.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the consolidated
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
Significant estimates affecting the accompanying consolidated financial statements include
determining the fair
values of MBS, investment in Orchid common shares and derivatives, determining
the amounts of asset valuation allowances, and the
computation of the income tax provision or benefit and the deferred tax asset allowances
recorded for each accounting period.
Segment Reporting
The Company’s operations are classified into two principal reportable segments: the asset
management segment and the
investment portfolio segment. These segments are evaluated by management in deciding
how to allocate resources and in assessing
performance.
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as the
Company’s accounting policies with the
exception that inter-segment revenues and expenses are included in the presentation
of segment results.
For further information see
Note 14.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and
cash equivalents
include
cash on deposit
with financial
institutions
and highly
liquid investments
with original
maturities
of
three months
or less at
the time
of purchase.
Restricted
cash includes
cash pledged
as collateral
for repurchase
agreements
and
derivative
instruments.
The following
table presents
the Company’s
cash, cash
equivalents
and restricted
cash as of
September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020.
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents
$
7,854,843
$
7,558,342
Restricted cash
1,690,160
3,353,015
Total cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash
$
9,545,003
$
10,911,357
The Company
maintains
cash balances
at several
banks and
excess margin
with an exchange
clearing member.
At times,
balances
may exceed
federally
insured
limits. The
Company has
not experienced
any losses
related to
these balances.
The Federal
Deposit
Insurance Corporation
insures eligible
accounts up
to $250,000
per depositor
at each financial
institution.
Restricted
cash balances
are
uninsured,
but are held
in separate
accounts that
are segregated
from the
general funds
of the counterparty.
The Company
limits
uninsured
balances to
only large,
well-known
banks
and exchange
clearing members
and believes
that it is
not exposed
to significant
credit risk
on cash and
cash equivalents
or restricted
cash balances.
Advisory Services
Orchid is
externally
managed and
advised by
Bimini Advisors
pursuant
to the terms
of a management
agreement.
Under the
terms of
the management
agreement,
Orchid is
obligated
to pay Bimini
Advisors a
monthly management
fee and a
pro rata
portion of
certain
overhead
costs and
to reimburse
the Company
for any direct
expenses incurred
on its behalf.
Revenues
from management
fees are
recognized
over the
period of
time in which
the service
is performed.
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
- 7 -
The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through (“PT”) mortgage-backed
certificates issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae
or Ginnie Mae (“MBS”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), interest-only
(“IO”) securities and inverse interest-only (“IIO”)
securities representing interest in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage-backed
loans. We refer to MBS and CMOs as PT MBS.
We refer to IO and IIO securities as structured MBS. The Company has elected to account
for its investment in MBS under the fair
value option.
Electing the fair value option requires the Company to record changes
in fair value in the consolidated statement of
operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a particular reporting period
and
is consistent with the underlying economics and how the portfolio is managed.
The Company records MBS transactions on the trade date.
Security purchases that have not settled as of the balance sheet date
are included in the MBS balance with an offsetting liability recorded, whereas securities sold
that have not settled as of the balance
sheet date are removed from the MBS balance with an offsetting receivable recorded.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid
to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date.
The fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell
the asset or
transfer the liability either occurs in the principal market for the asset
or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, occurs in the
most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Estimated fair values for MBS are based on independent pricing sources and/or
third-party broker quotes, when available.
Income on PT MBS is based on the stated interest rate of the security. Premiums or discounts present at the date of purchase
are
not amortized.
Premium lost and discount accretion resulting from monthly principal repayments
are reflected in unrealized gains and
losses on MBS in the consolidated statements of operations.
For IO securities,
the income
is accrued
based on
the carrying
value and
the effective
yield. The
difference
between income
accrued and
the interest
received on
the security
is characterized
as a return
of
investment
and serves
to reduce
the asset’s
carrying value.
At each reporting date, the effective yield is adjusted prospectively for future
reporting periods based on the new estimate of prepayments and the contractual
terms of the security.
For IIO securities, effective
yield and income recognition calculations also take into account the index
value applicable to the security.
Changes in fair value of
MBS during each reporting period are recorded in earnings and reported as
unrealized gains or losses on mortgage-backed securities
in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The amount reported as unrealized gains or losses on mortgage-backed
securities thus captures the net effect of changes in the fair market value of securities caused by
market developments and any
premium or discount lost as a result of principal repayments during the period.
Orchid Island Capital, Inc. Common Stock
The Company
accounts for
its investment
in Orchid
common shares
at fair value.
The change
in the fair
value and
dividends
received
on this investment
are reflected
in the consolidated
statements
of operations.
We estimate
the fair
value of our
investment
in Orchid
on a
market approach
using “Level
1” inputs
based on
the quoted
market price
of Orchid’s
common stock
on a national
stock exchange.
Retained
Interests
in Securitizations
The Company
holds retained
interests
in the subordinated
tranches
of securities
created in
securitization
transactions.
These retained
interests
currently
have a recorded
fair value
of zero,
as the prospect
of future
cash flows
being received
is uncertain.
Any cash
received
from the
retained
interests
is reflected
in the consolidated
statements
of operations.
Derivative
Financial
Instruments
The Company
uses derivative
instruments
to manage
interest
rate risk,
facilitate
asset/liability
strategies
and manage
other
exposures,
and it may
continue
to do so
in the future.
The principal
instruments
that the
Company
has used to
date are
Treasury Note
(“T-
Note”) and
Eurodollar
futures contracts,
and “to-be-announced”
(“TBA”) securities
transactions,
but it may
enter into
other derivative
- 8 -
instruments
in the future.
The Company
accounts for
TBA securities
as derivative
instruments.
Gains and
losses associated
with TBA
securities
transactions
are reported
in gain (loss)
on derivative
instruments
in the accompanying
consolidated
statements
of operations.
Derivative
instruments
are carried
at fair value,
and changes
in fair
value are
recorded
in the consolidated
operations
for each
period.
The Company’s
derivative
financial
instruments
are not designated
as hedge
accounting
relationships,
but rather
are used
as economic
hedges of
its portfolio
assets and
liabilities.
Holding derivatives
creates exposure
to credit
risk related
to the potential
for failure
by counterparties
to honor
their commitments.
In
the event
of default
by a counterparty,
the Company
may have difficulty
recovering
its collateral
and may not
receive payments
provided
for under
the terms
of the agreement.
The Company’s
derivative
agreements
require it
to post or
receive collateral
to mitigate
such risk.
In
addition,
the Company
uses only
registered
central clearing
exchanges
and well-established
commercial
banks as
counterparties,
monitors positions
with individual
counterparties
and adjusts
posted collateral
as required.
Financial
Instruments
The fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that
value is disclosed, either in the body of the
consolidated financial statements or in the accompanying notes. MBS,
Orchid common stock and derivative assets and liabilities are
accounted for at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. The methods and
assumptions used to estimate fair value for these
instruments are presented in Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements.
The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accrued
interest receivable, other assets, repurchase
agreements, accrued interest payable and other liabilities generally approximates
their carrying value as of September 30, 2021 and
December 31, 2020, due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
It is impractical to estimate the fair value of the Company’s junior subordinated notes.
Currently, there is a limited market for these
types of instruments and the Company is unable to ascertain what interest rates
would be available to the Company for similar financial
instruments. Further information regarding these instruments is presented in
Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Property
and Equipment,
net
Property and equipment, net, consists of computer equipment with a depreciable
life of 3 years, office furniture and equipment with
depreciable lives of 8 to 20 years, land which has no depreciable life, and buildings
and improvements with depreciable lives of 30
years.
Property and equipment is recorded at acquisition cost and depreciated
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the assets. Depreciation is included in administrative and other expenses
in the consolidated statement of operations.
Repurchase
Agreements
The Company
finances the
acquisition
of the majority
of its PT
MBS through
the use of
repurchase
agreements
under master
repurchase
agreements.
Repurchase
agreements
are accounted
for as collateralized
financing
transactions,
which are
carried at
their
contractual
amounts,
including
accrued interest,
as specified
in the respective
agreements.
Earnings
Per Share
Basic EPS is calculated as income available to common stockholders divided
by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock or two-class
method, as applicable for common stock
equivalents. However, the common stock equivalents are not included in computing diluted EPS if the result
is anti-dilutive.
- 9 -
Outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, participating and convertible
into Class A Common Stock, are entitled to receive
dividends in an amount equal to the dividends declared, if any, on each share of Class A Common Stock.
Accordingly, shares of the
Class B Common Stock are included in the computation of basic EPS using
the two-class method and, consequently, are presented
separately from Class A Common Stock.
The shares of Class C Common Stock are not included in the basic EPS computation
as these shares do not have participation
rights. The outstanding shares of Class B and Class C Common Stock are
not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the Class
A Common Stock as the conditions for conversion into shares of Class A Common
Stock were not met.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities represent the differences
between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted
tax rates. The measurement of net
deferred tax assets is adjusted by a valuation allowance if, based on the Company’s evaluation, it
is more likely than not that they will
not be realized.
The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for years ended on or after December 31,
2018 remain open for examination.
Although management believes its calculations for tax returns are correct and the positions
taken thereon are reasonable, the final
outcome of tax audits could be materially different from the tax returns filed by the Company, and those differences could result in
significant costs or benefits to the Company. For tax filing purposes, Bimini Capital and its includable subsidiaries, and Royal Palm
and
its includable subsidiaries, file as separate tax paying entities.
The Company assesses the likelihood, based on their technical merit, that uncertain
tax positions will be sustained upon
examination based on the facts, circumstances and information available at the
end of each period.
The measurement of uncertain tax
positions is adjusted when new information is available, or when an event occurs
that requires a change. The Company recognizes tax
positions in the consolidated financial statements only when it is more likely than
not that the position will be sustained upon
examination by the relevant taxing authority based on the technical merits
of the position. A position that meets this standard is
measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized upon
settlement. The difference between the benefit
recognized and the tax benefit claimed on a tax return is referred to as an unrecognized
tax benefit and is recorded as a liability in the
consolidated balance sheets. The Company records income tax-related interest and penalties,
if applicable, within the income tax
provision.
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848):
Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate
Reform on Financial Reporting
.”
ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions to GAAP requirements
for modifications
on debt instruments, leases, derivatives, and other contracts, related to the expected
market transition from the London Interbank
Offered Rate (“LIBOR,”), and certain other floating rate benchmark indices, or collectively, IBORs, to alternative reference rates. ASU
2020-04 generally considers contract modifications related to reference rate reform to
be an event that does not require contract
remeasurement at the modification date nor a reassessment of a previous accounting
determination. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is
optional and may be elected over time, through December 31, 2022, as reference
rate reform activities occur. The Company does not
believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial
statements.
In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)”. ASU 2021-01 expands the scope of ASC
848 to include all affected derivatives and give market participants the ability to apply
certain aspects of the contract modification and
hedge accounting expedients to derivative contracts affected by the discounting transition. In
addition, ASU 2021-01 adds
implementation guidance to permit a company to apply certain optional expedients
to modifications of interest rate indexes used for
- 10 -
margining, discounting or contract price alignment of certain derivatives as a result
of reference rate reform initiatives and extends
optional expedients to account for a derivative contract modified as a continuation
of the existing contract and to continue hedge
accounting when certain critical terms of a hedging relationship change to modifications
made as part of the discounting transition. The
guidance in ASU 2021-01 is effective immediately and available generally through December
31, 2022, as reference rate reform
activities occur. The Company does not believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated
financial
statements.
NOTE 2. ADVISORY SERVICES
Bimini Advisors serves as the manager and advisor for Orchid pursuant to the
terms of a management agreement.
As Manager,
Bimini Advisors is responsible for administering Orchid's business activities and
day-to-day operations. Pursuant to the terms of the
management agreement, Bimini Advisors provides Orchid with its management
team, including its officers, along with appropriate
support personnel. Bimini Advisors is at all times subject to the supervision
and oversight of Orchid's board of directors and has only
such functions and authority as delegated to it. Bimini Advisors receives a monthly
management fee in the amount of:
●
One-twelfth of 1.5% of the first $250 million of Orchid’s month-end equity, as defined in the management agreement,
●
One-twelfth of 1.25% of Orchid’s month-end equity that is greater than $250 million
and less than or equal to $500 million, and
●
One-twelfth of 1.00% of Orchid’s month-end equity that is greater than $500 million.
Orchid is obligated to reimburse Bimini Advisors for any direct expenses incurred
on its behalf and to pay to Bimini Advisors an
amount equal to Orchid's pro rata portion of certain overhead costs set forth in the
management agreement. The management
agreement has been renewed through February 20, 2022
and provides for automatic one-year extension options thereafter. Should
Orchid terminate the management agreement without cause, it will be obligated to
pay Bimini Advisors a termination fee equal to three
times the average annual management fee, as defined in the management
agreement, before or on the last day of the automatic
renewal term.
The following table summarizes the advisory services revenue from
Orchid for the nine and three months ended September 30,
2021 and 2020.
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Management fee
$
5,569
$
3,897
$
2,157
$
1,252
Allocated overhead
1,189
1,072
390
377
Total
$
6,758
$
4,969
$
2,547
$
1,629
At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the net amount due from Orchid was approximately $
0.9
million and
$
0.6
million, respectively.
NOTE 3.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
The following
table presents
the Company’s
MBS portfolio
as of September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Fixed-rate MBS
$
61,372
$
64,902
Interest-Only MBS
2,999
251
Inverse Interest-Only MBS
19
25
Total
$
64,390
$
65,178
- 11 -
NOTE 4.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Company
pledges certain
of its MBS
as collateral
under repurchase
agreements
with financial
institutions.
Interest
rates are
generally
fixed based
on prevailing
rates corresponding
to the terms
of the borrowings,
and interest
is generally
paid at the
termination
of a
borrowing.
If the fair
value of the
pledged securities
declines,
lenders
will typically
require the
Company to
post additional
collateral
or pay
down borrowings
to re-establish
agreed upon
collateral
requirements,
referred
to as "margin
calls." Similarly,
if the fair
value of
the pledged
securities
increases,
lenders
may release
collateral
back to the
Company. As of
September
30, 2021,
the Company
had met all
margin call
requirements.
As of September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020,
the Company’s
repurchase
agreements
had remaining
maturities
as summarized
below:
($ in thousands)
OVERNIGHT
BETWEEN 2
BETWEEN 31
GREATER
(1 DAY OR
AND
AND
THAN
LESS)
30 DAYS
90 DAYS
90 DAYS
TOTAL
September 30, 2021
Fair value of securities pledged, including accrued
interest receivable
$
-
$
46,857
$
17,761
$
-
$
64,618
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with
these securities
$
-
$
45,730
$
17,430
$
-
$
63,160
Net weighted average borrowing rate
-
0.14%
0.12%
-
0.13%
December 31, 2020
Fair value of securities pledged, including accrued
interest receivable
$
-
$
49,096
$
8,853
$
7,405
$
65,354
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with
these securities
$
-
$
49,120
$
8,649
$
7,302
$
65,071
Net weighted average borrowing rate
-
0.25%
0.23%
0.30%
0.25%
In addition,
cash pledged
to counterparties
for repurchase
agreements
was approximately
$
1.7
million and
$
3.4
million as
of
September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020,
respectively.
If, during
the term
of a repurchase
agreement,
a lender
files
for bankruptcy,
the Company
might experience
difficulty recovering
its
pledged assets,
which could
result in
an unsecured
claim against
the lender
for the difference
between the
amount loaned
to the Company
plus interest
due to the
counterparty
and the fair
value of the
collateral
pledged to
such lender,
including the accrued interest receivable,
and cash posted by the Company as collateral, if any.
At September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020,
the Company
had an aggregate
amount at
risk (the
difference
between the
amount loaned
to the Company,
including
interest
payable, and
the fair
value of securities
and
cash pledged
(if any),
including
accrued interest
on such securities)
with all
counterparties
of approximately
$
3.1
million and
$
3.6
million,
respectively.
As of September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020,
the Company
did not have
an amount
at risk with
any individual
counterparty
greater than
10% of the
Company’s equity.
NOTE 5. DERIVATIVE
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Eurodollar
and T-Note futures
are cash settled
futures contracts
on an interest
rate, with
gains and losses
credited or
charged to the
Company’s cash
accounts on
a daily basis.
A minimum
balance, or
“margin”,
is required
to be maintained
in the
account on a
daily basis.
The tables
below present
information
related to
the Company’s
Eurodollar
and T-note futures
positions at
September 30,
2021 and December
31, 2020.
($ in thousands)
As of September 30, 2021
- 12 -
Junior Subordinated Debt Funding Hedges
Average
Weighted
Weighted
Contract
Average
Average
Notional
Entry
Effective
Open
Expiration Year
Amount
Rate
Rate
Equity
(1)
2021
$
1,000
1.01%
0.17%
$
(2)
($ in thousands)
As of December 31, 2020
Junior Subordinated Debt Funding Hedges
Average
Weighted
Weighted
Contract
Average
Average
Notional
Entry
Effective
Open
Expiration Year
Amount
Rate
Rate
Equity
(1)
2021
$
1,000
1.02%
0.18%
$
(8)
(1)
Open equity represents the cumulative gains (losses) recorded on open
futures positions from inception.
(Losses) Gains on Derivative Instruments
The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of
operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
.
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Eurodollar futures contracts (short positions)
Repurchase agreement funding hedges
$
-
$
(2,328)
$
-
$
-
Junior subordinated debt funding hedges
-
(517)
-
-
T-Note futures contracts (short positions)
Repurchase agreement funding hedges
-
(1,006)
-
-
Net TBA securities
-
(1,441)
-
-
Losses on derivative instruments
$
-
$
(5,292)
$
-
$
-
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features
The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized in the event
that the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. The Company attempts to
minimize this risk in several ways.
For instruments which are not centrally cleared on a registered exchange, the Company
limits its counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings, and by monitoring positions with
individual counterparties. In addition, the Company may be required to pledge assets as collateral for its derivatives, whose
amounts vary over time based on the market value, notional amount and remaining term of the derivative contract. In the
event of a default by a counterparty, the Company may not receive payments provided for under the terms of its derivative
agreements, and may have difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral for its derivatives. The cash and cash
equivalents pledged as collateral for the Company’s derivative instruments are included in restricted cash on the
consolidated balance sheets. It is the Company's policy not to offset assets and liabilities associated with open derivative
contracts. However, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) rules characterize variation margin transfers as settlement
payments, as opposed to adjustments to collateral. As a result, derivative assets and liabilities associated with centrally
cleared derivatives for which the CME serves as the central clearing party are presented as if these derivatives had been
settled as of the reporting date.
NOTE 6. PLEDGED ASSETS
- 13 -
Assets Pledged
to Counterparties
The table
below summarizes
Bimini’s assets
pledged
as collateral
under its
repurchase
agreements
and derivative
agreements
as of
September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020.
($ in thousands)
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Repurchase
Derivative
Repurchase
Derivative
Assets Pledged to Counterparties
Agreements
Agreements
Total
Agreements
Agreements
Total
PT MBS - at fair value
$
61,372
$
-
$
61,372
$
64,902
$
-
$
64,902
Structured MBS - at fair value
2,999
-
2,999
251
-
251
Accrued interest on pledged securities
248
-
248
201
-
201
Restricted cash
1,690
-
1,690
3,352
1
3,353
Total
$
66,309
$
-
$
66,309
$
68,706
$
1
$
68,707
Assets Pledged
from Counterparties
The table
below summarizes
cash pledged
to Bimini
from counterparties
under repurchase
agreements
and derivative
agreements
as
of September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020.
Cash received
as margin
is recognized
in cash and
cash equivalents
with a
corresponding
amount recognized
as an increase
in repurchase
agreements
or other
liabilities
in the consolidated
balance sheets.
($ in thousands)
Assets Pledged to Bimini
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Repurchase agreements
$
487
$
80
Total
$
487
$
80
NOTE 7. OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The Company’s
derivatives
and repurchase
agreements
are subject
to underlying
agreements
with master
netting or
similar
arrangements,
which provide
for the right
of offset in
the event
of default
or in the
event of
bankruptcy
of either
party to the
transactions.
The Company
reports its
assets and
liabilities
subject to
these arrangements
on a gross
basis.
The following
tables present
information
regarding
those assets
and liabilities
subject to
such arrangements
as if the
Company had
presented
them on a
net basis as
of September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020.
(in thousands)
Offsetting of Liabilities
Gross Amount Not Offset in the
Net Amount
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Gross Amount
of Liabilities
Financial
Gross Amount
Offset in the
Presented in the
Instruments
Cash
of Recognized
Consolidated
Consolidated
Posted as
Posted as
Net
Liabilities
Balance Sheet
Balance Sheet
Collateral
Collateral
Amount
September 30, 2021
Repurchase Agreements
$
63,160
$
-
$
63,160
$
(61,470)
$
(1,690)
$
-
$
63,160
$
-
$
63,160
$
(61,470)
$
(1,690)
$
-
December 31, 2020
Repurchase Agreements
$
65,071
$
-
$
65,071
$
(61,719)
$
(3,352)
$
-
$
65,071
$
-
$
65,071
$
(61,719)
$
(3,352)
$
-
The amounts
disclosed
for collateral
received by
or posted
to the same
counterparty
are limited
to the amount
sufficient
to reduce
the
asset or
liability
presented
in the consolidated
balance sheet
to zero.
The fair
value of the
actual collateral
received by
or posted
to the
same counterparty
typically
exceeds the
amounts presented.
See Note
6 for a discussion
of collateral
posted for, or
received against,
- 14 -
repurchase
obligations
and derivative
instruments.
NOTE 8.
LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term
debt at September
30, 2021 and
December
31, 2020
is summarized
as follows:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Junior subordinated debt
$
26,804
$
26,804
Note payable
641
657
Paycheck Protection Plan ("PPP") loan
-
152
Total
$
27,445
$
27,613
Junior Subordinated Debt
During 2005,
Bimini Capital
sponsored
the formation
of a statutory
trust, known
as Bimini
Capital Trust
II (“BCTII”)
of which 100%
of
the common
equity is owned
by Bimini
Capital.
It was formed
for the purpose
of issuing
trust preferred
capital securities
to third-party
investors
and investing
the proceeds
from the
sale of such
capital securities
solely in
junior subordinated
debt securities
of Bimini
Capital.
The debt
securities
held by BCTII
are the sole
assets of
BCTII.
As of September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020,
the outstanding
principal
balance on
the junior
subordinated
debt securities
owed
to BCTII
was $
26.8
million.
The BCTII
trust preferred
securities
and Bimini
Capital's
BCTII Junior
Subordinated
Notes have
a rate of
interest
that floats
at a spread
of
3.50
% over the
prevailing
three-month
LIBOR rate.
As of September
30, 2021,
the interest
rate was
3.62
%. The BCTII
trust preferred
securities
and Bimini
Capital's
BCTII Junior
Subordinated
Notes require
quarterly
interest
distributions
and are redeemable
at Bimini
Capital's
option, in
whole or
in part and
without penalty.
Bimini Capital's
BCTII Junior
Subordinated
Notes
are subordinate
and junior
in right
of payment
to all present
and future
senior indebtedness.
BCTII is
a VIE because
the holders
of the equity
investment
at risk do
not have
substantive
decision-making
ability over
BCTII’s
activities.
Since Bimini
Capital's
investment
in BCTII’s
common equity
securities
was financed
directly by
BCTII as
a result of
its loan of
the
proceeds
to Bimini
Capital,
that investment
is not considered
to be an
equity investment
at risk.
Since Bimini
Capital's
common share
investment
in BCTII
is not a variable
interest,
Bimini Capital
is not the
primary beneficiary
of BCTII.
Therefore,
Bimini Capital
has not
consolidated
the financial
statements
of BCTII
into its consolidated
financial
statements,
and this
investment
is accounted
for on the
equity
method.
The accompanying
consolidated
financial
statements
present
Bimini Capital's
BCTII Junior
Subordinated
Notes issued
to BCTII
as a
liability
and Bimini
Capital's
investment
in the common
equity securities
of BCTII
as an asset
(included
in other
assets).
For financial
statement
purposes,
Bimini Capital
records payments
of interest
on the Junior
Subordinated
Notes issued
to BCTII
as interest
expense.
Note Payable
On October
30, 2019,
the Company
borrowed
$
680,000
from a bank.
The note
is payable
in equal
monthly principal
and interest
installments
of approximately
$
4,500
through October
30, 2039.
Interest
accrues at
4.89% through
October 30,
- Thereafter,
interest
accrues based
on the weekly
average
yield to the
United States
Treasury securities
adjusted to
a constant
maturity of
5 years,
plus
3.25
%.
The note
is secured
by a mortgage
on the Company’s
office building.
Paycheck
Protection
Plan Loan
On April
13, 2020,
the Company
received approximately
$
152,000
through the
Paycheck Protection
Program (“PPP”)
of the CARES
Act in the
form of a
low interest
loan.
PPP loans
carry a fixed
rate of
1.00
% and a term
of two years,
if not forgiven,
in whole or
in part.
The
- 15 -
Small Business
Administration
notified the
Company that,
effective as
of April
22, 2021,
all principal
and accrued
interest
under the
PPP
loan has been
forgiven.
The table
below presents
the future
scheduled
principal
payments
on the Company’s
long-term
debt.
(in thousands)
Last three months of 2021
$
6
2022
23
2023
24
2024
25
2025
26
After 2025
27,341
Total
$
27,445
NOTE 9.
COMMON STOCK
There were
no issuances
of Bimini
Capital's Class
A Common
Stock, Class
B Common
Stock or Class
C Common
Stock during
the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020.
Stock Repurchase
Plans
On March 26,
2018, the
Board of
Directors
of the Company
(the “Board”)
approved
a Stock Repurchase
Plan (the
“2018 Repurchase
Plan”).
Pursuant
to the 2018
Repurchase
Plan, the
Company could
purchase
up to
500,000
shares of
its Class
A Common
Stock from
time to time,
subject to
certain limitations
imposed by
Rule 10b-18
of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934.
The 2018 Repurchase
Plan
was terminated
on September
16, 2021
.
During the
three months
ended September
30, 2021,
the Company
repurchased
a total of
1,195
shares under
the 2018 Repurchase
Plan at an
aggregate
cost of approximately
$
2,298
, including
commissions
and fees,
for a weighted
average price
of $
1.92
per share.
From the
inception
of the 2018
Repurchase
Plan through
its termination,
the Company
repurchased
a total of
71,598
shares at
an
aggregate
cost of approximately
$
169,243
, including
commissions
and fees,
for a weighted
average price
of $
2.36
per share.
On September
16, 2021,
the Board
authorized
a share repurchase
plan pursuant
to Rule 10b5-1
of the Securities
Exchange
Act of
1934 (the
“2021 Repurchase
Plan”). Pursuant
to the 2021
Repurchase
Plan, the
Company may
purchase
shares of
its Class
A Common
Stock from
time to time
for an aggregate
purchase
price not
to exceed
$
2.5
million. Share
repurchases
may be executed
through various
means, including,
without limitation,
open market
transactions.
The 2021 Repurchase
Plan does
not obligate
the Company
to purchase
any shares,
and it expires
on September
16, 2023.
The authorization
for the 2021
Repurchase
Plan may
be terminated,
increased
or
decreased
by the Company’s
Board of
Directors
in its discretion
at any time.
There were
no shares
repurchased
during the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021
under 2021
Repurchase
Plan.
Tender Offer
In July 2021,
the Company
completed
a “modified
Dutch auction”
tender offer
and paid
$1.5 million,
excluding
fees and
related
expenses,
to repurchase
812,879
shares of
Bimini Capital’s
Class A common
stock at a
price of
$
1.85
per share.
The aggregate
cost of
the tender
offer, including
commissions
and fees,
was approximately
$
1.6
million.
NOTE 10.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and
legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business.
- 16 -
On
April 22, 2020
, the Company received a demand for payment from Citigroup, Inc. in the
amount of $
33.1
million related to the
indemnification provisions of various mortgage loan purchase agreements (“MLPA’s”) entered into between Citigroup Global Markets
Realty Corp and Royal Palm Capital, LLC (f/k/a Opteum Financial Services,
LLC) prior to the date Royal Palm’s mortgage origination
operations ceased in 2007.
The demand is based on Royal Palm’s alleged breaches of certain representations and warranties
in the
related MLPA’s.
The Company believes the demands are without merit and intends to defend
against the demand vigorously.
No
provision or accrual has been recorded as of September 30, 2021 related to the Citigroup
demand.
Management is not aware of any other significant reported or unreported contingencies
at September 30, 2021.
NOTE 11.
INCOME TAXES
The total income tax provision recorded for the nine months ended September
30, 2021 and 2020 was $
0.3
million and $
9.3
million, respectively, on consolidated pre-tax book income (loss) of $
1.2
million and $(
8.3
) million in the nine months ended September
30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The total income tax provision recorded for the three months ended September
30, 2021 and 2020
was $
0.2
million and $
0.6
million, respectively, on consolidated pre-tax book income of $
0.6
million and $
1.9
million in the three months
ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company’s tax provision is based on a projected effective rate based on annualized amounts applied to
actual income to date
and includes the expected realization of a portion of the tax benefits of federal
and state net operating losses carryforwards (“NOLs”).
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it
is more likely than not that some portion or all of
the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of capital
loss and NOL carryforwards is dependent upon the
generation of future capital gains and taxable income in periods prior to their expiration.
The Company currently provides a valuation
allowance against a portion of the NOLs since the Company believes that it is more likely
than not that some of the benefits will not be
realized in the future. The Company will continue to assess the need for a valuation
allowance at each reporting date.
As a result of adverse economic impacts of COVID-19 on its business, the Company
performed an assessment of the need for
additional valuation allowances against existing deferred tax assets as of March 31,
- Following the more-likely-than-not standard
that benefits will not be realized in the future, the Company determined an additional
valuation allowance of approximately $
11.2
million
was necessary for the net operating loss carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards
during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
NOTE 12.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Shares of
Class B common
stock,
participating
and convertible
into Class
A common
stock, are
entitled to
receive dividends
in an
amount equal
to the dividends
declared
on each share
of Class A
common stock
if, and when,
authorized
and declared
by the Board
of
Directors.
The Class
B common
stock is included
in the computation
of basic EPS
using the
two-class
method, and
consequently
is
presented
separately
from Class
A common
stock.
Shares of
Class B common
stock are
not included
in the computation
of diluted
Class A
EPS as the
conditions
for conversion
to Class A
common stock
were not
met at September
30, 2021 and
2020.
Shares of
Class C common
stock are
not included
in the basic
EPS computation
as these shares
do not have
participation
rights.
Shares of
Class C common
stock are
not included
in the computation
of diluted
Class A EPS
as the conditions
for conversion
to Class A
common stock
were not
met at September
30, 2021
and 2020.
The table
below reconciles
the numerator
and denominator
of EPS for
the nine
and three
months ended
September
30, 2021
and
2020.
(in thousands, except per-share information)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
- 17 -
Basic and diluted EPS per Class A common share:
Income (loss) attributable to Class A common shares:
Basic and diluted
$
833
$
(17,499)
$
464
$
1,314
Weighted average common shares:
Class A common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
10,794
11,609
10,794
11,609
Effect of weighting
564
-
72
-
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted
11,358
11,609
10,866
11,609
Income (loss) per Class A common share:
Basic and diluted
$
0.07
$
(1.51)
$
0.04
$
0.11
(in thousands, except per-share information)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Basic and diluted EPS per Class B common share:
Income (loss) attributable to Class B common shares:
Basic and diluted
$
2
$
(48)
$
1
$
4
Weighted average common shares:
Class B common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
32
32
32
32
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted
32
32
32
32
Income (loss) per Class B common share:
Basic and diluted
$
0.07
$
(1.51)
$
0.04
$
0.11
NOTE 13.
FAIR VALUE
Fair value
is the price
that would
be received
to sell an
asset or
paid to transfer
a liability
(an exit
price). A
fair value
measure should
reflect the
assumptions
that market
participants
would use
in pricing
the asset
or liability, including
the assumptions
about the
risk inherent
in a particular
valuation
technique,
the effect
of a restriction
on the sale
or use of
an asset and
the risk of
non-performance.
Required
disclosures
include stratification
of balance
sheet amounts
measured
at fair value
based on
inputs the
Company uses
to derive
fair value
measurements.
These stratifications
are:
●
Level 1 valuations,
where the
valuation
is based on
quoted market
prices for
identical
assets or
liabilities
traded in
active markets
(which include
exchanges
and over-the-counter
markets with
sufficient
volume),
●
Level 2 valuations,
where the
valuation
is based on
quoted market
prices for
similar instruments
traded in
active markets,
quoted
prices for
identical
or similar
instruments
in markets
that are
not active
and model-based
valuation
techniques
for which
all
significant
assumptions
are observable
in the market,
and
●
Level 3 valuations,
where the
valuation
is generated
from model-based
techniques
that use
significant
assumptions
not
observable
in the market,
but observable
based on Company-specific
data. These
unobservable
assumptions
reflect the
Company’s own
estimates
for assumptions
that market
participants
would use
in pricing
the asset
or liability. Valuation
techniques
typically
include option
pricing models,
discounted
cash flow
models and
similar techniques,
but may also
include
the
use of market
prices of
assets or
liabilities
that are
not directly
comparable
to the subject
asset or
liability.
MBS, Orchid
common stock,
retained
interests
and TBA
securities
were all recorded
at fair value
on a recurring
basis during
the nine
and three
months ended
September
30, 2021
and 2020.
When determining
fair value
measurements,
the Company
considers
the principal
or most advantageous
market in
which it
would transact
and considers
assumptions
that market
participants
would use
when pricing
the
asset. When
possible,
the Company
looks to active
and observable
markets to
price identical
assets.
When identical
assets are
not traded
in active
markets, the
Company
looks to market
observable
data for
similar assets.
Fair value
measurements
for the retained
interests
are
generated
by a model
that requires
management
to make a
significant
number of
assumptions,
and this model
resulted
in a value
of zero
at both September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020.
The Company's
MBS and TBA
securities
are valued
using Level
2 valuations,
and such valuations
currently
are determined
by the
- 18 -
Company based
on independent
pricing sources
and/or third
party broker
quotes, when
available.
Because the
price estimates
may vary,
the Company
must make
certain
judgments
and assumptions
about the
appropriate
price to
use to calculate
the fair
values. The
Company
and the independent
pricing sources
use various
valuation
techniques
to determine
the price
of the Company’s
securities.
These
techniques
include observing
the most
recent market
for like
or identical
assets (including
security
coupon, maturity,
yield, and
prepayment
speeds),
spread pricing
techniques
to determine
market credit
spreads (option
adjusted spread,
zero volatility
spread, spread
to the U.S.
Treasury curve
or spread
to a benchmark
such as a
TBA security),
and model
driven approaches
(the discounted
cash flow
method, Black
Scholes and
SABR models
which rely
upon observable
market rates
such as the
term structure
of interest
rates and
volatility).
The
appropriate
spread pricing
method used
is based on
market convention.
The pricing
source determines
the spread
of recently
observed
trade activity
or observable
markets for
assets similar
to those
being priced.
The spread
is then adjusted
based on
variances
in certain
characteristics
between the
market observation
and the asset
being priced.
Those characteristics
include: type
of asset,
the expected
life
of the asset,
the stability
and predictability
of the expected
future cash
flows of
the asset,
whether
the coupon
of the asset
is fixed
or
adjustable,
the guarantor
of the security
if applicable,
the coupon,
the maturity, the
issuer, size of
the underlying
loans, year
in which
the
underlying
loans were
originated,
loan to value
ratio, state
in which
the underlying
loans reside,
credit score
of the underlying
borrowers
and other
variables
if appropriate.
The fair
value of the
security is
determined
by using the
adjusted
spread.
The Company’s
futures contracts
are Level
1 valuations,
as they are
exchange-traded
instruments
and quoted
market prices
are
readily available.
Futures contracts
are settled
daily. The Company’s
interest
rate swaps
and interest
rate swaptions
are Level
2
valuations.
The fair
value of interest
rate swaps
is determined
using a discounted
cash flow
approach
using forward
market interest
rates
and discount
rates, which
are observable
inputs. The
fair value
of interest
rate swaptions
is determined
using an option
pricing model.
The following
table presents
financial
assets and
liabilities
measured
at fair value
on a recurring
basis as of
September
30, 2021
and
December
31, 2020:
(in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Significant
Markets for
Other
Significant
Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Fair Value
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Measurements
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
September 30, 2021
Mortgage-backed securities
$
64,390
$
-
$
64,390
$
-
Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
12,691
12,691
-
-
December 31, 2020
Mortgage-backed securities
$
65,178
$
-
$
65,178
$
-
Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
13,548
13,548
-
-
During the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020,
there were
no transfers
of financial
assets or
liabilities
between levels
1, 2 or 3.
NOTE 14.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s operations are classified into two principal reportable segments: the asset
management segment and the
investment portfolio segment.
The asset management segment includes the investment advisory services provided by
Bimini Advisors to Orchid and Royal
Palm. As discussed in Note 2, the revenues of the asset management segment consist
of management fees and overhead
reimbursements received pursuant to a management agreement with Orchid.
Total revenues received under this management
agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, were approximately
$
6.8
million and $
5.0
million, respectively,
accounting for approximately
68
% and
53
% of consolidated revenues, respectively.
- 19 -
The investment portfolio segment includes the investment activities conducted
by Royal Palm.
The investment portfolio segment
receives revenue in the form of interest and dividend income on its investments.
Segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is
as follows:
(in thousands)
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2021
Advisory services, external customers
$
6,758
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
6,758
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
108
-
-
(108)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
3,245
-
-
3,245
Interest expense
-
(95)
(748)
(2)
-
(843)
Net revenues
6,866
3,150
(748)
(108)
9,160
Other income
-
(3,008)
154
(3)
-
(2,854)
Operating expenses
(4)
(3,396)
(1,738)
-
-
(5,134)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(108)
-
108
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
3,470
$
(1,704)
$
(594)
$
-
$
1,172
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2020
Advisory services, external customers
$
4,969
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
4,969
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
116
-
-
(116)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
4,414
-
-
4,414
Interest expense
-
(1,030)
(893)
(2)
-
(1,923)
Net revenues
5,085
3,384
(893)
(116)
7,460
Other expenses
-
(10,238)
(466)
(3)
-
(10,704)
Operating expenses
(4)
(2,632)
(2,375)
-
-
(5,007)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(116)
-
116
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
2,453
$
(9,345)
$
(1,359)
$
-
$
(8,251)
Segment information for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is
as follows:
(in thousands)
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2021
Advisory services, external customers
$
2,547
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
2,547
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
35
-
-
(35)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
1,043
-
-
1,043
Interest expense
-
(24)
(248)
(2)
-
(272)
Net revenues
2,582
1,019
(248)
(35)
3,318
Other
-
(1,033)
-
-
(1,033)
Operating expenses
(4)
(1,157)
(496)
-
-
(1,653)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(35)
-
35
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
1,425
$
(545)
$
(248)
$
-
$
632
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2020
Advisory services, external customers
$
1,629
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,629
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
32
-
-
(32)
-
- 20 -
Interest and dividend income
-
1,097
-
-
1,097
Interest expense
-
(43)
(261)
(2)
-
(304)
Net revenues
1,661
1,054
(261)
(32)
2,422
Other
-
1,070
49
(3)
-
1,119
Operating expenses
(4)
(956)
(659)
-
-
(1,615)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(32)
-
32
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
705
$
1,433
$
(212)
$
-
$
1,926
(1)
Includes fees paid by Royal Palm to Bimini Advisors for advisory services
.
(2)
Includes interest on long-term debt.
(3)
Includes income recognized on the forgiveness of the PPP loan and gains (losses)
on Eurodollar futures contracts entered into as a hedge on
junior subordinated notes.
(4)
Corporate expenses are allocated based on each segment’s proportional
share of total revenues.
Assets in each reportable segment as of September 30, 2021 and December
31, 2020 were as follows:
(in thousands)
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Total
September 30, 2021
$
1,823
$
110,711
13,200
$
125,734
December 31, 2020
1,469
113,764
13,468
128,701
NOTE 15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Relationships with Orchid
At both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company owned
2,595,357
shares of Orchid common stock, representing
approximately
1.7
% and
3.4
% of Orchid’s outstanding common stock on such dates.
The Company received dividends on this
common stock investment of approximately $
1.5
million and $
0.5
million during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2021,
and approximately $
1.2
million and $
0.5
million during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
Robert Cauley, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, also serves as Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orchid, receives compensation
from Orchid, and owns shares of common
stock of Orchid.
In addition, Hunter Haas, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer of the Company, also
serves as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Secretary of Orchid, is a member of Orchid’s Board of Directors,
receives compensation from Orchid, and owns shares of common stock of Orchid. Robert
J. Dwyer and Frank E. Jaumot, our
independent directors, each own shares of common stock of Orchid.
- 21 -
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
The
following
discussion
of
our
financial
condition
and
results
of
operations
should
be
read
in
conjunction
with
the
financial
statements and
notes to
those statements
included in
Item 1
of this
Form 10-Q.
The discussion
may contain
certain forward-looking
statements that involve
risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements
are those that
are not historical
in nature. As
a result of
many
factors, such
as those
set forth
under “Risk
Factors” in
our most
recent Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
and any
subsequent Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such
forward-looking statements.
Overview
Bimini Capital Management, Inc. ("Bimini Capital" or the "Company") is a holding
company that was formed in September 2003.
The Company’s principal wholly-owned operating subsidiary is Royal Palm Capital,
LLC. We operate in two business segments: the
asset management segment, which includes (a) the investment advisory services provided
by Royal Palm’s wholly-owned subsidiary,
Bimini Advisors Holdings, LLC, to Orchid, and (b) the investment portfolio segment, which
includes the investment activities conducted
by Royal Palm.
Bimini Advisors Holdings, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bimini Advisors, LLC (an investment advisor registered
with the
Securities and Exchange Commission), are collectively referred to as
“Bimini Advisors.”
Bimini Advisors serves as the external
manager of the portfolio of Orchid Island Capital, Inc. ("Orchid"). From this arrangement,
the Company receives management fees and
expense reimbursements.
As manager, Bimini Advisors is responsible for administering Orchid's business activities and day-to-day
operations.
Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, Bimini Advisors
provides Orchid with its management team,
including its officers, along with appropriate support personnel. Bimini Advisors is at all times
subject to the supervision and oversight of
Orchid's board of directors and has only such functions and authority as delegated to
it.
Royal Palm Capital, LLC (collectively with its wholly-owned subsidiaries
referred to as “Royal Palm”) maintains an investment
portfolio, consisting primarily of residential mortgage-backed securities ("MBS")
issued and guaranteed by a federally chartered
corporation or agency ("Agency MBS"). Our investment strategy focuses on,
and our portfolio consists of, two categories of Agency
MBS: (i) traditional pass-through Agency MBS, such as mortgage pass-through
certificates issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or
Ginnie Mae (the “GSEs”) and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”)
issued by the GSEs (“PT MBS”) and (ii) structured Agency
MBS, such as interest only securities ("IOs"), inverse interest only securities
("IIOs") and principal only securities ("POs"), among other
types of structured Agency MBS. In addition, Royal Palm receives dividends
from its investment in Orchid common shares.
Stock Repurchase
Plans
On March 26,
2018, the
Board of
Directors
of the Company
approved
a Stock Repurchase
Plan the
“2018 Repurchase
Plan”).
Pursuant
to the 2018
Repurchase
Plan, we
could purchase
up to 500,000
shares of
the Company’s
Class A Common
Stock from
time to
time, subject
to certain
limitations
imposed by
Rule 10b-18
of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934.
The 2018
Repurchase
Plan was
terminated
on September
16, 2021.
During the
three months
ended September
30, 2021,
the Company
repurchased
a total of
1,195 shares
under the
2018 Repurchase
Plan at an
aggregate
cost of approximately
$2,298, including
commissions
and fees,
for a weighted
average price
of $1.92
per share.
From commencement
of the 2018
Repurchase
Plan, through
its termination,
the Company
repurchased
a total of
71,599 shares
at an
aggregate
cost of approximately
$169,243,
including
commissions
and fees,
for a weighted
average price
of $2.36
per share.
On September
16, 2021,
the Board
authorized
a share
repurchase
plan pursuant
to Rule 10b5-1
of the Securities
Exchange
Act of
1934 (the
“2021 Repurchase
Plan”). Pursuant
to the 2021
Repurchase
Plan, we
may purchase
shares of
our Class
A Common
Stock from
time to time
for an aggregate
purchase price
not to exceed
$2.5 million.
Share repurchases
may be executed
through various
means,
including,
without limitation,
open market
transactions.
The 2021
Repurchase
Plan does
not obligate
the Company
to purchase
any
- 22 -
shares, and
it expires
on September
16, 2023.
The authorization
for the 2021
Repurchase
Plan may be
terminated,
increased
or
decreased
by the Company’s
Board of
Directors
in its discretion
at any time.
No shares
were repurchased
under the
2021 Repurchase
Plan through
September
30, 2021.
Tender Offer
In July 2021,
we completed
a “modified
Dutch auction”
tender offer
and paid
$1.5 million,
excluding
fees and
related expenses,
to
repurchase
812,879 shares
of our Class
A common
stock, which
were retired,
at a price
of $1.85 per
share.
Factors that Affect our Results of Operations and Financial Condition
A variety
of industry
and economic
factors (in
addition to
those related
to the
COVID-19 pandemic)
may impact
our results
of
operations and financial condition. These factors include:
•
interest rate trends;
•
the difference between Agency MBS yields and our funding and hedging costs;
•
competition for, and supply of, investments in Agency MBS;
•
actions
taken
by
the
U.S.
government,
including
the
presidential
administration,
the
U.S.
Federal
Reserve
(the
“Fed”),
the
Federal Open Market Committee (the “FOMC”), the Federal Housing Finance
Agency (the “FHFA”) and the U.S. Treasury;
•
prepayment rates on mortgages underlying our Agency MBS, and credit trends
insofar as they affect prepayment rates; and
•
the equity markets and the ability of Orchid to raise additional capital; and
•
other market developments.
In addition, a
variety of factors
relating to our
business may also
impact our results
of operations and
financial condition. These
factors include:
•
our degree of leverage;
•
our access to funding and borrowing capacity;
•
our borrowing costs;
•
our hedging activities;
•
the market value of our investments;
•
the requirements to qualify for a registration exemption under the Investment Company Act;
•
our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and net capital loss carryforwards
to reduce our taxable income;
•
the impact of possible future changes in tax laws or tax rates; and
•
our ability to manage the portfolio of Orchid and maintain our role as manager.
Results
of Operations
Described below
are the Company’s results
of operations for
the nine and three months
ended September
30, 2021, as compared
to
the nine
and three
months ended
September
30, 2020.
Net Income
(Loss) Summary
Consolidated
net income
for the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021
was $0.8
million,
or $0.07
basic and
diluted
income per
share
of Class A
Common Stock, as compared to consolidated net loss of
$17.5 million,
or $1.51 basic and
diluted loss per share of
Class A
Common Stock,
for the nine
months ended
September
30, 2020.
Consolidated
net income
for the
three
months
ended September
30, 2021
was $0.5
million,
or $0.04
basic and
diluted
income per
share
- 23 -
of Class
A Common
Stock, as
compared
to consolidated
net income
of $1.3
million,
or $0.11 basic
and diluted
income per
share of
Class A
Common Stock,
for the
three months
ended September
30, 2020.
The components of
net income (loss)
for the nine and three months
ended September
30, 2021 and 2020, along
with the changes
in
those components
are presented
in the table
below:
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
Change
2021
2020
Change
Advisory services revenues
$
6,758
$
4,969
$
1,789
$
2,547
$
1,629
$
918
Interest and dividend income
3,245
4,414
(1,169)
1,043
1,097
(54)
Interest expense
(843)
(1,924)
1,081
(272)
(304)
32
Net revenues
9,160
7,459
1,701
3,318
2,422
896
Other (expense) income
(2,855)
(10,703)
7,848
(1,033)
1,119
(2,152)
Expenses
(5,134)
(5,007)
(127)
(1,653)
(1,615)
(38)
Net income (loss) before income tax provision
1,171
(8,251)
9,422
632
1,926
(1,294)
Income tax provision
(336)
(9,296)
8,960
(167)
(608)
441
Net income (loss)
$
835
$
(17,547)
$
18,382
$
465
$
1,318
$
(853)
GAAP and Non-GAAP Reconciliation
Economic Interest Expense and Economic Net Interest Income
We use derivative instruments, specifically Eurodollar and Treasury Note (“T-Note”) futures contracts and TBA short positions to
hedge a portion of the interest rate risk on repurchase agreements in a rising rate environment.
We have not designated our derivative financial instruments as hedge accounting relationships,
but rather hold them for economic
hedging purposes. Changes in fair value of these instruments are presented in a
separate line item in our consolidated statements of
operations and not included in interest expense. As such, for financial reporting
purposes, interest expense and cost of funds are not
impacted by the fluctuation in value of the derivative instruments.
For the purpose of computing economic net interest income and ratios relating to cost
of funds measures, GAAP interest expense
has been adjusted to reflect the realized and unrealized gains or losses on
certain derivative instruments the Company uses that
pertain to each period presented. We believe that adjusting our interest expense for the
periods presented by the gains or losses on
these derivative instruments would not accurately reflect our economic interest
expense for these periods. The reason is that these
derivative instruments may cover periods that extend into the future, not just the
current period.
Any realized or unrealized gains or
losses on the instruments reflect the change in market value of the instrument caused
by changes in underlying interest rates
applicable to the term covered by the instrument, not just the current period.
For each period presented, we have combined the effects of the derivative financial instruments
in place for the respective period
with the actual interest expense incurred on borrowings to reflect total economic
interest expense for the applicable period. Interest
expense, including the effect of derivative instruments for the period, is referred to as economic interest
expense. Net interest income,
when calculated to include the effect of derivative instruments for the period, is referred to
as economic net interest income. This
presentation includes gains or losses on all contracts in effect during the reporting period,
covering the current period as well as
periods in the future.
We believe that economic interest expense and economic net interest income provide
meaningful information to consider, in
addition to the respective amounts prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures help management to evaluate its
financial position and performance without the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments
that are not necessarily indicative
of our current investment portfolio or operations. The unrealized gains or losses
on derivative instruments presented in our
- 24 -
consolidated statements of operations are not necessarily representative of the
total interest rate expense that we will ultimately
realize. This is because as interest rates move up or down in the future, the
gains or losses we ultimately realize, and which will affect
our total interest rate expense in future periods, may differ from the unrealized gains or losses recognized
as of the reporting date.
Our presentation of the economic value of our hedging strategy has important
limitations. First, other market participants may
calculate economic interest expense and economic net interest income differently than
the way we calculate them. Second, while we
believe that the calculation of the economic value of our hedging strategy described
above helps to present our financial position and
performance, it may be of limited usefulness as an analytical tool. Therefore, the
economic value of our investment strategy should not
be viewed in isolation and is not a substitute for interest expense and net
interest income computed in accordance with GAAP.
The tables below present a reconciliation of the adjustments to interest expense shown for each period relative to our
derivative instruments, and the consolidated statements of operations line item, gains (losses) on derivative instruments,
calculated in accordance with GAAP for each quarter in 2021 and 2020.
As a result of the market turmoil during the first quarter of 2020 several hedge positions where closed.
However, the
hedges closed were hedges that covered periods well beyond the first quarter of 2020.
Accordingly, the open equity at the
time these hedges were closed will result in adjustments to economic interest expense through the balance of their
respective original hedge periods.
Since the Company’s portfolio was significantly reduced during the first quarter of 2020,
the effect of applying the open equity at the time of closure of these hedge instruments to the current, and much smaller,
repurchase agreement interest expense amounts has materially impacted the economic interest amounts reported below.
Losses on Derivative Instruments - Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations (GAAP)
(in thousands)
Recognized in
Statement of
TBA
Operations
Securities
Futures
Three Months Ended
(GAAP)
Loss
Contracts
September 30, 2021
$
-
$
-
$
-
June 30, 2021
-
-
-
March 31, 2021
-
-
-
December 31, 2020
-
-
-
September 30, 2020
-
-
-
June 30, 2020
(2)
-
(2)
March 31, 2020
(5,291)
(1,441)
(3,850)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
-
$
-
$
-
September 30, 2020
(5,292)
(1,441)
(3,851)
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments - Attributed to Current Period (Non-GAAP)
(in thousands)
Attributed to Current Period (Non-GAAP)
Attributed to Future Periods (Non-GAAP)
Repurchase
Long-Term
Repurchase
Long-Term
Statement of
Three Months Ended
Agreements
Debt
Total
Agreements
Debt
Total
Operations
September 30, 2021
$
(709)
$
(57)
$
(766)
$
709
$
57
$
766
$
-
June 30, 2021
(708)
(58)
(766)
708
58
766
-
March 31, 2021
(708)
(58)
(766)
708
58
766
-
December 31, 2020
(615)
(40)
(655)
615
40
655
-
September 30, 2020
(1,065)
(40)
(1,105)
1,065
40
1,105
-
June 30, 2020
(456)
(40)
(496)
456
38
494
(2)
March 31, 2020
(456)
(40)
(496)
(2,879)
(475)
(3,354)
(3,850)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
(2,125)
$
(173)
$
(2,298)
$
2,125
$
173
$
2,298
$
-
September 30, 2020
(1,977)
(120)
(2,097)
(1,358)
(396)
(1,754)
$
(3,851)
- 25 -
Economic Net Portfolio Interest Income
(in thousands)
Interest Expense on Repurchase Agreements
Net Portfolio
Effect of
Interest Income
Interest
GAAP
Non-GAAP
Economic
GAAP
Economic
Three Months Ended
Income
Basis
Hedges
(1)
Basis
(2)
Basis
Basis
(3)
September 30, 2021
$
537
$
24
$
(709)
$
733
$
513
$
(196)
June 30, 2021
578
31
(708)
739
547
(161)
March 31, 2021
611
40
(708)
748
571
(137)
December 31, 2020
597
43
(615)
658
554
(61)
September 30, 2020
604
43
(1,065)
1,108
561
(504)
June 30, 2020
523
60
(456)
516
463
7
March 31, 2020
2,040
928
(456)
1,384
1,112
656
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
1,726
$
95
$
(2,125)
$
2,220
$
1,631
$
(494)
September 30, 2020
3,167
1,030
(1,978)
3,008
2,137
159
(1)
Reflects the effect of derivative instrument hedges for only the period
presented.
(2)
Calculated by subtracting the effect of derivative instrument hedges
attributed to the period presented from GAAP interest expense.
(3)
Calculated by adding the effect of derivative instrument hedges attributed
to the period presented to GAAP net portfolio interest income.
Economic Net Interest Income
(in thousands)
Net Portfolio
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
Interest Income
Effect of
Net Interest Income (Loss)
GAAP
Economic
GAAP
Non-GAAP
Economic
GAAP
Economic
Three Months Ended
Basis
Basis
(1)
Basis
Hedges
(2)
Basis
(3)
Basis
Basis
(4)
September 30, 2021
$
513
$
(196)
$
248
$
(57)
$
305
$
265
$
(501)
June 30, 2021
547
(161)
250
(58)
308
297
(469)
March 31, 2021
571
(137)
250
(58)
308
321
(445)
December 31, 2020
554
(61)
257
(40)
297
297
(358)
September 30, 2020
561
(504)
261
(40)
301
300
(805)
June 30, 2020
463
7
282
(40)
322
181
(315)
March 31, 2020
1,112
656
350
(40)
390
762
266
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
1,631
$
(494)
$
748
$
(173)
$
921
$
883
$
(1,415)
September 30, 2020
2,137
159
893
(120)
1,013
1,244
(854)
(1)
Calculated by adding the effect of derivative instrument hedges attributed
to the period presented to GAAP net portfolio interest income.
(2)
Reflects the effect of derivative instrument hedges for only the period
presented.
(3)
Calculated by subtracting the effect of derivative instrument hedges
attributed to the period presented from GAAP interest expense.
(4)
Calculated by adding the effect of derivative instrument hedges
attributed to the period presented to GAAP net interest income.
Segment Information
We have two operating segments. The asset management segment includes the investment
advisory services provided by Bimini
Advisors to Orchid and Royal Palm. The investment
portfolio segment includes the investment activities conducted
by Royal Palm.
Segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is as
follows:
(in thousands)
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
- 26 -
2021
Advisory services, external customers
$
6,758
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
6,758
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
108
-
-
(108)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
3,245
-
-
3,245
Interest expense
-
(95)
(748)
(2)
-
(843)
Net revenues
6,866
3,150
(748)
(108)
9,160
Other income
-
(3,008)
154
(3)
-
(2,854)
Operating expenses
(4)
(3,396)
(1,738)
-
-
(5,134)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(108)
-
108
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
3,470
$
(1,704)
$
(594)
$
-
$
1,172
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2020
Advisory services, external customers
$
4,969
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
4,969
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
116
-
-
(116)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
4,414
-
-
4,414
Interest expense
-
(1,030)
(893)
(2)
-
(1,923)
Net revenues
5,085
3,384
(893)
(116)
7,460
Other expenses
-
(10,238)
(466)
(3)
-
(10,704)
Operating expenses
(4)
(2,632)
(2,375)
-
-
(5,007)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(116)
-
116
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
2,453
$
(9,345)
$
(1,359)
$
-
$
(8,251)
Segment information for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is
as follows:
(in thousands)
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2021
Advisory services, external customers
$
2,547
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
2,547
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
35
-
-
(35)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
1,043
-
-
1,043
Interest expense
-
(24)
(248)
(2)
-
(272)
Net revenues
2,582
1,019
(248)
(35)
3,318
Other
-
(1,033)
-
-
(1,033)
Operating expenses
(4)
(1,157)
(496)
-
-
(1,653)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(35)
-
35
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
1,425
$
(545)
$
(248)
$
-
$
632
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Eliminations
Total
2020
Advisory services, external customers
$
1,629
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,629
Advisory services, other operating segments
(1)
32
-
-
(32)
-
Interest and dividend income
-
1,097
-
-
1,097
Interest expense
-
(43)
(261)
(2)
-
(304)
Net revenues
1,661
1,054
(261)
(32)
2,422
Other
-
1,070
49
(3)
-
1,119
Operating expenses
(4)
(956)
(659)
-
-
(1,615)
Intercompany expenses
(1)
-
(32)
-
32
-
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
705
$
1,433
$
(212)
$
-
$
1,926
(1)
Includes advisory services revenue received by Bimini Advisors from Royal Palm.
- 27 -
(2)
Includes interest on long-term debt.
(3)
Includes income recognized on the forgiveness of the PPP loan and gains (losses)
on Eurodollar futures contracts entered into as a hedge on
junior subordinated notes.
(4)
Corporate expenses are allocated based on each segment’s proportional
share of total revenues.
Assets in each reportable segment were as follows:
(in thousands)
Asset
Investment
Management
Portfolio
Corporate
Total
September 30, 2021
$
1,823
110,711
$
13,200
$
125,734
December 31, 2020
1,469
113,764
13,468
128,701
Asset Management
Segment
Advisory Services
Revenue
Advisory services
revenue
consists
of management
fees and
overhead
reimbursements
charged
to Orchid
for the management
of its
portfolio
pursuant
to the terms
of a management
agreement.
We receive a monthly management fee in the amount of:
●
One-twelfth of 1.5% of the first $250 million of Orchid’s month-end equity, as defined in the management agreement,
●
One-twelfth of 1.25% of Orchid’s month-end equity that is greater than $250 million
and less than or equal to $500 million, and
●
One-twelfth of 1.00% of Orchid’s month-end equity that is greater than $500 million.
In addition, Orchid is obligated to reimburse us for any direct expenses
incurred on its behalf and to pay to us an amount equal to
Orchid's pro rata portion of certain overhead costs set forth in the management
agreement. The management agreement has been
renewed through February 2022 and provides for automatic one-year
extension options. Should Orchid terminate the management
agreement without cause, it will be obligated to pay to us a termination fee
equal to three times the average annual management fee,
as defined in the management agreement, before or on the last day of the automatic
renewal term.
The following table summarizes the advisory services revenue received from
Orchid in each quarter during 2021 and 2020.
(in thousands)
Average
Average
Advisory Services
Orchid
Orchid
Management
Overhead
Three Months Ended
MBS
Equity
Fee
Allocation
Total
September 30, 2021
$
5,136,331
$
672,384
$
2,157
$
390
$
2,547
June 30, 2021
4,504,887
542,679
1,791
395
2,186
March 31, 2021
4,032,716
456,687
1,621
404
2,025
December 31, 2020
3,633,631
387,503
1,384
442
1,826
September 30, 2020
3,422,564
368,588
1,252
377
1,629
June 30, 2020
3,126,779
361,093
1,268
347
1,615
March 31, 2020
3,269,859
376,673
1,377
348
1,725
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
4,557,978
$
557,250
$
5,569
$
1,189
$
6,758
September 30, 2020
3,273,068
368,785
3,897
1,072
4,969
Investment Portfolio Segment
Net Portfolio Interest Income
- 28 -
We define
net portfolio
interest
income as
interest
income on
MBS less
interest
expense on
repurchase
agreement
funding.
During the
nine months ended September 30, 2021, we generated $1.6 million of
net portfolio interest income, consisting of $1.7 million of interest
income from MBS
assets offset by $0.1
million of interest
expense on repurchase
liabilities.
For the comparable
period ended September
30, 2020, we
generated
$2.1 million
of net portfolio
interest income,
consisting
of $3.2 million
of interest
income from
MBS assets offset
by
$1.0 million
of interest
expense
on repurchase
liabilities.
The $1.5
million decrease
in interest
income for
the nine
months ended
September
30, 2021 was
due to a $15.4
million decrease
in average
MBS balances,
combined with
a 167 basis
point ("bp")
decrease in
yields earned
on the
portfolio.
The $0.9
million decrease
in interest
expense for
the nine
months ended
September
30, 2021
was due
to a combination
of
an $11.9 million
decrease
in average
repurchase
liabilities
and a 151
bp decrease
in cost of
funds.
Our economic
interest
expense
on repurchase
liabilities
for the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020
was $2.2
million and
$3.0 million,
respectively, resulting
in ($0.5)
million and
$0.2 million
of economic
net portfolio
interest
income, respectively.
During the
three months
ended September
30, 2021,
we generated
approximately
$513,000
of net portfolio
interest
income,
consisting
of approximately
$537,000
of interest
income
from MBS
assets offset
by approximately
$24,000
of interest
expense
on repurchase
liabilities.
For the
three months ended
September 30, 2020,
we generated approximately $561,000 of
net portfolio interest income, consisting of
approximately
$604,000
of interest
income from
MBS assets
offset by
approximately
$43,000
of interest
expense on
repurchase
liabilities.
Our economic interest expense
on repurchase liabilities
for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.7 million
and
$1.1
million, respectively,
resulting in
approximately ($0.2)
million
and
($0.5)
million of
economic net
portfolio interest
expense,
respectively.
The
tables
below
provide
information
on our
portfolio
average
balances,
interest
income,
yield
on
assets,
average
repurchase
agreement
balances, interest
expense, cost
of funds, net interest
income and net
interest rate
spread for the
nine months ended
September 30,
2021
and 2020
and each
quarter in
2021 and
2020 on both
a GAAP and
economic basis.
($ in thousands)
Average
Yield on
Average
Interest Expense
Average Cost of Funds
MBS
Interest
Average
Repurchase
GAAP
Economic
GAAP
Economic
Three Months Ended
Held
(1)
Income
(2)
MBS
Agreements
(1)
Basis
Basis
(2)
Basis
Basis
(3)
September 30, 2021
$
66,692
$
537
3.22%
$
67,253
$
24
$
733
0.14%
4.36%
June 30, 2021
70,925
578
3.26%
$
72,241
31
739
0.17%
4.09%
March 31, 2021
69,017
611
3.54%
69,104
40
748
0.23%
4.33%
December 31, 2020
69,161
597
3.45%
67,878
43
658
0.25%
3.88%
September 30, 2020
62,981
604
3.84%
61,151
43
1,108
0.28%
7.25%
June 30, 2020
53,630
523
3.90%
51,987
60
516
0.46%
3.97%
March 31, 2020
136,142
2,040
5.99%
131,156
928
1,384
2.83%
4.22%
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
68,878
$
1,726
3.34%
$
69,533
$
95
$
2,220
0.18%
4.26%
September 30, 2020
84,251
3,167
5.01%
81,431
1,031
3,008
1.69%
4.92%
($ in thousands)
Net Portfolio
Net Portfolio
Interest Income
Interest Spread
GAAP
Economic
GAAP
Economic
Three Months Ended
Basis
Basis
(2)
Basis
Basis
(4)
September 30, 2021
$
513
$
(196)
3.08%
(1.14)%
June 30, 2021
547
(161)
3.09%
(0.83)%
March 31, 2021
571
(137)
3.31%
(0.79)%
December 31, 2020
554
(61)
3.20%
(0.42)%
September 30, 2020
561
(504)
3.56%
(3.40)%
June 30, 2020
463
7
3.44%
(0.07)%
- 29 -
March 31, 2020
1,112
656
3.16%
1.77%
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
1,631
$
(494)
3.16%
(0.92)%
September 30, 2020
2,136
159
3.32%
0.09%
(1)
Portfolio yields
and costs
of borrowings
presented in
the tables
above and
the tables
on pages
29 and
30 are
calculated based
on the
average balances
of the underlying
investment portfolio/repurchase
agreement balances
and are annualized
for the periods
presented.
Average balances for quarterly periods are calculated using two data
points, the beginning and ending balances.
(2)
Economic interest expense and economic net interest income
presented in the tables above and the tables on page 30 include
the effect
of derivative instrument hedges for only the period presented.
(3)
Represents
interest
cost
of
our
borrowings
and
the
effect
of
derivative
instrument
hedges
attributed
to
the
period
related
to
hedging
activities divided by average MBS.
(4)
Economic net interest spread is calculated by subtracting average economic
cost of funds from yield on average MBS.
Interest Income and Average Earning Asset Yield
Our interest income
was $1.7
million for
the nine
months ended September 30,
2021 and
$3.2 million
for the
nine months ended
September
30, 2020.
Average
MBS holdings
were
$68.9
million
and $84.3
million
for the
nine months
ended
September
30, 2021
and 2020,
respectively. The $1.5
million decrease
in interest income
was due to a $15.4
million decrease
in average MBS
holdings,
combined with
a
167 bp decrease
in yields.
Our interest income was $0.5 million for
the three months ended September 30, 2021 and
$0.6 million for the
three months ended
September 30, 2020.
Average MBS holdings were $66.7 million and $63.0 million for the three months ended September
30, 2021 and
2020, respectively. The $0.1 million decrease in interest income was due to
a 62
bp decrease in yields, partially offset by a
$3.7 million
increase in
average MBS
holdings.
The tables below present the average
portfolio size, income
and yields of our respective
sub-portfolios,
consisting of structured
MBS
and PT MBS,
for the nine
months ended
September
30, 2021
and 2020,
and for each
quarter during
2021 and
2020.
($ in thousands)
Average MBS Held
Interest Income
Realized Yield on Average MBS
PT
Structured
PT
Structured
PT
Structured
Three
Months Ended
MBS
MBS
Total
MBS
MBS
Total
MBS
MBS
Total
September 30, 2021
$
64,641
$
2,051
$
66,692
$
533
$
4
$
537
3.30%
0.91%
3.22%
June 30, 2021
70,207
718
70,925
579
(1)
578
3.30%
(0.11)%
3.26%
March 31, 2021
68,703
314
69,017
605
6
611
3.53%
6.54%
3.54%
December 31, 2020
68,842
319
69,161
598
(1)
597
3.47%
(1.20)%
3.45%
September 30, 2020
62,564
417
62,981
588
16
604
3.76%
15.35%
3.84%
June 30, 2020
53,101
529
53,630
502
21
523
3.78%
16.12%
3.90%
March 31, 2020
135,044
1,098
136,142
2,029
11
2,040
6.01%
3.93%
5.99%
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
67,851
$
1,027
$
68,878
$
1,717
$
9
$
1,726
3.37%
1.25%
3.34%
September 30, 2020
83,570
681
84,251
3,119
48
3,167
4.98%
9.42%
5.01%
Interest Expense on Repurchase Agreements and the Cost of Funds
Our average
outstanding
balances
under repurchase
agreements
were $69.5
million and
$81.4 million,
generating
interest expense
of
$0.1 million
and $1.0
million for
the nine months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020,
respectively.
Our average
cost of funds
was 0.18%
and 1.69%
for nine
months ended
September
30, 2021
and 2020,
respectively.
There was
a 151 bp decrease
in the average
cost of funds
and a
$11.9 million
decrease
in average
outstanding
repurchase
agreements
during
the nine
months
ended September
30, 2021,
compared
to the nine
months ended
September
30, 2020.
- 30 -
Our economic
interest
expense
was $2.2
million
and $3.0
million
for the
nine
months
ended
September
30, 2021
and 2020,
respectively.
There was a 66 bp decrease
in the average economic
cost of funds to
4.26% for the nine
months ended September
30, 2021 from 4.92%
for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020.
The $0.8 million decrease in
economic interest expense was due to the
$11.9 million
decrease
in average
outstanding
repurchase
agreements
during the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021.
Our average
outstanding
balances
under repurchase
agreements
were $67.3
million and
$61.2 million,
generating
interest expense
of
approximately
$24,000
and 43,000
for the
three months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020,
respectively.
Our average
cost of
funds was
0.14% and
0.28% for
three months
ended September
30, 2021 and
2020, respectively.
There was
a 14 bp
decrease
in the average
cost of
funds and a
$6.1 million increase in
average outstanding repurchase agreements
during the three months
ended September 30, 2021,
compared
to the three
months ended
September
30, 2020.
Our
economic
interest
expense
was
$0.7
million
and
$1.1
million
for
the
three
months
ended
September 30,
2021
and
2020,
respectively.
There was
a 289
bp decrease
in the
average
economic
cost of
funds to
4.36% for
the three
months ended
September
30, 2021
from 7.25%
for the three
months ended
September
30, 2020.
Because all of
our repurchase agreements are short-term, changes in market rates
have a
more immediate impact on our
interest
expense.
Our average cost of funds calculated on a GAAP basis was 5 bps above the average one-month LIBOR and 2 bps below the
average
six-month
LIBOR for
the quarter
ended September
30, 2021.
Our average
economic
cost of
funds was
427 bps
above the
average
one-month LIBOR and 420
bps above
the average six-month LIBOR
for the
quarter ended September 30,
- The average
term to
maturity of
the outstanding
repurchase
agreements
decreased
from 33 days
at December
31, 2020
to 25 days
at September
30, 2021.
The tables
below
present
the average
outstanding
balances
under
our repurchase
agreements,
interest
expense
and average
economic
cost of funds,
and average
one-month and
six-month LIBOR
rates for the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021 and
2020, and for
each
quarter in
2021 and
2020, on
both a GAAP
and economic
basis.
($ in thousands)
Average
Balance of
Interest Expense
Average Cost of Funds
Repurchase
GAAP
Economic
GAAP
Economic
Three Months Ended
Agreements
Basis
Basis
Basis
Basis
September 30, 2021
$
67,253
$
24
$
733
0.14%
4.36%
June 30, 2021
72,241
31
739
0.17%
4.09%
March 31, 2021
69,104
40
748
0.23%
4.33%
December 31, 2020
67,878
43
658
0.25%
3.88%
September 30, 2020
61,151
43
1,108
0.28%
7.25%
June 30, 2020
51,987
60
516
0.46%
3.97%
March 31, 2020
131,156
928
1,384
2.83%
4.22%
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
$
69,533
$
95
$
2,220
0.18%
4.26%
September 30, 2020
81,431
1,030
3,008
1.69%
4.92%
Average GAAP Cost of Funds
Average Economic Cost of Funds
Relative to Average
Relative to Average
Average LIBOR
One-Month
Six-Month
One-Month
Six-Month
Three Months Ended
One-Month
Six-Month
LIBOR
LIBOR
LIBOR
LIBOR
September 30, 2021
0.09%
0.16%
0.05%
(0.02)%
4.27%
4.20%
June 30, 2021
0.10%
0.18%
0.07%
(0.01)%
3.99%
3.91%
March 31, 2021
0.13%
0.23%
0.10%
0.00%
4.20%
4.10%
December 31, 2020
0.15%
0.27%
0.10%
(0.02)%
3.73%
3.61%
September 30, 2020
0.17%
0.35%
0.11%
(0.07)%
7.08%
6.90%
June 30, 2020
0.55%
0.70%
(0.09)%
(0.24)%
3.42%
3.27%
- 31 -
March 31, 2020
1.34%
1.43%
1.49%
1.40%
2.88%
2.79%
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
0.10%
0.19%
0.08%
(0.01)%
4.16%
4.07%
September 30, 2020
0.68%
0.83%
1.01%
0.86%
4.24%
4.09%
Dividend Income
We owned 1,520,036
shares of Orchid
common stock as of
March 31, 2020.
We acquired 975,321
additional shares
during the three
months ended June 30, 2020, and
an additional 100,000 shares during the three months ended September 30, 2020, bringing our total
ownership to 2,595,357 shares. Orchid paid total dividends
of $0.585 per share and $0.195 per share during the nine
and three months
ended September
30, 2021, respectively, and $0.595
per share and $0.19 per share
during the nine and three
months ended September
30, 2020,
respectively.
During the
nine and
three months
ended September 30,
2021, we
received dividends on
this common
stock
investment
of approximately
$1.5 million
and $0.5 million,
respectively, compared
to $1.2 million
and $0.5
million during
the nine and
three
months ended
September
30, 2020,
respectively.
Long-Term Debt
Junior Subordinated Notes
Interest
expense on
our junior
subordinated
debt securities
was $0.7
million and
$0.9 million
for the nine
months ended
September
30,
2021 and 2020, respectively.
The average rate of interest paid for the nine months
ended September 30, 2021 was 3.67% compared
to
4.38% for
the comparable
period in
2020.
Interest expense
on
our
junior subordinated debt
securities was
$0.2
million and
$0.3 million
for
the
three month
periods ended
September
30, 2021
and 2020,
respectively.
The average
rate of
interest
paid for
the three
months ended
September
30, 2021
was 3.62%
compared
to 3.80%
for the comparable
period in
2020.
The junior subordinated
debt securities
pay interest
at a floating
rate.
The rate is
adjusted quarterly
and set at
a spread of
3.50% over
the prevailing
three-month
LIBOR rate
on the determination
date.
As of September
30, 2021,
the interest
rate was
3.62%.
Note Payable
On October
30, 2019,
the Company borrowed
$680,000 from a
bank. The
note is
payable in equal
monthly principal and interest
installments of approximately
$4,500 through October
30, 2039. Interest accrues
at 4.89% through October
30, 2024. Thereafter, interest
accrues based
on the weekly
average yield
to the United
States Treasury
securities
adjusted to
a constant
maturity of
5 years, plus
3.25%.
The note
is secured
by a mortgage
on the Company’s
office building.
Paycheck Protection Plan Loan
On April 13, 2020, the Company received approximately
$152,000 through
the Paycheck Protection
Program (“PPP”) of the CARES
Act in
the form
of a
low interest
loan.
The Small
Business
Administration
notified
the Company
that,
effective
as of
April
22, 2021,all
principal
and accrued
interest
under the
PPP loan
has been
forgiven.
Gains or Losses and Other Income
The table
below presents
our gains
or losses
and other
income for
the nine and
three months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020.
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
- 32 -
2021
2020
Change
2021
2020
Change
Realized gains (losses) on sales of MBS
$
69
$
(5,805)
$
5,874
$
69
$
-
$
69
Unrealized (losses) gains on MBS
(2,222)
304
(2,526)
(324)
276
(600)
Total (losses)
gains on MBS
(2,153)
(5,501)
3,348
(255)
276
(531)
Losses on derivative instruments
-
(5,292)
5,292
-
-
-
Gains on retained interests in securitizations
-
59
(59)
-
59
(59)
Unrealized (losses) gains on
Orchid Island Capital, Inc. common stock
(856)
39
(895)
(779)
794
(1,573)
We invest
in MBS
with the
intent
to earn
net income
from the
realized
yield on
those
assets
over
their related
funding
and hedging
costs,
and not for the
purpose of making short term gains from trading in these securities.
However, we have sold, and may
continue to sell,
existing assets
to
acquire new
assets, which
our
management believes
might have
higher risk-adjusted
returns in
light of
current or
anticipated interest rates, federal government programs or general economic conditions or to
manage our balance sheet
as part
of our
asset/liability
management
strategy. During the nine months
ended September
30, 2020, we received
proceeds of $171.2
million from the
sales of MBS.
Most of these
sales occurred
during the
second half
of March 2020
as we sold
assets in order
to maintain
our leverage
ratio
at prudent levels, maintain sufficient cash
and liquidity and reduce risk
associated with the market turmoil brought about
by COVID-19.
During the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021,
we received
proceeds
of $13.1
million from
the sales
of MBS.
The fair
value of
our MBS
portfolio and derivative instruments, and the
gains (losses) reported on
those financial instruments, are
sensitive
to changes
in interest
rates.
The table
below presents
historical
interest
rate data
for each
quarter end
during 2021
and 2020.
5 Year
10 Year
15 Year
30 Year
Three
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Treasury
Fixed-Rate
Fixed-Rate
Month
Rate
(1)
Rate
(1)
Mortgage Rate
(2)
Mortgage Rate
(2)
Libor
(3)
September 30, 2021
1.00%
1.53%
2.18%
2.90%
0.12%
June 30, 2021
0.87%
1.44%
2.27%
2.98%
0.13%
March 31, 2021
0.94%
1.75%
2.39%
3.08%
0.19%
December 31, 2020
0.36%
0.92%
2.22%
2.68%
0.23%
September 30, 2020
0.27%
0.68%
2.39%
2.89%
0.24%
June 30, 2020
0.29%
0.65%
2.60%
3.16%
0.31%
March 31, 2020
0.38%
0.70%
2.89%
3.45%
1.10%
(1)
Historical 5 Year and
10 Year U.S. Treasury
Rates are obtained from quoted end of day prices on the Chicago Board Options
Exchange.
(2)
Historical 15 Year and
30 Year Fixed
Rate Mortgage Rates are obtained from Freddie Mac’s Primary
Mortgage Market Survey.
(3)
Historical LIBOR are obtained from the Intercontinental Exchange Benchmark Administration
Ltd.
Operating Expenses
For the nine
and three months ended September 30, 2021,
our total operating expenses were approximately $5.1 million and $1.7
million,
respectively, compared to approximately
$5.0 million and $1.6 million for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020,
respectively.
The table
below presents
a breakdown
of operating
expenses for
the nine
and three
months ended
September
30, 2021 and
2020.
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
Change
2021
2020
Change
Compensation and related benefits
$
3,220
$
3,157
$
63
$
1,029
$
1,010
$
19
Legal fees
113
122
(9)
37
27
10
Accounting, auditing and other professional fees
293
345
(52)
97
94
3
Directors’ fees and liability insurance
568
512
56
190
166
24
Administrative and other expenses
940
871
69
300
319
(19)
$
5,134
$
5,007
$
127
$
1,653
$
1,616
$
37
- 33 -
Income Tax Provision
We recorded an income tax provision for the nine and three months ended September 30,
2021 of approximately $0.3 million and
$0.2 million, respectively, on consolidated pre-tax book income of $1.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
We recorded an income
tax provision for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020
of approximately $9.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, on
consolidated pre-tax book (loss) income of $(8.3) million and $1.9 million.
As a result
of adverse
economic
impacts of
COVID-19
on our business,
management
performed
an assessment
of the need
for
additional
valuation
allowances
against existing
deferred
tax assets.
Following
the more-likely-than-not
standard
that benefits
will not
be
realized in
the future,
we determined
an additional
valuation
allowance
of approximately
$11.2 million was
necessary
during the
three
months ended
March 31,
2020 for
the net operating
loss carryforwards
and capital
loss carryforwards.
Financial
Condition:
Mortgage-Backed Securities
As of September
30, 2021,
our MBS portfolio
consisted
of $64.4
million of
agency or
government
MBS at fair
value and
had a
weighted
average coupon
of 3.40%.
During the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021,
we received
principal
repayments
of $11.8
million compared
to $11.2 million
for the comparable
period ended
September
30, 2020.
The average
prepayment
speeds for
the quarters
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020
were 18.3%
and 15.8%,
respectively.
The following
table presents
the 3-month
constant prepayment
rate (“CPR”)
experienced
on our structured
and PT MBS
sub-
portfolios,
on an annualized
basis, for
the quarterly
periods presented.
CPR is a
method of
expressing
the prepayment
rate for
a mortgage
pool that
assumes that
a constant
fraction of
the remaining
principal
is prepaid
each month
or year. Specifically,
the CPR
in the chart
below represents
the three-month
prepayment
rate of the
securities
in the respective
asset category.
Structured
PT MBS
MBS
Total
Three Months Ended
Portfolio (%)
Portfolio (%)
Portfolio (%)
September 30, 2021
15.5
26.9
18.3
June 30, 2021
21.0
31.3
21.9
March 31, 2021
18.5
16.4
18.3
December 31, 2020
12.8
24.5
14.4
September 30, 2020
13.0
32.0
15.8
June 30, 2020
12.4
25.0
15.3
March 31, 2020
11.6
18.1
13.7
The following
tables summarize
certain characteristics
of our PT
MBS and structured
MBS as of
September
30, 2021
and December
31, 2020:
($ in thousands)
Weighted
Percentage
Average
of
Weighted
Maturity
Fair
Entire
Average
in
Longest
Asset Category
Value
Portfolio
Coupon
Months
Maturity
September 30, 2021
Fixed Rate MBS
$
61,372
95.3%
3.69%
333
1-Sep-51
Interest-Only MBS
2,999
4.7%
2.87%
305
15-May-51
Inverse Interest-Only MBS
19
0.0%
5.90%
212
15-May-39
- 34 -
Total MBS Portfolio
$
64,390
100.0%
3.40%
331
1-Sep-51
December 31, 2020
Fixed Rate MBS
$
64,902
99.6%
3.89%
333
1-Aug-50
Interest-Only MBS
251
0.4%
3.56%
299
15-Jul-48
Inverse Interest-Only MBS
25
0.0%
5.84%
221
15-May-39
Total MBS Portfolio
$
65,178
100.0%
3.89%
333
1-Aug-50
($ in thousands)
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Percentage of
Agency
Fair Value
Entire Portfolio
Fair Value
Entire Portfolio
Fannie Mae
$
41,938
65.1%
$
38,946
59.8%
Freddie Mac
22,452
34.9%
26,232
40.2%
Total Portfolio
$
64,390
100.0%
$
65,178
100.0%
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Weighted Average Pass-through Purchase Price
$
109.33
$
109.51
Weighted Average Structured Purchase Price
$
4.81
$
4.28
Weighted Average Pass-through Current Price
$
110.38
$
112.67
Weighted Average Structured Current Price
$
9.45
$
3.20
Effective Duration
(1)
2.542
3.309
(1)
Effective duration is the approximate percentage change in price
for a 100 basis point change in rates.
An effective duration of 2.542 indicates
that an interest rate increase of 1.0% would be expected to cause a 2.542% decrease in the
value of the MBS in our investment portfolio at
September 30, 2021.
An effective duration of 3.309 indicates that an interest rate
increase of 1.0% would be expected to cause a 3.309%
decrease in the value of the MBS in our investment portfolio at December
31, 2020. These figures include the structured securities in the
portfolio but do include the effect of our hedges.
Effective duration quotes for individual investments are obtained
from The Yield Book, Inc.
The following
table presents
a summary
of our portfolio
assets acquired
during the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021
and 2020.
($ in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
Total Cost
Average
Price
Weighted
Average
Yield
Total Cost
Average
Price
Weighted
Average
Yield
PT MBS
$
23,337
$
106.48
1.41%
$
43,130
$
111.44
1.99%
Structured MBS
2,852
10.01
0.43%
-
-
-
Our portfolio
of PT MBS
is typically
comprised
of adjustable-rate
MBS, fixed-rate
MBS and hybrid
adjustable-rate
MBS. We generally
seek to acquire
low duration
assets that
offer high
levels of
protection
from mortgage
prepayments
provided
that they
are reasonably
priced by
the market.
The stated
contractual
final maturity
of the mortgage
loans underlying
our portfolio
of PT MBS
generally ranges
up
to 30 years.
However, the
effect of prepayments
of the underlying
mortgage
loans tends
to shorten
the resulting
cash flows
from our
investments
substantially.
Prepayments
occur for
various reasons,
including
refinancing
of underlying
mortgages,
loan payoffs
in
connection
with home
sales, and
borrowers
paying more
than their
scheduled
loan payments,
which accelerates
the amortization
of the
loans.
The duration
of our IO
and IIO portfolio
will vary
greatly depending
on the structural
features
of the securities.
While prepayment
activity will
always affect
the cash
flows associated
with the
securities,
the interest
only nature
of IO’s may
cause their
durations
to become
extremely
negative when
prepayments
are high,
and less negative
when prepayments
are low. Prepayments
affect the
duration
of IIO’s
similarly, but the
floating rate
nature of
the coupon
of IIOs (which
is inversely
related to
the level
of one month
LIBOR) causes
their price
movements
- and model
duration
- to be affected
by changes
in both
prepayments
and one month
LIBOR - both
current and
anticipated
levels.
As a result,
the duration
of IIO securities
will also
vary greatly.
- 35 -
Prepayments
on the loans
underlying
our MBS
can alter
the timing
of the cash
flows received
by us. As
a result,
we gauge
the interest
rate sensitivity
of its assets
by measuring
their effective
duration.
While modified
duration
measures
the price
sensitivity
of a bond
to
movements
in interest
rates, effective
duration
captures
both the
movement in
interest
rates and
the fact
that cash
flows to a
mortgage
related security
are altered
when interest
rates move.
Accordingly, when
the contract
interest
rate on a
mortgage
loan is substantially
above prevailing
interest
rates in
the market,
the effective
duration
of securities
collateralized
by such loans
can be quite
low because
of
expected prepayments.
We face
the risk that
the market
value of our
PT MBS assets
will increase
or decrease
at different
rates than
that of our
structured
MBS or liabilities,
including
our hedging
instruments.
Accordingly, we
assess our
interest
rate risk
by estimating
the duration
of our assets
and the duration
of our liabilities.
We generally
calculate
duration
and effective
duration
using various
third-party
models or
obtain these
quotes from
third parties.
However, empirical
results and
various third-party
models may
produce
different duration
numbers for
the same
securities.
The following
sensitivity
analysis
shows the
estimated
impact on
the fair
value of our
interest
rate-sensitive
investments
and hedge
positions
as of September
30, 2021,
assuming rates
instantaneously
fall 100 bps,
rise 100
bps and
rise 200
bps, adjusted
to reflect
the
impact of
convexity, which
is the
measure of
the sensitivity
of our hedge
positions
and Agency
MBS’ effective
duration
to movements
in
interest
rates.
($ in thousands)
Fair
$ Change in Fair Value
% Change in Fair Value
MBS Portfolio
Value
-100BPS
+100BPS
+200BPS
-100BPS
+100BPS
+200BPS
Fixed Rate MBS
$
61,372
$
2,070
$
(2,857)
$
(6,133)
3.37%
(4.66)%
(9.99)%
Interest-Only MBS
2,999
(955)
636
996
(31.84)%
21.21%
33.22%
Inverse Interest-Only MBS
19
1
(3)
(5)
6.09%
(13.97)%
(28.53)%
Total MBS
Portfolio
$
64,390
$
1,116
$
(2,224)
$
(5,142)
1.73%
(3.45)%
(7.99)%
($ in thousands)
Notional
$ Change in Fair Value
% Change in Fair Value
Amount
(1)
-100BPS
+100BPS
+200BPS
-100BPS
+100BPS
+200BPS
Eurodollar Futures Contracts
Junior Subordinated Debt Hedges
$
1,000
$
(3)
$
3
$
5
(1.00)%
1.00%
2.00%
$
1,000
$
(3)
$
3
$
5
Gross Totals
$
1,113
$
(2,221)
$
(5,137)
(1)
Represents
the average contract/notional
amount of Eurodollar
futures contracts.
In addition
to changes
in interest
rates, other
factors impact
the fair
value of our
interest
rate-sensitive
investments
and hedging
instruments,
such as the
shape of
the yield
curve, market
expectations
as to future
interest
rate changes
and other
market conditions.
Accordingly, in
the event
of changes
in actual
interest
rates, the
change in
the fair
value of our
assets would
likely differ
from that
shown
above and
such difference
might be
material and
adverse to
our stockholders.
Repurchase Agreements
As of September
30, 2021,
we had established
borrowing
facilities
in the repurchase
agreement
market with
a number
of commercial
banks and
other financial
institutions
and had borrowings
in place with
six of these
counterparties.
We believe
these facilities
provide
borrowing
capacity
in excess
of our needs.
None of these
lenders are
affiliated
with us.
These borrowings
are secured
by our MBS.
As of September
30, 2021,
we had obligations
outstanding
under the
repurchase
agreements
of approximately
$63.2 million
with a
- 36 -
net weighted
average borrowing
cost of 0.13%.
The remaining
maturity of
our outstanding
repurchase
agreement
obligations
ranged from
6 to 53 days,
with a weighted
average maturity
of 25 days.
Securing
the repurchase
agreement
obligation
as of September
30, 2021
are
MBS with
an estimated
fair value,
including
accrued interest,
of $64.6 million
and a weighted
average maturity
of 332 months.
Through
November
8, 2021,
we have been
able to maintain
our repurchase
facilities
with comparable
terms to
those that
existed at
September
30,
2021 with
maturities
through January
14, 2022.
The table below presents information about our period-end, maximum and average
repurchase agreement obligations for each
quarter in 2021 and 2020.
($ in thousands)
Ending
Maximum
Average
Difference Between Ending
Balance
Balance
Balance
Repurchase Agreements and
of Repurchase
of Repurchase
of Repurchase
Average Repurchase Agreements
Three Months Ended
Agreements
Agreements
Agreements
Amount
Percent
September 30, 2021
$
63,160
$
72,047
$
67,253
$
(4,093)
(6.09)%
June 30, 2021
71,346
72,372
72,241
(895)
(1.24)%
March 31, 2021
73,136
76,004
69,104
4,032
5.83%
December 31, 2020
65,071
70,684
67,878
(2,807)
(4.14)%
September 30, 2020
70,685
70,794
61,151
9,534
15.59%
(1)
June 30, 2020
51,617
52,068
51,987
(370)
(0.71)%
March 31, 2020
52,357
214,921
131,156
(78,799)
(60.08)%
(2)
(1)
The higher ending balance relative to the average balance during the quarter
ended September 30, 2020 reflects the increase in the portfolio.
During that quarter, the Company's investment in
PT MBS increased $20.4 million.
(2)
The lower ending balance relative to the average balance during the quarter
ended March 31, 2020 reflects the Company’s response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. During that quarter,
the Company's investment in PT MBS decreased $162.4 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
is our ability
to turn non-cash
assets into
cash, purchase
additional
investments,
repay principal
and interest
on borrowings,
fund overhead
and fulfill
margin calls.
Our primary
immediate
sources of
liquidity
include cash
balances,
unencumbered
assets, the
availability
to borrow
under repurchase
agreements,
and fees
and dividends
received from
Orchid.
Our borrowing
capacity will
vary over
time as the
market value
of our interest
earning assets
varies.
Our investments
also generate
liquidity
on an on-going
basis through
payments of
principal
and interest
we receive
on our MBS
portfolio.
The COVID-19
pandemic has
adversely
affected our
liquidity,
assets under
management
and operating
results.
During March
2020,
we significantly
reduced our
MBS assets
to meet margin
calls and
repay debts.
As described
elsewhere
in this report,
since March
2020
Bimini’s operating
results have
stabilized,
liquidity
has improved
and our investments
in MBS and
Orchid shares
have increased
as
compared to
investments
in MBS and
Orchid shares
at March
31, 2020.
Our hedging
strategy
typically
involves
taking short
positions
in Eurodollar
futures,
T-Note futures,
TBAs or other
instruments.
Currently, our
hedge positions
are limited
to short positions
in Eurodollar
futures.
When the market
causes these
short positions
to decline
in value we
are required
to meet margin
calls with
cash.
This can
reduce our
liquidity
position
to the extent
other securities
in our portfolio
move in price
in such a
way that
we do not
receive enough
cash through
margin calls
to offset
the Eurodollar
related margin
calls. If this
were to
occur in sufficient
magnitude,
the loss of
liquidity
might force
us to reduce
the size of
the levered
portfolio,
pledge additional
structured
securities
to raise
funds or
risk operating
the portfolio
with less
liquidity.
Our master
repurchase
agreements
have no stated
expiration,
but can be
terminated
at any time
at our option
or at the
option of
the
counterparty. However,
once a definitive
repurchase
agreement
under a master
repurchase
agreement
has been
entered into,
it generally
may not be
terminated
by either
party.
A negotiated
termination
can occur, but
may involve
a fee to
be paid by
the party
seeking to
- 37 -
terminate
the repurchase
agreement
transaction.
Under our
repurchase
agreement
funding arrangements,
we are required
to post margin
at the initiation
of the borrowing.
The margin
posted represents
the haircut,
which is a
percentage
of the market
value of the
collateral
pledged.
To the extent the
market value
of the
asset collateralizing
the financing
transaction
declines,
the market
value of our
posted margin
will be insufficient
and we will
be required
to
post additional
collateral.
Conversely, if
the market
value of the
asset pledged
increases
in value,
we would
be over collateralized
and we
would be
entitled to
have excess
margin returned
to us by the
counterparty.
Our lenders
typically
value our
pledged securities
daily to
ensure the
adequacy of
our margin
and make margin
calls as
needed, as
do we.
Typically, but not
always, the
parties agree
to a minimum
threshold
amount for
margin calls
so as to avoid
the need
for nuisance
margin calls
on a daily
basis.
As discussed
above, we
invest a
portion of
our capital
in structured
MBS.
We generally
do not apply
leverage
to this portion
of our
portfolio.
The leverage
inherent
in the structured
securities
replaces
the leverage
obtained
by acquiring
PT securities
and funding
them in
the repurchase
market.
This structured
MBS strategy
has been
a core element
of the Company’s
overall investment
strategy
since 2008.
However, we
have and
may continue
to pledge
a portion
of our structured
MBS in order
to raise our
cash levels,
but generally
will not
pledge these
securities
in order
to acquire
additional
assets.
In future
periods we
expect to
continue to
finance our
activities
through repurchase
agreements.
As of September
30, 2021, we
had
cash and cash
equivalents
of $7.9
million.
We generated
cash flows
of $13.4
million from
principal
and interest
payments on
our MBS
portfolio
and had average
repurchase
agreements
outstanding
of $69.5
million during
the nine
months ended
September
30, 2021.
In
addition,
during the
nine months
ended September
30, 2021,
we received
approximately
$6.5 million
in management
fees and
expense
reimbursements
as manager
of Orchid
and approximately
$1.5 million
in dividends
from our investment
in Orchid
common stock.
In order to generate additional cash to be invested in our MBS portfolio, on
October 30, 2019, we obtained a $680,000 loan
secured by a mortgage on the Company’s office property.
The loan is payable in equal monthly principal and interest installments of
approximately $4,500 through October 30, 2039. Interest accrues at 4.89%, through October
30, 2024. Thereafter, interest accrued
based on the weekly average yield to the United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant
maturity of five years, plus 3.25%.
Net loan proceeds were approximately $651,000.
In addition, during 2020, we completed the sale of real property that
was
not used in
the Company’s business.
The proceeds from this sale were approximately $462,000 and were
invested in our MBS portfolio.
The table below summarizes the effect that certain future contractual obligations existing as
of September 30, 2021 will have on
our liquidity and cash flows. The figures below reflect forgiveness of all principal and
interest under the PPP loan.
(in thousands)
Obligations Maturing
Within One
Year
One to Three
Years
Three to Five
Years
More than
Five Years
Total
Repurchase agreements
$
63,160
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
63,160
Interest expense on repurchase agreements
(1)
18
-
-
-
18
Junior subordinated notes
(2)
-
-
-
26,000
26,000
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes
(1)
995
1,909
1,906
8,783
13,593
Principal and interest on mortgage loan
(1)
54
107
108
703
972
Totals
$
64,227
$
2,016
$
2,014
$
35,486
$
103,743
(1)
Interest expense
on repurchase
agreements,
junior subordinated
notes and mortgage
loan are based
on current
interest rates
as of September
30,
2021 and the
remaining term
of liabilities
existing at
that date.
(2)
We hold a common
equity interest
in Bimini Capital
Trust II.
The amount presented
represents our
net cash outlay.
Outlook
- 38 -
Orchid Island
Capital Inc.
Orchid Island Capital continued to grow its capital base in the third quarter of 2021.
Orchid raised net proceeds of approximately
$207.5 million through its “at the market” (“ATM”) program during the third quarter and an additional $38.4 million subsequent to
September 30, 2021. The capital raised subsequent to September 30, 2021,
exhausted the remaining capacity under the ATM program
in place at the time and Orchid announced a new ATM program on October 29, 2021, of $250 million.
As for Orchid’s financial
performance, Orchid recorded GAAP net income of $0.20 per share or $26.0 million
in the third quarter of 2021.
The net effect of the
new shares issued, net income and dividends paid resulted in Orchid’s capital base increasing
$176.8 million, or 32% for during the
third quarter.
Year to date Orchid has increased its capital base by approximately $315.3 million, or 76%.
As a result, Bimini Advisor’s
advisory services revenue increased 17% over the second quarter and, as the increased
capital base at Orchid was not in place for the
entire quarter, the run rate entering the fourth quarter is higher still.
Orchid’s financial performance and dividend activity will also
continue to impact the size of its capital base going forward.
Orchid is obligated to reimburse us for direct expenses paid on its behalf and to pay
to us Orchid’s pro rata share of overhead as
defined in the management agreement.
As a stockholder of Orchid, we will also continue to share in distributions, if
any, paid by
Orchid to its stockholders.
Our operating results are also impacted by changes in the market value of
our holdings of Orchid common
shares, although these market value changes do not impact our cash flows
from Orchid. The Company increased its holdings of Orchid
during the second quarter of 2020, as the shares of Orchid were trading at a significant
discount to Orchid’s reported book value as of
March 31, 2020.
The Company currently owns approximately 2.6 million shares of Orchid.
The independent Board of Directors of Orchid has the ability to terminate the
management agreement and thus end our ability to
collect management fees and share overhead costs.
Should Orchid terminate the management agreement without cause,
it will be
obligated to pay us a termination fee equal to three times the average annual management
fee, as defined in the management
agreement, before or on the last day of the current automatic renewal term.
Economic Summary
The effects
of COVID-19
continued to
dominate
economic activity
during the
third quarter
of 2021,
particularly
the Delta
variant that
first emerged
in earnest
during July.
Daily new
infections
from the
Delta variant
rose rapidly
during the
summer but
appeared
to peak in
early September
and have
been slowly
falling since.
COVID related
deaths have
followed
a similar
pattern.
Progress
on vaccinations
has
slowed, and
most of the
new cases
were among
the unvaccinated.
This has led
to various
measures
by governments
and corporations
to
mandate employees
receive vaccinations.
The net effect
of a spreading
virus and
a reluctance
on the part
of many to
get vaccinated
has
been subdued
job growth
during the
third quarter
of 2021.
This is particularly
true among
workers with
high exposure
to customers,
such
as those in
the leisure
and hospitality
industries.
The various
forms of
pandemic related
supplemental
unemployment
insurance
ended in
early September,
so job growth
may accelerate
in the fourth
quarter.
In the interim,
the combination
of a reluctance
to return
to work on
the part
of many individuals,
coupled with
sufficient
income via
unemployment
insurance,
has resulted
in both robust
demand for
goods
and services
and shortages
of labor
in many industries.
Coupled
with a demand/supply
imbalance
in favor of
demand for
many
commodities
and parts,
the combination
of the two
forces has
led to severe
supply shortages
across the
economy.
The supply
imbalances
for goods
and services
have in turn
led to price
pressures
for both,
driving inflation
to multi-decade
highs.
The Fed chairman,
among other
members of
the Federal
Open Market
Committee
(“FOMC”)
has maintained
these inflationary
forces are
temporary
and will
ease once
the
effects of
the COVID
pandemic fade
and workers
can return
to work.
Yet, as implied by
market pricing
of inflation
linked U.S.
Treasury
securities
and opinions
expressed
by various
market participants,
inflation
may prove
to be more
than transitory,
and of late
even FOMC
members themselves
have admitted
inflation
has remained
high longer
than they
had anticipated.
Over the course
of the third
quarter and
into the
fourth, expectations
for growth
in the U.S.
economy continued
to decline.
On October
28, 2021,
the advanced
read on gross
domestic product
growth for
the U.S.
economy was
reported to
be 2.0%.
Expectations
for growth
during the
quarter were
significantly
higher at
the beginning
of the quarter.
As noted
above, job
growth has
decelerated,
and supply
constraints
of goods
and services
are keeping
activity levels
suppressed.
Over the
course of
the balance
of the year
it should
become
- 39 -
apparent
whether
the supply
constraints,
especially with
respect
to labor, are
transitory
now that essentially
all forms
of pandemic
related
unemployment
insurance
have ended
and the new
cases of the
Delta variant
of the COVID
virus are subsiding.
This in turn
should also
answer the
question about
the
transitory
nature of
inflation.
The housing
market remains
robust as
evidenced
by sales
of new and
existing homes,
as well
as new home
construction.
However,
as home prices
have risen
at 10% –
20% over
the last year
and supply
shortages
of goods
and materials
are constraining
new home
construction,
this trend
may slow.
If this were
to occur, it would
be beneficial
for the Company’s
RMBS portfolio
as prepayments
related to
housing turnover
may decelerate.
Legislative
Response
and the
Fed
Congress
passed the
CARES Act
quickly in
response
to the pandemic’s
emergence
in the spring
of 2020
and followed
with additional
legislation
over the
ensuing months.
However, as certain
provisions
of the CARES
Act expired,
such as supplemental
unemployment
insurance
in July of
this year,
there appeared
to be a need
for additional
stimulus for
the economy
to deal with
the surge
in the pandemic
that occurred
as cold weather
set in, particularly
over the
Christmas
holiday.
As mentioned
above, the
Federal government
eventually
passed an
additional
stimulus
package in
late December
of 2020 and
again in March
of 2021.
In addition,
the Fed has
provided,
and
continues
to provide,
as much support
to the markets
and the economy
as it can
within the
constraints
of its mandate.
During the
third
quarter of
2020, the
Fed unveiled
a new monetary
policy framework
focused on
average inflation
rate targeting
that allows
the Fed Funds
rate to remain
quite low, even
if inflation
is expected
to temporarily
surpass the
2% target
level. Further,
the Fed has
indicated
that it will
look past
the presence
of very tight
labor markets,
should they
be present
at the time.
This marks
a significant
shift from
their prior
policy
framework,
which was
focused on
the unemployment
rate as a
key indicator
of impending
inflation.
Adherence
to this policy
could steepen
the U.S.
Treasury curve
as short-term
rates could
remain low
for a considerable
period but
longer-term
rates could
rise given
the Fed’s
intention
to let inflation
potentially
run above
2% in the
future as
the economy
more fully
recovers.
The response
of U.S.
Treasury rates
appeared
to follow
this pattern
precisely
during the
first quarter
of 2021,
but have
since reversed
since early
in the second
quarter
2021.
Interest
Rates
Interest
rates across
the U.S.
Treasury curve
and U.S.
dollar swap
curve were
little changed
during the
third quarter
of 2021.
The
only notable
development
within the
rates complex
was the slight
flattening
of both curves
between the
five-
and 30-year
points as
the
market anticipates
the eventual
tapering
of asset purchases
beginning
in the fourth
quarter of
2021 and
increases
to the Fed
funds rate
in
either the
second half
of 2022 or
early 2023.
As described
above, the
COVID virus
has dominated
economic
activity, since
March 2020,
with the
Delta variant
in particular
becoming dominant
during the
third quarter
of 2021.
However, the FOMC
and the Fed
chairman have
looked through
the effects
of the
pandemic and
see the impact
fading.
At the November
FOMC meeting,
the Fed announced
they would
commence the
tapering
of their
asset purchases
beginning
in November.
The pace
of the tapering
will be $10
billion of
treasury
securities
per month
and $5 billion
of
Agency MBS
per month.
The Fed stated
the pace
of tapering
could be adjusted
if economic
conditions
warranted.
The Fed indicated
that
absent an
adjustment
to the pace
of the tapering
of their
asset purchases
they would
likely complete
the tapering
by mid next
year.
At the
conclusion
of the Fed’s
September
FOMC meeting
the
Fed released
their summary
of economic
projections,
or “Dot
Plot” as
it is known.
As was the
case with
the June
FOMC Dot
Plot, the
Dot Plot
indicated FOMC
members anticipated
increasing
the Fed Funds
rate sooner
and by a larger
amount than
the market
anticipated.
Nine of the
eighteen FOMC
members,
as evidenced
by the Dot
Plot released
in
September, expect
the Fed to
increase the
funds rate
at least once
in 2022.
This surprised
the market,
and the market
pricing of
forward
short-term
rates quickly
adjusted
to reflect
these expectations.
As the fourth
quarter has
unfolded and
inflationary
pressures
have continued
to build,
market pricing
of forward
short-term
rates have
continued
to reflect
additional
increases
to the Fed
Funds rate.
Further, as inflation
persists at
higher levels
and continues
to challenge
the
Fed’s assertion
that it will
prove transitory,
longer maturity
rates have
moved higher
so far in
the fourth
quarter.
- 40 -
The Agency
RMBS Market
Performance
for the Agency
RMBS market
for the third
quarter was
a modest
0.01%, generally
in-line with
most other
asset classes.
The excess
return to
comparable
duration
U.S. Treasuries
and swaps
for the Agency
RMBS sub-index
was 0.1%
for both
for the quarter.
Within the
Agency RMBS
sector, higher
coupon fixed
rate securities
outperformed
lower coupons,
specifically
the coupon
currently
in
widespread
production.
Total returns for
the third
quarter for
2.0% and 2.5%
securities
were -0.4%
and 0.00%,
respectively.
For 3.0%
and
3.5% coupons
the returns
were 0.6%
and 0.5%,
respectively.
Thirty-year
and fifteen-year
securities
both returned
0.1% for
the quarter. As
mentioned
above, the
Fed announced
they will
begin to
taper their
asset purchases
in November
and, absent
an adjustment
in the pace
of
their tapering,
which could
occur if
economic conditions
warrant,
conclude the
$40 billion
per month
purchases
of Agency
RMBS assets
by
mid-2022. Given
the length
of time
the Fed has
been supporting
the Agency
RMBS market,
coupled with
banks that
are flush
with deposits
that need
to be invested,
price levels
in the Agency
RMBS market
were quite
rich prior
to this development,
especially
the coupons
the
Fed routinely
purchases,
which have
been the
2.0% and
2.5% coupons
predominantly. These
factors are
what drove
the relative
underperformance
of these
two coupons
for the quarter
and has continued
to do so
into the
fourth quarter.
The second
driver of
Agency RMBS
performance,
both for
the third
quarter of
2021 and
beyond, is,
as always,
the level
of
prepayments.
With interest
rates relatively
steady during
the third
quarter and,
after such
a prolonged
period of
low interest
rates
prepayment
speeds on
higher coupon,
premium priced
securities
were expected
to eventually
slow.
This appears
to be finally
happening,
as evidenced
by the August
and September
prepayment
reports,
released in
September
and October, respectively.
As interest
rates have
moved higher
so far in
the fourth
quarter these
coupons have
been impacted
further quarter
to date.
Recent Legislative
and Regulatory
Developments
The Fed conducted
large scale
overnight
repo operations
from late
2019 until
July 2020
to address
disruptions
in the U.S.
Treasury,
Agency debt
and Agency
MBS financing
markets. These
operations
ceased in
July 2020
after the
central bank
successfully
tamed volatile
funding costs
that had
threatened
to cause disruption
across the
financial
system.
The Fed has
taken a number
of other
actions to
stabilize
markets as
a result
of the impacts
of the COVID-19
pandemic.
In March of
2020, the
Fed announced
a $700 billion
asset purchase
program
to provide
liquidity
to the U.S.
Treasury and
Agency RMBS
markets. The
Fed also lowered
the Fed Funds
rate to a
range of
0.0% – 0.25%,
after having
already
lowered the
Fed Funds
rate by 50
bps earlier
in the
month. Later
that same
month the
Fed announced
a program
to acquire
U.S. Treasuries
and Agency
RMBS in
the amounts
needed to
support smooth
market functioning.
With these
purchases,
market conditions
improved substantially.
Currently, the
Fed is committed
to
purchasing
$80 billion
of U.S.
Treasuries and
$40 billion
of Agency
RMBS each
month. Chairman
Powell and
the Fed have
reiterated
their
commitment
to this level
of asset
purchases
at every
meeting
since their
meeting on
June 30,
- However,
at the November
2021
meeting, the
Fed concluded
that substantial
further progress
towards their
dual mandate
had been
met and they
will begin
to taper
their
asset purchases
in November.
They further
stated that
the pace
of the tapering
could be adjusted
if economic
conditions
warranted,
but
otherwise
would conclude
the tapering
in mid-2022.
The Fed has
taken various
other steps
to support
certain other
fixed income
markets,
to support
mortgage
servicers
and to implement
various portions
of the Coronavirus
Aid, Relief,
and Economic
Security
(“CARES”)
Act.
The CARES
Act was passed
by Congress
and signed
into law
on March 27,
2020.
This over
$2 trillion
COVID-19
relief bill,
among
other things,
provided
for direct
payments to
each American
making up
to $75,000
a year, increased
unemployment
benefits
for up to
four
months (on
top of state
benefits),
funding to
hospitals
and health
providers,
loans and
investments
to businesses,
states and
municipalities
and grants
to the airline
industry. On April
24, 2020,
President
Trump signed
an additional
funding
bill into
law that
provided
an additional
$484 billion
of funding
to individuals,
small businesses,
hospitals,
health care
providers
and additional
coronavirus
testing efforts.
Various
provisions
of the CARES
Act began
to expire
in July 2020,
including
a moratorium
on evictions,
expanded unemployment
benefits,
and a
moratorium
on foreclosures.
On August
8, 2020,
President
Trump issued Executive
Order 13945,
directing
the Department
of Health
and
Human Services,
the Centers
for Disease
Control and
Prevention
(“CDC”),
the Department
of Housing
and Urban
Development,
and
Department
of the Treasury
to take measures
to temporarily
halt residential
evictions
and foreclosures,
including through
temporary
financial
assistance.
- 41 -
On December
27, 2020,
an additional
$900 billion
coronavirus
aid package
was signed
into law
as part of
the Consolidated
Appropriations
Act of 2021,
providing for
extensions
of many of
the CARES
Act policies
and programs
as well as
additional
relief.
The
package provided
for, among other
things, direct
payments to
most Americans
with a gross
income of
less than
$75,000 a
year, extension
of unemployment
benefits through
March 14,
2021, funding
for procurement
of vaccines
and health
providers,
loans to qualified
businesses,
funding for
rental assistance
and funding
for schools.
On January
29, 2021,
the CDC
issued guidance
extending
eviction
moratoriums
for covered
persons
through March
31, 2021,
which was
extended to
July 31, 2021.
On August
26, 2021,
the U.S.
Supreme
Court issued
a decision
ending the
CDC eviction
moratorium.
In addition,
on February
9, 2021,
the FHFA announced
that the foreclosure
moratorium
begun under
the CARES
Act for loans
backed by
Fannie Mae
and Freddie
Mac and
the eviction
moratorium
for real
estate
owned by
Fannie Mae
and Freddie
Mac were
extended
until March
31, 2021,
which was
further extended
through September
30, 2021.
On July 30,
2021, the
FHA announced
an extension
of the eviction
moratorium
through September
30, 2021
for foreclosed
borrowers
and
other occupants
and noted
the expiration
of the foreclosure
moratorium
on July 31,
2021.
On March 11, 2021,
the $1.9
trillion American
Rescue Plan
Act of 2021
was signed
into law.
This stimulus
program furthered
the
Federal government’s
efforts to
stabilize the
economy and
provide
assistance
to sectors
of the population
still suffering
from the
various
physical and
economic
effects of
the pandemic.
On September
30, 2019,
the FHFA announced
that Fannie
Mae and Freddie
Mac were
allowed to
increase their
capital buffers
to $25
billion and
$20 billion,
respectively,
from the
prior limit
of $3 billion
each.
On June 30,
2020, the
FHFA released
a proposed
rule on a
new
regulatory
framework
for the GSEs
which seeks
to implement
both a risk-based
capital framework
and minimum
leverage
capital
requirements.
The final
rule on the
new capital
framework
for the GSEs
was published
in the federal
register in
December
2020.
On
January 14,
2021, the
U.S. Treasury
and the FHFA
executed letter
agreements
allowing
the GSEs
to continue
to retain
capital up
to their
regulatory
minimums,
including
buffers, as
prescribed
in the December
rule.
These letter
agreements
provide, in
part, (i)
there will
be no
exit from conservatorship
until all
material litigation
is settled
and the GSE
has common
equity Tier
1 capital
of at least
3% of its
assets, (ii)
the GSEs
will comply
with the
FHFA’s regulatory capital
framework,
(iii) higher-risk
single-family
mortgage
acquisitions
will be
restricted
to
current levels,
and (iv)
the U.S.
Treasury and
the FHFA will
establish
a timeline
and process
for future
GSE reform.
However, no definitive
proposals
or legislation
have been
released or
enacted with
respect to
ending the
conservatorship,
unwinding
the GSEs,
or materially
reducing the
roles of
the GSEs
in the U.S.
mortgage
market. On
June 23, 2021,
President
Biden removed
the director
of the FHFA
and
appointed
an acting
director. On
September
14, 2021,
the FHFA suspended
certain provisions
added to
the letter
agreements
on January
14, 2021,
including
limits on
the enterprises'
cash windows,
multifamily
lending, loans
with higher
risk characteristics,
and second
homes
and investment
properties.
The enterprises
will continue
to build
capital under
the continuing
provisions
of the letter
agreements.
Additionally, the
FHFA is reviewing
the enterprise
regulatory
capital framework
and expects
to announce
further action
in the near
future.
In 2017,
policymakers
announced
that LIBOR
will be replaced
by December
31, 2021.
The directive
was spurred
by the fact
that
banks are
uncomfortable
contributing
to the LIBOR
panel given
the shortage
of underlying
transactions
on which
to base levels
and the
liability associated
with submitting
an unfounded
level. The
ICE Benchmark
Administration,
in its capacity
as administrator
of USD LIBOR,
has confirmed
that it will
cease publication
of (i) the
one-week and
two-month
USD LIBOR
settings immediately
following
the LIBOR
publication
on December
31, 2021,
and (ii) the
overnight
and one,
three, six
and 12-month
USD LIBOR
settings immediately
following
the
LIBOR publication
on June 30,
- A joint
statement
by key regulatory
authorities
calls on banks
to cease
entering
into new
contracts
that use USD
LIBOR as a
reference
rate by no
later than
December
31, 2021.
The Alternative
Reference
Rates Committee,
a steering
committee
comprised
of large
U.S. financial
institutions,
has proposed
replacing
USD-LIBOR
with a new
SOFR, a rate
based on U.S.
repo
trading.
Many banks
believe that
it may take
four to five
years to
complete the
transition
to SOFR,
for certain,
despite the
2021 deadline.
We will monitor
the emergence
of this new
rate carefully
as it will
potentially
become the
new benchmark
for hedges
and a range
of
interest rate
investments.
At this time,
however, no consensus
exists as
to what rate
or rates
may become
accepted alternatives
to LIBOR.
Effective January
1, 2021,
Fannie Mae,
in alignment
with Freddie
Mac, will
extend the
timeframe
for its delinquent
loan buyout
policy
for Single-Family
Uniform Mortgage-Backed
Securities
(UMBS) and
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
(MBS) from
four consecutively
missed
monthly payments
to twenty-four
consecutively
missed monthly
payments (i.e.,
24 months
past due).
This new
timeframe
will apply
to
- 42 -
outstanding
single-family
pools and
newly issued
single-family
pools and
was first
reflected
when January
2021 factors
were released
on
the fourth
business day
in February
2021.
For Agency
RMBS investors,
when a delinquent
loan is bought
out of a
pool of mortgage
loans, the
removal of
the loan
from the
pool
is the same
as a total
prepayment
of the loan.
The respective
GSEs currently
anticipate,
however, that
delinquent
loans will
be
repurchased
in most cases
before the
24-month deadline
under one
of the following
exceptions
listed below.
•
a loan that
is paid in
full, or
where the
related lien
is released
and/or the
note debt
is satisfied
or forgiven;
•
a loan repurchased
by a seller/servicer
under applicable
selling
and servicing
requirements;
•
a loan entering
a permanent
modification,
which generally
requires
it to be
removed from
the MBS.
During any
modification
trial
period, the
loan will
remain in
the MBS until
the trial
period ends;
•
a loan subject
to a short
sale or deed-in-lieu
of foreclosure;
or
•
a loan referred
to foreclosure.
Because of
these exceptions,
the GSEs
currently
believe based
on prevailing
assumptions
and market
conditions
this change
will
have only
a marginal
impact on
prepayment
speeds, in
aggregate.
Cohort level
impacts may
vary. For example,
more than
half of loans
referred
to foreclosure
are historically
referred
within six
months of
delinquency. The
degree to
which speeds
are affected
depends on
delinquency
levels, borrower
response, and
referral
to foreclosure
timelines.
The scope
and nature
of the actions
the U.S.
government
or the Fed
will ultimately
undertake
are unknown
and will
continue to
evolve, especially
in light of
the COVID-19
pandemic,
President Biden’s
new administration
and the new
Congress
in the United
States.
Effect on Us
Regulatory
developments,
movements
in interest
rates and
prepayment
rates affect
us in many
ways, including
the following:
Effects on
our Assets
A change
in or elimination
of the guarantee
structure
of Agency
RMBS may
increase our
costs (if,
for example,
guarantee
fees
increase)
or require
us to change
our investment
strategy
altogether.
For example,
the elimination
of the guarantee
structure
of Agency
RMBS may
cause us to
change our
investment
strategy
to focus
on non-Agency
RMBS, which
in turn would
require us
to significantly
increase our
monitoring
of the credit
risks of our
investments
in addition
to interest
rate and
prepayment
risks.
Lower long-term
interest
rates can affect
the value
of our Agency
RMBS in
a number
of ways. If
prepayment
rates are
relatively
low
(due, in
part, to
the refinancing
problems described
above), lower
long-term
interest
rates can
increase the
value of higher-coupon
Agency
RMBS. This
is because
investors
typically place
a premium
on assets
with yields
that are
higher than
market yields.
Although
lower long-
term interest
rates may
increase
asset values
in our portfolio,
we may not
be able to
invest new
funds in similarly-yielding
assets.
If prepayment
levels increase,
the value
of our Agency
RMBS affected
by such prepayments
may decline.
This is because
a principal
prepayment
accelerates
the effective
term of an
Agency RMBS,
which would
shorten the
period during
which an
investor would
receive
above-market
returns (assuming
the yield
on the prepaid
asset is
higher than
market yields).
Also, prepayment
proceeds
may not
be able
to be reinvested
in similar-yielding
assets. Agency
RMBS backed
by mortgages
with high
interest
rates are
more susceptible
to
prepayment
risk because
holders
of those mortgages
are most
likely to
refinance
to a lower
rate. IOs
and IIOs,
however, may
be the types
of Agency
RMBS most
sensitive
to increased
prepayment
rates. Because
the holder
of an IO
or IIO receives
no principal
payments,
the
values of
IOs and IIOs
are entirely
dependent
on the existence
of a principal
balance on
the underlying
mortgages.
If the principal
balance
is eliminated
due to prepayment,
IOs and IIOs
essentially
become worthless.
Although
increased
prepayment
rates can
negatively
affect
the value
of our IOs
and IIOs,
they have
the opposite
effect on
POs. Because
POs act like
zero-coupon
bonds, meaning
they are
purchased
at a discount
to their
par value
and have
an effective
interest rate
based on
the discount
and the term
of the underlying
loan, an
- 43 -
increase in
prepayment
rates would
reduce the
effective term
of our POs
and accelerate
the yields
earned on
those assets,
which would
increase our
net income.
Higher long-term
rates can
also affect
the value
of our Agency
RMBS.
As long-term
rates rise,
rates available
to borrowers
also rise.
This tends
to cause prepayment
activity to
slow and
extend the
expected average
life of mortgage
cash flows.
As the expected
average
life of the
mortgage
cash flows
increases,
coupled with
higher discount
rates, the
value of Agency
RMBS declines.
Some of the
instruments
the Company
uses to hedge
our Agency
RMBS assets,
such as interest
rate futures,
swaps and
swaptions,
are stable
average
life instruments.
This means
that to the
extent we
use such instruments
to hedge
our Agency
RMBS assets,
our hedges
may not
adequately
protect us
from price
declines,
and therefore
may negatively
impact our
book value.
It is for
this reason
we use interest
only
securities
in our portfolio.
As interest
rates rise,
the expected
average life
of these
securities
increases,
causing generally
positive
price
movements
as the number
and size
of the cash
flows increase
the longer
the underlying
mortgages
remain outstanding.
This makes
interest only
securities
desirable
hedge instruments
for pass-through
Agency RMBS.
As described
above, the
Agency RMBS
market began
to experience
severe dislocations
in mid-March
2020 as a
result of
the
economic,
health and
market
turmoil
brought about
by COVID-19.
In March of
2020, the
Fed announced
that it would
purchase
Agency
RMBS and
U.S. Treasuries
in the amounts
needed to
support smooth
market functioning,
which largely
stabilized
the Agency
RMBS
market, a
commitment
it reaffirmed
at all subsequent
Fed meetings.
At the November
2021 meeting,
the Fed concluded
that the
economy
had progressed
to the point
that they
could begin
the process
of tapering
their asset
purchases.
Beginning
in November,
the Fed will
reduce their
purchases of
treasury
securities
by $10 billion
per month
and their
purchases
of Agency
MBS by $5
billion per
month.
At this
rate they
will completely
eliminate
the current
level of purchases
by mid-2022
although
the Fed
did state
that if economic
conditions
warranted,
they could
alter the
pace of the
tapering
accordingly.
The reduction
of the Fed’s
purchases
of Agency
RMBS could
negatively
impact our
investment
portfolio.
Further, the
moratoriums
on foreclosures
described
above will
likely delay
potential
defaults on
loans that
would otherwise
be bought
out of Agency
MBS pools
as described
above.
Depending
on the ultimate
resolution
of the foreclosures,
when
and if it
occurs, these
loans may
be removed
from the
pool into
which they
were securitized.
If this were
to occur, it would
have the effect
of delaying
a prepayment
on the Company’s
securities
until such
time. As
the majority
of the Company’s
Agency RMBS
assets were
acquired at
a premium
to par, this will
tend to increase
the realized
yield on the
asset in question.
Because we
base our
investment
decisions on
risk management
principles
rather than
anticipated
movements
in interest
rates, in
a
volatile interest
rate environment
we may allocate
more capital
to structured
Agency RMBS
with shorter
durations.
We believe
these
securities
have a lower
sensitivity
to changes
in long-term
interest
rates than
other asset
classes.
We may attempt
to mitigate
our
exposure to
changes in
long-term
interest rates
by investing
in IOs and
IIOs, which
typically
have different
sensitivities
to changes
in long-
term interest
rates than
PT RMBS,
particularly
PT RMBS backed
by fixed-rate
mortgages.
Effects on
our borrowing
costs
We leverage
our PT RMBS
portfolio and
a portion
of our structured
Agency RMBS
with principal
balances through
the use of
short-
term repurchase
agreement
transactions.
The interest
rates on
our debt
are determined
by the short
term interest
rate markets.
An
increase in
the Fed Funds
rate or LIBOR
would increase
our borrowing
costs, which
could affect
our interest
rate spread
if there
is no
corresponding
increase in
the interest
we earn on
our assets.
This would
be most prevalent
with respect
to our Agency
RMBS backed
by
fixed rate
mortgage
loans because
the interest
rate on a
fixed-rate
mortgage
loan does
not change
even though
market rates
may change.
In order
to protect
our net interest
margin against
increases
in short-term
interest
rates, we
may enter into
interest
rate swaps,
which
economically
convert our
floating-rate
repurchase
agreement
debt to fixed-rate
debt, or
utilize other
hedging instruments
such as
Eurodollar, Fed
Funds and
T-Note futures
contracts
or interest
rate swaptions.
Summary
- 44 -
Once again
COVID-19
dominated
economic activity
this quarter.
However, we may
be at a crossroads
as the effects
of the Delta
variant appear
to be waning
and the number
of people
with either
a vaccination
and/or prior
infections
of the virus
grow.
Pandemic
related
relief measures
such as supplemental
unemployment
insurance
payments and
foreclosure
moratoriums
have lapsed.
Hopefully
the
combination
of all of
these factors
will lead
to surging
job growth
and act to
quickly lessen
the severe
supply shortage
of goods
and labor.
This in turn
should slow
the stubbornly
high inflation
the economy
has suffered.
If these
events come
to pass, the
economy appears
to be
positioned
to perform
very well.
The Fed views
this outcome
as likely
and will
commence
a tapering
of their
asset purchases
in November
as they slowly
remove the
considerable
accommodation
they have
provided the
market since
the onset
of the pandemic.
Conversely, if
these events
do not unfold
and the
supply shortages
of goods
and labor
remain, the
economy will
likely continue
to suffer from
elevated
levels of
inflation.
Under this
scenario
the path
of economic
growth
is less certain,
and the path
of monetary
policy could
prove to
be quite
challenging
for the Fed.
The performance
of the Agency
RMBS market
was very
modest in
absolute returns,
at 0.0% and
0.1% versus
comparable
duration
interest rates
and swaps.
Performance
for the sector
was generally
in line with
other sectors
of the fixed
income markets.
Within the
Agency RMBS
universe,
performance
was skewed
towards higher
coupons and
away from
lower coupons
that comprise
the bulk of
recent
production
and Fed purchases.
This has continued
into the
fourth quarter,
in large
part because
at the November
FOMC meeting
the Fed
stated they
will begin
to taper
their asset
purchases
and likely
conclude the
process in
mid-2022.
Prepayment
speeds, particularly
on high
coupon securities,
have moderated
and are likely
to do so
even more
with rates
higher so
far in the
fourth quarter
and the typical
seasonal
slow down
as we approach
the winter
months.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated
financial
statements
are prepared
in accordance
with GAAP.
GAAP requires
our management
to make some
complex and
subjective
decisions
and assessments.
Our most
critical accounting
policies involve
decisions
and assessments
which could
significantly
affect reported
assets,
liabilities,
revenues
and expenses,
and these
decisions
and assessments
can change
significantly
each reporting
period.
There have
been no changes
to the processes
used to determine
our critical
accounting
estimates
as discussed
in
our annual
report on
Form 10-K
for the year
ended December
31, 2020.
Capital Expenditures
At September 30, 2021, we had no material commitments for capital expenditures.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At September 30, 2021, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Inflation
Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result,
interest rates and other factors influence
our performance far more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not
necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in
inflation rates. Our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical
cost and/or fair market value without
considering inflation.
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET
RISK.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
- 45 -
As of the end of the period covered by this report (the “evaluation date”), we
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”)
and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), of
the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures,
as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation,
the CEO and CFO concluded our disclosure controls
and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective as of the evaluation date (1)
in ensuring that information regarding the
Company and its subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our CEO and CFO, by our employees,
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2)
in providing reasonable assurance that information we
must disclose in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
prescribed by the SEC’s rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the Company’s
most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
- 46 -
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On April 22, 2020, the Company received a demand for payment from Citigroup, Inc. in
the amount of $33.1 million related to the
indemnification provisions of various mortgage loan purchase agreements (“MLPA’s”) entered into between Citigroup Global Markets
Realty Corp and Royal Palm Capital, LLC (f/k/a Opteum Financial Services,
LLC) prior to the date Royal Palm’s mortgage origination
operations ceased in 2007.
The demand is based on Royal Palm’s alleged breaches of certain representations and warranties
in the
related MLPA’s.
The Company believes the demands are without merit and intends to defend
against the demand vigorously.
No
provision or accrual has been recorded as of September 30, 2021 related to the Citigroup
demand.
We are not party to any other material pending legal proceedings as described
in Item 103 of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS.
There have
been no material
changes to the
risk factors
disclosed
in our Annual
Report on Form
10-K for the
year ended
December 31,
2020, filed
with the SEC
on March 15,
2021.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
In July 2021,
the Company
completed
a “modified
Dutch auction”
tender offer
and paid an
aggregate of
$1.6 million,
including fees
and related
expenses,
to repurchase
812,879 shares
of Bimini
Capital’s Class
A common stock
at a price
of
$1.93 per share.
The tender
offer was announced
on May 27,
2021.
On March 26,
2018, the Board
of Directors
of the Company
(the “Board”)
approved a Stock
Repurchase
Plan (the
“2018
Repurchase
Plan”).
Pursuant to
the 2018 Repurchase
Plan, the
Company could
purchase up
to 500,000
shares of
its Class
A
Common Stock
from time
to time, subject
to certain
limitations
imposed by
Rule 10b-18
of the Securities
Exchange Act
of
1934.
The 2018 Repurchase
Plan was terminated
on September
16, 2021.
On September
16, 2021, the
Board authorized
a share repurchase
plan pursuant
to Rule 10b5-1
of the Securities
Exchange Act
of 1934 (the
“2021 Repurchase
Plan”). Pursuant
to the 2021
Repurchase
Plan, the Company
may purchase
shares of its
Class A Common
Stock from
time to time
for an aggregate
purchase price
not to exceed
$2.5 million.
The table below
presents the
Company’s share
repurchase activity
for the three
months ended
September 30,
2021.
Shares Purchased
Maximum Number
Total Number
Weighted-Average
as Part of Publicly
of Shares or Approximate
Dollar Amount of Shares
That May Yet be
of Shares
Price Paid
Announced
Repurchased Under
Repurchased
Per Share
Programs
the Authorization
July 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021
812,879
$
1.93
-
429,596
August 1, 2021 - August 31, 2021
-
-
-
429,596
September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021
1,195
1.92
1,195
$
2,500,000
Totals / Weighted Average
814,074
$
1.93
1,195
2,500,000
The Company
did not have
any unregistered
sales of its
equity securities
during the
three months
ended September
30,
2021.
ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS
UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
- 47 -
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY
DISCLOSURES.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No
3.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s
Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
3.2
Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2005
3.3
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated February 10, 2006, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2006
3.4
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
3.5
Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
31.1
Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002*
31.2
Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002*
32.1
Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002**
32.2
Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002**
101.INS
Instance Document***
101.SCH
Taxonomy Extension Schema
Document***
101.CAL
Taxonomy Extension Calculation
Linkbase Document***
101.DEF
Additional
Taxonomy Extension Definition
Linkbase Document***
101.LAB
Taxonomy Extension Label
Linkbase Document***
101.PRE
Taxonomy Extension Presentation
Linkbase Document***
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished
herewith
***
Submitted electronically herewith.
- 48 -
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements
of Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended,
the registrant has duly
caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC.
Date:
November 9, 2021
By:
/s/ Robert E. Cauley
Robert E. Cauley
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date:
November 9, 2021
By:
/s/ G. Hunter Haas, IV
G. Hunter Haas,
IV
President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Investment Officer and Treasurer (Principal
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Robert E. Cauley, certify that:
| 1. | I<br> have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Bimini Capital<br> Management, Inc. (the "registrant"); |
|---|---|
| 2. | Based<br> on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a<br> material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the<br> statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements<br> were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| --- | --- |
| 3. | Based<br> on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information<br> included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the<br> financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant<br> as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| --- | --- |
| 4. | The<br> registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing<br> and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange<br> Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial<br> reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the<br> registrant and have: |
| --- | --- |
| a) | designed<br> such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls<br> and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material<br> information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated<br> subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,<br> particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| --- | --- |
| b) | designed<br> such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal<br> control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to<br> provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting<br> and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in<br> accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| --- | --- |
| c) | evaluated<br> the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and<br> presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the<br> disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by<br> this report based on such evaluation; and |
| --- | --- |
| d) | disclosed<br> in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial<br> reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter<br> (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that<br> has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the<br> registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| --- | --- |
| 5. | The<br> registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most<br> recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the<br> registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of<br> directors (or persons performing equivalent functions): |
| --- | --- |
| a) | all<br> significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of<br> internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to<br> adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and<br> report financial information; and |
| --- | --- |
| b) | any<br> fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees<br> who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over<br> financial reporting. |
| --- | --- |
| Date:<br> November 9, 2021 | |
| --- | |
| /s/<br> Robert E. Cauley | |
| Robert<br> E. Cauley | |
| Chairman<br> of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATIONS
I, G. Hunter Haas, certify that:
| 1. | I<br> have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Bimini Capital<br> Management, Inc. (the "registrant"); |
|---|---|
| 2. | Based<br> on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a<br> material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the<br> statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements<br> were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| --- | --- |
| 3. | Based<br> on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information<br> included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the<br> financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant<br> as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| --- | --- |
| 4. | The<br> registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing<br> and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange<br> Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial<br> reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the<br> registrant and have: |
| --- | --- |
| a) | designed<br> such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls<br> and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material<br> information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated<br> subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,<br> particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| --- | --- |
| b) | designed<br> such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal<br> control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to<br> provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting<br> and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in<br> accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| --- | --- |
| c) | evaluated<br> the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and<br> presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the<br> disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by<br> this report based on such evaluation; and |
| --- | --- |
| d) | disclosed<br> in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial<br> reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter<br> (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that<br> has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the<br> registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| --- | --- |
| 5. | The<br> registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most<br> recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the<br> registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of<br> directors (or persons performing equivalent functions): |
| --- | --- |
| a) | all<br> significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of<br> internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to<br> adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and<br> report financial information; and |
| --- | --- |
| b) | any<br> fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees<br> who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over<br> financial reporting. |
| --- | --- |
| Date:<br> November 9, 2021 | |
| --- | |
| /s/<br> G. Hunter Haas, IV | |
| G.<br> Hunter Haas, IV | |
| President<br> and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TOSECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEYACT OF 2002, 10 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
I, Robert E. Cauley, in compliance 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify that, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2021 (the “Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
1. fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| November<br> 9, 2021 | /s/<br> Robert E.Cauley |
|---|---|
| Robert<br> E. Cauley,<br><br> <br>Chairman<br> of the Board and<br><br> <br>Chief<br> Executive Officer |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TOSECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEYACT OF 2002, 10 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
I, G. Hunter Haas, in compliance 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify that, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2021 (the “Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
1. fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| November<br> 9, 2021 | /s/<br> G. Hunter Haas, IV |
|---|---|
| G.<br> Hunter Haas, IV<br><br> <br>President<br> and Chief Financial Officer |