UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from           to

 

Commission File No. 001-35845

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   45-4966519
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)

 

641 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1432, New York, New York 10022

(Address of principal executive office)  (Zip Code)

 

(212) 328-9521

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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  ¨    No   x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).   Yes   x    No   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨
     
Non-accelerated filer x   Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No   x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class   Outstanding at May 3, 2013
Common stock, $0.01 par value   7,389,250

 

 
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

 

INDEX

 

PART I – Financial Information 3
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
  Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited) and December 31, 2012 3
  Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited) 4
  Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited) 5
  Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited) 6
  Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited) 7
  Notes to Financial Statements 8
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 29
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks 41
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 48
     
PART II – Other Information 50
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 50
Item 1A. Risk Factors 50
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 50
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 50
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 51
Item 5. Other Information 51
Item 6. Exhibits 51
     
Signatures 52

 

2
 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

    March 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
    (unaudited)        
ASSETS                
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (includes pledged securities of $965,958,874 and $66,337,081 for March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)   $ 968,961,045     $ 81,027,998  
Linked transactions, net, at fair value     9,179,040       8,612,753  
Cash and cash equivalents     44,167,025       3,608,759  
Restricted cash     12,275,062       1,933,390  
Deferred offering costs     -       1,664,796  
Accrued interest receivable     2,632,730       189,364  
Due from Manager     1,127,647       -  
Derivative assets, at fair value     20,485       12,062  
                 
Total assets   $ 1,038,363,034     $ 97,049,122  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                 
LIABILITIES:                
Repurchase agreements   $ 920,408,000     $ 63,423,000  
Derivative liabilities, at fair value     829,196       283,754  
Accrued interest payable     91,516       65,820  
Dividends payable     -       220,833  
Fees and expenses payable to Manager     109,669       32,721  
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses     362,639       754,274  
                 
Total liabilities     921,801,020       64,780,402  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:                
Preferred Stock: par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012     -       -  
Common Stock: par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized, 7,389,250 and 1,656,250 shares issued and outstanding, at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively     73,563       265,000  
Additional paid-in capital     110,007,629       25,912,089  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     1,737,300       2,433,997  
Cumulative distributions to stockholders     (1,603,898 )     (1,161,672 )
Accumulated earnings     6,347,420       4,819,306  
                 
Total stockholders' equity     116,562,014       32,268,720  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 1,038,363,034     $ 97,049,122  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  

 

 

    Three  
    Months Ended  
    March 31, 2013  
    (unaudited)  
Revenues:        
Interest income   $ 3,230,942  
Interest expense     (2,330,628 )
         
Net interest income     900,314  
         
Other income:        
Realized loss on sale of investments, net     (105,244 )
Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions     1,753,842  
Realized loss on swap and swaption agreements     (71,293 )
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements, net     (521,019 )
         
Total other income     1,056,286  
         
Expenses:        
Management fee     115,140  
General and administrative expenses     122,436  
Operating expenses reimbursable to Manager     180,864  
Other operating expenses     7,250  
Compensation expense     2,796  
         
Total expenses     428,486  
         
Net income     1,528,114  
         
Dividends to preferred stockholders     (2,326 )
         
Net income attributable to common stockholders   $ 1,525,788  
         
Earnings per share:        
Net income attributable to common stockholders (basic and diluted)   $ 1,525,788  
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding     2,293,250  
Basic and diluted income per share   $ 0.67  
Dividends declared per share of common stock   $ 0.19  
Dividends declared per share of restricted stock   $ 0.00  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)  

 

 

    Three  
    Months Ended  
    March 31, 2013  
    (unaudited)  
       
Net income   $ 1,528,114  
         
Other comprehensive loss:        
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net     (696,697 )
Total other comprehensive loss     (696,697 )
         
Less: Dividends to preferred stockholders     (2,326 )
         
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders   $ 829,091  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited) 

 

 

                                  Accumulated                    
                            Additional     Other     Cumulative           Total  
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Paid in     Comprehensive     Distributions to     Accumulated     Stockholders'  
    Shares     Par Value     Shares     Par Value     Capital     Income     Stockholders     Earnings     Equity  
                                                       
Balance at January 1, 2013     -     $ -     $ 1,656,250     $ 16,563     $ 26,160,526     $ 2,433,997     $ (1,161,672 )   $ 4,819,306     $ 32,268,720  
                                                                         
Issuance of common stock, net     -       -       5,700,000       57,000       83,943,000       -       -       -       84,000,000  
                                                                         
Issuance of preferred stock, net     100       1       -       -       11,306       -       -       -       11,307  
                                                                         
Redemption of preferred stock, net     (100 )     (1 )     -       -       (109,999 )     -       -       -       (110,000 )
                                                                         
Restricted stock compensation expense     -       -       33,000       -       2,796       -       -       -       2,796  
                                                                         
Net income     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,528,114       1,528,114  
                                                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)     -       -       -       -       -       (696,697 )     -       -       (696,697 )
                                                                         
Common dividends declared     -       -       -       -       -       -       (439,900 )     -       (439,900 )
                                                                         
Preferred dividends declared     -       -       -       -       -       -       (2,326 )     -       (2,326 )
                                                                         
Balance at March 31, 2013     -     $ -     $ 7,389,250     $ 73,563     $ 110,007,629     $ 1,737,300     $ (1,603,898 )   $ 6,347,420     $ 116,562,014  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

6
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

    Three  
    Months Ended  
    March 31, 2013  
    (unaudited)  
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income   $ 1,528,114  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:        
Amortization/accretion of available-for-sale securities premiums and discounts, net     (195,370 )
Realized loss on sale of investments, net     105,244  
Unrealized gain on Linked Transactions, net     (1,375,161 )
Realized loss on swap and swaption agreements     16,000  
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements     521,019  
Net change in:        
Accrued interest receivable     (2,443,366 )
Receivable due from Manager     (1,127,647 )
Accrued interest payable     25,696  
Fees and expenses payable to Manager     76,948  
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses     357,649  
         
Net cash used in operating activities     (2,510,874 )
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of available-for-sale securities     (891,234,058 )
Principal payments from available-for-sale securities     2,694,439  
Restricted cash     (10,341,672 )
         
Net cash used in investing activities     (898,881,291 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock     84,000,000  
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock     11,307  
Redemption of preferred stock     (110,000 )
Restricted stock compensation expense     2,796  
Change in deferred offering costs     915,512  
Dividends paid on common stock     (660,733 )
Dividends paid on preferred stock     (2,326 )
Proceeds from repurchase agreements     957,063,000  
Principal repayments of repurchase agreements     (100,078,000 )
Net cash received on securities underlying Linked Transactions     650,875  
Cash received from repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions     158,000  
         
Net cash provided by financing activities     941,950,431  
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     40,558,266  
         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     3,608,759  
         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 44,167,025  
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest   $ 2,304,932  
         
Non-cash investing and financing activities information        
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities   $ (696,697 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

7
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

Five Oaks Investment Corp. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation focused on investing primarily in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and other mortgage-related investments. The Company is externally managed by Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC, an asset management firm incorporated in Delaware. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “OAKS.”

 

The Company was incorporated on March 28, 2012 and commenced operations on May 16, 2012. The Company began trading as a publicly traded company on March 22, 2013.

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and to comply with Sections 856 through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the ("Code"). Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. The Company invests in Agency RMBS, which are RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The Company also invests in non-Agency RMBS, which are RMBS that are not guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from audited financial statements. The condensed balance sheet as of March 31, 2013, the condensed statement of operations, the condensed statement of comprehensive income, the condensed statement of stockholders’ equity and the condensed statement of cash flows, for the three months ended March 31, 2013, are unaudited.

 

The unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form S-11 for the period May 16, 2012 (date of inception) to December 31, 2012, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Use of Estimates

 

The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make a number of significant estimates. These include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company’s estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.

 

8
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in bank accounts on an overnight basis. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in highly rated financial institutions, and at times these balances exceed insurable amounts.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by counterparties as collateral against the Company’s securities, derivatives and/or repurchase agreements. Cash held by counterparties as collateral is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to securities, derivatives or repurchase counterparties or returned to the Company when the collateral requirements are exceeded or, at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 505-10, the direct costs incurred to issue shares classified as equity, such as legal and accounting fees, should be deducted from the related proceeds and the net amount recorded as stockholders’ equity. Accordingly, payments made by the Company in respect of such costs related to the issuance of shares are recorded as an asset in the accompanying balance sheet in the line item “Deferred offering costs”, for subsequent deduction from the related proceeds upon closing of the offering.

 

To the extent that certain costs, in particular legal fees, are known to have been accrued but have not yet been invoiced and paid, they are included in “Other accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the accompanying balance sheet.

 

Upon closing of the initial public offering and concurrent private placement of shares, all “Deferred offering costs” previously recorded as an asset on the Company’s balance sheet have been reclassified. As further described in Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, an amount of $1.5mm was deducted from proceeds of the related issuances, and the balance of $1,127,647 is recorded as a receivable on the Company’s balance sheet in the line item “Due from Manager”.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Company finances the acquisition of certain of its mortgage-backed securities through the use of repurchase agreements. The repurchase agreements are generally short-term debt, which expire within one year. Borrowings under repurchase agreements generally bear interest rates of a specified margin over LIBOR and are generally uncommitted. In accordance with ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing” the Company accounts for the repurchase agreements, other than those treated as Linked Transactions (see Note 3 – Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments – Non-Hedging Activity/Linked Transactions below), as collateralized financing transactions and they are carried at their contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements. The contractual amounts approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

 

Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization, and Discount Accretion

 

Interest income on the Company’s portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company recognizes interest income using the effective interest method for all securities. As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities in accordance with ASC 310-20, “Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs”, ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” or ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, as applicable. Total interest income will flow though the “Interest Income” line item on the statement of operations.

 

9
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

On at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 and ASC 310-20 (generally Agency RMBS), prepayments of the underlying collateral must be estimated, which directly affect the speed at which the Company amortizes such securities. If actual and anticipated cash flows differ from previous estimates; the Company recognizes a “catch-up” adjustment in the current period to the amortization of premiums for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date.

 

Similarly, the Company also reassesses the cash flows on at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally non-Agency RMBS). In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts (including assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass-through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans have to be judgmentally estimated. Differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows are recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the security based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.

 

For investments purchased with evidence of deterioration of credit quality for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” ASC 310-30 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the investor’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected are generally recognized prospectively through adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairment.

 

The Company’s accrual of interest, discount and premium for U.S. federal and other tax purposes is likely to differ from the financial accounting treatment of these items as described above.

 

Gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities (“AFS”) are recorded as realized gains (losses) within realized loss on sale of investments, net in the Company's statement of operations. Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s AFS securities are recorded as unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net in the Company's statement of comprehensive income.

 

Impairment

 

The Company evaluates its RMBS, on a quarterly basis, to assess whether a decline in the fair value of an AFS security below the Company's amortized cost basis is an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). The presence of OTTI is based upon a fair value decline below a security's amortized cost basis and a corresponding adverse change in expected cash flows due to credit related factors as well as non-credit factors, such as changes in interest rates and market spreads. Impairment is considered other-than-temporary if an entity (i) intends to sell the security, (ii) will more likely than not be required to sell the security before it recovers in value or (iii) does not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if the entity does not intend to sell the security. Under these scenarios, the impairment is other-than-temporary and the full amount of impairment should be recognized currently in earnings and the cost basis of the investment security is adjusted. However, if an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery, the OTTI should be separated into (i) the estimated amount relating to credit loss (“credit” component) and (ii) the amount relating to all other factors (“non-credit” component). Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized currently in earnings, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive income. The difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income in accordance with the effective interest method.

 

10
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the Company’s short taxable period ended December 31, 2012. So long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes at least 90% of its net taxable income to shareholders and maintains its intended qualification as a REIT.

 

In addition to the Company’s election to be taxed as a REIT, the Company complies with Sections 856 through 859 of the Code. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. To maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain other requirements. The Company may also be subject to certain state, local and franchise taxes. Under certain circumstances, federal income and excise taxes may be due on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, which could have a material adverse impact on its results of operations and amounts available for distributions to its stockholders. The Company believes it will meet all of the criteria to maintain the Company's REIT qualification for the applicable periods, but there can be no assurance that these criteria will continue to be met in subsequent periods.

 

The Company does not have any material uncertain tax positions at this time. The Company's accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties is to classify these amounts as interest expense. The Company has not recognized any such amounts related to uncertain tax positions as of the balance sheet date.

 

Earnings per Share

 

The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as warrants, stock options, and unvested restricted stock, but use the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. See Note 11 for details of the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company is required to recognize compensation costs relating to stock-based payment transactions in the financial statements. The Company accounts for share-based compensation issued to its Manager and non-management directors using the fair value based methodology prescribed by ASC 718, Share-Based Payment (“ASC 718”). Compensation cost related to restricted common stock issued to the Manager is initially measured at estimated fair value at the grant date, and is remeasured on subsequent dates to the extent the awards are unvested. Additionally, compensation cost related to restricted common stock issued to the non-management directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date and amortized and expensed over the vesting period. See Note 9 for details of stock-based awards issuable under the Manager Equity Plan.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income, as presented in the statement of comprehensive income, adjusted for changes in unrealized gain or loss on AFS securities.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-11, which amends ASC 210, “Balance Sheet”. The amendments in this ASU enhance disclosures required by U.S. GAAP by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset in accordance with ASC 210, Balance Sheet or ASC 815, Other Presentation Matters or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU No. 2011-11 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company adopted ASU No. 2011-11 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and this had no material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations other than enhanced disclosure in the notes to financial statements.

 

In January 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, which amends ASU No. 2011-11. The amendments clarify that the scope of ASU No. 2011-11 applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset in accordance with ASC 210 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreements. ASU No. 2013-01 is effective the same date as ASU No. 2011-11. The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-01 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and this had no material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations other than enhanced disclosure in the notes to financial statements.

 

In February 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, which amends FASB ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income”. The amendments in this ASU require an entity to provide information about any amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. An entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to financial statements, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. ASU No. 2013-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 for public entities. The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-02 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and this had no material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

11
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company discloses the fair value of its financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Levels 1, 2 and 3, as defined). In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to provide enhanced disclosures regarding instruments in the Level 3 category (which require significant management judgment), including a separate reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for each major category of assets and liabilities.

 

Additionally, U.S. GAAP permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value (the “fair value option”), and the election of such choice is irrevocable. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are irrevocably recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.

 

Securities

 

The Company invests in Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS.

 

Designation

 

The Company classifies its RMBS securities as AFS investments. Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its investment securities until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its investment securities as part of its overall management of its portfolio. All assets classified as AFS are reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, excluding other than temporary impairments, included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders' equity, on an after-tax basis.

 

Determination of RMBS Fair Value

 

The Company determines the fair values for the Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS in its portfolio based on obtaining a valuation for each Agency and non-Agency RMBS from third-party pricing services, and may also obtain dealer quotes, as described below. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods that may include pricing models that may incorporate such factors as coupons, prepayment speeds, spread to the Treasury curves and interest rate swap curves, duration, periodic and life caps and credit enhancement, as applicable. The dealers incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security, including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security, as applicable.

 

The Company obtains pricing data from a primary third-party pricing service for each Agency and non-Agency RMBS. If other available market data indicates that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the primary third-party pricing service, the Company shall undertake a review of other available prices and shall take additional steps to determine fair value. In all cases, the Company validates its understanding of methodology and assumptions underlying the fair value used.

 

The Company reviews all pricing of Agency and non-Agency RMBS used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the third-party pricing service for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 securities if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If quoted prices for a security are not reasonably available from the pricing service, but dealer quotes are, the Company classifies the security as a Level 2 security. If neither is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the security that are received from the issuer and based on available market information received from dealers and classifies it as a Level 3 security.

 

12
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments

 

In accordance with FASB guidance ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, all derivative financial instruments, whether designated for hedging relationships or not, are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities. The Company obtains valuation information for each derivative financial instrument from the related derivative counterparty. If other available market data indicates that the valuation information from the counterparty is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the counterparty, the Company shall undertake a review of other available valuation information, including third party pricing services and/or dealers, and shall take additional steps to determine fair value. The Company reviews all valuations of derivative financial instruments used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the derivative counterparty, the third-party pricing service or dealers, as appropriate, for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 valuations if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If none of these sources is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the instrument and based on available market information received from dealers and classifies it as a Level 3 valuation.

 

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company determines whether or not the instrument will be part of a qualifying hedge accounting relationship. Due to the volatility of the credit markets and difficulty in effectively matching pricing or cash flows, the Company has elected to treat all current derivative contracts as trading instruments. The changes in fair value of derivatives accounted for as trading instruments are reported in the statement of operations as unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap and swaption agreements.

 

The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts for a variety of reasons, including minimizing significant fluctuations in earnings or market values on certain assets or liabilities that may be caused by changes in interest rates. The Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities (“TBAs”), options, futures, swaps and caps. Due to the nature of these instruments, they may be in a receivable/asset position or a payable/liability position at the end of an accounting period. Amounts payable to, and receivable from, the same party under contracts may be offset as long as the following conditions are met: (a) each of the two parties owes the other determinable amounts; (b) the reporting party has the right to offset the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party; (c) the reporting party intends to offset; and (d) the right of offset is enforceable by law. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, amounts payable to and receivable from are presented by the Company on a gross basis in the balance sheet.

 

Non-Hedging Activity – Linked Transactions

 

It is presumed that the initial transfer of a financial asset (i.e. the purchase of an RMBS by the Company) and contemporaneous repurchase financing of such RMBS with the same counterparty are considered part of the same arrangement, or a “linked transaction”, unless certain criteria are met. The two components of a linked transaction (RMBS purchase and repurchase financing) are accounted for on a net basis and recorded as a forward purchase (derivative) contract (each a Linked Transaction) at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet in the line item “Linked Transactions, net, at fair value”. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying linked transactions and associated interest income and expense are reported as “Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions”, on the Company’s statement of operations. When or if a transaction is no longer considered to be linked, the RMBS and repurchase financing will be reported on a gross basis.  In this case, the fair value of the RMBS at the time the transactions are no longer considered linked will become the cost basis of the RMBS, and the income recognition yield for such RMBS will be calculated prospectively using this new cost basis. (See Notes 7 and 8).

 

See Note 7 for specific disclosures regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in the financial statements and the accounting for derivative instruments and related hedged items.

 

13
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES

 

Non-Agency RMBS that are accounted for as components of Linked Transactions are not reflected in the tables set forth in this Note, as they are accounted for as derivatives. (See Notes 7 and 8).

 

The following table presents the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type at fair value as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

    March 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
Mortgage-backed securities:                
Agency                
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation   $ 480,649,465     $ 49,765,271  
Federal National Mortgage Association     476,669,262       20,208,333  
Non-Agency     11,642,318       11,054,394  
Total mortgage-backed securities   $ 968,961,045     $ 81,027,998  

 

The following tables present the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Agency     Non-Agency     Total  
Face Value   $ 902,781,206     $ 17,580,124     $ 920,361,330  
Unamortized premium     54,717,037       -       54,717,037  
Unamortized discount                        
Designated credit reserve     -       (4,547,508 )     (4,547,508 )
Net, unamortized     -       (3,307,114 )     (3,307,114 )
Amortized Cost     957,498,243       9,725,502       967,223,745  
Gross unrealized gains     (179,516 )     1,916,816       1,737,300  
Fair Value   $ 957,318,727     $ 11,642,318     $ 968,961,045  

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Agency     Non-Agency     Total  
Face Value   $ 65,310,197     $ 18,507,380     $ 83,817,577  
Unamortized premium     3,193,345       -       3,193,345  
Unamortized discount                        
Designated credit reserve     -       (4,882,582 )     (4,882,582 )
Net, unamortized     -       (3,534,339 )     (3,534,339 )
Amortized Cost     68,503,542       10,090,459       78,594,001  
Gross unrealized gains     1,470,062       963,935       2,433,997  
Fair Value   $ 69,973,604     $ 11,054,394     $ 81,027,998  

 

14
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued)

 

The following tables present the fair value of AFS investment securities by rate type as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Agency     Non-Agency     Total  
Adjustable rate   $ -     $ 11,642,318     $ 11,642,318  
Fixed rate     957,318,727       -       957,318,727  
Total   $ 957,318,727     $ 11,642,318     $ 968,961,045  

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Agency     Non-Agency     Total  
Adjustable rate   $ -     $ 11,054,394     $ 11,054,394  
Fixed rate     69,973,604       -       69,973,604  
Total   $ 69,973,604     $ 11,054,394     $ 81,027,998  

 

As described in Note 3, when the Company purchases a credit-sensitive AFS security at a significant discount to its face value, the Company often does not amortize into income a significant portion of this discount that the Company is entitled to earn because it does not expect to collect it due to the inherent credit risk of the security. The Company may also record an OTTI for a portion of its investment in the security to the extent the Company believes that the amortized cost will exceed the present value of expected future cash flows. The amount of principal that the Company does not amortize into income is designated as an off balance sheet credit reserve on the security, with unamortized net discounts or premiums amortized into income over time to the extent realizable.

 

Actual maturities of AFS securities are affected by the contractual lives of the associated mortgage collateral, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal. Therefore actual maturities of available-for-sale securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Stated contractual maturities are generally greater than ten years.

 

The following tables present the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the period May 16, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012 of the unamortized net discount and designated credit reserves on non-Agency AFS securities.

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Designated     Unamortized        
    credit reserve     net discount     Total  
Acquisitions   $ (5,363,444 )   $ (3,534,340 )   $ (8,897,784 )
Accretion of net discount     -       227,226       227,226  
Realized credit losses     815,936       -       815,936  
Ending balance at March 31, 2013   $ (4,547,508 )   $ (3,307,114 )   $ (7,854,622 )

 

15
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued)

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Designated     Unamortized        
    credit reserve     net discount     Total  
Acquisitions   $ (5,363,444 )   $ (3,997,817 )   $ (9,361,261 )
Accretion of net discount     -       463,478       463,478  
Realized credit losses     480,862       -       480,862  
Ending balance at December 31, 2012   $ (4,882,582 )   $ (3,534,339 )   $ (8,416,921 )

 

Gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities are recorded within realized loss on sale of investments, net in the Company's statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company did not sell any AFS securities.

 

Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s AFS securities are recorded as unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net in the Company's statement of comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company had unrealized losses on AFS securities of $696,697.

 

The following table presents components of interest income on the Company’s Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

 

    March 31, 2013  
          Net (premium        
    Coupon     amortization)/     Interest  
    interest     discount accretion     income  
Agency   $ 2,999,844     $ (31,856 )   $ 2,967,988  
Non-Agency     34,814       227,226       262,040  
Total   $ 3,034,658     $ 195,370     $ 3,230,028  

 

NOTE 5 – RESTRICTED CASH

 

As of March 31, 2013, the Company is required to maintain certain cash balances with counterparties for broker activity and collateral for the Company's repurchase agreements in non-interest bearing accounts.

 

The following table presents the Company's restricted cash balances as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

    March 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
Restricted cash balance held by:                
Broker counterparties for derivatives trading   $ 10,470,137     $ 570,247  
Repurchase counterparties as restricted collateral     1,804,925       1,363,143  
Total   $ 12,275,062     $ 1,933,390  

 

16
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 – REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

 

The Company has entered into repurchase agreements to finance its portfolio of investments. The repurchase agreements bear interest at a contractually agreed rate. The repurchase obligations mature and typically reinvest every thirty days to one year and have a weighted average aggregate interest rate of 0.43% at March 31, 2013. Repurchase agreements are being accounted for as secured borrowings since the Company maintains effective control of the financed assets. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

    March 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
          Weighted           Weighted  
    Amount     average     Amount     average  
    outstanding     interest rate     outstanding     interest rate  
Agency   $ 912,153,000       0.42 %   $ 59,616,000       0.48 %
Non-Agency (1)     8,255,000       1.98 %     3,807,000       2.31 %
Total   $ 920,408,000       0.43 %   $ 63,423,000       0.59 %

 

(1) At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had repurchase agreements of $14,147,000 and $13,989,000, respectively, that were linked to Non-Agency RMBS purchases and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).

 

At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the repurchase agreements had the following remaining maturities:

 

    March 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
< 30 days   $ 565,607,000     $ 59,616,000  
31 to 60 days     3,831,000       3,807,000  
61 to 90 days     350,970,000       -  
Total   $ 920,408,000     $ 63,423,000  

 

(1) At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had repurchase agreements of $14,147,000 and $13,989,000, respectively, that were linked to Non-Agency RMBS purchases and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).

 

Under the repurchase agreements, the respective lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets would require the Company to provide additional collateral or fund margin calls. In addition, the repurchase agreements are subject to certain financial covenants. The Company is in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2013.

 

The following tables summarize certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements at March 31 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

17
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 – REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Continued)

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Amount     Percent of total     Weighted average     Company RMBS  
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties   Outstanding (1)     amount outstanding     days to maturity     held as collateral  
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC   $ 134,206,000       14.58 %     29     $ 139,639,088  
South Street Securities LLC     133,112,000       14.46 %     29       141,444,797  
Nomura Securities International, Inc.     112,193,000       12.19 %     89       117,924,454  
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC     103,553,000       11.25 %     89       109,010,013  
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.     90,037,000       9.78 %     57       91,936,148  
Jefferies & Company, Inc.     87,956,000       9.56 %     26       92,497,403  
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC     84,216,000       9.15 %     89       87,607,622  
Barclays Capital Inc.     73,763,000       8.01 %     25       77,622,551  
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.     51,528,000       5.60 %     26       54,259,338  
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.     28,048,000       3.05 %     29       29,593,138  
Mizuho Securities USA, Inc.     10,013,000       1.09 %     18       10,346,469  
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co     7,952,000       0.86 %     9       8,310,101  
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.     3,831,000       0.42 %     44       5,767,752  
Total   $ 920,408,000       100.00 %     50     $ 965,958,874  

 

(1) At March 31, 2013, the Company had repurchase agreements of $14,147,000 that were linked to Non-Agency RMBS purchases and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Amount     Percent of total     Weighted average     Company RMBS  
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties   Outstanding (1)     amount outstanding     days to maturity     held as collateral  
Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.   $ 40,700,000       64.18 %     16     $ 41,198,973  
Mizuho Securities USA Inc     10,549,000       16.63 %     18       10,874,574  
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co     8,367,000       13.19 %     9       8,566,297  
Citigroup Global Markets Inc     3,807,000       6.00 %     44       5,697,236  
Total   $ 63,423,000       100.00 %     17     $ 66,337,080  

 

(1) At December 31, 2012, the Company had repurchase agreements of $13,989,000 that were linked to Non-Agency RMBS purchases and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

The Company enters into a variety of derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. The Company's primary objective for executing these derivatives and non-derivative instruments is to mitigate the Company's economic exposure to future events that are outside its control. The Company's derivative financial instruments are utilized principally to manage market risk and cash flow volatility associated with interest rate risk (including associated prepayment risk) related to certain assets and liabilities. As part of its risk management activities, the Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps and caps. In executing on the Company's current risk management strategy, the Company has entered into interest rate swap and swaption agreements. Amounts receivable and payable under interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap and swaption agreements, net in the statement of operations. Premiums on swaptions are amortized on a straight line basis between trade date and expiration date and are recognized in the statement of operations as a realized loss on swaption agreements. In addition, as set out in Note 3, the Company records Linked Transactions as a forward purchase (derivative) contract at fair value on the balance sheet. Although Linked Transactions are accounted for as derivative instruments, they are not entered into as part of the Company’s risk management activities and are not designated as hedging instruments.

 

18
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

The following summarizes the Company's significant asset and liability derivatives, the risk exposure for these derivatives and the Company's risk management activities used to mitigate certain of these risks. While the Company uses derivative instruments to achieve the Company's risk management activities, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of the Company's market rate risk. In addition, the Company might elect, at times, not to enter into certain hedging arrangements in order to maintain compliance with REIT requirements.

 

Balance Sheet Presentation

 

The following tables present the gross fair value and notional amounts of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company’s Linked Transactions are evaluated on a combined basis.

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Derivative Assets     Derivative Liabilities  
    Fair value     Notional     Fair value     Notional  
Interest rate swaps   $ 20,485       115,000,000     $ (831,795 )     370,000,000  
Swaptions                     2,599       5,000,000  
Linked transactions     9,179,040       -       -       -  
Total   $ 9,199,525       115,000,000     $ (829,196 )     375,000,000  

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Derivative Assets     Derivative Liabilities  
    Fair value     Notional     Fair value     Notional  
Interest rate swaps   $ -       -     $ (283,754 )     35,000,000  
Swaptions     12,062       5,000,000       -       -  
Linked transactions     8,612,753       -       -       -  
Total   $ 8,624,815       5,000,000     $ (283,754 )     35,000,000  

 

19
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

The Company has offset certain financial assets and liabilities in the balance sheet under FASB guidance ASC 210 and ASC 815. The below table provides a reconciliation of these assets and liabilities that were offset as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Gross amounts     Gross amounts     Net amounts  
    of recognized     offset in the     of assets presented  
Description   assets     Balance Sheet     in the Balance Sheet  
Linked transactions (1)   $ 23,358,357     $ (14,179,317 )   $ 9,179,040  
Interest rate swaps     46,147       (25,662 )     20,485  
Total   $ 23,404,504     $ (14,204,979 )   $ 9,199,525  

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Gross amounts     Gross amounts     Net amounts  
    of recognized     offset in the     of liabilities presented  
Description   liabilities     Balance Sheet     in the Balance Sheet  
Interest rate swaps   $ (867,816 )   $ 36,021     $ (831,795 )
Swaptions     2,599       -       2,599  
Total   $ (865,217 )   $ 36,021     $ (829,196 )

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Gross amounts     Gross amounts     Net amounts  
    of recognized     offset in the     of assets presented  
Description   assets     Balance Sheet     in the Balance Sheet  
Linked transactions (1)   $ 22,636,490     $ (14,023,737 )   $ 8,612,753  
Swaptions     12,062       -       12,062  
Total   $ 22,648,552     $ (14,023,737 )   $ 8,624,815  

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Gross amounts     Gross amounts     Net amounts  
    of recognized     offset in the     of liabilities presented  
Description   liabilities     Balance Sheet     in the Balance Sheet  
Interest rate swaps   $ (283,754 )   $ -     $ (283,754 )
Total   $ (283,754 )   $ -     $ (283,754 )

 

(1) RMBS securities within a linked transaction serve as collateral for the linked transaction. See Note 3 “Non-Hedging Activity – Linked Transactions” for information on linked transaction arrangements.

 

20
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

The Company has in place with its counterparties ISDA Master Agreements (“Master Agreements”) for its derivative contracts. In accordance with the Master Agreements to each counterparty, if on any date amounts would otherwise be payable in the same currency and in respect of the same transaction by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The Company has pledged financial collateral as restricted cash to its counterparties for its derivative contracts. See Note 2 for specific details on the terms of restricted cash with counterparties and Note 5 for the amounts of restricted cash outstanding.

 

Linked Transactions

 

The Company’s Linked Transactions are accounted for on a net basis and recorded as forward purchase (derivative) contracts at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet. The fair value of Linked Transactions reflects the value of the underlying Non-Agency RMBS, the linked repurchase borrowings and accrued interest receivable/payable on such instruments. The Company’s Linked Transactions are not designated as hedging instruments and, as a result, the change in fair value and net interest income is reported as “Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions” in other income on the Company’s statement of operations.

 

The following tables present certain information concerning the Non-Agency RMBS and repurchase financings underlying the Company’s Linked Transactions as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

Linked Non-Agency RMBS

 

    March 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
Face Value   $ 36,901,218     $ 38,320,365  
Unamortized premium     -       -  
Unamortized discount                
Designated credit reserve     (12,546,947 )     (12,929,231 )
Net, unamortized     (6,335,761 )     (6,721,749 )
Amortized Cost     18,018,510       18,669,385  
Gross unrealized gains     5,323,448       3,950,157  
Fair Value   $ 23,341,958     $ 22,619,542  

 

The following tables present the changes for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and for the period May 16, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012 of the unamortized net discount and designated credit reserves on Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions:

 

21
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Designated     Unamortized        
    credit reserve     net discount     Total  
Acquisitions   $ (13,934,657 )   $ (6,721,749 )   $ (20,656,406 )
Accretion of net discount     -       385,988       385,988  
Realized credit losses     1,387,710       -       1,387,710  
Ending balance at March 31, 2013   $ (12,546,947 )   $ (6,335,761 )   $ (18,882,708 )

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Designated     Unamortized        
    credit reserve     net discount     Total  
Acquisitions   $ (13,934,657 )   $ (7,592,017 )   $ (21,526,674 )
Accretion of net discount     -       870,268       870,268  
Realized credit losses     1,005,426       -       1,005,426  
Ending balance at December 31, 2012   $ (12,929,231 )   $ (6,721,749 )   $ (19,650,980 )

 

Linked Repurchase Agreements

 

    March 31, 2013  
    Amount     Percent of total     Weighted average     Company RMBS  
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties   Outstanding     amount outstanding     days to maturity     held as collateral  
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.   $ 9,219,000       65.17 %     41     $ 14,238,713  
Mizuho Securities USA, Inc.     4,928,000       34.83 %     11       9,103,245  
Total   $ 14,147,000       100.00 %     31     $ 23,341,958  

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Amount     Percent of total     Weighted average     Company RMBS  
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties   Outstanding     amount outstanding     days to maturity     held as collateral  
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.   $ 9,277,000       66.32 %     41     $ 13,714,701  
Mizuho Securities USA Inc.     4,712,000       33.68 %     12       8,904,841  
Total   $ 13,989,000       100.00 %     31     $ 22,619,542  

 

At March 31, 2013, Linked Transactions also included $16,399 of associated accrued interest receivable and $32,317 of accrued interest payable. 

 

Income Statement Presentation

 

The Company has not applied hedge accounting to its current derivative portfolio held to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with its debt portfolio. As a result, the Company is subject to volatility in its earnings due to movement in the unrealized gains and losses associated with its interest rate swaps, swaptions and any other derivative instruments.

 

The following table summarizes the underlying hedged risks and the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments reported net in the statement of operations as realized loss on swap and swaption agreements and unrealized loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

 

22
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2013  
    Amount of realized     Amount of unrealized        
Primary underlying risk   gain (loss)     appreciation (depreciation)     Total  
                         
Interest rate:                        
Interest rate swaps   $ (55,293 )   $ (527,555 )   $ (582,848 )
Swaptions     (16,000 )     6,536       (9,464 )
Total   $ (71,293 )   $ (521,019 )   $ (592,312 )

 

The following table presents certain information about the components of the unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions included in the Company’s statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

 

    Three Months Ended  
    March 31, 2013  
Interest income attributable to RMBS underlying Linked Transactions   $ 451,853  
Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings underlying Linked Transactions     (71,302 )
Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings     1,373,291  
Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions   $ 1,753,842  

 

NOTE 8 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

U.S. GAAP defines fair value and provides a consistent framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP. ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement” expands fair value financial statement disclosure requirements. ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements and only applies to accounting pronouncements that already require or permit fair value measures, except for standards that relate to share-based payments.

 

Valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

    Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

    Level 2 Inputs – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

    Level 3 Inputs – Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Company’s assets and liabilities at fair value within the fair value hierarchy levels as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

23
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 8 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

 

    Quoted prices in     Significant              
    active markets     other observable     Unobservable        
    for identical assets     inputs     inputs     Balance as of  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     March 31, 2013  
Assets:                                
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)   $ -     $ 968,961,045     $ -     $ 968,961,045  
Linked Transactions (b)     -       9,179,040       -       9,179,040  
Interest rate swaps     -       20,485       -       20,485  
Total   $ -     $ 978,160,570     $ -     $ 978,160,570  
                                 
Liabilities:                                
Interest rate swaps   $ -     $ (831,795 )   $ -     $ (831,795 )
Swaptions   $ -     $ 2,599     $ -     $ 2,599  
Total             (829,196 )             (829,196 )

 

    Quoted prices in     Significant              
    active markets     other observable     Unobservable        
    for identical assets     inputs     inputs     Balance as of  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     December 31, 2012  
Assets:                                
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)   $ -     $ 81,027,998     $ -     $ 81,027,998  
Linked Transactions (b)     -       8,612,753       -       8,612,753  
Swaptions     -       12,062       -       12,062  
Total   $ -     $ 89,652,813     $ -     $ 89,652,813  
                                 
Liabilities:                                
Interest rate swaps   $ -     $ (283,754 )   $ -     $ (283,754 )
Total   $ -     $ (283,754 )   $ -     $ (283,754 )

 

(a) For more detail about the fair value of the Company’s RMBS and type of securities, see Note 3 and Note 4.
(b) For more detail about the fair value of the Company’s Linked Transactions, see Note 3 and Note 7.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the period May 16, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012, the Company did not have any transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between levels are deemed to take place on the last day of the reporting period in which the transfer takes place.

 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company did not have any Level 3 securities.

 

24
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Management Fee

 

The Company is externally managed and advised by Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC (the “Manager”). Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, the Company pays the Manager a management fee equal to 1.5% per annum, calculated and payable monthly in arrears. For purposes of calculating the management fee, the Company’s shareholders’ equity means the sum of the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company’s equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that the Company pays for repurchases of the Company’s common stock since inception, and excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income (regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income). This amount will be adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash items after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. To the extent asset impairment reduces the Company’s retained earnings at the end of any completed calendar quarter, it will reduce the management fee for such quarter. The Company’s shareholders’ equity for the purposes of calculating the management fee could be greater than the amount of shareholders’ equity shown on the financial statements. The initial term of the management agreement expires on May 16, 2014, with automatic, one-year renewals at the end of the initial term and each year thereafter.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company incurred management fees of $115,140 of which $49,669 was accrued but had not been paid.

 

Expense Reimbursement

 

Pursuant to the management agreement, the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company incurred by the Manager, including accounting services, auditing and tax services, technology and office facilities, operations, compliance, legal and filing fees, and miscellaneous general and administrative costs, including the cost of non-investment management personnel of the Manager who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company incurred reimbursable expenses of $180,864. The Manager incurred additional reimbursable expenses of $227,341 for which it has permanently waived its right to seek reimbursement from the Company.

 

Pursuant to an Expense Reimbursement Agreement dated March 12, 2013, the Manager agreed to reimburse the Company for offering expenses in excess of $1.5mm incurred in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”). The Manager has agreed permanently to waive any right to seek future reimbursement for such expenses paid by it to the Company. As further described in Note 10, the Company closed its IPO in March 2013. As a consequence, as at March 31, 2013 an amount of $1,127,647 was payable by the Manager to the Company, and is recorded as a receivable on the Company’s balance sheet in the line item “Due from Manager”.

 

25
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Continued)

 

Manager Equity Plan

 

The Company has adopted a Manager Equity Plan under which the Company may compensate the Manager or, at the direction of the Manager and as determined in its sole discretion, directly to its directors, officers, employees or consultants. The Manager will make all determinations concerning the eligible persons employed or otherwise engaged by it who may receive awards under the Manager Equity Plan, which form the awards will take, and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Company will be able to issue under the Manager Equity Plan up to 3.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of each award.

 

Stock based compensation arrangements may include incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards and other awards based on the Company’s common stock.

 

Under the Manager Equity Plan, the Company’s independent directors, as part of their compensation for serving as independent directors, are eligible to receive 1,500 shares of restricted stock annually vesting in full on the anniversary of each grant date. As of the closing of the IPO, the Company’s board of directors granted to each of the three independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (4,500 shares in total), each of which vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $65,250 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 27, 2013 of $14.50.

 

As of the closing of the IPO described in Note 10, the Company’s board of directors granted the Manager 28,500 shares of restricted common stock. One-third of these restricted common stock shares vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $416,955 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 29, 2013 of $14.63. The Company accounts for the restricted common stock shares based on their aggregate fair value at the measurement dates, and as this value subsequently changes, a cumulative adjustment is made in the current period for prior compensation cost expenses recorded to date.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted common stock of $2,796. The Company has unrecognized compensation expense of $479,694 as of March 31, 2013 for unvested shares of restricted common stock. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted average period for which the unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized is 22.4 months.

 

26
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 10 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Private Placements of Common Stock

 

On May 16, 2012, the Company completed a private offering in which the Company sold 1,500,000 shares of common stock to the Manager at a price of $1.00 per share and sold 25,000,000 shares to XL Investments Ltd., at a price of $1.00 per share. The net proceeds to the Company from this private offering were $26,177,089 after payment of $322,911 in direct costs of the offering. The Company did not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with the private offering.

 

Immediately prior to the IPO described below, the Company completed a one-for-16 reverse stock split of the 26,500,000 issued and outstanding shares of common stock, thereby reducing the amount of issued and outstanding shares of common stock to 1,656,250 prior to the IPO.

 

Concurrently with the IPO, XL Investments Ltd. purchased 1,666,667 shares of common stock at the IPO price of $15 per share in an aggregate amount of $25 million as a private placement.

 

Ownership and Warrants

 

As a result of the May 2012 and March 2013 private offerings of common stock described above, XL Investments Ltd., an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of XL Group plc, owns a significant minority investment in the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the May 2012 private offering, the Company agreed to issue to XL Investments Ltd. warrants to purchase two shares of the Company’s common stock for each share of common stock that they own. The warrants were subsequently issued, effective as of September 29, 2012, and they will become exercisable in the amount of 3,125,000 shares 120 days after the closing of the IPO at an exercise price equal to 105% of the IPO price. XL Global, Inc., a subsidiary of XL Group plc, holds a minority stake in the Manager.

 

Initial Public Offering of Common Stock

 

On March 27, 2013, the Company issued 4,033,333 shares of common stock for $15.00 per share for an aggregate offering price of $60.5 million. Net proceeds to the Company were $59.0 million, net of issuance costs of $1.5 million.

 

The Manager paid the underwriters at closing of the IPO $0.60 per share for each share sold in the IPO, representing the full underwriting discount payable with respect to the shares sold in the IPO. The underwriters did not receive any discount on the shares purchased in the concurrent private placement by XL Investments Ltd.

 

The Company has also granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 604,999 shares of common stock from the Company at the IPO price of $15 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of the IPO.

 

Preferred Stock

 

On January 22, 2013, the Company issued 100 shares of 12.5% Cumulative Non-Voting Redeemable Preferred Stock (“preferred stock”), to 100 investors at $1,000 per share in connection with the Company’s REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code. The net proceeds to the Company from this issuance were $67,500 after the deduction of initial set-up, funding and administration fees. The preferred stock was not convertible into common stock and was subject to redemption at any time by the Company at $1,100 per share (plus all accrued and unpaid dividends), provided that the preferred stock is redeemed prior to December 31, 2014. Dividends accrue on a daily basis at 12.5% per annum, and dividends cannot be paid on the Company’s common stock until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock have been fully paid.

 

The preferred stock was fully redeemed on March 28, 2013 by the Company at $1,100 per share, or $110,000 in aggregate, and paid $2,326 in accrued dividends through the date of redemption.

 

Distributions to stockholders

 

For the 2013 taxable year, the Company has declared dividends to common stockholders totaling $439,900, or $0.19 per share. The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

 

27
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

March 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 10 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

 

Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Dividend Amount     Cash Dividend Per Share  
February 15, 2013   February 15, 2013   February 27, 2013   $ 219,950     $ 0.09591  
March 12, 2013   March 12, 2013   March 28, 2013   $ 219,950     $ 0.09591  

 

For the 2013 taxable year, the Company has declared dividends to preferred stockholders totaling $2,326, or $23.26 per share.

 

NOTE 11 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

    

In accordance with ASC 260, outstanding instruments that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities. The Company is required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share when there are participating securities outstanding. The Company has determined that outstanding unvested restricted shares issued under the Manager Equity Plan are participating securities, and they are therefore included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The following table provides additional disclosure regarding the computation for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

 

    March 31, 2013  
Net Income         $ 1,525,788  
Less dividends paid:                
Common stock   $ 439,900          
Unvested share-based payment awards   $ -          
          $ 439,900  
Undistributed earnings           $ 1,085,888  

 

    Unvested Share-Based      
    Payment Awards     Common Stock  
Distributed earnings   $ -     $ 0.19  
Undistributed earnings   $ 0.48     $ 0.48  
Total   $ 0.48     $ 0.67  

 

No adjustment was required for the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the warrants described in Note 9 and stock options granted to the underwriters described in Note 10 because the warrants’ and options’ exercise prices are greater than the average market price of the common shares for the period, and thereby anti-dilutive.

 

NOTE 12 – SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company invests in a portfolio comprised of mortgage-backed securities which operates as a single reporting segment.

 

NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On April 29, 2013, a cash dividend of $0.13 per outstanding common share, or $960,603 in aggregate, was paid to holders of record on April 22, 2013.

 

We have also announced cash dividends payable on May 30, 2013 and June 27, 2013 to holders of record as of May 15, 2013 and June 14, 2013, respectively, at a rate of $0.16 per outstanding common share. 

 

28
 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or this “report,” we refer to Five Oaks Investment Corp. as “we,” “us,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. We refer to our external manager, Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC, as our “Manager.”

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes to our financial statements, which are included in Item 1 of this report, as well as the information contained in our registration statement on Form S-11, initially filed on December 20, 2012 (File No. 333-185570), and as subsequently amended, in connection with our recent initial public offering, which we refer to as our “IPO Registration Statement.”

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

We make forward-looking statements in this report that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors are contained in our IPO Registration Statement, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements that we make, or that are attributable to us, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Overview

 

We are a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing a leveraged portfolio of Agency and Non-Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, residential mortgage loans and other mortgage-related investments, which we collectively refer to as our target assets.

 

Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our investors, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation. To achieve this objective, we invest in the following securities:

 

· Agency RMBS, which are residential mortgage-backed securities, for which a U.S. Government agency such as Ginnie Mae or a federally chartered corporation such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, guarantees payments of principal and interest on the securities;

 

· Non-Agency RMBS, which are RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity; and

 

· Residential mortgage loans and other mortgage-related investments.

 

We finance our investments in Agency RMBS and Non-Agency RMBS (including non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) primarily through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.

 

29
 

 

We are externally managed and advised by Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC pursuant to a management agreement between us and Oak Circle. Oak Circle, which was formed for the purpose of becoming our Manager, manages us exclusively and, unless and until Oak Circle agrees to manage any additional investment vehicle, it will not have to allocate investment opportunities in our target assets with any other REIT, investment pool or other entity. As our Manager, Oak Circle implements our business strategy, performs investment advisory services and activities with respect to our assets and is responsible for performing all of our day-to-day operations. Oak Circle is an investment adviser registered with the SEC.

 

We elected to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2012, and comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, we are generally not subject to federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we currently distribute to our stockholders so long as we maintain our qualification as a REIT. Our continued qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to, among other things, the source of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels and the concentration of ownership of our capital stock. Even if we maintain our qualification as a REIT, we may be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income.

 

Recent Developments

 

On March 27, 2013, we successfully completed (i) our initial public offering, or IPO, pursuant to which we sold 4,033,333 shares of our common stock to the public; and (ii) a concurrent private placement of 1,666,667 shares of our common stock to XL Investments Ltd, an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of XL Group plc (NYSE: XL).

 

All of our shares of common stock in the IPO and in the concurrent private placement were sold at a price of $15.00 per share. Collectively, we received net proceeds from our IPO and the concurrent private placement of $84.0 million after subtracting offering expenses payable by us of $1.5 million. We did not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with the private placement and our Manager paid the underwriters’ discount and commission in respect of the shares sold publicly.

 

Factors Impacting Our Operating Results

 

The results of our operations will be affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of, and demand for, our target assets in the marketplace. Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts, will vary primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates and prepayment speeds, as measured by the constant prepayment rate, or CPR, on our RMBS. Interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results may also be impacted by unanticipated credit events experienced by borrowers whose mortgage loans are included in our RMBS. Our operating results will also be affected by general U.S. residential real estate fundamentals and the overall U.S. economic environment. In particular, our strategy is influenced by the specific characteristics of the residential real estate markets, including prepayment rates, credit and interest rate levels.

 

Changes in market interest rates.     With respect to our business operations, increases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause: (1) the value of our RMBS portfolio to decline; (2) coupons on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS to reset, although on a delayed basis, to higher interest rates; (3) prepayments on our RMBS portfolio to slow, thereby slowing the amortization of our purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; (4) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to increase; and (5) to the extent we enter into interest rate swap agreements as part of our hedging strategy, the value of these agreements to increase. Conversely, decreases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause: (1) prepayments on our RMBS portfolio to increase, thereby accelerating the amortization of our purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; (2) the value of our RMBS portfolio to increase; (3) coupons on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS to reset, although on a delayed basis, to lower interest rates; (4) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to decrease; and (5) to the extent we enter into interest rate swap agreements as part of our hedging strategy, the value of these agreements to decrease.

 

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Prepayment speeds.     Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the CPR, vary according to interest rates, the type of residential mortgage loan, conditions in financial markets and housing markets, availability of residential mortgages, borrowers' credit profiles, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. CPR, expressed as a percentage over a pool of residential mortgages, is the rate at which principal is expected to prepay in the given year (usually the next one). For example, if a certain residential mortgage loan pool has a CPR of 9%, then 9% of the existing pool principal outstanding is expected to prepay over the next year. In general, when interest rates rise, it is relatively less attractive for borrowers to refinance their residential mortgage loans, and as a result, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When interest rates fall, however, prepayment speeds tend to increase. When house price appreciation is positive, prepayment rates may increase, and when house prices depreciate in value, prepayment rates may decline. For RMBS purchased at a premium, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn on these investments will be less than expected because the purchase premium we will pay for the bonds amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income greater than expected and can extend the period over which we amortize the purchase premium. For RMBS purchased at a discount, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn will be greater than expected because of the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest income. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income less than expected and can extend the period over which we accrete the purchase discount into interest income.

 

Changes in market value of our assets.     It is our business strategy to hold our target assets as long-term investments. As such, we expect that our securities will be carried at their fair value, as available-for-sale, or AFS, when applicable, in accordance with ASC 320-10 "Investments—Debt and Equity Securities," with changes in fair value recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), a component of stockholders' equity, rather than through earnings. As a result, we do not expect that changes in the market value of the assets will normally impact our operating results. However, at least on a quarterly basis, we will monitor our target assets for other-than-temporary impairment, which could result in our recognizing a charge through earnings. See "—Critical Accounting Policies" for further details.

 

Credit risk.     We expect to be subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio. Our Manager will seek to mitigate this credit risk by estimating expected losses on these Non-Agency RMBS assets and purchasing such assets at appropriately discounted prices. These discounted purchase prices will take into account any available credit support and estimated expected losses in seeking to produce attractive loss-adjusted returns. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur, which could adversely impact our operating results.

 

Market conditions.     Due to the dramatic repricing of real estate assets and the continuing uncertainty in the direction of the real estate markets, we believe a void in the debt and equity capital available for investing in real estate has been created as many financial institutions, insurance companies, finance companies and fund managers face insolvency or have determined to reduce or discontinue investment in debt or equity related to real estate. We believe the dislocations in the residential real estate market have resulted or will result in an "over-correction" in the repricing of real estate assets, creating a potential opportunity for us to capitalize on these market dislocations and capital void.

 

We believe that in spite of the difficult market environment for mortgage-related assets, current market conditions offer potentially attractive investment opportunities for us, even in the face of a riskier and more volatile market environment, as the depressed trading prices of our target assets have caused a corresponding increase in available yields. We also believe that the recent actions taken by the U.S. Government, the U.S. Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory bodies to address the financial crisis may have a positive impact on market conditions and on our business. The first three months of 2013 were characterized by a continuation of the Federal Reserve’s commitment to a policy of monetary stimulus. On March 20, 2013, the U.S. Federal Reserve reaffirmed its commitment to QE3, including a continuation of exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate for so long as unemployment remains above 6.5% and inflation remains at or below 2.5%, as well as the continued purchase of Agency RMBS at a pace of $40 billion per month, and longer-term Treasury securities at a pace of $45 billion per month. We expect that market conditions will continue to impact our operating results and will cause us to adjust our investment and financing strategies over time as new opportunities emerge and risk profiles of our business change.

 

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Investment Activities

 

We began investing the net proceeds of our IPO and our concurrent private placement immediately following the closing of these offerings on March 27, 2013. We have concentrated the investment of the proceeds in Agency RMBS due to the size and liquidity of this market together with the relatively attractive investment conditions prevailing in the short period between the March 27 th closing of our IPO and concurrent private placement and the quarter end. As of March 31, 2013, on a GAAP basis we had increased our investments in RMBS to $969.0 million, compared to $81.0 million as of December 31, 2012. Of the total, $957.3 million was in Agency RMBS and $11.7 million was in Non-Agency RMBS. As of March 31, 2013, we owned $992.3 million of RMBS on a non-GAAP basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions), of which $957.3 million was in Agency RMBS and $35.0 million was in Non-Agency RMBS. Of the $35.0 million, $23.3 million was in Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions. As of March 31, 2013, we had entered into master repurchase agreements with 15 counterparties, and we had borrowed $920.4 million, on a GAAP basis, and $934.6 million, on a non-GAAP basis (including the repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) under these agreements. We have also entered into additional interest rate swap agreements designed to mitigate the effects of increases in interest rates under a portion of our repurchase agreements. As of March 31, 2013, the notional amount of such swap agreements was $485.0 million, compared to $35.0 million as of December 31, 2012.

 

We use leverage to increase potential returns to our stockholders. To that end, subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act, we use borrowings to fund the origination or acquisition of our target assets. We accomplish this by borrowing against existing assets through repurchase agreements. Neither our organizational documents nor our investment guidelines places any limit on the maximum amount of leverage that we may use, and we are not required to maintain any particular debt-to-equity leverage ratio. We may also change our financing strategy and leverage without the consent of our stockholders.

 

As of March 31, 2013, we borrowed 7.9 times our stockholders' equity (calculated in accordance with GAAP); 8.0 times after including repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions (calculated on a non-GAAP basis). We expect our leverage (on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis) will range between three and six times the amount of our stockholders' equity, although our leverage is currently 7.9 times the amount of our stockholders’ equity as a result of deploying the net proceeds of the IPO and the concurrent private placement to XL Investments. Additionally, we expect to borrow between six to nine times the amount of our stockholders' equity in acquiring Agency RMBS, between one and two times when acquiring Legacy Non-Agency RMBS and between one to three times when acquiring New Issue Non-Agency RMBS. The leverage our Manager is comfortable applying to each asset class at any point in time is a function of the yield profile across housing environments and also a function of price or market values in environments of excessive volatility, which cannot be ruled out. Depending on the different cost of borrowing funds at different maturities, we vary the maturities of our borrowed funds to attempt to produce lower borrowing costs and reduce interest rate risk. We enter into collateralized borrowings only with institutions that are rated investment grade by at least one nationally-recognized statistical rating organization. Going forward, as we seek to expand the range of available financing sources, we may borrow from institutions that, although not rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization, in the assessment of our management team represent an acceptable counterparty credit risk in providing collateralized financing for our portfolio. Nonetheless, we expect that the preponderance of our sources of collateralized borrowings will either have an investment grade rating directly or be part of a group of companies which includes an institution that has such a rating.

 

The leverage that we employ is specific to each asset class in which we invest and will be determined based on several factors, including potential asset price volatility, margin requirements, the current cycle for interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, credit, security price, the outlook for interest rates and our ability to use and the effectiveness of interest rate hedges. We analyze both historical interest rate and credit volatility and market-driven implied volatility for each asset class in order to determine potential asset price volatility. Our leverage targets attempt to risk-adjust asset classes based on each asset class's potential price volatility. The goal of our leverage strategy is to ensure that, at all times, our investment portfolio's leverage ratio is appropriate for the level of risk inherent in the investment portfolio and that each asset class has individual leverage targets that are appropriate for its potential price volatility.

 

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As of March 31, 2013, our Agency RMBS portfolio had a weighted average nominal coupon of 3.50% at a weighted average amortized cost of $106.1 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $957.5 million total cost. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted average market price of our Agency portfolio was $106.0 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $957.3 million in the aggregate. All of our Agency securities represent whole pool securities.

 

As of March 31, 2013, our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, on a GAAP basis, had a weighted average nominal coupon of 0.67% at a weighted average amortized cost of $55.3 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $9.7 million total cost. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted average market price of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, on a GAAP basis, was $66.2 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $11.7 million in the aggregate.

 

As of March 31, 2013, our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) had a weighted average nominal coupon of 0.70% at a weighted average amortized cost of $50.9 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $27.7 million total cost. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted average market price of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) was $64.2 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $35.0 million in the aggregate.

 

Investment Portfolio

 

The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our investment portfolio as of March 31, 2013: (1) as reported in accordance with GAAP, which excludes the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, (2) to show separately the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions; and (3) on a non-GAAP combined basis (which reflects the inclusion of the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions combined with our GAAP-reported RMBS):

 

$ in thousands   Principal
Balance
    Unamortized
Premium
(Discount)
    Designated
Credit
Reserve
    Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Gain/
(Loss)
    Fair
Value
    Net
Weighted
Average
Coupon(1)
    Average
Yield(2)
 
Agency RMBS                                                                
15 year fixed-rate   $ 3,205     $ 84     $     $ 3,289     $ 35     $ 3,324       2.50 %     1.96 %
30 year fixed-rate     899,577       54,633             954,210       (215 )     953,995       3.50 %     2.69 %
Total Agency RMBS     902,782       54,717             957,499       (180 )     957,319       3.50 %     2.69 %
Non-Agency RMBS Excluding Linked Transactions     17,580       (3,307 )     (4,548 )     9,725       1,917       11,642       0.67 %     10.18 %
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)   $ 920,362     $ 51,410     $ (4,548 )   $ 967,224     $ 1,737     $ 968,961       3.44 %     2.77 %
Non-Agency RMBS Underlying Linked Transactions     36,901       (6,336 )     (12,547 )     18,018       5,324       23,342       0.71 %     9.89 %
Combined/Weighted Average (non-GAAP)   $ 957,263     $ 45,074     $ (17,095 )   $ 985,242     $ 7,061     $ 992,303       3.34 %     2.90 %

 

 

 

(1)Weighted average coupon is presented net of servicing and other fees .

 

(2)Average yield incorporates future prepayment assumptions.

 

The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our investment portfolio on a non-GAAP combined basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions), at fair value, according to their estimated weighted average life classifications as of March 31, 2013:

 

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    March 31,
2013
Fair Value
 
Less than one year   $  
Greater than one year and less than five years     11,380  
Greater than or equal to five years     980,923  
Total   $ 992,303  

 

The following table presents certain information about the carrying value of our available for sale, or AFS, RMBS and the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, as of March 31, 2013:

 

    GAAP Basis
(AFS RMBS—
Excluding
Linked
Transactions)
    Non-GAAP
Adjustments
(Non-Agency
RMBS underlying
Linked
Transactions)
    Non-GAAP
Basis
(Combined)
 
Principal balance   $ 920,361,330     $ 36,901,218     $ 957,262,548  
Unamortized premium     54,717,037             54,717,037  
Unamortized discount                        
Designated credit reserve     (4,547,508 )     (12,546,947 )     (17,094,455 )
Net, unamortized     (3,307,114 )     (6,335,761 )     (9,642,875 )
Amortized cost     967,223,745       18,018,510       985,242,255  
Gross unrealized gains     1,737,300       5,323,448       7,060,748  
Carrying value/estimated fair values   $ 968,961,045     $ 23,341,958     $ 992,303,003  

 

For financial statement reporting purposes, GAAP requires us to account for certain of our Non-Agency RMBS and the associated repurchase agreement financing as Linked Transactions. Accordingly, the measures in the foregoing tables and charts prepared on a GAAP basis do not include Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions. However, in managing and evaluating the composition and performance of our RMBS portfolio, we do not view the purchase of our Non-Agency RMBS and the associated repurchase agreement financing as transactions that are linked. We therefore have also presented certain information that includes the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions. This information constitutes non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G, as promulgated by the SEC. We believe that this non-GAAP information enhances the ability of investors to analyze our RMBS portfolio and the performance of our Non-Agency RMBS in the same way that we assess our RMBS portfolio and such assets. While we believe the non-GAAP information included in this report provides supplemental information to assist investors in analyzing that portion of our portfolio composed of Non-Agency RMBS, these measures are not in accordance with GAAP, and they should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, our financial information calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our GAAP financial results and the reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.

 

Variances between GAAP and Tax Income.     Due to the potential timing differences in the recognition of GAAP net income compared to REIT taxable income on our investments, our net income and the unamortized amount of purchase discounts and premiums calculated in accordance with GAAP may differ significantly from such amounts calculated for purposes of determining our REIT taxable income. In accordance with GAAP, a portion of the purchase discounts on our Non-Agency RMBS are allocated to a Credit Reserve and, as such, are not expected to be accreted into interest income. In addition, under GAAP, certain Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions are not reported as RMBS; however, for purposes of determining our REIT taxable income, all Non-Agency RMBS, including those underlying Linked Transactions, are treated as being owned and the purchase discounts associated with these securities are accreted into taxable income over the life of the applicable security. Our total Non-Agency RMBS portfolio for tax purposes differs from our portfolio reported for GAAP. These differences are primarily due to the fact that for tax purposes Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions are included in our tax portfolio. In addition, for bonds common to both tax and GAAP-reported portfolios, potential timing differences arise with respect to the accretion of market discount into income for tax purposes as compared to GAAP.

 

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Financing and other liabilities.     We have entered into repurchase agreements to finance the majority of our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS. These agreements are secured by our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and bear interest at rates that have historically moved in close relationship to the London Interbank Offer Rate, or LIBOR. As of March 31, 2013, we had entered into repurchase agreements totaling $920.4 million, on a GAAP basis, and $934.6 million, on a non-GAAP basis, of which $14.2 million are repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions. As addressed under “Investment Activities” above, we are expanding the range of counterparties we will utilize for our master repurchase agreements to include certain institutions our management team identifies as credit-worthy but which may not have an investment grade rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

 

The following table summarizes the average balance, the end of period balance and the maximum balance at month-end of our repurchase agreements for the period from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013 on both a GAAP basis (which excludes repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) and non-GAAP basis (which includes repurchase agreement financing associated with Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions):

 

    Repurchase Agreements  
GAAP   Period
Average
Balance
    End of Period
Balance
    Maximum Balance
at Month-End
During the Period
 
Period from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013   $ 99,999,656     $ 920,408,000     $ 920,408,000  

 

    Repurchase Agreements  
Non-GAAP (Includes repurchase 
agreements underlying Linked Transactions)
  Period
Average
Balance
    End of Period
Balance
    Maximum Balance
at Month-End
During the Period
 
Period from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013   $ 114,145,556     $ 934,555,000     $ 934,555,000  

 

Hedging instruments.     Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we generally hedge as much of our interest rate risk as we deem prudent in light of market conditions. No assurance can be given that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. Our investment policies do not contain specific requirements as to the percentages or amount of interest rate risk that we are required to hedge.

 

 Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:

 

· available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;

 

· the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;

 

· the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay;

 

· the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and

 

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· the value of derivatives used for hedging may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with accounting rules to reflect changes in fair value. Downward adjustments or mark-to-market losses would reduce our stockholders' equity.

 

As of March 31, 2013, we had entered into six interest rate swap agreements designed to mitigate the effects of increases in interest rates under a portion of our repurchase agreements. These swap agreements generally provide for us to pay fixed interest rates and to receive floating payments indexed off of one-month and three-month LIBOR, effectively fixing the floating interest rates on $485 million of borrowings under our repurchase agreements. We had also entered into one interest rate swaption agreement designed to mitigate the effects of sudden large increases in interest rates. We intend to continue to add interest rate hedge positions according to our hedging strategy. There is no limit to the percentage of assets that we may invest in swap agreements. The mark-to-market value of an interest rate swap agreement under any reasonable interest rate scenario is likely to be a fraction of the notional amount of the asset or liability being hedged.

 

The following table summarizes our hedging activity as of March 31, 2013:

 

Current Maturity Date for Interest
Rate Swaps
  Notional
Amount
    Fair Value     Fixed
Rate Pay 
    Receive
Rate
    Maturity Years  
3 years or less     15,000,000       (25,662 )     0.51 %     0.30 %     2.3  
Greater than 3 years and less than 5 years     220,000,000       (347,485 )     0.95 %     0.28 %     4.8  
Greater than 5 years and less than 7 years     250,000,000       (438,163 )     1.28 %     0.28 %     6.2  
Total     485,000,000       (811,310 )     1.10 %     0.28 %     5.5  

 

    Option     Underlying Swap  
Current Option
Expiration Date for
Interest Rate
 Swaptions
  Cost     Fair
Value
    Weighted
Average
Years to
Expiration
    Notional
Amount
    Pay Rate     Weighted
Average Term
(Years)
 
3 months or less     10,667       2,599       0.2       5,000,000.00       2.75 %     10.0  

 

Book Value Per Share

 

As of March 31, 2013, our book value per common share was $15.77 on a basic and fully diluted basis.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. These accounting principles may require us to make some complex and subjective decisions and assessments. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions, assessments and estimates that could affect our reported assets and liabilities, as well as our reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All of our estimates upon which our financial statements are based are based upon information available to us at the time of making the estimate. For a discussion of our critical accounting policies, see “Notes to Financial Statements” beginning on page 8 of this report.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The table below presents certain information from our Statement of Operations for the period January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013:

 

    Period from
January 1,
2013 to March
31, 2013
 
Revenues:        
Interest income   $ 3,230,942  
Interest expense     (2,330,628 )
Net interest income     900,314  
Other income:        
Realized loss on sale of investments, net     (105,244 )
Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions     1,753,842  
Realized loss on swaption agreements     (71,293 )
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements     (521,019 )
Total other income     1,056,286  
Expenses:        
Management fee     115,140  
General and administrative expenses     122,436  
Operating expenses reimbursable to our Manager     180,864  
Other operating expenses     7,250  
Compensation Expense     2,796  
Total expenses     428,486  
Net income   $ 1,528,114  
Dividends to preferred stockholders     (2,326 )
Net income attributable to common stockholders   $ 1,525,788  
Earnings per share        
Net income attributable to common stockholders (basic and diluted)   $ 1,525,788  
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding     2,293,250  
Basic and diluted income per share   $ 0.67  
Dividends declared per share of common stock   $ 0.19  
Dividends declared per share of restricted stock   $ 0.00  

 

Net Income Summary

        

For the period ended March 31, 2013, our net income was $1,525,788 or $0.67, basic - net income per average share available to common stockholders and $0.66 diluted net income per average share available to common stockholders

 

Interest Income and Interest Expense

 

An important source of income is net interest income. Our interest income (including purchased accrued interest) was $3,230,942 for the period ended March 31, 2013. Our interest expense for the period ended March 31, 2013 (including derivative payments made and purchased accrued interest) was $2,330,628.

 

Net Interest Income

 

Our net interest income, which equals interest income less interest expense, totaled $900,314 for the period ended March 31, 2013.

 

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Other Income

 

For the period ended March 31, 2013, we had other income of $1,056,286, which primarily reflects the impact of net gains of $1,753,842 on our Linked Transactions. The gains on our Linked Transactions for the period ended March 31, 2013 included interest income of $451,853 on the underlying Non-Agency RMBS, interest expense of $71,302 on the borrowings under repurchase agreements and an increase of $1,373,291 in the fair value of the underlying Non-Agency RMBS. Other income also included an unrealized loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements of $521,019; a realized loss on swap and swaption agreements of $71,293; and a realized loss on sale of investments, net of $105,244.

 

Expenses

 

We incurred management fees of $115,140 for the period ended March 31, 2013 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. For the period ended March 31, 2013, we incurred other operating expense of $313,346, of which $180,864 was payable to our Manager and $132,482 was payable directly by us.

 

Our general and administrative expenses of $122,436 for the period ended March 31, 2013 represent the cost of legal, accounting, auditing and consulting services provided to us by third-party service providers.

 

Net Income and Return on Equity

 

Our net income was $1,525,788 for the period ended March 31, 2013 representing an annualized return of 20.12% on average stockholders' equity of $30,760,422.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to pay dividends, fund investments, repay borrowings and other general business needs. Our primary sources of funds for liquidity consist of the net proceeds from the May 2012 private placement of shares of our common stock to XL Investments and employees of our Manager, our IPO and the concurrent private placement, or our Equity Sales, net cash provided by operating activities, cash from repurchase agreements and other financing arrangements and future issuances of common equity, preferred equity, convertible securities, trust preferred and/or debt securities. We currently finance Agency and Non-Agency RMBS primarily through the use of repurchase agreements.

 

As of March 31, 2013, our source of funds, apart from our Equity Sales consisted of net proceeds from repurchase agreements totaling $920.4 million, on a GAAP basis, and $934.6 million, on a non-GAAP basis, including $14.2 million from repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions, with a weighted-average borrowing rate of 0.43%, on a GAAP basis, and 0.46%, on a non-GAAP basis, which we used to finance the acquisition of Agency and Non-Agency RMBS, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions. We generally target a debt-to-equity ratio with respect to our Agency RMBS of six to nine times, between one and two times when acquiring Legacy Non-Agency RMBS and between one to three times when acquiring New Issue Non-Agency RMBS. As of March 31, 2013, we had an overall debt-to-equity ratio of 7.9:1 (calculated using balances determined under GAAP), or 8.0:1 when including repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions (calculated on a non-GAAP basis). The repurchase obligations mature and reinvest every 30 to 90 days. See "—Contractual Obligations and Commitments" below. We expect to continue to borrow funds in the form of repurchase agreements. As of March 31, 2013, we had established fifteen repurchase borrowing arrangements with various investment banking firms and other lenders, and as of March 31, 2013, we had outstanding borrowings with thirteen of these lenders totaling $920.4 million, on a GAAP basis, and $934.6 million, on a non-GAAP basis, including $14.2 million from repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions.

 

Under repurchase agreements, we may be required to pledge additional assets to our repurchase agreement counterparties (lenders) in the event that the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral, which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Generally, repurchase agreements contain a financing rate, term and trigger levels for margin calls and haircuts depending on the types of collateral and the counterparties involved. If the estimated fair value of the investment securities increases due to changes in market interest rates or market factors, lenders may release collateral back to us. Specifically, margin calls may result from a decline in the value of the investments securing our repurchase agreements, prepayments on the residential mortgages securing our RMBS investments and from changes in the estimated fair value of such investments generally due to principal reduction of such investments from scheduled amortization and resulting from changes in market interest rates and other market factors. Counterparties also may choose to increase haircuts based on credit evaluations of us and/or the performance of the bonds in question. Across all of our repurchase facilities, the haircuts range from a low of 3% to a high of 50%, and the weighted average haircut was approximately 5% as of March 31, 2013. Declines in the value of our securities portfolio can trigger margin calls by our lenders under our repurchase agreements. Should prepayment speeds on the residential mortgages underlying our RMBS investments or market interest rates increase, margin calls on our repurchase agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.

 

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As of March 31, 2013, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $44.1 million and unpledged securities of $3.0 million available to meet margin calls on our repurchase agreements (including those repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions) and derivative instruments. Accordingly, based on our leverage level and liquidity position as of March 31, 2013, if the decline in market value of our securities collateralizing our repurchase facilities, or the combination of declining market value of our pledged securities and increasing haircuts, were to exceed the amount of our available liquidity, then we would have to sell assets and may not realize sufficient proceeds to repay the amounts we owe to our lenders. However, as our liquidity decreased, we would attempt to de-leverage in an effort to avoid such a situation. In the period ended March 31, 2013, we did experience certain margin calls, generally the result of principal paydowns on our RMBS investments, and all such margin calls were promptly met. However, future declines in the market value of our securities may be possible.

 

Upon repayment of each borrowing under a repurchase agreement, we may use the collateral immediately for borrowing under a new repurchase agreement. We have not at the present time entered into any other commitment agreements under which the lender would be required to enter into new repurchase agreements during a specified period of time.

 

We intend to maintain a level of liquidity in relation to our assets that enables us to meet reasonably anticipated margin calls but that also allows us to be substantially invested in Agency and Non-Agency RMBS. We may misjudge the appropriate amount of our liquidity by maintaining excessive liquidity, which would lower our investment returns, or by maintaining insufficient liquidity, which would force us to liquidate assets into unfavorable market conditions and harm our operating results.

 

Forward-Looking Statements Regarding Liquidity

 

Based upon our current portfolio, leverage rate and available borrowing arrangements, we believe that the net proceeds of our Equity Sales combined with cash flow from operations and available borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term (one year or less) liquidity requirements to fund our investment activities, pay fees under our management agreement, fund our distributions to stockholders and for other general corporate expenses.

 

Our ability to meet our long-term (greater than one year) liquidity and capital resource requirements will be subject to obtaining additional debt financing and equity capital. We may increase our capital resources by obtaining long-term credit facilities or making additional public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, possibly including classes of preferred stock, common stock and senior or subordinated notes. Such financing will depend on market conditions for capital raises and for the investment of any proceeds. If we are unable to renew, replace or expand our sources of financing on substantially similar terms, it may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain). These distribution requirements limit our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital for operations.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

We entered into a contractual arrangement with our Manager when we commenced operations on May 16, 2012. Our Manager is entitled to receive a management fee and the reimbursement of certain expenses. Because our management agreement provides that our Manager is responsible for managing our affairs, our executive officers, who are employees of our Manager and not our employees, will not receive cash compensation from us for serving as our executive officers. We have no employees.

 

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The Five Oaks Investment Corp. Manager Equity Plan, or the Manager Equity Plan, includes provisions for grants of restricted common stock and other equity based awards to our Manager and to our independent directors, consultants or officers whom we may directly employ in the future. In turn, our Manager will grant such awards to its employees, officers (including our current officers), members, directors or consultants. Grants to our Manager will be allocated firstly to non-member employees and officers of our Manager, and then the balance of the grants to members (including our officers) proportionally based on each member's respective ownership of our Manager. The grants to be made to our Manager and then by our Manager pursuant to such are intended to provide customary incentive compensation to those persons employed by our Manager on whose performance we rely (including our officers). The total number of shares that may be granted subject to awards under the Manager Equity Plan will be equal to an aggregate of 3.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of each award (other than any shares issued or subject to awards made pursuant to the Manager Equity Plan). Our board of directors granted concurrently with the closing of our IPO to our Manager and to each of our independent directors 28,500 and 1,500 shares of our restricted stock, respectively.

 

We had the following contractual borrowing under repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2013 (dollar amounts in thousands) on both a GAAP basis (which excludes repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) and non-GAAP basis (which includes repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions):

 

GAAP

 

    Payments Due by Period  
$ in thousands   Total     Less Than
1 Year
    1 - 3
Years
    3 - 5
Years
    More Than
5 Years
 
Repurchase agreements   $ 920,408     $ 920,408                    
Total contractual obligations   $ 920,408     $ 920,408                    

 

Non-GAAP

    Payments Due by Period  
$ in thousands   Total     Less Than
1 Year *
    1 - 3
Years
    3 - 5
Years
    More Than
5 Years
 
Repurchase agreements   $ 934,555     $ 934,555                    
Total contractual obligations   $ 934,555     $ 934,555                    

 

 

 *Includes $14,147 of repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions.

 

In addition, we enter into certain contracts that contain a variety of indemnification obligations, principally with our Manager, brokers and counterparties to repurchase agreements. The maximum potential future payment amount we could be required to pay under these indemnification obligations is unlimited. We have not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification obligations. As a result, the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we recorded no liabilities for these agreements as of March 31, 2013.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Our Linked Transactions are comprised of Non-Agency RMBS, associated repurchase agreement financing and interest receivable/payable on such accounts. To the extent these transactions become unlinked in the future, the underlying Non-Agency RMBS, the associated repurchase agreement financing and the associated interest income and expense will be presented on a gross basis on our balance sheet and statement of operations, prospectively.

 

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As of March 31, 2013, we did not maintain any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, or special purpose or variable interest entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, as of March 31, 2013, we had not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.

 

Distributions

 

We intend to continue to make regular monthly distributions to holders of our common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its "REIT taxable income." We generally intend to make regular monthly distributions to our stockholders in an amount equal to all or substantially all of our taxable income. Before we make any distribution, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and debt service on our repurchase agreements and other debt payable. If cash available for distribution to our stockholders is less than our taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions, or we may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.

 

We intend to announce in advance monthly dividends to be paid during each calendar quarter. If substantially all of our taxable income has not been paid by the close of any calendar year, we intend to declare a special dividend prior to the end of such calendar year, to achieve this result. On April 12, 2013, we announced that our board of directors declared monthly cash dividend rates for the second quarter of 2013 of $0.13 per share of common stock for the month of April and $0.16 per share of common stock for the months of May and June.

 

Inflation

 

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities will be 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 financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our distributions will be determined by our board of directors consistent with our obligation to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) on an annual basis in order to maintain our REIT qualification; in each case, 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

  

We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds and market value while providing an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns through ownership of our common stock. Although we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe that risk can be quantified from historical experience and we seek to manage our risk levels in order to earn sufficient compensation to justify the risks we undertake and to maintain capital levels consistent with taking such risks.

 

To reduce the risks to our portfolio, we employ portfolio-wide and security-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations. Our Manager's risk management tools include software and services licensed or purchased from third parties, in addition to proprietary software and analytical methods developed by our Manager. There can be no guarantee that these tools will protect us from market risks.

 

While changes in the fair value of our Agency RMBS are generally not credit-related, changes in the fair value of our Non-Agency RMBS, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions, may reflect both market and interest rate conditions as well as credit risk. In evaluating our asset/liability management and Non-Agency RMBS credit performance, our Manager considers the credit characteristics underlying our Non-Agency RMBS, including Non-Agency RMBS that are a component of our Linked Transactions. The following table presents certain information about our Agency RMBS portfolio and Non-Agency RMBS portfolio (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions) as of March 31, 2013 on a combined non-GAAP basis. Information presented with respect to weighted average loan to value, weighted average FICO scores and other information is aggregated based on information reported at the time of mortgage origination and therefore does not reflect changes to home values or borrower characteristics since the mortgage origination.

 

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    March 31, 2013  
    Non-Agency
RMBS(1)
    Agency RMBS  
Portfolio Characteristics:                
Number of securities     9       23  
Carrying value/ estimated fair value   $ 34,984,276     $ 957,318,727  
Amortized cost   $ 27,744,012     $ 957,506,529  
Current par value   $ 54,481,342     $ 902,781,206  
Ratio of carrying value to current par value     64.2 %     106.0 %
Ratio of amortized cost to current par value     50.9 %     106.1 %
Net weighted average coupon     0.70 %     3.50 %
One month CPR(1)     8.0 %     1.5 %

 

    March 31, 2013(1)  
Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics:        
Collateral Attributes:        
Weighted average loan age (months)     82  
Weighted average original loan-to-value     81.2 %
Weighted average original FICO(2)     691  
Weighted average loan size     274  
Current Performance:        
60+ day delinquencies     30.8 %
Average credit enhancement(3)     2.5 %

 

    March 31, 2013(1)  
    Fair Value     % of Non-Agency
RMBS
 
Coupon Type:                
Fixed rate   $       0.0 %
Hybrid or floating   $ 34,984,276       100.0 %
Collateral Type:                
Prime   $       0.0 %
Alt-A   $ 21,473,106       61.4 %
Subprime   $ 13,511,170       38.6 %
New Issue   $       0.0 %
Loan Origination Year:                
2007   $ 9,699,203       27.7 %
2006   $ 13,442,781       38.4 %
Pre-2006   $ 11,842,292       33.9 %

 

 

(1) Includes Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions at March 31, 2013 on a combined, non-GAAP basis.

 

The following table presents the rating of our Non-Agency RMBS at March 31, 2013, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, on a combined non-GAAP basis. The rating indicates the opinion of the rating agency as to the creditworthiness of the investment, indicating the obligor's ability to meet its full financial commitment on the obligation. A rating of "NR" is assigned when major rating agencies do not provide any rating for such security.

 

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    Fair Value     % of Non-
Agency
RMBS
 
Current Rating(4)                
CCC   $ 5,767,752       16.5 %
C   $ 7,743,418       22.1 %
D   $ 6,374,196       18.2 %
Not Rated   $ 15,098,910       43.2 %

  

The mortgages securing our Non-Agency RMBS are collateralized by properties located within many geographic regions across the United States. The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations of the mortgages collateralizing our Non-Agency RMBS, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, at March 31, 2013 on a combined, non-GAAP basis:

 

    Fair Value     % of Non-
Agency
RMBS
 
Property Location                
California     $ 12,920,232       36.9 %
Florida     $ 3,614,899       10.3 %
New York     $ 2,012,196       5.8 %
New Jersey     $ 1,005,670       2.9 %
Maryland     $ 375,113       1.1 %

 

 

 

(1) One-month CPR is reflective of the prepayment speed on the underlying securitization; however, CPR is not necessarily indicative of the proceeds received on our investments. Proceeds received on our RMBS depend on the location of our RMBS within the payment structure of each underlying security.

 

(2) FICO represents a mortgage industry accepted credit score of a borrower, which was developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.

 

(3) Average credit enhancement remaining on our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, which is the average amount of protection available to absorb future credit losses due to defaults on the underlying collateral.

 

(4) Reported based on the lowest rating issued by a rating agency, if more than one rating is issued on the security, at the date presented.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and related financing obligations. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we engage in a variety of interest rate management techniques that seek to mitigate the influence of interest rate changes on the values of our assets.

 

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we utilize derivative financial instruments, currently limited to interest rate swaps and a swaption as of March 31, 2013, to hedge the interest rate risk associated with our portfolio. We seek to hedge interest rate risk with respect to both the fixed income nature of our assets and the financing of our portfolio. In hedging interest rates with respect to our fixed income assets, we seek to reduce the risk of losses on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets. In utilizing interest rate hedges with respect to our financing, we seek to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to obtain a favorable spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing. We rely on our Manager's expertise to manage these risks on our behalf.

 

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Interest rate effect on net interest income

 

Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing and hedging activities. The costs associated with our borrowings are generally based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase while the yields earned on our existing portfolio of leveraged fixed-rate RMBS will remain static. Moreover, interest rates may rise at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS. Both of these factors could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target assets. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.

 

Our hedging techniques are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our target assets. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the investment will be longer or shorter, which would reduce the effectiveness of any hedging strategies we may use and may cause losses on such transactions. Hedging strategies involving the use of derivative securities are highly complex and may produce volatile returns.

 

We acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS. These are assets in which some of the underlying mortgages are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which may limit the amount by which the security's interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements are not subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation, while the interest-rate yields on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS could effectively be limited by caps. This issue will be magnified to the extent we acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS that are not based on mortgages that are fully indexed. In addition, adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. If this happens, we could receive less cash income on such assets than we would need to pay for interest costs on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

 

Interest rate mismatch risk

 

We fund the majority of our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS assets with borrowings that are based on LIBOR, while the interest rates on these assets may be indexed to other index rates, such as the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury index, the Monthly Treasury Average index or the 11th District Cost of Funds Index. Accordingly, any increase in LIBOR relative to these indices may result in an increase in our borrowing costs that is not matched by a corresponding increase in the interest earnings on these assets. Any such interest rate index mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our stockholders. To mitigate interest rate mismatches, we utilize the hedging strategies discussed above.

 

Our analysis of risks is based on our Manager's experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models that utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by our Manager may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models.

 

We use a variety of recognized industry models, as well as proprietary models, to perform sensitivity analyses, which are derived from primary assumptions for prepayment rates, discount rates and credit losses. The primary assumption used in this model is implied market volatility of interest rates. The information presented in the following interest sensitivity table projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our financial results and financial condition over the next 12 months, based on our interest sensitive financial instruments at March 31, 2013, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions. Such RMBS may not be linked in future periods.

 

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All changes in value are measured as the change from the March 31, 2013 financial position. All projected changes in annualized net interest income are measured as the change from the projected annualized net interest income based off current performance returns.

 

Change in Interest
rates
    Percentage Change in
Projected Net Interest
Income(1)
    Percentage Change in
Projected Portfolio
Value(2)
 
  +1.00 %     -21.80 %     -3.95 %
  +0.50 %     -10.90 %     -1.93 %
  -0.50 %     12.72 %     1.62 %
  -1.00 %     12.75 %     2.38 %

 

 

   

(1) Includes underlying interest income and interest expense associated with RMBS and repurchase agreement borrowings underlying our Linked Transactions. Such RMBS and repurchase agreements may not be linked in future periods.

 

(2) Agency RMBS only.

 

The interest rate sensitivity table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, which includes the value of swaps and our other derivatives, should interest rates immediately change. The interest rate sensitivity table presents the estimated impact of interest rates instantaneously rising 50 and 100 basis points and falling 50 and 100 basis points. The cash flows associated with our portfolio of RMBS for each rate change are calculated based on assumptions, including prepayment speeds, yield on future acquisitions, slope of the yield curve and size of the portfolio. Assumptions made on the interest rate sensitive liabilities, which are assumed to relate to repurchase agreements, including anticipated interest rates, collateral requirements as a percent of the repurchase agreement, amount and term of borrowing.

 

The AFS securities, at fair value, included in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table under "Percentage Change in Projected Portfolio Value" were limited to Agency RMBS. Due to the significantly discounted prices and underlying credit risks of our Non-Agency RMBS, including those underlying Linked Transactions, we believe our Non-Agency RMBS's valuation is inherently de-sensitized to changes in interest rates. As such, we cannot project the impact to these financial instruments and have excluded these RMBS from the interest rate sensitivity analysis. However, these Non-Agency RMBS have been included in the "Percentage Change in Projected Net Interest Income" analysis.

 

Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at March 31, 2013. The analysis utilizes assumptions and estimates based on the judgment and experience of our Manager's team. Furthermore, while we generally expect to retain such assets and the associated interest rate risk to maturity, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile.

 

The change in annualized net interest income does not include any benefit or detriment from faster or slower prepayment rates on our Agency premium RMBS and Non-Agency discount RMBS. We anticipate that faster prepayment speeds in lower interest rate scenarios will generate lower realized yields on Agency premium RMBS and higher realized yields on Non-Agency discount RMBS. Similarly, we anticipate that slower prepayment speeds in higher interest rate scenarios will generate higher realized yields on Agency premium RMBS and lower realized yields on Non-Agency discount RMBS. Although we have sought to construct our portfolio to limit the effect of changes in prepayment speeds, there can be no assurance this will actually occur, and the realized yield of our portfolio may be significantly different than we anticipate in changing interest rate scenarios.

 

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 Given the low interest rates at March 31, 2013, we applied a floor of 0% for all anticipated interest rates included in our assumptions. Because of this floor, we anticipate that any hypothetical interest rate shock decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs; however, because prepayments speeds are unaffected by this floor, we expect that any increase in our prepayment speeds (occurring as a result of any interest rate decrease or otherwise) could result in an acceleration of our premium amortization on Agency RMBS and accretion of discount on our Non-Agency RMBS purchased at a discount. As a result, because this floor limits the positive impact of any interest rate decrease on our funding costs, hypothetical interest rate decreases could cause the fair value of our financial instruments and our net interest income to decline.

 

The information set forth in the interest rate sensitivity table and all related disclosures constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table.

 

Prepayment risk

 

Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at a different rate than anticipated. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, premiums paid on such assets will be amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets.

 

Normally, we believe that we will be able to reinvest proceeds from scheduled principal payments and prepayments at acceptable yields; however, no assurances can be given that, should significant prepayments occur, market conditions would be such that acceptable investments could be identified and the proceeds timely reinvested.

 

Extension risk

 

We compute the projected weighted-average life of our investments based upon assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgages. In general, when a fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate security is acquired with borrowings, we may, but are not required to, enter into an interest rate swap agreement or other hedging instrument that effectively fixes our borrowing costs for a period close to the anticipated average life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. This strategy is designed to protect us from rising interest rates, because the borrowing costs are fixed for the duration of the fixed-rate portion of the related target asset.

 

However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, then the life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets could extend beyond the term of the swap agreement or other hedging instrument. This could have a negative impact on our results from operations, as borrowing costs would no longer be fixed after the end of the hedging instrument, while the income earned on the fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate assets would remain fixed. This situation could also cause the market value of our fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate assets to decline, with little or no offsetting gain from the related hedging transactions. In extreme situations, we could be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

 

Market risk

 

Market value risk.     Our AFS securities are reflected at their estimated fair value, with the difference between amortized cost and estimated fair value reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates, market valuation of credit risks and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our assets may be adversely impacted.

 

The sensitivity analysis table presented in "—Interest rate mismatch risk" sets forth the estimated impact of an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve, up and down 50 and 100 basis points, on the market value of our interest rate-sensitive investments and net interest income, at March 31, 2013, assuming a static portfolio. When evaluating the impact of changes in interest rates, prepayment assumptions and principal reinvestment rates are adjusted based on our Manager's expectations. The analysis presented utilized assumptions, models and estimates of our Manager based on the judgment and experience of our Manager's team.

 

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Real estate risk.     RMBS and residential property values are subject to volatility and may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including national, regional and local economic conditions; local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. Decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral for mortgage loans and the potential proceeds available to borrowers to repay the loans, which could cause us to suffer losses on our Non-Agency RMBS investments.

 

Liquidity risk

 

Our liquidity risk is principally associated with our financing of long-maturity assets with short-term borrowings in the form of repurchase agreements. Although the interest rate adjustments of these assets and liabilities fall within the guidelines established by our operating policies, maturities are not required to be nor are they, matched.

 

Should the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, margin calls relating to our repurchase agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Additionally, if one or more of our repurchase agreement counterparties chose not to provide on-going funding, our ability to finance would decline or exist at possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreements. See "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management.

 

Credit risk

 

We believe that our investment strategy will generally keep our risk of credit losses low to moderate. However, we retain the risk of potential credit losses on all of the loans underlying our Non-Agency RMBS. With respect to our Non-Agency RMBS that are senior in the credit structure, credit support contained in RMBS deal structures provides a level of protection from losses. We seek to manage the remaining credit risk through our pre-acquisition due diligence process and by factoring assumed credit losses into the purchase prices we pay for Non-Agency RMBS. In addition, with respect to any particular target asset, our Manager's investment team evaluates relative valuation, supply and demand trends, shape of yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. In particular, the evaluation process involves modeling under various different scenarios the future cashflows expected to be generated by a specific security based on the current and projected delinquency and default status of the portfolio, and expected recoveries derived primarily from LTV metrics, relative to the purchase price of the RMBS. At purchase, our Manager estimates the proportion of the discount that we do not expect to recover and incorporates it into our Manager's expected yield and accretion calculations. As part of our Non-Agency RMBS surveillance process, our Manager tracks and compares each security's actual performance over time to the performance expected at the time of purchase or, if our Manager has modified its original purchase assumptions, to its revised performance expectations. To the extent that actual performance of our Non-Agency RMBS deviates materially from our Manager's expected performance parameters, our Manager may revise its performance expectations, such that the amount of purchase discount designated as credit discount may be increased or decreased over time. At times, we may enter into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments in an attempt to manage our credit risk. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could adversely affect our operating results.

 

Risk Management

 

To the extent consistent with maintaining our REIT qualification, we will seek to manage risk exposure to protect our investment portfolio against the effects of major interest rate changes. We may generally seek to manage this risk by:

 

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· relying on our Manager's investment selection process;

 

· monitoring and adjusting, if necessary, the reset index and interest rate related to Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and our financings;

 

· attempting to structure our financing agreements to have a range of different maturities, terms, amortizations and interest rate adjustment periods;

 

· using hedging instruments, primarily interest rate swap agreements but also financial futures, options, interest rate cap agreements, floors and forward sales to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and our borrowings; and

 

· actively managing, on an aggregate basis, the interest rate indices, interest rate adjustment periods and gross reset margins of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and the interest rate indices and adjustment periods of our financings.

 

In executing on our current risk management strategy, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements and a swaption.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We have evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2013. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, with the exception of the material weakness and significant deficiency identified below, which we are in the process of remediating, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Prior to the initial filing of the IPO Registration Statement, and in connection with the preparation of our earlier audited financial statements as of and for the period from May 16, 2012 (commencement of operations) to July 31, 2012, our independent registered public accountants identified a material weakness and two significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. A "material weakness" is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The identified material weakness required adjustments to our financial statements during the audit. A "significant deficiency" is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of financial reporting, including the audit committee of a company's board of directors.

 

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The material weakness was identified as the result of an error in our interpretation of the accounting guidance relating to the evaluation of specific criteria used to determine whether certain Non-Agency RMBS purchases and repurchase financing transactions are "linked transactions", accounted for on a net basis and recorded as a forward purchase (derivative) contract at fair value on our balance sheet.

 

The significant deficiencies related to inadequate review of the report of a service organization's system and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of controls (SSAE 16) and inadequate review of the timing of the booking of certain repurchase transactions.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

We and our independent registered public accountants concluded the identified material weakness and one of the significant deficiencies remained at December 31, 2012. As a result, at that time, we implemented measures designed to remediate the material weakness and the remaining significant deficiency and to improve our internal control over financial reporting. These measures included, among other things, supplementing the existing infrastructure for overseeing financial reporting with additional specialized accounting resources to be furnished by a third party service provider, a third party assessment of the design and operation of internal controls, specifically those relating to financial reporting, and further review of the service organization's systems and controls. In addition, we instituted additional procedures for validating and documenting whether Non-Agency RMBS purchases and repurchase financing transactions are linked. The actions that we are taking are subject to ongoing senior management review, as well as audit committee oversight. While we believe that the actions we are taking and will continue to take to address the existing weakness in internal control over financial reporting will mitigate the risk related to the aforementioned internal control material weakness, we cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting, as modified, will enable us to identify or avoid material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future. Any failure to so identify and avoid could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, harm our business and negatively impact the trading price of our common stock.

 

Other than as set forth above, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the period from January 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

  From time to time, we may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor, to our knowledge, our Manager are subject to any legal proceedings that we or our Manager considers to be material.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the final prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) on March 22, 2013 with the SEC in connection with our IPO.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

IPO and Concurrent Private Placement

 

On March 21, 2013, the SEC declared effective our IPO Registration Statement, pursuant to which we registered 4,033,333 shares of our common stock. On March 27, 2013, we consummated our IPO and sold 4,033,333 shares of our common stock to the public at a price of $15.00 per share for an aggregate offering price of $60.5 million. In connection with the IPO, $2,419,999.80 in underwriting discounts and commissions were paid by our Manager. We received net proceeds from our IPO of approximately $59.0 million, after deducting offering expenses payable by us of $1.5 million.

 

The IPO was underwritten by Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and UBS Securities LLC, acting as the representatives of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Aegis Capital Corp. and National Securities Corporation.

 

On March 27, 2013, concurrent with the consummation of our IPO, we completed a private placement in which we sold 1,666,667 shares of common stock, at the public offering price of $15.00 per share to XL Investments Ltd, pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act. The net proceeds from this private placement were $25.0 million. We did not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with this private placement.

 

We invested the net proceeds of the IPO and the private placement as described in Part I. Item 2 of this report under the caption “Investment Activities.”

 

Preferred Stock Private Placement

 

We completed a private placement on January 22, 2013, of 100 shares of our 12 1 /2% Cumulative Non-Voting Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, to 100 investors who were both "accredited investors" as defined by Rule 502 under the Securities Act and also were "qualified purchasers" as defined by Section 2(a)(51) of the Investment Company Act at $1,000 per share on an "all-or-none" best efforts basis. The preferred stock placement was made in connection with our REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code. The 100-holders requirement must be satisfied by us for 335 days during 2013. All of such shares of preferred stock were redeemed by us for 110% of the purchase price of the preferred stock on March 28, 2013, shortly after the completion of our IPO. The preferred stock placement was made pursuant to Rule 506 under, and Section 4(2) of, the Securities Act. REIT Funding LLC acted as facilitator for the preferred stock placement and its broker-dealer affiliate, H&L Equities, LLC, acted as placement agent.

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

50
 

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.  Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index of Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report. Such Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

51
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.
     
Dated: May 3, 2013 By /s/ David C. Carroll
    David C. Carroll
    Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chairman of the Board (Principal
Executive Officer)
     
     
Dated: May 3, 2013 By /s/ David Oston
    David Oston
    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Secretary and Director (Principal
Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
  Exhibit Description
3.1*   Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Five Oaks Investment Corp., dated as of March 26, 2013.
3.2*   Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Five Oaks Investment Corp., dated as of March 27, 2013.
4.1   Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Five Oaks Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Five Oaks Investment Corp.'s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-185570), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2013 ("Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1")).
10.1*   Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.2   Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2013, between Five Oaks Investment Corp. and XL Investments Ltd, regarding the appointment of a board observer by XL Investments Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1).
10.3   Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 20, 2013, to the Subscription Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2012, between XL Investments Ltd and Five Oaks Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Five Oaks Investment Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-185570), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2013 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 1”)).
10.4   Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 25, 2013, to the Subscription Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2012, between XL Investments Ltd and Five Oaks Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1).
10.5   Amended and Restated Letter Agreement dated as of March 25, 2013, between Five Oaks Investment Corp., Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC, XL Global, Inc., Messrs. Carroll, Chong, Comisso, Flynn and Oston, regarding Manager Equity Plan allocations (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1).
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

  

 

 

* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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EXHIBIT 3.1

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

FIRST : Five Oaks Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation (the "Corporation"), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect;

 

SECOND : The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter as amended and restated (such amended and restated charter, the "Charter"):

 

ARTICLE I

INCORPORATOR

 

Louis A. Petrocelli III, whose address is c/o Kaye Scholer LLP, 425 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, being at least 18 years of age, does hereby form a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland.

 

ARTICLE II

NAME

 

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is:

 

Five Oaks Investment Corp.

 

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

 

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of these Articles, “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

 

ARTICLE IV

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

 

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o National Registered Agents, Inc. of MD, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are National Registered Agents, Inc. of MD, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Number of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation initially shall be two, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws, but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”). The names of the directors who shall serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

 

David Carroll

David Oston

 

These directors may increase the number of directors and may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors occurring before the first annual meeting of stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-802(b) of the Maryland General Corporation Law, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred.

 

Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except for amendments to Article VII and except as specifically provided in Section 5.8 (relating to removal of directors) and in the last sentence of Article VIII, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) or the Bylaws.

 

2
 

 

Section 5.4 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

Section 5.5 Indemnification . The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

 

Section 5.6 Determinations by Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

3
 

 

Section 5.7 REIT Qualification . If the Corporation elects to qualify for U.S. federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the qualification of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification.

 

Section 5.8 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined) to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

 

Section 5.9 Advisor Agreements . Subject to such approval of stockholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).

 

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

 

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 500,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 450,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $5,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to Section 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 of this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

 

Section 6.2 Common Stock . Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of Common Stock, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of stock.

 

4
 

 

Section 6.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of stock.

 

Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other Charter document.

 

Section 6.5 Stockholders’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.

 

Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws . The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

 

Section 7.1 Definitions . For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock.

 

Beneficial Ownership . The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

5
 

 

Business Day . The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

Capital Stock . The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

 

Charitable Beneficiary . The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

Common Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation.

 

Constructive Ownership . The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

ERISA . The term “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

ERISA Investor . The term “ERISA Investor” shall mean any holder of shares that is (i) an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether or not it is subject to the provisions of Title I of ERISA, (ii) a plan as defined in Section 4975(e) of the Code (any such employee benefit plan or “plan” as described in clause (i) or this clause (ii) being referred to herein as “Plan”), or (iii) an entity whose underlying assets include assets of a Plan by reason of such Plan’s investment in such entity.

 

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by these Articles or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

 

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

 

Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the date on which these Articles of Incorporation are accepted for record by SDAT.

 

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Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

NYSE . The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

 

Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Corporation determines pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

 

Transfer . The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

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Trust . The term “Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.

 

Trustee . The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

 

Section 7.2 Capital Stock .

 

Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.5:

 

(a) Basic Restrictions .

 

(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

 

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant could cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

 

(iii) Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

 

(b) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii),

 

(i) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

 

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(ii) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

 

Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors of the Corporation or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), then, subject to Section 7.5, the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that, subject to Section 7.5, any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(a) every owner of five percent or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Capital Stock and other shares of the Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may reasonably request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit; and

 

(b) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may reasonably request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

 

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Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.7 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.2, Section 7.3, or any definition contained in Section 7.1, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.

 

Section 7.2.7 Exceptions .

 

(a) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

 

(i) the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no individual’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of such shares of Capital Stock will violate Section 7.2.1(a)(ii);

 

(ii) such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and

 

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(iii) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 7.2.1 through 7.2.6) will result in such shares of Capital Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Sections 7.2.1(b) and 7.3.

 

(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors of the Corporation may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

(c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

 

(d) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

 

Section 7.2.8 Increase in Aggregate Stock Ownership and Common Stock Ownership Limits . Subject to Section 7.2.1 (a)(ii), the Board of Directors may from time to time increase the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided, however, that the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in Common Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or whose percentage ownership in Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Person’s percentage of Common Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, but any further acquisition of Capital Stock in excess of such percentage ownership of Common Stock and/or Capital Stock will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, and, provided further, that the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

 

Section 7.2.9 Legend . Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, or the written statement of information in lieu of a certificate shall bear substantially the following legend:

 

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“The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and for certain other purposes under the Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of shares) of the total outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons; and (v) except under certain circumstances provided for in the Articles of Incorporation, no Person may Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock that would result in 25% or more of any class of shares of Capital Stock being Beneficially Owned by one or more ERISA Investors. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If the restrictions on transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii) or (iii) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restriction provided in (iv) above would be violated or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio . All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including a full statement or summary of the information required Section 2-211(b) of the Maryland General Corporation Law, will be furnished to each holder of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.”

 

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate or written statement of information in lieu of a certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

 

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Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

 

Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.

 

Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

 

Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

 

Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

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Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

 

Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary.

 

Section 7.4. Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Shares by Benefit Plans .

 

Section 7.4.1. Ownership Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Charter, if and to the extent that any class or series of shares of Capital Stock do not constitute “publicly offered securities” (as defined in Section 2510.3-101 of the Department of Labor regulations, or any successor regulation thereto), then ERISA Investors may not, on any date, hold, individually or in the aggregate, 25% or more of the value of such class or series of shares of Capital Stock, unless it is determined that the Corporation is an “operating company” as such term is defined in Section 2510.3-101 of the Department of Labor regulations, or any successor regulation thereto. For purposes of determining whether ERISA Investors hold, individually or in the aggregate, 25% or more of the value of such class or series of shares of Capital Stock, the value of shares of Capital Stock of such class held by any director or officer of the Corporation, or any other Person who has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the Corporation, as defined in Section 2510.3-101 of the Department of Labor regulations, or any successor regulation thereto, shall be disregarded.

 

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Section 7.4.2. Remedies for Violations by ERISA Investors . If the Board of Directors or its designee (including any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors) shall at any time determine in good faith that (a) a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.4.1 or will otherwise result in the underlying assets and property of the Corporation becoming assets of any ERISA Investor, or (b) that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire or hold shares of Capital Stock in a manner that will result in a violation of Section 7.4.1 or will otherwise result in the underlying assets and property of the Corporation becoming assets of any ERISA Investor, the Board of Directors or its designee shall take all actions reasonably necessary to prevent the consequences that might result to the Corporation from such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, refusing to give effect to or preventing such Transfer or event through redemption of such shares of Capital Stock or refusal to give effect to the Transfer or event on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event.

 

Section 7.4.3. Information on Benefit Plan Status . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire or hold shares of Capital Stock shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request from time to time in order to determine whether such acquisition or holding has resulted or will result a in violation of Section 7.4.1 or otherwise has resulted or will result in the underlying assets and property of the Corporation becoming assets of any ERISA Investor, including the name and address of any Person for whom a nominee holds shares of Capital Stock and whether the underlying assets of such Person include assets of any ERISA Investor.

 

Section 7.5 NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

 

Section 7.6 Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

 

Section 7.7 Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

 

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to its Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except as set forth below and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Any amendment to Section 5.8, Article VII or to this sentence of the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

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ARTICLE IX

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

 

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits, if a stockholder, an affiliate of a stockholder, a director or any officer of the Corporation (each, a “ Covered Person ”) (excluding any Covered Person who is an employee or officer of the Corporation or its subsidiaries) acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a business opportunity for both such Covered Person, on the one hand, and the Company, any of its subsidiaries, another stockholder or another stockholder’s affiliate, on the other hand, no such Covered Person shall have a duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Corporation, such subsidiary, such other stockholder or such other stockholder’s affiliate, and such Covered Person shall not be liable to the Company, such subsidiary, such other stockholder or such other stockholder’s affiliate in respect of any such matter (including for any breach of fiduciary or other duties) by reason of the fact that such Covered Person pursues or acquires (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) such business opportunity for itself or by reason of the fact that such Covered Person directs such opportunity to another person or does not communicate information regarding such opportunity to the Corporation, such subsidiary, such other stockholder or such other stockholder’s affiliate.

 

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

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The undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law;

 

FOURTH : The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter;

 

FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation's current resident agent is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter;

 

SIXTH : The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter; and

 

SEVENTH : The undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 26th day of March, 2013.

 

ATTEST:   Five Oaks Investment Corp.  
       
By:    /s/ David Oston By:    /s/ David C. Carroll (SEAL)
  David Oston, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
  David C. Carroll, Chief Executive
Officer and President
 

 

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EXHIBIT 3.2

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

(as of March 27, 2013)

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1.  PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

 

Section 2.  ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.  PLACE . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2.  ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time set by the Board of Directors .

 

Section 3.  SPECIAL MEETINGS .

 

(a) General . The chairman of the board, president, chief executive officer or Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Subject to subsection (b)  of this Section  3 , a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

 

(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings . (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “ Record Date Request Notice ”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “ Request Record Date ”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice ), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice , the Board of Directors shall fix a Request Record Date . The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors . If the Board of Directors , within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date , the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which the Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

 

 
 

 

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “ Special Meeting Request ”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “ Special Meeting Percentage ”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request , (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date . Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation or the Special Meeting Request ) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

 

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2)  of this Section  3(b) , the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

 

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “ Stockholder-Requested Meeting ”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors ; provided , however , that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “ Meeting Record Date ”); and provided, further , that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “ Delivery Date ”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting , then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m. local time on the 90 th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90 th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day ; and provided, further , that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date , then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may consider such factors as he, she or it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting , if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date , then the close of business on the 30 th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date . The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3)  of this Section  3(b) .

 

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(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date , entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

(6) The chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date , stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage . Nothing contained in this paragraph (6)  shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

 

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(7) For purposes of these Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (hereinafter, “Bylaws”), “ Business Day ” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday , Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or permitted by law to be closed.

 

Section 4.  NOTICE . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless a stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

 

Subject to Section  11(a) of this Article II , any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section  11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting.  Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

 

Section 5.  ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the board, if there is one, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, a person appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of the stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the reasonable discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a)  restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b)  limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c)  limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d)  limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e)  determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f)  maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g)  removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h)  concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i)  complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

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Section 6.  QUORUM . At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the “ Charter ”) for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

 

Section 7.  VOTING . A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter . Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter , each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

 

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Section 8.  PROXIES . A stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the holder of the shares of stock owned of record by the stockholder in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

 

Section 9.  VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, a general partner, trustee or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

 

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

 

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

 

Section 10.  INSPECTORS . The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. The inspectors, if any, shall (i)  determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii)  receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii)  report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv)  hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v)  do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

 

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Section 11.  ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS .

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders (1)  Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii)  by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section  11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section  11(a) .

 

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii)  of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section  11 , the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section  11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150 th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120 th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

 

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “ Proposed Nominee ”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder;

 

(ii) as to any business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

 

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(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person ,

 

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “ Company Securities ”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person , the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person ,

 

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person ,

 

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person , directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of (x)  Company Securities or (y) any security of any entity that was listed in the Peer Group in the Stock Performance Graph in the most recent annual report to security holders of the Corporation (a “ Peer Group Company ”) for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company ) disproportionately to such person ’s economic interest in the Company Securities (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company ), and

 

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person , in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

 

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii)  or (iii)  of this paragraph  (3) of this Section  11(a) and any Proposed Nominee ,

 

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

 

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person ; and

 

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(v) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

 

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee , be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange or over-the-counter market).

 

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a)  of this Section  11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section  11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(6) For purposes of this Section  11 , “ Stockholder Associated Person ” of any stockholder means (i) any person  acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any  person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person .

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section  3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section  11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section  11.  In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors , any such stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraph (a)(3) of this Section  11 , shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120 th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90 th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(c) General . (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section  11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section  11.  Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary of the Corporation or the Board of Directors , any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section  11 , and (B) a written update of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section  11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section  11.

 

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section  11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section  11.  The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section  11.

 

(3) Public announcement ” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service , Associated Press , Business Wire , PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (ii) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act .

 

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  11 , a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section  11.  Nothing in this Section  11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act . Nothing in this Section  11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act .

 

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Section 12.  TELEPHONE MEETINGS . The Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting may permit one or more stockholders to participate in meetings of the stockholders by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 13.  CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “ MGCL ”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

Section 14.  STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting (a)  if a consent of the holders of shares entitled to cast at least 75% of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter is given in writing or by electronic transmission or (b)  if the action is advised, and submitted to the stockholders for approval, by the Board of Directors and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of stockholders is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the MGCL .  The Corporation shall give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each stockholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.  GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors .

 

Section 2.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL , nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors , the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

 

Section 3.  ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors . The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

 

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Section 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

 

Section 5.  NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

 

Section 6.  QUORUM . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors , provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided, further, that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority of such group.

 

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

 

Section 7.  VOTING . The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors , unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors , unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

 

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Section 8.  ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Directors , the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 9.  TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 10.  CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors .

 

Section 11.  VACANCIES.  If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

 

Section 12.  COMPENSATION . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors , may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 13.  RELIANCE . Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person , as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person ’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

 

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Section 14.  RATIFICATION . The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting, or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

 

Section 15.  CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS . Subject to any other contractual obligations of the director to the contrary, a director who is not also an officer of the Corporation shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Corporation.  Subject to any other contractual restrictions, any director or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate , employee, or agent of any other person , or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.

 

Section 16 .  EMERGENCY PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section  16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “ Emergency ”). During any Emergency , unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors , (i)  a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii)  notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio, and (iii)  the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors .

 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee , an Audit Committee , a Compensation Committee , a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and one or more other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors .

 

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Section 2.  POWERS . The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors , except as prohibited by law.

 

Section 3.  MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors . A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the Committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member .

 

Section 4.  TELEPHONE MEETINGS Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 5.  C ONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

 

Section 6.  VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

Section 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a chief investment officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as they shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors , except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person . Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

 

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Section 2.  REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors , the chairman of the board, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

 

Section 3.  VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

 

Section 4.  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the chairman of the board shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors , and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

Section 5.  CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 6.  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 7.  CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief investment officer. The chief investment officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 8.  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Directors shall designate a chairman of the board. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors .

 

Section 9.  PRESIDENT . In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors , the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

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Section 10.  VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the president or by the Board of Directors . The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or as vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

 

Section 11.  SECRETARY . The secretary shall (a)  keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b)  see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c)  be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d)  keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e)  have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f)  in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or by the Board of Directors .

 

Section 12.  TREASURER . The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors . In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors , the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

 

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors , taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors , at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

Section 13.  ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the president or the Board of Directors .

 

Section 14.  COMPENSATION . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

Section 1.  CONTRACTS . The Board of Directors or any manager of the Corporation approved by the Board of Directors and acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement with the Corporation may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when executed by an authorized person and duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors or a manager acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement .

 

Section 2.  CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors .

 

Section 3.  DEPOSITS . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors , the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

 

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

 

Section 1.  CERTIFICATES . Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors , stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner permitted by the MGCL . In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL , the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

 

Section 2.  TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL , the Corporation shall provide to record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

 

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The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person , whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

 

Section 3.  REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however , if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

 

Section 4.  FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

 

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days or postponed to a date more than 90 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

 

Section 5.  STOCK LEDGER . The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

 

Section 6.  FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Directors may issue fractional stock or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

 

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

 

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 1.  AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors , subject to the provisions of law and the Charter . Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter .

 

Section 2.  CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

 

Subject to the provisions of the Charter , the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

 

Section 1.  SEAL . The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “ Incorporated Maryland .” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

 

Section 2.  AFFIXING SEAL Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “( SEAL )” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

 

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a)  any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b)  any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of its Board of Directors , provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a)  or (b)  above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, regulation, insurance, agreement or otherwise. 

 

Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Bylaws or the Charter inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.1

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

Name   Date of Indemnification Agreement
David C. Carroll   March 21, 2013
Kian Fui (Paul) Chong   March 21, 2013
Neil A. Cummins   March 27, 2013
William Houlihan   March 22, 2013
David Oston   March 21, 2013
Thomas M. Pearce, Jr.   March 27, 2013

 

 
 

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [ · ], 2012, between Five Oaks Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and [ · ] (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as a director or officer of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of his service; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to continue to serve as such director or officer of the Company, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Section 1.          Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)          “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) there occurs a proxy/contest, or the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.

 

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(b)          “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (1) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (2) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company, or (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Company or any of its affiliated entities, Indemnitee is subject to duties by, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereof.

 

(c)          “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(d)          “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

(e)          “Expenses” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium for, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedes bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.

 

(f)          “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

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(g)          “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.

 

Section 2.          Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

 

Section 3.          General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) as otherwise permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).

 

Section 4.          Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established by clear and convincing evidence that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 5.          Certain Limits on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder:

 

(a)          if the Proceeding was by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable to the Company;

 

(b)          if Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status;

 

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(c)          on account of any Proceeding in which it is determined by final judgment by a court having jurisdiction in the matter that (i) Indemnitee intentionally caused or intentionally contributed to the injury complained of or (ii) Indemnitee’s conduct was knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or deemed willful misconduct;

 

(d)          if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party, expressly provides otherwise;

 

(e)          which have been paid to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance maintained by the Company; or

 

(f)          on account of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to Indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Company were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

 

Section 6.          Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:

 

(a)          if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

 

(b)          if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

 

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Section 7.          Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7, and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

Section 8.          Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with (a) such Proceeding which is initiated by a third party who is not a stockholder of the Company or (b) such Proceeding which is initiated by a stockholder of the Company acting in his or her capacity as such and for which a court of competent jurisdiction specifically approves such advancement, and which relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company. Such advance or advances shall be made within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding, and may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication) (a) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advancement to Indemnitee of funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses or (c) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be established, by clear and convincing evidence, that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

 

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Section 9.          Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.

 

Section 10.        Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.  

 

(a)          To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b)          Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

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(c)          The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.

 

Section 11.        Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.  

 

(a)          In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

(b)          The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

(c)          The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

Section 12.        Remedies of Indemnitee.  

 

(a)          If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

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(b)          In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(c)          If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.

 

(d)          In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

 

(e)          Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the tenth day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60 th day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

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Section 13.        Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.  

 

(a)          Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with or receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, notice, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.

 

(b)          Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise of a claim against Indemnitee which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

 

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Section 14.        Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.  

 

(a)          The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

(b)          In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

Section 15.        Insurance.  

 

(a)          The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of his or her Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of his or her Corporate Status.

 

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(b)          Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence. The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

 

Section 16.        Coordination of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 17.        Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, with respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

Section 18.        Reports to Stockholders. To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.

 

Section 19.        Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.

 

(a)          This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

 

12
 

 

(b)          The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

(c)          The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

(d)          The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

Section 20.        Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

13
 

 

Section 21.        Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 22.        Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

Section 23.        Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

Section 24.        Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

(a)           If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

 

(b)           If to the Company, to:

 

Five Oaks Investment Corp.

641 Lexington Avenue

Suite 1432

New York, NY 10022

Attn: David Oston

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

Section 25.        Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

14
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  INDEMNITEE
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Address:

 

15
 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

 

To: The Board of Directors of Five Oaks Investment Corp.

 

Re: Affirmation and Undertaking

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement, dated [ · ], 201 · , by and between Five Oaks Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”). Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

 

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as a director or officer of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

 

In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys’ fees and related Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking as of the date written above.

 

   
  Name:

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

Certification in the Form Provided by Rule 15d-14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

I, David C. Carroll, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 of Five Oaks Investment Corp.

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) [Intentionally omitted];

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 
 

 

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 3, 2013 /s/ David C. Carroll
  David C. Carroll
  Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

Certification in the Form Provided by Rule 15d-14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

I, David Oston, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 of Five Oaks Investment Corp.

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) [Intentionally omitted];

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 
 

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 3, 2013 /s/ David Oston
  David Oston
  Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Five Oaks Investment Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David C. Carroll, as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: May 3, 2013 /s/ David C. Carroll
  David C. Carroll
  Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Five Oaks Investment Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David Oston, as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: May 3, 2013 /s/ David Oston
  David Oston
  Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary