Mortgage-Backed and Credit Risk Transfer Securities | Mortgage-Backed and Credit Risk Transfer Securities During the first half of 2020, we experienced unprecedented market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and sold a substantial portion of our MBS and GSE CRT portfolio to generate liquidity and reduce leverage. We resumed investing in Agency RMBS in July 2020. The following tables summarize our MBS and GSE CRT portfolio by asset type at December 31, 2020 and 2019. December 31, 2020 $ in thousands Principal/ Notional Unamortized Amortized Allowance for Credit Losses Unrealized Fair Period- (1) Agency RMBS: 30 year fixed-rate 7,635,107 391,644 8,026,751 — 24,115 8,050,866 1.86 % Total Agency RMBS pass-through 7,635,107 391,644 8,026,751 — 24,115 8,050,866 1.86 % Agency-CMO (2) 19,634 (19,634) — — — — — % Non-Agency CMBS 112,549 (5,791) 106,758 (1,768) 4,593 109,583 9.40 % Non-Agency RMBS (3)(4)(5) 790,627 (779,660) 10,967 — 766 11,733 7.83 % Total 8,557,917 (413,441) 8,144,476 (1,768) 29,474 8,172,182 1.97 % (1) Period-end weighted average yield is based on amortized cost as of December 31, 2020 and incorporates future prepayment and loss assumptions. (2) All Agency collateralized mortgage obligation (“Agency-CMO”) are interest-only securities (“Agency IO”). (3) Non-Agency RMBS is 31.8% variable rate, 67.3% fixed rate and 0.9% floating rate based on fair value. Coupon payments on variable rate investments are based upon changes in the underlying Hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage ("ARM") loan coupons, while coupon payments on floating rate investments are based upon a spread to a reference index. (4) Of the total discount in non-Agency RMBS, $2.1 million is non-accretable calculated using the principal/notional balance and based on estimated future cash flows of the securities. (5) Non-Agency RMBS includes interest-only securities ("non-Agency IO”) which represent 98.8% of principal/notional balance, 49.3% of amortized cost and 41.5% of fair value. December 31, 2019 $ in thousands Principal/ Notional Unamortized Amortized Unrealized Fair Value Period- end Weighted Average Yield (1) Agency RMBS: 15 year fixed-rate 280,426 1,666 282,092 10,322 292,414 3.34 % 30 year fixed-rate 9,911,339 308,427 10,219,766 304,454 10,524,220 3.62 % Hybrid ARM 55,024 602 55,626 1,267 56,893 3.46 % Total Agency RMBS pass-through 10,246,789 310,695 10,557,484 316,043 10,873,527 3.61 % Agency-CMO (2) 883,122 (467,840) 415,282 12,230 427,512 3.54 % Agency CMBS (3) 4,561,276 75,299 4,636,575 131,355 4,767,930 3.01 % Non-Agency CMBS (4) 4,464,525 (772,295) 3,692,230 131,244 3,823,474 5.16 % Non-Agency RMBS (5)(6)(7) 2,340,119 (1,487,603) 852,516 103,155 955,671 6.98 % GSE CRT (8) 858,244 19,945 878,189 45,483 923,672 2.78 % Total 23,354,075 (2,321,799) 21,032,276 739,510 21,771,786 3.85 % (1) Period-end weighted average yield is based on amortized cost as of December 31, 2019 and incorporates future prepayment and loss assumptions. (2) Agency-CMO includes Agency IO which represent 56.3% of principal/notional balance, 6.4% of amortized cost and 6.4% of fair value. (3) Includes Agency CMBS purchase commitments with a fair value of approximately $96.2 million. (4) Non-Agency CMBS includes interest-only securities which represent 13.1% of principal/notional balance, 0.3% of amortized cost and 0.3% of fair value. (5) Non-Agency RMBS is 37.0% variable rate, 57.7% fixed rate and 5.3% floating rate based on fair value. Coupon payments on variable rate investments are based upon changes in the underlying Hybrid ARM loan coupons, while coupon payments on floating rate investments are based upon a spread to a reference index. (6) Of the total discount in non-Agency RMBS, $120.2 million is non-accretable calculated using the principal/notional balance and based on estimated future cash flows of the securities. (7) Non-Agency RMBS includes non-Agency IO which represent 56.2% of principal/notional balance, 1.9% of amortized cost and 1.3% of fair value. (8) GSE CRT weighted average yield excludes coupon interest associated with embedded derivatives not accounted for under the fair value option that is recorded as realized and unrealized credit derivative income (loss), net. The following table presents the fair value of our available-for-sale securities and securities accounted for under the fair value option by asset type as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. We have elected the fair value option for all of our RMBS interest-only securities, our MBS purchased on or after September 1, 2016 and our GSE CRTs purchased on or after August 24, 2015. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximately 99% and 80%, respectively, of our MBS and GSE CRTs are accounted for under the fair value option. Our percentage of MBS and GSE CRTs accounted for under the fair value option increased as of December 31, 2020 due to a change in portfolio composition. During the first half of 2020, we sold MBS and GSE CRTs previously accounted for as available-for-sale securities to generate liquidity and reduce leverage given unprecedented market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We resumed investing in Agency RMBS in July 2020 and elected the fair value option for these securities. December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ in thousands Available-for-sale Securities Securities under Fair Value Option Total Available-for-sale Securities Securities under Fair Value Option Total Agency RMBS: 15 year fixed-rate — — — 98,666 193,748 292,414 30 year fixed-rate — 8,050,866 8,050,866 754,590 9,769,630 10,524,220 Hybrid ARM — — — 31,522 25,371 56,893 Total Agency RMBS pass-through — 8,050,866 8,050,866 884,778 9,988,749 10,873,527 Agency-CMO — — — 146,733 280,779 427,512 Agency CMBS — — — — 4,767,930 4,767,930 Non-Agency CMBS 109,583 — 109,583 2,150,991 1,672,483 3,823,474 Non-Agency RMBS 7,267 4,466 11,733 715,479 240,192 955,671 GSE CRT — — — 507,445 416,227 923,672 Total 116,850 8,055,332 8,172,182 4,405,426 17,366,360 21,771,786 The components of the carrying value of our MBS and GSE CRT portfolio at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented below. December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ in thousands MBS and GSE Interest-Only Securities Total MBS and GSE Interest-Only Securities Total Principal/notional balance 7,757,491 800,426 8,557,917 20,957,410 2,396,665 23,354,075 Unamortized premium 391,644 — 391,644 440,503 — 440,503 Unamortized discount (10,067) (795,018) (805,085) (419,983) (2,342,319) (2,762,302) Allowance for credit losses (1,768) — (1,768) — — — Gross unrealized gains (1) 34,539 103 34,642 807,324 4,782 812,106 Gross unrealized losses (1) (4,527) (641) (5,168) (66,064) (6,532) (72,596) Fair value 8,167,312 4,870 8,172,182 21,719,190 52,596 21,771,786 (1) Gross unrealized gains and losses includes gains (losses) recognized in net income for securities accounted for as derivatives or under the fair value option as well as gains (losses) for available-for-sale securities which are recognized as adjustments to other comprehensive income. Realization occurs upon sale or settlement of such securities. Further detail on the components of our total gains (losses) on investments, net for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is provided below within this Note 4. The following table summarizes our MBS and GSE CRT portfolio according to estimated weighted average life classifications as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. $ in thousands December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Less than one year 22,112 268,536 Greater than one year and less than five years 5,303,917 7,836,620 Greater than or equal to five years 2,846,153 13,666,630 Total 8,172,182 21,771,786 The following tables present the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of our MBS and GSE CRTs by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2020 and 2019. December 31, 2020 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total $ in thousands Fair Unrealized Number of Securities Fair Unrealized Number of Securities Fair Unrealized Number of Securities Agency RMBS: 30 year fixed-rate 1,496,279 (4,108) 20 — — — 1,496,279 (4,108) 20 Total Agency RMBS pass-through (1) 1,496,279 (4,108) 20 — — — 1,496,279 (4,108) 20 Non-Agency CMBS (2) 27,069 (419) 1 — — — 27,069 (419) 1 Non-Agency RMBS (3) 2,681 (438) 6 1,612 (203) 7 4,293 (641) 13 Total 1,526,029 (4,965) 27 1,612 (203) 7 1,527,641 (5,168) 34 (1) Fair value option has been elected for all Agency RMBS in an unrealized loss position. (2) Unrealized losses on non-Agency CMBS are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. These losses are not reflected in an allowance for credit losses based on a comparison of discounted expected cash flows to current amortized cost basis. (3) Fair value option has been elected for all non-Agency RMBS in an unrealized loss position. December 31, 2019 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total $ in thousands Fair Unrealized Number of Securities Fair Unrealized Number of Securities Fair Unrealized Number of Securities Agency RMBS: 15 year fixed-rate 957 (1) 2 362 (3) 4 1,319 (4) 6 30 year fixed-rate 255,649 (207) 3 34,009 (256) 5 289,658 (463) 8 Hybrid ARM 434 (2) 1 1,524 (46) 3 1,958 (48) 4 Total Agency RMBS pass-through (1) 257,040 (210) 6 35,895 (305) 12 292,935 (515) 18 Agency-CMO (2) 67,875 (1,194) 15 6,155 (1,513) 13 74,030 (2,707) 28 Agency CMBS (3) 1,743,800 (50,521) 58 — — — 1,743,800 (50,521) 58 Non-Agency CMBS (4) 203,129 (2,783) 19 101,021 (11,425) 7 304,150 (14,208) 26 Non-Agency RMBS (5) 26,283 (3,935) 14 12,199 (636) 2 38,482 (4,571) 16 GSE CRT (6) 77,044 (74) 4 — — — 77,044 (74) 4 Total 2,375,171 (58,717) 116 155,270 (13,879) 34 2,530,441 (72,596) 150 (1) Includes Agency RMBS with a fair value of $271.3 million for which the fair value option has been elected. These securities have unrealized losses of $268,000. (2) Includes Agency IO and Agency-CMO with fair value of $11.1 million and $25.8 million, respectively, for which the fair value option has been elected. These Agency IO and Agency-CMO securities have unrealized losses of $2.3 million and $134,000, respectively. (3) Fair value option has been elected for all securities in an unrealized loss position. (4) Includes non-Agency CMBS with a fair value of $181.5 million for which the fair value option has been elected. These securities have unrealized losses of $2.8 million. (5) Includes non-Agency RMBS and non-Agency IO with a fair value of $17.6 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for which the fair value option has been elected. These securities have unrealized losses of $261,000 and $3.7 million, respectively. (6) Fair value option has been elected for all GSE CRT that are in an unrealized loss position. On January 1, 2020, we adopted accounting guidance that requires us to estimate an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss positions. As of December 31, 2020, we have recorded an allowance for credit losses of $1.8 million on non-Agency CMBS on our consolidated balance sheet. We recorded a $1.8 million provision for credit losses within (increase) decrease in provision for credit losses on our consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, we recorded impairments of $94.1 million on our consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2020 because we intended to sell or more likely than not would be required to sell the securities before recovery of amortized cost basis. The following table presents a roll-forward of our allowance for credit losses. $ in thousands Year Ended December 31, 2020 Beginning allowance for credit losses — Additions to the allowance for credit losses on securities for which credit losses were not previously recorded (1,768) Ending allowance for credit losses (1,768) Before January 1, 2020, we assessed our investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on a quarterly basis. When the fair value of an investment was less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which impairment is assessed, the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” This analysis included a determination of estimated future cash flows through an evaluation of the characteristics of the underlying loans and the structural features of the investment. Underlying loan characteristics reviewed included, but were not limited to, delinquency status, loan-to-value ratios, borrower credit scores, occupancy status and geographic concentration. The following table represents OTTI included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Years Ended December 31, $ in thousands 2019 2018 RMBS interest-only securities 6,707 7,761 Non-Agency RMBS (1) 1,024 85 Total 7,731 7,846 (1) Amounts disclosed relate to credit losses on debt securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI on RMBS interest-only securities was recorded as a reclassification from an unrealized to realized loss within gain (loss) on investments, net on the consolidated statements of operations because we account for these securities under the fair value option. The following table summarizes the components of our total gain (loss) on investments, net for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Years Ended December 31, $ in thousands 2020 2019 2018 Gross realized gains on sale of investments 656,915 24,721 774 Gross realized losses on sale of investments (1,020,696) (16,682) (218,910) Impairment of investments the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis and other impairments (101,138) — — Other-than-temporary impairment losses — (7,731) (7,846) Net unrealized gains (losses) on MBS and GSE CRT accounted for under the fair value option (492,047) 624,158 (101,697) Net unrealized gains (losses) on commercial loan and loan participation interest (1,164) — — Realized loss on loan participation interest (3,808) — — Net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities — — (21) Total gain (loss) on investments, net (961,938) 624,466 (327,700) The following tables present components of interest income recognized on our MBS and GSE CRT portfolio for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. GSE CRT interest income excludes coupon interest associated with embedded derivatives not accounted for under the fair value option of $6.3 million, $20.8 million and $22.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, that is recorded as realized and unrealized credit derivative income (loss), net. For the Year ended December 31, 2020 $ in thousands Coupon Net (Premium Interest Agency RMBS 161,845 (32,737) 129,108 Agency CMBS 35,822 (1,744) 34,078 Non-Agency CMBS 76,068 14,721 90,789 Non-Agency RMBS 13,895 1,107 15,002 GSE CRT 10,232 (2,560) 7,672 Other 751 — 751 Total 298,613 (21,213) 277,400 For the Year ended December 31, 2019 $ in thousands Coupon Net (Premium Amortization)/Discount Accretion Interest Agency RMBS 488,650 (76,676) 411,974 Agency CMBS 88,462 (4,712) 83,750 Non-Agency CMBS 163,326 15,347 178,673 Non-Agency RMBS 52,857 13,164 66,021 GSE CRT 37,032 (7,842) 29,190 Other 3,049 — 3,049 Total 833,376 (60,719) 772,657 For the Year ended December 31, 2018 $ in thousands Coupon Net (Premium Amortization)/Discount Accretion Interest Agency RMBS 441,757 (80,750) 361,007 Agency CMBS 10,546 (591) 9,955 Non-Agency CMBS 151,562 6,682 158,244 Non-Agency RMBS 55,116 19,968 75,084 GSE CRT 29,142 (3,071) 26,071 Other 1,117 — 1,117 Total 689,240 (57,762) 631,478 |