As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2023
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UNITED STATES |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 |
Form 10-Q |
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☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
or
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _____ to _____.
Commission File Number 001-14951
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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Federally chartered instrumentality of the United States | | 52-1578738 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. employer identification number) |
| | |
1999 K Street, N.W., 4th Floor, | | |
Washington, | DC | | 20006 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip code) |
| | | | | |
(202) | 872-7700 |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | | Trading symbol | | Exchange on which registered |
Class A voting common stock | | AGM.A | | New York Stock Exchange |
Class C non-voting common stock | | AGM | | New York Stock Exchange |
6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C | | AGM.PRC | | New York Stock Exchange |
5.700% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D | | AGM.PRD | | New York Stock Exchange |
5.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E | | AGM.PRE | | New York Stock Exchange |
5.250% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F | | AGM.PRF | | New York Stock Exchange |
4.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G | | AGM.PRG | | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Class B voting common stock
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 ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
As of May 2, 2023, the registrant had outstanding 1,030,780 shares of Class A voting common stock, 500,301 shares of Class B voting common stock, and 9,301,329 shares of Class C non-voting common stock.
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Item 1A. | Risk Factors | |
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Item 6. | | |
Signatures | | |
PART I
Item 1.Financial Statements
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 864,594 | | | $ | 861,002 | |
Investment securities: | | | |
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $4,788,254 and $4,769,426, respectively) | 4,647,464 | | | 4,579,564 | |
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 45,032 | | | 45,032 | |
Other investments | 3,672 | | | 3,672 | |
Total Investment Securities | 4,696,168 | | | 4,628,268 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | |
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $8,565,328 and $8,019,495, respectively) | 8,225,454 | | | 7,607,226 | |
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 993,966 | | | 1,021,154 | |
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 9,219,420 | | | 8,628,380 | |
USDA Securities: | | | |
Trading, at fair value | 1,405 | | | 1,767 | |
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 2,358,928 | | | 2,409,834 | |
Total USDA Securities | 2,360,333 | | | 2,411,601 | |
Loans: | | | |
| | | |
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost | 8,915,656 | | | 9,008,979 | |
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost | 1,468,357 | | | 1,211,576 | |
Allowance for losses | (15,673) | | | (15,089) | |
Total loans, net of allowance | 10,368,340 | | | 10,205,466 | |
| | | |
Financial derivatives, at fair value | 25,099 | | | 37,409 | |
Accrued interest receivable (includes $9,885 and $12,514, respectively, related to consolidated trusts) | 196,368 | | | 229,061 | |
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable | 46,670 | | | 47,151 | |
Deferred tax asset, net | 7,961 | | | 18,004 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 154,994 | | | 266,768 | |
Total Assets | $ | 27,939,947 | | | $ | 27,333,110 | |
| | | |
Liabilities and Equity: | | | |
Liabilities: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Notes payable | $ | 24,837,391 | | | $ | 24,469,113 | |
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties | 1,374,332 | | | 1,181,948 | |
Financial derivatives, at fair value | 166,963 | | | 175,326 | |
Accrued interest payable (includes $6,170 and $8,081, respectively, related to consolidated trusts) | 141,938 | | | 117,887 | |
Guarantee and commitment obligation | 46,114 | | | 46,582 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 79,188 | | | 68,863 | |
| | | |
Reserve for losses | 1,636 | | | 1,433 | |
Total Liabilities | 26,647,562 | | | 26,061,152 | |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) | | | |
Equity: | | | |
Preferred stock: | | | |
Series C, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 73,382 | | | 73,382 | |
Series D, par value $25 per share, 4,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 96,659 | | | 96,659 | |
Series E, par value $25 per share, 3,180,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 77,003 | | | 77,003 | |
Series F, par value $25 per share, 4,800,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 116,160 | | | 116,160 | |
Series G, par value $25 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 121,327 | | | 121,327 | |
Common stock: | | | |
Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding | 1,031 | | | 1,031 | |
Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding | 500 | | | 500 | |
Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,288,482 shares and 9,270,265 shares outstanding, respectively | 9,289 | | | 9,270 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 130,004 | | | 128,939 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (59,862) | | | (50,843) | |
Retained earnings | 726,892 | | | 698,530 | |
Total Equity | 1,292,385 | | | 1,271,958 | |
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 27,939,947 | | | $ | 27,333,110 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
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| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | | | | | |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Interest income: | | | | | | | | | |
Investments and cash equivalents | $ | 59,703 | | | $ | 5,716 | | | | | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | 136,537 | | | 42,920 | | | | | | | |
Loans | 119,032 | | | 67,247 | | | | | | | |
Total interest income | 315,272 | | | 115,883 | | | | | | | |
Total interest expense | 236,214 | | | 50,345 | | | | | | | |
Net interest income | 79,058 | | | 65,538 | | | | | | | |
Provision for losses | (547) | | | (56) | | | | | | | |
Net interest income after provision for losses | 78,511 | | | 65,482 | | | | | | | |
Non-interest income/(expense): | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee and commitment fees | 3,933 | | | 3,695 | | | | | | | |
Gains on financial derivatives | 399 | | | 16,988 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Gains/(losses) on trading securities | 25 | | | (63) | | | | | | | |
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(Provision for)/release of reserve for losses | (203) | | | 110 | | | | | | | |
Other income | 1,201 | | | 675 | | | | | | | |
Non-interest income | 5,355 | | | 21,405 | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | 15,351 | | | 13,298 | | | | | | | |
General and administrative | 7,527 | | | 7,278 | | | | | | | |
Regulatory fees | 835 | | | 812 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | 23,713 | | | 21,388 | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | 60,153 | | | 65,499 | | | | | | | |
Income tax expense | 13,118 | | | 14,046 | | | | | | | |
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Net income | 47,035 | | | 51,453 | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock dividends | (6,791) | | | (6,791) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 40,244 | | | $ | 44,662 | | | | | | | |
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Earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per common share | $ | 3.73 | | | $ | 4.15 | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 3.69 | | | $ | 4.10 | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
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| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | | | | | |
| (in thousands | | |
Net income | $ | 47,035 | | | $ | 51,453 | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income: | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities | 658 | | | (86,267) | | | | | | | |
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities | (782) | | | (23) | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges | (11,292) | | | 31,204 | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss before tax | (11,416) | | | (55,086) | | | | | | | |
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss | 2,397 | | | 11,568 | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss net of tax | (9,019) | | | (43,518) | | | | | | | |
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Comprehensive income | $ | 38,016 | | | $ | 7,935 | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(unaudited)
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| | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Additional | | Other | | | | |
| Preferred Stock | | Common Stock | | Paid-In | | Comprehensive | | Retained | | Total |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Capital | | Income/(Loss) | | Earnings | | Equity |
| (in thousands) |
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | 19,980 | | | $ | 484,531 | | | 10,801 | | | $ | 10,801 | | | $ | 128,939 | | | $ | (50,843) | | | $ | 698,530 | | | $ | 1,271,958 | |
Net Income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 47,035 | | | 47,035 | |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (9,019) | | | — | | | (9,019) | |
Cash dividends: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6,791) | | | (6,791) | |
Common stock (cash dividend of $1.10 per share) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (11,882) | | | (11,882) | |
Issuance of Class C Common Stock | — | | | — | | | 19 | | | 19 | | | 51 | | | — | | | — | | | 70 | |
Stock-based compensation cost | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,254 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,254 | |
Other stock-based award activity | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,240) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,240) | |
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | 19,980 | | | $ | 484,531 | | | 10,820 | | | $ | 10,820 | | | $ | 130,004 | | | $ | (59,862) | | | $ | 726,892 | | | $ | 1,292,385 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | 19,980 | | | $ | 484,531 | | | 10,766 | | | $ | 10,766 | | | $ | 125,993 | | | $ | 3,853 | | | $ | 588,557 | | | $ | 1,213,700 | |
Net Income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 51,453 | | | 51,453 | |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (43,518) | | | — | | | (43,518) | |
Cash dividends: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6,791) | | | (6,791) | |
Common stock (cash dividend of $0.95 per share) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (10,229) | | | (10,229) | |
Issuance of Class C Common Stock | — | | | — | | | 22 | | | 22 | | | 46 | | | — | | | — | | | 68 | |
Stock-based compensation cost | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,113 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,113 | |
Other stock-based award activity | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,049) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,049) | |
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | 19,980 | | | $ | 484,531 | | | 10,788 | | | $ | 10,788 | | | $ | 127,103 | | | $ | (39,665) | | | $ | 622,990 | | | $ | 1,205,747 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | |
| (in thousands) |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 47,035 | | | $ | 51,453 | | | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
Net amortization of deferred gains, premiums, and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities | (2,337) | | | 1,913 | | | |
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts, and issuance costs | 10,217 | | | 2,018 | | | |
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives | (62,398) | | | 235,964 | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total provision for/(release of) allowance for losses | 750 | | | (54) | | | |
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards | (201) | | | (137) | | | |
Deferred income taxes | 12,440 | | | 2,794 | | | |
| | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,255 | | | 2,113 | | | |
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Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale | 17,360 | | | 15,028 | | | |
Net change in: | | | | | |
Interest receivable | 29,510 | | | 32,277 | | | |
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable | 13 | | | (124) | | | |
Other assets | 22,195 | | | (64,176) | | | |
Accrued interest payable | 24,051 | | | 1,072 | | | |
Custodial deposit liability | (32,102) | | | (17,027) | | | |
Other liabilities | (8,227) | | | 6,191 | | | |
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | 60,561 | | | 269,305 | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | |
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities | (375,153) | | | (845,114) | | | |
Purchases of other investment securities | — | | | (275) | | | |
Purchases of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | (716,412) | | | (1,720,619) | | | |
Purchases of loans held for investment | (554,787) | | | (718,008) | | | |
| | | | | |
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities | 505,848 | | | 418,414 | | | |
Proceeds from repayment of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | 247,706 | | | 1,659,253 | | | |
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment | 431,483 | | | 463,602 | | | |
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Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | | | 25,928 | | | |
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Net cash used in investing activities | (461,315) | | | (716,819) | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes | 11,196,195 | | | 13,577,266 | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes | 1,383,319 | | | 2,626,165 | | | |
Proceeds from third parties from issuance of debt securities of consolidated trusts | 222,188 | | | — | | | |
Payments to redeem discount notes | (10,913,679) | | | (13,854,017) | | | |
Payments to redeem medium-term notes | (1,428,500) | | | (1,790,815) | | | |
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Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts | (36,573) | | | (112,731) | | | |
Proceeds from common stock issuance | 51 | | | 46 | | | |
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Tax payments related to share-based awards | 18 | | | (119) | | | |
| | | | | |
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock | (18,673) | | | (17,020) | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 404,346 | | | 428,775 | | | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 3,592 | | | (18,739) | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 861,002 | | | 908,785 | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 864,594 | | | $ | 890,046 | | | |
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Non-cash activity: | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Loans securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 4,174 | | | 25,928 | | | |
Loans held for investment transferred to consolidated trusts | 281,027 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
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Reclassification of loans held for investment to loans held for sale | — | | | 9,000 | | | |
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Matured securities receivable | (97,500) | | | (1,566) | | | |
(Recovery)/charge-off from the allowance for losses | — | | | 84 | | | |
Loan payoff not yet received | (4,537) | | | — | | | |
Purchases of securities - traded, not yet settled | 49,414 | | | 348,020 | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements
reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a
fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and
subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and
regulations. The December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived
from Farmer Mac's audited 2022 consolidated financial statements, as revised. Management believes that
the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for
the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the 2022 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in
Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC
on February 24, 2023. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be
expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain
updated information for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Farmer Mac has revised its prior period financial information to correct an error that was not material to those previous consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole. For more information on the revision, refer to Note 11, Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation, whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Securities included in the Agricultural Finance line of business. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
Table 1.1
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Agricultural Finance | | Treasury | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
On-Balance Sheet: | | | | | |
Consolidated VIEs: | | | | | |
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost | $ | 1,468,357 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,468,357 | |
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1)(2) | 1,374,332 | | | — | | | 1,374,332 | |
Unconsolidated VIEs: | | | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | |
Carrying value | 28,447 | | | — | | | 28,447 | |
Maximum exposure to loss (3) | 30,570 | | | — | | | 30,570 | |
Investment securities: | | | | | |
Carrying value (4) | — | | | 3,366,020 | | | 3,366,020 | |
Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) | — | | | 3,540,724 | | | 3,540,724 | |
Off-Balance Sheet: | | | | | |
Unconsolidated VIEs: | | | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | |
Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) | 488,094 | | | — | | | 488,094 | |
(1)Includes borrower remittances of $0.6 million. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third-party investors as of March 31, 2023.
(2)Includes $94.6 million in unamortized discount related to structured securitization transactions.
(3)Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(4)Includes auction-rate certificates, government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, and other mission related investments.
(5)The amount under the Agricultural Finance line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where it was determined that Farmer Mac was either not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party or a subordinate class majority holder has the unilateral right to remove Farmer Mac as Master Servicer without cause.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Agricultural Finance | | Treasury | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
On-Balance Sheet: | | | | | |
Consolidated VIEs: | | | | | |
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost | $ | 1,211,576 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,211,576 | |
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1)(2) | 1,181,948 | | | — | | | 1,181,948 | |
Unconsolidated VIEs: | | | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | |
Carrying value | 28,466 | | | — | | | 28,466 | |
Maximum exposure to loss (3) | 31,208 | | | — | | | 31,208 | |
Investment securities: | | | | | |
Carrying value (4) | — | | | 3,138,619 | | | 3,138,619 | |
Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) | — | | | 3,341,427 | | | 3,341,427 | |
Off-Balance Sheet: | | | | | |
Unconsolidated VIEs: | | | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | |
Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) | 500,953 | | | — | | | 500,953 | |
(1)Includes borrower remittances of $8.1 million. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third-party investors as of December 31, 2022.
(2)Includes $37.7 million in unamortized discount related to a structured securitization transaction.
(3)Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(4)Includes auction-rate certificates, government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, and other mission related investments.
(5)The amount under the Agricultural Finance line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where it was determined that Farmer Mac was either not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party or a subordinate class majority holder has the unilateral right to remove Farmer Mac as Master Servicer without cause.
(a)Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the daily weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the daily weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and unvested restricted stock awards. The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 1.2
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | |
| Net Income | | Weighted-Average Shares | | $ per Share | | Net Income | | Weighted-Average Shares | | $ per Share | | | | | | |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Basic EPS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 40,244 | | | 10,802 | | | $ | 3.73 | | | $ | 44,662 | | | 10,767 | | | $ | 4.15 | | | | | | | |
Effect of dilutive securities(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SARs and restricted stock | — | | | 116 | | | (0.04) | | | — | | | 120 | | | (0.05) | | | | | | | |
Diluted EPS | $ | 40,244 | | | 10,918 | | | $ | 3.69 | | | $ | 44,662 | | | 10,887 | | | $ | 4.10 | | | | | | | |
(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, SARs and restricted stock of 62,709 and 50,005 respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, contingent shares of unvested restricted stock of 32,282 and 18,535 respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
(b)Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes.
The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Table 1.3
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of March 31, 2022 |
| Available-for-Sale Securities | | Held-to-Maturity Securities | | Cash Flow Hedges | | Total | | Available-for-Sale Securities | | Held-to-Maturity Securities | | Cash Flow Hedges | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning Balance | $ | (115,561) | | | $ | 16,357 | | | $ | 48,361 | | | $ | (50,843) | | | $ | (6,932) | | | $ | 16,153 | | | $ | (5,368) | | | $ | 3,853 | |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications | 525 | | | — | | | (5,452) | | | (4,927) | | | (68,148) | | | — | | | 23,062 | | | (45,086) | |
Amounts reclassified from AOCI | (5) | | | (618) | | | (3,469) | | | (4,092) | | | (3) | | | (19) | | | 1,590 | | | 1,568 | |
Net comprehensive (loss)/income | 520 | | | (618) | | | (8,921) | | | (9,019) | | | (68,151) | | | (19) | | | 24,652 | | | (43,518) | |
Ending Balance | $ | (115,041) | | | $ | 15,739 | | | $ | 39,440 | | | $ | (59,862) | | | $ | (75,083) | | | $ | 16,134 | | | $ | 19,284 | | | $ | (39,665) | |
The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 1.4
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | |
| Before Tax | | Provision (Benefit) | | After Tax | | Before Tax | | Provision (Benefit) | | After Tax | | | | | | |
| (in thousands) |
Other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale-securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities | $ | 664 | | | $ | 139 | | | $ | 525 | | | $ | (86,263) | | | $ | (18,115) | | | $ | (68,148) | | | | | | | |
Less reclassification adjustments included in: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income(1) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income(2) | (6) | | | (1) | | | (5) | | | (4) | | | (1) | | | (3) | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 658 | | | $ | 138 | | | $ | 520 | | | $ | (86,267) | | | $ | (18,116) | | | $ | (68,151) | | | | | | | |
Held-to-maturity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less reclassification adjustments included in: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income(3) | (782) | | | (164) | | | (618) | | | (23) | | | (4) | | | (19) | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | (782) | | | $ | (164) | | | $ | (618) | | | $ | (23) | | | $ | (4) | | | $ | (19) | | | | | | | |
Cash flow hedges | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges | $ | (6,901) | | | $ | (1,449) | | | $ | (5,452) | | | $ | 29,193 | | | $ | 6,131 | | | $ | 23,062 | | | | | | | |
Less reclassification adjustments included in: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income(4) | (4,391) | | | (922) | | | (3,469) | | | 2,011 | | | 421 | | | 1,590 | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | (11,292) | | | $ | (2,371) | | | $ | (8,921) | | | $ | 31,204 | | | $ | 6,552 | | | $ | 24,652 | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss | $ | (11,416) | | | $ | (2,397) | | | $ | (9,019) | | | $ | (55,086) | | | $ | (11,568) | | | $ | (43,518) | | | | | | | |
(1)Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
(2)Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
(3)Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
(4)Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
(c) New Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance | | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard | Description | Date of Adoption | Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements |
ASU 2020-04 and 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting | The amendments in this Update provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform on financial reporting. They provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. | January 1, 2020 | Farmer Mac adopted optional expedients specific to discounting transition on a retrospective basis, and as a result of this election, the discounting transition did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Farmer Mac expects to adopt additional optional expedients, including contract modification relief, and does not expect this to have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. |
ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 | The amendments in this Update deferred the sunset date in Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. | December 21, 2022 | Farmer Mac continues to evaluate the impact of ASC 848. |
ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures | The Update addresses and amends areas identified by the Financial Accounting Standards Board as part of its post-implementation review of the accounting standard that introduced the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model. The amendments eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors that have adopted the CECL model and enhance the disclosure requirements for loan refinancings and restructurings made with borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. In addition, the amendments require disclosure of current-period gross writeoffs for financing receivables and net investment in leases by year of origination in the vintage disclosures. | January 1, 2023 | The adoption of this Update did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
|
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
| | | | | | | | |
Standard | Description | Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements |
ASU 2022-01, Fair Value Hedging - Portfolio Layer Method | The Update introduces the portfolio layer method, which expands the current single-layer method to allow multiple hedged layers of a single closed portfolio under the method (previously named, last-of-layer method). Additionally, it expands the scope of the portfolio layer method to include non-prepayable assets, specifies eligible hedging instruments in a single-layer hedge, provides additional guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of hedge basis adjustments under the portfolio layer method, specifies how hedge basis adjustments should be considered when determining credit losses for the assets included in the closed portfolio, and provides that an entity may reclassify HTM debt securities identified within 30 days of the date of adoption to AFS if the entity applies portfolio layer method hedging to those debt securities. | Farmer Mac is continuing to evaluate the use of the portfolio layer method in its hedging programs, although future use of the standard is dependent on its asset-liability management strategies in the context of the then current interest rate outlook. Farmer Mac does not believe adoption of the standard will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. |
(d) Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications of prior period information were not material to the consolidated financial statements.
2.INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 2.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Amount Outstanding | | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | | Amortized Cost(1) | | Allowance for losses(2) | | Unrealized Gains | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 19,700 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,700 | | | $ | (29) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (640) | | | $ | 19,031 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 2,472,591 | | | (1,089) | | | 2,471,502 | | | — | | | 3,525 | | | (24,442) | | | 2,450,585 | |
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 1,404,950 | | | (41,950) | | | 1,363,000 | | | — | | | 4,939 | | | (113,091) | | | 1,254,848 | |
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 941,760 | | | (7,708) | | | 934,052 | | | — | | | 1,525 | | | (12,577) | | | 923,000 | |
Total available-for-sale | 4,839,001 | | | (50,747) | | | 4,788,254 | | | (29) | | | 9,989 | | | (150,750) | | | 4,647,464 | |
Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities(3) | 45,032 | | | — | | | 45,032 | | | — | | | 611 | | | — | | | 45,643 | |
Total held-to-maturity | $ | 45,032 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 45,032 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 611 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 45,643 | |
(1)Amounts presented exclude $12.4 million of accrued interest receivable on investment securities as of March 31, 2023.
(2)Represents the amount of impairment that has resulted from credit-related factors, and therefore was recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as a provision for losses. Amount excludes unrealized losses relating to non-credit factors.
(3)The held-to-maturity investment securities had a weighted average yield of 5.8% as of March 31, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Amount Outstanding | | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | | Amortized Cost(1) | | Allowance for losses(2) | | Unrealized Gains | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 19,700 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,700 | | | $ | (33) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (640) | | | $ | 19,027 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 2,433,696 | | | (200) | | | 2,433,496 | | | — | | | 1,954 | | | (42,910) | | | 2,392,540 | |
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 1,207,416 | | | (30,321) | | | 1,177,095 | | | — | | | 2,128 | | | (130,837) | | | 1,048,386 | |
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 1,145,915 | | | (6,780) | | | 1,139,135 | | | — | | | 621 | | | (20,145) | | | 1,119,611 | |
Total available-for-sale | 4,806,727 | | | (37,301) | | | 4,769,426 | | | (33) | | | 4,703 | | | (194,532) | | | 4,579,564 | |
Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities(3) | 45,032 | | | — | | | 45,032 | | | — | | | 2,433 | | | — | | | 47,465 | |
Total held-to-maturity | $ | 45,032 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 45,032 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,433 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 47,465 | |
(1)Amounts presented exclude $10.6 million of accrued interest receivable on investment securities as of December 31, 2022.
(2)Represents the amount of impairment that has resulted from credit-related factors, and therefore was recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as a provision for losses. Amount excludes unrealized losses relating to non-credit factors.
(3)The held-to-maturity investment securities had a weighted average yield of 4.5% as of December 31, 2022.
Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three months March 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows:
Table 2.2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Available-for-Sale Securities |
| Unrealized loss position for less than 12 months | | Unrealized loss position for more than 12 months |
| Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,031 | | | $ | (640) | |
| | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 1,224,206 | | | (12,915) | | | 586,996 | | | (11,527) | |
Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 527,300 | | | (22,689) | | | 476,963 | | | (90,402) | |
| | | | | | | |
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 162,248 | | | (357) | | | 637,610 | | | (12,220) | |
| | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 1,913,754 | | | $ | (35,961) | | | $ | 1,720,600 | | | $ | (114,789) | |
| | | | | | | |
Number of securities in loss position | | | 121 | | | | | 87 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Available-for-Sale Securities |
| Unrealized loss position for less than 12 months | | Unrealized loss position for more than 12 months |
| Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,027 | | | $ | (640) | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 1,884,146 | | | (36,976) | | | 193,964 | | | (5,934) | |
Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 621,215 | | | (56,434) | | | 336,782 | | | (74,403) | |
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 314,524 | | | (2,842) | | | 704,780 | | | (17,303) | |
Total | $ | 2,819,885 | | | $ | (96,252) | | | $ | 1,254,553 | | | $ | (98,280) | |
| | | | | | | |
Number of securities in loss position | | | 174 | | | | | 51 | |
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of market spreads and changes in the levels of interest rates from the dates of acquisition to March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+."
Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of March 31, 2023 that is, on average, approximately 93.7% of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of maturity or changes in credit spreads.
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2023 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 2.3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Available-for-Sale Securities |
| Amortized Cost | | Fair Value | | Weighted- Average Yield |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Due within one year | $ | 663,812 | | | $ | 654,546 | | | 0.35% |
Due after one year through five years | 652,643 | | | 646,658 | | | 3.91% |
Due after five years through ten years | 2,656,056 | | | 2,541,681 | | | 3.91% |
Due after ten years | 815,743 | | | 804,579 | | | 4.89% |
Total | $ | 4,788,254 | | | $ | 4,647,464 | | | 3.58% |
3.FARMER MAC GUARANTEED SECURITIES AND USDA SECURITIES
The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 3.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | |
| Unpaid Principal Balance | | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | | Amortized Cost(1) | | Allowance for losses(2) | | Unrealized Gains | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | |
| (in thousands) | | |
Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 973,697 | | | $ | (87) | | | $ | 973,610 | | | $ | (57) | | | $ | 445 | | | $ | (43,839) | | | $ | 930,159 | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 20,381 | | | 32 | | | 20,413 | | | — | | | 14 | | | (829) | | | 19,598 | | | |
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 994,078 | | | (55) | | | 994,023 | | | (57) | | | 459 | | | (44,668) | | | 949,757 | | | |
USDA Securities | 2,334,923 | | | 24,005 | | | 2,358,928 | | | — | | | 475 | | | (216,826) | | | 2,142,577 | | | |
Total held-to-maturity | $ | 3,329,001 | | | $ | 23,950 | | | $ | 3,352,951 | | | $ | (57) | | | $ | 934 | | | $ | (261,494) | | | $ | 3,092,334 | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 8,554,373 | | | $ | 766 | | | $ | 8,555,139 | | | $ | (515) | | | $ | 7,296 | | | $ | (344,500) | | | $ | 8,217,420 | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities(3) | — | | | 10,189 | | | 10,189 | | | — | | | — | | | (2,155) | | | 8,034 | | | |
Total available-for-sale | $ | 8,554,373 | | | $ | 10,955 | | | $ | 8,565,328 | | | $ | (515) | | | $ | 7,296 | | | $ | (346,655) | | | $ | 8,225,454 | | | |
Trading: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
USDA Securities(4) | $ | 1,391 | | | $ | 72 | | | $ | 1,463 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (58) | | | $ | 1,405 | | | |
(1)Amounts presented exclude $63.6 million, $36.9 million, and $27,000 of accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading securities, respectively, as of March 31, 2023.
(2)Represents the amount of impairment that has resulted from credit-related factors, and therefore was recognized in the statement of financial operations as a provision for losses. Amount excludes unrealized losses relating to non-credit factors.
(3)Fair value includes $8.0 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $244.6 million.
(4)The trading USDA securities had a weighted average yield of 5.52% as of March 31, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Unpaid Principal Balance | | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | | Amortized Cost(1) | | Allowance for losses(2) | | Unrealized Gains | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 1,000,689 | | | $ | (95) | | | $ | 1,000,594 | | | $ | (59) | | | $ | 353 | | | $ | (54,098) | | | $ | 946,790 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 20,586 | | | 33 | | | 20,619 | | | — | | | 2 | | | (856) | | | 19,765 | |
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 1,021,275 | | | (62) | | | 1,021,213 | | | (59) | | | 355 | | | (54,954) | | | 966,555 | |
USDA Securities | 2,384,946 | | | 24,888 | | | 2,409,834 | | | — | | | 668 | | | (312,824) | | | 2,097,678 | |
Total held-to-maturity | $ | 3,406,221 | | | $ | 24,826 | | | $ | 3,431,047 | | | $ | (59) | | | $ | 1,023 | | | $ | (367,778) | | | $ | 3,064,233 | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 8,008,067 | | | $ | 806 | | | $ | 8,008,873 | | | $ | (546) | | | $ | 2,061 | | | $ | (411,009) | | | $ | 7,599,379 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities(3) | — | | | 10,622 | | | 10,622 | | | — | | | — | | | (2,775) | | | $ | 7,847 | |
Total available-for-sale | $ | 8,008,067 | | | $ | 11,428 | | | $ | 8,019,495 | | | $ | (546) | | | $ | 2,061 | | | $ | (413,784) | | | $ | 7,607,226 | |
Trading: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
USDA Securities(4) | $ | 1,770 | | | $ | 80 | | | $ | 1,850 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (83) | | | $ | 1,767 | |
(1)Amounts presented exclude $51.5 million, $44.4 million, and $47,000 of accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2022.
(2)Represents the amount of impairment that has resulted from credit-related factors, and therefore was recognized in the statement of financial operations as a provision for losses. Amount excludes unrealized losses relating to non-credit factors.
(3)Fair value includes $7.8 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $250.1 million.
(4)The trading USDA securities had a weighted average yield of 4.84% as of December 31, 2022.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows:
Table 3.2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities |
| Unrealized loss position for less than 12 months | | Unrealized loss position for more than 12 months |
| Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss |
| (in thousands) |
Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 421,384 | | | $ | (5,449) | | | $ | 485,324 | | | $ | (38,390) | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 8,969 | | | (531) | | | 9,328 | | | (298) | |
USDA Securities | — | | | — | | | 2,130,022 | | | (216,826) | |
Total held-to-maturity | $ | 430,353 | | | $ | (5,980) | | | $ | 2,624,674 | | | $ | (255,514) | |
| | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 4,087,761 | | | $ | (132,418) | | | $ | 2,566,073 | | | $ | (212,082) | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | | | — | | | 8,034 | | | (2,155) | |
Total available-for-sale | $ | 4,087,761 | | | $ | (132,418) | | | $ | 2,574,107 | | | $ | (214,237) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities |
| Unrealized loss position for less than 12 months | | Unrealized loss position for more than 12 months |
| Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Loss |
| (in thousands) |
Held-to-maturity: | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 548,634 | | | $ | (11,455) | | | $ | 382,358 | | | $ | (42,643) | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 19,790 | | | (856) | | | — | | | — | |
USDA Securities | 2,086,108 | | | (312,824) | | | — | | | — | |
Total held-to-maturity | $ | 2,654,532 | | | $ | (325,135) | | | $ | 382,358 | | | $ | (42,643) | |
| | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | $ | 4,642,096 | | | $ | (267,886) | | | $ | 1,548,551 | | | $ | (143,123) | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 7,847 | | | (2,775) | | | — | | | — | |
Total available-for-sale | $ | 4,649,943 | | | $ | (270,661) | | | $ | 1,548,551 | | | $ | (143,123) | |
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to changes in interest rates from the date of acquisition to March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, as applicable.
The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Securities in the Agricultural Finance line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States of America.
The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 94 and 95 available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. There were 33 and 37 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 28 and 13 available-for-sale AgVantage securities, respectively, had been in a loss position for more than 12 months. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 16 and 4 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities, respectively, in a loss position for more than 12 months.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 Farmer Mac had no sales of AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities or USDA Trading Securities and, therefore, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses.
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2023 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their contractual maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 3.3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Available-for-Sale Securities |
| Amortized Cost(1) | | Fair Value | | Weighted- Average Yield |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Due within one year | $ | 2,243,310 | | | $ | 2,239,632 | | | 4.69 | % |
Due after one year through five years | 3,366,125 | | | 3,248,962 | | | 3.59 | % |
Due after five years through ten years | 1,248,415 | | | 1,174,976 | | | 3.61 | % |
Due after ten years | 1,707,478 | | | 1,561,884 | | | 4.23 | % |
Total | $ | 8,565,328 | | | $ | 8,225,454 | | | 4.00 | % |
(1)Amounts presented exclude $63.6 million of accrued interest receivable.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Held-to-Maturity Securities |
| Amortized Cost(1) | | Fair Value | | Weighted- Average Yield |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Due within one year | $ | 363,620 | | | $ | 359,461 | | | 2.92 | % |
Due after one year through five years | 646,909 | | | 602,242 | | | 2.20 | % |
Due after five years through ten years | 280,707 | | | 256,997 | | | 3.25 | % |
Due after ten years | 2,061,715 | | | 1,873,634 | | | 3.36 | % |
Total | $ | 3,352,951 | | | $ | 3,092,334 | | | 3.05 | % |
(1)Amounts presented exclude $36.9 million of accrued interest receivable.
4.FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES
Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions to protect against risk from the effects of market price, or interest rate movements, on the value of certain assets, future cash flows, or debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes. Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of
fixed rate assets, classified as available-for-sale, to protect against fair value changes in the assets related
to changes in a benchmark interest rate (e.g., LIBOR or SOFR). Certain other financial derivatives are
designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate
debt. Certain financial derivatives are not designated in hedge accounting relationships.
Farmer Mac manages the interest rate risk related to loans it has committed to acquire, but has not yet
permanently funded, primarily through the use of forward sale contracts on the debt of other GSEs and
futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities. Farmer Mac uses forward sale contracts on GSE
securities to reduce its interest rate exposure to changes in both U.S. Treasury rates and spreads on Farmer
Mac debt. Farmer Mac aims to achieve a duration-matched hedge ratio between the hedged item and the
hedge instrument. Gains or losses generated by these hedge transactions are expected to offset changes in
funding costs. All financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding
asset or liability.
The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements. The table below includes accrued interest on cleared swaps, but excludes $8.2 million and $6.1 million of accrued interest receivable and $4.5 million and $3.6 million of accrued interest payable on uncleared swaps as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The aforementioned accrued interest on uncleared swaps is included within Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable on the consolidated balance sheets.
Table 4.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| | | Fair Value | | Weighted- Average Pay Rate | | Weighted- Average Receive Rate | | Weighted- Average Forward Price | | Weighted- Average Remaining Term (in years) |
| Notional Amount | | Asset | | (Liability) | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Fair value hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Receive fixed non-callable | $ | 10,227,735 | | | $ | 9,431 | | | $ | (48) | | | 4.86% | | 2.28% | | | | 1.57 |
Pay fixed non-callable | 8,344,447 | | | 48 | | | (31,690) | | | 2.25% | | 4.84% | | | | 10.65 |
Receive fixed callable | 3,065,577 | | | 1,380 | | | (142,980) | | | 4.75% | | 2.28% | | | | 2.85 |
Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pay fixed non-callable | 575,000 | | | 22,436 | | | (1,078) | | | 1.93% | | 5.23% | | | | 4.91 |
No hedge designation: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pay fixed non-callable | 182,072 | | | 578 | | | (460) | | | 3.00% | | 4.82% | | | | 4.39 |
Receive fixed non-callable | 763,753 | | | 298 | | | (10) | | | 4.87% | | 3.40% | | | | 0.69 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basis swaps | 1,845,384 | | | 114 | | | (497) | | | 4.82% | | 4.89% | | | | 2.24 |
Treasury futures | 16,700 | | | 614 | | | — | | | | | | | 111.25 | | |
Netting adjustments(1) | | | (9,800) | | | 9,800 | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial derivatives | $ | 25,020,668 | | | $ | 25,099 | | | $ | (166,963) | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow Farmer Mac to settle positive and negative positions, including accrued interest, held or placed with the same clearing agent.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| | | Fair Value | | Weighted- Average Pay Rate | | Weighted- Average Receive Rate | | Weighted- Average Forward Price | | Weighted- Average Remaining Term (in years) |
| Notional Amount | | Asset | | (Liability) | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Fair value hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Receive fixed non-callable | $ | 10,033,750 | | | $ | 19 | | | $ | (4,686) | | | 4.31% | | 2.03% | | | | 1.64 |
Pay fixed non-callable | 8,149,871 | | | 13,689 | | | (366) | | | 2.23% | | 4.33% | | | | 10.76 |
Receive fixed callable | 2,764,577 | | | 461 | | | (174,757) | | | 4.21% | | 1.98% | | | | 3.18 |
Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pay fixed non-callable | 588,000 | | | 27,275 | | | — | | | 1.93% | | 4.72% | | | | 5.05 |
No hedge designation: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pay fixed non-callable | 187,479 | | | 1,065 | | | (1) | | | 3.05% | | 4.09% | | | | 4.52 |
Receive fixed non-callable | 287,750 | | | — | | | (130) | | | 4.31% | | 1.16% | | | | 1.76 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basis swaps | 1,860,384 | | | 112 | | | (456) | | | 4.40% | | 4.42% | | | | 2.46 |
Treasury futures | 6,800 | | | — | | | (142) | | | | | | | 114.38 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Netting adjustments(1) | | | (5,212) | | | 5,212 | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial derivatives | $ | 23,878,611 | | | $ | 37,409 | | | $ | (175,326) | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow Farmer Mac to settle positive and negative positions, including accrued interest, held or placed with the same clearing agent.
As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac expects to reclassify $13.7 million after-tax from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings over the next twelve months related to cash flow hedges. This amount could differ from amounts actually recognized due to changes in interest rates, hedge de-designations, and the addition of other hedges after March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no gains or losses from interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings because it was probable that the originally forecasted transactions would occur.
The following tables summarize the net income/(expense) recognized in the consolidated statements of operations related to derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 4.2
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 |
| Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives |
| Net Interest Income | | Non-Interest Income | | Total |
| Interest Income Investments and Cash Equivalents | | Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | | Interest Income Loans | | Total Interest Expense | | Gains on financial derivatives | |
| (in thousands) |
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations | $ | 59,703 | | | $ | 136,537 | | | $ | 119,032 | | | $ | (236,214) | | | $ | 399 | | | $ | 79,457 | |
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Recognized on derivatives | 6,549 | | | 28,909 | | | 13,180 | | | (77,467) | | | — | | | (28,829) | |
Recognized on hedged items | 6,961 | | | 41,971 | | | 15,208 | | | (70,975) | | | — | | | (6,835) | |
Premium/discount amortization recognized on hedged items | 268 | | | — | | | — | | | (691) | | | — | | | (423) | |
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships | $ | 13,778 | | | $ | 70,880 | | | $ | 28,388 | | | $ | (149,133) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (36,087) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Recognized on derivatives | $ | (27,153) | | | $ | (93,792) | | | $ | (56,681) | | | $ | 122,540 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (55,086) | |
Recognized on hedged items | 27,428 | | | 93,295 | | | 56,957 | | | (122,699) | | | — | | | 54,981 | |
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships | $ | 275 | | | $ | (497) | | | $ | 276 | | | $ | (159) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (105) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,391 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,391 | |
Recognized on hedged items | — | | | — | | | — | | | (7,190) | | | — | | | (7,190) | |
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items | — | | | — | | | — | | | (14) | | | — | | | (14) | |
Expense recognized on cash flow hedges | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,813) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,813) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains on interest rate swaps | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 33 | | | $ | 33 | |
Interest expense on interest rate swaps | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,625) | | | (1,625) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Treasury futures | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,991 | | | 1,991 | |
Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 399 | | | $ | 399 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives |
| Net Interest Income | | Non-Interest Income | | Total |
| Interest Income Investments and Cash Equivalents | | Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | | Interest Income Loans | | Total Interest Expense | | Gains on financial derivatives | |
| | | (in thousands) |
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations: | $ | 5,716 | | | $ | 42,920 | | | $ | 67,247 | | | $ | (50,345) | | | $ | 16,988 | | | $ | 82,526 | |
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Recognized on derivatives | (1,484) | | | (21,644) | | | (6,946) | | | 14,200 | | | — | | | (15,874) | |
Recognized on hedged items | 2,597 | | | 31,929 | | | 12,619 | | | (18,157) | | | — | | | 28,988 | |
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items | (414) | | | — | | | — | | | (440) | | | — | | | (854) | |
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships | $ | 699 | | | $ | 10,285 | | | $ | 5,673 | | | $ | (4,397) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,260 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Recognized on derivatives | $ | 33,425 | | | $ | 213,851 | | | $ | 131,932 | | | $ | (237,014) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 142,194 | |
Recognized on hedged items | (32,726) | | | (210,648) | | | (129,607) | | | 236,814 | | | — | | | (136,167) | |
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships | $ | 699 | | | $ | 3,203 | | | $ | 2,325 | | | $ | (200) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,027 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,011) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,011) | |
Recognized on hedged items | — | | | — | | | — | | | (787) | | | — | | | (787) | |
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items | — | | | — | | | — | | | (13) | | | — | | | (13) | |
Expense recognized on cash flow hedges | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,811) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,811) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains on interest rate swaps | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,617 | | | $ | 1,617 | |
Interest expense on interest rate swaps | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (927) | | | (927) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Treasury futures | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 16,298 | | | 16,298 | |
Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 16,988 | | | $ | 16,988 | |
The following table shows the carrying amount and associated cumulative basis adjustment related to the application of hedge accounting that is included in the carrying amount of hedged assets and liabilities in fair value hedging relationships as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 4.3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Hedged Items in Fair Value Relationship |
| Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) | | Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Investment securities, Available-for-Sale, at fair value | $ | 1,007,588 | | | $ | 876,063 | | | $ | (79,678) | | | $ | (107,107) | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Available-for-Sale, at fair value | 4,885,795 | | | 4,814,784 | | | (253,578) | | | (346,873) | |
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost | 1,737,378 | | | 1,623,301 | | | (270,321) | | | (327,278) | |
| | | | | | | |
Notes Payable(1) | (12,753,526) | | | (12,151,382) | | | 408,387 | | | 531,086 | |
(1)Carrying amount represents amortized cost.
The following tables present the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, based on the terms of Farmer Mac's master netting arrangements as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 4.4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 |
| | | | | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet |
| Gross Amount Recognized | | Gross Amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet(1) | | Netting Adjustments | | Financial instruments pledged | | Cash Collateral(2) | | Net Amount |
| (in thousands) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Uncleared derivatives | $ | 24,077 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,077 | | | $ | (23,463) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 614 | |
Cleared derivatives | 9,800 | | | (9,800) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | 33,877 | | | $ | (9,800) | | | $ | 24,077 | | | $ | (23,463) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 614 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Uncleared derivatives | $ | (123,198) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (123,198) | | | $ | 23,463 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 101,434 | | | $ | 1,699 | |
Cleared derivatives | (33,291) | | | 9,800 | | | (23,491) | | | — | | | 205,386 | | | — | | | 181,895 | |
Total | $ | (156,489) | | | $ | 9,800 | | | $ | (146,689) | | | $ | 23,463 | | | $ | 205,386 | | | $ | 101,434 | | | $ | 183,594 | |
(1)Amounts presented may not agree to the consolidated balance sheet related to counterparties not subject to master netting agreements.
(2)Cash collateral excludes $19.1 million of collateral posted related to counterparties not subject to master netting agreements.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 |
| | | | | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet |
| Gross Amount Recognized | | Gross Amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet(1) | | Netting Adjustments | | Financial instruments pledged | | Cash Collateral(2) | | Net Amount |
| (in thousands) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Uncleared derivatives | $ | 27,132 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 27,132 | | | $ | (27,132) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Cleared derivatives | 14,450 | | | (5,212) | | | 9,238 | | | — | | | 203,993 | | | — | | | 213,231 | |
Total | $ | 41,582 | | | $ | (5,212) | | | $ | 36,370 | | | $ | (27,132) | | | $ | 203,993 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 213,231 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Uncleared derivatives | $ | (149,864) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (149,864) | | | $ | 27,132 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 121,065 | | | $ | (1,667) | |
Cleared derivatives | (5,212) | | | 5,212 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | (155,076) | | | $ | 5,212 | | | $ | (149,864) | | | $ | 27,132 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 121,065 | | | $ | (1,667) | |
(1)Amounts presented may not agree to the consolidated balance sheet related to counterparties not subject to master netting agreements.
(2)Cash collateral excludes $23.7 million of collateral posted related to counterparties not subject to master netting agreements.
Farmer Mac records posted cash as a reduction in the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of prepaid expenses and other assets. Any investment securities posted as collateral are included in the investment securities balances on the consolidated balance sheets. If Farmer Mac had breached certain provisions of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements, but would not have been required to post additional collateral. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no financial derivatives in a net payable position where Farmer Mac was required to pledge collateral which the counterparty had the right to sell or repledge.
Of Farmer Mac's $25.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2023, $20.3 billion were cleared through the swap clearinghouse, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"). Of Farmer Mac's $23.9 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2022, $19.5 billion were cleared through the CME. During 2023 and throughout 2022, Farmer Mac continued the use of non-cleared basis swaps to prepare for the transition away from the use of LIBOR as a reference rate.
5.LOANS
Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost basis adjustments. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled
basis. As of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale.
Under the Agricultural Finance line of business, Farmer Mac has two segments – Farm & Ranch and Corporate AgFinance. The segments are characterized by similarities in risk attributes and the manner in which Farmer Mac monitors and assesses credit risk.
The following table includes loans held for investment and displays the composition of the loan balances as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 5.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| Unsecuritized | | In Consolidated Trusts | | Total | | Unsecuritized | | In Consolidated Trusts | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance loans | | | | | | | | | | | |
Farm & Ranch | $ | 4,837,722 | | | $ | 1,468,357 | | | $ | 6,306,079 | | | $ | 5,150,750 | | | $ | 1,211,576 | | | $ | 6,362,326 | |
Corporate AgFinance | 1,172,864 | | | — | | | 1,172,864 | | | 1,166,253 | | | — | | | 1,166,253 | |
Total Agricultural Finance loans | 6,010,586 | | | 1,468,357 | | | 7,478,943 | | | 6,317,003 | | | 1,211,576 | | | 7,528,579 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance loans | 3,178,104 | | | — | | | 3,178,104 | | | 3,021,266 | | | — | | | 3,021,266 | |
Total unpaid principal balance(1) | 9,188,690 | | | 1,468,357 | | | 10,657,047 | | | 9,338,269 | | | 1,211,576 | | | 10,549,845 | |
Unamortized premiums, discounts, fair value hedge basis adjustment, and other cost basis adjustments | (273,034) | | | — | | | (273,034) | | | (329,290) | | | — | | | (329,290) | |
Total loans | 8,915,656 | | | 1,468,357 | | | 10,384,013 | | | 9,008,979 | | | 1,211,576 | | | 10,220,555 | |
Allowance for losses | (15,171) | | | (502) | | | (15,673) | | | (14,629) | | | (460) | | | (15,089) | |
Total loans, net of allowance | $ | 8,900,485 | | | $ | 1,467,855 | | | $ | 10,368,340 | | | $ | 8,994,350 | | | $ | 1,211,116 | | | $ | 10,205,466 | |
(1)Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.
Allowance for Losses
The following table is a summary, by asset type, of the allowance for losses as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 5.2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Allowance for Losses | | Allowance for Losses |
| (in thousands) |
Loans: | | | |
Agricultural Finance loans | | | |
Farm & Ranch | $ | 3,933 | | | $ | 4,044 | |
Corporate AgFinance | 7,039 | | | 2,731 | |
Total Agricultural Finance Loans | 10,972 | | | 6,775 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance loans | 4,701 | | | 8,314 | |
Total | $ | 15,673 | | | $ | 15,089 | |
The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 5.3
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
| Agricultural Finance loans | | Rural Infrastructure Finance loans(3) | | Agricultural Finance loans | | Rural Infrastructure Finance loans(3) |
| Farm & Ranch(1) | | Corporate AgFinance(2) | | Total | | | Farm & Ranch(1) | | Corporate AgFinance(2) | | Total | |
| (in thousands) |
Beginning Balance | $ | 4,044 | | | $ | 2,731 | | | $ | 6,775 | | | $ | 8,314 | | | $ | 2,882 | | | $ | 560 | | | $ | 3,442 | | | $ | 10,599 | |
Provision for/(release of) losses | (111) | | | 4,308 | | | 4,197 | | | (3,613) | | | 77 | | 513 | | 590 | | | (977) | |
Charge-offs | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (84) | | | — | | | (84) | | | — | |
Ending Balance | $ | 3,933 | | | $ | 7,039 | | | $ | 10,972 | | | $ | 4,701 | | | $ | 2,875 | | | $ | 1,073 | | | $ | 3,948 | | | $ | 9,622 | |
(1)As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, allowance for losses for Agricultural Finance Farm & Ranch loans includes $1.1 million and no allowance for collateral dependent assets secured by agricultural real estate, respectively.
(2)As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, allowance for losses for Agricultural Finance Corporate AgFinance loans includes $4.6 million and no allowance for collateral dependent assets secured by agricultural real estate, respectively.
(3)As of both March 31, 2023 and 2022, allowance for losses for Rural Infrastructure Finance loans includes no allowance for collateral dependent assets.
The $3.6 million net release from the allowance for the Rural Infrastructure Finance portfolio during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to an updated estimate of expected losses based on newly available industry data. The $4.2 million net provision to the allowance for the Agricultural Finance mortgage loan portfolio during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to declining valuation of a single agricultural storage and processing loan, due to its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings and an updated estimate of expected losses based on additional availability of industry data.
The net release from the allowance for Rural Infrastructure Finance loan losses of $1.0 million recorded during first quarter 2022 was primarily attributable to a risk rating upgrade on a single loan related to the borrower's successful securitization of a large payable incurred as a result of the arctic freeze that struck Texas in February 2021, and was partially offset by new loan volume. The $0.6 million net provision to the allowance for the Agricultural Finance mortgage loan portfolio during first quarter 2022 was primarily attributable to a risk rating downgrade on a single agricultural storage and processing loan.
The following table presents the unpaid principal balances by delinquency status of Farmer Mac's loans and non-performing assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 5.4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Accruing | | | | |
| Current | | 30-59 Days | | 60-89 Days | | 90 Days and Greater(2) | | Total Past Due | | Nonaccrual loans(3)(4) | | Total Loans |
| (in thousands) |
Loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Finance loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Farm & Ranch | $ | 6,210,739 | | | $ | 4,403 | | | $ | 1,989 | | | $ | 6,922 | | | $ | 13,314 | | | $ | 82,026 | | | $ | 6,306,079 | |
Corporate AgFinance | 1,159,609 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 13,255 | | | 1,172,864 | |
Total Agricultural Finance loans | 7,370,348 | | | 4,403 | | | 1,989 | | | 6,922 | | | 13,314 | | | 95,281 | | | 7,478,943 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance loans | 3,178,104 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,178,104 | |
Total | $ | 10,548,452 | | | $ | 4,403 | | | $ | 1,989 | | | $ | 6,922 | | | $ | 13,314 | | | $ | 95,281 | | | $ | 10,657,047 | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Includes loans in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties that are 90 days or more past due.
(3)Includes loans that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
(4)Includes $16.1 million of nonaccrual loans for which there was no associated allowance. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac received $0.5 million in interest on nonaccrual loans.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Accruing | | | | |
| Current | | 30-59 Days | | 60-89 Days | | 90 Days and Greater(2) | | Total Past Due | | Nonaccrual loans(3)(4) | | Total Loans |
| (in thousands) |
Loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Finance loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Farm & Ranch | $ | 6,287,326 | | | $ | 10,066 | | | $ | 392 | | | $ | 1,140 | | | $ | 11,598 | | | $ | 63,402 | | | $ | 6,362,326 | |
Corporate AgFinance | 1,150,690 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 15,563 | | | 1,166,253 | |
Total Agricultural Finance loans | 7,438,016 | | | 10,066 | | | 392 | | | 1,140 | | | 11,598 | | | 78,965 | | | 7,528,579 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance loans | 3,021,266 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,021,266 | |
Total | $ | 10,459,282 | | | $ | 10,066 | | | $ | 392 | | | $ | 1,140 | | | $ | 11,598 | | | $ | 78,965 | | | $ | 10,549,845 | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Includes loans in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties that are 90 days or more past due.
(3)Includes loans that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
(4)Includes $22.0 million of nonaccrual loans for which there was no associated allowance. During the year ended December 31, 2022, Farmer Mac received $5.6 million in interest on nonaccrual loans.
Credit Quality Indicators
The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Agricultural Finance mortgage loans and Rural Infrastructure Finance loans held as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, by year of origination:
Table 5.5
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance - Farm & Ranch loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 110,328 | | | $ | 1,160,657 | | | $ | 1,660,716 | | | $ | 1,155,561 | | | $ | 330,442 | | | $ | 1,141,358 | | | $ | 352,316 | | | $ | 5,911,378 | |
Special mention(2) | 3,926 | | | 76,144 | | | 69,920 | | | 24,128 | | | 24,410 | | | 22,625 | | | 13,547 | | | 234,700 | |
Substandard(3) | — | | | 7,115 | | | 7,873 | | | 20,865 | | | 32,881 | | | 80,931 | | | 10,336 | | | 160,001 | |
Total | $ | 114,254 | | | $ | 1,243,916 | | | $ | 1,738,509 | | | $ | 1,200,554 | | | $ | 387,733 | | | $ | 1,244,914 | | | $ | 376,199 | | | $ | 6,306,079 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance - Corporate AgFinance(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 91,825 | | | $ | 144,361 | | | $ | 280,569 | | | $ | 124,825 | | | $ | 107,234 | | | $ | 119,813 | | | $ | 216,575 | | | $ | 1,085,202 | |
Special mention(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 51,737 | | | 20,525 | | | — | | | 2,145 | | | 74,407 | |
Substandard(3) | 11,099 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,128 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,028 | | | 13,255 | |
Total | $ | 102,924 | | | $ | 144,361 | | | $ | 280,569 | | | $ | 177,690 | | | $ | 127,759 | | | $ | 119,813 | | | $ | 219,748 | | | $ | 1,172,864 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Rural Infrastructure Finance loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 247,553 | | | $ | 727,714 | | | $ | 177,165 | | | $ | 619,983 | | | $ | 730,252 | | | $ | 635,181 | | | $ | 40,256 | | | $ | 3,178,104 | |
Special mention(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Substandard(3) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | 247,553 | | | $ | 727,714 | | | $ | 177,165 | | | $ | 619,983 | | | $ | 730,252 | | | $ | 635,181 | | | $ | 40,256 | | | $ | 3,178,104 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance - Farm & Ranch loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 1,157,829 | | | $ | 1,704,547 | | | $ | 1,187,474 | | | $ | 360,704 | | | $ | 242,491 | | | $ | 947,535 | | | $ | 385,503 | | | $ | 5,986,083 | |
Special mention(2) | 91,099 | | | 68,260 | | | 25,629 | | | 11,254 | | | 5,325 | | | 17,797 | | | 2,452 | | | 221,816 | |
Substandard(3) | 3,094 | | | 8,814 | | | 22,976 | | | 23,937 | | | 17,845 | | | 67,654 | | | 10,107 | | | 154,427 | |
Total | $ | 1,252,022 | | | $ | 1,781,621 | | | $ | 1,236,079 | | | $ | 395,895 | | | $ | 265,661 | | | $ | 1,032,986 | | | $ | 398,062 | | | $ | 6,362,326 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (84) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (84) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance - Corporate AgFinance loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 145,263 | | | $ | 299,729 | | | $ | 221,560 | | | $ | 108,230 | | | $ | 76,454 | | | $ | 44,827 | | | $ | 232,107 | | | $ | 1,128,170 | |
Special mention(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 20,698 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,145 | | | 22,843 | |
Substandard(3) | — | | | — | | | 4,598 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10,642 | | | 15,240 | |
Total | $ | 145,263 | | | $ | 299,729 | | | $ | 226,158 | | | $ | 128,928 | | | $ | 76,454 | | | $ | 44,827 | | | $ | 244,894 | | | $ | 1,166,253 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Rural Infrastructure Finance loans(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 741,021 | | | $ | 220,420 | | | $ | 629,223 | | | $ | 739,270 | | | $ | 7,932 | | | $ | 649,830 | | | $ | 33,570 | | | $ | 3,021,266 | |
Special mention(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Substandard(3) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | 741,021 | | | $ | 220,420 | | | $ | 629,223 | | | $ | 739,270 | | | $ | 7,932 | | | $ | 649,830 | | | $ | 33,570 | | | $ | 3,021,266 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
6. GUARANTEES AND COMMITMENTS
The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans:
Table 6.1
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | $ | 488,095 | | | $ | 500,953 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 1,098 | | | 1,169 | |
Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | $ | 489,193 | | | $ | 502,122 | |
Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors.
The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations:
Table 6.2
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | |
| (in thousands) |
Proceeds from new securitizations | $ | 222,188 | | | $ | 25,928 | | | |
Guarantee fees received | 487 | | | 577 | | | |
Farmer Mac presents a liability for its obligation to stand ready under its guarantee in "Guarantee and commitment obligation" on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the liability and the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Table 6.3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Guarantee and commitment obligation | $ | 6,269 | | | $ | 6,461 | |
Weighted average remaining maturity: | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 21.3 years | | 21.4 years |
AgVantage Securities | 1.7 years | | 2.0 years |
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments
Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the liability, the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be requested to make under all LTSPCs, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans, as well as the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs:
Table 6.4
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Guarantee and commitment obligation(1) | $ | 39,845 | | | $ | 40,121 | |
Maximum principal amount | 3,423,092 | | | 3,423,155 | |
Weighted-average remaining maturity | 15.0 years | | 15.3 years |
(1) Relates to LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003.
Reserve for Losses
The following table is a summary, by asset type, of the reserve for losses as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 6.5 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Reserve for Losses | | Reserve for Losses |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance | $ | 1,396 | | | $ | 819 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance | 240 | | | 614 | |
Total | $ | 1,636 | | | $ | 1,433 | |
The following is a summary of the changes in the reserve for losses for the three month period ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 6.6
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
| | | |
| Reserve for Losses | | Reserve for Losses |
| (in thousands) |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Agricultural Finance | | | |
Beginning Balance | $ | 819 | | | $ | 1,068 | |
Provision for/(release of )losses | 577 | | | (75) | |
Ending Balance | $ | 1,396 | | | $ | 993 | |
| | | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance | | | |
Beginning Balance | $ | 614 | | | $ | 882 | |
Release of losses | (374) | | | (35) | |
Ending Balance | $ | 240 | | | $ | 847 | |
The release from the reserve for losses in the Rural Infrastructure Finance LTSPC portfolio recorded during first quarter 2023 was primarily due to an updated estimate of expected losses based on additional available industry data. The provision to the reserve for losses in the Agricultural Finance LTSPC portfolio recorded during first quarter 2023 was primarily due to an updated estimate of expected losses based on additional available industry data.
The release from the reserve for losses in both the Agricultural Finance and Rural Infrastructure Finance
LTSPC portfolios and Farmer Mac Guaranteed portfolios recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2022
was primarily due to decreased net volume in those portfolios.
The following table presents the unpaid principal balances by delinquency status of Agricultural Finance and Rural Infrastructure loans underlying LTSPCs and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 6.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Current | | 30-59 Days | | 60-89 Days | | 90 Days and Greater(1) | | Total Past Due | | Total Loans |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance: | $ | 3,193,633 | | | $ | 2,432 | | | $ | 366 | | | $ | 5,045 | | | $ | 7,843 | | | $ | 3,201,476 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance: | 503,588 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 503,588 | |
Total | $ | 3,697,221 | | | $ | 2,432 | | | $ | 366 | | | $ | 5,045 | | | $ | 7,843 | | | $ | 3,705,064 | |
(1)Includes loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days of more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Current | | 30-59 Days | | 60-89 Days | | 90 Days and Greater(1) | | Total Past Due | | Total Loans |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance: | $ | 3,174,939 | | | $ | 11,614 | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | 3,817 | | | $ | 16,053 | | | $ | 3,190,992 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance: | 523,192 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 523,192 | |
Total | $ | 3,698,131 | | | $ | 11,614 | | | $ | 622 | | | $ | 3,817 | | | $ | 16,053 | | | $ | 3,714,184 | |
(1)Includes loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days of more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
Credit Quality Indicators
The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Agricultural Finance and Rural Infrastructure loans underlying LTSPCs and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, by year of origination:
Table 6.8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 36,192 | | | $ | 232,811 | | | $ | 491,815 | | | $ | 529,545 | | | $ | 255,049 | | | $ | 1,273,859 | | | $ | 302,452 | | | $ | 3,121,723 | |
Special mention(1) | — | | | 73 | | | 1,310 | | | 1,763 | | | — | | | 41,605 | | | 3,186 | | | 47,937 | |
Substandard(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | 154 | | | 407 | | | 27,929 | | | 3,326 | | | 31,816 | |
Total | $ | 36,192 | | | $ | 232,884 | | | $ | 493,125 | | | $ | 531,462 | | | $ | 255,456 | | | $ | 1,343,393 | | | $ | 308,964 | | | $ | 3,201,476 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(2)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Rural Infrastructure Finance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 441,459 | | | $ | 62,129 | | | $ | 503,588 | |
Special mention(1) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Substandard(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 441,459 | | | $ | 62,129 | | | $ | 503,588 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(2)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | 202,998 | | | $ | 496,269 | | | $ | 535,798 | | | $ | 254,293 | | | $ | 207,379 | | | $ | 1,107,834 | | | $ | 296,508 | | | $ | 3,101,079 | |
Special mention(1) | — | | | 1,319 | | | 1,778 | | | — | | | 1,198 | | | 42,680 | | | 3,205 | | | 50,180 | |
Substandard(2) | — | | | — | | | 176 | | | — | | | 3,588 | | | 32,597 | | | 3,372 | | | 39,733 | |
Total | $ | 202,998 | | | $ | 497,588 | | | $ | 537,752 | | | $ | 254,293 | | | $ | 212,165 | | | $ | 1,183,111 | | | $ | 303,085 | | | $ | 3,190,992 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(2)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Year of Origination: | | | | |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans - Amortized Cost Basis | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Rural Infrastructure Finance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Internally Assigned Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceptable | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 470,659 | | | $ | 52,533 | | | $ | 523,192 | |
Special mention(1) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Substandard(2) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 470,659 | | | $ | 52,533 | | | $ | 523,192 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current period charge-offs | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(2)Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
7.NOTES PAYABLE
Farmer Mac's borrowings consist of discount notes and medium-term notes, both of which are unsecured general obligations of Farmer Mac. Discount notes generally have original maturities of 1.0 year or less, whereas medium-term notes generally have maturities of 0.5 years to 25.0 years.
The following tables set forth information related to Farmer Mac's borrowings as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 7.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 |
| Outstanding as of March 31 | | Average Outstanding During the Quarter |
| Amount | | Weighted- Average Rate | | Amount | | Weighted- Average Rate |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Due within one year: | | | | | | | |
Discount notes | $ | 854,937 | | | 4.68 | % | | $ | 622,185 | | | 4.40 | % |
Medium-term notes | 2,519,784 | | | 3.80 | % | | 2,584,922 | | | 3.71 | % |
Current portion of medium-term notes | 5,049,859 | | | 1.81 | % | | | | |
Total due within one year | $ | 8,424,580 | | | 2.69 | % | | | | |
Due after one year: | | | | | | | |
Medium-term notes due in: | | | | | | | |
Two years | $ | 4,488,583 | | | 2.04 | % | | | | |
Three years | 3,373,635 | | | 1.92 | % | | | | |
Four years | 3,071,804 | | | 1.87 | % | | | | |
Five years | 1,986,249 | | | 3.66 | % | | | | |
Thereafter | 3,900,927 | | | 2.67 | % | | | | |
Total due after one year | $ | 16,821,198 | | | 2.32 | % | | | | |
Total principal net of discounts | $ | 25,245,778 | | | 2.45 | % | | | | |
Hedging adjustments | (408,387) | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 24,837,391 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 |
| Outstanding as of December 31 | | Average Outstanding During the Year |
| Amount | | Weighted- Average Rate | | Amount | | Weighted- Average Rate |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Due within one year: | | | | | | | |
Discount notes | $ | 565,578 | | | 3.91 | % | | $ | 1,325,026 | | | 0.96 | % |
Medium-term notes | 2,547,733 | | | 3.54 | % | | 1,442,932 | | | 2.11 | % |
Current portion of medium-term notes | 4,920,864 | | | 1.49 | % | | | | |
Total due within one year | $ | 8,034,175 | | | 2.31 | % | | | | |
Due after one year: | | | | | | | |
Medium-term notes due in: | | | | | | | |
Two years | $ | 4,072,740 | | | 1.71 | % | | | | |
Three years | 3,506,480 | | | 2.10 | % | | | | |
Four years | 2,967,625 | | | 1.44 | % | | | | |
Five years | 2,361,197 | | | 3.12 | % | | | | |
Thereafter | 4,057,982 | | | 2.60 | % | | | | |
Total due after one year | $ | 16,966,024 | | | 2.15 | % | | | | |
Total principal net of discounts | $ | 25,000,199 | | | 2.20 | % | | | | |
Hedging adjustments | (531,086) | | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 24,469,113 | | | | | | | |
The maximum amount of Farmer Mac's discount notes outstanding at any month end during each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.9 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.
Callable medium-term notes give Farmer Mac the option to redeem the debt at par value on a specified call date or at any time on or after a specified call date. The following table summarizes by maturity date the amounts and costs for Farmer Mac debt callable in 2023 as of March 31, 2023:
Table 7.2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Callable in 2023 as of March 31, 2023, by Maturity |
| Amount | | Weighted-Average Rate |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Maturity: | | | |
2024 | $ | 608,309 | | | 2.39 | % |
2025 | 765,897 | | | 2.07 | % |
2026 | 1,184,753 | | | 1.46 | % |
2027 | 650,044 | | | 2.30 | % |
Thereafter | 1,698,054 | | | 2.21 | % |
Total | $ | 4,907,057 | | | 2.04 | % |
The following schedule summarizes the earliest interest rate reset date, or debt maturities, of total borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2023, including callable and non-callable medium-term notes, assuming callable notes are redeemed at the initial call date:
Table 7.3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Earliest Interest Rate Reset Date, or Debt Maturities, of Borrowings Outstanding |
| Amount | | Weighted-Average Rate |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Debt with interest rate resets, or debt maturities in: | | | |
2023 | $ | 8,593,722 | | | 3.10 | % |
2024 | 4,363,936 | | | 1.94 | % |
2025 | 3,435,194 | | | 2.06 | % |
2026 | 3,004,738 | | | 1.49 | % |
2027 | 2,324,379 | | | 3.02 | % |
Thereafter | 3,523,809 | | | 2.30 | % |
Total principal net of discounts | $ | 25,245,778 | | | 2.45 | % |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Farmer Mac called none and $26.0 million of callable medium-term notes, respectively.
Authority to Borrow from the U.S. Treasury
Farmer Mac's statutory charter authorizes it, upon satisfying certain conditions, to borrow up to $1.5 billion from the U.S. Treasury through the issuance of debt obligations to the U.S. Treasury. Any funds borrowed from the U.S. Treasury may be used solely to fulfill Farmer Mac's guarantee obligations. Any debt obligations issued by Farmer Mac under this authority would bear interest at a rate determined by the U.S. Treasury, taking into consideration the average rate on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States as of the last day of the last calendar month ending before the date of the purchase of the
obligations from Farmer Mac. The charter requires Farmer Mac to repurchase any of its debt obligations held by the U.S. Treasury within a reasonable time. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had not used this borrowing authority.
Gains on Repurchases of Outstanding Debt
No outstanding debt repurchases were made in the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
8.EQUITY
Common Stock
During first quarter 2023, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2022, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share on all
classes of its common stock.
Farmer Mac's board of directors approved a share repurchase program during third quarter 2015 authorizing Farmer Mac to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding Class C non-voting common stock. The share repurchase program, last modified on March 14, 2019, authorized Farmer Mac to repurchase up to $10.0 million of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock. During first quarter 2020, Farmer Mac repurchased approximately 4,000 shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately $0.2 million. Shortly after these repurchases were completed, Farmer Mac indefinitely suspended its share repurchase program in an effort to preserve capital and liquidity in view of market volatility and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, Farmer Mac's board of directors reinstated the share repurchase program on its previous terms (with a remaining authorization of up to $9.8 million in stock repurchases) and extended the expiration date of the program to March 2023. Farmer Mac did not repurchase any shares of its Class C non-voting common stock during first quarter 2023. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had repurchased approximately 673,000 shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately $19.8 million under the share repurchase program since 2015.
Capital Requirements
Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the minimum capital requirement was greater than the risk-based capital requirement. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements.
As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $817.9 million and its core capital level was $1.4 billion, which was $534.4 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2022, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $805.9 million and its core capital level was $1.3 billion, which was $516.9 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date.
In accordance with a rule of the Farm Credit Administration ("FCA") on Farmer Mac's capital planning, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of Tier 1 capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, and qualifying
preferred stock) and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.
9.FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
Fair Value Classification and Transfers
The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value:
Table 9.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of March 31, 2023 |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3(1) | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Recurring: | |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Investment Securities: | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,031 | | | $ | 19,031 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | | | 2,450,585 | | | — | | | 2,450,585 | |
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | | | 1,254,848 | | | — | | | 1,254,848 | |
| | | | | | | |
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 923,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 923,000 | |
Total Available-for-sale Investment Securities | 923,000 | | | 3,705,433 | | | 19,031 | | | 4,647,464 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | — | | | — | | | 8,217,420 | | | 8,217,420 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | | | — | | | 8,034 | | | 8,034 | |
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | | | — | | | 8,225,454 | | | 8,225,454 | |
USDA Securities: | | | | | | | |
Trading | — | | | — | | | 1,405 | | | 1,405 | |
Total USDA Securities | — | | | — | | | 1,405 | | | 1,405 | |
Financial derivatives | 614 | | | 24,485 | | | — | | | 25,099 | |
Guarantee Asset | — | | | — | | | 4,570 | | | 4,570 | |
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 923,614 | | | $ | 3,729,918 | | | $ | 8,250,460 | | | $ | 12,903,992 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Financial derivatives | $ | — | | | $ | 166,963 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 166,963 | |
Total Liabilities at fair value | $ | — | | | $ | 166,963 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 166,963 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
(1) Level 3 assets represent 30% of total assets and 63% of financial instruments measured at fair value.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2022 |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3(1) | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Recurring: | |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Investment Securities: | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,027 | | | $ | 19,027 | |
| | | | | | | |
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | | | 2,392,540 | | | — | | | 2,392,540 | |
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | | | 1,048,386 | | | — | | | 1,048,386 | |
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 1,119,611 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,119,611 | |
Total Available-for-sale Investment Securities | 1,119,611 | | | 3,440,926 | | | 19,027 | | | 4,579,564 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | — | | | — | | | 7,599,379 | | | 7,599,379 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | | | — | | | 7,847 | | | 7,847 | |
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | | | — | | | 7,607,226 | | | 7,607,226 | |
USDA Securities: | | | | | | | |
Trading | — | | | — | | | 1,767 | | | 1,767 | |
Total USDA Securities | — | | | — | | | 1,767 | | | 1,767 | |
Financial derivatives | — | | | 37,409 | | | — | | | 37,409 | |
Guarantee Asset | — | | | — | | | 4,467 | | | 4,467 | |
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 1,119,611 | | | $ | 3,478,335 | | | $ | 7,632,487 | | | $ | 12,230,433 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Financial derivatives | $ | 142 | | | $ | 175,184 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 175,326 | |
Total Liabilities at fair value | $ | 142 | | | $ | 175,184 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 175,326 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
(1) Level 3 assets represent 28% of total assets and 62% of financial instruments measured at fair value.
There were no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
Transfers in and/or out of the different levels within the fair value hierarchy are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy.
The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Table 9.2
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 |
| Beginning Balance | | Purchases | | | | Settlements | | Allowance for Losses | | Realized and unrealized gains included in Income | | Unrealized (losses)/gains included in Other Comprehensive Income | | Ending Balance |
| (in thousands) |
Recurring: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 19,027 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,031 | |
Total available-for-sale | 19,027 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | 19,031 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | 7,599,379 | | | 687,650 | | | | | (141,386) | | | 32 | | | 93,342 | | | (21,597) | | | 8,217,420 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 7,847 | | | — | | | | | (433) | | | — | | | — | | | 620 | | | 8,034 | |
Total available-for-sale | 7,607,226 | | | 687,650 | | | | | (141,819) | | | 32 | | | 93,342 | | | (20,977) | | | 8,225,454 | |
USDA Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trading | 1,767 | | | — | | | | | (387) | | | — | | | 25 | | | — | | | 1,405 | |
Total USDA Securities | 1,767 | | | — | | | | | (387) | | | — | | | 25 | | | — | | | 1,405 | |
Guarantee and commitment obligations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee Asset | 4,467 | | | — | | | | | (231) | | | — | | | 334 | | | — | | | 4,570 | |
Total Guarantee and commitment obligations | 4,467 | | | — | | | | | (231) | | | — | | | 334 | | | — | | | 4,570 | |
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 7,632,487 | | | $ | 687,650 | | | | | $ | (142,437) | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 93,701 | | | $ | (20,977) | | | $ | 8,250,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| Beginning Balance | | Purchases | | | | Settlements | | Allowance for Losses | | Realized and unrealized (losses)/gains included in Income | | Unrealized losses included in Other Comprehensive Income | | Ending Balance |
| (in thousands) |
Recurring: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 19,254 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (295) | | | $ | 18,961 | |
Total available-for-sale | 19,254 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 2 | | | — | | | (295) | | | 18,961 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | 6,316,145 | | | 832,750 | | | | | (295,284) | | | (418) | | | (210,587) | | | (53,382) | | | 6,589,224 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 12,414 | | | — | | | | | (379) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,013) | | | 11,022 | |
Total available-for-sale | 6,328,559 | | | 832,750 | | | | | (295,663) | | | (418) | | | (210,587) | | | (54,395) | | | 6,600,246 | |
USDA Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trading | 4,401 | | | — | | | | | (952) | | | — | | | (63) | | | — | | | 3,386 | |
Total USDA Securities | 4,401 | | | — | | | | | (952) | | | — | | | (63) | | | — | | | 3,386 | |
Guarantee and commitment obligations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee Asset | 6,237 | | | — | | | | | (255) | | | — | | | 156 | | | — | | | 6,138 | |
Total Guarantee and commitment obligations | 6,237 | | | — | | | | | (255) | | | — | | | 156 | | | — | | | 6,138 | |
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 6,358,451 | | | $ | 832,750 | | | | | $ | (296,870) | | | $ | (416) | | | $ | (210,494) | | | $ | (54,690) | | | $ | 6,628,731 | |
The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 9.3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of March 31, 2023 |
Financial Instruments | | Fair Value | | Valuation Technique | | Unobservable Input | | Range (Weighted-Average) |
| | (in thousands) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Investment securities: | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | | $ | 19,031 | | | Indicative bids | | Range of broker quotes | | 96.8% - 96.8% (96.8%) |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | | $ | 8,217,420 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 4.4% - 6.3% (5.0%) |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | | $ | 8,034 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 4.4% - 4.9% (4.7%) |
| | | | | | CPR | | 8% |
| | | | | | | | |
USDA Securities | | $ | 1,405 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 4.9% - 5.2% (5.1%) |
| | | | | | CPR | | 13% - 13% (13%) |
| | | | | | | | |
Guarantee Asset | | $ | 4,570 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 5.0% - 5.5% (5.2%) |
| | | | | | CPR | | 8% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, 2022 |
Financial Instruments | | Fair Value | | Valuation Technique | | Unobservable Input | | Range (Weighted-Average) |
| | (in thousands) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Investment securities: | | | | | | | | |
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | | $ | 19,027 | | | Indicative bids | | Range of broker quotes | | 96.8% - 96.8% (96.8%) |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | | | | | | | | |
AgVantage | | $ | 7,599,379 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 4.7% - 6.1% (5.1%) |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | | $ | 7,847 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 4.8% - 5.3% (5.1%) |
| | | | | | CPR | | 8% |
| | | | | | | | |
USDA Securities | | $ | 1,767 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 5.1% - 5.7% (5.3%) |
| | | | | | CPR | | 19% - 27% (25%) |
| | | | | | | | |
Guarantee Asset | | $ | 4,467 | | | Discounted cash flow | | Discount rate | | 5.4% - 5.9% (5.7%) |
| | | | | | CPR | | 8% |
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurements of AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities is the discount rate commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in this input in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease. Prepayment rates are not presented in the table above for AgVantage
securities because they generally have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligations are due and do not prepay.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of USDA Securities are the prepayment rate and discount rate commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase and would likely expect a corresponding decrease in forecasted prepayment rates. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease and would likely expect a corresponding increase in forecasted prepayment rates.
Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 9.4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount |
| (in thousands) |
Financial assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 864,594 | | | $ | 864,594 | | | $ | 861,002 | | | $ | 861,002 | |
Investment securities | 4,696,779 | | | 4,696,168 | | | 4,630,701 | | | 4,628,268 | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 9,175,211 | | | 9,219,420 | | | 8,573,781 | | | 8,628,380 | |
USDA Securities | 2,143,982 | | | 2,360,333 | | | 2,099,445 | | | 2,411,601 | |
Loans | 10,063,805 | | | 10,368,340 | | | 9,666,710 | | | 10,205,466 | |
Financial derivatives | 25,099 | | | 25,099 | | | 37,409 | | | 37,409 | |
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable | 54,060 | | | 46,670 | | | 50,653 | | | 47,151 | |
Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Notes payable | 24,088,548 | | | 24,837,391 | | | 23,591,330 | | | 24,469,113 | |
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties | 1,365,378 | | | 1,374,332 | | | 1,106,837 | | | 1,181,948 | |
Financial derivatives | 166,963 | | | 166,963 | | | 175,326 | | | 175,326 | |
Guarantee and commitment obligations | 53,503 | | | 46,114 | | | 50,083 | | | 46,582 | |
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as Level 1. The fair value of investments in U.S. Treasuries are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 1. A significant portion of Farmer Mac's investment portfolio is valued using a reputable nationally recognized third-party pricing service. The prices obtained are non-binding and generally representative of recent market trades and are classified as Level 2. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as Level 3. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or
receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments) and are classified as Level 2. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as Level 3. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as Level 3. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for Level 3 financial instruments are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.
10.BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING
The following table presents the alignment of the Farmer Mac's seven segments:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Finance | Rural Infrastructure Finance | Treasury | |
Farm & Ranch | Corporate AgFinance | Rural Utilities | Renewable Energy | Funding | Investments | Corporate |
The financial information presented below reflects the accounts of Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis. Accordingly, the core earnings for Farmer Mac's segments would differ from any stand-alone financial statements of Farmer Mac's subsidiaries. These differences would be due to various factors, including the exclusion of unrealized gains and losses related to fair value changes of trading assets and financial derivatives, as well as the allocation of certain expenses such as operating expenses, dividends and interest expense related to the issuance of capital and the issuance of indebtedness managed at the corporate level.
The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Table 10.1
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Earnings by Business Segment |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 |
| Agricultural Finance | | Rural Infrastructure | | Treasury | | Corporate | | | | |
| Farm & Ranch | | Corporate AgFinance | | Rural Utilities | | Renewable Energy | | Funding | | Investments | | | Reconciling Adjustments | | Consolidated Net Income |
| (in thousands) |
Net interest income | $ | 33,511 | | | $ | 7,148 | | | $ | 5,540 | | | $ | 858 | | | $ | 32,544 | | | $ | (543) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 79,058 | |
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3) | (1,046) | | | — | | | (33) | | | — | | | (806) | | | — | | | — | | | 1,885 | | | — | |
Net effective spread | 32,465 | | | 7,148 | | | 5,507 | | | 858 | | | 31,738 | | | (543) | | | — | | | 1,885 | | | — | |
Guarantee and commitment fees | 4,292 | | | 53 | | | 281 | | | 28 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (721) | | | 3,933 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income/(expense)(3) | 1,067 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 558 | | | 1,625 | |
Total revenues | 37,824 | | | 7,201 | | | 5,788 | | | 886 | | | 31,738 | | | (543) | | | — | | | 1,722 | | | 84,616 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Release of/(provision for) losses | 128 | | | (4,301) | | | 3,484 | | | 138 | | | — | | | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | (547) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Provision for)/release of reserve for losses | (577) | | | — | | | 374 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (203) | |
Operating expenses | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (23,713) | | | — | | | (23,713) | |
Total non-interest expense | (577) | | | — | | | 374 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (23,713) | | | — | | | (23,916) | |
Core earnings before income taxes | 37,375 | | | 2,900 | | | 9,646 | | | 1,024 | | | 31,738 | | | (539) | | | (23,713) | | | 1,722 | | (4) | 60,153 | |
Income tax (expense)/benefit | (7,849) | | | (609) | | | (2,026) | | | (215) | | | (6,665) | | | 113 | | | 4,495 | | | (362) | | | (13,118) | |
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends | 29,526 | | | 2,291 | | | 7,620 | | | 809 | | | 25,073 | | | (426) | | | (19,218) | | | 1,360 | | (4) | 47,035 | |
Preferred stock dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6,791) | | | — | | | (6,791) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment core earnings/(losses) | $ | 29,526 | | | $ | 2,291 | | | $ | 7,620 | | | $ | 809 | | | $ | 25,073 | | | $ | (426) | | | $ | (26,009) | | | $ | 1,360 | | (4) | $ | 40,244 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | $ | 14,549,275 | | | $ | 1,515,976 | | | $ | 6,444,264 | | | $ | 286,824 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,998,854 | | | $ | 144,754 | | | $ | — | | | 27,939,947 | |
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance | $ | 17,685,961 | | | $ | 1,599,982 | | | $ | 6,889,682 | | | $ | 308,493 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | 26,484,118 | |
(1)Includes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
(2)Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3)Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains on financial derivatives" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4)Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Earnings by Business Segment |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| Agricultural Finance | | Rural Infrastructure | | Treasury | | Corporate | | | | |
| Farm & Ranch | | Corporate AgFinance | | Rural Utilities | | Renewable Energy | | Funding | | Investments | | | Reconciling Adjustments | | Consolidated Net Income |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income | $ | 31,354 | | | $ | 7,209 | | | $ | 3,193 | | | $ | 375 | | | $ | 23,403 | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 65,538 | |
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3) | (1,000) | | | — | | | (34) | | | — | | | (6,665) | | | — | | | — | | | 7,699 | | | — | |
Net effective spread | 30,354 | | | 7,209 | | | 3,159 | | | 375 | | | 16,738 | | | 4 | | | — | | | 7,699 | | | — | |
Guarantee and commitment fees | 4,216 | | | 19 | | | 286 | | | 36 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (862) | | | 3,695 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income/(expense)(3) | 400 | | | 114 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 17,086 | | | 17,600 | |
Total revenues | 34,970 | | | 7,342 | | | 3,445 | | | 411 | | | 16,738 | | | 4 | | | — | | | 23,923 | | | 86,833 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Provision for)/release of losses | (510) | | | (515) | | | 1,169 | | | (202) | | | — | | | 2 | | | — | | | — | | | (56) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Release of reserve for losses | 75 | | | — | | | 35 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 110 | |
Operating expenses | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (21,388) | | | — | | | (21,388) | |
Total non-interest expense | 75 | | | — | | | 35 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (21,388) | | | — | | | (21,278) | |
Core earnings before income taxes | 34,535 | | | 6,827 | | | 4,649 | | | 209 | | | 16,738 | | | 6 | | | (21,388) | | | 23,923 | | (4) | 65,499 | |
Income tax (expense)/benefit | (7,252) | | | (1,434) | | | (976) | | | (44) | | | (3,515) | | | (1) | | | 4,198 | | | (5,022) | | | (14,046) | |
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends | 27,283 | | | 5,393 | | | 3,673 | | | 165 | | | 13,223 | | | 5 | | | (17,190) | | | 18,901 | | (4) | 51,453 | |
Preferred stock dividends | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (6,791) | | | — | | | (6,791) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment core earnings/(losses) | $ | 27,283 | | | $ | 5,393 | | | $ | 3,673 | | | $ | 165 | | | $ | 13,223 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | (23,981) | | | $ | 18,901 | | (4) | $ | 44,662 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | $ | 13,610,138 | | | $ | 1,491,127 | | | $ | 5,480,668 | | | $ | 92,132 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,970,030 | | | $ | 123,033 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 25,767,128 | |
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance | $ | 16,575,595 | | | $ | 1,540,760 | | | $ | 6,006,446 | | | $ | 120,609 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,243,410 | |
(1)Includes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
(2)Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3)Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains on financial derivatives" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4)Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.
11.REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Farmer Mac revised certain prior period financial statements to correct an error related to the recognition of accrual of interest for derivative contracts cleared through the swap clearinghouse, the CME. Farmer Mac determined that the error was immaterial to these previous consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole. Although Farmer Mac has concluded these errors are immaterial to the previously issued consolidated financial statements, Farmer Mac has corrected this error by revising the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Farmer Mac will also correct previously reported financial information
for such immaterial errors in future filings, as applicable. The following tables summarize the effect of the revision on each financial statement line item:
Revised Consolidated Statements of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| | | | | | | As previously Reported | | Adjustments | | As Revised |
| | | | | | | (in thousands) |
Interest Income: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | | | | | | | $ | 39,257 | | | $ | 3,663 | | | $ | 42,920 | |
Total interest income | | | | | | | 112,220 | | | 3,663 | | | 115,883 | |
Net interest income | | | | | | | 61,875 | | | 3,663 | | | 65,538 | |
Non-interest income/(expense): | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives | | | | | | | 16,074 | | | 914 | | | 16,988 | |
Non-Interest Income | | | | | | | 20,491 | | | 914 | | | 21,405 | |
Income before income taxes | | | | | | | 60,922 | | | 4,577 | | | 65,499 | |
Income tax expense | | | | | | | 13,085 | | | 961 | | | 14,046 | |
Net Income | | | | | | | 47,837 | | | 3,616 | | | 51,453 | |
Net Income attributable to common stockholders | | | | | | | 41,046 | | | 3,616 | | | 44,662 | |
Revised Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| | | | | | | As previously Reported | | Adjustments | | As Revised |
| | | | | | | (in thousands) |
Net Income | | | | | | | $ | 47,837 | | | $ | 3,616 | | | $ | 51,453 | |
Comprehensive Income | | | | | | | 4,319 | | | 3,616 | | | 7,935 | |
Revised Consolidated Statements of Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Retained Earnings | | Total Equity |
| As previously Reported | | Adjustments | | As Revised | | As previously Reported | | Adjustments | | As Revised |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $ | 579,270 | | | $ | 9,287 | | | $ | 588,557 | | | $ | 1,204,413 | | | $ | 9,287 | | | $ | 1,213,700 | |
Net Income | 47,837 | | | 3,616 | | | 51,453 | | | 47,837 | | | 3,616 | | | 51,453 | |
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | $ | 610,087 | | | $ | 12,903 | | | $ | 622,990 | | | $ | 1,192,844 | | | $ | 12,903 | | | $ | 1,205,747 | |
Revised Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| | | | | | | As previously Reported | | Adjustments | | As Revised |
| | | (in thousands) |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income/(loss) | | | | | | | $ | 47,837 | | | $ | 3,616 | | | $ | 51,453 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives | | | | | | | 231,470 | | | 4,494 | | | 235,964 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | | | | | 2,216 | | | 578 | | | 2,794 | |
Net change in: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest receivable | | | | | | | 29,408 | | | 2,869 | | | 32,277 | |
Other assets | | | | | | | (61,087) | | | (3,089) | | | (64,176) | |
Accrued interest payable | | | | | | | 5,769 | | | (4,697) | | | 1,072 | |
Other liabilities | | | | | | | 9,962 | | | (3,771) | | | 6,191 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | | | | | 269,305 | | | — | | | 269,305 | |
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The objective of this section of the report is to provide a discussion and analysis, from management’s
perspective, of the material information necessary to assess Farmer Mac's financial condition and results
of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Financial information included in this report is
consolidated to include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries – Farmer Mac Mortgage
Securities Corporation and Farmer Mac II LLC. This discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations should be read together with: (1) the interim unaudited consolidated financial
statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report; and (2) Farmer Mac's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023
(the "2022 Annual Report").
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In this report, the words "Farmer Mac," "we," "our," and "us" refer to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires.
Some statements made in this report, such as in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section, are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about management's current expectations for Farmer Mac's future financial results, business prospects, and business developments. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements. These statements typically include terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "continues," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "outlook," "plans," "potential," "project," "target," and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "may," "might," "should," "will," and "would." This report includes forward-looking statements addressing Farmer Mac's:
•prospects for earnings;
•prospects for growth in business volume;
•trends in net interest income and net effective spread;
•trends in portfolio credit quality, delinquencies, substandard assets, credit losses, and provisions for losses;
•assessment of economic and market trends;
•trends in expenses;
•trends in investment securities;
•prospects for asset impairments and allowance for losses;
•changes in capital position;
•future dividend payments; and
•other business and financial matters.
Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve assumptions, estimates, and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties. Various factors or events, both known and unknown, could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements, including the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of Farmer Mac's 2022 Annual Report, as well as uncertainties about:
•the availability to Farmer Mac of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms;
•legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac, its sources of business, or agricultural or rural infrastructure industries;
•fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries;
•the level of lender interest in Farmer Mac's products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac;
•the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural infrastructure indebtedness;
•the effect of economic conditions stemming from disruptive global events or otherwise on agricultural mortgage or rural infrastructure lending, borrower repayment capacity, or collateral values, including rapid inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in U.S. trade policies, fluctuations in export demand for U.S. agricultural products and foreign currency exchange rates, supply chain disruptions, increases in input costs, labor availability, volatility from the recent commercial banking failures, and volatility in commodity prices;
•the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to interest rate risk resulting from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes;
•developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;
•the effects of the Federal Reserve’s efforts to achieve monetary policy normalization and slow inflation; and
•other factors that could hinder agricultural mortgage lending or borrower repayment capacity, including the effects of severe weather, flooding and drought, climate change, or fluctuations in agricultural real estate values.
Considering these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this report. Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by applicable law. The information in this report is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Overview
Farmer Mac is a mission-focused, purpose-driven company determined to drive economic opportunity and prosperity by increasing the accessibility of financing for American agriculture and rural infrastructure. As the nation’s secondary market for agricultural and rural infrastructure loans, we help strengthen and connect rural America by providing a broad array of financial solutions to lenders that support flexible low-cost financing to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, renewable energy projects, rural utilities, and other related rural businesses and enterprises. Farmer Mac also serves as a critical investment tool for entities such as states, counties, municipalities, pension funds, banks, public trust funds, and credit unions. Farmer Mac offers those entities a variety of investment opportunities that may diversify their investment portfolios and provide the opportunity to earn a competitive return on their investment dollars.
During first quarter 2023:
•we maintained strong liquidity in our investment portfolio well above regulatory requirements;
•we maintained our strong capital position and uninterrupted access to the debt capital markets, which historically have not been subject to the same short-term disruptions and liquidity concerns experienced by institutions that rely primarily on deposits to fund their assets;
•we provided $1.7 billion in liquidity and lending capacity to lenders serving rural America; and
•we closed our third structured securitization transaction involving approximately $300 million of agricultural mortgage loans.
Farmer Mac’s performance during first quarter 2023, described in more detail below, reflects the success of our continued focus on pursuing new channels and innovative ways to further our mission to increase the accessibility of financing for American agriculture and rural infrastructure. Despite ongoing macroeconomic concerns and potential headwinds such as volatile macroeconomic conditions, inflation, failures and liquidity concerns in the banking industry, rising interest rates, and war in Ukraine, Farmer Mac continued to deliver solid financial results. These financial results for first quarter 2023 reflected a variety of factors, including: (1) the resilience of the farm economy, as producers have benefited from healthy farm incomes and liquidity from relatively high commodity prices resulting from heightened demand, with revenues rising faster than the costs of inputs; (2) an increase in Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume at higher spreads while credit quality improved; (3) Farmer Mac's disciplined approach to interest rate risk management that helps to protect earnings from the effects of interest rate volatility and is accretive to Farmer Mac during periods of rising interest rates; and (4) Farmer Mac's effective funding strategies that resulted in advantageous funding, which have also benefited from the rising interest rate environment in the current period. The discussion below of Farmer Mac's financial information includes "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
Net Income and Core Earnings
The following table shows our net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings for the periods presented. Core earnings and core earnings per share are non-GAAP measures that differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations and specified infrequent or unusual transactions.
Table 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | March 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 40,244 | | | $ | 36,627 | | | $ | 44,662 | |
Core earnings | 38,884 | | | 34,413 | | | 25,761 | |
The $3.6 million sequential increase in net income attributable to common stockholders was due to a $4.3 million after-tax increase in net interest income and a $0.9 million after-tax decrease in our provision for credit losses. These factors were partially offset by a $2.1 million after-tax increase in operating expenses.
The $4.4 million year-over-year decrease in net income attributable to common stockholders was due to a $13.1 million after-tax decrease in the fair value of undesignated financial derivatives and a $1.8 million after-tax increase in operating expenses. These factors were partially offset by a $10.7 million after-tax increase in net interest income.
The $4.5 million sequential increase in core earnings was due to a $4.8 million after-tax increase in net effective spread and a $0.9 million after-tax decrease in our provision for credit losses. These factors were partially offset by a $2.1 million after-tax increase in operating expenses.
The $13.1 million year-over-year increase in core earnings was due to a $15.3 million after-tax increase in net effective spread. This factor was partially offset by a $1.8 million after-tax increase in operating expenses.
For more information about net income attributable to common stockholders, the composition of core earnings, and a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations." For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
Net Interest Income and Net Effective Spread
The following table shows our net interest income and net effective spread in both dollars and percentage yield or spread for the periods presented. Farmer Mac uses net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, as an alternative to net interest income because management believes it is a useful metric that reflects the economics of the net spread between all the assets owned by Farmer Mac and all related funding, including any associated derivatives, some of which may not be included in net interest income.
Table 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | March 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Net interest income | $ | 79,058 | | | $ | 73,635 | | | $ | 65,538 | |
Net interest yield % | 1.14 | % | | 1.08 | % | | 1.06 | % |
Net effective spread | $ | 77,173 | | | $ | 71,103 | | | $ | 57,839 | |
Net effective spread % | 1.15 | % | | 1.07 | % | | 0.97 | % |
The $5.4 million sequential increase in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $6.6 million decrease in funding costs, due to advantageous funding execution and increasing spreads on interest-earning assets on our short-term investments; partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in cash-basis interest income. In percentage terms, the sequential 0.06% increase was primarily attributable to a decrease of 0.09% in funding costs, partially offset by a decrease of 0.01% related to cash-basis interest income.
The $13.5 million year-over-year increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $11.4 million decrease in funding costs primarily due to advantageous funding execution and a $6.8 million increase related to net new business volume. These factors were partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in the fair value of derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships (designated financial derivatives) and a $1.9 million decrease in cash-basis interest income. In percentage terms, the 0.08% increase was primarily attributable to a decrease of 0.16% in funding costs, partially offset by a decrease of 0.04% in net fair value changes from designated financial derivatives, and a decrease of 0.03% in cash-basis interest income.
The $6.1 million sequential increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a decrease of $7.4 million in non-GAAP funding costs, due to advantageous funding execution and increased spreads on interest-earning assets on our short-term investments; partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in cash-basis interest income. In percentage terms, the sequential increase of 0.08% was primarily attributable to a decrease of 0.09% in non-GAAP funding costs and a decrease of 0.01% in cash-basis interest income.
The $19.3 million year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $14.9 million decrease in non-GAAP funding costs, due to advantageous funding execution and increased spreads on interest-earning assets on our short-term investments, and a $6.7 million increase related to net new business volume. These factors were partially offset by a $1.9 million decrease in cash-basis interest income. In percentage terms, the year-over-year increase of 0.18% was primarily attributable to a decrease in non-GAAP funding costs.
For more information about Farmer Mac's use of net effective spread as a financial measure, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures." For a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread, see Table 10 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Net Interest Income."
Business Volume
Our outstanding business volume was $26.5 billion as of March 31, 2023, a net increase of $0.6 billion from December 31, 2022 after taking into account all new business, maturities, sales, and paydowns on existing assets. The net increase was primarily attributable to a net increase of $0.6 billion in the Rural Infrastructure Finance line of business.
For more information about Farmer Mac's business volume, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Business Volume."
Capital
Table 3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Core capital | $ | 1,352,247 | | | $ | 1,322,801 | |
Capital in excess of minimum capital level required | 534,380 | | | 516,882 | |
The increase in capital in excess of the minimum capital level required was primarily due to an increase in retained earnings.
Credit Quality
The following table presents Agricultural Finance on- and off-balance sheet substandard assets, in dollars and as a percentage of the respective portfolio as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| On-Balance Sheet | | Off-Balance Sheet |
| Substandard Assets | | % of Portfolio | | Substandard Assets | | % of Portfolio |
| (dollars in thousands) |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 173,256 | | | 2.3 | % | | $ | 31,816 | | | 1.0 | % |
| | | | | | | |
December 31, 2022 | 169,667 | | | 2.3 | % | | 39,733 | | | 1.2 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Increase/(decrease) from prior year-ending | $ | 3,589 | | | — | % | | $ | (7,917) | | | (0.2) | % |
The increase of $3.6 million in on-balance sheet substandard assets during first quarter was primarily driven by credit downgrades in crops and was partially offset by credit upgrades in permanent plantings. The $7.9 million decrease in substandard assets in our off-balance sheet portfolios during first quarter was primarily due to credit upgrades in livestock.
There were no substandard assets in the Rural Infrastructure Finance portfolio as of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
For an analysis of current loan-to-value ratios across substandard and other internally assigned risk ratings, see Table 25 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Loans and Guarantees."
The following table presents 90-day delinquencies for the on- and off-balance sheet Agricultural Finance portfolios, in dollars and as a percentage of the respective balance sheet category as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| On-Balance Sheet | | Off-Balance Sheet |
| 90-Day Delinquencies | | % of Portfolio | | 90-Day Delinquencies | | % of Portfolio |
| (dollars in thousands) |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 65,601 | | | 0.88 | % | | $ | 5,045 | | | 0.16 | % |
| | | | | | | |
December 31, 2022 | 39,681 | | | 0.53 | % | | 3,817 | | | 0.12 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Increase/(decrease) from prior year-ending | $ | 25,920 | | | 0.35 | % | | $ | 1,228 | | | 0.04 | % |
On-balance sheet Agricultural Finance assets 90 or more days delinquent increased in permanent plantings, crops, and livestock, and was partially offset by decreases in agricultural storage and processing. Off-balance sheet Agricultural Finance assets 90 days or more delinquent increased in permanent plantings, livestock, and part-time farms. The top ten borrower exposures over 90 days delinquent in either the on- or off-balance sheet Agricultural Finance portfolio represented over half of the aggregate 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2023.
As of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no 90-day delinquencies in Farmer Mac's portfolio of Rural Infrastructure Finance loan purchases and loans underlying LTSPCs.
For more information about Farmer Mac's credit metrics, including 90-day delinquencies, the total allowance for losses, and substandard assets, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Loans and Guarantees."
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In the accompanying analysis of its financial information, Farmer Mac uses "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, Farmer Mac uses the following non-GAAP measures: "core earnings," "core earnings per share," and "net effective spread." Farmer Mac uses these non-GAAP measures to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, they are useful alternative measures in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends.
The non-GAAP financial measures that Farmer Mac uses may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is intended to be supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Core Earnings and Core Earnings Per Share
The main difference between core earnings and core earnings per share (non-GAAP measures) and net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share (GAAP measures) is that
those non-GAAP measures exclude the effects of fair value fluctuations. These fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is expected. Another difference is that these two non-GAAP measures exclude specified infrequent or unusual transactions that we believe are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. For a reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and of earnings per common share to core earnings per share, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations."
Net Effective Spread
Farmer Mac uses net effective spread to measure the net spread Farmer Mac earns between its interest-earning assets and the related net funding costs of these assets. As further explained below, net effective spread differs from net interest income and net interest yield by excluding certain items from net interest income and net interest yield and including certain other items that net interest income and net interest yield do not contain.
Farmer Mac excludes from net effective spread the interest income and interest expense associated with the consolidated trusts and the average balance of the loans underlying these trusts to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns on the related Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities owned by third parties is effectively a guarantee fee. Accordingly, the excluded interest income and interest expense associated with consolidated trusts is reclassified to guarantee and commitment fees in determining Farmer Mac's core earnings. Farmer Mac also excludes from net effective spread the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships because they are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance, as we expect to hold the financial derivatives and corresponding hedged items to maturity.
Net effective spread also differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships ("undesignated financial derivatives"). Farmer Mac uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk exposure by synthetically modifying the interest rate reset or maturity characteristics of certain assets and liabilities. The accrual of the contractual amounts due on interest rate swaps designated in hedge accounting relationships is included as an adjustment to the yield or cost of the hedged item and is included in net interest income. For undesignated financial derivatives, Farmer Mac records the income or expense related to the accrual of the contractual amounts due in "Gains on financial derivatives" on the consolidated statements of operations. However, the accrual of the contractual amounts due for undesignated financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's calculation of net effective spread.
Net effective spread also differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, which consist of: (1) the net effects of cash settlements on agency forward contracts on the debt of other GSEs and U.S. Treasury security futures that we use as short-term economic hedges on the issuance of debt; and (2) the net effects of initial cash payments that Farmer Mac receives upon the inception of certain swaps. The inclusion of these items in net effective spread is intended to reflect our view of the complete net spread between an asset and all of
its related funding, including any associated derivatives, whether or not they are designated in a hedge accounting relationship.
For a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread, see Table 10 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Net Interest Income."
Results of Operations
Reconciliations of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and core earnings per share are presented in the following tables along with information about the composition of core earnings:
Table 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 40,244 | | | $ | 44,662 | | | |
Less reconciling items: | | | | | |
Gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 13) | 916 | | | 2,612 | | | |
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes | (105) | | | 5,687 | | | |
Unrealized gains on trading securities | 359 | | | 94 | | | |
Net effects of amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value | 29 | | | 20 | | | |
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives | 523 | | | 15,512 | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Income tax effect related to reconciling items | (362) | | | (5,024) | | | |
Sub-total | 1,360 | | | 18,901 | | | |
Core earnings | $ | 38,884 | | | $ | 25,761 | | | |
| | | | | |
Composition of Core Earnings: | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | |
Net effective spread(1) | $ | 77,173 | | | $ | 57,839 | | | |
Guarantee and commitment fees(2) | 4,654 | | | 4,557 | | | |
| | | | | |
Other(3) | 1,067 | | | 514 | | | |
Total revenues | 82,894 | | | 62,910 | | | |
| | | | | |
Credit related expense (GAAP): | | | | | |
Provision for/(release of) losses | 750 | | | (54) | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total credit related expense | 750 | | | (54) | | | |
| | | | | |
Operating expenses (GAAP): | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | 15,351 | | | 13,298 | | | |
General and administrative | 7,527 | | | 7,278 | | | |
Regulatory fees | 835 | | | 812 | | | |
Total operating expenses | 23,713 | | | 21,388 | | | |
| | | | | |
Net earnings | 58,431 | | | 41,576 | | | |
Income tax expense(4) | 12,756 | | | 9,024 | | | |
| | | | | |
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP) | 6,791 | | | 6,791 | | | |
Core earnings | $ | 38,884 | | | $ | 25,761 | | | |
| | | | | |
Core earnings per share: | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 3.60 | | | $ | 2.39 | | | |
Diluted | $ | 3.56 | | | $ | 2.37 | | | |
Weighted-average shares: | | | | | |
Basic | 10,802 | | | 10,767 | | | |
Diluted | 10,918 | | | 10,887 | | | |
(1)Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" for an explanation of net effective spread. See Table 10 for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.
(2)Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(3)Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(4)Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.
Table 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings - Basic Earnings Per Share |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | | | | | |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
GAAP - Basic EPS | $ | 3.73 | | | $ | 4.15 | | | | | | | |
Less reconciling items: | | | | | | | | | |
Gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 13) | 0.09 | | | 0.24 | | | | | | | |
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes | (0.01) | | | 0.53 | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gains on trading securities | 0.03 | | | 0.01 | | | | | | | |
Net effects of amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value | — | | | — | | | | | | | |
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives | 0.05 | | | 1.44 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income tax effect related to reconciling items | (0.03) | | | (0.46) | | | | | | | |
Sub-total | 0.13 | | | 1.76 | | | | | | | |
Core Earnings - Basic EPS | $ | 3.60 | | | $ | 2.39 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings) | 10,802 | | | 10,767 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings - Diluted Earnings Per Share |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | | | | | |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
GAAP - Diluted EPS | $ | 3.69 | | | $ | 4.10 | | | | | | | |
Less reconciling items: | | | | | | | | | |
Gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 13) | 0.09 | | | 0.24 | | | | | | | |
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes | (0.01) | | | 0.52 | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gains on trading securities | 0.03 | | | 0.01 | | | | | | | |
Net effects of amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value | — | | | — | | | | | | | |
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives | 0.05 | | | 1.42 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income tax effect related to reconciling items | (0.03) | | | (0.46) | | | | | | | |
Sub-total | 0.13 | | | 1.73 | | | | | | | |
Core Earnings - Diluted EPS | $ | 3.56 | | | $ | 2.37 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings) | 10,918 | | | 10,887 | | | | | | | |
The non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings are:
1. Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives due to fair value changes are presented by two reconciling items in Table 6 above: (a) Gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes; and (b) (Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes.
2. Unrealized gains on trading securities. The unrealized (losses)/gains on trading securities are reported on Farmer Mac's consolidated statements of operations, which represent changes during the period in fair values for trading assets remaining on Farmer Mac's balance sheet as of the end of the reporting period.
3. The net effects of amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value. The amount of this non-GAAP reconciling item is the recorded amount of premium, discount, or deferred gain amortization during the reporting period on those assets for which the premium, discount, or deferred gain was based on the application of an accounting principle (e.g., consolidation of variable interest entities) rather than on a cash transaction (e.g., a purchase price premium or discount).
4. The net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. These terminations or net settlements relate to:
•Forward contracts on the debt of other GSEs and futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities. These contracts are used as a short-term economic hedge of the issuance of debt. For GAAP purposes, realized gains or losses on settlements of these contracts are reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they occur. For core earnings purposes, these realized gains or losses are deferred and amortized as net yield adjustments over the term of the related debt, which generally ranges from 3 to 15 years.
The following sections provide more detail about specific components of Farmer Mac's results of operations.
Net Interest Income. The following table provides information about interest-earning assets and funding for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The average balance of non-accruing loans is included in the average balance of loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities presented, though the related income is accounted for on a cash basis. Therefore, as the average balance of non-accruing loans and the income received increases or decreases, the net interest income and yield will fluctuate accordingly. The average balance of loans in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties is disclosed in the net effect of consolidated trusts and is not included in the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The interest income and expense associated with these trusts are shown in the net effect of consolidated trusts.
Table 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | |
| Average Balance | | Income/ Expense | | Average Rate | | Average Balance | | Income/ Expense | | Average Rate | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and investments | $ | 5,671,148 | | | $ | 59,703 | | | 4.21 | % | | $ | 4,949,656 | | | $ | 5,716 | | | 0.46 | % | | | | | | |
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities(1) | 21,282,336 | | | 247,047 | | | 4.64 | % | | 18,930,349 | | | 102,110 | | | 2.16 | % | | | | | | |
Total interest-earning assets | 26,953,484 | | | 306,750 | | | 4.55 | % | | 23,880,005 | | | 107,826 | | | 1.81 | % | | | | | | |
Funding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes payable due within one year | 3,557,746 | | | 36,032 | | | 4.05 | % | | 2,849,575 | | | 1,148 | | | 0.16 | % | | | | | | |
Notes payable due after one year(2) | 21,872,564 | | | 192,715 | | | 3.52 | % | | 20,065,027 | | | 42,158 | | | 0.84 | % | | | | | | |
Total interest-bearing liabilities(3) | 25,430,310 | | | 228,747 | | | 3.60 | % | | 22,914,602 | | | 43,306 | | | 0.76 | % | | | | | | |
Net non-interest-bearing funding | 1,523,174 | | | — | | | | | 965,403 | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Total funding | 26,953,484 | | | 228,747 | | | 3.39 | % | | 23,880,005 | | | 43,306 | | | 0.73 | % | | | | | | |
Net interest income/yield prior to consolidation of certain trusts | 26,953,484 | | | 78,003 | | | 1.16 | % | | 23,880,005 | | | 64,520 | | | 1.08 | % | | | | | | |
Net effect of consolidated trusts(4) | 895,671 | | | 1,055 | | | 0.47 | % | | 881,756 | | | 1,018 | | | 0.46 | % | | | | | | |
Net interest income/yield | $ | 27,849,155 | | | $ | 79,058 | | | 1.14 | % | | $ | 24,761,761 | | | $ | 65,538 | | | 1.06 | % | | | | | | |
(1)Excludes interest income of $8.5 million and $8.1 million in first quarter 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
(2)Includes current portion of long-term notes.
(3)Excludes interest expense of $7.5 million and $7.0 million in first quarter 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
(4)Includes the effect of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
The $13.5 million year-over-year increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $11.4 million decrease in funding costs and a $6.8 million increase related to net new business volume. The decrease in funding costs was primarily attributable to advantageous funding execution. These factors were partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in the fair value of derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships (designated financial derivatives) and a $1.9 million decrease in cash-basis interest income. In percentage terms, the 0.08% increase was primarily attributable to a decrease of 0.16% in funding costs, partially offset by a decrease of 0.04% in net fair value changes from designated financial derivatives, and a decrease of 0.03% in cash-basis interest income.
The following table sets forth information about changes in the components of Farmer Mac's net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts for the periods indicated. For each category, information is provided on changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by old rate), and changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume), and then allocated based on the relative size of rate and volume changes from the prior period.
Table 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Same Period in 2022 | | |
| Increase/(Decrease) Due to | | |
| Rate | | Volume | | Total | | | | | | |
| (in thousands) |
Income from interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and investments | $ | 53,035 | | | $ | 953 | | | $ | 53,988 | | | | | | | |
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | 130,828 | | | 14,108 | | | 144,936 | | | | | | | |
Total | 183,863 | | | 15,061 | | | 198,924 | | | | | | | |
Expense from other interest-bearing liabilities | 180,179 | | | 5,263 | | | 185,442 | | | | | | | |
Change in net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts(1) | $ | 3,684 | | | $ | 9,798 | | | $ | 13,482 | | | | | | | |
(1)Excludes the effect of debt in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread. Net effective spread is measured by: including (1) expenses related to undesignated financial derivatives, which consists of income or expense related to contractual amounts due on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships (the income or expense related to financial derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships is already included in net interest income), and (2) the amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements of financial derivatives; and excluding (3) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, (4) the net effects of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, and (5) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and corresponding financial assets or liabilities in fair value hedge relationships. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" for more information about net effective spread.
Table 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | | | | | |
| Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) | | | | |
Net interest income/yield | $ | 79,058 | | | 1.14 | % | | $ | 65,538 | | | 1.06 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net effects of consolidated trusts | (1,055) | | | 0.02 | % | | (1,018) | | | 0.02 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives | (1,626) | | | (0.02) | % | | (994) | | | (0.02) | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of premiums/discounts on assets consolidated at fair value | (23) | | | — | % | | (16) | | | — | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives | 714 | | | 0.01 | % | | 356 | | | 0.01 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value changes on fair value hedge relationships | 105 | | | — | % | | (6,027) | | | (0.10) | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net effective spread | $ | 77,173 | | | 1.15 | % | | $ | 57,839 | | | 0.97 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The $19.3 million year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $14.9 million decrease in non-GAAP funding costs, due to advantageous funding execution; and a $6.7 million increase related to net new business volume. These factors were partially offset by a $1.9 million decrease in cash-basis interest income. In percentage terms, the year-over-year increase of 0.18% was primarily attributable to a decrease in non-GAAP funding costs.
See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about net interest income and net effective spread from Farmer Mac's individual business segments. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Supplemental Information" for quarterly net effective spread by line of business.
Provision for and Release of Allowance for Losses and Reserve for Losses. The following table summarizes the components of Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses for the three month period ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 11 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
| Allowance for Losses | | Reserve for Losses | | Total Allowance for Losses | | Allowance for Losses | | Reserve for Losses | | Total Allowance for Losses |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning Balance | $ | 15,731 | | | $ | 1,433 | | | $ | 17,164 | | | $ | 14,492 | | | $ | 1,950 | | | $ | 16,442 | |
Provision for/(release of) losses | 547 | | | 203 | | | 750 | | | 56 | | | (110) | | | (54) | |
Charge-offs | — | | | — | | | — | | | (84) | | | — | | | (84) | |
Ending Balance | $ | 16,278 | | | $ | 1,636 | | | $ | 17,914 | | | $ | 14,464 | | | $ | 1,840 | | | $ | 16,304 | |
See Notes 5 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Loans and Guarantees."
During first quarter 2023, we recorded a $0.8 million provision to the allowance for losses primarily as a result of one agricultural storage and processing loan whose financial position continued to deteriorate related to the borrower's ongoing bankruptcy.
Guarantee and Commitment Fees. The following table presents guarantee and commitment fees, which compensate Farmer Mac for assuming the credit risk on loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| | | | | Change | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | $ | | % | | | | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Contractual guarantee and commitment fees | $ | 3,705 | | | $ | 3,502 | | | $ | 203 | | | 6 | % | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee obligation amortization | 1,768 | | | 2,195 | | | (427) | | | (19) | % | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee asset fair value changes | (1,540) | | | (2,002) | | | 462 | | | 23 | % | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee and commitment fee income | $ | 3,933 | | | $ | 3,695 | | | $ | 238 | | | 6 | % | | | | | | | | | |
Guarantee and commitment fees increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to 2022, which was due to increases in the average outstanding balance of LTSPCs during the period. As adjusted for the core earnings presentation, guarantee and commitment fees were $4.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $4.6 million for first quarter 2022.
In Farmer Mac's presentation of core earnings, guarantee and commitment fees include interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on those consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Additionally, Farmer Mac has excluded guarantee asset fair value changes, because these fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations if Farmer Mac fulfills its guarantee obligation throughout the term of the guaranteed securities, as is expected.
For more information about net income attributable to common stockholders, the composition of core earnings, and a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings, see Table 6 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations." For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
Gains on financial derivatives. The components of gains and losses on financial derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized in the following table:
Table 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| | | | | Change | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | $ | | % | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Gains due to fair value changes | $ | 916 | | | $ | 2,612 | | | $ | (1,696) | | | (65) | % | | | | | | |
Accrual of contractual payments | (1,626) | | | (994) | | | (632) | | | 64 | % | | | | | | |
Gains due to terminations or net settlements | 1,109 | | | 15,370 | | | (14,261) | | | (93) | % | | | | | | |
Gains on financial derivatives | $ | 399 | | | $ | 16,988 | | | $ | (16,589) | | | (98) | % | | | | | | |
These changes in fair value are primarily the result of fluctuations in long-term interest rates. The accrual of periodic cash settlements for interest paid or received from Farmer Mac's interest rate swaps that are undesignated financial derivatives is shown as expense related to financial derivatives. Payments or receipts to terminate undesignated derivative positions or net cash settled forward sales contracts on the debt of other GSEs and undesignated U.S. Treasury security futures and initial cash payments received upon the inception of certain undesignated swaps are included in "Gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements" in the table above.
Operating Expenses. The components of operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized in the following table:
Table 14
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| | | | | Change | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | $ | | % | | | | | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) | |
Compensation and employee benefits | $ | 15,351 | | | $ | 13,298 | | | $ | 2,053 | | | 15 | % | | | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative | 7,527 | | | 7,278 | | | 249 | | | 3 | % | | | | | | | | | | |
Regulatory fees | 835 | | | 812 | | | 23 | | | 3 | % | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Operating Expenses | $ | 23,713 | | | $ | 21,388 | | | $ | 2,325 | | | 11 | % | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and Employee Benefits. The increase in compensation and employee benefits expenses for first quarter 2023 compared to 2022 was due to increased short-term incentive compensation paid in first quarter 2023 resulting from Farmer Mac's performance during 2022 and increased headcount.
General and Administrative Expenses (G&A). The increase in G&A expenses for first quarter 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to increased spending on software licenses and information technology and other consultants to support growth and strategic initiatives. Specifically, Farmer Mac has begun a multi-year effort to replace its platform for securities trades and to implement a treasury management system.
Income Tax Expense. The following table presents income tax expense and the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| | | | | Change | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | $ | | % | | | | | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) | | | | |
Income tax expense | $ | 13,118 | | | $ | 14,046 | | | $ | (928) | | | (7) | % | | | | | | | | | | |
Effective tax rate | 21.8 | % | | 21.4 | % | | | | 0.4 | % | | | | | | | | | | |
Business Volume.
The following table sets forth the net growth or decrease in Farmer Mac's lines of business for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Table 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net New Business Volume |
| | | | | | For the Three Months Ended |
| | | | | | | | March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
| | On or Off Balance Sheet | | | | | | Net Growth/(Decrease) | | Net Growth/(Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance: | | | | | | | | | | |
Farm & Ranch: | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | $ | (313,028) | | | $ | 160,496 | |
Loans held in consolidated trusts: | | | | | | | | | | |
Beneficial interests owned by third-party investors (Pass-Through)(1) | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | (19,661) | | | (60,423) | |
Beneficial interests owned by third-party investors (Structured)(1) | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | 276,442 | | | — | |
IO-FMGS(2) | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | (433) | | | (378) | |
USDA Securities | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | (50,607) | | | (4,999) | |
AgVantage Securities(1) | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | 70,000 | | | 430,000 | |
LTSPCs and unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | 7,762 | | | (8,824) | |
Other Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities(3) | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | (12,858) | | | (33,874) | |
Loans serviced for others | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | (448) | | | (1,042) | |
Total Farm & Ranch | | | | | | | | $ | (42,831) | | | $ | 480,956 | |
Corporate AgFinance: | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | $ | 6,611 | | | $ | (14,837) | |
AgVantage Securities(1) | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | (21,915) | | | 7,798 | |
Unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | 11,779 | | | 9,965 | |
Total Corporate AgFinance | | | | | | | | $ | (3,525) | | | $ | 2,926 | |
Total Agricultural Finance | | | | | | | | $ | (46,356) | | | $ | 483,882 | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance: | | | | | | | | | | |
Rural Utilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | $ | 89,922 | | | $ | 157,232 | |
AgVantage Securities(1) | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | 471,229 | | | (23,381) | |
LTSPCs and unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | (31,011) | | | (22,632) | |
Other Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities(3) | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | (71) | | | — | |
Total Rural Utilities | | | | | | | | $ | 530,069 | | | $ | 111,219 | |
Renewable Energy: | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | | | | | $ | 66,916 | | | $ | 5,483 | |
Unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | | | | | 11,407 | | | 28,363 | |
Total Renewable Energy | | | | | | | | $ | 78,323 | | | $ | 33,846 | |
Total Rural Infrastructure Finance | | | | | | | | $ | 608,392 | | | $ | 145,065 | |
Total | | | | | | | | $ | 562,036 | | | $ | 628,947 | |
(1)Categories of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(2)An interest-only Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security retained as part of a structured securitization.
(3)Other categories of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that were sold by Farmer Mac to third parties.
Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume was $26.5 billion as of March 31, 2023, a net increase of $0.6 billion from December 31, 2022 after taking into account all new business, maturities, sales, and paydowns on existing assets.
The modest decrease in Farm & Ranch during first quarter 2023 resulted from $0.8 billion of new purchases, commitments, and guarantees, offset by $0.8 billion of scheduled maturities and repayments.
Farmer Mac purchased a total of $0.2 billion in loans, which was primarily driven by improved borrower economics while also navigating a substantially higher interest rate environment.
Farmer Mac also purchased a total of $0.2 billion in Farm & Ranch AgVantage Securities during first quarter 2023, which primarily reflected the refinancing of maturing securities as well as financial counterparties seeking to add longer-term AgVantage securities to manage their asset-liability maturity profile given recent increases in credit spreads and interest rates. The $0.2 billion in gross purchases was partially offset by $0.1 billion in scheduled maturities.
The modest decrease in Corporate AgFinance during first quarter 2023 resulted from $0.2 billion of new purchases and commitments, which was offset by $0.2 billion of scheduled maturities, repayments, and sales. Farmer Mac purchased a total of $145.1 million in loans, which was partially offset by $138.5 million in scheduled maturities and repayments. The increase in loan purchases was primarily due to Farmer Mac's continued focus to support loans to larger and more complex agribusinesses focused on food and fiber processing and other food supply chain production.
The $0.5 billion net increase in Rural Utilities during first quarter 2023 resulted from $0.7 billion of new purchases, commitments, and guarantees, which was partially offset by $0.2 billion of scheduled maturities and repayments. Farmer Mac purchased a total of $500.0 million in AgVantage Securities, $92.8 million in telecommunications loans, and $90.4 million in electric distribution and generation and transmission loans. The $183.2 million in loan purchases was partially offset by $93.3 million in scheduled maturities and repayments. The net increase in loan purchases primarily reflected borrowers' normal-course capital expenditures related to maintaining and upgrading utility infrastructure as well as investments in broadband infrastructure, and Farmer Mac's continued focus to support telecommunications investment in rural America.
The $78.3 million net increase in Renewable Energy during first quarter 2023 primarily reflects $89.7 million in loan purchases and unfunded commitments, partially offset by $11.4 million in repayments.
Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume was $24.2 billion as of March 31, 2022, a net increase of $0.6 billion from December 31, 2021 after taking into account all new business, scheduled maturities, and paydowns on existing assets.
The $0.5 billion net increase in Farm & Ranch during first quarter 2022 resulted from $2.5 billion of new
purchases, commitments, and guarantees, partially offset by $2.0 billion of scheduled maturities and
repayments. Farmer Mac purchased a total of $416.2 million in loans, which was primarily driven by farm
real estate acquisitions due to improved borrower economics as well as a competitive, while also navigating an increasing interest rate environment resulting in demand for intermediate and long-term financing solutions. The $416.2 million in gross Farm & Ranch loan purchases was partially offset by $255.7 million in scheduled maturities and repayments.
Farmer Mac also purchased a total of $1.8 billion in Farm & Ranch AgVantage Securities during first
quarter 2022, which primarily reflected the refinancing of maturing securities as well as financial
counterparties seeking to add longer term AgVantage securities to manage their asset-liability maturity
profile given recent increases in credit spreads and interest rates. The $1.8 billion in gross purchases was
partially offset by $1.3 billion in scheduled maturities. Approximately $1.1 billion of the total $1.8 billion
in gross purchases reflected purchases that refinanced maturing AgVantage securities and were issued at
short-term tenors, which may create volatility in AgVantage volumes throughout the year. However,
Farmer Mac does not anticipate a material impact to its net effective spread given the low spread related to
these securities due to the short maturities and the credit strength of the counterparties.
The $2.9 million net increase in Corporate AgFinance during first quarter 2022 resulted from
$103.4 million of new loan and AgVantage security purchases, which was offset by $100.4 million of
scheduled maturities and repayments. Farmer Mac purchased a total of $61.7 million in loans, which was
offset by $76.5 million in scheduled maturities and repayments. This net decrease in loans was primarily
due to scheduled amortization and prepayments due to strong land values and agricultural incomes.
The $111.2 million net increase in Rural Utilities during first quarter 2022 resulted from $378.0 million of
new purchases, commitments, and guarantees, which was partially offset by $266.7 million of scheduled
maturities and repayments. Farmer Mac purchased a total of $208.0 million in Rural Utilities loans, which
was fueled by a competitive but increasing interest rate environment resulting in demand for long-term
financing solutions for planned maintenance and capital expenditures. The $208.0 million in loan
purchases was partially offset by $50.7 million in scheduled maturities and repayments.
The $33.8 million net increase in Renewable Energy during first quarter 2022 primarily reflects a
$35.0 million commitment to a large solar project being constructed in the southeast United States,
consisting of $6.6 million of funded loan purchases (which was partially offset by $1.2 million of other
loan repayments) and $28.4 million in unfunded loan commitments expected to be drawn throughout
2022.
The level and composition of Farmer Mac’s outstanding business volume is based on the relationship between new business, loan sales, scheduled maturities, and repayments on existing assets from year to year. This relationship in turn depends on a variety of factors both internal and external to Farmer Mac. The external factors include general market forces, competition, and our counterparties’ liquidity needs, access to alternative funding, desired products, and assessment of strategic factors. The internal factors include our assessment of profitability, mission fulfillment, credit risk, and customer relationships. For more information about potential growth opportunities in Farmer Mac's lines of business, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Outlook" in this report.
The following table sets forth information about the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issued during the periods indicated:
Table 17 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 | | | | | | |
| (dollars in thousands) |
AgVantage securities | $ | 695,200 | | | $ | 1,941,360 | | | | | | | |
Structured securitization transactions (not consolidated) | — | | | — | | | | | | | |
Loans securitized and held in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties | 285,201 | | | 25,928 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities Issuances | $ | 980,401 | | | $ | 1,967,288 | | | | | | | |
Farmer Mac either retains the loans it purchases or securitizes them and retains or sells Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities backed by those securitized loans. During the first quarter of 2023, Farmer Mac executed its third structured securitization transaction, whereby it sold and securitized agricultural mortgage loans resulting in $281.0 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. In this transaction, Farmer Mac transferred selected loans to a depositor which then deposited the loans into a trust, at which time the loans became assets of the trust. Farmer Mac concluded that it was the primary beneficiary of the trust because Farmer Mac controls the trust in its role as Master Servicer. Therefore, Farmer Mac consolidates the assets and liabilities of the trust for this structured securitization. Farmer Mac does not consider the assets held by the related securitization trust to be available to satisfy the claims of the creditors of Farmer Mac and/or the depositor.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the securitization of loans that it holds in consolidated trusts. Farmer Mac consolidates these loans and presents them as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost" on the consolidated balance sheets.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities or AgVantage Securities.
The following table sets forth information about outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's lines of business as of the dates indicated:
Table 18 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Business Volume |
| | | | |
| | On or Off Balance Sheet | | As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 | | |
| | | | (in thousands) |
Agricultural Finance: | | | | | | | | |
Farm & Ranch: | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | $ | 4,837,722 | | | $ | 5,150,750 | | | |
Loans held in consolidated trusts: | | | | | | | | |
Beneficial interests owned by third-party investors (Pass-Through)(1) | | On-balance sheet | | 895,257 | | | 914,918 | | | |
Beneficial interests owned by third-party investors (Structured)(1) | | On-balance sheet | | 573,100 | | | 296,658 | | | |
IO-FMGS(2) | | On-balance sheet | | 10,189 | | | 10,622 | | | |
USDA Securities | | On-balance sheet | | 2,356,695 | | | 2,407,302 | | | |
AgVantage Securities(1) | | On-balance sheet | | 5,675,000 | | | 5,605,000 | | | |
LTSPCs and unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | 2,830,071 | | | 2,822,309 | | | |
Other Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities(3) | | Off-balance sheet | | 488,095 | | | 500,953 | | | |
Loans serviced for others | | Off-balance sheet | | 19,832 | | | 20,280 | | | |
Total Farm & Ranch | | | | $ | 17,685,961 | | | $ | 17,728,792 | | | |
Corporate AgFinance: | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | $ | 1,172,864 | | | $ | 1,166,253 | | | |
AgVantage Securities(1) | | On-balance sheet | | 337,685 | | | 359,600 | | | |
Unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | 89,433 | | | 77,654 | | | |
Total Corporate AgFinance | | | | $ | 1,599,982 | | | $ | 1,603,507 | | | |
Total Agricultural Finance | | | | $ | 19,285,943 | | | $ | 19,332,299 | | | |
Rural Infrastructure Finance: | | | | | | | | |
Rural Utilities: | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | $ | 2,891,618 | | | $ | 2,801,696 | | | |
AgVantage Securities(1) | | On-balance sheet | | 3,515,385 | | | 3,044,156 | | | |
LTSPCs and unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | 481,581 | | | 512,592 | | | |
Other Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities(3) | | Off-balance sheet | | 1,098 | | | 1,169 | | | |
Total Rural Utilities | | | | $ | 6,889,682 | | | $ | 6,359,613 | | | |
Renewable Energy: | | | | | | | | |
Loans | | On-balance sheet | | $ | 286,486 | | | $ | 219,570 | | | |
Unfunded commitments | | Off-balance sheet | | 22,007 | | | 10,600 | | | |
Total Renewable Energy | | | | $ | 308,493 | | | $ | 230,170 | | | |
Total Rural Infrastructure Finance | | | | $ | 7,198,175 | | | $ | 6,589,783 | | | |
Total | | | | $ | 26,484,118 | | | $ | 25,922,082 | | | |
(1)A Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security.
(2)An interest-only Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security retained as part of a structured securitization.
(3)Other categories of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that were sold by Farmer Mac to third parties.
The following table summarizes by maturity date the scheduled principal amortization of loans held, loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) and LTSPCs, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities as of March 31, 2023:
Table 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Schedule of Principal Amortization as of March 31, 2023 |
| Loans | | Loans Underlying Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs | | USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
2023 | $ | 360,417 | | | $ | 231,241 | | | $ | 81,253 | | | $ | 672,911 | |
2024 | 492,280 | | | 254,837 | | | 110,933 | | | 858,050 | |
2025 | 544,674 | | | 234,989 | | | 112,279 | | | 891,942 | |
2026 | 541,522 | | | 259,898 | | | 116,253 | | | 917,673 | |
2027 | 594,736 | | | 246,058 | | | 117,758 | | | 958,552 | |
Thereafter | 8,123,418 | | | 2,478,041 | | | 2,024,342 | | | 12,625,801 | |
Total | $ | 10,657,047 | | | $ | 3,705,064 | | | $ | 2,562,818 | | | $ | 16,924,929 | |
Of Farmer Mac's $26.5 billion outstanding principal balance of business volume as of March 31, 2023, $9.5 billion were AgVantage securities included in the Agricultural Finance and Rural Infrastructure Finance lines of business. Unlike business volume in the form of purchased loans, USDA Securities, and loans underlying LTSPCs and non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, most AgVantage securities do not require periodic payments of principal based on amortization schedules and instead have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligation is due. The following table summarizes by maturity date the outstanding principal amount of both on- and off-balance sheet AgVantage securities as of March 31, 2023:
Table 20 | | | | | |
AgVantage Balances by Year of Maturity |
| As of |
| March 31, 2023 |
| (in thousands) |
2023 | $ | 2,526,674 | |
2024 | 1,322,699 | |
2025 | 916,625 | |
2026 | 1,013,360 | |
2027 | 999,698 | |
Thereafter(1) | 2,750,112 | |
Total | $ | 9,529,168 | |
(1)Includes various maturities ranging from 2028 to 2049.
The weighted-average remaining maturity of the outstanding AgVantage securities shown in the table above was 4.4 years as of March 31, 2023.
Outlook
Farmer Mac continues to provide a stable source of liquidity, capital, and risk management tools as a secondary market that helps meet the financing needs of rural America. The pace and trajectory of Farmer Mac's growth will depend on the capital and liquidity needs of the lending institutions serving agriculture and rural infrastructure businesses and the overall financial health of borrowers in the sectors we serve. Market interest rates have increased significantly since the lows experienced in 2021, and interest rates on Farmer Mac products during the first quarter 2023 were higher than Farmer Mac's 15-year historical averages. New loan origination volumes tend to correlate inversely with changes in interest rates. However, prepayment rates also generally correlate inversely with changes in interest rates, with higher interest rates typically slowing the pace of portfolio loan repayments. Future changes to monetary policy and the overall level, pace, and duration of elevated interest rates could continue to impact the pace and timing of the Agricultural Finance mortgage loan purchase demand and repayments.
Despite a higher interest rate environment, Farmer Mac foresees opportunities for profitable growth across our lines of business driven by several key factors:
•As agricultural and rural infrastructure lenders seek to manage liquidity, equity capital, and return on equity capital requirements or reduce exposure due to lending or concentration limits, Farmer Mac can provide relief for those institutions through loan and portfolio purchases, participations, guarantees, LTSPCs, wholesale funding, or securitizations.
•As a result of business and product development efforts and continued interest in the agricultural asset class from institutional investors and nontraditional agricultural real estate lenders, Farmer Mac's customer base and product set continue to expand and diversify, which may generate more demand for Farmer Mac's products from new sources.
•Economic disruptions could positively affect Farmer Mac's funding costs relative to the market, as historically, major economic events have tended to tilt investors toward high-quality fixed income investments. Furthermore, Farmer Mac's funding strategies are not depository in nature, allowing Farmer Mac to fund beyond short-term disruptions and avoid many potential liquidity concerns. Funding advantages could provide Farmer Mac with more opportunities in a competitive lending environment.
•Farmer Mac's growing relationships with larger regional and national lenders, as well as consolidation within the agricultural lending industry, continue to provide opportunities that could influence Farmer Mac's loan demand and increase the average transaction size within Farmer Mac's lines of business.
•Future growth opportunities in Farmer Mac's Rural Infrastructure Finance line of business may evolve by deepening business relationships with eligible counterparties, financing broadband-related capital expenditures and rural telecommunications facilities, growing opportunities for renewable energy project finance, and exploring new types of loan products.
•Expansion and acquisition opportunities for agricultural producers resulting from high agricultural incomes and rising input costs have increased financing requirements for mergers and acquisitions, consolidation, and vertical integration across many sectors of the agricultural industry, which may also generate demand for Farmer Mac's loan products.
•Investments necessary to support consumer demand could increase the need for financing within the food and agriculture supply chain, which may increase the need for incremental capital support from the secondary market.
The higher interest rate environment stressed bank liquidity in first quarter 2023, causing the first commercial bank failures since 2020 and the largest bank failure since 2009. The recently failed banks were not substantial agricultural mortgage originators or Farmer Mac customers. Additionally, Farmer Mac is not a depository institution with volatility in investor withdrawals, which we believe insulates our portfolio from the same kinds of liquidity concerns recently facing various commercial banks. Finally, Farmer Mac offers a range of interest rates, tenors, and rate resetting options for loan products, allowing flexibility for originators and borrowers in all interest rate environments.
The U.S. economy continued to exhibit signs of slowing in first quarter 2023. While consumer spending has retreated modestly from the highs experienced in 2022, the significantly higher interest rate environment continues to create uncertainty for the economic outlook for the U.S. economy in 2023. And while labor markets continue to remain somewhat resilient, slower consumer spending, declines in residential housing investment, continued political debates on the U.S. debt ceiling, and tightening credit conditions following bank industry stress indicate that the probability of a U.S. or global recession is increasing. Farmer Mac believes that its portfolio is sufficiently balanced to withstand the market volatility that arises with an economic recession, as the agricultural, food, and infrastructure industries tend not to be directly correlated with the general economy. Farmer Mac believes these sectors are generally well positioned to withstand an economic downturn due to ample consumer demand and government support.
We believe that the current debt ceiling debate, while creating general market volatility, is not likely to have a material negative effect on Farmer Mac's ability to continue to access the capital debt market and issue debt. We understand that investors generally view GSE debt, such as Farmer Mac's, as a safe alternative and Farmer Mac is seeing continued strong demand at all parts on the yield curve.
Operating Expense. Farmer Mac continues to expand its investments in human capital, technology, and business infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency as it seeks to accommodate its growth opportunities and achieve its long-term strategic objectives. Farmer Mac expects continued increases in its operating expenses over the next several years, but the growth rate in employee headcount may slow in the coming quarters. We will continue making investments in our infrastructure and funding platforms to support these strategies and scale with our growth.
Agricultural Industry. The agricultural economy experienced generally favorable conditions in first quarter 2023, with level commodity prices and easing input price inflation. In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, grain commodity prices rose rapidly during first half of 2022 and continued to be elevated during much of the second half of 2022. Higher commodity prices for grains and many animal proteins substantially increased gross cash receipts for the 2022 marketing year. Farm expense price levels fell again in first quarter 2023, driven by moderating feed, energy, and fertilizer prices. However, several farm expense categories such as interest, labor, and other inputs remain elevated and could experience additional upward pressure throughout 2023. Major commodity prices could remain elevated in 2023 as a result of the global supply shortages in food and energy, as well as a weakening U.S. dollar. Any such price stability would help support farm incomes in 2023.
Overall farm income reached new highs in 2022 following a very profitable year in 2021. Net cash farm income increased by more than 28% in 2021 to $149.5 billion. The USDA estimates that net cash farm income climbed another 27% to $189.9 billion in 2022, a new all-time high. For both years, the primary driver of increased profitability was higher cash revenues and not government support payments like in 2019 and 2020. The USDA estimates production expenses rose by 19% in 2022, a level experienced in the 1970s and again in the 2012-2014 agricultural economy expansion. Looking forward, the USDA expects net cash farm income to fall by 21% to $150.6 billion in 2023 due to moderating commodity prices and rising farm expenses. However, the 2023 farm income projections are 20% higher than the 10-year average, demonstrating the continued strength in the farm economy.
The increase in farm profitability combined with low interest rates in 2020 and 2021 drove a rapid rise in land values and a decrease in farm delinquencies and bankruptcies that extended into 2023. Land value survey data from the USDA show a 12.4% increase in average farm real estate values from June 2021 to June 2022. Annual farm real estate value gains were highest in the Northern Plains (19.8%) and the Corn Belt (14.9%) but also strong in the Lake states (13.7%), the Southern Plains (11.3%), and the Pacific (9.7%). The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago AgLetter reported a 12% gain in farmland values in the Seventh District (primarily Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin) between January 2022 and January 2023. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City show a similar rise in land values in the Tenth District (primarily Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma) during that same period. Farmland value growth rates moderated in fourth quarter 2022 in the face of rapidly rising interest rates. Growth rates in land values could remain low in 2023 due to compressing farm profitability and an elevated interest rate environment. While regional averages for farmland values provide a good barometer for the overall movement in U.S. farmland values, economic forces affecting land markets are highly localized, and some markets may experience greater volatility in farmland values than state or national averages indicate.
Economic conditions are likely to bring mixed effects to credit demand during 2023. Strong asset appreciation could signal additional demand and capacity for farm debt as financial decision-makers look to lock in long-term economics for their appreciating farm and agribusiness assets. Farm profitability generally increases asset values and demand for the asset class for multiple years, which also contributes to increasing credit demand. However, the elevated interest rate environment could adversely impact mortgage portfolio growth, potentially lowering new sales and originations but also potentially slowing portfolio prepayments. Finally, a changing yield curve coupled with widening market credit spreads could increase opportunities for corporate and institutional lending, as Farmer Mac's programs become more attractive at higher costs of capital. Combined, these factors are expected to be generally supportive of continued net portfolio growth for Farmer Mac in 2023.
Positive economic conditions in the agricultural economy improved Farmer Mac's agricultural portfolio performance in 2022, and they could continue to positively influence loan delinquencies and losses throughout 2023. Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency levels increased slightly in first quarter 2023 relative to fourth quarter 2022. The overall delinquency rate increased from 0.41% of the Agricultural Finance line of business as of December 31, 2022 to 0.66% of the Agricultural Finance line of business as of March 31, 2023. The first quarter 2023 percentage is higher than the 0.57% delinquency rate as of March 31, 2022. The increase in the seriously delinquent rate is explained by a small number of larger exposures experiencing idiosyncratic business disruptions. The top five exposures of seriously delinquent loans as of first quarter 2023 represent nearly two-thirds of all 90-day delinquent loans. However, rising input costs, market volatility, and the potential for continued economic and weather-related stress increase the level of uncertainty inherent in the agricultural credit sector, which could negatively affect the trajectory of the current agricultural cycle. Farmer Mac believes that its portfolio continues to be highly diversified, both
geographically and by commodity and that its portfolio has been underwritten to high credit quality standards. Therefore, Farmer Mac believes that its portfolio is well-positioned to endure reasonably foreseeable volatility from cyclical and external factors. For more information about the loan balances, loan-to-value ratios, 90-day delinquencies, and substandard asset rate for the Agricultural Finance mortgage loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio as of March 31, 2023, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Loans and Guarantees."
Exogenous factors facing farm and food producers can create uncertainty and market instability within the sector. External market conditions that could adversely impact the farm and food sectors in 2023 include foreign trade and trade policy, supply chain disruptions, and environmental conditions. The U.S. agricultural sector has become increasingly dependent on foreign markets as a source of demand, making trade policy an important consideration for farms and food. The USDA's estimate for fiscal year 2023 is a small decrease in export value over 2022, but through February 2023, agricultural export values were up approximately 3% in 2023 compared to 2022. The value of the U.S. dollar relative to other major currencies fell 1% in first quarter 2023, which may help support farm, food, fiber, and fuel exports through the first half of 2023. Slower global growth could be a headwind for consumer-oriented products like animal proteins, dairy, fruits, and nuts, and Ukrainian corn and wheat production may eventually stabilize. Because Farmer Mac has significant exposure to crop commodities like corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, and cotton, a sustained rally in agricultural commodities is likely to continue to benefit Farmer Mac's overall portfolio credit quality more than degradation from downward pressure on livestock and consumer product profitability.
Severe weather conditions and long-term environmental change continue to shape agricultural sectors. The U.S. experienced 18 separate billion-dollar weather disasters in 2022, as tracked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Many of those events affected agriculture, including midwestern storms, western wildfires, and drought. Federal crop insurance provides a strong mitigator against this risk, but farmers and ranchers face increasingly-severe weather incidents. Long and persistent drought conditions affected agricultural production regions in the western and midwestern parts of the United States in 2021 and 2022, but there has been a sizable improvement in conditions in fourth quarter 2022 and the first quarter 2023, particularly in California. Roughly 6% of the continental U.S. remained in exceptional or extreme drought as of April 18, 2023, according to data from the National Drought Mitigation Center. While this represents the lowest level of widespread drought since 2020, the current drought cycle is the longest in nearly 20 years. For loans in areas that commonly experience exceptional drought (primarily in California), Farmer Mac's underwriting process includes an assessment of anticipated long-term water availability for the related property and how that impacts the collateral value and borrower's cash flow position to mitigate that risk. Flooding can also disrupt agricultural production, although the impacts are generally more temporary than those from extended drought. Copious winter precipitation in California has resulted in field flooding, particularly in the Tulare Lake bed. Farmer Mac has limited portfolio exposure in affected areas, but California flooding could remain a disruptor for western agricultural production in the coming quarters of 2023.
Rural Infrastructure Industry. Economic conditions affecting the rural infrastructure industry typically follow those in the general economy. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, sales and the revenue from the sale of electricity to customers increased by 1.4% and 14.9%, respectively, in the last 12 months through February 2023 compared to February 2022. This increase was driven by a sharp increase in sales to the commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors and an increase in the retail price of electricity. Higher energy input prices such as natural gas and coal became a headwind in 2022.
Natural gas prices rose consistently in 2021 and 2022 because of reduced supply and additional demand for U.S. liquified natural gas from European countries. Coal prices also rapidly increased in 2022, driven by higher natural gas prices and additional overseas demand to offset limited Russian coal exports. Despite higher input costs, power producers are generally able to pass cost increases through higher retail electricity prices, which has contributed to the increase in electricity costs impacting retail customers throughout 2022. Oil and natural gas prices were volatile during much of 2022 but moderated in fourth quarter 2022 and early 2023. Through March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had not observed material degradation in the financial performance of its rural infrastructure portfolio, and that portfolio has never experienced a serious delinquency or default since inception.
Prospects for loan growth within the rural infrastructure industry overall appear to be moderate in the near term, as ongoing normal-course capital expenditures related to maintaining and upgrading utility infrastructure continue at typical levels. Farmer Mac's future growth opportunities for financing the electric cooperative industry may be affected by the demand for electric power in rural areas, capital expenditures by electric cooperatives driven by regulatory or technological changes, the changing interest rate environment, increased policy initiatives to support rural connectivity, and competitive dynamics within the rural utilities cooperative finance industry. Cooperatives and service providers have access to numerous federally funded programs, such as the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), the USDA’s ReConnect, and the USDA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program. In addition to capital projects spurred by these programs, Farmer Mac could see an increase in financing opportunities for other telecommunications providers in rural areas, with wireless broadband increasingly important to economic opportunity and precision agriculture.
The growth in renewable energy generation and deployment of energy storage technologies may help deepen Farmer Mac's relationships with existing customers through new business opportunities. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable electricity capacity is expected to grow by 48% in the next five years, compared to total electric capacity growth of 10%. The rising cost of fossil fuel-based inputs combined with the falling costs of renewable power generation may hasten this increase in capacity along with recently enacted legislature, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 that incentivizes domestic production in clean energy technologies such as solar and wind. Any such growth in renewable energy capacity may broaden Farmer Mac's customer base with cooperative lenders focused on lending to renewable energy customers. In response to this expected growth, Farmer Mac has deployed new financing products tailored to the renewable energy sector, which represents a new market opportunity for Farmer Mac. Under this initiative, Farmer Mac's total outstanding loans and loan commitments of renewable energy financing transactions was $308.5 million as of March 31, 2023.
Legislative and Regulatory Outlook. Farmer Mac continues to monitor potential legislative and regulatory changes that could affect Farmer Mac or its stakeholders, including:
•The current farm bill expires on September 30, 2023. Covering a variety of programs impacting farm profitability, agricultural credit, and rural infrastructure, it is a critical piece of legislation for rural America and the agricultural sector which includes Farmer Mac customers. Congress has started an extensive process to review programs that are included in the farm bill in preparation for reauthorization. Farmer Mac is seeking enhancement to its charter in this farm bill reauthorization to enhance its partnerships and services in support of farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and rural infrastructure. Farmer Mac will continue to work with Congress to enhance its charter and monitor changes to farm bill programs that may impact farm sector profitability.
•On January 13, 2023, the FCA board approved an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to review Farmer Mac's regulatory capital framework. The notice sought public comment on Farmer Mac's regulatory capital requirements in the context of its business activities. The comment period was originally scheduled to close March 27, 2023 but was later extended to April 26, 2023. Farmer Mac and ten other organizations submitted comment letters before the extended deadline. In the FCA's proposed spring regulatory agenda, the agency is targeting a proposed rulemaking on Farmer Mac's regulatory capital framework for May 2024. This timeline may change, and Farmer Mac's management team will continue to monitor the FCA's process for this potential rulemaking.
•On September 29, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed Vincent Logan to be a member of the FCA board. Mr. Logan was subsequently appointed to be the Chairman and CEO of the FCA by President Biden on October 21, 2022. The remaining two members of the board are currently serving in holdover status because their terms have expired. These board members will continue to serve in their roles until replacements are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In addition to changes at the board level, the director of the Office of Secondary Market Oversight (OSMO), the office at FCA responsible for the examination, regulation, and supervision of the activities of Farmer Mac to ensure its safety and soundness, retired in December 2022. FCA has designated an acting director while the agency works to appoint a full-time director.
Balance Sheet Review
The following table summarizes Farmer Mac's balance sheet as of the periods indicated:
Table 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of | | Change |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | $ | | % |
| (in thousands) |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 864,594 | | | $ | 861,002 | | | $ | 3,592 | | | — | % |
Investment securities | 4,696,168 | | | 4,628,268 | | | 67,900 | | | 1 | % |
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 9,219,420 | | | 8,628,380 | | | 591,040 | | | 7 | % |
USDA Securities | 2,360,333 | | | 2,411,601 | | | (51,268) | | | (2) | % |
Loans, net of allowance | 8,900,485 | | | 8,994,350 | | | (93,865) | | | (1) | % |
Loans held in trusts | 1,467,855 | | | 1,211,116 | | | 256,739 | | | 21 | % |
Other | 431,092 | | | 598,393 | | | (167,301) | | | (28) | % |
Total assets | $ | 27,939,947 | | | $ | 27,333,110 | | | $ | 606,837 | | | 2 | % |
Liabilities | | | | | | | |
Notes Payable | $ | 24,837,391 | | | $ | 24,469,113 | | | $ | 368,278 | | | 2 | % |
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties | 1,374,332 | | | 1,181,948 | | | 192,384 | | | 16 | % |
Other | 435,839 | | | 410,091 | | | 25,748 | | | 6 | % |
Total liabilities | $ | 26,647,562 | | | $ | 26,061,152 | | | $ | 586,410 | | | 2 | % |
Total equity | 1,292,385 | | | 1,271,958 | | | 20,427 | | | 2 | % |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 27,939,947 | | | $ | 27,333,110 | | | $ | 606,837 | | | 2 | % |
Assets. The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to new loan volume, including those held in consolidated trusts, new Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and a larger investment portfolio.
Liabilities. The increase in total liabilities was primarily due to an increase in total notes payable to fund the acquisition of loan volume, including those held in consolidated trusts.
Equity. The increase in total equity was primarily due to an increase in retained earnings, partially offset by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Risk Management
Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees.
Agricultural Finance - Direct Credit Exposure
Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to Agricultural Finance mortgage loans as of March 31, 2023 was $10.7 billion across 48 states. Farmer Mac applies credit underwriting standards and methodologies to help assess exposures to loan purchases, which may include collateral valuation, financial metrics, and other appropriate borrower financial and credit information. For Corporate AgFinance loans, which are often larger loan exposures to agriculture production and agribusinesses that support agriculture production, food and fiber processing, and other supply chain production, and which may have risk profiles that differ from smaller agricultural mortgage loans, Farmer Mac has implemented methodologies and parameters that help assess credit risk based on the appropriate sector, borrower construct, and transaction complexity. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Agricultural Finance mortgage loans, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Underwriting and Collateral Standards—Farm & Ranch" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Underwriting and Collateral Standards—Corporate AgFinance" in Farmer Mac's 2022 Annual Report.
Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency measure includes loans 90 days or more past due, as well as loans in foreclosure and non-performing loans where the borrower is in bankruptcy. For Agricultural Finance mortgage loans to which Farmer Mac has direct credit exposure, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2023, were $70.6 million (0.66% of the Agricultural Finance mortgage loan portfolio to which Farmer Mac has direct credit exposure), compared to $43.5 million (0.41% of the Agricultural Finance mortgage loan portfolio) as of December 31, 2022. Those 90-day delinquencies were comprised of 51 delinquent loans as of March 31, 2023, compared to 37 delinquent loans as of December 31, 2022. The increase in 90-day delinquencies was primarily driven by increased delinquencies in permanent plantings and crops and was partially offset by decreased delinquencies in agricultural storage and processing. The top ten borrower exposures over 90 days delinquent represented over half of the 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2023. Farmer Mac believes that it remains adequately collateralized on its delinquent loans.
Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency rate as of March 31, 2023 was below Farmer Mac's historical average. In the near-term, our delinquency rate may exceed our historical average due to the impact of adverse weather events on the agricultural economy. Farmer Mac's average 90-day delinquency rate as a percentage of its Agricultural Finance mortgage loan portfolio over the last 15 years is approximately 1%. The highest 90-day delinquency rate observed during that period occurred in 2009 at approximately 2%, which coincided with increased delinquencies in loans within Farmer Mac's ethanol loan portfolio.
The following table presents historical information about Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies in the Agricultural Finance mortgage loan portfolio compared to the unpaid principal balance of all Agricultural Finance mortgage loans to which Farmer Mac has direct credit exposure:
Table 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agricultural Finance Mortgage Loans | | 90-Day Delinquencies | | Percentage |
| (dollars in thousands) |
As of: | | | | | |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 10,680,419 | | | $ | 70,646 | | | 0.66 | % |
December 31, 2022 | 10,719,571 | | | 43,498 | | | 0.41 | % |
September 30, 2022 | 10,508,549 | | | 44,232 | | | 0.42 | % |
June 30, 2022 | 10,128,083 | | | 20,623 | | | 0.20 | % |
March 31, 2022 | 9,879,978 | | | 55,847 | | | 0.57 | % |
December 31, 2021 | 9,811,749 | | | 47,307 | | | 0.48 | % |
September 30, 2021 | 9,445,359 | | | 54,792 | | | 0.58 | % |
June 30, 2021 | 9,056,152 | | | 63,076 | | | 0.70 | % |
March 31, 2021 | 8,629,352 | | | 72,346 | | | 0.84 | % |
Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.27% of total outstanding business volume as of March 31, 2023, compared to 0.17% as of December 31, 2022 and 0.23% as of March 31, 2022.
The following table presents outstanding Agricultural Finance mortgage loans and 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2023 by year of origination, geographic region, commodity/collateral type, original loan-to-value ratio, and range in the size of borrower exposure:
Table 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Finance Mortgage Loans 90-Day Delinquencies as of March 31, 2023 |
| Distribution of Agricultural Loans | | Agricultural Loans | | 90-Day Delinquencies(1) | | Percentage |
| (dollars in thousands) |
By year of origination: | | | | | | | |
2013 and prior | 7 | % | | $ | 819,171 | | | $ | 3,472 | | | 0.42 | % |
2014 | 2 | % | | 210,277 | | | 1,001 | | | 0.48 | % |
2015 | 3 | % | | 339,986 | | | 10,901 | | | 3.21 | % |
2016 | 5 | % | | 543,184 | | | 4,519 | | | 0.83 | % |
2017 | 5 | % | | 531,403 | | | 6,503 | | | 1.22 | % |
2018 | 6 | % | | 609,455 | | | 2,707 | | | 0.44 | % |
2019 | 8 | % | | 849,808 | | | 16,858 | | | 1.98 | % |
2020 | 19 | % | | 2,011,754 | | | 5,972 | | | 0.30 | % |
2021 | 25 | % | | 2,659,563 | | | 931 | | | 0.04 | % |
2022 | 17 | % | | 1,793,221 | | | 5,961 | | | 0.33 | % |
2023 | 3 | % | | 312,597 | | | 11,821 | | | 0.33 | % |
Total | 100 | % | | $ | 10,680,419 | | | $ | 70,646 | | | 0.66 | % |
By geographic region(2): | | | | | | | |
Northwest | 13 | % | | $ | 1,374,647 | | | $ | 2,286 | | | 0.17 | % |
Southwest | 30 | % | | 3,236,371 | | | 21,332 | | | 0.66 | % |
Mid-North | 27 | % | | 2,845,425 | | | 5,830 | | | 0.20 | % |
Mid-South | 17 | % | | 1,835,733 | | | 11,469 | | | 0.62 | % |
Northeast | 4 | % | | 434,604 | | | 1,545 | | | 0.36 | % |
Southeast | 9 | % | | 953,639 | | | 28,184 | | | 2.96 | % |
Total | 100 | % | | $ | 10,680,419 | | | $ | 70,646 | | | 0.66 | % |
By commodity/collateral type: | | | | | | | |
Crops | 50 | % | | $ | 5,343,256 | | | $ | 21,247 | | | 0.40 | % |
Permanent plantings | 22 | % | | 2,351,228 | | | 26,674 | | | 1.13 | % |
Livestock | 18 | % | | 1,942,909 | | | 6,429 | | | 0.33 | % |
Part-time farm | 5 | % | | 480,524 | | | 3,041 | | | 0.63 | % |
Ag. Storage and Processing | 5 | % | | 545,263 | | | 13,255 | | | 2.43 | % |
Other | — | % | | 17,239 | | | — | | | — | % |
Total | 100 | % | | $ | 10,680,419 | | | $ | 70,646 | | | 0.66 | % |
By original loan-to-value ratio: | | | | | | | |
0.00% to 40.00% | 20 | % | | $ | 2,090,711 | | | $ | 16,975 | | | 0.81 | % |
40.01% to 50.00% | 23 | % | | 2,429,301 | | | 15,828 | | | 0.65 | % |
50.01% to 60.00% | 36 | % | | 3,803,256 | | | 12,860 | | | 0.34 | % |
60.01% to 70.00% | 19 | % | | 2,080,937 | | | 24,532 | | | 1.18 | % |
70.01% to 80.00%(3) | 2 | % | | 250,351 | | | 451 | | | 0.18 | % |
80.01% to 90.00%(3) | — | % | | 25,863 | | | — | | | — | % |
Total | 100 | % | | $ | 10,680,419 | | | $ | 70,646 | | | 0.66 | % |
By size of borrower exposure(4): | | | | | | | |
Less than $1,000,000 | 26 | % | | $ | 2,770,722 | | | $ | 8,192 | | | 0.30 | % |
$1,000,000 to $4,999,999 | 37 | % | | 3,986,078 | | | 26,681 | | | 0.67 | % |
$5,000,000 to $9,999,999 | 15 | % | | 1,656,963 | | | — | | | — | % |
$10,000,000 to $24,999,999 | 13 | % | | 1,337,406 | | | 35,773 | | | 2.67 | % |
$25,000,000 and greater | 9 | % | | 929,250 | | | — | | | — | % |
Total | 100 | % | | $ | 10,680,419 | | | $ | 70,646 | | | 0.66 | % |
(1)Includes loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
(2)Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
(3)Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with an original loan-to-value ratio of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance.
(4)Includes aggregated loans to single borrowers or borrower-related entities.
Another indicator that Farmer Mac considers in analyzing the credit quality of its Agricultural Finance mortgage loans is the level of internally-rated "substandard" assets, both in dollars and as a percentage of the outstanding portfolio. Assets categorized as "substandard" have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses, and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac's Agricultural Finance mortgage loans (to which it has direct credit exposure) comprising substandard assets were $205.1 million (1.9% of the portfolio), compared to $209.4 million (2.0% of the portfolio) as of December 31, 2022. Those substandard assets comprised 241 loans as of March 31, 2023 and 243 loans as of December 31, 2022.
The decrease of $4.3 million in substandard assets during first quarter 2023 was primarily driven by credit upgrades in our off-balance sheet portfolios. Substandard assets decreased as a percentage of our off-balance sheet portfolio and remained flat as a percentage of our on-balance sheet portfolio.
The percentage of substandard assets within the portfolio as of March 31, 2023 was below the historical average. Farmer Mac's average substandard assets as a percentage of its Agricultural Finance mortgage loans over the last 15 years is approximately 4%. The highest substandard asset rate observed during the last 15 years occurred in 2010 at approximately 8%, which coincided with an increase in substandard loans within Farmer Mac's ethanol portfolio. If Farmer Mac's substandard asset rate increases from current levels, it is likely that Farmer Mac's provision to the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for losses will also increase.
Although some credit losses are inherent to the business of agricultural lending, Farmer Mac believes that losses associated with the current agricultural credit cycle will be moderated by the strength and diversity of its portfolio, which Farmer Mac believes is adequately collateralized.
Farmer Mac considers a loan's original loan-to-value ratio as one of many factors in evaluating loss severity. Loan-to-value ratios depend on the market value of a property, as determined in accordance with Farmer Mac's collateral valuation standards. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the average unpaid principal balances for Agricultural Finance mortgage loans outstanding and to which Farmer Mac has direct credit exposure was $796,000 and $806,000, respectively. Farmer Mac calculates the "original loan-to-value" ratio of a loan by dividing the original loan principal balance by the original appraised property value. This calculation does not reflect any amortization of the original loan balance or any adjustment to the original appraised value to provide a current market value. The original loan-to-value ratio of any cross-collateralized loans is calculated on a combined basis rather than on a loan-by-loan basis. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for Agricultural Finance mortgage loans purchased during first quarter 2023 was 44%, compared to 46% for loans purchased during first quarter 2022. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for Agricultural Finance mortgage loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was 50% and 51% as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for all 90-day delinquencies was 47% and 46% as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The weighted-average current loan-to-value ratio (the loan to-value ratio based on original appraised value and current outstanding loan amount adjusted to reflect amortization) for Agricultural Finance mortgage loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was 45% and 46% as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The following table presents the current loan-to-value ratios for the Agricultural Finance mortgage loans to which Farmer Mac has direct credit exposure, as disaggregated by internally assigned risk ratings:
Table 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Finance Mortgage Loans current loan-to-value ratio by internally assigned risk rating as of March 31, 2023 |
| Acceptable | | Special Mention | | Substandard | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Current loan-to-value ratio(1): | | | | | | | |
0.00% to 40.00% | $ | 3,235,944 | | | $ | 54,460 | | | $ | 68,977 | | | $ | 3,359,381 | |
40.01% to 50.00% | 2,646,626 | | | 95,201 | | | 55,480 | | | 2,797,307 | |
50.01% to 60.00% | 2,808,964 | | | 95,155 | | | 39,080 | | | 2,943,199 | |
60.01% to 70.00% | 1,212,885 | | | 98,301 | | | 21,150 | | | 1,332,336 | |
70.01% to 80.00% | 186,235 | | | 13,276 | | | 16,415 | | | 215,926 | |
80.01% and greater | 27,649 | | | 651 | | | 3,970 | | | 32,270 | |
Total | $ | 10,118,303 | | | $ | 357,044 | | | $ | 205,072 | | | $ | 10,680,419 | |
(1)The current loan-to-value ratio is based on original appraised value (or most recently obtained valuation, if available) and current outstanding loan amount adjusted to reflect loan amortization.
The following table presents Farmer Mac's cumulative net credit losses relative to the cumulative original balance for all Agricultural Finance mortgage loans as of March 31, 2023 by year of origination, geographic region, and commodity/collateral type. The purpose of this table is to present information about realized losses relative to original Farm & Ranch purchases, guarantees, and commitments.
Table 25 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Finance Mortgage Loans Credit Losses Relative to Cumulative |
Original Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2023 |
| Cumulative Original Loans, Guarantees and LTSPCs | | Cumulative Net Credit Losses/(Recoveries) | | Cumulative Loss Rate |
| (dollars in thousands) |
By year of origination: | | | | | |
2013 and prior | $ | 18,734,932 | | | $ | 33,785 | | | 0.18 | % |
2014 | 1,088,631 | | | — | | | — | % |
2015 | 1,249,141 | | | (516) | | | (0.04) | % |
2016 | 1,590,216 | | | 903 | | | 0.06 | % |
2017 | 1,690,606 | | | 4,311 | | | 0.25 | % |
2018 | 1,389,000 | | | — | | | — | % |
2019 | 1,599,060 | | | — | | | — | % |
2020 | 2,905,165 | | | — | | | — | % |
2021 | 3,282,649 | | | — | | | — | % |
2022 | 1,970,695 | | | — | | | — | % |
2023 | 322,353 | | | | | — | % |
Total | $ | 35,822,448 | | | $ | 38,483 | | | 0.11 | % |
By geographic region(1): | | | | | |
Northwest | $ | 4,602,960 | | | $ | 12,094 | | | 0.26 | % |
Southwest | 12,051,103 | | | 8,542 | | | 0.07 | % |
Mid-North | 8,961,223 | | | 17,165 | | | 0.19 | % |
Mid-South | 5,082,841 | | | (613) | | | (0.01) | % |
Northeast | 1,855,518 | | | 323 | | | 0.02 | % |
Southeast | 3,268,803 | | | 972 | | | 0.03 | % |
Total | $ | 35,822,448 | | | $ | 38,483 | | | 0.11 | % |
By commodity/collateral type: | | | | | |
Crops | $ | 16,564,150 | | | $ | 3,790 | | | 0.02 | % |
Permanent plantings | 7,792,137 | | | 9,783 | | | 0.13 | % |
Livestock | 7,851,668 | | | 3,836 | | | 0.05 | % |
Part-time farm | 1,901,315 | | | 1,090 | | | 0.06 | % |
Ag. Storage and Processing | 1,544,587 | | | 19,984 | | | 1.29 | % |
Other | 168,591 | | | — | | | — | % |
Total | $ | 35,822,448 | | | $ | 38,483 | | | 0.11 | % |
(1)Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
Analysis of portfolio performance indicates that commodity type is the primary determinant of Farmer Mac's exposure to loss on a given loan. The following tables present concentrations of Agricultural Finance mortgage loans by commodity type within geographic region and cumulative credit losses by origination year and commodity type:
Table 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Agricultural Finance Mortgage Loans Concentrations by Commodity Type within Geographic Region |
| Crops | | Permanent Plantings | | Livestock | | Part-time Farm | | Ag. Storage and Processing | | Other | | Total |
| (dollars in thousands) |
By geographic region(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Northwest | $ | 714,060 | | | $ | 223,361 | | | $ | 292,864 | | | $ | 111,727 | | | $ | 32,612 | | | $ | 23 | | | $ | 1,374,647 | |
| 6.7 | % | | 2.1 | % | | 2.7 | % | | 1.0 | % | | 0.3 | % | | — | % | | 12.8 | % |
Southwest | 697,278 | | | 1,754,034 | | | 546,386 | | | 107,857 | | | 115,357 | | | 15,459 | | | 3,236,371 | |
| 6.5 | % | | 16.4 | % | | 5.1 | % | | 1.0 | % | | 1.1 | % | | 0.1 | % | | 30.2 | % |
Mid-North | 2,364,622 | | | 10,302 | | | 251,248 | | | 86,220 | | | 131,487 | | | 1,546 | | | 2,845,425 | |
| 22.1 | % | | 0.1 | % | | 2.4 | % | | 0.8 | % | | 1.2 | % | | — | % | | 26.6 | % |
Mid-South | 1,060,297 | | | 78,596 | | | 563,555 | | | 62,770 | | | 70,498 | | | 16 | | | 1,835,732 | |
| 9.9 | % | | 0.7 | % | | 5.3 | % | | 0.6 | % | | 0.7 | % | | — | % | | 17.2 | % |
Northeast | 187,978 | | | 44,408 | | | 68,789 | | | 50,311 | | | 83,118 | | | — | | | 434,604 | |
| 1.8 | % | | 0.4 | % | | 0.6 | % | | 0.5 | % | | 0.8 | % | | — | % | | 4.1 | % |
Southeast | 319,021 | | | 240,527 | | | 220,067 | | | 61,639 | | | 112,191 | | | 195 | | | 953,640 | |
| 3.0 | % | | 2.3 | % | | 2.1 | % | | 0.6 | % | | 1.1 | % | | — | % | | 9.1 | % |
Total | $5,343,256 | | $2,351,228 | | $1,942,909 | | $480,524 | | $545,263 | | $17,239 | | $10,680,419 |
| 50.0 | % | | 22.0 | % | | 18.2 | % | | 4.5 | % | | 5.2 | % | | 0.1 | % | | 100.0 | % |
(1)Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
Table 27 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 |
| Agricultural Loans Cumulative Credit Losses by Origination Year and Commodity Type |
| Crops | | Permanent Plantings | | Livestock | | Part-time Farm | | Ag. Storage and Processing | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
By year of origination: | | | | | | | | | | | |
2013 and prior | $ | 3,427 | | | $ | 9,783 | | | $ | 3,836 | | | $ | 1,066 | | | $ | 15,673 | | | $ | 33,785 | |
2014 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
2015 | (540) | | | — | | | — | | | 24 | | | — | | | (516) | |
2016 | 903 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 903 | |
2017 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,311 | | | 4,311 | |
2018 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
2019 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
2020 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
2021 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
2022 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
2023 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | $ | 3,790 | | | $ | 9,783 | | | $ | 3,836 | | | $ | 1,090 | | | $ | 19,984 | | | $ | 38,483 | |
For more information about the credit quality of Farmer Mac's Agricultural Finance mortgage loans and the associated allowance for losses please refer to Note 5 and Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. Activity affecting the allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses is discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Provision for and Release of Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses."
Rural Infrastructure Finance - Direct Credit Exposure
Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to Rural Infrastructure Finance loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs as of March 31, 2023 was $3.7 billion across 45 states. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Rural Infrastructure Finance loans, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Infrastructure Finance—Underwriting and Collateral Standards" in Farmer Mac's 2022 Annual Report. As of March 31, 2023, there were no delinquencies in Farmer Mac's portfolio of Rural Infrastructure Finance loans.
Farmer Mac evaluates credit risk for these assets by reviewing a variety of borrower credit risk characteristics. These characteristics can include (but is not limited to) financial metrics, internal risk ratings, ratings assigned by ratings agencies, types of customers served, sources of power supply, and the regulatory environment.
The following table presents Farmer Mac’s portfolio of generation and transmission ("G&T") and distribution cooperative borrowers, as well as renewable energy loans, disaggregated by internally assigned risk ratings.
Table 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rural Infrastructure Finance portfolio by internally assigned risk rating as of March 31, 2023 |
| Acceptable | | Special Mention | | Substandard | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Distribution Cooperative | $ | 2,339,582 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,339,582 | |
G&T Cooperative | 677,515 | | | — | | | — | | | 677,515 | |
Renewable Energy | 308,493 | | | — | | | — | | | 308,493 | |
Telecommunications | 356,102 | | | — | | | — | | | 356,102 | |
Rural Infrastructure Total | $ | 3,681,692 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,681,692 | |
For more information about the credit quality of Farmer Mac's Rural Infrastructure Finance portfolio and the associated allowance for losses please refer to Notes 5 and 6 of the consolidated financial statements.
Other Considerations Regarding Credit Risk Related to Loans and Guarantees
The credit exposure on USDA Securities, including those underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities, is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Therefore, Farmer Mac believes that we have little or no credit risk exposure to the USDA Securities in the Agricultural Finance line of business because of the USDA guarantee. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had not experienced any credit losses on any USDA Securities or Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities and does not expect to incur any such losses in the future. Because we do not expect credit losses on this portfolio, Farmer Mac does not provide an allowance for losses on its portfolio of USDA Securities.
Farmer Mac requires many lenders to make representations and warranties about the conformity of Agricultural Finance mortgage loans to Farmer Mac's standards, the accuracy of loan data provided to Farmer Mac, and other requirements related to the loans. Sellers who make these representations and warranties are responsible to Farmer Mac for breaches of those representations and warranties. Farmer Mac has the ability to require a seller to cure, replace, or repurchase a loan sold or transferred to Farmer Mac if any breach of a representation or warranty is discovered that was material to Farmer Mac's decision to purchase the loan or that directly or indirectly causes a default or potential loss on a loan sold or transferred by the seller to Farmer Mac. During the previous three years ended March 31, 2023, there have been no breaches of representations and warranties by sellers that resulted in Farmer Mac requiring a seller to cure, replace, or repurchase a loan. In addition to relying on the representations and warranties of sellers, Farmer Mac also underwrites the Agricultural Finance mortgage loans (other than rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans) and Rural Infrastructure Finance loans on which it has direct credit exposure. For rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans, Farmer Mac relies on representations and warranties from the seller that those loans conform to Farmer Mac's specified underwriting criteria. For more information about Farmer Mac's loan eligibility requirements and underwriting standards, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Loan Eligibility," "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Underwriting and Collateral Standards—Farm & Ranch," "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Underwriting and Collateral Standards—Corporate AgFinance," and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Infrastructure Finance—Underwriting and Collateral Standards" in Farmer Mac’s 2022 Annual Report.
Under contracts with Farmer Mac and in consideration for servicing fees, Farmer Mac-approved servicers service loans in accordance with Farmer Mac's requirements. Servicers are responsible to Farmer Mac for material errors in the servicing of those loans. If a servicer materially breaches the terms of its servicing agreement with Farmer Mac, such as failing to forward payments received or releasing collateral without
Farmer Mac's consent, or experiences insolvency or bankruptcy, the servicer is responsible for any corresponding damages to Farmer Mac and, in most cases, Farmer Mac has the right to terminate the servicing relationship for a particular loan or the entire portfolio serviced by the servicer. Farmer Mac also can proceed against the servicer in arbitration or exercise any remedies available to it under law. During the previous three years ended March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had not exercised any remedies or taken any formal action against any servicers. For more information about Farmer Mac's servicing requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Loan Servicing" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Infrastructure Finance—Lenders and Loan Servicing" in Farmer Mac’s 2022 Annual Report.
Credit Risk – Counterparty Risk. Farmer Mac is exposed to credit risk arising from its business relationships with other institutions, which include:
•issuers of AgVantage securities;
•approved lenders and servicers; and
•interest rate swap counterparties.
Farmer Mac approves AgVantage counterparties and manages institutional credit risk related to those AgVantage counterparties by requiring them to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness for the particular counterparty type and transaction. The required collateralization level is established when the AgVantage facility is entered into with the counterparty and does not change during the life of the AgVantage securities issued under the facility without Farmer Mac's consent. In AgVantage transactions, the corporate obligor is typically required to remove from the pool of pledged collateral loans that become and remain (within specified parameters) delinquent in the payment of principal or interest and to substitute eligible loans that are current in payment or pay down the AgVantage securities to maintain the minimum required collateralization level.
In the event of a default on an AgVantage security, Farmer Mac would have recourse to the pledged collateral and have rights to the ongoing borrower payments of principal and interest. As a result, Farmer Mac has indirect credit exposure to the Agricultural Finance mortgage loans and Rural Infrastructure loans that secure AgVantage securities. For AgVantage counterparties that are institutional real estate investors or financial funds and other similar entities, Farmer Mac also typically requires that the counterparty (1) maintain a higher collateralization level, through either a higher overcollateralization percentage or lower loan-to-value ratio thresholds and (2) comply with specified financial covenants for the life of the related AgVantage security to avoid default. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had not experienced any credit losses on any AgVantage securities. For a more detailed description of AgVantage securities, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Other Products – Agricultural Finance—AgVantage Securities" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Infrastructure Finance—Other Products – Rural Infrastructure Finance—AgVantage Securities" in Farmer Mac’s 2022 Annual Report.
The unpaid principal balance of outstanding on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by loans eligible for the Agricultural Finance line of business totaled $6.0 billion as of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The unpaid principal balance of on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by loans eligible for the Rural Infrastructure Finance line of business totaled $3.5 billion as of March 31, 2023 and $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2022. The unpaid principal balance of outstanding off-balance sheet AgVantage securities totaled $1.1 million as of March 31, 2023 and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2022.
The following table provides information about the issuers of AgVantage securities and the required collateralization levels for those transactions as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 29 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
Counterparty | | Balance | | | | Required Collateralization | | Balance | | | | Required Collateralization |
| | (dollars in thousands) |
AgVantage: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CFC | | $ | 3,516,483 | | | | | 100% | | $ | 3,045,325 | | | | | 100% |
MetLife | | 2,050,000 | | | | | 103% | | 2,050,000 | | | | | 103% |
Rabo AgriFinance | | 2,925,000 | | | | | 105% | | 2,855,000 | | | | | 105% |
Other(1) | | 1,037,685 | | | | | 100% to 125% | | 1,059,600 | | | | | 100% to 125% |
Total outstanding | | $ | 9,529,168 | | | | | | | $ | 9,009,925 | | | | | |
(1)Consists of AgVantage securities issued by 10 and 12 different issuers as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to lenders and servicers by requiring those institutions to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness. Farmer Mac monitors the financial condition of those institutions by evaluating financial statements and credit rating agency reports. For more information about Farmer Mac's lender eligibility requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Agricultural Finance—Lenders" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Infrastructure Finance—Lenders and Loan Servicing" in Farmer Mac’s 2022 Annual Report.
Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to its interest rate swap counterparties through collateralization provisions contained in each of its swap agreements that vary based on the market value of its swap portfolio with each counterparty. Farmer Mac and its interest rate swap counterparties are required to fully collateralize their derivatives positions without any minimum threshold for cleared swap transactions, as well as for non-cleared swap transactions entered into after March 1, 2017. Farmer Mac transacts interest rate swaps with multiple counterparties to reduce counterparty credit exposure concentration. Farmer Mac's usage of cleared derivatives has increased over time as has its exposure to clearinghouses. The usage of cleared swap transactions reduces Farmer Mac's exposure to individual counterparties with the central clearinghouse acting to settle the change in value of contracts on a daily basis. Credit risk related to interest rate swap contracts is discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Credit Risk – Other Investments. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had $0.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $4.7 billion of investment securities. The management of the credit risk inherent in these investments is governed by Farmer Mac's internal policies as well as regulations issued by the FCA found at 12 C.F.R. §§ 652.1-652.45 ("Liquidity and Investment Regulations"). In addition to establishing a portfolio of highly liquid investments as an available source of cash, the goals of Farmer Mac's investment policies are designed to minimize Farmer Mac's exposure to financial market volatility, preserve capital, and support Farmer Mac's access to the debt markets.
The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's internal policies require that investments held in Farmer Mac's investment portfolio meet the following creditworthiness standards: (1) at a minimum, at least one obligor of the investment must have a very strong capacity to meet financial commitments for the life of the investment, even under severely adverse or stressful conditions, and
generally present a very low risk of default; (2) if the obligor whose capacity to meet financial commitments is being relied upon to meet the standard set forth in subparagraph (1) is located outside of the United States, the investment must also be fully guaranteed by a U.S. government agency; and (3) the investment must exhibit low credit risk and other risk characteristics consistent with the purpose or purposes for which it is held.
The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's internal policies also establish concentration limits, which are intended to limit exposure to any single entity, issuer, or obligor. The Liquidity and Investment Regulations limit Farmer Mac's total credit exposure to any single entity, issuer, or obligor of securities to 10% of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital ($137.0 million as of March 31, 2023). However, Farmer Mac's current policy limits this total credit exposure to 5% of its regulatory capital ($68.5 million as of March 31, 2023). These exposure limits do not apply to obligations of U.S. government agencies or GSEs, although Farmer Mac's current policy restricts investing more than 100% of regulatory capital in the senior non-convertible debt securities of any one GSE.
Although the Liquidity and Investments Regulations do not establish limits on the maximum amount, expressed as a percentage of Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, that can be invested in each eligible asset class, Farmer Mac's internal policies set forth asset class limits as part of Farmer Mac's overall risk management framework.
Interest Rate Risk. Farmer Mac is subject to interest rate risk on all interest-earning assets on its balance sheet because of timing differences in the cash flows due to maturity, paydown, or repricing of the assets and debt together with financial derivatives. Cash flow mismatches due to changing interest rates can reduce the earnings of Farmer Mac if assets prepay sooner than expected and the resulting cash flows must be reinvested in lower-yielding investments when Farmer Mac's funding costs cannot be correspondingly reduced. Alternatively, Farmer Mac could realize a decline in income if assets repay more slowly than originally forecasted and the associated maturing debt must be replaced by debt issuances at higher interest rates.
Interest Rate Risk Management
The goal of interest rate risk management at Farmer Mac is to manage the balance sheet in a manner that generates stable earnings and value across a variety of interest rate environments. Recognizing that interest rate sensitivities may change with the passage of time and as interest rates change, Farmer Mac regularly assesses this exposure and, if necessary, adjusts its portfolio of interest-earning assets, debt, and financial derivatives.
Farmer Mac's objective is to maintain its exposure to interest rate risk within appropriate limits, as approved by Farmer Mac's board of directors. Farmer Mac's management-level Asset and Liability Committee ("ALCO") provides oversight, establishes guidelines, and approves strategies to maintain interest rate risk within the board-established limits.
Farmer Mac's primary strategy for managing interest rate risk is to fund asset purchases with debt that together with financial derivatives have similar duration and convexity characteristics and help mitigate impacts from interest rate changes across the yield curve. As part of this strategy, Farmer Mac seeks to issue debt securities across a variety of maturities that together with financial derivatives closely align the forecasted debt and financial derivative cash flows with forecasted asset cash flows.
Farmer Mac issues discount notes and both callable and non-callable medium-term notes across a spectrum of maturities to execute its debt issuance strategy. Portions of Farmer Mac's callable debt is issued to mitigate prepayment risk associated with certain interest-earning assets held on balance sheet. In general, as interest rates decline, prepayments typically increase, and Farmer Mac is able to economically extinguish certain callable debt issuances. In addition, Farmer Mac enters into financial derivatives, primarily interest rate swaps, to better match the durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities, thereby reducing overall sensitivity to changing interest rates.
Taking into consideration the prepayment provisions and the default probabilities associated with its portfolio of interest-earning assets, Farmer Mac incorporates behavioral models when projecting and valuing cash flows associated with these assets. In recognition that borrowers' behaviors in various interest rate environments may change over time, Farmer Mac periodically evaluates the effectiveness of these models compared to actual prepayment experience and adjusts and refines the models as necessary to improve the precision of future prepayment forecasts.
Changes in interest rates may affect the timing of asset prepayments which may, in turn, impact durations and values of the assets. Declining interest rates generally result in increased prepayments, which shortens the duration of these assets, while rising interest rates generally result in lower prepayments, thereby extending the duration of the assets.
Farmer Mac is subject to interest rate risk on loans and securities it has committed to acquire but not yet purchased (other than delinquent loans purchased through LTSPCs or loans designated for securitization under a forward purchase agreement). When Farmer Mac commits to purchase these assets, it is exposed to interest rate risk between the time it commits to purchase the loans and the time it issues debt to fund the purchase of these loans. Farmer Mac manages the interest rate risk exposure related to these loans by entering into exchange-traded futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities and other financial derivatives. Similarly, when Farmer Mac commits to sell certain assets, the associated interest rate exposure is primarily managed with exchange-traded futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities and other financial derivatives.
Farmer Mac's $0.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents held as of March 31, 2023 mature within three months. As of March 31, 2023, $3.2 billion of the $4.7 billion of investment securities (69%) were floating rate securities with rates that adjust within one year or fixed rate securities with original maturities between three months and one year. Farmer Mac's floating rate investment securities are funded with floating rate debt. The fixed rate investment securities are generally funded in a manner consistent with Farmer Mac's overall funding strategy that approximates a duration and convexity match.
Interest Rate Risk Metrics
Farmer Mac regularly evaluates and conducts interest rate shock simulations on its portfolio of financial assets, debt, and financial derivatives and examines a variety of metrics to quantify and manage its exposure to interest rate risk. These metrics include sensitivity to interest rate movements on the market value of equity ("MVE") and forecasted net effective spread ("NES") as well as a duration gap analysis.
MVE represents management's estimate of the present value of all future cash flows from its current portfolio of on- and off-balance sheet assets, liabilities, and financial derivatives, discounted at current interest rates and appropriate spreads. However, MVE is not indicative of the market value of Farmer Mac as a going concern because these market values are theoretical and do not reflect future business activities. The MVE sensitivity analysis measures the degree to which the market values of Farmer Mac's assets, liabilities, and financial derivatives are estimated to change for a given change in interest rates.
Farmer Mac's NES simulation represents the difference between projected income over the next twelve months from the current portfolio of interest-earning assets and interest expense produced by the related funding, including associated financial derivatives. Farmer Mac's NES simulation may be impacted by changes in market interest rates resulting from timing differences between maturities and re-pricing characteristics of funded assets and debt together with the associated financial derivatives. The direction and magnitude of any such effect depends on the direction and magnitude of the change in interest rates across the yield curve as well as the composition of Farmer Mac's portfolio. The NES simulation represents an estimate of the net effective spread income that Farmer Mac's current portfolio is expected to produce over a twelve-month horizon. As a result, the NES simulation sensitivity statistics provide a short-term view of Farmer Mac's NES income sensitivity to interest rate shocks.
Duration is a measure of a financial instrument's fair value sensitivity to small changes in interest rates. Duration gap is calculated using the net estimated durations of Farmer Mac's interest-earning assets, debt, and financial derivatives. Duration gap quantifies the extent to which estimated fair value sensitivities are matched for interest-earning assets, debt and financial derivatives. Duration gap provides a relatively concise measure of the interest rate risk inherent in Farmer Mac's outstanding portfolio.
A positive duration gap denotes that the duration of Farmer Mac's interest-earning assets is greater than the duration of its debt and financial derivatives. A positive duration gap indicates that with small changes in interest rate movements the fair value change of Farmer Mac's interest-earning assets is more sensitive than the fair value change of its debt and financial derivatives. Conversely, a negative duration gap indicates that with small changes in interest rate movements the fair value change of Farmer Mac's interest-earning assets are less sensitive than the fair value change of its debt and financial derivatives. A duration gap of zero indicates that with small changes in interest rate movements the fair value change of Farmer Mac's interest-earning assets is effectively offset by the fair value change of its debt and financial derivatives.
Each of the interest rate risk metrics is quantified using asset/liability models and derived based on management's best estimates of factors such as implied forward interest rates across the yield curve, interest rate volatility, and timing of asset prepayments and callable debt redemptions. Accordingly, these metrics are estimates rather than precise measurements. Actual results may differ to the extent there are material changes to Farmer Mac's financial asset portfolio or changes in funding or hedging strategies undertaken to mitigate unfavorable sensitivities to interest rate changes.
The following schedule summarizes the results of Farmer Mac's MVE and NES sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 to an immediate and instantaneous uniform or "parallel" shift in the yield curve:
Table 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Percentage Change in MVE from Base Case |
Interest Rate Scenario | | As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
+100 basis points | | (3.2) | % | | (3.7) | % |
-100 basis points | | 2.5 | % | | 2.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Percentage Change in NES from Base Case |
Interest Rate Scenario | | As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
+100 basis points | | 0.2 | % | | 0.4 | % |
-100 basis points | | (0.4) | % | | (0.6) | % |
As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac's duration gap was positive 3.1 months, compared to positive 3.6 months as of December 31, 2022. Interest rates within the yield curve flattened during 2023 with the 2-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury Note yield-to-maturity increasing by approximately 40 basis points and 41 basis points, respectively, versus year-end 2022. This rate movement contributed to shortening the duration of Farmer Mac's funded assets compared to its debt and financial derivatives, thereby narrowing Farmer Mac's duration gap.
Financial Derivatives Transactions
The economic effects of financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's MVE, NES, and duration gap analyses. Farmer Mac typically enters into the following types of financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of interest-earning assets, future cash flows, and debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes:
•"pay-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac pays fixed rates of interest to, and receives floating rates of interest from, counterparties;
•"receive-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac receives fixed rates of interest from, and pays floating rates of interest to, counterparties;
•"basis swaps," in which Farmer Mac pays floating rates of interest based on one index to, and receives floating rates of interest based on a different index from, counterparties; and
•exchange-traded futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities.
As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had $25.0 billion combined notional amount of interest rate swaps, with terms ranging from less than one year to just over thirty years, of which $9.1 billion were pay-fixed interest rate swaps, $14.1 billion were receive-fixed interest rate swaps, and $1.8 billion were basis swaps.
Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swaps to more closely match the cash flow and duration characteristics of its interest-earning assets with those of its debt. For example, Farmer Mac transacts pay-fixed interest rate swaps and issues floating rate debt to effectively create fixed rate funding that approximately matches the duration of the corresponding fixed rate assets being funded. Farmer Mac evaluates the overall cost of using interest rate swaps in conjunction with debt issuance as a funding alternative to duration-matched debt and enters into interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks across the balance sheet.
Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets classified as available for sale or liabilities to protect against fair value changes in the assets or liabilities related to a benchmark interest rate (e.g., LIBOR or SOFR). Also, certain financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt.
As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, all financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as derivative assets or as derivative liabilities. Changes in the fair values of undesignated financial derivatives are reported in "Gains on financial derivatives" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items related to the risk being hedged are reported in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships are also recorded in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income. Because the hedging instrument is an interest rate swap and the hedged forecasted transactions are future interest payments on floating rate debt, amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to "Total interest expense" in conjunction with the recognition of interest expense on the debt. All of Farmer Mac's interest rate swap transactions are conducted under standard collateralized agreements that limit Farmer Mac's potential credit exposure to any counterparty. As of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Farmer Mac had no uncollateralized net exposures based on the mark-to-market value of the portfolio of interest rate swaps
Re-funding and repricing risk
Farmer Mac is subject to re-funding and repricing risk on any floating rate assets that are not funded to contractual maturity. Re-funding and repricing risk arises from potential changes in funding costs resulting from a funding strategy whereby Farmer Mac issues floating rate debt across a variety of maturities to fund floating rate or synthetically floating rate assets that on average may have longer maturities. Changes in Farmer Mac's funding costs relative to the benchmark market index rate to which the assets are indexed can cause changes to net interest income when debt matures and is reissued at then current interest rates to continue funding those assets.
Farmer Mac is subject to re-funding and repricing risk on a portion of its fixed rate assets as a result of its use of pay-fixed receive-floating interest rate swaps that effectively convert the required funding needed from fixed rate to floating rate. These fixed rate assets are then effectively floating rate assets that require floating rate funding.
Farmer Mac can meet floating rate funding needs in several ways, including:
•issuing short-term fixed rate discount notes with maturities that match the reset period of the assets;
•issuing floating rate medium-term notes with maturities and reset frequencies that match the assets being funded;
•issuing non-maturity matched, floating rate medium-term notes with reset frequencies that match the assets being funded; or
•issuing non-maturity matched, fixed rate discount notes or medium-term notes swapped to floating rate to match the interest rate reset dates of the assets.
To meet certain floating rate funding needs, Farmer Mac frequently issues shorter-term floating-rate medium-term notes or fixed rate medium-term notes paired with a received-fixed interest rate swap because these funding alternatives generally provide a lower cost of funding while generating an effective interest rate match. As funding for these floating rate assets matures, Farmer Mac seeks to refinance the debt associated with these assets in a similar fashion to achieve an appropriate interest rate match in the context of Farmer Mac's overall debt issuance and liquidity management strategies.
However, if the funding cost of Farmer Mac’s discount notes or medium-term notes increased relative to the benchmark market index of the associated assets during the time between when these floating rate assets were first funded and when Farmer Mac refinanced the associated debt, Farmer Mac would be exposed to a commensurate reduction of net effective spread. Conversely, if the funding cost on Farmer Mac’s discount notes or medium-term notes decreased relative to the benchmark market index during that time, Farmer Mac would benefit from a commensurate increase to net effective spread.
Farmer Mac's debt issuance strategy targets balancing liquidity risk and re-funding and repricing risk while maintaining an appropriate liability management profile that is consistent with Farmer Mac's risk tolerance. Farmer Mac regularly adjusts its funding strategies to mitigate the effects of interest rate variability and seeks to maintain an effective mixture of funding structures in the context of its overall liability and liquidity management strategies.
As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac held $7.6 billion of floating rate assets in its lines of business and its investment portfolio that reset based on floating rate market indices, such as LIBOR or SOFR. As of the same date, Farmer Mac also had $9.1 billion of interest rate swaps outstanding where Farmer Mac pays a fixed rate of interest and receives a floating rate of interest, primarily LIBOR or SOFR.
Discontinuation of LIBOR
As described in "Risk Factors—Market Risk" in Part I, Item 1A of the 2022 Annual Report, Farmer Mac faces risks associated with the reform, replacement, or discontinuation of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate and the transition to an alternative benchmark interest rate. Farmer Mac continues to evaluate the potential effect on our business of replacement benchmark interest rates expected to replace LIBOR, including SOFR, which is the replacement benchmark rate recommended by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee and designated by the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act and implementing regulations.
As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac held $2.6 billion of floating rate assets in its lines of business and its investment portfolio, had issued $0.2 billion of floating rate debt, and had entered into $9.8 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps, each of which reset based on LIBOR. In addition, our Non-Cumulative Series C Preferred Stock currently pays a fixed rate of interest until July 17, 2024. It becomes redeemable at our option on July 18, 2024 and thereafter pays interest at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.260%.
The market transition away from LIBOR and towards alternative benchmark interest rate indices may be complicated and is expected to require term and credit adjustments to accommodate for differences between the benchmark interest rate indices. The transition may also result in different financial performance for existing transactions, may require different hedging strategies, or may require
renegotiation of existing transactions. As of March 31, 2023, we had $1.2 billion outstanding in medium-term notes based on SOFR, a potential alternative benchmark interest rate index.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Farmer Mac's primary sources of funds to meet its liquidity and funding needs are the proceeds of its debt issuances, guarantee and commitment fees, net effective spread, loan repayments, and maturities of AgVantage and investment securities. Farmer Mac regularly accesses the debt capital markets for funding, and Farmer Mac has maintained steady access to the debt capital markets throughout 2023. Farmer Mac funds its purchases of eligible loan assets, USDA Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and investment assets and finances its operations primarily by issuing debt obligations of various maturities in the debt capital markets. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac had outstanding discount notes of $0.9 billion, medium-term notes that mature within one year of $7.6 billion, and medium-term notes that mature after one year of $16.8 billion.
Assuming continued access to the debt capital markets, Farmer Mac believes it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources to support its operations for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. Farmer Mac has a contingency funding plan to manage unanticipated disruptions in its access to the debt capital markets. Farmer Mac must maintain a minimum of 90 days of liquidity under the Liquidity and Investment Regulations. In accordance with the methodology for calculating available days of liquidity under those regulations, Farmer Mac maintained a monthly average of 295 days of liquidity throughout first quarter 2023 and had 286 days of liquidity as of March 31, 2023.
Farmer Mac maintains cash, cash equivalents (including U.S. Treasury securities, operational deposits, and other short-term money market instruments), and other investment securities that can be drawn upon for liquidity needs. Farmer Mac's current policies authorize liquidity investments in:
•obligations of or fully guaranteed by the United States or a U.S. government agency;
•obligations of or fully guaranteed by GSEs;
•municipal securities;
•international and multilateral development bank obligations;
•money market instruments;
•diversified investment funds;
•asset-backed securities;
•corporate debt securities; and
•mortgage-backed securities.
The following table presents these assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Table 31
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 864,594 | | | $ | 861,002 | |
Investment securities: | | | |
Guaranteed by U.S. Government and its agencies | 1,285,145 | | | 1,444,650 | |
Guaranteed by GSEs | 3,388,320 | | | 3,160,919 | |
Asset-backed securities | 19,031 | | | 19,027 | |
Total | $ | 5,557,090 | | | $ | 5,485,598 | |
The objectives of the investment portfolio as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are to provide a level of liquidity that mitigates enterprise risk, provides a reliable source of short-term and long-term liquidity, to prepare for the possibility of future volatility in the debt capital markets, and to support program asset growth.
Capital Requirements. Farmer Mac is subject to the following statutory capital requirements – minimum, critical, and risk-based. Farmer Mac must comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its statutory capital requirements and was classified as within "level 1" (the highest compliance level).
In accordance with the FCA's rule on capital planning, Farmer Mac's board of directors has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of "Tier 1" capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in capital, common stock, and qualifying preferred stock). That policy restricts Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments if Tier 1 capital falls below specified thresholds. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, Farmer Mac's Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.7% and 14.9%, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its capital adequacy policy. Farmer Mac does not expect its compliance on an ongoing basis with the FCA's rule on capital planning, including Farmer Mac's policy on Tier 1 capital, to materially affect Farmer Mac's operations or financial condition.
For more information about the capital requirements applicable to Farmer Mac, its capital adequacy policy, and the FCA's rule on capital planning, see "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's 2022 Annual Report. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about Farmer Mac's capital position.
Other Matters
None.
Supplemental Information
The following tables present quarterly and annual information about new business volume, repayments, and outstanding business volume:
Table 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New Business Volume |
| Agricultural Finance | | Rural Infrastructure Finance | | |
| Farm & Ranch | | Corporate AgFinance | | Rural Utilities | | Renewable Energy | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
For the quarter ended: | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 750,040 | | | $ | 203,211 | | | $ | 683,232 | | | $ | 89,747 | | | $ | 1,726,230 | |
December 31, 2022 | 1,114,255 | | | 165,395 | | | 140,222 | | | 43,737 | | | 1,463,609 | |
September 30, 2022 | 1,927,209 | | | 169,932 | | | 547,117 | | | 61,653 | | | 2,705,911 | |
June 30, 2022 | 1,418,397 | | | 107,916 | | | 326,899 | | | 35,307 | | | 1,888,519 | |
March 31, 2022 | 2,452,539 | | | 103,353 | | | 377,965 | | | 41,636 | | | 2,975,493 | |
December 31, 2021 | 2,075,540 | | | 411,838 | | | 631,338 | | | 12,594 | | | 3,131,310 | |
September 30, 2021 | 1,791,662 | | | 122,043 | | | 609,745 | | | 4,152 | | | 2,527,602 | |
June 30, 2021 | 925,950 | | | 159,958 | | | 410,666 | | | 3,441 | | | 1,500,015 | |
March 31, 2021 | 1,087,897 | | | 186,393 | | | 171,546 | | | 23,484 | | | 1,469,320 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
For the year ended: | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2022 | $ | 6,912,400 | | | $ | 546,596 | | | $ | 1,392,203 | | | $ | 182,333 | | | $ | 9,033,532 | |
December 31, 2021 | 5,881,049 | | | 880,232 | | | 1,823,295 | | | 43,671 | | | 8,628,247 | |
Table 33 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repayments of Assets |
| Agricultural Finance | | Rural Infrastructure Finance | | |
| Farm & Ranch | | Corporate AgFinance | | Rural Utilities | | Renewable Energy | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
For the quarter ended: | | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 279,676 | | | $ | 78,482 | | | $ | 95,809 | | | $ | 11,424 | | | $ | 465,391 | |
Unscheduled | 231,288 | | | 128,254 | | | 57,354 | | | — | | | 416,896 | |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 510,964 | | | $ | 206,736 | | | $ | 153,163 | | | $ | 11,424 | | | $ | 882,287 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 447,976 | | | $ | 64,308 | | | $ | 75,671 | | | $ | 9,809 | | | $ | 597,764 | |
Unscheduled | 136,245 | | | 132,366 | | | 1,201 | | | — | | | 269,812 | |
December 31, 2022 | $ | 584,221 | | | $ | 196,674 | | | $ | 76,872 | | | $ | 9,809 | | | $ | 867,576 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 724,580 | | | $ | 38,018 | | | $ | 422,917 | | | $ | 13,429 | | | $ | 1,198,944 | |
Unscheduled | 296,763 | | | 64,439 | | | — | | | — | | | 361,202 | |
September 30, 2022 | $ | 1,021,343 | | | $ | 102,457 | | | $ | 422,917 | | | $ | 13,429 | | | $ | 1,560,146 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 1,114,779 | | | $ | 42,162 | | | $ | 159,491 | | | $ | 7,898 | | | $ | 1,324,330 | |
Unscheduled | 286,303 | | | 30,203 | | | 1,791 | | | — | | | 318,297 | |
June 30, 2022 | $ | 1,401,082 | | | $ | 72,365 | | | $ | 161,282 | | | $ | 7,898 | | | $ | 1,642,627 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 1,535,369 | | | $ | 39,480 | | | $ | 266,349 | | | $ | 7,790 | | | $ | 1,848,988 | |
Unscheduled | 434,794 | | | 60,947 | | | 397 | | | — | | | 496,138 | |
March 31, 2022 | $ | 1,970,163 | | | $ | 100,427 | | | $ | 266,746 | | | $ | 7,790 | | | $ | 2,345,126 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 928,663 | | | $ | 205,778 | | | $ | 816,802 | | | $ | 18,526 | | | $ | 1,969,769 | |
Unscheduled | 318,024 | | | 48,042 | | | — | | | — | | | 366,066 | |
December 31, 2021 | $ | 1,246,687 | | | $ | 253,820 | | | $ | 816,802 | | | $ | 18,526 | | | $ | 2,335,835 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 725,713 | | | $ | 406,285 | | | $ | 95,443 | | | $ | 4,043 | | | $ | 1,231,484 | |
Unscheduled | 374,287 | | | — | | | 201 | | | — | | | 374,488 | |
September 30, 2021 | $ | 1,100,000 | | | $ | 406,285 | | | $ | 95,644 | | | $ | 4,043 | | | $ | 1,605,972 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 380,684 | | | $ | 139,774 | | | $ | 225,257 | | | $ | 4,704 | | | $ | 750,419 | |
Unscheduled | 409,393 | | | 3,921 | | | 1,652 | | | — | | | 414,966 | |
June 30, 2021 | $ | 790,077 | | | $ | 143,695 | | | $ | 226,909 | | | $ | 4,704 | | | $ | 1,165,385 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 721,090 | | | $ | 120,621 | | | $ | 100,482 | | | $ | 2,671 | | | $ | 944,864 | |
Unscheduled | 501,651 | | | 82,090 | | | 2,279 | | | — | | | 586,020 | |
March 31, 2021 | $ | 1,222,741 | | | $ | 202,711 | | | $ | 102,761 | | | $ | 2,671 | | | $ | 1,530,884 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
For the year ended: | | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 3,822,704 | | | $ | 183,968 | | | $ | 924,428 | | | $ | 38,926 | | | $ | 4,970,026 | |
Unscheduled | 1,154,105 | | | 287,955 | | | 3,389 | | | — | | | 1,445,449 | |
December 31, 2022 | $ | 4,976,809 | | | $ | 471,923 | | | $ | 927,817 | | | $ | 38,926 | | | $ | 6,415,475 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Scheduled | $ | 2,756,150 | | | $ | 872,458 | | | $ | 1,237,984 | | | $ | 29,944 | | | $ | 4,896,536 | |
Unscheduled | 1,603,355 | | | 134,053 | | | 4,132 | | | — | | | 1,741,540 | |
December 31, 2021 | $ | 4,359,505 | | | $ | 1,006,511 | | | $ | 1,242,116 | | | $ | 29,944 | | | $ | 6,638,076 | |
Table 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding Business Volume |
| Agricultural Finance | | Rural Infrastructure Finance | | |
| Farm & Ranch | | Corporate AgFinance | | Rural Utilities | | Renewable Energy | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
As of: | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 17,685,961 | | | $ | 1,599,982 | | | $ | 6,889,682 | | | $ | 308,493 | | | $ | 26,484,118 | |
December 31, 2022 | 17,728,792 | | | 1,603,507 | | | 6,359,613 | | | 230,170 | | | 25,922,082 | |
September 30, 2022 | 17,199,347 | | | 1,634,786 | | | 6,296,263 | | | 196,242 | | | 25,326,638 | |
June 30, 2022 | 16,591,999 | | | 1,567,311 | | | 6,172,063 | | | 148,018 | | | 24,479,391 | |
March 31, 2022 | 16,575,595 | | | 1,540,760 | | | 6,006,446 | | | 120,609 | | | 24,243,410 | |
December 31, 2021 | 16,094,639 | | | 1,537,834 | | | 5,895,227 | | | 86,763 | | | 23,614,463 | |
September 30, 2021 | 15,565,589 | | | 1,379,816 | | | 6,080,691 | | | 92,695 | | | 23,118,791 | |
June 30, 2021 | 14,873,926 | | | 1,664,059 | | | 5,566,591 | | | 92,585 | | | 22,197,161 | |
March 31, 2021 | 14,738,052 | | | 1,647,796 | | | 5,382,835 | | | 93,848 | | | 21,862,531 | |
Table 35 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
On-Balance Sheet Outstanding Business Volume |
| Fixed Rate | | 5- to 10-Year ARMs & Resets | | 1-Month to 3-Year ARMs | | Total Held in Portfolio |
| (in thousands) |
As of: | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2023 | $ | 13,607,740 | | | $ | 3,020,229 | | | $ | 5,924,032 | | | $ | 22,552,001 | |
December 31, 2022 | 13,693,810 | | | 3,031,288 | | | 5,251,427 | | | 21,976,525 | |
September 30, 2022 | 13,810,162 | | | 2,960,596 | | | 4,644,958 | | | 21,415,716 | |
June 30, 2022 | 13,798,771 | | | 2,939,467 | | | 3,993,956 | | | 20,732,194 | |
March 31, 2022 | 14,174,611 | | | 2,858,521 | | | 3,443,816 | | | 20,476,948 | |
December 31, 2021 | 13,228,675 | | | 2,896,014 | | | 3,695,269 | | | 19,819,958 | |
September 30, 2021 | 12,921,572 | | | 2,872,499 | | | 3,818,550 | | | 19,612,621 | |
June 30, 2021 | 11,800,429 | | | 2,878,637 | | | 4,254,625 | | | 18,933,691 | |
March 31, 2021 | 11,454,321 | | | 2,824,551 | | | 4,410,661 | | | 18,689,533 | |
The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread (a non-GAAP measure) by segment:
Table 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net Effective Spread(1) |
| Agricultural Finance | | Rural Infrastructure Finance | | Treasury | | | | |
| Farm & Ranch | | Corporate AgFinance | | Rural Utilities | | Renewable Energy | | Funding | | Investments | | Net Effective Spread |
| Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield | | Dollars | | Yield |
| (dollars in thousands) |
For the quarter ended: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2023(2) | $ | 32,465 | | | 0.97 | % | | $ | 7,148 | | | 1.94 | % | | $ | 5,507 | | | 0.36 | % | | $ | 858 | | | 1.53 | % | | $ | 31,738 | | | 0.47 | % | | $ | (543) | | | (0.04) | % | | $ | 77,173 | | | 1.15 | % |
December 31, 2022 | 32,770 | | | 0.98 | % | | 7,471 | | | 1.94 | % | | 4,960 | | | 0.34 | % | | 935 | | | 1.76 | % | | 27,656 | | | 0.42 | % | | (2,689) | | | (0.19) | % | | 71,103 | | | 1.07 | % |
September 30, 2022 | 33,343 | | | 1.04 | % | | 7,600 | | | 1.99 | % | | 4,220 | | | 0.30 | % | | 705 | | | 1.97 | % | | 22,564 | | | 0.36 | % | | (2,791) | | | (0.21) | % | | 65,641 | | | 1.03 | % |
June 30, 2022 | 32,590 | | | 1.05 | % | | 6,929 | | | 1.87 | % | | 3,733 | | | 0.27 | % | | 468 | | | 1.78 | % | | 18,508 | | | 0.30 | % | | (1,282) | | | (0.10) | % | | 60,946 | | | 0.99 | % |
March 31, 2022(2) | 30,354 | | | 1.02 | % | | 7,209 | | | 1.96 | % | | 3,159 | | | 0.23 | % | | 375 | | | 1.69 | % | | 16,738 | | | 0.28 | % | | 4 | | | — | % | | 57,839 | | | 0.97 | % |
December 31, 2021 | 28,998 | | | 0.99 | % | | 6,321 | | | 1.84 | % | | 2,521 | | | 0.19 | % | | 356 | | | 1.53 | % | | 15,979 | | | 0.28 | % | | 158 | | | 0.01 | % | | 54,333 | | | 0.94 | % |
September 30, 2021 | 28,914 | | | 1.06 | % | | 7,163 | | | 1.80 | % | | 2,067 | | | 0.16 | % | | 236 | | | 1.09 | % | | 17,386 | | | 0.31 | % | | 159 | | | 0.01 | % | | 55,925 | | | 0.99 | % |
June 30, 2021 | 29,163 | | | 1.06 | % | | 6,676 | | | 1.65 | % | | 1,759 | | | 0.14 | % | | 378 | | | 1.80 | % | | 18,449 | | | 0.33 | % | | 126 | | | 0.01 | % | | 56,551 | | | 1.01 | % |
March 31, 2021 | 26,461 | | | 0.98 | % | | 6,921 | | | 1.67 | % | | 1,720 | | | 0.14 | % | | 249 | | | 1.28 | % | | 18,394 | | | 0.33 | % | | 114 | | | 0.01 | % | | 53,859 | | | 0.97 | % |
(1)Farmer Mac excludes the Corporate segment in the presentation above because the segment does not have any interest-earning assets.
(2)See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of GAAP net interest income by segment to net effective spread by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
The following table presents quarterly core earnings (a non-GAAP measure) reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders:
Table 37 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Core Earnings by Quarter End |
| March 2023 | | December 2022 | | September 2022 | | June 2022 | | March 2022 | | December 2021 | | September 2021 | | June 2021 | | March 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net effective spread | $ | 77,173 | | | $ | 71,103 | | | $ | 65,641 | | | $ | 60,946 | | | $ | 57,839 | | | $ | 54,333 | | | $ | 55,925 | | | $ | 56,551 | | | $ | 53,859 | |
Guarantee and commitment fees | 4,654 | | | 4,677 | | | 4,201 | | | 4,709 | | | 4,557 | | | 4,637 | | | 4,322 | | | 4,334 | | | 4,240 | |
Gains on sale of mortgage loans | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,539 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Other | 1,067 | | | 390 | | | 473 | | | 307 | | | 514 | | | 241 | | | 687 | | | 301 | | | 451 | |
Total revenues | 82,894 | | | 76,170 | | | 70,315 | | | 65,962 | | | 62,910 | | | 65,750 | | | 60,934 | | | 61,186 | | | 58,550 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit related expense/(income): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for/(release of) losses | 750 | | | 1,945 | | | 450 | | | (1,535) | | | (54) | | | (1,428) | | | 255 | | | (983) | | | (31) | |
REO operating expenses | — | | | 819 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Losses on sale of REO | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total credit related expense/(income) | 750 | | | 2,764 | | | 450 | | | (1,535) | | | (54) | | | (1,428) | | | 255 | | | (983) | | | (31) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | 15,351 | | | 12,105 | | | 11,648 | | | 11,715 | | | 13,298 | | | 11,246 | | | 10,027 | | | 9,779 | | | 11,795 | |
General and administrative | 7,527 | | | 8,055 | | | 6,919 | | | 7,520 | | | 7,278 | | | 8,492 | | | 6,330 | | | 6,349 | | | 6,336 | |
Regulatory fees | 835 | | | 832 | | | 812 | | | 813 | | | 812 | | | 812 | | | 750 | | | 750 | | | 750 | |
Total operating expenses | 23,713 | | | 20,992 | | | 19,379 | | | 20,048 | | | 21,388 | | | 20,550 | | | 17,107 | | | 16,878 | | | 18,881 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | 58,431 | | | 52,414 | | | 50,486 | | | 47,449 | | | 41,576 | | | 46,628 | | | 43,572 | | | 45,291 | | | 39,700 | |
Income tax expense | 12,756 | | | 11,210 | | | 10,303 | | | 9,909 | | | 9,024 | | | 9,809 | | | 9,152 | | | 9,463 | | | 8,520 | |
Preferred stock dividends | 6,791 | | | 6,791 | | | 6,791 | | | 6,792 | | | 6,791 | | | 6,792 | | | 6,774 | | | 5,842 | | | 5,269 | |
Core earnings | $ | 38,884 | | | $ | 34,413 | | | $ | 33,392 | | | $ | 30,748 | | | $ | 25,761 | | | $ | 30,027 | | | $ | 27,646 | | | $ | 29,986 | | | $ | 25,911 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reconciling items: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes | $ | 916 | | | $ | 1,596 | | | $ | 6,441 | | | $ | 2,846 | | | $ | 2,612 | | | $ | (1,242) | | | $ | (405) | | | $ | (3,020) | | | $ | 3,236 | |
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes | (105) | | | (148) | | | (624) | | | 428 | | | 5,687 | | | (2,079) | | | 1,818 | | | (5,866) | | | 4,317 | |
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading assets | 359 | | | 31 | | | (757) | | | (285) | | | 94 | | | (76) | | | 36 | | | (61) | | | (14) | |
Net effects of amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value | 29 | | | 57 | | | 24 | | | (62) | | | 20 | | | 71 | | | 23 | | | 20 | | | 16 | |
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives | 523 | | | 1,268 | | | (3,522) | | | 2,536 | | | 15,512 | | | (429) | | | (351) | | | 109 | | | 1,165 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax effect related to reconciling items | (362) | | | (590) | | | (327) | | | (1,148) | | | (5,024) | | | 789 | | | (236) | | | 1,852 | | | (1,831) | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 40,244 | | | $ | 36,627 | | | $ | 34,627 | | | $ | 35,063 | | | $ | 44,662 | | | $ | 27,061 | | | $ | 28,531 | | | $ | 23,020 | | | $ | 32,800 | |
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Farmer Mac is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Farmer Mac manages this market risk by entering into various financial transactions, including financial derivatives, and by monitoring and measuring its exposure to changes in interest rates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" for more
information about Farmer Mac's exposure to interest rate risk and its strategies to manage that risk. For information about Farmer Mac's use of financial derivatives and related accounting policies, see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Management's Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Farmer Mac maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Farmer Mac's management on a timely basis to allow decisions about required disclosure. Management, including Farmer Mac's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2023.
Farmer Mac carried out the evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A.Risk Factors
Information about risk factors can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q
and in Part I, Item 1A of Farmer Mac’s 2022 Annual Report.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) Farmer Mac is a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States whose debt and equity
securities are exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. During first
quarter 2023, the following transactions occurred related to Farmer Mac's equity securities that were not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and were not otherwise reported on a Current Report on
Form 8-K:
Class C Non-Voting Common Stock. Under Farmer Mac's policy that permits directors of Farmer Mac to
elect to receive shares of Class C non-voting common stock in lieu of their cash retainers, Farmer Mac
issued an aggregate of 452 shares of its Class C non-voting common stock in January 2023 to the six
directors who elected to receive stock in lieu of their cash retainers. Farmer Mac calculated the number of
shares issued to the directors based on a price of $112.71 per share, which was the closing price of the
Class C non-voting common stock on December 31, 2022 (the last trading day of the previous quarter) as
reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
In addition to the March 9, 2023 grants of stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and restricted stock units ("RSUs") to the five named executive officers and fifteen directors reported in Farmer Mac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2023, Farmer Mac made the following additional grants under its Amended and Restated 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan on March 9, 2023 to other individuals as incentive compensation:
•an aggregate of 2,190 SARs to three executive officers, which have the same terms as the SARs granted to the named executive officers on March 9, 2023 – a grant price of $135.20 per share, an expiration date of March 9, 2033, and vesting in three equal annual installments on each of March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026;
•an aggregate of 708 target number of performance-vested RSUs to three executive officers, which have the same terms as the performance-vested RSUs granted to the named executive officers on March 9, 2023 and are eligible for "cliff" vesting on March 31, 2026 in an amount between 0% and 200% of the target number of RSUs granted based on performance objectives related to cumulative core earnings before credit, subject to "gatekeeper" metrics related to compliance with regulatory capital requirements, for the performance period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025;
•an aggregate of 1,419 time-vested RSUs to three executive officers vesting in three equal annual installments on March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026; and
•an aggregate of 17,820 time-vested RSUs to 64 employees, vesting in three equal annual installments on March 31, 2024, March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) None.
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities
(a) None.
(b) None.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.Other Information
None.
Item 6.Exhibits
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | | 3.1 | | — | | |
* | | 3.2 | | — | |
|
* | | 4.1 | | — | | |
* | | 4.2 | | — | | |
* | | 4.3 | | — | | |
* | | 4.4 | | — | | |
* | | 4.4.1 | | — | | |
* | | 4.5 | | — | |
|
* | | 4.5.1 | | — | | |
* | | 4.6 | | — | | |
* | | 4.6.1 | | — | | |
* | | 4.7 | | — | | |
* | | 4.7.1 | | — | | |
* | | 4.8 | | | | |
* | | 4.8.1 | | | | |
* | | 4.9 | | — | | |
* | | 21 | | | | |
** | | 31.1 | | — | | |
** | | 31.2 | | — | | |
** | | 32 | | — | | |
** | | 101.INS | | — | | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
** | | 101.SCH | | — | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
** | | 101.CAL | | — | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation |
** | | 101.DEF | | — | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition |
** | | 101.LAB | | — | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label |
** | | 101.PRE | | — | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation |
** | | 104 | | — | | Cover Page Inline Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document included as Exhibit 101 |
| | | | | |
* | Incorporated by reference to the indicated prior filing. |
** | Filed with this report. |
# | Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. |
† | Management contract or compensatory plan. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
| | | | | | | | | | | |
/s/ Bradford T. Nordholm | | May 9, 2023 |
By: | Bradford T. Nordholm | | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) | | |
| | | |
/s/ Aparna Ramesh | | May 9, 2023 |
By: | Aparna Ramesh | | |
| Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | | |
| (Principal Financial Officer) | | |