FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-35000

 

 

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   80-0629925

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS employer

identification number)

7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1200E  
Bethesda, Maryland   20814
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (301) 215-5500

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a Smaller Reporting Company)    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

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

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $261.2 million as of the end of the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter (based on the closing sale price for the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2014). For purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held or controlled by executive officers and directors of the registrant and by persons who hold more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock have been treated as shares held by affiliates. However, such treatment should not be construed as an admission that any such person is an “affiliate” of the registrant. The registrant has no non-voting common equity.

As of February 27, 2015, there were 33,322,732 total shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. with respect to its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on or prior to April 30, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

         Page  

PART I

    

Item 1.

  Business      3   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      11   

Item 1B.

  Unresolved Staff Comments      26   

Item 2.

  Properties      26   

Item 3.

  Legal Proceedings      26   

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures      27   

PART II

    

Item 5.

  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      28   

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data      30   

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      31   

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk      66   

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      66   

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      66   

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures      67   

Item 9B.

  Other Information      67   

PART III

    

Item 10.

  Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance      68   

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation      68   

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      68   

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      68   

Item 14.

  Principal Accountant Fees and Services      68   

PART IV

    

Item 15.

  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      69   

EX-10.19

    

EX-21

    

EX-23

    

EX-31.1

    

EX-31.2

    

EX-32

    

EX-101.1

    

EX-101.2

    

EX-101.3

    

EX-101.4

    

EX-101.5

    

EX-101.6

    


Table of Contents

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Walker & Dunlop,” “we,” “us”), may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statement. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking:

 

    the future of the GSEs and their impact on our business;

 

    the future funding level of HUD, including whether such funding level will be sufficient to support future firm commitment requests, and its impact on our business;

 

    changes in the interest-rate environment and its impact on our business;

 

    our growth strategy;

 

    our projected financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations;

 

    our ability to obtain and maintain warehouse and other loan funding arrangements;

 

    availability of and our ability to retain qualified personnel and our ability to develop relationships with borrowers, key principals, and lenders;

 

    degree and nature of our competition;

 

    the outcome of pending litigation;

 

    changes in governmental regulations and policies, tax laws and rates, and similar matters and the impact of such regulations, policies and actions;

 

    our ability to comply with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us;

 

    trends in the commercial real estate finance market, interest rates, commercial real estate values, the credit and capital markets, or the general economy; and

 

    general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock.

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith projections, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future results. Furthermore, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by applicable law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Operating Results.”

 

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Item 1. Business.

General

We are one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending. We originate, sell, and service a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate finance products. Our clients are owners and developers of commercial real estate across the country. We originate and sell loans through the programs of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac,” ™ and together with Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored enterprises, or the “GSEs”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (together with Ginnie Mae, “HUD”), with which we have long-established relationships. We retain servicing rights and asset management responsibilities on substantially all loans that we originate for GSE and HUD programs. We are approved as a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS” ™) lender nationally, a Freddie Mac Program Plus™ lender in 22 states and the District of Columbia, a Freddie Mac targeted affordable housing seller/servicer, a HUD Multifamily Accelerated Processing (“MAP”) lender nationally, a HUD Section 232 LEAN lender nationally, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. We broker and service loans for a number of life insurance companies, commercial banks, commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”) issuers, and other institutional investors, in which cases we do not fund the loan but rather act as a loan broker. We also originate and hold interim loans on our balance sheet and offer proprietary CMBS and large interim loans through our partnerships with institutional investors. We have been in business for more than 77 years; a Fannie Mae DUS lender since 1988, when the DUS program began; a HUD lender since acquiring a HUD license in 2009; and a Freddie Mac Program Plus lender since 2009.

The sale of each loan through GSE and HUD programs is negotiated prior to rate locking or closing the loan with the borrower. For loans originated pursuant to the Fannie Mae DUS program, we generally are required to share the risk of loss, with our maximum loss capped at 20% of the loan’s balance at origination. In addition to our risk-sharing obligations, we may be obligated to repurchase loans that are originated for GSE and HUD programs if certain representations and warranties that we provide in connection with such originations are breached. We have never been required to repurchase a loan. We have established a strong credit culture over decades of originating loans and are committed to disciplined risk management from the initial underwriting stage through loan payoff.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. is a holding company, and we conduct substantially all of our operations through Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our operating company. In December 2010, we completed our initial public offering. In connection with our initial public offering, we completed certain formation transactions through which Walker & Dunlop, LLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Walker & Dunlop, Inc., a newly formed Maryland corporation (the “Formation Transaction”).

On September 4, 2012, we closed the acquisition of CWCapital LLC (“CWCapital”), a wholly owned subsidiary of CW Financial Services LLC (“CW FS”), which is an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”), at which time the total consideration transferred was valued at approximately $231.1 million, consisting of $80.0 million in cash and approximately 11.6 million shares of our common stock with a fair value of $151.1 million issued in a private placement to CW FS (the “CW Acquisition”). Upon closing of the CW Acquisition, CWCapital became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and was renamed Walker & Dunlop Capital, LLC. Additionally, Fortress became our largest shareholder.

CWCapital was one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending, originating and selling mortgage loans pursuant to the programs of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and HUD. The CW Acquisition increased our servicing portfolio by $14.5 billion and significantly increased our origination capacity and national presence.

 

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On September 25, 2014, we executed a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Johnson Capital Group, Inc. (“Johnson Capital”). The acquisition of Johnson Capital closed on November 1, 2014 (“JC Acquisition”). The consideration transferred totaled $23.5 million and consisted of $17.6 million in cash and $5.9 million of our common stock issued in a private placement. The JC Acquisition expands our network of loan originators, provides further diversification to our origination platform, and increases our HUD servicing portfolio.

Since 2011, we have offered interim loans for our balance sheet that provide floating-rate debt to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing (the “Interim Program”). We closed our first loan under the Interim Program in February 2012. We underwrite all loans originated through the Interim Program. During the time the loans are outstanding, we assume the full risk of loss on the loans. In addition, we service and asset-manage loans originated through the Interim Program, with the ultimate goal of providing permanent financing on the properties. These loans are classified as held for investment on our balance sheet during such time that they are outstanding. We have not experienced any delinquencies or charged off any loans originated under the Interim Program. We held 12 loans originated under the Interim Program with an aggregate $225.3 million balance as of December 31, 2014.

Since 2013, we have offered a large loan bridge program (the “Bridge Program”) through a partnership in which we own a five-percent interest (“Bridge Partnership”). The loans in the Bridge Program are selected and funded by the Bridge Partnership and underwritten by us. We receive an asset management fee on the invested capital for managing the Bridge Program and servicing the loans. The Bridge Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans. We account for our five-percent interest under the equity method of accounting. The Bridge Partnership held one loan originated under the Bridge Program with a $44.2 million unpaid principal balance as of December 31, 2014.

We own a 20% interest in a partnership with an affiliate of our largest stockholder, Fortress (the “CMBS Partnership”). The CMBS Partnership began offering financing through a CMBS platform for all commercial property types throughout the United States (the “CMBS Program”) during 2014. The CMBS Partnership expects to sell all loans originated by it into secondary securitization offerings within 90 days of origination. The loans in the CMBS Partnership are selected and funded by the CMBS Partnership and underwritten by us. We receive a fee for servicing the loans. The CMBS Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans while it holds the loans. We account for our 20 percent interest under the equity method of accounting. The CMBS Partnership originated $116.1 million of loans through the CMBS Program and contributed loans to two third-party securitizations during 2014.

Our Product Offerings

We originate, sell, and service a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products, including Multifamily Finance, FHA Finance, Capital Markets, and Proprietary Capital. Our clients are developers and owners of real estate across the United States. We focus primarily on multifamily properties and offer a range of commercial real estate finance products to our customers, including first mortgage loans, second trust loans, supplemental financings, construction loans, mezzanine loans, and bridge/interim loans. We originate and sell loans under the programs of the GSEs and HUD. We retain servicing rights and asset management responsibilities on substantially all loans made under the GSE and HUD programs and some of the loans that we place with institutional investors. Our long-established relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, and institutional investors enable us to offer this broad range of loan products and services. Each of our product offerings is designed to maximize our ability to meet client needs, source capital, and grow our commercial real estate finance business.

 

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Multifamily Finance

We are one of 24 approved lenders that participate in Fannie Mae’s DUS program for multifamily, manufactured housing communities, student housing, affordable, and certain healthcare properties. Under the Fannie Mae DUS program, Fannie Mae has delegated to us responsibility for ensuring that the loans we originate under the Fannie Mae DUS program satisfy the underwriting and other eligibility requirements established from time to time by Fannie Mae. In exchange for this delegation of authority, we share risk for a portion of the losses that may result from a borrower’s default. For more information regarding our risk-sharing agreements with Fannie Mae, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Credit Quality and Allowance for Risk-Sharing Obligations.” Most of the Fannie Mae loans that we originate are sold in the form of a Fannie Mae-guaranteed security to third-party investors. We also are contracted by Fannie Mae to service all loans that we originate under the Fannie Mae DUS program.

We are one of 24 lenders approved as a Freddie Mac Program Plus lender under which we originate and sell to Freddie Mac multifamily, manufactured housing communities, student housing, affordable, and healthcare loans that satisfy Freddie Mac’s underwriting and other eligibility requirements. Under the program, we submit our completed loan underwriting package to Freddie Mac and obtain Freddie Mac’s commitment to purchase the loan at a specified price after closing. Freddie Mac ultimately performs its own underwriting of loans that we sell to it. Freddie Mac may choose to hold, sell, or later securitize such loans. We do not have any material risk-sharing arrangements on loans we sell to Freddie Mac under Program Plus. We also are contracted by Freddie Mac to service all loans that we originate under its program.

FHA Finance

As an approved HUD MAP and HUD LEAN lender and Ginnie Mae issuer, we provide construction and permanent loans to developers and owners of multifamily housing, affordable housing, seniors housing, and healthcare facilities. We submit our completed loan underwriting package to HUD and obtain HUD’s approval to originate the loan.

HUD-insured loans are typically placed in single loan pools which back Ginnie Mae securities. Ginnie Mae is a United States government corporation in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and we generally do not bear any risk of loss on Ginnie Mae securities. In the event of a default on a HUD-insured loan, HUD will reimburse approximately 99% of any losses of principal and interest on the loan, and Ginnie Mae will reimburse the remaining losses. We are obligated to continue to advance principal and interest payments and tax and insurance escrow amounts on Ginnie Mae securities until the Ginnie Mae security is fully paid.

Capital Markets

We serve as an intermediary in the placement of commercial real estate debt between institutional sources of capital, such as life insurance companies, investment banks, commercial banks, pension funds, CMBS issuers, and other institutional investors, and owners of all types of commercial real estate. A client seeking to finance or refinance a property will seek our assistance in developing different alternatives and soliciting interest from various sources of capital. We often advise on capital structure, develop the financing package, facilitate negotiations between our client and institutional sources of capital, coordinate due diligence, and assist in closing the transaction. In these instances, we do not underwrite or fund the loan and do not retain any interest in the loan. In cases where we do not fund the loan, we act as a loan broker and service some of these loans.

Proprietary Capital

We conduct our Proprietary Capital business either using our own balance sheet or through partnership agreements with institutional investors. We typically make investments side by side with our partnership

 

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investors and serve as the manager or general manager of the partnership. In our capacity as manager or general manager, we leverage the invested capital to originate, hold, and service commercial real estate debt, including interim loans and CMBS. The products we currently offer include:

Interim Loans

Our interim loan program offers floating-rate debt, for terms of up to three years to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing. Under the Interim Program, we finance and underwrite the loans originated through the Interim Program, and during the time that they are outstanding, we assume the full risk of loss on the loans. In addition, we service and asset-manage loans originated through the Interim Program, with the ultimate goal of providing permanent financing on the properties.

Large Bridge Loans

The Bridge Program offers floating-rate loans to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing. The Bridge Program is offered for loans of $25.0 million or more and for terms of up to three years that meet the investment parameters of its partners. The loans in the Bridge Program are selected and funded by the Bridge Partnership and underwritten by us. We receive an asset management fee on the invested capital for managing the Bridge Program and servicing the loans. The partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans.

CMBS

In addition to our CMBS product offering through our Capital Markets platform, we offer CMBS executions through our CMBS Program. The CMBS Program offers a conduit execution and is offered at a competitive rate to all types of commercial properties throughout the United States. The property types include multifamily, hospitality, retail, office, industrial, and other commercial real estate. We identify suitable borrowers and underwrite the loans, and the CMBS Partnership selects and originates the loans. We do not hold the loans and bear none of the losses that may result from a borrower default after the loan is sold to a CMBS conduit. We perform the servicing for loans originated through the CMBS Program.

Direct Loan Originators and Correspondent Network

We originate loans directly through loan originators operating out of 22 offices nationwide. At December 31, 2014, we employed 102 loan originators. These individuals have deep knowledge of the commercial real estate lending business and bring with them extensive relationships with some of the largest property owners in the country. They have a thorough understanding of the financial needs and objectives of borrowers, the geographic markets in which they operate, market conditions specific to different types of commercial properties and how to structure a loan product to meet those needs. These loan originators collect and analyze financial and property information, assist the borrower in submitting information required to complete a loan application and, ultimately, help the borrower close the loan. Our loan originators are paid a salary and commissions based on the fees associated with the loans that they originate.

In addition to our group of loan originators, at December 31, 2014, we had correspondent agreements with 21 independently owned mortgage banking companies across the country with which we have relationships for GSE and HUD loan originations. This network of correspondents helps us extend our geographic reach into new and/or smaller markets on a cost effective basis. In addition to identifying potential borrowers and key principal(s) (the individual or individuals directing the activities of the borrowing entity), our correspondents assist us in evaluating loans, including pre-screening the borrowers, key principal(s) and properties for program eligibility, coordinating due diligence, and generally providing market intelligence. In exchange for providing these services, the correspondent earns an origination fee based on a percentage of the principal amount of the financing arranged and a fee paid out over time based on the servicing revenues earned over the life of the loan.

 

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Underwriting and Risk Management

We use several tools to manage our Fannie Mae risk-sharing exposure. These tools include an underwriting and approval process, evaluating, and modifying our underwriting criteria given the underlying multifamily housing market fundamentals, limiting our geographic, borrower and key principal exposures, and using modified risk-sharing under the Fannie Mae DUS program.

Our underwriting process begins with a review of suitability for our investors and a detailed review of the borrower, key principal(s), and the property. We review a borrower’s financial statements for minimum net worth and liquidity requirements, as well as credit and criminal background checks. We also review a borrower’s and key principal(s)’s operating track record, including evaluating the performance of other properties owned by the applicable borrower and key principal(s). We also consider the borrower’s and key principal(s)’s bankruptcy and foreclosure history. We believe that lending to a borrower and key principal(s) with a proven track record as an operator mitigates our credit risk.

We review the fundamental value and credit profile of the underlying property, including an analysis of regional economic trends, appraisals of the property, and reviews of historical and prospective financials. Third-party vendors are engaged for appraisals, engineering reports, environmental reports, flood certification reports, zoning reports, and credit reports. We utilize a list of approved third-party vendors for these reports. Each report is reviewed by our underwriting team for accuracy, quality, and comprehensiveness. All third-party vendors are reviewed periodically for the quality of their work and are removed from our list of approved vendors if the quality or timeliness of the reports is below our standards. This is particularly true for engineering and environmental reports on which we rely to make decisions regarding ongoing replacement reserves and environmental matters.

In addition, we maintain concentration limits with respect to our Fannie Mae loans. We limit geographic concentration, focusing on regional employment concentration and trends. We also limit the aggregate amount of loans subject to full risk-sharing for any one borrower. We minimize individual loan concentrations under our current credit management policy to cap the loan balance subject to full risk-sharing at $60.0 million. Accordingly, we currently elect to use modified risk-sharing for loans of more than $60.0 million in order to limit our maximum loss on any one loan to $12.0 million (such exposure would occur in the event that the underlying collateral is determined to be completely without value at the time of loss). However, we occasionally elect to originate a loan with full risk sharing even when the loan balance is greater than $60.0 million if we believe the loan characteristics support such an approach.

While we believe we continue to manage credit well, the multifamily sector experienced declining fundamentals during and following the recession, with a peak in 2010. The declining fundamentals observed in certain markets resulted in increased delinquencies and defaults for us and the multifamily market during that time period. We observed a gradual recovery in many markets throughout 2011 and 2012 and experienced a more pronounced recovery throughout 2013 and 2014. Many items can affect a borrower’s decision to default on a loan, including the property, cash flow, occupancy and maintenance needs and tax considerations, along with non-property specific issues such as general market conditions and other financing obligations of the borrower or key principal(s).

Servicing and Asset Management

We service nearly all loans we originate for the GSEs, HUD, and our proprietary capital products and some of the loans we broker for institutional investors, primarily life insurance companies. We are an approved servicer for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD loans. We are a rated primary servicer with Fitch Ratings. Our servicing function includes loan servicing and asset management activities, performing or overseeing the following activities:

 

    carrying out all cashiering functions relating to the loan, including providing monthly billing statements to the borrower and collecting and applying payments on the loan;

 

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    administering reserve and escrow funds for repairs, tenant improvements, taxes and insurance;

 

    obtaining and analyzing financial statements of the borrower and performing periodic property inspections;

 

    preparing and providing periodic reports and remittances to the GSEs, investors, master servicers, or other designated persons;

 

    administering lien filings; and

 

    performing other tasks and obligations that are delegated to us.

Life insurance companies and CMBS conduits (including the CMBS Program), whose loans we may service, may perform some or all of the activities identified in the list above.

For most loans we service under the Fannie Mae DUS program, we are currently required to advance the principal and interest payments and tax and insurance escrow amounts for four months. We are reimbursed by Fannie Mae for these advances, which may be used to offset any losses incurred under our risk-sharing obligations.

Under the HUD program, we are obligated to advance tax and insurance escrow amounts and principal and interest payments on the Ginnie Mae securities until the Ginnie Mae security is fully paid. In the event of a default on a HUD-insured loan, we can elect to assign the loan to HUD and file a mortgage insurance claim. HUD will reimburse approximately 99% of any losses of principal and interest on the loan and Ginnie Mae will reimburse most of the remaining losses.

In connection with the CW Acquisition, Walker & Dunlop, LLC was assigned, and became a party to, a contract with Ginnie Mae. Under the Ginnie Mae contract, Walker & Dunlop, LLC acts as a master sub-servicer of pools of loans transferred to it by Ginnie Mae for a fixed per-pool fee. As a master sub-servicer, Walker & Dunlop, LLC performs the complete range of services expected of a Ginnie Mae issuer, including default services; the servicing of current, delinquent, and defaulted loans; foreclosure services; preparation and submission of claims for FHA insurance benefits and reports to Ginnie Mae; construction loan certificates conversion services; and management oversight of projects during the term of the contract. The initial term of the contract was December 16, 2011 to December 15, 2012. The contract provides Ginnie Mae the option to extend the contract for successive one-year terms beginning on December 16 in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Ginnie Mae exercised the option to extend the contract for the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 terms. Ginnie Mae has not transferred any loans to Walker & Dunlop, LLC under the contract, and we do not know if and when it might do so.

Our Growth Strategy

We believe we are positioned to continue growing and diversifying our business by taking advantage of opportunities in the real estate finance market.

We seek to profitably grow and diversify our business by focusing on the following areas:

 

   

Remain a Top Five Lender in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Executions. We intend to further grow our GSE and HUD originations with the goal of maintaining our status as a top five lender of GSE products and becoming a top five lender of HUD products. For 2014, we ranked as the largest Fannie Mae DUS lender for the third consecutive year and we remained the third largest Freddie Mac Program Plus seller. Additionally, we are a top loan originator for HUD. At December 31, 2014, our origination platform had approximately 41 loan originators focused on selling GSE and HUD products, supplemented by 21 independently owned mortgage banking companies with whom we have correspondent relationships. We believe that we will have significant opportunities to continue

 

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broadening our GSE and HUD origination networks in order to maintain or grow our current market position. This expansion may include organic growth, recruitment of talented origination professionals and potentially acquisitions of competitors with strong origination capabilities.

 

    Continue to Expand our Capital Markets Business. At December 31, 2014, we have 58 loan originators in 16 offices focused on capital markets transactions across the United States. We added 30 new loan originators to our Capital Markets team in November with the acquisition of Johnson Capital, and we intend to continue to grow our Capital Markets team to strengthen our market position and borrower relationships to meet the expected increase in demand for commercial real estate debt origination and refinance activity in the coming years. We intend to continue to grow our national presence, to include additional offices focused on capital markets products and originations. Continued growth of our Capital Markets group will provide greater exposure to the overall commercial real estate market, expose us to new correspondent relationships, and provide us with institutional access to deal flow supporting our Proprietary Capital solutions.

 

    Continue to Develop Proprietary Sources of Capital and Expand Our Product Offerings. Since our initial public offering, we have expanded our product offerings to include bridge financing for transitional properties and have launched a proprietary CMBS platform in 2014. We anticipate offering additional commercial real estate loan products and services to our clients as their financial needs evolve. We believe that we have the structuring, underwriting, servicing, credit and asset management expertise to offer additional commercial real estate loan products; and we believe that cash on hand, together with third-party financing sources, will allow us to meet client demand for additional products that are within our areas of expertise, including multifamily and other lending for our balance sheet or for our partnerships.

Competition

We face significant competition across our business, including, but not limited to, commercial banks, commercial real estate service providers, CMBS conduits, and insurance companies, some of which are also investors in loans we originate. Many of these competitors enjoy competitive advantages over us, including greater name recognition, financial resources, and access to lower-cost capital. Commercial banks may have an advantage over us in originating commercial loans if borrowers already have a line of credit with the bank. Commercial real estate service providers may have an advantage over us to the extent they also offer an investment sales platform.

We compete on the basis of quality of service, relationships, loan structure, terms, pricing, and industry depth. Industry depth includes the knowledge of local and national real estate market conditions, commercial real estate, loan product expertise, and the ability to analyze and manage credit risk. Our competitors seek to compete aggressively on the basis of these factors and our success depends on our ability to offer attractive loan products, provide superior service, demonstrate industry depth, maintain and capitalize on relationships with investors, borrowers and key loan correspondents, and remain competitive in pricing. In addition, future changes in laws, regulations, GSE and HUD program requirements, and consolidation in the commercial real estate finance market could lead to the entry of more competitors.

Regulatory Requirements

Our business is subject to laws and regulations in a number of jurisdictions. The level of regulation and supervision that we are subject to varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and is based on the type of business activities involved. The regulatory requirements that apply to our activities are subject to change from time to time and may become more restrictive, making our compliance with applicable requirements more difficult or expensive or otherwise restricting our ability to conduct our business in the manner that it is now conducted. Changes in applicable regulatory requirements, including changes in their enforcement, could materially and adversely affect us.

 

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Federal and State Regulation of Commercial Real Estate Lending Activities

Our multifamily and commercial real estate lending, servicing and asset management businesses are subject, in certain instances, to supervision and regulation by federal and state governmental authorities in the United States. In addition, these businesses may be subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing various requirements and restrictions, which, among other things, regulate lending activities, regulate conduct with borrowers, establish maximum interest rates, finance charges and other charges and require disclosures to borrowers. Although most states do not regulate commercial finance, certain states impose limitations on interest rates, as well as other charges on certain collection practices and creditor remedies. Some states also require licensing of lenders, loan brokers, and loan servicers and adequate disclosure of certain contract terms. We also are required to comply with certain provisions of, among other statutes and regulations, the USA PATRIOT Act, regulations promulgated by the Office of Foreign Asset Control, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, which we refer to as “ERISA,” and federal and state securities laws and regulations.

Requirements of the GSEs and HUD (Collectively the “Agencies”)

To maintain our status as an approved lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and as a HUD-approved mortgagee and issuer of Ginnie Mae securities, we are required to meet and maintain various eligibility criteria from time to time established by the Agencies, such as minimum net worth, operational liquidity and collateral requirements, and compliance with reporting requirements. We also are required to originate our loans and perform our loan servicing functions in accordance with the applicable program requirements and guidelines from time to time established by the Agencies. If we fail to comply with the requirements of any of these programs, the Agencies may terminate or withdraw our approval. In addition, the Agencies have the authority under their guidelines to terminate a lender’s authority to sell loans to it and service their loans. The loss of one or more of these approvals would have a material adverse impact on us and could result in further disqualification with other counterparties, and we may be required to obtain additional state lender or mortgage banker licensing to originate loans if that status is revoked.

Employees

At December 31, 2014, we employed 465 full-time employees. All employees, except our executive officers, are employed by our operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC. Our executive officers are employees of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. None of our employees is represented by a union or subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and we have never experienced a work stoppage. We believe that our employee relations are good.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

Our principal Internet website can be found at http://www.walkerdunlop.com. The content of, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge on or through our website, access to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed, or furnished, to the SEC.

Our website also includes a corporate governance section which contains our Corporate Governance Guidelines (which includes our Director Responsibilities and Qualifications), Code of Business Conduct and

 

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Ethics, Board of Directors’ Committee Charters for the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, and the method by which interested parties may contact our Ethics Hotline.

In the event of any changes to these charters, codes or guidelines, changed copies will also be made available on our website. If we waive or amend any provision of our code of ethics, we will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment as required by SEC or New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules.

You may request a copy of any of the above documents, at no cost to you, by writing or telephoning us at: Walker & Dunlop, Inc., 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1200E, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, Attention: Investor Relations, telephone (301) 215-5500. We will not send exhibits to these reports, unless the exhibits are specifically requested and you pay a modest fee for duplication and delivery.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment decision to purchase our common stock. The realization of any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and the market price and liquidity of our common stock, which could cause you to lose all or a significant part of your investment in our common stock. Some statements in this Annual Report, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Relating to Our Business

The loss of or changes in our relationships with the GSEs, HUD and institutional investors would adversely affect our ability to originate commercial real estate loans through GSE and HUD programs, which would materially and adversely affect us.

Currently, we originate a significant percentage of our loans for sale through GSE or HUD programs. We are approved as a Fannie Mae DUS lender nationwide, a Freddie Mac Program Plus lender in 22 states and the District of Columbia, a Freddie Mac targeted affordable housing seller/servicer, a HUD MAP lender nationwide, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. Our status as an approved lender affords us a number of advantages and may be terminated by the applicable GSE or HUD at any time. The loss of such status would, or changes in our relationships could, prevent us from being able to originate commercial real estate loans for sale through the particular GSE or HUD, which would materially and adversely affect us. It could also result in a loss of similar approvals from the GSEs or HUD.

We also broker loans on behalf of certain life insurance companies, investment banks, commercial banks, pension funds, CMBS conduits, and other institutional investors that directly underwrite and provide funding for the loans at closing. In cases where we do not fund the loan, we act as a loan broker. If these investors discontinue their relationship with us and replacement investors cannot be found on a timely basis, we could be adversely affected.

A change to the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related actions, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. federal government, could materially and adversely affect our business.

Currently, we originate a majority of our loans for sale through GSE programs. Additionally, a substantial majority of our servicing rights are derived from loans we sell through GSE programs. Changes in the business charters, structure, or existence of one or both of the GSEs could eliminate or substantially reduce the number of loans we originate with the GSEs, which in turn would lead to a reduction in fees related to such loans. These

 

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effects would likely cause us to realize significantly lower revenues from our loan originations and servicing fees, and ultimately would have a material adverse impact on our business and financial results.

Conservatorships of the GSEs

In September 2008, the GSEs’ regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, (the “FHFA”) placed each GSE into conservatorship. The conservatorship is a statutory process designed to preserve and conserve the GSEs’ assets and property and put them in a sound and solvent condition. The conservatorships have no specified termination dates and there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the future of the GSEs, including how long they will continue to exist in their current forms, the extent of their roles in the housing markets, what forms they will have and whether they will continue to exist following conservatorship.

Housing Finance Reform

Policymakers and others have focused significant attention in recent years on how to reform the nation’s housing finance system, including what role, if any, the GSEs should play. In 2011, the Obama Administration released a white paper on the future of housing finance reform. The report provides that the Administration will work with the FHFA to determine the best way to responsibly reduce the GSEs’ role in the market and ultimately wind down both institutions. The report identifies a number of possible policy steps for winding down the GSEs, reducing the government’s role in housing finance and helping bring private capital back to the mortgage market. In August 2013, President Obama publicly discussed the Administration’s housing policy priorities, including a core principle that included winding down the GSEs through a responsible transition. In January 2014, the White House issued a fact sheet reaffirming the Administration’s view that housing finance reform should include ending the GSEs’ business model.

In addition to the Administration’s actions described above, the FHFA has taken a number of steps consistent with the goals laid out in the Administration’s 2011 white paper. In 2012, Edward DeMarco, then the Acting Director of the FHFA, proposed a strategic plan for the GSEs’ conservatorships. Among other things, that strategic plan recognized that the GSEs’ multifamily business, in contrast to their single-family business, had remained cash flow positive during the recent housing crisis. The strategic plan stated that “generating potential value for taxpayers and contracting the [GSEs’] multifamily market footprint should be approached differently from single-family, and it may be accomplished using a much different and more direct method.”

In March 2013, the FHFA released the 2013 conservatorship scorecard for the GSEs, which detailed specific priorities for implementing the 2012 strategic plan. Among other things, the FHFA’s 2013 conservatorship scorecard established priorities relating to the goal that the GSEs contract their dominant presence in the marketplace. In support of this goal, the FHFA set an objective that the GSEs reduce the unpaid principal balance of new multifamily business relative to 2012 by at least 10% by tightening underwriting, adjusting pricing and limiting product offerings, while not increasing the proportion of their retained risk. In addition, in August 2013, the FHFA issued a statement seeking public input on strategies for reducing the GSEs’ presence in the multifamily housing finance market in 2014, and outlined possible alternatives to meet this goal.

In January 2014, Melvin Watt was sworn in to a five-year term as Director of the FHFA, and in May 2014 the FHFA released its strategic plan for the GSEs, in which it changed its goal of “contraction” of the GSEs’ multifamily businesses to “maintaining” the businesses. In furtherance of that goal, the 2014 the FHFA scorecard for the GSEs maintained the 2013 multifamily loan origination caps for each GSE, but excluded from the caps affordable housing loans, loans to small multifamily properties and loans to manufactured housing rental communities. Additionally, in January 2015, the FHFA released the GSEs’ 2015 scorecard, which set the multifamily loan origination caps for each GSE at $30.0 billion, excluding, as was the case in the 2014 scorecard, affordable housing loans, loans to small multifamily properties, and loans to manufactured housing rental communities. The 2015 loan origination cap for Fannie Mae is the same level as the 2014 loan origination cap, while the 2015 loan origination cap for Freddie Mac is a $4.2 billion increase from the 2014 loan origination cap of $25.8 billion.

 

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Congress has also continued to consider housing finance reform. In the past few years, members of Congress introduced several bills to reform the housing finance system, including the GSEs. Several of the bills require the wind down or receivership of the GSEs within a specified period of enactment and also place certain restrictions on the GSEs’ activities prior to being wound down or placed into receivership.

We expect Congress will continue to consider housing finance reform in the current congressional session, including conducting hearings and considering legislation that would alter the housing finance system, including the activities or operations of the GSEs. We cannot predict the prospects for the enactment, timing or content of legislative proposals regarding the future status of the GSEs. As a result, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the future of the GSEs.

We are subject to risk of loss in connection with defaults on loans sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program that could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity.

Under the Fannie Mae DUS program, we originate and service multifamily loans for Fannie Mae without having to obtain Fannie Mae’s prior approval for certain loans, as long as the loans meet the underwriting guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae. In return for the delegated authority to make loans and the commitment to purchase loans by Fannie Mae, we must maintain minimum collateral and generally are required to share risk of loss on loans sold through Fannie Mae. Under the full risk-sharing formula, we are required to absorb the first 5% of any losses on the unpaid principal balance of a loan at the time of loss settlement, and above 5% we are required to share the loss with Fannie Mae, with our maximum loss capped at 20% of the original unpaid principal balance of a loan. We have modified our risk-sharing obligations on some Fannie Mae DUS loans to reduce our potential loss exposure on those loans. In addition, Fannie Mae can double or triple our risk-sharing obligations if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if the loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae. As of December 31, 2014, we had pledged securities of $67.7 million as collateral against future losses under $17.4 billion of loans outstanding that are subject to risk-sharing obligations, as more fully described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” which we refer to as our “at risk balance.” Fannie Mae collateral requirements may change in the future. As of December 31, 2014, our allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the at risk balance was 0.02%, or $3.9 million, and reflects our current estimate of our future payouts under our risk-sharing obligations. We cannot ensure that our estimate will be sufficient to cover future write offs. While we originate loans that meet the underwriting guidelines defined by Fannie Mae, in addition to our own internal underwriting guidelines, underwriting criteria may not always protect against loan defaults. Other factors may also affect a borrower’s decision to default on a loan, such as property, cash flow, occupancy, maintenance needs, and other financing obligations. As of December 31, 2014, our 60+ days delinquency rate was 0.10% of the at risk portfolio. If loan defaults increase, actual risk-sharing obligation payments under the Fannie Mae DUS program may increase, and such defaults and payments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity. In addition, any failure to pay our share of losses under the Fannie Mae DUS program could result in the revocation of our license from Fannie Mae and the exercise of various remedies available to Fannie Mae under the Fannie Mae DUS program.

If we fail to act proactively with delinquent borrowers in an effort to avoid a default, the number of delinquent loans could increase, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

As a loan servicer, we maintain the primary contact with the borrower throughout the life of the loan and are responsible, pursuant to our servicing agreements with the GSEs, HUD and institutional investors, for asset management. We are also responsible, together with the applicable GSE, HUD, or institutional investor, for taking actions to mitigate losses. We believe we have developed an extensive asset management process for tracking each loan that we service. However, we may be unsuccessful in identifying loans that are in danger of underperforming or defaulting or in taking appropriate action once those loans are identified. While we can recommend a loss mitigation strategy for the GSEs and HUD, decisions regarding loss mitigation are within the control of the GSEs and HUD. Previous turmoil in the real estate, credit and capital markets have made this

 

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process even more difficult and unpredictable. When loans become delinquent, we incur additional expenses in servicing and asset managing the loan and are typically required to advance principal and interest payments and tax and insurance escrow amounts. We also could be subject to a loss of our contractual servicing fee and we could suffer losses of up to 20% (or more for loans that do not meet specific underwriting criteria or default within 12 months) of the unpaid principal balance of a Fannie Mae DUS loan with full risk-sharing. These items could have a negative impact on our cash flows and a negative effect on the net carrying value of the mortgage servicing right (MSR) on our balance sheet and could result in a charge to our earnings. As a result of the foregoing, a rise in delinquencies could have a material adverse effect on us.

A reduction in the prices paid for our loans and services or an increase in loan or security interest rates by investors could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity.

Our results of operations and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected if the GSEs, HUD or institutional investors lower the price they are willing to pay to us for our loans or services or adversely change the material terms of their loan purchases or service arrangements with us. A number of factors determine the price we receive for our loans. With respect to Fannie Mae related originations, our loans are generally sold as Fannie Mae—insured securities to third-party investors. With respect to HUD related originations, our loans are generally sold as Ginnie Mae securities to third-party investors. In both cases, the price paid to us reflects, in part, the competitive market bidding process for these securities.

We sell loans directly to Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac may choose to hold, sell or later securitize such loans. We believe terms set by Freddie Mac are influenced by similar market factors as those that impact the price of Fannie Mae–insured or Ginnie Mae securities, although the pricing process differs. With respect to loans that are placed with institutional investors, the origination fees that we receive from borrowers are determined through negotiations, competition and other market conditions.

Loan servicing fees are based, in part, on the risk-sharing obligations associated with the loan and the market pricing of credit risk. The credit risk premium offered by Fannie Mae for new loans can change periodically but remains fixed once we enter into a commitment to sell the loan. Over the past several years, Fannie Mae loan servicing fees have been higher due to the market pricing of credit risk. There can be no assurance that such fees will continue to remain at such levels or that such levels will be sufficient if delinquencies occur.

Servicing fees for loans placed with institutional investors are negotiated with each institutional investor pursuant to agreements that we have with them. These fees for new loans vary over time and may be materially and adversely affected by a number of factors, including competitors that may be willing to provide similar services at better rates.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from loan servicing fees, and declines in or terminations of servicing engagements or breaches of servicing agreements, including as a result of non-performance by third parties that we engage for back-office loan servicing functions, could have a material adverse effect on us.

We expect that loan servicing fees will continue to constitute a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future. Nearly all of these fees are derived from loans that we originate and sell through GSE and HUD programs or place with institutional investors. A decline in the number or value of loans that we originate for these investors or terminations of our servicing engagements will decrease these fees. HUD has the right to terminate our current servicing engagements for cause. In addition to termination for cause, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may terminate our servicing engagements without cause by paying a termination fee. Our institutional investors typically may terminate our servicing engagements at any time with or without cause, without paying a termination fee. We are also subject to losses that may arise as a result of servicing errors, such as a failure to maintain insurance, pay taxes or provide notices. In addition, we have contracted with a third party to perform certain routine back-office aspects of loan servicing. If we or this third party fails to perform, or we

 

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breach or the third-party causes us to breach our servicing obligations to the GSEs, HUD, and institutional investors, our servicing engagements may be terminated. Declines or terminations of servicing engagements or breaches of such obligations could materially and adversely affect us.

If one or more of our warehouse facilities, on which we are highly dependent, are terminated, we may be unable to find replacement financing on favorable terms, or at all, which would have a material adverse effect on us.

We require a significant amount of funding capacity on an interim basis for loans we originate. As of December 31, 2014, we had $1.9 billion of committed loan funding available through six commercial banks and $475.0 million of uncommitted funding available through Fannie Mae’s As Soon As Pooled (“ASAP”) program. Consistent with industry practice, four of our existing warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. If any of our committed facilities are terminated or are not renewed or our uncommitted facilities are not honored, we may be unable to find replacement financing on favorable terms, or at all, and we might not be able to originate loans, which would have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, as our business continues to expand, we may need additional warehouse funding capacity for loans we originate. There can be no assurance that, in the future, we will be able to obtain additional warehouse funding capacity on favorable terms, on a timely basis, or at all.

If we fail to meet or satisfy any of the financial or other covenants included in our warehouse facilities, we would be in default under one or more of these facilities and our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable, enforce their interests against loans pledged under such facilities and restrict our ability to make additional borrowings. These facilities also contain cross-default provisions, such that if a default occurs under any of our debt agreements, generally the lenders under our other debt agreements could also declare a default. These restrictions may interfere with our ability to obtain financing or to engage in other business activities, which could materially and adversely affect us. While we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants included in our warehouse facilities as of December 31, 2014, there can be no assurance that we will not experience a default in the future.

We are subject to the risk of failed loan deliveries, and even after a successful closing and delivery, may be required to repurchase the loan or to indemnify the investor if there is a breach of a representation or warranty made by us in connection with the sale of the loan through a GSE or HUD program, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We bear the risk that a borrower will choose not to close on a loan that has been pre-sold to an investor or that the investor will choose not to close on the loan, including because a catastrophic change in the condition of a property occurs after we fund the loan and prior to the investor purchase date. We also have the risk of serious errors in loan documentation which prevent timely delivery of the loan prior to the investor purchase date. A complete failure to deliver a loan could be a default under the warehouse line used to finance the loan. Although we have experienced only two failed loan deliveries in our history, neither of which has a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations, we can provide no assurance that we will not experience additional failed deliveries in the future or that any losses will not be material or will be mitigated through property insurance or payment protections.

We must make certain representations and warranties concerning each loan originated by us for GSE or HUD programs. The representations and warranties relate to our practices in the origination and servicing of the loans and the accuracy of the information being provided by us. For example, we are generally required to provide the following, among other, representations and warranties: we are authorized to do business and to sell or assign the loan; the loan conforms to the requirements of the GSE or HUD and certain laws and regulations; the underlying mortgage represents a valid lien on the property and there are no other liens on the property; the loan documents are valid and enforceable; taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, rents and similar other payments have been paid or escrowed; the property is insured, conforms to zoning laws and remains intact; and

 

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we do not know of any issues regarding the loan that are reasonably expected to cause the loan to be delinquent or unacceptable for investment or adversely affect its value. We are permitted to satisfy certain of these representations and warranties by furnishing a title insurance policy.

In the event of a breach of any representation or warranty, investors could, among other things, increase the level of risk-sharing on the Fannie Mae DUS loan or require us to repurchase the full amount of the loan and seek indemnification for losses from us. Our obligation to repurchase the loan is independent of our risk-sharing obligations. The GSE or HUD could require us to repurchase the loan if representations and warranties are breached, even if the loan is not in default. Because the accuracy of many such representations and warranties generally is based on our actions or on third-party reports, such as title reports and environmental reports, we may not receive similar representations and warranties from other parties that would serve as a claim against them. Even if we receive representations and warranties from third parties and have a claim against them in the event of a breach, our ability to recover on any such claim may be limited. Our ability to recover against a borrower that breaches its representations and warranties to us may be similarly limited. Our ability to recover on a claim against any party would also be dependent, in part, upon the financial condition and liquidity of such party. Although we believe that we have capable personnel at all levels, use qualified third parties and have established controls to ensure that all loans are originated pursuant to requirements established by the GSEs and HUD, in addition to our own internal requirements, there can be no assurance that we, our employees or third parties will not make mistakes. Although we have never been required to repurchase any loan, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to do so in the future. Any significant repurchase or indemnification obligations imposed on us could have a material adverse effect on us.

Under our interim loan program, we originate loans for our balance sheet. Balance sheet lending may increase our risk of loss, and because we are not as experienced with such loan products, we may not be successful or profitable in offering such products. We expect to offer additional new loan products to meet evolving borrower demand, including new types of loans that we originate for our balance sheet.

Substantially all of our loans are pre-sold or placed with an investor before we close on the loan with the borrower. However, under the Interim Program, we offer floating-rate interim loans to borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing. We fund floating rate first mortgage loans for periods of up to three years, using available cash in combination with advances under dedicated warehouse facilities. We service and asset-manage loans originated under the Interim Program and bear the sole risk of loss. Carrying loans for longer periods of time on our balance sheet exposes us to greater risks of loss than we currently face for loans that are pre-sold or placed with investors, including, without limitation, 100% exposure for defaults and impairment charges, which may adversely affect our profitability. Both the first mortgage loans we originate and the advances under our credit facility are tied to the same floating index, thereby mitigating our exposure to the effects of interest rate movements.

In the future, we expect to offer new loan products to meet evolving borrower demands, including loans that we originate for our balance sheet. We may initiate new loan product and service offerings or acquire them through acquisitions of operating businesses. Because we may not be as experienced with new loan products or services, we may require additional time and resources for offering and managing such products and services effectively or may be unsuccessful in offering such new products and services at a profit.

Our business is significantly affected by general business, economic and market conditions and cycles, particularly in the multifamily and commercial real estate industry, including changes in government fiscal and monetary policies, and, accordingly, we could be materially harmed in the event of a market downturn or changes in government policies.

We are sensitive to general business, economic and market conditions and cycles, particularly in the multifamily and commercial real estate industry. These conditions include changes in short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation and deflation, fluctuations in the real estate and debt capital markets and developments in

 

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national and local economies, unemployment rates, commercial property vacancy rates, and rental rates. Any sustained period of weakness or weakening business or economic conditions in the markets in which we do business or in related markets could result in a decrease in the demand for our loans and services, which could materially harm us. In addition, the number of borrowers who become delinquent, become subject to bankruptcy or default on their loans could increase, resulting in a decrease in the value of our MSRs and servicer advances and higher levels of servicer advances and loss on our Fannie Mae loans for which we share risk of loss, and could materially and adversely affect us.

We also are significantly affected by the fiscal, monetary and budgetary policies of the U.S. government and its agencies. We are particularly affected by the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), which regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States. The Federal Reserve’s policies affect interest rates, which have a significant impact on the demand for multifamily and commercial real estate loans. Significant fluctuations in interest rates as well as protracted periods of increases or decreases in interest rates could adversely affect the operation and income of multifamily and commercial real estate properties, as well as the demand from investors for multifamily and commercial real estate debt in the secondary market. In particular, higher interest rates tend to decrease the number of loans originated. An increase in interest rates could cause refinancing of existing loans to become less attractive and qualifying for a loan to become more difficult. Budgetary policies also impact our ability to originate loans, particularly if it has a negative impact on the ability of the GSEs and HUD to do business with us. Changes in fiscal, monetary, and budgetary policies are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could materially and adversely affect us.

We are dependent upon the success of the multifamily real estate sector and conditions that negatively impact the multifamily sector may reduce demand for our products and services and materially and adversely affect us.

We provide commercial real estate financial products and services primarily to developers and owners of multifamily properties. Accordingly, the success of our business is closely tied to the overall success of the multifamily real estate market. Various changes in real estate conditions may impact the multifamily sector. Any negative trends in such real estate conditions may reduce demand for our products and services and, as a result, adversely affect our results of operations. These conditions include:

 

    oversupply of, or a reduction in demand for, multifamily housing;

 

    a favorable interest rate environment that may result in a significant number of potential residents of multifamily properties deciding to purchase homes instead of renting;

 

    rent control or stabilization laws, or other laws regulating multifamily housing, which could affect the profitability of multifamily developments;

 

    the inability of residents and tenants to pay rent;

 

    increased competition in the multifamily sector based on considerations such as the attractiveness, location, rental rates, amenities and safety record of various properties; and

 

    increased operating costs, including increased real property taxes, maintenance, insurance and utilities costs.

Moreover, other factors may adversely affect the multifamily sector, including changes in government regulations and other laws, rules and regulations governing real estate, zoning or taxes, changes in interest rate levels, the potential liability under environmental and other laws and other unforeseen events. Any or all of these factors could negatively impact the multifamily sector and, as a result, reduce the demand for our products and services. Any such reduction could materially and adversely affect us.

 

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For most loans that we service under the Fannie Mae and HUD programs, we are required to advance payments due to investors if the borrower is delinquent in making such payments, which requirement could adversely impact our liquidity and harm our results of operations.

For most loans we service under the Fannie Mae DUS program, we are currently required to advance the principal and interest payments and tax and insurance escrow amounts if the borrower is delinquent in making loan payments. After four continuous months of making advances on behalf of the borrower, we can submit a reimbursement claim to Fannie Mae, which Fannie Mae may approve at its discretion. We are reimbursed by Fannie Mae for these advances in the event the loan is brought current. In the event of a default, any advances made by us are used to reduce the proceeds required to settle any loss. Our advances may also be reimbursed, to the extent that the default settlement proceeds on the collateral exceed the unpaid principal balance.

Under the HUD program, we are obligated to advance tax and insurance escrow amounts and principal and interest payments on the underlying loan until the Ginnie Mae security has been fully paid. In the event of a default on a HUD insured loan, we can elect to assign the loan to HUD and file a mortgage insurance claim. HUD will reimburse approximately 99% of any losses of principal and interest on the loan and Ginnie Mae will reimburse most of the remaining losses of principal and interest.

Although we have funded all required advances from operating cash flow in the past, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future. If we do not have sufficient operating cash flows to fund such advances, we would need to finance such amounts. Such financing could be costly and could prevent us from pursuing our business and growth strategies.

The loss of our key management could result in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued services of our senior management, particularly William Walker, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We maintain “key person” life insurance only on Mr. Walker, and the insurance proceeds from such insurance may be insufficient to cover the cost associated with recruiting a new President and Chief Executive Officer.

We may not be able to hire and retain qualified loan originators or grow and maintain our relationships with key loan correspondents, and if we are unable to do so, our ability to implement our business and growth strategies could be limited.

We depend on our loan originators to generate borrower clients by, among other things, developing relationships with commercial property owners, real estate agents and brokers, developers and others, which we believe leads to repeat and referral business. Accordingly, we must be able to attract, motivate and retain skilled loan originators. The market for loan originators is highly competitive and may lead to increased costs to hire and retain them. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to attract or retain qualified loan originators. If we cannot attract, motivate or retain a sufficient number of skilled loan originators, or even if we can motivate or retain them but at higher costs, we could be materially and adversely affected.

We also depend on our network of loan correspondents, who generate a significant portion of our loan originations. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, correspondents generated 22% and 28%, respectively, of the loans that we originated during those periods. Unlike our loan originators, correspondents are not directly employed by us but are paid a percentage of the origination fee and the ongoing servicing fee for each loan that they help originate. In addition, although we have an exclusive relationship with our correspondents with respect to GSE and HUD loan products, we do not have an exclusive arrangement for any other loan products. While we strive to cultivate long-standing relationships that generate repeat business for us by making available co-marketing materials and educational resources to them, correspondents are free to

 

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transact business with other lenders and have done so in the past and will do so in the future. Our competitors also have relationships with some of our correspondents and actively compete with us in our efforts to expand our correspondent networks. Competition for loans originated by correspondents is particularly acute when the CMBS, commercial bank, and insurance company markets are robust. We cannot guarantee that correspondents will continue to provide a strong source of originations for us. We also cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or develop new relationships with additional correspondents. If we cannot maintain and enhance our existing relationships and develop new relationships, particularly in geographic areas, specialties or niche markets where our loan originators are not as experienced or well-situated, our growth strategy will be significantly hampered and we would be materially and adversely affected.

We have numerous significant competitors and potential future competitors, some of which may have greater resources and access to capital than we do; consequently, we may not be able to compete effectively in the future.

Over the past two years, we have faced significantly increased competition from commercial banks, commercial real estate service providers, CMBS conduit lenders, and life insurance companies, some of which are also investors in loans we originate. Many of these competitors enjoy competitive advantages over us, including:

 

    greater name recognition;

 

    a stronger, more established network of correspondents and loan originators;

 

    established relationships with institutional investors;

 

    access to lower cost and more stable funding sources;

 

    an established market presence in markets where we do not yet have a presence or where we have a smaller presence;

 

    ability to diversify and grow by providing a greater variety of commercial real estate loan products on more attractive terms, some of which require greater access to capital and the ability to retain loans on the balance sheet; and

 

    greater financial resources and access to capital to develop branch offices and compensate key employees.

Commercial banks may have an advantage over us in originating loans if borrowers already have a line of credit or construction financing with the bank. Commercial real estate service providers may have an advantage over us to the extent they also offer an investment sales platform. We compete on the basis of quality of service, relationships, loan structure, terms, pricing and industry depth. Industry depth includes the knowledge of local and national real estate market conditions, commercial real estate, loan product expertise and the ability to analyze and manage credit risk. Our competitors seek to compete aggressively on the basis of these factors and our success depends on our ability to offer attractive loan products, provide superior service, demonstrate industry depth, maintain and capitalize on relationships with investors, borrowers and key loan correspondents and remain competitive in pricing. In addition, future changes in laws, regulations and GSE and HUD program requirements and consolidation in the commercial real estate finance market could lead to the entry of more competitors. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to compete effectively in the future, and our failure to do so would materially and adversely affect us.

 

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We have experienced significant growth over the past several years, which may be difficult to sustain and which may place significant demands on our administrative, operational and financial resources.

Our recent significant growth may not reflect our future growth potential, and we may not be able to maintain similarly high levels of growth in the future. Our recent growth reflects, in part:

 

    our acquisition of CWCapital LLC in September 2012, which increased our servicing portfolio by $14.5 billion and added 30 loan originators, and

 

    the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Johnson Capital, which increased our servicing portfolio by $0.6 billion and added 34 loan originators.

These acquisitions expanded our pre-existing product lines, increased our origination capacity, and broadened our geographic coverage. Much of our growth has also occurred since the onset of the 2008 credit crisis and the resulting tightening of credit standards, as many traditional lenders decreased or ceased their investments in commercial real estate debt. As a result, borrowers looked instead to the GSEs, HUD, and other sources of lending for multifamily loans. We intend to pursue continued growth by adding more loan originators, expanding our loan product offerings, acquiring complementary businesses and gaining access to new institutional investors and proprietary sources of capital, as appropriate, but we cannot guarantee such efforts will be successful. We do not know whether the favorable conditions that enabled our recent growth will continue. Because our recent significant growth may not accurately reflect our future growth or our ability to grow in the future, there can be no assurance that we will continue to grow at the same pace or achieve the same financial results as we have in the past.

In addition, if our growth continues, it could increase our expenses and place additional demands on our management, personnel, information systems and other resources. Sustaining our growth could require us to commit additional management, operational and financial resources to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support expansion. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage any growth effectively and any failure to do so could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and control our expenses, which could materially and adversely affect us.

The integration of any companies that we may acquire in the future, including investments in new ventures and new lines of business, may be difficult, resulting in high transaction, start-up, and integration costs. Additionally, the integration process may be disruptive to our business, and the acquired businesses or new venture may not perform as we expect.

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand or modify our business in response to changing borrower demands and competitive pressures. In some circumstances, we may determine to do so through the acquisition of complementary businesses or investments in new ventures rather than through internal growth. For example, we acquired CWCapital in September 2012, which increased our servicing portfolio by $14.5 billion and significantly increased our originating capacity. Additionally, in November 2014, we acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Johnson Capital, which increased our loan production employee base by 34 and further expanded our national loan origination platform.

In the future, we may explore additional acquisitions or investments. The identification of suitable acquisition candidates and new ventures can be difficult, time consuming and costly, and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions or investments in new ventures on favorable terms, or at all. Furthermore, even if we successfully complete an acquisition or an investment in new ventures, we may not be able to successfully integrate newly acquired businesses or new ventures into our operations, and the process of integration could be expensive and time consuming and may strain our resources. Acquisitions or new ventures also typically involve significant costs related to integrating information technology, accounting, reporting and management services and rationalizing personnel levels and may require significant time to obtain new or updated regulatory approvals from the GSEs, HUD, and other Federal and state authorities. Acquisitions or new

 

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ventures could divert management’s attention from the regular operations of our business and result in the potential loss of our key personnel, and we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions or new ventures, any of which could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, future acquisitions or new ventures could result in significantly dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of substantial debt, contingent liabilities or expenses or other charges, which could also materially and adversely affect us.

Risks Relating to Regulatory Matters

If we fail to comply with the numerous government regulations and program requirements of the GSEs and HUD, we may lose our approved lender status with these entities and fail to gain additional approvals or licenses for our business. We are also subject to changes in laws, regulations and existing GSE and HUD program requirements, including potential increases in reserve and risk retention requirements that could increase our costs and affect the way we conduct our business, which could materially and adversely affect us.

Our operations are subject to regulation by federal, state and local government authorities, various laws and judicial and administrative decisions, and regulations and policies of the GSEs and HUD. These laws, regulations, rules and policies impose, among other things, minimum net worth, operational liquidity and collateral requirements. Fannie Mae requires us to maintain operational liquidity based on a formula that considers the balance of the loan and the level of credit loss exposure (level of risk-sharing). Fannie Mae requires Fannie Mae DUS lenders to maintain collateral, which may include pledged securities, for our risk-sharing obligations. The amount of collateral required under the Fannie Mae DUS program is calculated at the loan level and is based on the balance of the loan, the level of risk-sharing, the seasoning of the loans and the rating of the Fannie Mae DUS lender.

Regulatory authorities also require us to submit financial reports and to maintain a quality control plan for the underwriting, origination and servicing of loans. Numerous laws and regulations also impose qualification and licensing obligations on us and impose requirements and restrictions affecting, among other things: our loan originations; maximum interest rates, finance charges and other fees that we may charge; disclosures to consumers; the terms of secured transactions; collection, repossession and claims handling procedures; personnel qualifications; and other trade practices. We also are subject to inspection by the GSEs, HUD, and regulatory authorities. Our failure to comply with these requirements could lead to, among other things, the loss of a license as an approved GSE or HUD lender, the inability to gain additional approvals or licenses, the termination of contractual rights without compensation, demands for indemnification or loan repurchases, class action lawsuits and administrative enforcement actions.

Regulatory and legal requirements are subject to change. For example, Fannie Mae increased its collateral requirements, on loans classified by Fannie Mae as Tier II, from 60 basis points to 75 basis points, effective as of January 1, 2013, which applied to a large portion of our outstanding Fannie Mae at risk portfolio. The incremental collateral required for existing loans was funded over a two-year period ending December 31, 2014. The incremental requirement for any newly originated Fannie Mae Tier II loans will be funded over the 48 months subsequent to the sale of the loan to Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae has indicated that it may increase collateral requirements in the future, which may adversely impact us.

If we fail to comply with laws, regulations and market standards regarding the privacy, use, and security of customer information, or if we are the target of a successful cyber-attack, we may be subject to legal and regulatory actions and our reputation would be harmed.

We receive, maintain, and store the non-public personal information of our loan applicants. The technology and other controls and processes designed to secure our customer information and to prevent, detect, and remedy any unauthorized access to that information were designed to obtain reasonable, not absolute, assurance that such information is secure and that any unauthorized access is identified and addressed appropriately. We are not aware of any data breaches, successful hacker attacks, unauthorized access and misuse, or significant computer

 

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viruses affecting our networks that may have occurred in the past; however, our controls may not have detected, and may in the future fail to prevent or detect, unauthorized access to our borrower information. If this information is inappropriately accessed and used by a third party or an employee for illegal purposes, such as identity theft, we may be responsible to the affected applicant or borrower for any losses he or she may have incurred as a result of misappropriation. In such an instance, we may be liable to a governmental authority for fines or penalties associated with a lapse in the integrity and security of our customers’ information.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

The trading and market price of our common stock may be volatile and could decline substantially.

The stock markets, including the NYSE (on which our common stock is listed), have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the trading and market price of our common stock is likely to be similarly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations, and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance. The market price of our common stock could decline substantially in response to a number of factors, including those listed in this “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and others such as:

 

    our actual or anticipated financial condition, liquidity and operating performance;

 

    actual or anticipated changes in our business and growth strategies or the success of their implementation;

 

    failure to meet, or changes in, earnings estimates of stock analysts;

 

    publication of research reports about us, the commercial real estate finance market or the real estate industry;

 

    equity issuances by us, or stock resales by our stockholders, or the perception that such issuances or resales could occur;

 

    the passage of adverse legislation or other regulatory developments, including those from or affecting the GSEs or HUD;

 

    general business, economic and market conditions and cycles;

 

    changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

    additions to or departures of our key personnel;

 

    actions by our stockholders;

 

    actual, potential or perceived accounting problems or changes in accounting principles;

 

    failure to satisfy the listing requirements of the NYSE;

 

    failure to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

    speculation in the press or investment community;

 

    the realization of any of the other risk factors presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K; and

 

    general market and economic conditions.

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their common stock. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to execute our business and growth strategies.

 

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Future issuances of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our liquidation, and future issuances of equity securities, which would dilute the holdings of our existing common stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of paying dividends, periodically or upon liquidation, may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

In the future, we may issue debt or equity securities or incur other borrowings. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and other loans and preferred stock will receive a distribution of our available assets before common stockholders. We are not required to offer any such additional debt or equity securities to existing common stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, additional common stock issuances, directly or through convertible or exchangeable securities, warrants or options, will dilute our existing common stockholders’ ownership in us and such issuances, or the perception that such issuances may occur, may reduce the market price of our common stock. Our preferred stock, if issued, would likely have a preference on dividend payments, periodically or upon liquidation, which could eliminate or otherwise limit our ability to pay dividends to common stockholders. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities or otherwise incur debt in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital raising efforts. Thus, common stockholders bear the risk that our future issuances of debt or equity securities or our other borrowing will negatively affect the market price of our common stock and dilute their ownership in us.

Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure

Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit changes in control.

Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) may have the effect of deterring a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change in control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of our common stock. We will be subject to the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between us and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of our then outstanding voting capital stock or an affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of our then outstanding voting capital stock) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between us and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of our voting capital stock; and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting capital stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if our common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.

The “control share” provisions of the MGCL provide that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the stockholder (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy) entitle the stockholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct and indirect acquisition of ownership or control of issued and outstanding “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding votes entitled to be cast by the acquirer of control shares, our officers and our personnel who are also our directors.

 

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Certain provisions of the MGCL permit our board of directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our charter or bylaws, to adopt certain mechanisms, some of which (for example, a classified board) we do not yet have. These provisions may have the effect of limiting or precluding a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us or of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control of our company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then current market price. Our charter contains a provision whereby we elect, at such time as we become eligible to do so, to be subject to the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL relating to the filling of vacancies on our board of directors.

Our authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock may prevent a change in our control.

Our charter authorizes us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock. In addition, our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, amend our charter to increase the aggregate number of shares of our common stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares. As a result, our board of directors may establish a class or series of common or preferred stock that could delay, defer, or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited, which could limit our stockholders’ recourse in the event actions are taken that are not in our stockholders’ best interests.

Under Maryland law generally, a director is required to perform his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Company and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Under Maryland law, directors are presumed to have acted with this standard of care. In addition, our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:

 

    actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or

 

    active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action adjudicated.

Our charter and bylaws obligate us to indemnify our directors and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. In addition, we are obligated to advance the defense costs incurred by our directors and officers. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors and officers than might otherwise exist absent the current provisions in our charter and bylaws or that might exist with companies domiciled in jurisdictions other than Maryland.

Our charter contains provisions that make removal of our directors difficult, which could make it difficult for our stockholders to effect changes to our management.

Our charter provides that a director may only be removed for cause upon the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. Vacancies may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if less than a quorum. These requirements make it more difficult to change our management by removing and replacing directors and may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our company that is in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

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We are a holding company with no direct operations and rely on funds received from our subsidiaries for our cash requirements.

We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our operating company. We do not have, apart from our ownership of this operating company and certain other subsidiaries, any independent operations. As a result, we rely on distributions from our operating company to pay any dividends we might declare on shares of our common stock. We also rely on distributions from this operating company to meet any of our cash requirements, including our tax liability on taxable income allocated to us and debt payments.

In addition, because we are a holding company, your claims as common stockholders are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities (whether or not for borrowed money) and any preferred equity of our operating company. Therefore, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets and those of our operating company will be able to satisfy the claims of our common stockholders only after all of our and our operating company’s liabilities and any preferred equity have been paid in full.

Risks Related to Our Financial Statements

Changes in accounting policies or accounting standards, and changes in how accounting standards are interpreted or applied, could materially affect how we report our financial results and condition.

Our accounting policies are fundamental to determining and understanding our financial results and condition. As described below, some of these policies require use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of our assets or liabilities and financial results. Any changes in our accounting policies could materially affect our financial statements.

From time to time the FASB and the SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our external financial statements. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret the accounting standards (such as the FASB, SEC, and our external auditors) may change or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how these standards should be applied. Changes in financial accounting and reporting standards and changes in current interpretations may be beyond our control, can be hard to predict and could materially affect how we report our financial results and condition. We may be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively or apply an existing standard differently, also retroactively, in each case resulting in our potentially restating prior period financial statements in material amounts.

Our financial statements are based in part on assumptions and estimates which, if wrong, could result in unexpected non-cash losses in the future, and our financial statements depend on our internal control over financial reporting.

Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, we are required to use certain assumptions and estimates in preparing our financial statements, including in determining credit loss reserves and the fair value of MSRs, among other items. We make fair value determinations based on internally developed models or other means which ultimately rely to some degree on management judgment. These and other assets and liabilities may have no direct observable price levels, making their valuation particularly subjective as they are based on significant estimation and judgment. Several of our accounting policies are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective, and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. If assumptions or estimates underlying our financial statements are incorrect, losses may be greater than those expectations.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires our management to evaluate our disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting and requires our auditors to issue a report on our internal control over

 

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financial reporting. We are required to disclose, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, the existence of any “material weaknesses” in our internal controls. We cannot assure that we will not identify one or more material weaknesses as of the end of any given quarter or year, nor can we predict the effect on our stock price of disclosure of a material weakness.

Our existing goodwill could become impaired, which may require us to take significant non-cash charges.

Under current accounting guidelines, we evaluate our goodwill for potential impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. In addition to the annual impairment evaluation, we evaluate at least quarterly whether events or circumstances have occurred in the period subsequent to the annual impairment testing which indicate that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has occurred. Any impairment of goodwill as a result of such analysis would result in a non-cash charge against earnings, which charge could materially adversely affect our reported results of operations, stockholders’ equity, and our stock price.

* * *

Any factor described in this filing or in any of our other SEC filings could by itself, or together with other factors, adversely affect our financial results and condition. Refer to our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC in 2015 for material changes to the above discussion of risk factors. There are factors not discussed above or elsewhere in this filing that could adversely affect our financial results and condition.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

Our principal headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland. We currently maintain an additional 21 offices across the country. Most of our offices are small, loan production offices. The majority of our non-loan-production activity occurs in our corporate headquarters and our office in Needham, Massachusetts. We believe that our facilities are adequate for us to conduct our present business activities.

All of our office space is leased. The most significant terms of the lease arrangements for our office space are the length of the lease and the amount of the rent. Our leases have terms varying in duration and rent through 2023, as a result of differences in prevailing market conditions in different geographic locations. We do not believe that any single office lease is material to us. In addition, we believe there is adequate alternative office space available at acceptable rental rates to meet our needs, although adverse movements in rental rates in some markets may negatively affect our results of operations and cash flows when we enter into new leases.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

Capital Funding Litigation—On February 17, 2010, Capital Funding Group, Inc. (“Capital Funding”) filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland against Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, for alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment and unfair competition arising out of an alleged agreement that Capital Funding had with Column Guaranteed, LLC (“Column”) to refinance a large portfolio of senior healthcare facilities located throughout the United States. Capital Funding further alleged that Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as the alleged successor by merger to Column, is bound by Column’s alleged agreement with Capital Funding. On November 17, 2010, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint adding Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its affiliates Column and Column Financial, Inc. as defendants. In December 2010, Column assumed the defense of the Company pursuant to an indemnification agreement. Capital Funding sought damages in excess of $30.0 million on each of the three claims, and an unspecified amount of damages on a separate claim for unfair competition against Walker & Dunlop, LLC. Capital Funding also sought injunctive relief in connection with its unjust enrichment and unfair competition claims.

 

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On July 19, 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland issued an order granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, without prejudice. After the initial case was dismissed without prejudice, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint. In November 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland rejected the defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint. Capital Funding filed a Second Amended Complaint that did not alter the claims at issue but revised their alleged damages. Defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims, including two counts of breach of contract, two counts of promissory estoppel, two counts of unjust enrichment, and two counts of unfair competition. On April 30, 2013, the Court issued an Opinion and Order which granted the motion to dismiss as to the promissory estoppel counts and one count of unjust enrichment. The Court denied the motion as to all remaining claims.

A two-week jury trial was held in July 2013. In the course of the trial, all but two of Capital Funding’s claims were dismissed. The jury awarded Capital Funding (i) a $1.8 million judgment against defendants on Capital Funding’s breach of contract claim and (ii) a $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), Column’s parent, on Capital Funding’s unjust enrichment claim. Because the two claims arise from the same facts, Capital Funding agreed it may only collect on one of the judgments; following the verdict, Capital Funding “elected” to collect the $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse. The defendants filed a post judgment motion to reduce or set aside the judgment. On January 31, 2014 the Court ruled that the $10.4 million unjust enrichment judgment is vacated, and awarded Capital Funding the $1.8 million breach of contract judgment. On February 10, 2014, Capital Funding filed a motion with the Court seeking a new trial. On March 13, 2014, the Court denied Capital Funding’s motion for a new trial. Capital Funding filed an appeal with Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals, which was heard on December 10, 2014. We are awaiting a ruling on the appeal. As a result of an indemnification arrangement with Column, our loss exposure is limited to $3.0 million, and we believe that the indemnification fully covers the $1.8 million judgment.

CA Funds Group Litigation—In March 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC (“IA Services”) engaged CA Funds Group, Inc. (“CAFG”) to provide, among other things, consulting services in connection with expanding our investment advisory services business. The engagement letter was supplemented in June 2012 to retain CAFG to engage in certain capital raising activities, primarily with respect to a potential commingled, open-ended Fund (“Fund”). The Fund was never launched by us. However, we independently formed the Bridge Program, which is focused primarily on making floating-rate loans of up to three years of $30.0 million or more to experienced owners of multifamily properties. CAFG filed a breach of contract action captioned CA Funds Group, Inc. v. Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Walker & Dunlop, LLC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, seeking a placement fee in the amount of $5.1 million (plus interest and the costs of the suit) based upon the $380.0 million allegedly obtained for the Bridge Program. We filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on January 3, 2014, CAFG filed a response to the motion on January 31, 2014, and on March 21, 2014, the Court denied our motion to dismiss the complaint. We intend to vigorously defend the matter. Discovery is ongoing.

We cannot predict the outcome of any pending litigation and may be subject to consequences that could include fines, penalties and other costs, and our reputation and business may be impacted. Our management believes that any liability that could be imposed on us in connection with the disposition of any pending lawsuits would not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

In the normal course of business, we may be party to various other claims and litigation, none of which we believe is material

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “WD.” In connection with our initial public offering, our common stock was priced for initial sale on December 15, 2010. There was no established public trading market for our common stock prior to that date. On February 27, 2015, the closing sales price, as reported by the NYSE, was $16.03.

The following table sets forth the intra-day high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported by the NYSE for the periods indicated:

 

     2014  
     High      Low  

1st Quarter

   $ 17.50       $ 13.51   

2nd Quarter

     17.07         13.87   

3rd Quarter

     14.99         12.82   

4th Quarter

     17.95         13.13   

 

     2013  
     High      Low  

1st Quarter

   $ 21.76       $ 16.68   

2nd Quarter

     19.74         16.58   

3rd Quarter

     19.21         14.34   

4th Quarter

     16.35         12.50   

As of the close of business on February 27, 2015, there were 17 stockholders of record. We believe that the number of beneficial holders is much greater.

Dividend Policy

Since the completion of our initial public offering, we have not paid any dividends. We currently retain earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business and, therefore, do not currently pay cash dividends. Any future determination to pay dividends on our common stock will be, subject to applicable law, at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual agreements, any limitations on payments of dividends in any of our future financing arrangements, applicable law, and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. If we do not pay dividends, a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.

Stock Performance Graph

The following chart graphs our performance in the form of cumulative total return to holders of our common stock since December 15, 2010, the date our common stock began trading, in comparison to the Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 and the S&P 600 Small Cap Financials Index for that same period. We believe that the S&P 600 Small Cap Financials Index is an appropriate index to compare us with other companies in our industry and that it is a widely recognized and used index for which components and total return information are readily accessible to our security holders, to assist in their understanding of our performance relative to other companies in our industry.

 

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The comparison below assumes $100 was invested on December 15, 2010 (the first trading day of our common stock) in our common stock and in each of the indices shown, and assumes that all dividends were reinvested. Our stock price performance shown in the following graph is not indicative of future performance or relative performance in comparison to the indices.

 

LOGO

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, subject to the Company’s approval, grantees have the option of electing to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations at the time of vesting or exercise by allowing the Company to withhold and purchase the shares of stock otherwise issuable to the grantee. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased and retired certain restricted shares at market prices, upon grantee vesting. In addition, through a private purchase and sale agreement, the Company repurchased and retired 2.5 million shares from one of its largest stockholders. The following table provides information regarding common stock repurchases for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014

   Total Number of
Shares

Purchased
     Average Price
Paid per Share
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
     Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased
 

1st Quarter

     2,469,814      $ 14.52        19,363        N/A   

2nd Quarter

     89,917        15.57        89,917        N/A   

3rd Quarter

     17,086        13.78        17,086        N/A   

October 1-31, 2014

     —          —          —          N/A   

November 1-30, 2014

     3,754        16.11        3,754        N/A   

December 1-31, 2014

     —          —          —          N/A   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

4th Quarter

  3,754     16.11     3,754     N/A   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    
  2,580,571     130,120  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The selected historical financial information and supplemental data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 have been derived from our audited historical financial statements and those of our predecessors. The selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, and the related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

    As of and For the Year Ended December 31,  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Statement of Income Data (1)

         

Revenues

         

Gains from mortgage banking activities

  $ 221,983     $ 203,671     $ 186,543     $ 102,712     $ 85,203  

Servicing fees

    98,414       90,215       52,207       33,581       27,024  

Net warehouse interest income, loans held for sale

    11,343       6,214       4,361       4,198       3,586  

Net warehouse interest income, loans held for investment

    6,151       1,231       307       —         —    

Escrow earnings and other interest income

    4,526       4,008       2,965       1,474       2,056  

Other

    18,355       13,700       10,387       10,385       3,965  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenue

$ 360,772   $ 319,039   $ 256,770   $ 152,350   $ 121,834  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

Personnel

$ 149,374   $ 133,667   $ 109,037   $ 51,162   $ 42,459  

Amortization and depreciation

  79,367     72,876     38,673     22,444     16,827  

Amortization of intangible assets

  771     3,079     15,252     70     132  

Provision for credit losses

  2,206     1,322     3,140     4,724     7,469  

Interest expense on corporate debt

  10,311     3,743     1,649     823     1,334  

Other operating expenses

  34,831     37,565     33,249     16,466     13,471  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

$ 276,860   $ 252,252   $ 201,000   $ 95,689   $ 81,692  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from Operations

$ 83,912   $ 66,787   $ 55,770   $ 56,661   $ 40,142  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (1)(2)

$ 32,490   $ 25,257   $ 21,998   $ 21,797   $ 31,915  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (1)(2)

$ 51,422   $ 41,530   $ 33,772   $ 34,864   $ 8,227  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share (1)(2)

$ 1.60   $ 1.23   $ 1.32   $ 1.61   $ 0.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share (1)(2)

$ 1.58   $ 1.21   $ 1.31   $ 1.60   $ 0.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average basic number of shares (2)

  32,210     33,764     25,545     21,622     15,034  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted number of shares (2)

  32,624     34,336     25,845     21,748     15,036  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net income data (unaudited)

Income from operations, as reported

$ 40,142  

Pro forma income tax expense (1)(2)

  15,535  
         

 

 

 

Pro forma net income (1)(2)

$ 24,607  
         

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share (1)(2)

$ 1.64  
         

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 113,354   $ 170,563   $ 65,027   $ 53,817   $ 33,285  

 

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    As of and For the Year Ended December 31,  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Restricted cash and pledged securities

    81,573       55,078       40,611       26,123       18,861  

Mortgage servicing rights

    375,907       353,024       315,524       137,079       106,189  

Loans held for sale, at fair value

    1,072,116       281,477       1,101,561       268,167       302,851  

Loans held for investment, net

    223,059       134,656       9,468       —         —    

Goodwill

    74,525       60,212       59,735       —         —    

Total Assets

    2,014,027       1,128,966       1,688,633       522,596       485,620  

Warehouse notes payable

    1,216,245       373,107       1,084,539       218,426       248,419  

Note payable

    171,766       173,258       80,925       23,869       27,621  

Total Liabilities

    1,580,576       726,125       1,335,457       358,944       360,978  

Total Equity

  $ 433,451     $ 402,841     $ 353,176     $ 163,652     $ 124,642  

Supplemental Data

         

Operating margin

    23     21     22     37     33

Return on equity

    13     11     14     24     8

Total originations

  $ 11,367,706     $ 8,395,037     $ 7,102,185     $ 4,025,917     $ 3,171,618  

Servicing portfolio

  $ 44,031,890     $ 38,937,027     $ 35,169,999     $ 16,778,285     $ 14,619,294  

 

(1) Our combined effective federal and state tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 38.3%. Our predecessor entities historically operated as pass-through tax entities (partnerships, LLCs and S-corporations). Accordingly, our historical earnings have resulted in only nominal federal and state corporate level expense. The tax liability has been the obligation of our owners. Upon closing of our initial public offering on December 20, 2010, our tax status changed to a C-corporation and our income became subject to both federal and state corporate tax. Concurrent with the closing of the Formation Transaction and the Company’s change in tax status, we recognized approximately $31.6 million of net deferred tax liabilities. For the 12 days following the closing of the Formation Transaction, we recognized income tax expense of $0.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recognized aggregate tax expense of $31.9 million and net deferred tax liabilities of $30.2 million and current taxes payable of $1.7 million at December 31, 2010. Our combined effective federal and state tax rate for income during the 12 days following the closing of the Formation Transaction was 38.7%. We used a combined effective federal and state tax rate of 38.7% to estimate our presented pro forma tax expense, as if the predecessor entities had been tax paying corporations for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(2) Concurrently with the closing of our initial public offering in December 2010, the investors in the Walker & Dunlop predecessor entities individually and collectively combined the predecessor entities which had been previously operated and reported as companies under common control. These investors exchanged their member interests for their pro rata interest, adjusted for company specific debt included in the transaction, in 14,741,504 shares in the newly formed company. This transaction was reported for accounting purposes as a combination of companies under common control and the stock issuance was reported as a stock-split. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), all financial reports have been prepared as if the stock-split and the combination of the companies under common control had occurred prior to the earliest period presented; certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the new presentation. Each of the predecessor entities except for Walker & Dunlop, LLC was merged with and into Walker & Dunlop Multifamily, Inc.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data”, and the historical financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or contemplated in those forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements”, and “Risk Factors”, elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Business

We are one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending. We originate, sell and service a range of commercial real estate financing products to owners and developers of commercial real estate across the country. We originate and sell multifamily loans through the programs of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, and HUD, with which we have licenses and long-established relationships. We retain servicing rights and asset management responsibilities on nearly all loans that we originate for GSE and HUD programs. We are approved as a Fannie Mae DUS lender nationally, a Freddie Mac Program Plus lender in 22 states and the District of Columbia, a Freddie Mac targeted affordable housing seller/servicer, a HUD MAP lender nationally, a HUD LEAN lender nationally, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. We broker and service loans for a number of life insurance companies, CMBS conduits, commercial banks, and other institutional investors, in which cases we do not fund the loan but rather act as a loan broker. We also originate and hold short-term loans on our balance sheet and offer proprietary CMBS and large interim loan programs through partnerships with several institutional investors.

We fund loans for GSE and HUD programs, generally through warehouse facility financings, and sell them to investors in accordance with the related loan sale commitment, which we obtain prior to loan closing. Proceeds from the sale of the loan are used to pay off the warehouse borrowing. The sale of the loan is typically completed within 60 days after the loan is closed. In cases where we do not fund the loan, we act as a loan broker. Our loan originators who focus on loan brokerage are engaged by borrowers to work with a variety of institutional lenders to find the most appropriate loan. These loans are then funded directly by the institutional lender, and we receive an origination fee for placing the loan and a servicing fee for any of the loans we service.

We recognize gains from mortgage banking activities when we commit to make a loan to a borrower and sell that loan to an investor. The gains from mortgage banking activities reflect the fair value attributable to loan origination fees, premiums or losses on the sale of loans, net of any co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of loans, net of any guaranty obligations retained. We also generate revenue from net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale and loans held for investment. We earn net warehouse interest income on loans held for sale while the loans are held for sale. We earn net warehouse interest income on loans held for investment while the loans are outstanding.

We retain servicing rights on substantially all of the loans we originate and sell and on some of the loans we broker and generate revenues from the fees we receive for servicing the loans, interest income from escrow deposits held on behalf of borrowers, late charges, and other ancillary fees. Servicing fees are set at the time an investor agrees to purchase the loan and are generally paid monthly while the loan is outstanding. Our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing arrangements generally provide for prepayment penalties to us in the event of a voluntary prepayment. For loans serviced outside of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we typically do not share in any such prepayments.

We are currently not exposed to interest rate risk during the loan commitment, closing, and delivery processes. The sale or placement of each loan to an investor is negotiated while establishing the coupon rate for the loan. We also seek to mitigate the risk of a loan not closing. We have agreements in place with the GSEs and HUD that specify the cost of a failed loan delivery, also known as a pair off fee, in the event we fail to deliver the loan to the investor. The pair off fee is typically less than the deposit we collect from the borrower. Any potential loss from a catastrophic change in the property condition while the loan is held for sale using warehouse facility financing is mitigated through property insurance equal to replacement cost. We are also protected contractually from any failure to close by an investor. We have experienced only two failed loan deliveries in our history as a Fannie Mae DUS lender, neither of which resulted in a material loss.

We have risk-sharing obligations on most loans we originate under the Fannie Mae DUS program. When a Fannie Mae DUS loan is subject to full risk-sharing, we absorb losses on the first 5% of the loan’s unpaid principal balance at the time of settlement, and above 5% we share a percentage of the loss with Fannie Mae,

 

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with our maximum loss capped at 20% of the loan’s unpaid principal balance at origination (subject to doubling or tripling if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if the loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae). We may, however, request modified risk-sharing at the time of origination, which reduces our potential risk-sharing losses from the levels described above. We request modified risk-sharing based on such factors as the size of the loan, market conditions and loan pricing. We may also request modified risk-sharing on large transactions if we do not believe that we are being fully compensated for the risks of the transactions or to manage overall risk levels. Except for certain Fannie Mae DUS loans acquired in the CW Acquisition, which were acquired subject to their existing Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing levels, our current credit management policy is to cap each loan balance subject to full risk-sharing at $60.0 million. Accordingly, we currently elect to use modified risk-sharing for loans of more than $60.0 million in order to limit our maximum loss exposure on any one loan to $12.0 million (such exposure would occur in the event that the underlying collateral is determined to be completely without value at the time of loss). However, we occasionally ask to originate a loan with full risk sharing even when the loan balance is greater than $60.0 million if we believe the loan characteristics support such an approach.

Our servicing fees for risk-sharing loans include compensation for the risk-sharing obligations and are larger than the servicing fees we receive from Fannie Mae for loans with no risk-sharing obligations, from Freddie Mac for loans originated under Program Plus, and from HUD for loans originated under MAP or LEAN. We receive a lower servicing fee for modified risk sharing than for full risk sharing.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. is a holding company, and we conduct substantially all of our operations through Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our operating company. In December 2010, we completed our initial public offering (“IPO”). In connection with our IPO, we completed the Formation Transaction through which Walker & Dunlop, LLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Walker & Dunlop, Inc., a newly formed Maryland corporation.

On September 4, 2012, we closed the acquisition of CWCapital, a wholly owned subsidiary of CW FS, which is an affiliate of Fortress, at which time the total consideration transferred was valued at approximately $231.1 million, consisting of $80.0 million in cash and approximately 11.6 million shares of our common stock with a fair value of $151.1 million issued in a private placement to CW FS. Upon closing of the CW Acquisition, CWCapital became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and was renamed Walker & Dunlop Capital, LLC. Additionally, Fortress became our largest shareholder.

CWCapital was one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending, originating and selling mortgage loans pursuant to the programs of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and HUD. The CW Acquisition increased our servicing portfolio by $14.5 billion and significantly increased our origination capacity and national presence.

On September 25, 2014, we executed a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Johnson Capital. The acquisition of Johnson Capital closed on November 1, 2014. The consideration transferred totaled $23.5 million and consisted of $17.6 million in cash and $5.9 million of our common stock issued in a private placement. The JC Acquisition expands the Company’s network of loan originators, provides further diversification to its origination platform, and increases its HUD servicing portfolio.

Since 2011, we have offered interim loans for our balance sheet that provide floating-rate debt to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing. We closed our first loan under the Interim Program in February 2012. We underwrite all loans originated through the Interim Program. During the time the loans are outstanding, we assume the full risk of loss on the loans. In addition, we service and asset-manage loans originated through the Interim Program, with the ultimate goal of providing permanent financing on the properties. These loans are classified as held for investment on our balance sheet during such time that they are outstanding. We have not experienced any delinquencies or charged off any loans originated under the Interim Program. We held 12 loans originated under the Interim Program with an aggregate $225.3 million balance as of December 31, 2014.

 

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Since 2013 we have offered a large loan bridge program through a partnership in which we own a five-percent interest. The loans in the Bridge Program are selected and funded by the Bridge Partnership and underwritten by us. We receive an asset management fee on the invested capital for managing the Bridge Program and servicing the loans. The Bridge Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans. We account for our five-percent interest under the equity method of accounting. The Bridge Partnership held one loan originated under the Bridge Program with a $44.2 million unpaid principal balance as of December 31, 2014.

We own a 20% interest in a partnership with an affiliate of our largest stockholder, Fortress (the “CMBS Partnership”). The CMBS Partnership began offering financing through a CMBS platform for all commercial property types throughout the United States (the “CMBS Program”) during 2014. The CMBS Partnership expects to sell all loans originated by it into secondary securitization offerings within 90 days of origination. The loans in the CMBS Partnership are selected and funded by the CMBS Partnership and underwritten by us. We receive a fee for servicing the loans. The CMBS Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans while it holds the loans. We account for our 20 percent interest under the equity method of accounting. The CMBS Partnership originated $116.1 million of loans through the CMBS Program and contributed loans to two third-party securitizations during 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, our servicing portfolio was $44.0 billion, up 13% from December 31, 2013, making it the 8th largest commercial/multifamily primary and master servicing portfolio in the nation according to the Mortgage Bankers’ Association’s 2014 year-end survey (the “Survey”). Our servicing portfolio includes $33.4 billion of loans serviced for the GSEs, making us the 5th largest primary and master servicer of GSE loans in the nation according to the Survey. Also included in our servicing portfolio is $5.8 billion of HUD loans, the 6th largest HUD primary and master servicing portfolio in the nation according to the Survey.

Due to our own organic growth and the increased loan-origination capacity from the CW Acquisition, our origination volume increased 35%, from a total of $8.4 billion during 2013 to a total of $11.4 billion during 2014. Fannie Mae recently announced that we ranked as its largest DUS lender for the third consecutive year, by loan deliveries, and Freddie Mac recently announced that we ranked as its 3rd largest Program Plus seller in 2014, by loan deliveries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. The estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors management believes to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. We believe the following critical accounting policies represent the areas where more significant judgments and estimates are used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSRs) and Guaranty Obligations. MSRs are recorded at fair value at loan sale. The fair value is based on estimates of expected net cash flows associated with the servicing rights and takes into consideration an estimate of loan prepayment. The estimated net cash flows are discounted at a rate that reflects the credit and liquidity risk of the MSR over the estimated life of the underlying loan. The discount rates used throughout the periods presented were between 10-15% and varied based on the loan type. The life of the underlying loan is estimated giving consideration to the prepayment provisions in the loan. Our model assumes full prepayment of the loan at or near the point where the prepayment provisions have expired. We only recognize MSRs for GSE and HUD originations. We do not recognize MSRs for brokered transactions since we do not originate and sell the loan.

 

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In addition to the MSR, for all Fannie Mae DUS loans with risk-sharing obligations, upon sale we record the greater of (1) the fair value of the obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guaranty (non-contingent obligation) and (2) the fair value of the expected loss from the risk-sharing obligations in the event of a borrower default (contingent obligation). In determining the fair value of the guaranty obligation, we consider the risk profile of the collateral, historical loss experience, and various market indicators. Generally, the estimated fair value of the guaranty obligation is based on the present value of the cash flows expected to be paid under the guaranty over the life of the loan (three to five basis points annually for the periods presented), discounted using a 12-15% discount rate. Historically, the contingent obligation has been de minimis upon loan sale and thus not recognized at that time. The discount rate used to calculate the guaranty obligation is consistent with what is used to calculate the corresponding MSR. The estimated life of the guaranty obligation is the estimated period over which we believe we will be required to stand ready under the guaranty.

The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of MSRs and guaranty obligations at loan sale are based on internal models and are compared to assumptions used by other market participants periodically. Due to the relatively few transactions in the multifamily MSR market, we have experienced little volatility in the assumptions we use during the periods presented, including the most-significant assumption – the discount rate. Additionally, we do not expect to see much volatility in the assumptions for the foreseeable future. Management actively monitors the assumptions used and makes adjustments to those assumptions when market conditions change or other factors indicate such adjustments are warranted. We carry MSRs at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and evaluate the carrying value for impairment on a portfolio basis quarterly. We engage a third party to assist in determining an estimated fair value of our MSRs on a semi-annual basis.

The MSR and associated guaranty obligation are amortized into expense over their estimated lives and presented as a component of the Amortization and depreciation line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The MSR is amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received. The guaranty obligation is amortized evenly over its expected life. If a loan defaults and is not expected to become current or pays off prior to the estimated life, the unamortized MSR and guaranty obligation balances are written off through the Amortization and depreciation line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Allowance for Risk-sharing Obligations and Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for risk-sharing obligations relates to our at risk servicing portfolio and is presented as a separate liability within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowance for loan losses relates to our loans held for investment from our Interim Program and is included as a component of Loans held for investment, net within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of each of these allowances considers our assessment of the likelihood of repayment by the borrower or key principal(s), the risk characteristics of the loan, the loan’s risk rating, historical loss experience, adverse situations affecting individual loans, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral, and the level of risk sharing, which for loans held for investment is 100 percent. Historically, initial loss recognition occurs at or before a loan becomes 60 days delinquent. We regularly monitor each allowance on all applicable loans and update loss estimates as current information is received. The Provision for credit losses line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income reflects the income statement impact of changes to both the allowance for risk-sharing obligations and allowance for loan losses.

We evaluate all of our loans held for investment for impairment quarterly. Our impairment evaluation focuses primarily on payment status and property financial performance. We consider a loan impaired when the current facts and circumstances suggest it is not probable that we will collect all contractually due principal and interest payments. When a loan is not considered impaired, we apply a collective allowance that is based on recent historical loss probability and historical loss rates incurred in our risk-sharing portfolio, adjusted as needed for current market conditions (“loss factors”). We use the loss experience from our risk-sharing portfolio as a proxy for losses incurred in our loans held for investment portfolio since (i) we have not experienced any actual losses related to our loans held for investment to date and (ii) the loans in the loans held for investment portfolio have similar characteristics to loans held in the risk-sharing portfolio. Since the inception of the Interim Program, we have not had any delinquent or specifically impaired loans or charged off any loans. The historical loss

 

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factors are updated quarterly. We have not experienced significant change in the loss factors over the past several years. These loss factors may change in the future as economic and market conditions change and as the Interim Program matures.

We perform a quarterly evaluation of all of our risk-sharing loans to determine whether a loss is probable. Our process for identifying which risk-sharing loans may be probable of loss consists of an assessment of several qualitative and quantitative factors including payment status, property financial performance, local real estate market conditions, loan to value ratio, debt service coverage ratio, and property condition. When we believe a loss is probable for a specific loan, we record an allowance for that loan. The allowance is based on the estimate of the property fair value less selling and property preservation costs and considers the loss-sharing requirements detailed below in the “Credit Quality and Allowance for Risk-Sharing Obligations” section. The estimate of property fair value at initial recognition of the allowance for risk-sharing obligations is based on broker opinions of value or appraisals. The allowance for risk-sharing obligations is updated as any additional information is received until the loss is settled with Fannie Mae. The settlement with Fannie Mae is based on the actual sales price of the property and selling and property preservation costs and considers the Fannie Mae loss-sharing requirements. Historically, the initial allowance for risk-sharing obligation has not varied significantly from the final settlement. We are uncertain whether such a trend will continue in the future.

Overview of Current Business Environment

Throughout 2014, the fundamentals of the commercial and multifamily real estate market continued their improvement following the recession. Multifamily occupancy rates and effective rents increased based upon strengthening rental market demand while delinquency rates remain at historic lows, all of which aid loan performance due to their importance to the cash flows of the underlying properties. Most other commercial real estate asset classes saw similar improvements. The increased demand and cash flows have boosted the value of many commercial and multifamily properties towards the high end of the historical ranges.

In addition to the improved property fundamentals, for the last several years, the U.S. commercial mortgage market has experienced historically low interest rates, leading many borrowers to seek refinancing prior to the scheduled maturity date of their loans. As borrowers have sought to take advantage of the interest rate environment and improved property fundamentals, the number of lenders and amount of capital available to lend have increased dramatically. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, commercial and multifamily loan maturities in 2014 were at their lowest point since 2009 in advance of a significant “wave of maturities” expected from 2015 through 2017, as the loans originated at the height of the CMBS market begin maturing a decade later. With significantly fewer mortgage maturities in 2014 and an abundant supply of capital from CMBS, banks, life insurance companies, and the Agencies, competition for commercial real estate loans was fierce; consequently, our brokered originations increased only 1% from 2013 to 2014. Additionally, the fierce competition has put downward pressure on our gains from mortgage banking activities margin.

With property values for many fully leased commercial and multifamily assets at their highest point in recent years with near historic lows in capitalization rates and greatly improved property fundamentals, it has been difficult for borrowers to generate desired returns. As a result, many of our borrowers are seeking higher returns by identifying and acquiring the transitional properties that the Interim Program and the Bridge Program are designed to address. The growth in transitional lending was evident in 2014, as we originated $339.8 million of interim loans for our balance sheet compared to $147.8 million in 2013. We expect interim loan financing to be an active market in 2015. The demand for transitional lending has brought increased competition from lenders, specifically banks, life insurance companies, and, more recently, the GSEs. All are actively pursuing transitional properties by leveraging their low cost of capital and desire for short-term, high-yield commercial real estate investments.

In March 2013, the FHFA, communicated a goal to reduce the GSEs’ 2013 multifamily loan origination volumes 10% from 2012 levels. The reduction in lending capacity during a period of increased competition from

 

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banks, life insurance companies, and CMBS adversely impacted the GSEs’ ability to compete for new multifamily mortgages. In addition, because the GSEs were operating uncapped for the first quarter of 2013, by the time the GSEs implemented changes to their 2013 business plan following the release of the scorecard, they were well ahead of the pace needed to stay within the newly established caps. As a result, the GSEs were not competing for new loans by the middle of Q2 2013 as they looked to manage their remaining allocations under the lending caps for the rest of the year. In late 2013, the FHFA named its new permanent Director, Melvin Watt. In May 2014, the FHFA announced the 2014 multifamily scorecard for the GSEs, the first under Director Watt, stating that the 2013 loan origination volume limits would remain unchanged in 2014, except that loans for affordable or manufactured housing communities would not count towards the limits. The publication of the 2014 scorecard led to a significant increase in the loan origination volumes for the GSEs in the second half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The FHFA released its 2015 scorecard for the GSEs in January 2015. Fannie Mae’s loan origination limits remained unchanged, while Freddie Mac’s limits increased to $30.0 billion. Affordable housing loans, loans to small multifamily properties, and manufactured housing rental community loans continue to be outside of the loan origination limits.

In 2014, we originated $7.6 billion of multifamily mortgages with the GSEs, up $3.2 billion, or 71% year over year. In the first half of 2014, the GSEs originations were negatively impacted by the trough in mortgage maturities, as well as the uncertainty of the regulatory environment under newly appointed Director Watt, resulting in a decrease in GSE loan origination volume for the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Following the release of the scorecard in May 2014, the GSEs actively competed for new deal flow, and originated new loans at an increased level during the second half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. We expect the GSEs to remain active and competitive for new deals in 2015. Our originations with the GSEs are some of our most profitable executions as they provide significant non-cash gains from mortgage servicing rights. While it is not expected, a decline in GSE originations would negatively impact our financial results as our non-cash revenues would decrease disproportionately with loan origination volumes.

We do not know whether the FHFA will impose stricter limitations on GSE multifamily production volume in 2016 and beyond. As noted previously, we are diversifying and scaling our lending platform to limit the impact of such events on our ability to do business and meet our customers’ needs.

In response to increased demand from life insurance companies, banks, and CMBS for long-term, fixed-rate commercial and multifamily loans, and in preparation for the 2015-2017 wave of maturities, we have significantly grown our Capital Markets platform over the past few years, adding origination talent in Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona, California, Illinois, and Georgia. Additionally, on November 1, 2014, we closed the acquisition of Johnson Capital, doubling the size of our Capital Markets origination team and significantly expanding our brokerage network, especially in the Western and Southwestern United States. As we have grown our Capital Markets origination team, we also have expanded our network of life insurance companies and banks into which those originators can deliver new commercial and multifamily mortgages. As the demand from banks and life insurance companies has increased in recent years, our investments in this business have resulted in significant growth in brokered originations in the past few years. In 2013 we experienced significant growth in our brokered originations on multifamily properties as banks, life insurance companies, and CMBS took advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac following the release of the FHFA 2013 GSE scorecard that required a reduction in the GSEs’ multifamily loan origination volumes. The combination of record multifamily activity and commercial real estate loan maturities hitting their lowest levels since 2009 led to only a 1% increase in our brokered originations in 2014. While we expect the GSEs to continue to be very active in 2015, the anticipated wave of maturities within the broader commercial real estate market coupled with the acquisition of Johnson Capital should allow for significant growth in our brokered originations in 2015.

In addition to banks and life insurance companies, there has been a recent increase in demand for CMBS bonds backed by commercial and multifamily mortgages. The peak of the CMBS market was between 2005 and 2007, and after its collapse in 2008, CMBS originations were close to zero. However, in recent years, the demand for commercial and multifamily bonds has increased and we have experienced increased competition from an

 

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ever-growing CMBS mortgage origination market. According to Commercial Mortgage Alert (“CMA”), there are 36 CMBS lenders today, and originations from commercial and multifamily CMBS lenders were $94.1 billion in 2014, up 9% from 2013 and up from almost zero five years ago. CMA also forecasts that the CMBS origination market will increase to $124.0 billion in 2015 as the first wave of CMBS refinancing begins. It is the increased demand for CMBS bonds backed by commercial and multifamily mortgages and the expected wave of refinancing activity upcoming in the next three years that led us to form the CMBS Partnership. We originated $89.5 million of loans for the CMBS Partnership in 2014, and the CMBS Partnership participated in two third-party securitizations in 2014, contributing $116.1 million of assets to the securitizations. Participating in these securitizations in 2014 is an important step for our CMBS Partnership and positions us to actively participate in the upcoming wave of refinancing.

The positive market dynamics that have benefitted the GSEs and broader capital markets have had the opposite effect on HUD’s multifamily business. As the economy has recovered and bank and CMBS capital has re-entered the market, borrowers have shied away from the long lead times required to secure a HUD loan. As a result, we originated $704 million of loans with HUD in 2014, down 38% from the previous year. Yet even with this significant decline in origination activity, our HUD team was able to achieve their 2014 revenue target due to strong gain-on-sale margins. As HUD’s multifamily business has declined, several of our competitors have diverted resources and capital away from their HUD businesses. We, on the other hand, have remained active in the HUD multifamily business, adding resources and scale to our HUD business, particularly in the area of seniors housing where HUD remains the dominant provider of capital. HUD maintains its $30 billion capital allocation for the 2015 Fiscal Year, although we believe it is unlikely HUD will reach that limit.

Factors That May Impact Our Operating Results

We believe that our results are affected by a number of factors, including the items discussed below.

 

    Performance of Multifamily and Other Commercial Real Estate Related Markets. Our business is dependent on the general demand for, and value of, commercial real estate and related services, which are sensitive to economic conditions and the continued existence of the GSEs. Demand for multifamily and other commercial real estate generally increases during stronger economic environments, resulting in increased property values, transaction volumes and loan origination volumes. During weaker economic environments, multifamily and other commercial real estate may experience higher property vacancies, lower demand and reduced values. These conditions can result in lower property transaction volumes and loan originations, as well as an increased level of servicer advances and losses from our Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing obligations and our interim lending programs.

 

    The Level of Losses from Fannie Mae Risk-Sharing Obligations and from Loans Held for Investment. Under the Fannie Mae DUS program, we share risk of loss on most loans we sell to Fannie Mae. In the majority of cases, we absorb the first 5% of any losses on the loan’s unpaid principal balance at the time of loss settlement, and above 5% we share a percentage of the loss with Fannie Mae, with our maximum loss capped at 20% of the loan’s unpaid principal balance on the origination date (subject to doubling or tripling if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if the loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae). As a result, a rise in defaults could have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, we bear 100% of the risk of loss on loans held for investment. We have not experienced any losses, delinquencies, or defaults related to the loans held for investment. Defaults and other deteriorations in credit quality in our loans held for investment could materially adversely impact us.

 

    The Price of Loans in the Secondary Market. Our profitability is determined in part by the price we are paid for the loans we originate. A component of our origination related revenues is the premium we recognize on the sale of a loan. Stronger investor demand typically results in larger premiums while weaker demand results in little to no premium.

 

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    Market for Servicing Commercial Real Estate Loans. Servicing fee rates for new loans are set at the time we enter into a loan sale commitment based on origination fees, competition, prepayment rates and any risk-sharing obligations we undertake. Historically, we have only experienced much variation in the servicing fee rate we receive for Fannie Mae loans. Changes in servicing fee rates impact the value of our MSRs and future servicing revenues, which could impact our profit margins and operating results over time.

 

    The Percentage of Adjustable Rate Loans Originated. The adjustable rate mortgage loans (“ARMs”) we originate typically have less stringent prepayment protection features than fixed rate mortgage loans (“FRMs”), resulting in a shorter expected life for ARMs than FRMs. The shorter expected life for ARMs results in smaller MSRs recorded than for FRMs. Absent an increase in originations, an increase in the proportion of our loans originated that are ARMs could adversely impact the gains from mortgage banking activities we record.

Revenues

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities. Mortgage banking activity income is recognized when we record a derivative asset upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell to an investor. The commitment asset is recognized at fair value, which reflects the fair value of the contractual loan origination related fees and sale premiums, net of co-broker fees, the estimated fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan and the estimated fair value of guaranty obligations to be retained. Also included in gains from mortgage banking activities are changes to the fair value of loan commitments, forward sale commitments, and loans held for sale that occur during their respective holding periods. Upon sale of the loans, no gains or losses are recognized as such loans are recorded at fair value during their holding periods. MSRs and guaranty obligations are recognized as assets and liabilities, respectively, upon the sale of the loans.

Brokered loans tend to have lower origination fees because they often require less time to execute, there is more competition for brokerage assignments, and because the borrower will also have to pay an origination fee to the institutional lender.

Premiums received on the sale of a loan result when a loan is sold to an investor for more than its face value. There are various reasons investors may pay a premium when purchasing a loan. For example, the fixed rate on the loan may be higher than the rate of return required by an investor or the characteristics of a particular loan may be desirable to an investor. We do not receive premiums on brokered loans.

MSRs are recorded at fair value the day we sell a loan. The fair value is based on estimates of future net cash flows associated with the servicing rights. The estimated net cash flows are discounted at a rate that reflects the credit and liquidity risk of the MSR over the estimated life of the loan.

Servicing Fees. We service nearly all loans we originate and some loans we broker. We earn servicing fees for performing certain loan servicing functions, such as processing loan, tax, and insurance payments and managing escrow balances. Servicing generally also includes asset management functions, such as monitoring the physical condition of the property, analyzing the financial condition and liquidity of the borrower, and performing loss mitigation activities as directed by the GSEs and HUD.

Our servicing fees on loans we originate provide a stable revenue stream. They are based on contractual terms, are earned over the life of the loan, and are generally not subject to significant prepayment risk. Our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing agreements provide for make-whole payments in the event of a voluntary prepayment. Accordingly, we currently do not hedge our servicing portfolio for prepayment risk. Any make-whole payments received are included in Other income.

 

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HUD has the right to terminate our current servicing engagements for cause. In addition to termination for cause, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may terminate our servicing engagements without cause by paying a termination fee. Our institutional investors typically may terminate our servicing engagements at any time with or without cause, without paying a termination fee.

Net Warehouse Interest Income, Loans Held for Sale. We earn net interest income on loans funded through borrowings from our warehouse facilities from the time the loan is closed until the loan is sold pursuant to the loan purchase agreement. Each borrowing on a warehouse line relates to a specific loan for which we have already secured a loan sale commitment with an investor. Because of this “matched funding,” we typically do not incur warehouse interest expense in excess of the warehouse interest income for a particular loan. Related interest expense from the warehouse loan funding is netted in our financial statements against interest income. Net warehouse interest income related to loans held for sale varies based on the period of time between the loan closing and the sale of the loan to the investor, the size of the average balance of the loans held for sale, and the net interest spread between the loan coupon rate and the cost of warehouse financing. Loans typically remain in the warehouse facility for up to 60 days. Loans that we broker for institutional investors and other investors are funded directly by them; therefore, there is no warehouse interest income or expense associated with brokered loan transactions.

Net Warehouse Interest Income, Loans Held for Investment. Similar to loans held for sale, we earn net interest income on loans held for investment during the period they are outstanding. We earn interest income on the loan, which is funded partially by an investment of our cash and through one of our interim warehouse credit facilities. The loans originated for investment are typically interest-only, variable-rate loans of terms up to three years. The warehouse credit facilities are variable rate. The interest rate reset date is typically the same for the loans and the credit facility. Similar to our loans held for sale, each borrowing under the warehouse facilities is for a specific loan, resulting in “matched funding.” Consequently, we do not incur warehouse interest expense for credit facilities used to fund loans held for investment without receiving interest income. Therefore, related interest expense from the warehouse loan funding is netted in our financial statements against interest income. Net warehouse interest income related to loans held for investment varies based on the period of time the loans are outstanding, the size of the average balance of the loans held for investment, and the net interest spread between the loan coupon rate and the cost of warehouse financing.

Escrow Earnings and Other Interest Income. We earn interest income on property level escrow deposits in our servicing portfolio, generally based on a fixed placement fee negotiated with the financial institutions that hold the escrow deposits. Escrow earnings reflect interest income net of interest paid to the borrower, which generally equals a money market rate.

Other. Other income is comprised of fees for processing loan assumptions, pre-payment fee income, application fees, and other miscellaneous revenues related to our mortgage banking operations which are not directly attributable to the origination of a loan.

Costs and Expenses

Personnel. Personnel expense includes the cost of employee compensation and benefits, which include fixed and discretionary amounts tied to company and individual performance, commissions, severance expense, signing and retention bonuses, and share-based compensation.

Amortization and Depreciation. Amortization and depreciation is principally comprised of amortization of our MSRs. The MSRs are amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received. We amortize the guaranty obligations evenly over their expected lives. We depreciate property, plant, and equipment ratably over their estimated useful lives.

 

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Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization of intangible assets is principally related to the amortization of the mortgage pipeline intangible asset recognized in connection with acquisitions. For the years presented, the amortization relates primarily to the mortgage pipeline intangible asset recognized in the CW Acquisition. We recognize amortization related to the mortgage pipeline intangible asset when a loan included in the mortgage pipeline intangible asset is rate locked or is probable of not rate locking.

Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses consists of two components: the provision associated with our risk-sharing loans and the provision associated with our loans held for investment. The provision for credit losses associated with risk-sharing loans is established at the loan level when the borrower has defaulted on the loan or we believe it is probable the borrower will default on the loan and a loss has been incurred. This provision is in addition to the guaranty obligation that is recognized when the loan is sold. The provision for credit losses associated with our loans held for investment is established collectively for loans that are not impaired and individually for loans that are impaired. Our estimates of value are based on appraisals, broker opinions of value, or net operating income and market capitalization rates, whichever we believe is the best estimate of the net disposition value.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses include sub-servicing costs, facilities costs, travel and entertainment costs, marketing costs, professional fees, license fees, dues and subscriptions, corporate insurance premiums, and other administrative expenses. As a result of the completion of the CW Acquisition, we incurred certain costs that are unique to the CW Acquisition, significantly increasing the amount of other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Income Tax Expense. The Company is a C-corporation subject to both federal and state corporate tax. As of both December 31, 2014 and 2013, our combined effective federal and state tax rate was 38.3%.

Results of Operations

Following is a discussion of our results of operation for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Our quarterly results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future, reflecting the interest rate environment, the volume of transactions and general economic conditions.

The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 reflect only four months’ impact of the CW Acquisition, which materially affects the comparability of the results of operations from 2012 to 2013 and 2014. Please refer to “Selected Financial Data” and the table below, which provide supplemental data regarding our financial performance.

 

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     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands, except per share data)    2014     2013     2012  

Origination Data:

      

Origination Volumes by Product Type

      

Fannie Mae

   $ 4,000,278     $ 2,762,595     $ 3,329,639  

Freddie Mac

     3,626,276       1,709,781       1,685,447  

Ginnie Mae—HUD

     704,496       1,137,513       855,346  

Brokered (1)

     2,607,346       2,593,128       1,196,449  

Interim Loans

     339,802       192,020       35,304  

CMBS (2)

     89,508       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Originations

$ 11,367,706   $ 8,395,037   $ 7,102,185  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Key Performance Metrics:

Operating margin

  23   21   22

Adjusted operating margin (3)

  23   22   31

Return on equity

  13   11   14

Net income

$ 51,422    $ 41,530    $ 33,772   

Adjusted EBITDA (3)

$ 84,804    $ 56,783    $ 29,377   

Diluted EPS

$ 1.58    $ 1.21    $ 1.31   

Adjusted diluted EPS (3)

$ 1.59    $ 1.28    $ 1.87   

Key Expense Metrics (as a percentage of total revenues):

Personnel expenses

  41   42   42

Other operating expenses

  10   12   13

Key Origination Metrics (as a percentage of origination volume):

Origination related fees

  1.10   1.33   1.32

Gains attributable to MSRs

  0.85   1.10   1.30

Gains attributable to MSRs, as a percentage of GSE and HUD origination volume (4)

  1.16   1.64   1.58

 

     As of December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Servicing Portfolio by Product Type:

      

Fannie Mae

   $ 20,521,425     $ 19,352,880     $ 18,854,611  

Freddie Mac

     12,916,705       10,271,732       9,114,221  

Ginnie Mae—HUD

     5,828,981       5,044,193       4,642,380  

Brokered (1)

     4,423,396       4,132,602       2,549,287  

Interim Loans

     225,318       135,620       9,500  

CMBS (5)

     116,065       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Servicing Portfolio

$ 44,031,890   $ 38,937,027   $ 35,169,999  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Key Servicing Metric (end of period):

Weighted-average servicing fee rate

  0.24   0.24   0.24

 

(1) Brokered transactions for commercial mortgage backed securities, life insurance companies, and commercial banks.

 

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(2) Brokered transactions for the CMBS Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the CMBS Partnership’s loan originations totaled $116.1 million, $0, and $0, respectively.
(3) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on our non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(4) The fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained, as a percentage of GSE and HUD volume. No MSRs are recorded for “brokered” transactions or interim loan program and CMBS originations.
(5) All loans originated by the CMBS Partnership, whether brokered by us or not, are serviced by us.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Overview

Our income from operations was $83.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $66.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 26% increase. Our total revenues were $360.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $319.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 13% increase. Our total expenses were $276.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $252.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 10% increase. Our operating margin was 23% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 21% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenues was largely the result of increases in servicing fees, net warehouse interest income, and gains from mortgage banking activities. Servicing fees increased due to an increase in the average servicing portfolio from $37.6 billion during 2013 to $40.4 billion during 2014. The increase in net warehouse interest income was due primarily to a 37% increase in the average daily balance of loans held for sale and a 202% increase in the average balance of loans held for investment. The increase in gains from mortgage banking activities is primarily the result of a significant increase in loan origination volume from 2013 to 2014. The growth in expenses was primarily attributable to increased commission costs due to increased loan origination volumes and increased bonus expense due to our improved financial performance year over year, partially offset by lower salaries and benefit expenses due to a cost reduction effort implemented in 2013, which reduced headcount. Additionally, interest expense on corporate debt increased primarily due to an increase in the average balance of corporate debt outstanding and due to an increase in the interest rate paid period over period.

Our net income was $51.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $41.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 24% increase.

Revenues

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities. Gains from mortgage banking activities were $222.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $203.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 9% increase. Gains from mortgage banking activities reflect the loan origination fees, premiums or losses from the sale of loans, net of any co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained (“MSR income”). The increase was largely the result of a 35% increase in loan origination volume, partially offset by a decrease in origination fees as a percentage of loan origination volumes (“origination fee rate”) and a decrease in MSR income as a percentage of loan origination volume (“MSR rate”). The decreases in the MSR rate and the origination fee rate were the result of (i) the increased competition for multifamily and commercial real estate loan originations as discussed more fully above in the Overview of Current Business Environment section (ii) a small increase in lower margin loan originations as a percentage of total loan origination volumes, and (iii) a large increase in adjustable rate loan origination volume as a percentage of loan origination volume.

Servicing Fees. Servicing fees were $98.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $90.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 9% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to a 7% increase in the average servicing portfolio to $40.4 billion during 2014 from $37.6 billion during 2013 due to loan origination volumes exceeding the amount of loan maturities, payoffs, and amortization during the year.

 

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Net Warehouse Interest Income, loans held for sale. Net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale was $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an 83% increase. The increase is primarily attributable to a 14% increase in the net warehouse margin and a 37% increase in the average daily outstanding warehouse balance. The components of net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale are:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2014      2013  
(in thousands)      

Warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

   $ 24,615      $ 17,576  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for sale

     (13,272 )      (11,362 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

$ 11,343   $ 6,214  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Warehouse Interest Income, loans held for investment. Net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment was $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 400% increase. The increase was primarily due to a larger average balance outstanding during 2014 than 2013, from $62.5 million during 2013 to $188.6 million during 2014. The components of net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment are:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

   $ 11,092      $ 3,583  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for investment

     (4,941 )      (2,352 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

$ 6,151   $ 1,231  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other. Other income was $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 34% increase. The increase is primarily attributable to a $6.9 million increase in loan prepayment fees, partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in servicing termination fees. In 2013, we received a $1.8 million servicing termination fee from Fannie Mae. There was no comparable transaction in 2014.

Expenses

Personnel. Personnel expense was $149.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $133.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 12% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in loan originator commissions due to higher loan origination volumes year over year and an increase in bonus expense due to our improved financial performance year over year. The increase was partially offset by lower salaries expense due to a 2013 cost reduction effort that reduced headcount.

Amortization and Depreciation. Amortization and depreciation expense was $79.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $72.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 9% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to loan origination activity and the resulting growth in the capitalization of MSRs in 2014 and the addition of $8.2 million of MSRs in 2014 from the Johnson Capital acquisition. Also included in amortization and depreciation are write-offs of MSRs resulting from the prepayment or default of the underlying loan prior to its scheduled maturity. During 2014, write-offs of MSRs increased $0.8 million from the prior year to $11.4 million.

 

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Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 75% decrease. Amortization of intangible assets is principally related to the amortization of the mortgage pipeline intangible asset recognized in connection with the CW Acquisition. We recognize amortization related to the mortgage pipeline intangible asset when a loan included in the mortgage pipeline intangible asset is rate locked or is probable of not rate locking. Many of the loan applications underlying the mortgage pipeline intangible asset were expected to, and did, rate lock within several months of the CW Acquisition in September 2012, resulting in most of the amortization occurring in 2012 and 2013.

Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses was $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 67%, increase. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in the 60+ day delinquency rate from 0.02% of the at risk portfolio at December 31, 2013 to 0.10% of the at risk portfolio at December 31, 2014. The increase in the 60+ day delinquency rate relates to loans on one property in our at-risk portfolio. Additionally, during 2013, a loan for which we had previously recorded a loss reserve paid off with no loss to us, resulting in a net recapture of previous provision recorded. The timing of loans becoming probable of loss is unpredictable (as many factors can, and often do, play a role in determining when a loan is probably of loss). We regularly monitor our risk-sharing obligations on all loans and update our loss estimates as current information is received. The credit quality of our at risk servicing portfolio remains strong as of December 31, 2014.

Interest Expense on Corporate Debt. The interest expense on corporate debt was $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 175% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to a 104% increase in the average corporate debt outstanding. In addition, the average interest rate on our corporate debt outstanding increased approximately 150 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses were $34.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $37.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 7% decrease. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in rent expense, travel and entertainment expense, and professional fees. The decrease in rent expense was due to decreased annual rent as a result of a reduction in the office space associated with our Needham, MA office during the second quarter of 2013. Additionally, we incurred a modification fee of $0.8 million associated with the lease for our Needham, MA office in the second quarter of 2013 with no comparable expense in 2014. The decrease in travel and entertainment expense relates to the decrease in average headcount period over period. The decrease in professional fees is due to a decrease in external recruiting costs period over period.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $32.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 29% increase. The increase is due primarily to an increase in income from operations year over year.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

Overview

Our income from operations was $66.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 20% increase. Our total revenues were $319.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $256.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 24% increase. Our total expenses were $252.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $201.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 25% increase. Our operating margin was 21% for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to 22% for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to increases in gains from mortgage banking activities and servicing fees.

 

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Gains from mortgage banking activities increased due to higher overall origination volumes, partially offset by a 19 basis point decrease in fees as a percentage of loan origination volume. Servicing fees increased due to an increase in the average servicing portfolio from $22.5 billion during 2012 to $37.6 billion during 2013. The growth in expenses was primarily attributable to personnel expenses from the increased headcount after the CW Acquisition and increases in amortization and depreciation due to the growth of the MSR portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in amortization of intangible assets.

Our net income was $41.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $33.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 23% increase.

Revenues

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities. Gains from mortgage banking activities were $203.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $186.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 9% increase. Gains reflect the loan origination fees, premiums or losses from the sale of loans, net of any co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained. The increase is attributable to the increase in the volume of loans originated year over year due to internal growth and the CW Acquisition. Loan origination volumes increased to $8.4 billion in 2013, compared to $7.1 billion in 2012, an 18% increase. The increase in revenue due to loan origination volumes was partially offset by a 20 basis point decline in the average fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loan as a percentage of loan origination volume. The 20 basis point decline was the result of the change in the loan origination mix year over year, with more of the volume in 2013 coming from transactions where we do not generate expected cash flows associated with servicing the loans.

Servicing Fees. Servicing fees were $90.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $52.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 73% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to a 67% increase in the average servicing portfolio to $37.6 billion at December 31, 2013 from $22.5 billion at December 31, 2012, combined with a slight increase in the weighted average servicing fee. The increase in the average servicing portfolio was due to the $14.5 billion servicing portfolio from the CW Acquisition and 2013 loan origination volume.

Net Warehouse Interest Income, loans held for sale. Net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale was $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 42% increase. The increase is primarily attributable to a 94% increase in the net warehouse margin, partially offset by a 4% decrease in the average outstanding warehouse balance. The components of net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale are:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2013      2012  

Warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

   $ 17,576      $ 16,562  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for sale

     (11,362 )      (12,201 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

$ 6,214   $ 4,361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Net Warehouse Interest Income, loans held for investment. Net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment was $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 301% increase. The increase was due to a larger average balance outstanding during 2013 than 2012. The components of net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment are:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2013      2012  

Warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

   $ 3,583      $ 799  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for investment

     (2,352 )      (492 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

$ 1,231   $ 307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Escrow Earnings and Other Interest Income. Escrow earnings and other interest income was $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 35% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in escrow earnings rates on servicing portfolio escrow balances, as well as an increase in our average escrow balances held.

Other. Other income was $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 32% increase. The increase is primarily attributable to a $1.8 million servicing termination fee and a $1.6 million increase in assumption fee income. The servicing termination fee related to loans from Fannie Mae’s small loan portfolio that it sold servicing released to a third party. In connection with the sale, Fannie Mae paid us a servicing termination fee for transferring the servicing rights to the third party. There was no comparable transaction in 2012.

Expenses

Personnel. Personnel expense was $133.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $109.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 23% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in loan originator commissions and salaries. Salaries increased as we increased our average headcount due the CW Acquisition from 271 for the year ended December 31, 2012 to 433 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Loan originator commissions increased due to the increase in loan origination volumes year over year.

Amortization and Depreciation. Amortization and depreciation expense was $72.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $38.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an 88% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to loan origination activity and resulting growth in the capitalization of MSRs in 2013 and the addition of $124.6 million of MSRs in 2012 from the CW Acquisition. Also included in amortization and depreciation are write-offs of MSRs resulting from the prepayment or default of the underlying mortgage prior to its scheduled maturity. During 2013, write-offs of MSRs increased $3.7 million from the prior year to $10.6 million.

Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization of intangible assets was $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $15.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an 80% decrease. Amortization of intangible assets is principally related to the amortization of the mortgage pipeline intangible asset recognized in connection with the CW Acquisition. We recognize amortization related to the mortgage pipeline intangible asset when a loan included in the mortgage pipeline intangible asset is rate locked or is probable of not rate locking. Many of the loan applications underlying the mortgage pipeline intangible asset were expected to, and did, rate lock within several months of the CW Acquisition, resulting in most of the amortization occurring in 2012.

 

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Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses was $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 58%, decrease. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in the 60+ day delinquency rate from 0.15% of the at risk portfolio at December 31, 2012 to 0.02% of the at risk portfolio at December 31, 2013. We regularly monitor our risk-sharing obligations on all loans and update our loss estimates as current information is received.

Interest Expense on Corporate Debt. The interest expense on corporate debt was $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 127% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to a 108% increase in the average corporate debt outstanding.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses were $37.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 13% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in rent, insurance, and licensing expenses due to the CW Acquisition and a $1.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt recorded in connection with the payoff of our existing $83.0 million term note. There was no comparable loss on extinguishment of debt in 2012. These increases were partially offset by decreases in professional services expenses incurred in 2012 in connection with the CW Acquisition but not incurred in 2013.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 15% increase. The increase is due to an increase in income from operations year over year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures:

 

    Pro forma net income

 

    Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share

 

    Adjusted net income

 

    Adjusted diluted earnings per share

 

    Adjusted total expenses

 

    Adjusted income from operations

 

    Adjusted operating margin

 

    Adjusted EBITDA

The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the following:

 

    reconciliation of income from operations to pro forma net income, included in our “Selected Financial Data” above and

 

    adjusted financial metrics reconciliation to GAAP, included in the “Operating Results” below and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Pro forma net income adjusts income from operations, as reported, by applying our estimated effective federal and state income tax rates as if we were a corporate tax payer for 2010. Management uses this non-GAAP measure in comparing our operating results with historical performance and believes it provides meaningful and comparable information to management and investors to assist in their review of our performance relative to prior periods and our competitors.

 

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The adjusted metrics exclude acquisition and integration costs specifically related to the CW Acquisition, amortization of customer contracts and other intangible assets acquired from CWCapital, severance and lease restructuring charges related to our fourth quarter 2013 expense reduction efforts, early extinguishment of our term loan facility, and revenues from the termination fee related to the transfer of servicing for a portion of the Fannie Mae small loan portfolio.

In addition, we present adjusted EBITDA, which is not a recognized measurement under GAAP. When analyzing our operating performance, readers should use adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as an alternative for, GAAP net income. Adjusted EBITDA represents GAAP net income before income taxes, adjusted for interest expense on our term loan facility, amortization and depreciation, provision for credit losses net of write-offs, stock-based incentive compensation charges, and non-cash revenues such as gains attributable to MSRs. In addition, adjusted EBITDA further excludes the impact of the CW Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs, severance and lease restructuring charges related to our fourth quarter 2013 expense reduction efforts, early extinguishment of our term loan facility, and revenues from the termination fee related to the transfer of servicing for a portion of the Fannie Mae small loan portfolio that are not considered part of our ongoing operations. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for our management’s discretionary use, as it does not reflect certain cash requirements such as tax and debt service payments. The amounts shown for adjusted EBITDA may also differ from the amounts calculated under similarly titled definitions in our debt instruments, which are further adjusted to reflect certain other cash and non-cash charges that are used to determine compliance with financial covenants.

We believe that these non-GAAP measures facilitate a review of the comparability of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis because such costs are not, in our view, related to our ongoing operational performance. We use non-GAAP measures to evaluate the operating performance of our business, for comparison with forecasts and strategic plans, and for benchmarking performance externally against competitors. We believe that these non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with our GAAP financials, provide useful information to investors by offering:

 

    the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our on-going operating results;

 

    the ability to better identify trends in our underlying business and perform related trend analyses; and

 

    a better understanding of how management plans and measures our underlying business.

These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with or an alternative for GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. We believe that these non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that these measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measures. We compensate for the limitations of non-GAAP financial measures by relying upon GAAP results to gain a complete picture of our performance.

 

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Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted total expenses, adjusted income from operations, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted EBITDA are calculated as follows:

ADJUSTED FINANCIAL METRICS RECONCILIATION TO GAAP

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2014     2013     2012  

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

      

GAAP net income

   $ 51,422     $ 41,530     $ 33,772  

Shares (1)

     32,624       34,336       25,845  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAAP diluted earnings per share

$ 1.58   $ 1.21   $ 1.31  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAAP net income

$ 51,422   $ 41,530   $ 33,772  

Adjustments:

Severance costs (2)

$ —     $ 429   $ 2,223  

Amortization of intangible assets

  509     3,009     15,182  

Deal-related expenses (3)

  —       —       6,538  

Lease modification and exit charges

  —       1,137     —    

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  —       1,214     —    

Gain on termination of servicing (4)

  —       (1,838 )   —    

Income tax impact of adjustments

  (195 )   (1,513 )   (9,314 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

$ 51,736   $ 43,968   $ 48,401  

Shares (1)

  32,624     34,336     25,845  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

$ 1.59   $ 1.28   $ 1.87  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Operations and GAAP Operating Margin to Adjusted Income from Operations and Adjusted Operating Margin

GAAP income from operations

$ 83,912   $ 66,787   $ 55,770  

Total revenues

  360,772     319,039     256,770  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAAP operating margin

  23   21   22
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAAP income from operations

$ 83,912   $ 66,787   $ 55,770  

Adjustments:

Severance costs (2)

$ —     $ 429   $ 2,223  

Amortization of intangible assets

  509     3,009     15,182  

Deal-related expenses (3)

  —       —       6,538  

Lease modification and exit charges

  —       1,137     —    

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  —       1,214     —    

Gain on termination of servicing (4)

  —       (1,838 )   —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted income from operations

$ 84,421   $ 70,738   $ 79,713  

Total revenues

  360,772     319,039     256,770  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted operating margin

  23   22   31
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expenses to Adjusted Total Expenses

GAAP total expenses

$ 276,860   $ 252,252   $ 201,000  

Adjustments:

Severance costs (2)

$ —     $ 429   $ 2,223  

Amortization of intangible assets

  509     3,009     15,182  

 

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ADJUSTED FINANCIAL METRICS RECONCILIATION TO GAAP (continued)

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2014     2013     2012  

Deal-related expenses (3)

     —         —         6,538  

Lease modification and exit charges

     —         1,137       —    

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —         1,214       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted total expenses

$ 276,351   $ 246,463   $ 177,057  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

GAAP net income

$ 51,422    $ 41,530    $ 33,772   

Recurring Adjustments:

Income tax expense

  32,490      25,257      21,998   

Interest expense

  10,311      3,743      1,649   

Amortization and depreciation

  79,629      72,946      38,743   

Provision for credit losses

  2,206      1,322      3,140   

Net write-offs

  (5,242   (9,188   (6,450

Stock compensation expense

  9,994      9,194      5,176   

Gains attributable to mortgage servicing rights (5)

  (96,515   (91,972   (92,594

Other Adjustments:

Severance costs (2)

  —        429      2,223   

Amortization of intangible assets

  509      3,009      15,182   

Deal-related expenses (3)

  —        —        6,538   

Lease modification and exit charges

  —        1,137      —     

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  —        1,214      —     

Gain on termination of servicing (4)

  —        (1,838   —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 84,804    $ 56,783    $ 29,377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1): Diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
(2): Severance costs incurred in connection with acquisitions (2012) and a cost reduction plan (2013).
(3): Includes legal, advisory fees, other professional fees, and a transition services agreement incurred in connection with acquisitions.
(4): Gain attributable to the termination of the servicing rights associated with a portion of our Fannie Mae small loan portfolio.
(5): Represents the fair value of the expected net cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net of the expected guaranty obligation.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Income from Operations. Adjusted net income was $51.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an 18% increase. The increase was primarily a result of increases in gains from mortgage banking activities of $18.3 million, servicing fees of $8.2 million, and net warehouse interest income of $10.0 million, partially offset by an increase in personnel expense of $16.1 million, an increase in amortization and depreciation of $6.5 million, and an increase in interest expense on corporate debt of $6.6 million. Gains from mortgage banking activities increased primarily due to an increase in loan origination volumes. Servicing fees increased due to an increase in the average servicing portfolio year over year as a result of new loan originations. Net warehouse interest income increased primarily due to increases in the average outstanding balances of loans held for sale and loans held for investment year over year. The increase in personnel expense was primarily due to an increase in commission costs due to increased loan origination volume and increased bonus expense due to our improved financial performance year over year, partially offset by a decrease in salaries expense from a 2013 cost reduction effort,

 

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which reduced headcount. The increase in amortization and depreciation expense is primarily related to loan origination activity and the resulting growth in the capitalization of MSRs in 2014. The increase in interest expense on corporate debt was primarily attributable to an increase in the average principal balance of corporate debt outstanding year over year coupled with an increase in the average interest rate on our corporate debt outstanding.

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.59 for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.28 for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 24% increase. The increase was attributable to an increase in adjusted net income year over year coupled with a decrease in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding from 2013 to 2014 as a result of our repurchase of 2.5 million shares of our common stock in March 2014.

Adjusted Operating Margin. Adjusted operating margin was 23% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 22% for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 5% increase.

Adjusted Total Expenses. Adjusted total expenses were $276.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $246.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 12% increase. The increase in adjusted total expenses is primarily the result of a $16.1 million increase in personnel expense, a $6.5 million increase in amortization and depreciation, and a $6.6 million increase in interest expense on corporate debt. The increase in personnel expense was primarily due to an increase in commission costs due to the increased loan origination volume and an increase in bonus expense due to our improved financial performance year over year, partially offset by a decrease in salaries expense from a 2013 cost reduction effort, which reduced headcount. The increase in amortization and depreciation expense is primarily related to loan origination activity and the resulting growth in the capitalization of MSRs in 2014. The increase in interest expense on corporate debt was primarily attributable to an increase in the average principal balance of corporate debt outstanding year over year coupled with an increase in the average interest rate on our corporate debt outstanding.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was $84.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $56.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, a 49% increase. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in loan origination fees, servicing fees, net warehouse interest income, and other income of $38.5 million and a decrease in net write offs of $3.9 million, partially offset by a $15.3 million increase in personnel expense. The increase in loan origination fees is primarily related to the increase in the volume of loans originated, partially offset by a decrease in origination fee rate year over year. Servicing fees increased due to an increase in the average servicing portfolio year over year as a result of new loan originations. Net warehouse interest income increased primarily due to an increase in the average outstanding balances of loans held for sale and loans held for investment year over year. Other income increased due to an increase in loan prepayment fees. The decrease in net write offs was due to a decrease in the volume of risk-sharing losses settled with Fannie Mae. The increase in personnel expense was primarily due to an increase in commission costs due to the increased loan origination volume and an increase in bonus expense due to our improved financial performance year over year, partially offset by a decrease in salaries expense from a 2013 cost reduction effort, which reduced headcount.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Income from Operations. Adjusted net income was $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $48.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 9% decrease. Adjusted income from operations was $70.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $79.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an 11% decrease. The decrease was due primarily to increases in personnel expense of $26.4 million and amortization and depreciation of $34.2 million, partially offset by increases in gains from mortgage banking activities of $17.1 million and servicing fees of $38.0 million. Personnel expense increased due to growth in headcount following the CW Acquisition and increased commissions expense from an increase in loan origination volume. Amortization and depreciation increased due to growth in the MSR portfolio following the CW Acquisition and continued growth of the portfolio through new originations. Gains from mortgage banking activities increased as a result of higher loan origination volume due

 

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to the CW Acquisition and internal growth. Servicing fees increased as a result of a higher average servicing portfolio due to 2013 loan origination volume and the $14.5 billion servicing portfolio obtained in the CW Acquisition.

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.28 for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $1.87 for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 32% decrease. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in adjusted net income year over year and an increase in the average diluted weighted shares outstanding from 2012 to 2013 due to shares issued as purchase price consideration in the CW Acquisition.

Adjusted Operating Margin. Adjusted operating margin was 22% for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 31% for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 29% decrease.

Adjusted Total Expenses. Adjusted total expenses were $246.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $177.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 39% increase. The increase in adjusted total expenses is primarily the result of a $34.2 million increase in amortization and depreciation and a $24.6 million increase in personnel expense. Amortization and depreciation increased primarily due to the growth of the MSR portfolio following the CW Acquisition and the continued growth of the portfolio through new originations. Also included in amortization and depreciation are write-offs of MSRs. During 2013, write-offs of MSRs increased $3.7 million from the prior year to $10.6 million. Personnel expense increased due to the growth in headcount following the CW Acquisition and due to increased commissions expense from an increase in loan origination volume due to the CW Acquisition and internal growth.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was $56.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $29.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a 93% increase. The increase was primarily a result of a $17.8 million increase in loan origination fees and a $38.0 million increase in servicing fees, partially offset by increases in commissions and net write-offs. Loan origination fees increased due to the CW Acquisition and internal growth. Servicing fees increased due to the $14.5 billion servicing portfolio acquired in the CW Acquisition and 2013 loan origination volume. Commissions increased due to an increase in loan origination volumes, and net write-offs increased as more losses reserved for in prior years were settled with Fannie Mae.

Financial Condition

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operations are generated from loan sales, servicing fees, escrow earnings, net warehouse interest income, and other income, net of loan purchases and operating costs. Our cash flows from operations are impacted by the fees generated by our loan originations, the timing of loan closings, and the period of time loans are held for sale in the warehouse.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

We usually lease facilities and equipment for our operations. However, when necessary and cost effective, we invest cash in property, plant, and equipment. We also invest our own cash to fund a portion of the loans held for investment we originate.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

We use our warehouse facilities to fund loan closings. We believe that our current warehouse facilities are adequate to meet our increasing loan origination needs. Historically, we have used long-term debt to partially fund acquisitions.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2014 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Our unrestricted cash balance was $113.4 million and $170.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a $57.2 million decrease. The decrease is primarily the result of an increase in restricted cash and pledged securities of $26.5 million, an increase of $89.7 million in the unpaid principal balance of loans held for investment, net, $35.5 million of cash used to purchase common stock from one of our largest stockholders, and $17.6 million of cash used for the Johnson Capital acquisition, partially offset by a net increase in interim notes payable borrowings of $68.1 million.

Changes in cash flows from operations were driven primarily by loans acquired and sold. Such loans are held for short periods of time, generally less than 60 days, and impact cash flows presented as of a point in time. Cash used in operating activities was $729.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $836.9 million provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in cash flows from operations in 2014 is primarily attributable to the use of $776.5 million to fund loan originations, net of sales of loans to third parties, compared to the receipt of $797.7 million for loan originations, net of sales of loans to third parties in 2013. The use or receipt of cash attributable to loan originations, net of sales varies period over period based on the timing of loan originations and subsequent sales.

Excluding cash provided by and used in the sale and purchase of loans, cash flows provided by operations were $47.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $39.2 million used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in cash of $31.7 million provided by accounts payable and other liabilities and an increase in cash of $12.7 million provided by performance deposits from borrowers, partially offset by a decrease in cash of $18.5 million provided by other assets, a decrease in cash of $12.0 million provided by restricted cash and pledged securities, a decrease in deferred tax expense of $8.0 million, and a decrease in cash of $7.5 million provided by servicing fees and other receivables. These year-over-year changes are principally related to timing differences year over year, with the exception of the change in restricted cash and pledged securities. We continue to use cash to fund pledged securities to cover the collateral requirements of our risk-sharing obligations with Fannie Mae as the Fannie Mae risk-sharing portfolio continues to grow. The growth in that portfolio was larger in 2014 than 2013 due to the growth in Fannie Mae loan origination volumes in 2014 compared to 2013.

We invested $115.6 million and $130.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, a $15.3 million decrease year over year. The decrease in cash invested in 2014 is primarily the result of a decrease of $36.4 million in net cash invested in loans held for investment, partially offset by $23.4 million net cash invested for acquisitions in 2014 compared to none in 2013.

Cash provided by financing activities was $787.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $600.7 million cash used by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to the net borrowings of warehouse notes payable and note payable of $841.3 million in 2014, compared to net repayments of $619.1 million in 2013. The increase was partially offset by a $34.6 million increase in cash used to repurchase our common stock and a reduction of $44.1 million in secured borrowing activity year over year.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

Our unrestricted cash balance was $170.6 million and $65.0 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, a $105.6 million increase. The increase is primarily the result of a net increase in notes payable of $92.3 million from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013.

Changes in cash flows from operations were driven primarily by loans acquired and sold. Such loans are held for short periods of time, generally less than 60 days, and impact cash flows presented as of a point in time. Cash provided by operating activities was $836.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to

 

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$839.2 million used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in cash flows from operations in 2013 is primarily attributable to the receipt of $797.7 million for loan originations, net of sales of loans to third parties, compared to the use of $821.9 million to fund loan originations, net of sales of loans to third parties in 2012. Excluding cash provided by and used in the sale and purchase of loans, cash flows provided by operations were $39.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $17.3 million used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in cash of $23.5 million provided by gains attributable to the fair value of premiums and origination fees, an increase in cash of $24.0 million provided by servicing fees and other receivables, and an increase in net income of $7.8 million.

We invested $130.6 million and $222.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively, a $91.5 million decrease year over year. The decrease in cash invested in 2013 is primarily the result of net cash paid in 2012 for the CW Acquisition of $208.1 million and none in 2013, partially offset by net cash of $126.1 million invested in loans held for investment in 2013, compared to only $9.4 million in 2012.

Cash used in financing activities was $600.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $1.1 billion cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to the net repayment of warehouse and notes payable of $619.1 million in 2013, compared to net borrowings of $923.2 million in 2012. The decrease is also due to a decrease in proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $149.9 million from 2012 to 2013, partially offset by $22.1 million in secured borrowings in 2013, for which there was no comparable activity in 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Uses of Liquidity, Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash flow requirements consist of (i) short-term liquidity necessary to fund mortgage loans, and (ii) working capital to support our day-to-day operations, including debt service payments, servicing advances consisting of principal and interest advances for Fannie Mae or HUD loans that become delinquent and advances on insurance and tax payments if the escrow funds are insufficient. In 2012, we repaid our term note payable and replaced it with a new $83.0 million note to facilitate the CW Acquisition. In December 2014, we secured a $175.0 million term note and used a portion of the proceeds to pay off the remaining unpaid principal balance of the 2012 term note.

We also require working capital to satisfy collateral requirements for our Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing obligations and to meet the operational liquidity requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, Ginnie Mae and our warehouse facility lenders. Congress and other governmental authorities have also suggested that lenders may be required to retain on their balance sheet a portion of the loans that they originate, although no regulation has yet been implemented.

Fannie Mae has established benchmark standards for capital adequacy, and reserves the right to terminate our servicing authority for all or some of the portfolio if at any time it determines that our financial condition is not adequate to support its obligation under the DUS agreement. We are required to maintain acceptable net worth as defined in the standards, and we satisfied the requirements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The net worth requirement is derived primarily from unpaid balances on Fannie Mae loans and the level of risk-sharing. At December 31, 2014, the net worth requirement was $98.6 million, and our net worth was $326.0 million, as measured at our wholly owned subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC. As of December 31, 2014, we were required to maintain at least $19.0 million of liquid assets to meet our operational liquidity requirements for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, Ginnie Mae and our warehouse facility lenders. As of December 31, 2014, we had operational liquidity of $125.3 million, as measured at our wholly owned subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC.

We currently retain all earnings for the operation and expansion of our business and, therefore, do not pay cash dividends on our common stock. We may opportunistically repurchase stock if we believe market conditions support such activity.

 

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Historically, our cash flows from operations have been sufficient to enable us to meet our short-term liquidity needs and other funding requirements. Similarly, we believe that cash flows from operations should be sufficient for us to meet our current obligations for the foreseeable future.

Restricted Cash and Pledged Securities and Cash

Restricted cash and pledged securities and cash consist primarily of good faith deposits held on behalf of borrowers between the time we enter into a loan commitment with the borrower and the investor purchases the loan and collateral for our risk-sharing obligations. The amount of collateral required by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (whenever loss sharing is applicable) is a formulaic calculation at the loan level and considers the balance of the loan, the risk level of the loan, the age of the loan, and the level of risk-sharing. As of December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013 we pledged securities and cash to collateralize our risk-sharing obligations of $67.7 million and $49.7 million, respectively, all of which were in excess of current requirements.

We fund any growth in our Fannie Mae required operational liquidity and collateral requirements from our working capital. On March 29, 2013, Fannie Mae announced changes to the DUS Capital Standards that were retroactive to January 1, 2013. These changes were as follows:

 

    Restricted liquidity requirements for Tier 1 loans were immediately increased from 90 basis points to 110 basis points for all new and any existing Tier 1 loans. We have an insignificant number of Tier 1 loans in our portfolio; therefore, the incremental restrictive liquidity requirement did not have a material impact on the Company’s operations during 2014, and we do not expect it to have a material impact on future operations;

 

    Restricted liquidity requirements for existing Tier 2 loans were increased from 60 basis points to 75 basis points. The restricted liquidity requirement on new Tier 2 loans will continue to be funded over a 48 month period that begins upon delivery of the loan to Fannie Mae. The restricted liquidity requirement on existing Tier 2 mortgage loans will increase gradually by three basis points per quarter for eight quarters through December 31, 2014.

 

    Restricted liquidity held as collateral in the form of US Treasuries experienced a collateral reduction increasing from 0% to 3%, the discount on US Federal Agency Securities increased from 3% to 4%, and the discount on money market funds holding US Treasuries increased from 0% to 5%. As of December 31, 2014, we held substantially all of our restricted liquidity in money market funds holding US Treasuries.

We are in compliance with the December 31, 2014 collateral requirements as outlined above. As of December 31, 2014, reserve requirements for the December 31, 2014 DUS loan portfolio will require us to fund $36.5 million in additional restricted liquidity over the next 48 months, assuming no further principal paydowns, prepayments, or defaults within our at risk portfolio. Fannie Mae periodically reassesses the DUS Capital Standards and may make changes to these standards in the future. We generate sufficient cash flow from our operations to meet these capital standards and do not expect any changes to have a material impact on our future operations; however, future changes to collateral requirements may adversely impact our available cash.

Under the provisions of the DUS agreement, the Company must also maintain a certain level of liquid assets referred to as the operational and unrestricted portions of the required reserves each year. These requirements were satisfied by the Company as of December 31, 2014.

Sources of Liquidity: Warehouse Facilities

Agency Warehouse Facilities

To provide financing to borrowers under GSE and HUD programs, we have four warehouse facilities that we use to fund substantially all of our loan originations. As of December 31, 2014, we had three committed

 

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warehouse lines of credit in the aggregate amount of $1.6 billion with certain national banks and a $475.0 million uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae. Consistent with industry practice, three of these facilities are revolving commitments we expect to renew annually and the other facility is provided on an uncommitted basis without a specific maturity date. Our ability to originate mortgage loans depends upon our ability to secure and maintain these types of short-term financings on acceptable terms.

Agency Warehouse Facility #1:

We have a Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement with a national bank for a $725.0 million committed warehouse line that is scheduled to mature on November 2, 2015. The total commitment amount of $725.0 million as of December 31, 2014 consists of a base committed amount of $425.0 million and a temporary increase of $300.0 million, as more fully described below. The Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement provides us with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, and FHA loans. Advances are made at 100% of the loan balance and borrowings under this line bear interest at the average 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 150 basis points. The Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that are binding on our operating subsidiary (which are in some cases subject to exceptions), including, but not limited to, restrictions on its ability to assume, guarantee, or become contingently liable for the obligation of another person, to undertake certain fundamental changes such as reorganizations, mergers, amendments to our certificate of formation or operating agreement, liquidations, dissolutions or dispositions or acquisitions of assets or businesses, to cease to be directly or indirectly wholly owned by us, to pay any subordinated debt in advance of its stated maturity or to take any action that would cause Walker & Dunlop, LLC to lose all or any part of its status as an eligible lender, seller, servicer or issuer or any license or approval required for it to engage in the business of originating, acquiring or servicing mortgage loans.

In addition, the Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement requires compliance with certain financial covenants, which are measured for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as follows:

 

    tangible net worth of the Company of not less than (i) $200.0 million plus (ii) 75% of the net proceeds of any equity issuances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries after the closing date,

 

    compliance with the applicable net worth and liquidity requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, FHA, and HUD,

 

    liquid assets of the Company of not less than $15.0 million,

 

    maintenance of aggregate unpaid principal amount of all mortgage loans comprising the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio of not less than $20.0 billion or (ii) all Fannie Mae DUS mortgage loans comprising the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio of not less than $10.0 billion, exclusive in both cases of mortgage loans which are 60 or more days past due or are otherwise in default or have been transferred to Fannie Mae for resolution,

 

    aggregate unpaid principal amount of Fannie Mae DUS mortgage loans within the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio which are 60 or more days past due or otherwise in default not to exceed 3.5% of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all Fannie Mae DUS mortgage loans within the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio, and

 

    maximum indebtedness (excluding warehouse lines) to tangible net worth of 2.25 to 1.0,

The Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement contains customary events of default, which are in some cases subject to certain exceptions, thresholds, notice requirements and grace periods.

On August 26, 2014, we executed the seventh amendment to the warehousing credit and security agreement that extended the maturity date of the facility to November 3, 2014. On September 24, 2014, we executed a warehousing termination agreement that reduced the maximum borrowing amount from $575.0 million to $425.0 million. On November 3, 2014, we executed the eighth amendment to the warehousing credit and security

 

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agreement, which extended the maturity date to November 2, 2015 and provided a temporary $300.0 million increase in the maximum borrowing capacity. The temporary increase was effective from the date of execution to December 5, 2014. On December 22, 2014, the Company executed a temporary commitment increase agreement, which temporarily increased the maximum borrowing capacity from $425.0 million to $725.0 million. The temporary increase was effective for the period from December 23, 2014 through January 30, 2015. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

Agency Warehouse Facility #2:

We have a $650.0 million committed warehouse agreement with a national bank. The committed warehouse facility provides us with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA loans. Advances are made at 100% of the loan balance and borrowings under this line bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 150 basis points. On June 17, 2014, we executed the second amendment to the amended and restated warehousing credit and security agreement that extended the maturity date of the facility to June 23, 2015. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

The negative and financial covenants of the warehouse agreement conform to those of the warehouse agreement for Agency Warehouse Facility #1, described above, with the exception of the leverage ratio covenant, which is not included in the warehouse agreement for Agency Warehouse Facility #2.

Agency Warehouse Facility #3:

On September 24, 2014, we executed a Mortgage Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement that established Agency Warehouse Facility #3. The committed warehouse facility provides us with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA loans. The warehouse agreement provides for a maximum borrowing amount of $200.0 million and is scheduled to mature on September 23, 2015. The borrowings under the warehouse agreement bear interest at a rate of average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.40%. On November 21, 2014, we executed the first amendment to the credit agreement, which provides for a temporary increase in the maximum borrowing amount of $39.0 million through March 20, 2015. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

The negative and financial covenants of the warehouse agreement conform to those of the warehouse agreement for Agency Warehouse Facility #1, described above.

Uncommitted Agency Warehouse Facility:

We have a $475.0 million uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae under its ASAP funding program. After approval of certain loan documents, Fannie Mae will fund loans after closing and the advances are used to repay the primary warehouse line. Fannie Mae will advance 99% of the loan balance, and borrowings under this program bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR, with a minimum LIBOR rate of 35 basis points, plus 115 basis points. As of December 31, 2014, we had $16.1 million of borrowings outstanding under this program with a corresponding principal amount of loans held for sale. There is no expiration date for this facility. On January 1, 2015, a temporary increase to the ASAP line expired, and the maximum uncommitted amount returned to $400.0 million.

Interim Warehouse Facilities

To assist in funding loans held for investment under the Interim Program, we have three warehouse facilities in the aggregate amount of $260.0 million with certain national banks. Consistent with industry practice, one of these facilities is a revolving commitment we expect to renew annually and two are revolving commitments we expect to renew every two years. Our ability to originate loans held for investment depends upon our ability to secure and maintain these types of short-term financings on acceptable terms.

 

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Interim Warehouse Facility #1:

We have a $75.0 million committed warehouse line agreement that is scheduled to mature on September 21, 2015. The facility provides us with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to three years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. All borrowings bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Borrowings under the facility are full recourse to the Company.

On September 17, 2014, we executed the fourth amendment to the warehousing credit and security agreement that increased the borrowing capacity from $35.0 million to $75.0 million and extended the maturity date of the facility to September 21, 2015. Additionally, the financial covenants were amended to conform to the financial covenants of similar agreements we have with other third parties. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

The facility agreement requires the Company’s compliance with the same financial covenants as Agency Warehouse Facility #1, described above, and also includes the following additional financial covenant:

 

    minimum rolling four-quarter EBITDA, as defined, to total debt service ratio of 2.00 to 1.0

Interim Warehouse Facility #2:

We have a $135.0 million committed warehouse line agreement that is scheduled to mature on December 13, 2015. The agreement provides us with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to two years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. All borrowings originally bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The lender retains a first priority security interest in all mortgages funded by such advances on a cross-collateralized basis. Repayments under the credit agreement are interest-only, with principal repayments made upon the earlier of the refinancing of an underlying mortgage or the maturity of an advance under the credit agreement.

On April 15, 2014, we executed the first amendment to the amended and restated warehousing credit and security agreement that increased the borrowing capacity from $100.0 million to $135.0 million. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

The credit agreement, as amended and restated, requires the borrower and the Company to abide by the same financial covenants as Agency Warehouse Facility #1, described above, with the following additional financial covenants:

 

    rolling four-quarter EBITDA, as defined, of not less than $35 million and

 

    debt service coverage ratio, as defined, of not less than 2.75 to 1.0

Interim Warehouse Facility #3:

On May 19, 2014, we executed a Master Repurchase and Securities Contract (“Repurchase Agreement”) that established Interim Warehouse Facility #3. The agreement provides us with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to two years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. The facility provides for a maximum borrowing amount of $50.0 million, and is scheduled to mature on May 19, 2016. The borrowings under the agreement bear interest at a rate of average 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00% to 2.50% (“the spread”). The spread varies according to the type of asset the borrowing finances.

 

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The Repurchase Agreement requires the borrower and the Company to abide by the following financial covenants:

 

    tangible net worth of the Company of not less than (i) $200.0 million plus (ii) 75% of the net proceeds of any equity issuances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries after the closing date,

 

    liquid assets of the Company of not less than $15.0 million,

 

    leverage ratio, as defined, of not more than 3.0 to 1.0, and

 

    debt service coverage ratio, as defined, of not less than 2.75 to 1.0.

The agreements above contain cross-default provisions, such that if a default occurs under any of our debt agreements, generally the lenders under our other debt agreements could also declare a default. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our warehouse line covenants.

We believe that the combination of our capital and warehouse facilities is adequate to meet our loan origination needs.

Debt Obligations

On September 4, 2012, and substantially contemporaneously with the closing of the CW Acquisition, we entered into a senior secured term loan credit agreement (the “Prior Credit Agreement”). The Prior Credit Agreement provided for an $83.0 million term loan (the “Prior Loan”) that was scheduled to mature on August 31, 2017. We repaid in full the Prior Loan on December 20, 2013.

On December 20, 2013, we entered into a senior secured term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”). The Term Loan Agreement provides for a $175.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). At any time, we may also elect to request the establishment of one or more incremental term loan commitments to make up to three additional term loans (any such additional term loan, an “Incremental Term Loan”) in an aggregate principal amount for all such Incremental Term Loans not to exceed $60.0 million.

The Term Loan was issued at a discount of 1.0%, and we used approximately $77.5 million of the Term Loan proceeds to repay in full the Prior Credit Facility and to pay certain transaction costs incurred in connection with the Term Loan.

We are obligated to repay the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan in consecutive quarterly installments equal to $0.4 million on the last business day of each of March, June, September, and December commencing on March 31, 2014. The term loan also requires other prepayments in certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement. The final principal installment of the Term Loan is required to be paid in full on December 20, 2020 (or, if earlier, the date of acceleration of the Term Loan pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement) and will be in an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding principal of the Term Loan on such date (together with all accrued interest thereon).

At our election, the Term Loan will bear interest at either (i) the “Base Rate” plus an applicable margin or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR Rate”) plus an applicable margin, subject to adjustment if an event of default under the Term Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing with a minimum LIBOR Rate of 1.0%. The “Base Rate” means the highest of (a) the administrative agent’s “prime rate,” (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1%. In each case, the applicable margin is determined by our Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement). If such Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.50 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 4.50% for LIBOR Rate loans and 3.50% for Base Rate loans, and if such Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 4.25% for LIBOR Rate loans and 3.25% for Base Rate loans. The Term Loan currently bears interest at the LIBOR Rate plus an applicable margin of 4.25%.

 

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Our obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Walker & Dunlop Multifamily, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, and Walker & Dunlop Capital, LLC, each of which is a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”), pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement entered into on December 20, 2013 among the Loan Parties and the Agent (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”). Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications contained in the Term Loan Agreement, we are required to cause any newly created or acquired subsidiary, unless such subsidiary has been designated as an Excluded Subsidiary (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) by us in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, to guarantee our obligations under the Term Loan Agreement and become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. We may designate a newly created or acquired subsidiary as an Excluded Subsidiary so long as certain conditions and requirements provided for in the Term Loan Agreement are met.

The Term Loan Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that are binding on the Loan Parties, including, but not limited to, restrictions (subject to specified exceptions and qualifications) on the ability of the Loan Parties to incur indebtedness, to create liens on their property, to make investments, to merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination, or enter into any asset disposition of all or substantially all assets, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve, to make asset dispositions, to declare or pay dividends or make related distributions, to enter into certain transactions with affiliates, to enter into any negative pledges or other restrictive agreements, to engage in any business other than the business of the Loan Parties as of the date of the Term Loan Agreement and business activities reasonably related or ancillary thereto, to amend certain material contracts or to enter into any sale leaseback arrangements.

In addition, the Term Loan Agreement requires us to abide by certain financial covenants calculated for us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as follows:

 

    As of the last day of any fiscal quarter ending during the periods specified below, permit the Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to be greater than the corresponding ratio set forth below:

 

Period

   Maximum Ratio  

Closing Date through December 31, 2014

     5.00 to 1.00   

January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

     4.75 to 1.00   

January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

     4.50 to 1.00   

January 1, 2017 and thereafter

     4.25 to 1.00   

 

    As of the last day of any fiscal quarter permit the Consolidated Corporate Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to be less than 2.75 to 1.00.

 

    As of the last day of any fiscal quarter permit the Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to be less than 1.50 to 1.00.

The Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default (which are in some cases subject to certain exceptions, thresholds, notice requirements and grace periods), including, but not limited to, non-payment of principal or interest or other amounts, misrepresentations, failure to perform or observe covenants, cross-defaults with certain other indebtedness or material agreements, certain change in control events, voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, failure of the Term Loan Agreement or other loan documents to be valid and binding, and certain ERISA events and judgments.

All of the notes payable, including the warehouse facilities, are senior obligations of the Company.

 

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Credit Quality and Allowance for Risk-Sharing Obligations

The following table sets forth certain information useful in evaluating our credit performance.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  

Key Credit Metrics

      

Risk-sharing servicing portfolio:

      

Fannie Mae Full Risk

   $ 15,116,490     $ 13,232,089     $ 11,783,915  

Fannie Mae Modified Risk

     4,747,015       4,375,148       4,128,020  

Freddie Mac Modified Risk

     53,635       68,559       69,018  

GNMA-HUD Full Risk

     4,728       4,863       4,988  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total risk-sharing servicing portfolio

$ 19,921,868   $ 17,680,659   $ 15,985,941  

Non risk-sharing servicing portfolio:

Fannie Mae No Risk

$ 657,920   $ 1,745,643   $ 2,942,676  

Freddie Mac No Risk

  12,863,070     10,203,172     9,045,203  

GNMA-HUD No Risk

  5,824,253     5,039,331     4,637,392  

Brokered

  4,423,396     4,132,602     2,549,287  

CMBS

  116,065     —       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non risk-sharing servicing portfolio

$ 23,884,704   $ 21,120,748   $ 19,174,558  

Total loans serviced for others

$ 43,806,572   $ 38,801,407   $ 35,160,499  

Interim loans (full risk) servicing portfolio

$ 225,318   $ 135,620   $ 9,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total servicing portfolio unpaid principal balance

$ 44,031,890   $ 38,937,027   $ 35,169,999  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At risk servicing portfolio (1)

$ 17,393,870   $ 15,144,146   $ 13,608,684  

Maximum exposure to at risk portfolio (2)

  4,072,911     3,698,789     2,721,737  

60+ Day delinquencies, within at risk portfolio

  16,610     3,349     19,739  

At risk loan balances associated with allowance for risk-sharing obligations

$ 25,609   $ 52,019   $ 134,376  

Allowance for risk-sharing obligations:

Beginning balance

$ 7,363   $ 15,670   $ 14,917  

Provision for risk-sharing obligations

  1,783     881     3,140  

Allowance for risk-sharing obligations, assumed from acquisitions

  —       —       4,063  

Net write-offs

  (5,242 )   (9,188 )   (6,450 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 3,904   $ 7,363   $ 15,670  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

60+ Day delinquencies as a percentage of the at risk portfolio

  0.10   0.02   0.15

Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the at risk portfolio

  0.02   0.05   0.12

Net write-offs as a percentage of the at risk portfolio

  0.03   0.06   0.05

Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the specifically identified at risk balances

  15.24   14.15   11.66

Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of maximum exposure

  0.10   0.20   0.58

Allowance for risk-sharing and guaranty obligation as a percentage of maximum exposure

  0.71   0.83   1.35

 

  (1)

At risk servicing portfolio is defined as the balance of Fannie Mae DUS loans subject to the risk-sharing formula described below, as well as an immaterial balance of Freddie Mac and GNMA/HUD loans on which we share in the risk of loss. Use of the at risk portfolio provides for comparability of the

 

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  full risk-sharing and modified risk-sharing loans because the provision and allowance for risk-sharing obligations are based on the at risk balances of the associated loans. Accordingly, we have presented the key statistics as a percentage of the at risk portfolio.

For example, a $15 million loan with 50% DUS risk-sharing has the same potential risk exposure as a $7.5 million loan with full DUS risk-sharing. Accordingly, if the $15 million loan with 50% DUS risk-sharing was to default, we would view the overall loss as a percentage of the at risk balance, or $7.5 million, to ensure comparability between all risk-sharing obligations. To date, all but three of our risk-sharing obligations that we have settled have been from full risk-sharing loans.

 

  (2) Represents the maximum loss we would incur under our risk-sharing obligations if all of the loans we service, for which we retain some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement. The maximum exposure is not representative of the actual loss we would incur.

Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing obligations are based on a tiered formula. The risk-sharing tiers and amount of the risk-sharing obligations we absorb under full risk-sharing are provided below. Except as described in the following paragraph, the maximum amount of risk-sharing obligations we absorb is 20% of the original unpaid principal balance (“UPB”) of the loan.

 

Risk-Sharing Tier

   Percentage Absorbed by Us  

First 5% of UPB at the time of loss settlement

     100

Next 20% of UPB at the time of loss settlement

     25

Losses above 25% of UPB at the time of loss settlement

     10

Maximum lender loss

     20% of original UPB   

Fannie Mae can double or triple our risk-sharing obligation if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if a loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae. We may request modified risk-sharing at the time of origination, which reduces our potential risk-sharing obligation from the levels described above.

We use several tools to manage our risk exposure under the Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing program. These tools include maintaining a strong underwriting and approval process, evaluating and modifying our underwriting criteria given the underlying multifamily housing market fundamentals, limiting our geographic market and borrower exposures and electing the modified risk-sharing option under the Fannie Mae DUS program.

We monitor our underwriting criteria in light of changing economic and market conditions. In 2006, when we believed the CMBS issuers relaxed their underwriting criteria, we did not mirror those changes. Furthermore, in 2008, we strengthened our underwriting criteria in response to deteriorating market conditions. We believe these actions reduced our risk exposure under the Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing program; however, these actions also restricted growth in our origination volumes.

We may request modified risk-sharing based on such factors as the size of the loan, market conditions and loan pricing. Our current credit management policy is to cap the loan balance subject to full risk-sharing at $60.0 million. Accordingly, we currently elect to use modified risk-sharing for loans of more than $60.0 million in order to limit our maximum loss on any loan to $12.0 million (such exposure would occur in the event that the underlying collateral is determined to be completely without value at the time of loss). However, we occasionally elect to originate a loan with full risk sharing even when the loan balance is greater than $60.0 million if we believe the loan characteristics support such an approach.

A provision for risk-sharing obligations is recorded, and the allowance for risk-sharing obligations is increased, when it is probable that we have incurred risk-sharing obligations. We regularly monitor the credit quality of all loans for which we have a risk-sharing obligation. Loans with indicators of underperforming credit are placed on watch lists, assigned a numerical risk rating based on our assessment of the relative credit weakness, and subjected to additional evaluation or loss mitigation. Indicators of underperforming credit include poor financial performance, poor physical condition, and delinquency.

 

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The provision has been primarily for Fannie Mae loans with full risk-sharing. The amount of the provision considers our assessment of the likelihood of payment by the borrower, the value of the underlying collateral and the level of risk-sharing. Historically, the loss recognition occurs at or before the loan becoming 60 days delinquent. Our estimates of value are determined considering broker opinions and other sources of market value information relevant to underlying property and collateral. Risk-sharing obligations are written off against the allowance at final settlement with Fannie Mae.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $16.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of our at risk balances were more than 60 days delinquent. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our provisions for risk-sharing obligations were $1.8 million, $0.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our allowance for risk-sharing obligations was $3.9 million and $7.4 million, respectively, or two basis points and five basis points of the at risk balance, respectively. Our risk-sharing obligation with Fannie Mae requires, in the event of delinquency or default, that we advance principal and interest payments to Fannie Mae on behalf of the borrower for a period of four months. Advances made by us are used to reduce the proceeds required to settle any ultimate loss incurred. As of December 31, 2014, we have advanced $0.6 million of principal and interest payments on the loans associated with our $3.9 million allowance. Accordingly, if the $3.9 million in estimated losses is ultimately realized, we would be required to fund an additional $3.3 million. As of December 31, 2013, we had advanced $1.8 million of principal and interest payments on the loans associated with our $7.4 million allowance at that time.

For the ten-year period from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2014, we recognized net write-offs of risk-sharing obligations of $22.7 million, or an average of two basis points annually of the average at risk Fannie Mae portfolio balance.

We have never been required to repurchase a loan.

Off-Balance Sheet Risk

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations to make future payments on debt and lease agreements. Additionally, in the normal course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements whereby we commit to future purchases of products or services from unaffiliated parties. We believe our recurring cash flows from operations and proceeds from loan sales and loan payoffs will provide sufficient cash flows to cover the scheduled payments over the near term related to our contractual obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

Contractual payments due under warehouse facility obligations, long-term debt, and other obligations at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Total      Due in 1 Year
or Less
     Due after 1
Year through
3 Years
     Due after 3
Years through
5 Years
     Due after
5 Years
 

Long-term debt (1)

   $ 225,987      $ 10,800      $ 21,324      $ 20,987      $ 172,876  

Warehouse facilities (2)

     1,223,509        1,066,487        142,022        15,000        —    

Operating leases

     31,598        4,938        8,622        6,998        11,040  

Purchase obligations

     1,342        731        604        7        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,482,436   $ 1,082,956   $ 172,572   $ 42,992   $ 183,916  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1) Interest for long-term debt is based on a variable rate. Such interest is included here and based on the effective interest rate for long-term debt as of December 31, 2014.
(2) To be repaid from proceeds from loan sales for facilities relating to loans held for sale and from proceeds from payoffs for facilities relating to loans held for investment under the Interim Program. Includes interest at the effective interest rate for warehouse borrowings as of December 31, 2014.

New/Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During the second quarter of 2014, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“the guidance”), was issued. ASU 2014-09 represents a comprehensive reform of many of the revenue recognition requirements in GAAP. The ASU creates a new topic within the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Additionally, the guidance in the ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and supersedes or amends much of the industry-specific revenue recognition guidance found throughout the ASC.

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good and services. The ASU creates a five-step process for achieving the core principle: 1) identifying the contract with the customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and 5) recognizing revenue when an entity has completed the performance obligations. The ASU also requires additional disclosures that allow users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows resulting from contracts with customers. The guidance in the ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. The guidance permits the use of the retrospective or cumulative effect transition methods. It appears that substantially all of our contracts with customers do not fall within the scope of the guidance; however, we are in the process of selecting a transition method and determining whether the ASU will have a material impact on our reported financial results.

During the third quarter of 2014, ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, was issued. ASU 2014-15 requires an entity’s management to assess the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern quarterly. The assessment must consider relevant facts and circumstances that are known and reasonably knowable at the issuance date and consider whether there is substantial doubt, as defined in the ASU, about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the issuance date. When substantial doubt exists, certain disclosures are required. The ASU is effective for us for the annual period ending December 31, 2016 and for the annual and interim periods thereafter. We do not believe ASU 2014-15 will have any impact on our reported results or disclosures.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, ASU 2014-17, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting, was issued. ASU 2014-17 gives all entities the option to apply pushdown accounting when they are acquired by another entity. In conjunction with the issuance of ASU 2014-17, the SEC eliminated its guidance related to pushdown accounting. The ASU was effective upon issuance. We do not believe ASU 2014-17 will have a material impact on our reported financial results or disclosures.

In February of 2015, ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, was issued. ASU 2015-02 modifies the consolidation analysis for limited and general partnerships and entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. Additionally, it provides a scope exception to the consolidation guidance for certain entities. The ASU is effective for us on January 1, 2016. We do not believe ASU 2015-02 will have a material impact on our reported financial results or disclosures.

There were no other accounting pronouncements issued during 2014 or 2015 that have the potential to impact us.

 

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are not currently exposed to interest rate risk during the loan commitment, closing and delivery process. The sale or placement of each loan to an investor is negotiated prior to closing on the loan with the borrower, and the sale or placement is typically effectuated within 60 days of closing. The coupon rate for the loan is set after we have established the interest rate with the investor.

Some of our assets and liabilities are subject to changes in interest rates. Earnings from escrows are generally based on LIBOR. Average 30-day LIBOR as of both December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 17 basis points. A 100 basis point increase in the average 30-day LIBOR would increase our annual earnings by approximately $10.9 million based on our escrow balance as of December 31, 2014 compared to $7.6 million as of December 31, 2013. A decrease in the average 30-day LIBOR to zero would decrease our annual earnings by approximately $1.9 million based on the escrow balance as of December 31, 2014 compared to $1.3 million as of December 31, 2013.

The borrowing cost of our warehouse facilities used to fund loans held for sale and loans held for investment are based on LIBOR. The interest income on our loans held for investment is based on LIBOR. A 100 basis point increase in the average 30-day LIBOR would decrease our annual net warehouse interest income by approximately $6.3 million based on our outstanding warehouse balance as of December 31, 2014 compared to $4.4 million as of December 31, 2013. A decrease in the average 30-day LIBOR to zero would increase our annual earnings by approximately $1.1 million based on our outstanding warehouse balance as of December 31, 2014 compared to $0.8 million as of December 31, 2013.

All of our corporate debt is based on the average 30-day LIBOR. A 100 basis point increase in the average 30-day LIBOR would decrease our annual earnings by approximately $0.3 million based on our outstanding corporate debt as of December 31, 2014 compared to $0.3 million based on our outstanding corporate debt as of December 31, 2013. A decrease in the average 30-day LIBOR to zero would not have an impact on our 2014 or 2013 annual earnings as our corporate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 had a LIBOR floor of 100 bps.

The fair value of our MSRs is subject to market risk. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in the weighted average discount rate would decrease or increase, respectively, the fair value of our MSRs by approximately $15.4 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $13.2 million as of December 31, 2013. Our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing engagements provide for make-whole payments in the event of a voluntary prepayment prior to the expiration of the prepayment protection period. Our servicing contracts with institutional investors and HUD do not require payment to us of a make-whole amount. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 84% and 83% of the servicing fees, respectively, are protected from the risk of prepayment through make-whole requirements; given this significant level of prepayment protection, we do not hedge our servicing portfolio for prepayment risk.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The consolidated financial statements of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries and notes related to the foregoing financial statements, together with the independent registered public accounting firm’s reports thereon, listed in Item 15, are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

 

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Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014 were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.

Item 9B. Other Information.

None

 

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.

The information required by this item regarding directors, executive officers, corporate governance and our code of ethics is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2015 (the “Proxy Statement”) under the captions “BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE,” and “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—Executive Officer Biographies.” The information required by this item regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT—Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.” The information required by this Item 10 with respect to the availability of our code of ethics is provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See “Available Information.”

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the captions “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS,” “COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,” “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS—Compensation Committee Report” and “COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT” and “COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—Equity Compensation Plan Information.”

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference to material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the captions “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS” and “BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—Corporate Governance Information—Director Independence.”

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “AUDIT RELATED MATTERS.”

 

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

(a) Financial Statements

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

2.1    Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2010, by and among Mallory Walker, Howard W. Smith, William M. Walker, Taylor Walker, Richard C. Warner, Donna Mighty, Michael Yavinsky, Edward B. Hermes, Deborah A. Wilson and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)
2.2    Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2010, between Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)
2.3    Amendment No. 1 to Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2010, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Column Guaranteed LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Amendment No. 6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 13, 2010)
2.4    Purchase Agreement, dated June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, CW Financial Services LLC and CWCapital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on June 15, 2012)
3.1    Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2012)
4.1    Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on September 30, 2010)
4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Mallory Walker, Taylor Walker, William M. Walker, Howard W. Smith, III, Richard C. Warner, Donna Mighty, Michael Yavinsky, Ted Hermes, Deborah A. Wilson and Column Guaranteed LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2010)

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  4.3    Stockholders Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among William M. Walker, Mallory Walker, Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2010)
  4.4    Piggy Back Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 7, 2012, by and among Column Guaranteed, LLC, William M. Walker, Mallory Walker, Howard W. Smith, III, Deborah A. Wilson, Richard C. Warner, CW Financial Services LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012)
  4.5    Voting Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Mallory Walker, William M. Walker, Richard Warner, Deborah Wilson, Richard M. Lucas, and Howard W. Smith, III, and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex C of the Company’s proxy statement filed on July 26, 2012)
  4.6    Voting Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Column Guaranteed, LLC and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex D of the Company’s proxy statement filed on July 26, 2012)
10.1    Formation Agreement, dated January 30, 2009, by and among Green Park Financial Limited Partnership, Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on August 4, 2010)
10.2†    Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 2010, between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and William M. Walker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)
10.3†    Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and William M. Walker, effective as of December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.4†    Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 2010, between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Howard W. Smith, III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)
10.5†    Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Howard W. Smith, III effective as of December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.6†    Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 2010, between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Deborah A. Wilson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010
10.7†    Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Deborah A. Wilson, effective as of December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.8†    Separation Agreement, dated December 17, 2012, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Deborah A. Wilson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2012)
10.9†    Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 2010, between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Richard Warner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.10†    Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Richard Warner, effective as of December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.11†    Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 2010, between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Richard M. Lucas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)
10.12†    Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Richard M. Lucas, effective as of December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.13†    Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 2013 between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Stephen P. Theobald (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 4, 2013)
10.14†    2010 Long Term Incentive Plan of Walker & Dunlop, LLC, dated January 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on August 4, 2010)
10.15†    2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2012)
10.16†    Management Deferred Stock Unit Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014)
10.17†    Management Deferred Stock Unit Purchase Matching Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014)
10.18†    Form of Restricted Common Stock Award Agreement (Employee) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012)
10.19†    Form of Restricted Common Stock Award Agreement (Director) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012)
10.20†    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012)
10.21†    Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012)
10.22†    Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Matching Program) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.23†    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Matching Program) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.24†    Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Purchase Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.25†    Non-Executive Director Compensation Rates (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013)
10.26†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and William M. Walker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.27†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Mitchell M. Gaynor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.28†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Howard W. Smith, III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.29†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Deborah A. Wilson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.30†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and John Rice (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.31†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Richard M. Lucas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.32†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Edmund F. Taylor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.33†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Alan J. Bowers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.34†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Cynthia A. Hallenbeck (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.35†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Dana L. Schmaltz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.36†    Indemnification Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Richard C. Warner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.37†    Indemnification Agreement, dated November 2, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Andrew C. Florance (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.38†    Indemnification Agreement, dated March 3, 2013, between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Stephen P. Theobald (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2013)
10.39†    Indemnification Agreement, dated November 2, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Michael D. Malone (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.40†    Performance Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013)
10.41    Amended and Restated Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, Walker & Dunlop, Inc., as guarantor, the lenders party thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 28, 2013)
10.42    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Walker & Dunlop, Inc., the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 26, 2013)
10.43    Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2014, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Walker & Dunlop, Inc., the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2014)
10.44    Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2014, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Walker & Dunlop, Inc., the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2014)
10.45    Amended and Restated Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2013, by Walker & Dunlop, Inc. in favor of PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 28, 2013)
10.46    Closing Side Letter, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., CW Financial Services LLC and CWCapital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2012)
10.47    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2012)
10.48    Closing Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., CW Financial Services LLC and CWCapital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2012)
10.49    Transfer and Joinder Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and among the Walker & Dunlop, Inc., CW Financial Services LLC and Galaxy Acquisition LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2012)
10.50    Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A. and the other lenders party thereto from time to time, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for itself and the other lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2012)
10.51    First Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2012)

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.52    Second Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent and the lenders party thereto. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2013)
10.53    Third Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013)
10.54    Fourth Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement dated as of June 13, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013)
10.55    Fifth Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2013)
10.56    Sixth Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 26, 2013)
10.57    Seventh Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2014, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2014)
10.58    Eighth Amendment to Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2014, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 5, 2014)
10.59    Temporary Increase Agreement, dated September 28, 2012, by and between Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower and Bank of America, N.A. as credit agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2012)
10.60    Temporary Increase Agreement, dated December 22, 2014, by and between Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A. as credit agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2014)
10.61    Warehousing Commitment Termination Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2014, by and among Walker & Dunlop, LLC, TD Bank, N.A., and Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2014)
10.62    Credit Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2013, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., as borrower, the lenders referred to therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 26, 2013)
10.63    Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2013, among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., as borrower, certain subsidiaries of Walker & Dunlop, Inc., as subsidiary guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 26, 2013)

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  10.64    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2014, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Column Guaranteed LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2014)
  21*    List of Subsidiaries of the Walker & Dunlop, Inc., as of December 31, 2014
  23*    Consent of KPMG LLP (Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm)
  31.1*    Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Executive Offer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
  31.2*    Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Financial Offer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
  32*    Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.1*    XBRL Instance Document
101.2*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.3*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.4*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.5*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.6*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

†: Denotes a management contract or compensation plan, contract or arrangement.
*: Filed herewith.

 

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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.

 

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ William M. Walker

  William M. Walker
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 5, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature    Title    Date

/s/ William M. Walker

William M. Walker

   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)    March 5, 2015

/s/ Alan J. Bowers

Alan J. Bowers

   Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ Andrew C. Florance

Andrew C. Florance

   Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ Cynthia A. Hallenbeck

Cynthia A. Hallenbeck

   Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ Michael D. Malone

Michael D. Malone

   Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ John Rice

John Rice

   Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ Dana L. Schmaltz

Dana L. Schmaltz

   Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ Howard W. Smith, III

Howard W. Smith, III

   Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director    March 5, 2015

/s/ Stephen P. Theobald

Stephen P. Theobald

   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)    March 5, 2015

 

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INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Financial Statements of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

     F-7   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-8   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Walker & Dunlop, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 5, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

McLean, Virginia

March 5, 2015

 

F-2


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.:

We have audited Walker & Dunlop, Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Walker & Dunlop, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Walker & Dunlop, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and our report dated March 5, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

McLean, Virginia

March 5, 2015

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2014 and 2013

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 113,354      $ 170,563  

Restricted cash

     13,854        5,427  

Pledged securities, at fair value

     67,719        49,651  

Loans held for sale, at fair value

     1,072,116        281,477  

Loans held for investment, net

     223,059        134,656  

Servicing fees and other receivables, net

     23,234        27,592  

Derivative assets

     14,535        19,563  

Mortgage servicing rights

     375,907        353,024  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     76,586        61,777  

Other assets

     33,663        25,236  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 2,014,027   $ 1,128,966  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Liabilities

Accounts payable and other liabilities

$ 60,635   $ 69,206  

Performance deposits from borrowers

  13,668     5,234  

Derivative liabilities

  4,877     222  

Guaranty obligation, net of accumulated amortization

  24,975     23,489  

Allowance for risk-sharing obligations

  3,904     7,363  

Deferred tax liabilities, net

  84,506     74,246  

Warehouse notes payable

  1,216,245     373,107  

Note payable

  171,766     173,258  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

$ 1,580,576   $ 726,125  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

Preferred shares, 50,000 authorized, none issued.

$ —     $ —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 200,000; issued and outstanding 31,822 at December 31, 2014 and 34,000 at December 31, 2013.

  318     340  

Additional paid-in capital

  224,164     244,954  

Retained earnings

  208,969     157,547  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

$ 433,451   $ 402,841  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (NOTE 11)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 2,014,027   $ 1,128,966  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Revenues

        

Gains from mortgage banking activities

   $ 221,983      $ 203,671      $ 186,543  

Servicing fees

     98,414        90,215        52,207  

Net warehouse interest income, loans held for sale

     11,343        6,214        4,361  

Net warehouse interest income, loans held for investment

     6,151        1,231        307  

Escrow earnings and other interest income

     4,526        4,008        2,965  

Other

     18,355        13,700        10,387  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total revenues $ 360,772   $ 319,039   $ 256,770  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

Personnel

$ 149,374   $ 133,667   $ 109,037  

Amortization and depreciation

  79,367     72,876     38,673  

Amortization of intangible assets

  771     3,079     15,252  

Provision for credit losses

  2,206     1,322     3,140  

Interest expense on corporate debt

  10,311     3,743     1,649  

Other operating expenses

  34,831     37,565     33,249  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total expenses $ 276,860   $ 252,252   $ 201,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations before income taxes

  83,912     66,787     55,770  

Income tax expense

  32,490     25,257     21,998  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

$ 51,422   $ 41,530   $ 33,772  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$ 1.60    $ 1.23    $ 1.32   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$ 1.58    $ 1.21    $ 1.31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

  32,210      33,764      25,545   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

  32,624      34,336      25,845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

(In thousands)

 

     Common stock     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
     Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
     Shares     Amount         

Balances at December 31, 2011

     21,749      $ 217      $ 81,190      $ 82,245       $ 163,652   

Net income

     —         —         —         33,772         33,772   

Stock-based compensation

     —         —         5,176        —          5,176   

Issuance of common stock in connection with equity compensation plans

     220        2        373       —          375   

Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisitions

     11,647        117        150,581        —          150,698   

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

     (48     —         (741     —          (741

Tax benefit from vesting of restricted shares

     —         —         244        —          244   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2012

  33,568    $ 336    $ 236,823    $ 116,017    $ 353,176   

Net income

  —       —       —       41,530      41,530   

Stock-based compensation

  —       —       8,764      —       8,764   

Issuance of common stock in connection with equity compensation plans

  593      6      1,133      —       1,139   

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

  (161   (2 )   (3,023   —       (3,025

Tax benefit from vesting of restricted shares

  —       —       1,257      —       1,257   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2013

  34,000    $ 340    $ 244,954    $ 157,547    $ 402,841   

Net income

  —       —       —       51,422     51,422   

Stock-based compensation

  —       —       9,063     —       9,063   

Issuance of common stock in connection with equity compensation plans

  403     4     1,832     —       1,836   

Issuance of unvested restricted common stock in connection with acquisitions

  —       —       5,920     —       5,920   

Repurchase and retirement of common stock (NOTE 13)

  (2,581 )   (26 )   (37,567 )   —       (37,593

Tax shortfall from vesting of restricted shares

  —       —       (38 )   —       (38
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2014

  31,822    $ 318    $ 224,164    $ 208,969    $ 433,451   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

(In thousands)

 

    2014     2013     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net income

  $ 51,422     $ 41,530     $ 33,772  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

     

Gain attributable to fair value of future servicing rights, net of guaranty obligation

    (96,515 )     (91,972 )     (92,594 )

Change in fair value of premiums and origination fees (NOTE 2)

    2,059       9,457       (14,062 )

Amortization and depreciation

    80,138       75,955       53,925  

Stock compensation—equity and liability classified

    9,994       9,194       5,176  

Provision for credit losses

    2,206       1,322       3,140  

Deferred tax expense

    10,260       18,211       16,286  

Originations of loans held for sale

    (8,103,452 )     (5,818,792 )     (5,590,067 )

Sales of loans to third parties

    7,326,908       6,616,515       4,768,155  

Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs

    (1,273 )     (200 )     (45 )

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount

    4,174       3,036       2,165  

Origination fees received from loans held for investment

    2,145       691       —    

Tax shortfall (benefit) from vesting of equity awards

    38       (1,257 )     (244 )

Cash paid to settle risk-sharing obligations

    (2,138 )     (5,290 )     (4,633 )

Cash allowance received from landlord

    —         289       1,951  

Cash received from the sale of assets acquired

    —         —         6,828  

Changes in:

     

Restricted cash and pledged securities

    (26,495 )     (14,467 )     (4,831 )

Servicing fees and other receivables

    1,943       9,457       (14,550 )

Other assets

    (11,759 )     6,755       (15,761 )

Accounts payable and other liabilities

    12,415       (19,257 )     7,128  

Performance deposits from borrowers

    8,434       (4,269 )     (922 )
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$ (729,496 ) $ 836,908   $ (839,183 )
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures

$ (2,525 ) $ (4,519 ) $ (4,599 )

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and other assets

  (23,417 )       (208,109 )

Originations of loans held for investment

  (339,802 )   (147,820 )   (19,400 )

Principal collected on loans held for investment

  250,104     21,700     9,977  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

$ (115,640 ) $ (130,639 ) $ (222,131 )
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

Borrowings (repayments) of short-term warehouse notes payable, net

$ 774,935   $ (797,275 ) $ 858,988  

Borrowings of interim warehouse notes payable

  248,024     102,755     12,375  

Repayments of interim warehouse notes payable

  (179,941 )   (16,912 )   (5,250 )

Borrowings of note payable

  —       173,258     83,000  

Repayments of note payable

  (1,750 )   (80,925 )   (25,944 )

Secured borrowings

  —       22,050     —    

Repayments of secured borrowings

  (22,050 )   —       —    

Debt issuance costs

  (1,416 )   (3,055 )   (1,221 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

  7,756     1,139     151,073  

Repurchase of common stock

  (37,593 )   (3,025 )   (741 )

Tax benefit (shortfall) from vesting of equity awards

  (38 )   1,257     244  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

$ 787,927   $ (600,733 ) $ 1,072,524  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$ (57,209 ) $ 105,536   $ 11,210  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  170,563     65,027     53,817  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$ 113,354   $ 170,563   $ 65,027  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

Cash paid to third parties for interest

$ 23,950   $ 14,813   $ 11,922  

Cash paid for taxes

$ 18,481   $ 881   $ 14,329  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION

These financial statements represent the consolidated financial position and results of operations of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” “Walker & Dunlop” and the “Company” mean Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Walker & Dunlop is one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The Company originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products. The Company’s clients are owners and developers of commercial real estate across the country. The Company originates and sells loans pursuant to the programs of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac,” and together with Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored enterprises, or the “GSEs”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (together with Ginnie Mae, “HUD”), with which Walker & Dunlop has long-established relationships. The Company retains servicing rights and asset management responsibilities on nearly all loans that it sells to the GSEs and HUD. Walker & Dunlop is approved as a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”TM) lender nationally, a Freddie Mac Program Plus lender in 22 states and the District of Columbia, a Freddie Mac targeted affordable housing seller/servicer, a HUD Multifamily Accelerated Processing (“MAP”) lender nationally, a HUD Section 232 LEAN lender nationally, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. The Company also acts as a loan broker for a number of life insurance companies and other institutional investors, in which cases it does not fund the loan but rather acts as a loan broker. The Company retains the servicing rights on some of the loans where it acts as a broker.

The Company offers its borrowers an interim loan program offering floating-rate debt with original principal balances of generally up to $25.0 million for terms of up to three years to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing (the “Interim Program”). The Company closed its first loans under the Interim Program in 2012. The Company underwrites all loans originated through the Interim Program using similar underwriting standards used to underwrite loans it originates and sells. During the time they are outstanding, the Company assumes the full risk of loss on the loans. In addition, the Company services and asset-manages loans originated through the Interim Program, with the ultimate goal of providing permanent financing on the properties. These loans are classified as held for investment on the Company’s balance sheet during such time that they are outstanding.

The Company offers a Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (“CMBS”) lending program (“CMBS Program”) through a partnership with an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, LLC (“Fortress”), the Company’s largest stockholder, in which the Company owns a 20 percent interest (“CMBS Partnership”). The CMBS Program launched in late 2013 and began accepting loan applications in 2014. The CMBS program offers financing for all commercial property types throughout the United States. The loans in the CMBS Program are selected and funded by the CMBS Partnership and underwritten by the Company. The Company receives a fee for servicing the loans. The CMBS Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans while it holds the loans. The Company accounts for the 20 percent interest using the equity method of accounting. Loans with an aggregate UPB of $116.1 million, $0, and $0 were originated through the CMBS Program during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company recorded immaterial revenue related to the CMBS Program within the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and no revenue in 2012. Additionally, the Company’s recorded investment in the CMBS Partnership is immaterial as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

On September 4, 2012, the Company closed the acquisition of CWCapital LLC (“CWCapital”), a wholly owned subsidiary of CW Financial Services LLC (“CW FS”), which is an affiliate of Fortress, at which time the

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

total consideration transferred was valued at approximately $231.1 million, consisting of $80.0 million in cash and approximately 11.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $151.1 million issued in a private placement to CW FS (the “CW Acquisition”). Upon closing of the CW Acquisition, CWCapital became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and was renamed Walker & Dunlop Capital, LLC. Additionally, Fortress became the Company’s largest shareholder.

The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 reflect only four months’ impact of the CW Acquisition, which materially affects the comparability of the results of operations from 2012 to 2013 and 2014.

On September 25, 2014, the Company executed a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Johnson Capital Group, Inc. (“Johnson Capital”). The acquisition of Johnson Capital closed on November 1, 2014. The consideration transferred totaled $23.5 million and consisted of $17.6 million in cash and $5.9 million of the Company’s common stock issued in a private placement.

In the third quarter of 2013, the Company transferred a participating interest in a financial asset to a third party. The Company accounted for the transfer as a secured borrowing. During the third quarter of 2014, the financial asset paid off, and the secured borrowing and warehouse advance were repaid. The entire financial asset is presented as a component of the Loans held for investment, net line item within the December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the secured borrowing of $22.1 million is included within the Accounts payable and other liabilities line item in the December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company as defined in Note 1. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company has evaluated all subsequent events.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, including guaranty obligations, allowances for credit losses, capitalized mortgage servicing rights, derivative instruments, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may vary from these estimates.

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities—Gains from mortgage banking activities income is recognized when the Company records a derivative asset upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. This commitment asset is recognized at fair value, which reflects the fair value of the contractual loan origination related fees and sale premiums, net of co-broker fees, and the estimated fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan net of the estimated net future cash flows associated with any risk-sharing obligations. Also included in gains from mortgage banking activities are changes to the fair value of loan commitments, forward sale commitments, and loans held for sale that occur during their respective holding periods. Upon sale of the loans, no gains or losses are recognized as such loans are recorded at fair value during their holding periods. Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) and guaranty obligations are recognized as assets or liabilities, respectively, upon the sale of the loans. For loans the Company brokers, gains from mortgage banking activities are recognized when the loan is closed and represent the origination fee earned by the Company.

The co-broker fees for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $15.9 million, $23.0 million and $28.8 million, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Transfer of financial assets is reported as a sale when (a) the transferor surrenders control over those assets, (b) the transferred financial assets have been legally isolated from the Company’s creditors, (c) the transferred assets can be pledged or exchanged by the transferee, and (d) consideration other than beneficial interests in the transferred assets is received in exchange. The transferor is considered to have surrendered control over transferred assets if, and only if, certain conditions are met. The Company has determined that all loans sold have met these specific conditions and accounts for all transfers of mortgage loans and mortgage participations as completed sales.

When a mortgage loan is sold, the Company retains the right to service the loan and initially recognizes the MSR at fair value. Subsequent to the initial measurement date, MSRs are amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received.

Guaranty Obligation and Allowance for Credit Losses—When a loan is sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program, the Company undertakes an obligation to partially guarantee the performance of the loan. At inception, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guaranty is recognized. The recognized guaranty obligation is the greater of the fair value of the Company’s obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guaranty (the non-contingent guaranty) and the fair value of the Company’s obligation to make future payments should those triggering events or conditions occur (contingent guaranty).

Historically, the fair value of the contingent guaranty at inception has been de minimis; therefore, the fair value of the non-contingent guaranty has been recognized. In determining the fair value of the guaranty obligation, the Company considers the risk profile of the collateral, historical loss experience, and various market indicators. Generally, the estimated fair value of the guaranty obligation is based on the present value of the cash flows expected to be paid under the guaranty over the estimated life of the loan (historically three to five basis points per year) discounted using a 12-15 percent discount rate. The discount rate used is consistent with what is used for the calculation of the MSR for each loan. The estimated life of the guaranty obligation is the estimated period over which the Company believes it will be required to stand ready under the guaranty.

Subsequent to the initial measurement date, the liability is amortized over the life of the guaranty period using the straight-line method. The Company evaluates the allowance for risk-sharing obligations by monitoring the performance of each loan for events or conditions which may signal a potential default. Historically, initial loss recognition occurs at or before a loan becomes 60 days delinquent. In instances where payment under the guaranty on a specific loan is determined to be probable and estimable, the Company records a liability for the estimated allowance for risk-sharing through a charge to the provision for risk-sharing obligations, along with a write-off of the associated loan-specific MSR. The amount of the allowance considers the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of repayment by the borrower or key principal(s), the risk characteristics of the loan, the loan’s risk rating, historical loss experience, adverse situations affecting individual loans, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral, and the level of risk sharing. We regularly monitor the allowance for risk-sharing obligations on all applicable loans and update loss estimates as current information is received.

Loans Held for Investment, Net—Loans held for investment are multifamily interim loans originated by the Company through the Interim Program for properties that currently do not qualify for permanent GSE or HUD financing. These loans have terms of up to three years and original principal balances of generally $25.0 million or less. The loans are carried at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for net unamortized loan fees and costs, and net of any allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and is recognized as revenue when earned and deemed collectible. All loans held for investment are multifamily loans with similar risk characteristics and wide geographic disbursement.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company uses the interest method to determine an effective yield to amortize the loan fees and costs on real estate loans held for investment. All loans held for investment are floating-rate loans; therefore, the Company uses the initial coupon interest rate of the loans (without regard to future changes in the underlying indices) and anticipated principal payments, if any, to determine periodic amortization. As of December 31, 2014, the Loans held for investment, net balance consisted of $225.3 million of unpaid principal balance, $1.4 million of net unamortized deferred fees and costs, and $0.9 million of allowance for loan losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Loans held for investment, net balance consisted of $135.6 million of unpaid principal balance, $0.5 million of net unamortized deferred fees and costs, and $0.4 million of allowance for loan losses.

The Company will reclassify loans held-for-investment as loans held-for-sale if it determines that the loans will be sold or transferred to third parties.

The allowance for loan losses is the Company’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company has established a process to determine the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the losses inherent in our portfolio, including monitoring the financial condition of the borrower and the financial trends of the underlying property for each of its loans held for investment to assess the credit quality of the loan. The allowance levels are influenced by loan origination volumes, delinquency status, historic loss experience, and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses is estimated collectively for loans with similar characteristics and for which there is no indication of impairment. The allowances for loans losses recorded as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are based on the Company’s collective assessment of the portfolio.

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when collection of interest and principal is not probable. Loans held for investment are considered past due when contractually required principal or interest payments have not been made on the due dates and are charged off when the loan is considered uncollectible. The Company evaluates all loans held for investment for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when the Company believes that the facts and circumstances of the loan suggest that the Company will not be able to collect all contractually due principal and interest. Delinquency status and borrower financial condition are key components of the Company’s consideration of impairment status.

None of the loans held for investment was delinquent, impaired, or on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013. Additionally, we have not experienced any delinquencies related to these loans or charged off any loan held for investment since the inception of the Interim Program in 2012.

Provision for Credit Losses—The Company records the income statement impact of the changes in the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for risk-sharing obligations within the Provision for credit losses line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Provision for credit losses consisted of the following activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     For the year ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Provision for loan losses

   $ 423      $ 441      $ —    

Provision for risk-sharing obligations

     1,783        881        3,140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

$ 2,206   $ 1,322   $ 3,140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Business Combinations and Goodwill—The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, under which the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities (both specific and contingent) assumed at their fair values at the acquisition date. Furthermore, acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are not capitalized or applied in determining the fair value of the acquired assets. The excess of the purchase price over the assets acquired, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. During the measurement period, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with corresponding adjustment to goodwill. After the measurement period, which could be up to one year after the transaction date, subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statement of income.

The Company does not amortize goodwill; instead, it evaluates goodwill for impairment annually. In addition to the annual impairment evaluation, the Company evaluates at least quarterly whether events or circumstances have occurred in the period subsequent to the annual impairment testing which indicate that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has occurred. The Company currently has only one reporting unit; therefore, all goodwill is allocated to that one reporting unit. The Company performs its impairment testing annually as of October 1. The annual impairment analysis begins by comparing the Company’s market capitalization to its net assets. If the market capitalization exceeds the net asset value, further analysis is not required, and goodwill is not considered impaired. As of the date of our latest annual impairment test, October 1, 2014, the Company’s market capitalization exceeded its net asset value by $27.1 million, or 6.6%. As of December 31, 2014, there have been no events subsequent to that analysis that are indicative of an impairment loss.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities—Certain loan commitments and forward sales commitments meet the definition of a derivative and are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of loan commitments includes the fair value of loan origination fees and premiums on anticipated sale of the loan, net of co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any estimated net future cash flows associated with the risk-sharing obligation. The estimated fair value of forward sale commitments includes the effects of interest rate movements between the trade date and balance sheet date. Adjustments to fair value are reflected as a component of income within the Gains on mortgage banking line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Loans Held for Sale—Loans held for sale represent originated loans that are generally transferred or sold within 60 days from the date that a mortgage loan is funded. The Company initially measures all originated loans at fair value. Subsequent to initial measurement, the Company measures all mortgage loans at fair value, unless the Company documents at the time the loan is originated that it will measure the specific loan at the lower of cost or fair value for the life of the loan. Electing to use fair value allows a better offset of the change in fair value of the loan and the change in fair value of the derivative instruments used as economic hedges. During the period prior to its sale, interest income on a loan held for sale is calculated in accordance with the terms of the individual loan. There were no loans held for sale that were valued at the lower of cost or market or on a non-accrual status at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Share-Based Payment—The Company recognizes compensation costs for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including restricted stock, restricted stock units, and employee stock options based on the grant date fair value.

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Restricted stock awards are granted without cost to the Company’s officers, employees, and non-employee directors, for which the fair value of the award was calculated as the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

Stock option awards are granted principally to executive officers, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant, and are granted with a ten-year exercise period, vesting ratably over three years dependent solely on continued employment. To estimate the grant-date fair value of stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Black-Scholes model estimates the per share fair value of an option on its date of grant based on the following inputs: the option’s exercise price, the price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, the estimated option life, the estimated dividend yield, a “risk-free” interest rate, and the expected volatility. The Company uses an estimated dividend yield of zero as the Company has not historically issued dividends and does not currently pay dividends. For the “risk-free” rate, the Company uses a U.S. Treasury strip due in a number of years equal to the option’s expected term. The expected volatility was calculated based on the following methodologies for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. For awards granted in 2012, the Company calculated the volatility of the common stock price of a group of peer companies as the Company had insufficient historical data for its common stock to develop an expectation of volatility over the expected life of the options granted solely based on the historical volatility of its own common stock. For stock option awards granted in 2013, the Company used a blended volatility rate based on the historical volatility of its own common stock and common stock of a group of peer companies. For stock option awards granted in 2014, the Company used the historical volatility of its own common stock. The Company issues new shares from the pool of authorized but not yet issued shares when an employee exercises stock options.

In 2013 and 2014, the Company offered a performance share plan (“PSP”) for the Company’s executives and certain other members of senior management. The performance period for each PSP is three full calendar years beginning on January 1 of the first year of the performance period. Participants in the PSP receive restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on the grant date for the PSP. If the performance targets are met at the end of the performance period and the participant remains employed by the Company, the participant fully vests in the RSUs. If the performance targets are not met or the participant is no longer employed by the Company, the participant forfeits the RSUs. The performance targets are based on meeting adjusted earnings per share and total revenues goals. The Company records compensation expense for the PSP in an amount proportionate to the service time rendered by the participant when it is probable that the achievement of the goals will be met.

The Company’s stock option and restricted stock awards for its officers and employees vest ratably over a three-year period based solely on continued employment. Restricted stock awards for non-employee directors fully vest after one year.

Compensation expense is adjusted for estimated forfeitures and is recognized on a straight-line basis, for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award were in substance multiple awards, over the requisite service period of the award. Forfeiture assumptions are evaluated frequently and updated as necessary. Compensation is recognized within the income statement as Personnel expense, the same expense line as the cash compensation paid to the respective employees.

Net Warehouse Interest Income— The Company presents warehouse interest income net of warehouse interest expense. Warehouse interest income is the interest earned from loans that are held for sale and those held for investment. Substantially all loans that are held for sale are financed with matched borrowings under our warehouse facilities incurred to fund a specific loan held for sale. Warehouse interest expense is incurred on borrowings used to fund loans solely while they are held for sale or for investment. Warehouse interest income

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

and expense are earned or incurred on loans held for sale after a loan is closed and before a loan is sold. Warehouse interest income and expense are earned or incurred on loans held for investment after a loan is closed and before a loan is repaid. Net warehouse interest income for loans held for sale and loans held for investment consisted of the following income and expense components for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

   $ 24,615      $ 17,576      $ 16,562  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for sale

     (13,272 )      (11,362 )      (12,201 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

$ 11,343   $ 6,214   $ 4,361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

$ 11,092   $ 3,583   $ 799  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for investment

  (4,941 )   (2,352 )   (492 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

$ 6,151   $ 1,231   $ 307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Statement of Cash Flows—The Company records the fair value of premiums and origination fees as a component of the fair value of derivatives when a loan intended to be sold is rate locked and records the related income within the Gains from mortgage banking activities within the Consolidated Statements of Income. The cash for the origination fee is received upon origination of the loan, and the cash for the premium is received upon loan sale, resulting in a mismatch of the recognition of income and the receipt of cash in a given period when the derivative or loan held for sale remains outstanding at period end.

The Company accounts for this mismatch by recording an adjustment called “Change in fair value of premiums and origination fees” within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The amount of the adjustment reflects a reduction to cash provided by or used in operations for the amount of income recognized upon rate lock (i.e., non-cash income) for derivatives and loans held for sale outstanding at period end and an increase to cash provided by or used in operations for cash received upon loan origination or sale for derivatives and loans held for sale that were outstanding at prior period end. When income recognized upon rate lock is greater than cash received upon loan origination or sale, the adjustment is a negative amount. When income recognized upon rate lock is less than cash received upon loan origination or loan sale, the adjustment is a positive amount.

Income Taxes—The Company files income tax returns in the applicable U.S. federal, state, and local jurisdictions and generally is subject to examination by the respective jurisdictions for three years from the filing of a tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted.

Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realizable based on consideration of available evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

The Company had no accruals for tax uncertainties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Comprehensive Income—For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Pledged Securities—As collateral against its Fannie Mae risk-sharing obligations (Notes 5 and 11), certain securities have been pledged to the benefit of Fannie Mae to secure the Company’s risk-sharing obligations. The balance of securities pledged against Fannie Mae risk-sharing obligations and included as a component of the Pledged securities, at fair value line item within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $63.1 million and $48.5 million, respectively. Additionally, the Company has pledged an immaterial amount of cash as collateral against its risk-sharing obligations with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The pledged securities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of a highly liquid investment valued using quoted market prices from recent trades.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The term cash and cash equivalents, as used in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, includes currency on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions, and short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company had no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Restricted Cash—Restricted cash primarily represents good faith deposits from borrowers. The Company records a corresponding liability for these good faith deposits from borrowers within the Performance deposits from borrowers line item within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Servicing Fees and Other Receivables, Net—Servicing fees and accounts receivable, net represents amounts currently due to the Company pursuant to contractual servicing agreements, investor good faith deposits held in escrow by others, general accounts receivable, and advances of principal and interest payments and tax and insurance escrow amounts if the borrower is delinquent in making loan payments, to the extent such amounts are determined to be reimbursable and recoverable. Advances related to Fannie Mae at-risk loans may be used to reduce the amount of cash required to settle that loan under the Company’s risk-sharing obligation with Fannie Mae.

Concentrations of Credit Risk—Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, loans held for sale, and derivative financial instruments.

The Company places the cash and temporary investments with high-credit-quality financial institutions and believes no significant credit risk exists. The counterparties to the loans held for sale and funding commitments are owners of residential multifamily properties located throughout the United States. Mortgage loans are generally transferred or sold within 60 days from the date that a mortgage loan is funded. There is no material counterparty risk with respect to the Company’s funding commitments as each potential borrower must make a non-refundable good faith deposit when the funding commitment is executed. The counterparty to the forward sale is generally an investment bank. There is a risk that the purchase price agreed to by the investor will be reduced in the event of a late delivery. The risk for non-delivery of a loan primarily results from the risk that a borrower does not close on the funding commitment in a timely manner. This risk is generally a risk mitigated by the non-refundable good faith deposit.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements—During the second quarter of 2014, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“the guidance”), was issued. ASU 2014-09 represents a comprehensive reform of many of the revenue recognition requirements in GAAP. The ASU creates

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

a new topic within the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Additionally, the guidance in the ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and supersedes or amends much of the industry-specific revenue recognition guidance found throughout the ASC.

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good and services. The ASU creates a five-step process for achieving the core principle: 1) identifying the contract with the customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and 5) recognizing revenue when an entity has completed the performance obligations. The ASU also requires additional disclosures that allow users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows resulting from contracts with customers. The guidance in the ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. The guidance permits the use of the retrospective or cumulative effect transition methods. It appears that substantially all of the Company’s contracts with customers do not fall within the scope of the guidance; however, the Company is in the process of selecting a transition method and determining whether the ASU will have a material impact on the Company’s reported financial results.

During the third quarter of 2014, ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, was issued. ASU 2014-15 requires an entity’s management to assess the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern quarterly. The assessment must consider relevant facts and circumstances that are known and reasonably knowable at the issuance date and consider whether there is substantial doubt, as defined in the ASU, about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the issuance date. When substantial doubt exists, certain disclosures are required. The ASU is effective for the Company for the annual period ending December 31, 2016 and for the annual and interim periods thereafter. The Company does not believe ASU 2014-15 will have any impact on its reported results or disclosures.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, ASU 2014-17, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting, was issued. ASU 2014-17 gives all entities the option to apply pushdown accounting when they are acquired by another entity. In conjunction with the issuance of ASU 2014-17, the SEC eliminated its guidance related to pushdown accounting. The ASU was effective upon issuance. The Company does not believe ASU 2014-17 will have a material impact on its reported financial results or disclosures.

In February of 2015, ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, was issued. ASU 2015-02 modifies the consolidation analysis for limited and general partnerships and entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. Additionally, it provides a scope exception to the consolidation guidance for certain entities. The ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016. The Company does not believe ASU 2015-02 will have a material impact on its reported financial results or disclosures.

There were no other accounting pronouncements issued during 2014 or 2015 that have the potential to impact the Company.

Reclassifications—The Company has made certain immaterial reclassifications to prior-year balances to conform to current-year presentation.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 3—GAINS FROM MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES

Gains from mortgage banking activities consist of the following activity for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Contractual loan origination related fees, net

   $ 125,468      $ 111,699      $ 93,949  

Fair value of expected net cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment

     103,410        97,115        98,308  

Fair value of expected guaranty obligation recognized at commitment

     (6,895 )      (5,143 )      (5,714 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gains from mortgage banking activities

$ 221,983   $ 203,671   $ 186,543  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 4—MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

At the date of loan sale, the Company records MSRs at fair value. The capitalized amount is equal to the estimated fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing rights. The following describes the key assumptions used in estimating the fair value of each loan’s MSR:

Discount Rate—Depending upon loan type, the discount rate used is management’s best estimate of market discount rates. The rates used for loans originated were 10% to 15% for each of the three years presented.

Estimated Life—The estimated life of the MSR is derived based upon the stated yield maintenance and/or prepayment protection term of the underlying loan and may be reduced by 6 to 12 months based upon the expiration of various types of prepayment penalty and/or lockout provisions prior to the stated maturity date. The Company’s historical experience is that the prepayment provisions typically do not provide a significant deterrent to a borrower’s refinancing the loan within 6 to 12 months of the expiration of the prepayment provisions.

Servicing Cost—The estimated future cost to service the loan for the estimated life of the MSR is subtracted from the expected cash flows.

The fair values of the Company’s MSRs at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $469.9 million and $414.9 million, respectively. The fair value calculation is based on our total servicing portfolio less the portion of the servicing portfolio related to loans held for sale and loans held for investment, or $42.7 billion and $38.5 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company uses a discounted static cash flow valuation approach and the key economic assumption is the discount rate. As such, the Company presents the following sensitivities related to the discount rate:

The impact of 100 basis point increase in the discount rate at December 31, 2014 is a decrease in the fair value of $15.4 million.

The impact of 200 basis point increase in the discount rate at December 31, 2014 is a decrease in the fair value of $29.8 million.

These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with caution. These estimates do not include interplay among assumptions and are estimated as a portfolio rather than individual assets.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Activity related to capitalized MSRs for each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Beginning balance

   $ 353,024      $ 315,524  

Additions, following sale of loan

     96,949        112,464  

Additions, acquisitions

     8,209        —    

Amortization

     (69,099 )      (64,443 )

Prepayments and write-offs

     (13,176 )      (10,521 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 375,907   $ 353,024  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following summarizes the components of the net carrying value of the Company’s acquired and originated MSRs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     As of December 31, 2014  
(in thousands)    Gross carrying
value
     Accumulated
amortization
     Net carrying value  

Acquired MSRs

   $ 132,837      $ (59,128 )    $ 73,709  

Originated MSRs

     427,941        (125,743 )      302,198  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 560,778   $ (184,871 ) $ 375,907  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31, 2013  
(in thousands)    Gross carrying
value
     Accumulated
amortization
     Net carrying value  

Acquired MSRs

   $ 124,629      $ (34,779 )    $ 89,850  

Originated MSRs

     364,824        (101,650 )      263,174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 489,453   $ (136,429 ) $ 353,024  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The expected amortization of MSR balances recorded as of December 31, 2014 is shown in the table below. Actual amortization may vary from these estimates.

 

(in thousands)    Originated MSRs      Acquired MSRs      Total MSRs  
Year Ending December 31,    Amortization      Amortization      Amortization  

2015

   $ 53,971      $ 16,369      $ 70,340  

2016

     50,077        15,368        65,445  

2017

     44,264        13,739        58,003  

2018

     39,805        10,490        50,295  

2019

     33,902        8,783        42,685  

Thereafter

     80,179        8,960        89,139  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 302,198   $ 73,709   $ 375,907  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The MSRs are amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received. The Company recorded write-offs of MSRs related to loans that were repaid prior to the expected maturity and loans that defaulted. These write-offs are included as a component of the amortization and depreciation expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and the MSR roll forward shown above. Prepayment fees totaling $9.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.7 million were collected for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and are included as a component of the Other revenues line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Management reviews the capitalized MSRs for temporary impairment quarterly by comparing the aggregate carrying value of the MSR portfolio to the aggregate estimated fair value of the portfolio. Additionally, MSRs related to Fannie Mae loans where the Company has risk-sharing obligations are assessed for permanent impairment on an asset-by-asset basis, considering factors such as debt service coverage ratio, property location, loan-to-value ratio, and property type. Except for defaulted or prepaid loans, no temporary or permanent impairment was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

The weighted average remaining life of the aggregate MSR portfolio is 7.1 years.

NOTE 5—GUARANTY OBLIGATION AND ALLOWANCE FOR RISK-SHARING OBLIGATIONS

When a loan is sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program, the Company typically agrees to guarantee a portion of the ultimate loss incurred on the loan, if any, should the borrower fail to perform. This guaranty is outstanding for the term of the loan. The compensation for this risk is a component of the servicing fee on the loan. No guaranty is provided for loans sold under the Freddie Mac or HUD loan programs.

A summary of the Company’s guaranty obligation as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Beginning balance

   $ 23,489      $ 21,155  

Additions, following the sale of the loan

     6,032        6,136  

Amortization

     (4,546 )      (3,802 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 24,975   $ 23,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company evaluates the allowance for risk-sharing obligations by monitoring the performance of each loan for triggering events or conditions that may signal a potential default. In situations where payment under the guaranty is probable and estimable on a specific loan, the Company records a liability for the estimated allowance for risk-sharing obligations through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the income statement, along with a write-off of the loan-specific MSR. The amount of the provision reflects the Company’s assessment of the likelihood of payment by the borrower, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral, and the level of risk-sharing. Historically, initial loss recognition occurs at or before the loan becomes 60 days delinquent. A summary of the Company’s allowance for risk-sharing obligations for the contingent portion of the guaranty obligation as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Beginning balance

   $ 7,363      $ 15,670  

Provision for risk-sharing obligations

     1,783        881  

Write offs

     (5,242 )      (9,188 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 3,904   $ 7,363  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the maximum quantifiable contingent liability associated with guarantees was $4.1 billion and $3.7 billion, respectively. The maximum quantifiable contingent liability is not representative of the actual loss the Company would incur. The Company would be liable for this amount only if all of the loans it services, for which the Company retains some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 6—SERVICING

The total unpaid principal balance of loans the Company was servicing for various institutional investors at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Unpaid principal balance of loans (1)

   $ 44,031,890      $ 38,937,027  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The 2014 balance reflects the addition of $0.6 billion (unpaid principal balance) of loan servicing obtained through the Johnson Capital acquisition (Note 8).

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, custodial escrow accounts relating to loans serviced by the Company totaled $1.1 billion and $0.7 billion, respectively. These amounts are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as such amounts are not Company assets. Certain cash deposits at other financial institutions exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits. The Company places these deposits with major financial institutions where it believes the risk of loss to be minimal.

NOTE 7—WAREHOUSE NOTES PAYABLE

Warehouse Notes Payable—At December 31, 2014, to provide financing to borrowers under GSE and HUD programs, the Company has arranged for warehouse lines of credit in the amount of $1.6 billion with certain national banks and a $475.0 million uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae (“agency warehouse facilities”). In support of these agency warehouse facilities, the Company has pledged substantially all of its loans held for sale under the Company’s approved programs. Additionally, at December 31, 2014, the Company has arranged for warehouse lines of credit in the amount of $260.0 million with certain national banks to assist in funding loans held for investment under the Interim Program (“interim warehouse facilities”). The Company has pledged substantially all of its loans held for investment against these interim warehouse facilities.

The maximum amount and outstanding borrowings under the warehouse notes payable at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follow:

 

    December 31, 2014            
(dollars in thousands)   Maximum     Outstanding     Loan Type      
Facility   Amount     Balance     Funded (1)    

Interest rate

Agency warehouse facility #1

  $ 725,000     $ 466,719       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #2

    650,000       413,644       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #3

    239,000       158,653       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.40%

Fannie Mae repurchase agreement, uncommited line and open maturity

    475,000       16,057       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.15%
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total agency warehouse facilities

$ 2,089,000   $ 1,055,073  

Interim warehouse facility #1

$ 75,000   $ 53,500     LHFI    Average 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #2

  135,000     81,123     LHFI    Average 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #3

  50,000     26,549     LHFI    Average 30-day LIBOR plus
2.00% to 2.50%
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total interim warehouse facilities

$ 260,000   $ 161,172  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total warehouse facilities

$ 2,349,000   $ 1,216,245  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

    December 31, 2013            
(dollars in thousands)   Maximum     Outstanding     Loan Type      
Facility   Amount     Balance     Funded (1)    

Interest rate

Agency warehouse facility #1

  $ 575,000     $ 119,874       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #2

    650,000       148,843       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Fannie Mae repurchase agreement, uncommited line and open maturity

    500,000       11,422       LHFS      Average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.15%
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total agency warehouse facilities

$ 1,725,000   $ 280,139  

Interim warehouse facility #1

$ 57,400   $ 45,496     LHFI    Average 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #2

  100,000     47,472     LHFI    Average 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total interim warehouse facilities

$ 157,400   $ 92,968  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total warehouse facilities

$ 1,882,400   $ 373,107  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

(1) Type of loan the borrowing facility is used to fully or partially fund – loans held for sale (“LHFS”) or loans held for investment (“LHFI”).

The average 30-day LIBOR was 0.17% as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Interest expense under the warehouse notes payable for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 aggregated to $18.2 million, $13.7 million, and $12.7 million, respectively. Included in interest expense in 2014, 2013, and 2012 are facility fees of $3.4 million, $2.7 million, and $2.0 million, respectively. The warehouse notes payable are subject to various financial covenants, and the Company was in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2014.

Warehouse Facilities

Agency Warehouse Facilities

To provide financing to borrowers under GSE and HUD programs, the Company has four warehouse facilities that it uses to fund substantially all of its loan originations. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had three committed warehouse lines of credit in the aggregate amount of $1.6 billion with certain national banks and a $475.0 million uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae. Consistent with industry practice, three of these facilities are revolving commitments the Company expects to renew annually and the other facility is provided on an uncommitted basis without a specific maturity date. The Company’s ability to originate mortgage loans depends upon its ability to secure and maintain these types of short-term financings on acceptable terms.

Agency Warehouse Facility #1:

The Company has a Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement with a national bank for a $725.0 million committed warehouse line that is scheduled to mature on November 2, 2015. The total commitment amount of $725.0 million as of December 31, 2014 consists of a base committed amount of $425.0 million and a temporary increase of $300.0 million, as more fully described below. The Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement provides the Company with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, and FHA loans. Advances are made at 100% of the loan balance and borrowings under this line bear interest at the average 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 150 basis points. The Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that are binding on our operating subsidiary (which are in some cases subject to exceptions), including, but not limited to, restrictions on its ability to assume guarantee or become contingently liable for the obligation of another person, to undertake certain fundamental changes such as reorganizations, mergers, amendments to our certificate of formation or operating agreement, liquidations, dissolutions or dispositions or acquisitions of assets or businesses, to cease to be directly or indirectly wholly

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

owned by the Company, to pay any subordinated debt in advance of its stated maturity or to take any action that would cause Walker & Dunlop, LLC to lose all or any part of its status as an eligible lender, seller, servicer or issuer or any license or approval required for it to engage in the business of originating, acquiring or servicing mortgage loans.

In addition, the Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement requires compliance with certain financial covenants, which are measured for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as follows:

 

    tangible net worth of the Company of not less than (i) $200.0 million plus (ii) 75% of the net proceeds of any equity issuances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries after the closing date,

 

    compliance with the applicable net worth and liquidity requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, FHA, and HUD,

 

    liquid assets of the Company of not less than $15.0 million,

 

    maintenance of aggregate unpaid principal amount of all mortgage loans comprising the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio of not less than $20.0 billion or (ii) all Fannie Mae DUS mortgage loans comprising the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio of not less than $10.0 billion, exclusive in both cases of mortgage loans which are 60 or more days past due or are otherwise in default or have been transferred to Fannie Mae for resolution,

 

    aggregate unpaid principal amount of Fannie Mae DUS mortgage loans within the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio which are 60 or more days past due or otherwise in default not to exceed 3.5% of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all Fannie Mae DUS mortgage loans within the Company’s consolidated servicing portfolio, and

 

    maximum indebtedness (excluding warehouse lines) to tangible net worth of 2.25 to 1.0,

The Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement contains customary events of default, which are in some cases subject to certain exceptions, thresholds, notice requirements and grace periods.

On August 26, 2014, the Company executed the seventh amendment to the warehousing credit and security agreement that extended the maturity date of the facility to November 3, 2014. On September 24, 2014, the Company executed a warehousing termination agreement that reduced the maximum borrowing amount from $575.0 million to $425.0 million. On November 3, 2014, the Company executed an amendment to the warehousing credit and security agreement, which extended the maturity date to November 2, 2015 and provided a temporary $300.0 million increase in the maximum borrowing capacity. The temporary increase was effective from the date of execution to December 5, 2014. On December 22, 2014, the Company executed a temporary commitment increase agreement, which temporarily increased the maximum borrowing capacity from $425.0 million to $725.0 million. The temporary increase was effective for the period from December 23, 2014 through January 30, 2015. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

Agency Warehouse Facility #2:

The Company has a $650.0 million committed warehouse agreement with a national bank. The committed warehouse facility provides the Company with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA loans. Advances are made at 100% of the loan balance and borrowings under this line bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 150 basis points. On June 17, 2014, the Company executed the second amendment to the amended and restated warehousing credit and security agreement that extended the maturity date of the facility to June 23, 2015. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The negative and financial covenants of the warehouse agreement conform to those of the warehouse agreement for Agency Warehouse Facility #1, described above, with the exception of the leverage ratio covenant, which is not included in the warehouse agreement for Agency Warehouse Facility #2.

Agency Warehouse Facility #3:

On September 24, 2014, the Company executed a Mortgage Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement that established Agency Warehouse Facility #3. The committed warehouse facility provides the Company with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA loans. The warehouse agreement provides for a maximum borrowing amount of $200.0 million and is scheduled to mature on September 23, 2015. The borrowings under the warehouse agreement bear interest at a rate of average 30-day LIBOR plus 1.40%. On November 21, 2014, the Company executed the first amendment to the credit agreement, which provides for a temporary increase in the maximum borrowing amount of $39.0 million through March 20, 2015. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

The negative and financial covenants of the warehouse agreement conform to those of the warehouse agreement for Agency Warehouse Facility #1, described above.

Uncommitted Agency Warehouse Facility:

The Company has a $475.0 million uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae under its ASAP funding program. After approval of certain loan documents, Fannie Mae will fund loans after closing and the advances are used to repay the primary warehouse line. Fannie Mae will advance 99% of the loan balance and borrowings under this program bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR, with a minimum LIBOR rate of 35 basis points, plus 115 basis points. There is no expiration date for this facility.

In March 2014, Fannie Mae informed the Company it was reducing the uncommitted facility from $500.0 million to $400.0 million as part of an initiative to reduce its exposure to such uncommitted lines with all DUS lenders and not specific to the Company. The Company does not believe that the reduction in the uncommitted amount will have a significant impact on its operations or financial results.

In November 2014, Fannie Mae granted the Company an additional $75.0 million of temporary uncommitted borrowing capacity. The temporary increase expired on December 31, 2014. On January 1, 2015, the maximum uncommitted borrowing capacity returned to $400.0 million.

Interim Warehouse Facilities

To assist in funding loans held for investment under the Interim Program, the Company has three warehouse facilities in the aggregate amount of $260.0 million with certain national banks. Consistent with industry practice, one of these facilities is a revolving commitment the Company expects to renew annually and two are revolving commitments the Company expects to renew every two years. The Company’s ability to originate loans held for investment depends upon its ability to secure and maintain these types of short-term financings on acceptable terms.

Interim Warehouse Facility #1:

The Company has a $75.0 million committed warehouse line agreement that is scheduled to mature on September 21, 2015. The facility provides the Company with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to two years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. All borrowings bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Borrowings under the facility are full recourse to the Company.

On September 17, 2014, the Company executed the fourth amendment to the warehousing credit and security agreement that increased the borrowing capacity to $75.0 million and extended the maturity date of the facility to September 21, 2015. Additionally, the financial covenants were amended to conform to the financial covenants of similar agreements the Company has with other third parties. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

The facility agreement requires the Company’s compliance with the same financial covenants as Agency Warehouse Facility #1 and also includes the following additional financial covenant:

 

    minimum rolling four-quarter EBITDA, as defined, to total debt service ratio of 2.00 to 1.0

Interim Warehouse Facility #2:

The Company has a $135.0 million committed warehouse line agreement that is scheduled to mature on December 13, 2015. The agreement provides the Company with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to two years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. All borrowings originally bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The lender retains a first priority security interest in all mortgages funded by such advances on a cross-collateralized basis. Repayments under the credit agreement are interest-only, with principal repayments made upon the earlier of the refinancing of an underlying mortgage or the maturity of an advance under the credit agreement.

On April 15, 2014, the Company executed the first amendment to the amended and restated warehousing credit and security agreement that increased the borrowing capacity to $135.0 million. No other material modifications have been made to the agreement.

The credit agreement, as amended and restated, requires the borrower and the Company to abide by the same financial covenants as Agency Warehouse Facility #1, with the following additional financial covenants:

 

    rolling four-quarter EBITDA, as defined, of not less than $35.0 million and

 

    debt service coverage ratio, as defined, of not less than 2.75 to 1.0

Interim Warehouse Facility #3:

On May 19, 2014, the Company executed a Master Repurchase and Securities Contract (“Repurchase Agreement”) that established Interim Warehouse Facility #3. The agreement provides the Company with the ability to fund loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to two years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. The facility provides for a maximum borrowing amount of $50.0 million, and is scheduled to mature on May 19, 2016. The borrowings under the agreement bear interest at a rate of average 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00% to 2.50% (“the spread”). The spread varies according to the type of asset the borrowing finances.

The Repurchase Agreement requires the borrower and the Company to abide by the following financial covenants:

 

    tangible net worth of the Company of not less than (i) $200.0 million plus (ii) 75% of the net proceeds of any equity issuances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries after the closing date,

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

    liquid assets of the Company of not less than $15.0 million,

 

    leverage ratio, as defined, of not more than 3.0 to 1.0, and

 

    debt service coverage ratio, as defined, of not less than 2.75 to 1.0.

The agreements above contain cross-default provisions, such that if a default occurs under any of the Company’s debt agreements, generally the lenders under its other debt agreements could also declare a default. As of December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all of its warehouse line covenants.

Note Payable

Borrowings under the note payable at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follow:

 

(in thousands)    December 31,       
Lender    2014      2013     

Interest rate and repayments

Institutional Investors—$175.0 million term

   $ 173,250      $ 175,000      Interest rate varies—see below for

loan due December 20, 2020

         further details; quarterly principal
         payments of $437.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total (1)

$ 173,250   $ 175,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) The Note payable amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes unamortized debt discounts of $1.5 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Debt Obligations

On September 4, 2012, and substantially contemporaneously with the closing of the CW Acquisition, the Company entered into a senior secured term loan credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provided for an $83.0 million term loan (the “Prior Loan”) that was scheduled to mature on August 31, 2017. The Company repaid in full the Prior Loan on December 20, 2013. In connection with the repayment, the Company recognized a $1.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to unamortized debt issuance costs, which is included in Other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

On December 20, 2013, the Company entered into a senior secured term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”). The Term Loan Agreement provides for a $175.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). At any time, the Company may also elect to request the establishment of one or more incremental term loan commitments to make up to three additional term loans (any such additional term loan, an “Incremental Term Loan”) in an aggregate principal amount for all such Incremental Term Loans not to exceed $60.0 million.

The Term Loan was issued at a discount of 1.0%, and the Company used approximately $77.5 million of the Term Loan proceeds to repay in full the Prior Credit Facility and to pay certain transaction costs incurred in connection with the Term Loan.

The Company is obligated to repay the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan in consecutive quarterly installments equal to $0.4 million on the last business day of each of March, June, September, and December commencing on March 31, 2014. The term loan also requires certain other prepayments in certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement. The final principal installment of the Term Loan is required to be paid in full on December 20, 2020 (or, if earlier, the date of acceleration of the Term Loan pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement) and will be in an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding principal of the Term Loan on such date (together with all accrued interest thereon).

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

At the Company’s election, the Term Loan will bear interest at either (i) the “Base Rate” plus an applicable margin or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR Rate”) plus an applicable margin, subject to adjustment if an event of default under the Term Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing with a minimum LIBOR Rate of 1.0%. The “Base Rate” means the highest of (a) the Agent’s “prime rate,” (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1%. In each case, the applicable margin is determined by the Company’s Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement). If such Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.50 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 4.50% for LIBOR Rate loans and 3.50% for Base Rate loans, and if such Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 4.25% for LIBOR Rate loans and 3.25% for Base Rate loans. The Term Loan currently bears interest at the LIBOR Rate plus an applicable margin of 4.25%.

The obligations of the Company under the Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Walker & Dunlop Multifamily, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, and Walker & Dunlop Capital, LLC, each of which is a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”), pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement entered into on December 20, 2013 among the Loan Parties and the Agent (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”). Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications contained in the Term Loan Agreement, the Company is required to cause any newly created or acquired subsidiary, unless such subsidiary has been designated as an Excluded Subsidiary (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Term Loan Agreement and become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. The Company may designate a newly created or acquired subsidiary as an Excluded Subsidiary so long as certain conditions and requirements provided for in the Term Loan Agreement are met.

The Term Loan Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that are binding on the Loan Parties, including, but not limited to, restrictions (subject to specified exceptions and qualifications) on the ability of the Loan Parties to incur indebtedness, to create liens on their property, to make investments, to merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination, or enter into any asset disposition of all or substantially all assets, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve, to make asset dispositions, to declare or pay dividends or make related distributions, to enter into certain transactions with affiliates, to enter into any negative pledges or other restrictive agreements, to engage in any business other than the business of the Loan Parties as of the date of the Term Loan Agreement and business activities reasonably related or ancillary thereto, to amend certain material contracts or to enter into any sale leaseback arrangements.

In addition, the Term Loan Agreement requires the Company to abide by certain financial covenants calculated for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as follows:

 

    As of the last day of any fiscal quarter ending during the periods specified below, permit the Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to be greater than the corresponding ratio set forth below:

 

Period

  

Maximum Ratio

Closing Date through December 31, 2014

   5.00 to 1.00

January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

   4.75 to 1.00

January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

   4.50 to 1.00

January 1, 2017 and thereafter

   4.25 to 1.00

 

    As of the last day of any fiscal quarter permit the Consolidated Corporate Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to be less than 2.75 to 1.00.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

    As of the last day of any fiscal quarter permit the Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to be less than 1.50 to 1.00.

The Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default (which are in some cases subject to certain exceptions, thresholds, notice requirements and grace periods), including, but not limited to, non-payment of principal or interest or other amounts, misrepresentations, failure to perform or observe covenants, cross-defaults with certain other indebtedness or material agreements, certain change in control events, voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, failure of the Term Loan Agreement or other loan documents to be valid and binding, and certain ERISA events and judgments.

All of the debt, including the warehouse facilities, are senior obligations of the Company.

The scheduled maturities, as of December 31, 2014, for the aggregate of the warehouse notes payable and the note payable is shown below. The warehouse notes payable obligations are incurred in support of the related loans held for sale and loans held for investment. Amounts advanced under the warehouse notes payable are included in the subsequent year as the amounts are usually drawn and repaid within 60 days. The amounts included below related to the note payable include only the quarterly and final principal payments required by the related credit agreement (i.e., the non-contingent payments) and do not include any principal payments that are contingent upon Company cash flow, as defined in the credit agreement (i.e., the contingent payments). Amounts in the table are in thousands.

 

Year Ending December 31,    Maturities  

2015

   $ 1,062,734  

2016

     132,586  

2017

     11,175  

2018

     16,750  

2019

     1,750  

Thereafter

     164,500  
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,389,495  
  

 

 

 

All warehouse notes payable balances associated with loans held for sale and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 were repaid in 2015.

NOTE 8—BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On September 25, 2014, the Company executed a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Johnson Capital (“the JC Acquisition”). The JC Acquisition closed on November 1, 2014. The consideration transferred totaled $23.5 million and consisted of $17.6 million in cash and 408,317 shares of the Company’s common stock issued in a private placement with a three-year graded vesting period that began on the acquisition date. The stock, while unvested, is prohibited from being transferred to another third party. The fair value of the stock consideration, inclusive of the adjustment for the transfer restriction described in the preceding sentence, was estimated to be $5.9 million as of the acquisition date.

Prior to the JC Acquisition, Johnson Capital had a correspondent relationship with the Company and provided commercial real estate loan origination and loan servicing focused primarily in the Western and Southwestern United States. Its primary activities included serving as a loan broker and originating, selling, and servicing HUD loans. The JC Acquisition expands the Company’s network of loan originators, provides further diversification to its origination platform, and increases its HUD servicing portfolio.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired, separately identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated acquisition date fair values. The following table presents the purchase price allocation recorded as of the acquisition date:

 

(in thousands)    Purchase Price
Allocation
November 1, 2014
 

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed

  

Cash

   $ 120  

Mortgage servicing rights

     8,209  

Other assets

     106  

Mortgage pipeline intangible asset

     884  

Accounts payable

     (95 )

Goodwill

     14,313  
  

 

 

 

Consideration paid

$ 23,537  
  

 

 

 

The fair value of consideration transferred was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the residual amount recognized as goodwill. The fair values assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined using the following approaches:

 

    Mortgage servicing rights: market and income approaches

 

    Mortgage pipeline: market and income approaches

The recognized goodwill of $14.3 million, all of which is expected to be tax deductible over 15 years, is attributed to the value of the assembled workforce, the expanded brokered network, and the long-term expected synergies associated with the combination.

The purchase agreement required Johnson Capital to provide the Company with a minimum working capital balance at the acquisition date. To the extent actual working capital on the acquisition date exceeded or fell below the minimum requirement, the Company would either pay or receive funds from Johnson Capital. The Company and Johnson Capital have not yet agreed on the adjustments to working capital; therefore, the Company continues to recognize provisional amounts in its purchase price allocation related to these items as of December 31, 2014. Any adjustments to the provisional amounts recognized will be made upon agreement of the adjustments to working capital, if any, and will directly relate to facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The Company does not expect these adjustments to have a material impact on goodwill.

The total revenues and loss from operations of the assets acquired from Johnson Capital since the acquisition date and included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 were $1.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Included within the loss from operations of $0.4 million are expenses and amortization of intangible assets related to the JC Acquisition totaling $0.6 million.

 

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Table of Contents

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The revenues and earnings of the combined entity, as though the JC Acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2013, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

     For the year ended
December 31,
 
Supplementary pro forma information    2014      2013  
(in thousands, except per share data)    (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 374,670      $ 333,106  

Income from operations

   $ 88,593      $ 68,054  

Net income (1)

   $ 54,310      $ 42,312  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.64      $ 1.22  

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     33,048        34,760  

 

(1) Net income includes pro forma adjustments related to additional tax expense as a result of the increased combined earnings. Pro forma adjustments increasing tax expense by $1.8 million and $0.5 million are included in the supplementary pro forma information presented for 2014 and 2013, respectively.

NOTE 9—GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

A summary of the Company’s goodwill as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 

     As of and for the
year ended December 31,
 
(in thousands)        2014              2013      

Beginning balance

   $ 60,212      $ 59,735  

Additions from acquisitions

     14,313        —    

Retrospective adjustments

     —          477  

Impairment

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 74,525   $ 60,212  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following summarizes the Company’s other intangible assets related to acquisition activity as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     As of December 31, 2014      As of December 31, 2013  
(in thousands)    Gross
carrying
value
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net carrying
value
     Gross
carrying
value
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net carrying
value
 

Mortgage pipeline intangible asset

   $  19,584       $  (18,871)       $  713      $  18,700       $  (18,191)       $  509  

As of December 31, 2014, the pipeline intangible asset acquired from CWCapital was fully amortized. The Company expects to amortize the entire December 31, 2014 net carrying value of the mortgage pipeline intangible asset within the next 12-15 months.

NOTE 10—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company uses valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach to measure assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

    Level 1—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.

 

    Level 2—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

    Level 3—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall valuation.

The Company’s MSRs are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of temporary impairment). The Company’s MSRs do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. While sales of MSRs do occur, precise terms and conditions vary with each transaction and are not readily available. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of MSRs was developed using discounted cash flow models that calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The model considers contractually specified servicing fees, prepayment assumptions, delinquency rates, late charges, other ancillary revenue, costs to service, and other economic factors. The Company reassesses and periodically adjusts the underlying inputs and assumptions used in the model as necessary to reflect observable market conditions and assumptions that a market participant would consider in valuing an MSR asset. MSRs are carried at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of our MSR portfolio exceeded the amortized cost.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Company’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:

 

    Derivative Instruments—Derivative positions consist of interest rate lock commitments and forward sale agreements. These instruments are valued using a discounted cash flow model developed based on changes in the U.S. Treasury rate and other observable market data. The value was determined after considering the potential impact of collateralization, adjusted to reflect nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and the Company and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

    Loans Held For Sale—Loans held for sale are reported at fair value. The Company determines the fair value of the loans held for sale using discounted cash flow models that incorporate quoted observable prices from market participants. Therefore, the Company classifies these loans held for sale as Level 2.

 

    Pledged Securities—Pledged securities are valued using quoted market prices from recent trades. Therefore, the Company classifies pledged securities as Level 1.

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy used to measure fair value:

 

(in thousands)    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
For Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Balance as of
Period End
 

December 31, 2014

           

Assets

           

Loans held for sale

   $ —        $ 1,072,116       $ —        $ 1,072,116  

Pledged securities and cash

     67,719         —          —          67,719  

Derivative assets

     —          —          14,535        14,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 67,719   $ 1,072,116   $ 14,535   $ 1,154,370  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities

$ —     $ —     $ 4,877   $ 4,877  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ —     $ —     $ 4,877   $ 4,877  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

Assets

Loans held for sale

$ —     $ 281,477   $ —     $ 281,477  

Pledged securities and cash

  49,651     —       —       49,651  

Derivative assets

  —       —       19,563     19,563  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 49,651   $ 281,477   $ 19,563   $ 350,691  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities

$ —     $ —     $ 222   $ 222  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ —     $ —     $ 222   $ 222  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no transfers between any of the levels within the fair value hierarchy during 2014 or 2013.

Derivative instruments (Level 3) are outstanding for short periods of time (generally less than 60 days) and are not outstanding for more than one period. A roll forward of derivative instruments which require valuations based upon significant unobservable inputs, is presented below:

 

     Fair Value Measurements  
     Using Significant  
     Unobservable Inputs:  
     Derivative Instruments  
(in thousands)    December 31, 2014  

Derivative assets and liabilities, net

  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2013

   $ 19,341  

Settlements

     (231,666 )

Realized gains (losses) recorded in earnings (1)

     212,325  

Unrealized gains (losses) recorded in earnings (1)

     9,658  
  

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2014

$ 9,658  
  

 

 

 

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Derivative Instruments  
(in thousands)    December 31, 2013  

Derivative assets and liabilities, net

  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 20,391  

Settlements

     (204,721 )

Realized gains (losses) recorded in earnings (1)

     184,330  

Unrealized gains (losses) recorded in earnings (1)

     19,341  
  

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2013

$ 19,341  
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from derivatives are recognized in the Gains from mortgage banking activities line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table presents information about significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities:

 

     Quantitative Information about Level 3 Measurements  
(in thousands)    Fair Value     

Valuation Technique

  

Unobservable Input (1)

   Input Value (1)  

Derivative assets

   $ 14,535      Discounted cash flow    Counterparty credit risk      —    

Derivative liabilities

     4,877      Discounted cash flow    Counterparty credit risk      —    

 

(1) Significant increases (decreases) in this input may lead to significantly lower (higher) fair value measurements.

The carrying amounts and the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:

 

     December 31, 2014      December 31, 2013  
(in thousands)    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 113,354      $ 113,354      $ 170,563      $ 170,563  

Restricted cash

     13,854        13,854        5,427        5,427  

Pledged securities

     67,719        67,719        49,651        49,651  

Loans held for sale

     1,072,116        1,072,116        281,477        281,477  

Loans held for investment, net

     223,059        225,318        134,656        135,620  

Derivative assets

     14,535        14,535        19,563        19,563  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

$ 1,504,637   $ 1,506,896   $ 661,337   $ 662,301  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial Liabilities:

Derivative liabilities

$ 4,877   $ 4,877   $ 222   $ 222  

Warehouse notes payable

  1,216,245     1,216,245     373,107     373,107  

Note payable

  171,766     173,250     173,258     173,258  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

$ 1,392,888   $ 1,394,372   $ 546,587   $ 546,587  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash—The carrying amounts, at face value or cost plus accrued interest, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments (Level 1).

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Pledged Securities—Consist of cash and investments in money market accounts invested in government securities. Investments typically have maturities of 90 days or less, and are valued using quoted market prices from recent trades (Level 1).

Loans Held For Sale—Consist of originated loans that are generally transferred or sold within 60 days from the date that a mortgage loan is funded, and are valued using discounted cash flow models that incorporate observable inputs from market participants (Level 2).

Loans Held For Investment—Consist of originated interim loans which the Company expects to hold for investment for periods of up to three years, and are valued using discounted cash flow models that incorporate primarily observable inputs from market participants and also credit-related adjustments, if applicable (Level 3). As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no credit-related adjustments were required.

Derivative Instruments—Consist of interest rate lock commitments and forward sale agreements. These instruments are valued using discounted cash flow models developed based on changes in the U.S. Treasury rate and other observable market data. The value is determined after considering the potential impact of collateralization, adjusted to reflect nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and the Company.

Warehouse Notes Payable—Consist of borrowings outstanding under warehouse line agreements. The borrowing rates on the warehouse lines are based upon average 30-day LIBOR plus a margin. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments and the monthly resetting of the index rate to prevailing market rates (Level 2).

Note Payable—Consist of borrowings outstanding under a term note agreement. The borrowing rate on the note payable is based upon average 30-day LIBOR plus a margin. The Company estimates the fair value by discounting the future cash flows at market rates (Level 2).

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Loans Held for Sale—In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual commitments to originate (purchase) and sell multifamily mortgage loans at fixed prices with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers “lock-in” a specified interest rate within time frames established by the Company. All mortgagors are evaluated for credit worthiness prior to the extension of the commitment. Market risk arises if interest rates move adversely between the time of the “lock-in” of rates by the borrower and the sale date of the loan to an investor.

To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company’s policy is to enter into a sale commitment with the investor simultaneously with the rate lock commitment with the borrower. The sale contract with the investor locks in an interest rate and price for the sale of the loan. The terms of the contract with the investor and the rate lock with the borrower are matched in substantially all respects, with the objective of eliminating interest rate risk to the extent practical. Sale commitments with the investors have an expiration date that is longer than our related commitments to the borrower to allow, among other things, for the closing of the loan and processing of paperwork to deliver the loan into the sale commitment.

Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to buyers are undesignated derivatives and, accordingly, are marked to fair value through earnings. The fair value of the Company’s rate lock commitments to borrowers and loans held for sale and the related input levels includes, as applicable:

 

    the assumed gain/loss of the expected resultant loan sale to the buyer;

 

    the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loan (Level 2);

 

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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

    the effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and the balance sheet date (Level 2); and

 

    the nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and the Company (Level 3).

The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to investors considers effects of interest rate movements between the trade date and the balance sheet date (Level 2). The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.

The assumed gain/loss considers the amount that the Company has discounted the price to the borrower from par for competitive reasons, if at all, and the expected net cash flows from servicing to be received upon securitization of the loan. The fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loan is calculated pursuant to the valuation techniques described previously for mortgage servicing rights.

To calculate the effects of interest rate movements, the Company uses applicable published U.S. Treasury prices, and multiplies the price movement between the rate lock date and the balance sheet date by the notional loan commitment amount.

The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to investors considers the market price movement of the same type of security between the trade date and the balance sheet date (Level 2). The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate lock commitments and forward sales contracts is adjusted to reflect the risk that the agreement will not be fulfilled. The Company’s exposure to nonperformance in rate lock and forward sale contracts is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Given the credit quality of our counterparties, the short duration of interest rate lock commitments and forward sale contracts, and the Company’s historical experience with the agreements, the risk of nonperformance by the Company’s counterparties is not significant.

 

     Fair Value Adjustment Components     Balance Sheet Location  
(in thousands)    Notional or
Principal
Amount
     Assumed
Gain (Loss)
on Sale
     Interest Rate
Movement
Effect
    Total
Fair Value
Adjustment
    Derivative
Contract
Assets
     Derivative
Contract
Liabilities
    Fair Value
Adjustment
To Loans
Held for Sale
 

December 31, 2014

                 

Rate lock commitments

   $ 472,558       $ 11,279       $ 273      $ 11,552     $ 11,552       $ —        $ —     

Forward sale contracts

     1,529,241         —           (1,894     (1,894     2,983         (4,877     —     

Loans held for sale

     1,056,683         13,812         1,621        15,433        —           —          15,433   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

$ 25,091   $ —      $ 25,091   $ 14,535   $ (4,877 $ 15,433   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

Rate lock commitments

$ 235,616   $ 12,331   $ (6,253 ) $ 6,078   $ 6,299   $ (221 ) $ —     

Forward sale contracts

  515,755     —        13,263     13,263     13,264     (1 )   —     

Loans held for sale

  280,139     8,348     (7,010 )   1,338     —        —        1,338  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

$ 20,679   $ —      $ 20,679   $ 19,563   $ (222 ) $ 1,338  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 11—LITIGATION, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES

Fannie Mae DUS Related Commitments—Commitments for the origination and subsequent sale and delivery of loans to Fannie Mae represent those mortgage loan transactions where the borrower has locked an interest rate and scheduled closing and the Company has entered into a mandatory delivery commitment to sell the loan to Fannie Mae. As discussed in Note 10, the Company accounts for these commitments as derivatives recorded at fair value.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company is generally required to share the risk of any losses associated with loans sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program (the DUS risk-sharing obligations). The Company is required to secure this obligation by assigning restricted cash balances and/or securities to Fannie Mae. The amount of collateral required by Fannie Mae is a formulaic calculation at the loan level and considers the balance of the loan, the risk level of the loan, the age of the loan, and the level of risk-sharing. Fannie Mae requires restricted liquidity for Tier 2 loans of 75 basis points, which is funded over a 48-month period that begins upon delivery of the loan to Fannie Mae. Restricted liquidity held in the form of money market funds holding US Treasuries is discounted 5% for purposes of calculating compliance with the restricted liquidity requirements. As of December 31, 2014, the Company held substantially all of its restricted liquidity in money market funds holding US Treasuries. Additionally, substantially all of the loans for which the Company has risk sharing are Tier 2 loans.

The Company is in compliance with the December 31, 2014 collateral requirements as outlined above. As of December 31, 2014, reserve requirements for the December 31, 2014 DUS loan portfolio will require the Company to fund $36.5 million in additional restricted liquidity over the next 48 months, assuming no further principal paydowns, prepayments, or defaults within our at risk portfolio. Fannie Mae periodically reassesses the DUS Capital Standards and may make changes to these standards in the future. The Company generates sufficient cash flow from its operations to meet these capital standards and does not expect any changes to have a material impact on its future operations; however, future changes to collateral requirements may adversely impact the Company’s available cash.

Under the provisions of the DUS agreement, the Company must also maintain a certain level of liquid assets referred to as the operational and unrestricted portions of the required reserves each year. These requirements were satisfied by the Company as of December 31, 2014.

The Company’s risk-sharing obligation with Fannie Mae requires, in the event of delinquency or default, that the Company advance principal and interest payments to Fannie Mae on behalf of the borrower for a period of four months. Under the HUD program, the Company is required to advance 100% of the principal and interest payments due to noteholders if the borrower is delinquent in making loan payments. Advances are included in loan origination related fees and other receivables to the extent such amounts are recoverable.

Fannie Mae has established benchmark standards for capital adequacy, and reserves the right to terminate the Company’s servicing authority for all or some of the portfolio, if at any time it determines that the Company’s financial condition is not adequate to support its obligation under the DUS agreement. The Company is required to maintain acceptable net worth as defined in the standards, and the Company satisfied the requirements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The net worth requirement is derived primarily from unpaid balances on Fannie Mae loans and the level of risk-sharing. At December 31, 2014, the net worth requirement was $98.6 million and the Company’s net worth was $326.0 million, as measured at the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC. As of December 31, 2014, the Company was required to maintain at least $19.0 million of liquid assets to meet operational liquidity requirements for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and Ginnie Mae. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had operational liquidity of $125.3 million, as measured at the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC.

LitigationCapital Funding Litigation—On February 17, 2010, Capital Funding Group, Inc. (“Capital Funding”) filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland against Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, for alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment and unfair competition arising out of an alleged agreement that Capital Funding had with Column Guaranteed, LLC (“Column”) to refinance a large portfolio of senior healthcare facilities located throughout the United States (the “Golden Living Facilities”). On November 17, 2010, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint adding Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its affiliates Column and Column Financial, Inc. as defendants. In December 2010, Column assumed the defense of the Company pursuant to an indemnification agreement. Capital Funding alleges that a

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

contract existed between it and Column (and its affiliates) whereby Capital Funding allegedly had the right to perform the HUD refinancing for the Golden Living Facilities and according to which Capital Funding provided certain alleged proprietary information to Column and its affiliates relating to the acquisition of the Golden Living Facilities on a confidential basis. Capital Funding further alleges that Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as the alleged successor by merger to Column, is bound by Column’s alleged agreement with Capital Funding, and breached the agreement by taking for itself the opportunity to perform the HUD refinancing for the Golden Living Facilities.

Capital Funding further claims that Column and its affiliates and Walker & Dunlop, LLC breached the contract, were unjustly enriched, and committed unfair competition by using Capital Funding’s alleged proprietary information for certain allegedly unauthorized purposes. Capital Funding also asserts a separate unfair competition claim against Walker & Dunlop, LLC in which it alleges that Walker & Dunlop, LLC is improperly “taking credit” on its website for certain work actually performed by Capital Funding. Capital Funding seeks damages in excess of $30.0 million on each of the three claims asserted against all defendants, and an unspecified amount of damages on the separate claim for unfair competition against Walker & Dunlop, LLC. Capital Funding also seeks injunctive relief in connection with its unjust enrichment and unfair competition claims.

Pursuant to an agreement, dated January 30, 2009 (the “Column Transaction Agreement”), among Column, Walker & Dunlop, LLC, W&D, Inc. and Green Park, Column generally agreed to indemnify Walker & Dunlop, LLC against liability arising from Column’s conduct prior to Column’s transfer of the assets to Walker & Dunlop, LLC. However, pursuant to the Column Transaction Agreement, Column’s indemnification obligation arises only after Column receives a claim notice following the resolution of the litigation that specifies the amount of Walker & Dunlop, LLC’s claim.

To provide for greater certainty regarding Column’s indemnification obligations before the resolution of this litigation and to cap our total loss exposure, the Company secured a further agreement from Column in November 2010 confirming that it will indemnify the Company for any liabilities that arise as a result of this litigation. As part of this further indemnification agreement, in the event Column is required to pay the Company for any liabilities under the Capital Funding litigation that it otherwise would not have been obligated to pay under the Column Transaction Agreement, the Company will indemnify Column for an amount up to $3.0 million. Also as part of this further indemnification agreement, William Walker, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mallory Walker, former Chairman and current stockholder, in their individual capacities, agreed that if Column is required to indemnify the Company under this agreement and otherwise would not have been obligated to pay such amounts under the Column Transaction Agreement, Messrs. William Walker and Mallory Walker will pay any such amounts in excess of $3.0 million but equal to or less than $6.0 million. As a result of this agreement, the Company will have no liability or other obligation for any damage amounts in excess of $3.0 million arising out of this litigation. Although Column has assumed defense of the case for all defendants, and is paying applicable counsel fees, as a result of the indemnification claim procedures described above, the Company could be required to bear the significant costs of the litigation and any adverse judgment unless and until the Company is able to prevail on our indemnification claim. The Company believes that it will fully prevail on its indemnification claims against Column, and that the Company ultimately will incur no material loss as a result of this litigation, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. Accordingly, we have not recorded a loss contingency for this litigation.

On July 19, 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland issued an order granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case without prejudice. After the initial case was dismissed without prejudice, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint. In November 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland rejected the Company’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. Capital Funding filed a Second Amended Complaint that did not alter the claims at issue but revised their alleged damages. Defendants moved

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

for summary judgment on all claims, including two counts of breach of contract, two counts of promissory estoppel, two counts of unjust enrichment, and two counts of unfair competition. On April 30, 2013, the Court issued an Opinion and Order which granted the motion as to the promissory estoppel counts and one count of unjust enrichment. The court denied the motion as to all remaining claims.

A two-week jury trial was held in July 2013. In the course of the trial, all but two of Capital Funding’s claims were dismissed. The jury awarded Capital Funding (i) a $1.8 million judgment against defendants on Capital Funding’s breach of contract claim and (ii) a $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), Column’s parent, on Capital Funding’s unjust enrichment claim. Because the two claims arise from the same facts, Capital Funding agreed it may only collect on one of the judgments; following the verdict, Capital Funding “elected” to collect the $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse. The defendants filed a post judgment motion to reduce or set aside the judgment. On January 31, 2014 the Court ruled that the $10.4 million unjust enrichment judgment is vacated, and awarded Capital Funding the $1.8 million breach of contract judgment. On February 10, 2014, Capital Funding filed a motion with the Court seeking a new trial. On March 13, 2014, the Court denied Capital Funding’s motion for a new trial. Capital Funding filed an appeal with Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals, which was heard on December 10, 2014. We are awaiting a ruling on the appeal. As a result of an indemnification arrangement with Column, the Company’s loss exposure is limited to $3.0 million, and the Company believes that the indemnification fully covers the $1.8 million judgment.

LitigationCA Funds Group Litigation—In March 2012, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC (“IA Services”) engaged CA Funds Group, Inc. (“CAFG”) to provide, among other things, consulting services in connection with expanding the Company’s investment advisory services business. The engagement letter was supplemented in June 2012 to retain CAFG to engage in certain capital raising activities, primarily with respect to a potential commingled, open-ended Fund (“Fund”). The Fund was never launched by the Company. However, the Company independently formed a large loan bridge program (“the Bridge Program”), which is focused primarily on making floating-rate loans of up to three years of $30.0 million or more to experienced owners of multifamily properties. CAFG filed a breach of contract action captioned CA Funds Group, Inc. v. Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Walker & Dunlop, LLC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, seeking a placement fee in the amount of $5.1 million (plus interest and the costs of the suit) based upon the $380.0 million allegedly obtained for the Bridge Program. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on January 3, 2014, CAFG filed a response to the motion on January 31, 2014, and on March 21, 2014, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the complaint. The Company intends to vigorously defend the matter. Discovery is ongoing.

The Company has not recorded a loss reserve for the aforementioned litigation as the Company does not believe that a loss is probable in either case. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending litigation and may be subject to consequences that could include fines, penalties, and other costs, and the Company’s reputation and business may be impacted. The Company’s management believes that any liability that could be imposed on the Company in connection with the disposition of any pending lawsuits would not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, liquidity, or financial condition.

In the normal course of business, the Company may be party to various other claims and litigation, none of which the Company believes is material.

Lease Commitments—The Company’s predecessor executed a lease agreement in October 2002 for its corporate headquarters, which was subsequently amended in November 2003, to increase the amount of space leased to a full floor (approximately 23,000 square feet). On July 1, 2011, the Company signed an amendment to acquire an additional approximately 23,000 square feet and extend the lease expiration date to November 20,

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2023. Rent expense related to this lease is recognized on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Rent expense was approximately $5.1 million, $6.1 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Minimum cash basis operating lease commitments follow (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31,

2015

$ 4,938   

2016

  4,517   

2017

  4,105   

2018

  3,723   

2019

  3,275   

Thereafter

  11,040   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 31,598   
  

 

 

 

NOTE 12—SHARE-BASED PAYMENT

There are 5,510,000 shares of stock authorized for issuance under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan to directors, officers, and employees.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company granted stock options, under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, primarily to executive officers, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The stock options have a 10 year exercise period and vest ratably over periods of three years dependent solely on continued employment. In addition, the Company granted restricted shares, under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, to officers, employees, and non-employee directors, without cost to the grantee. The restricted share awards granted to officers and employees typically vest ratably over three years dependent on continued employment, performance conditions, or some combination thereof. Restricted share awards to non-employee directors fully vest one year from the date of grant.

In addition, in 2014 and 2013, the Company granted 355,846 and 275,038 RSUs, respectively, to officers and certain other employees in connection with PSPs. The RSUs cliff vest after three years based on continued employment and the Company’s achievement of specified performance targets. If either of the conditions is not met, the RSUs are forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense totaling $0.9 million and $0.2 million related to these RSUs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. No expense was incurred related to the RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2014, all of the RSUs are unvested and outstanding.

At December 31, 2014, an additional 1,631,443 shares remain available for grant under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following table provides additional information regarding the Company’s share-based payment plan for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands, except share and per share

amounts)

   Options /
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contract Life
(Years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 

Restricted Shares

          

Nonvested at beginning of period

     797,191          

Granted

     479,885          

Vested

     (399,658 )        

Forfeited

     (11,040 )        
  

 

 

         

Nonvested at end of period

  866,378   $ 15,196  
  

 

 

         

Stock Options

Outstanding at beginning of period

  758,336  

Granted

  312,992  

Exercised

  (3,333 )

Forfeited

  —    

Expired

  —    
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at end of period

  1,067,995   $ 15.70     8.0   $ 2,129  
  

 

 

         

Exercisable at end of period

  440,009   $ 14.10     7.1   $ 1,568  
  

 

 

         

The fair value of stock option awards granted during 2014, 2013, and 2012 were estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, based on the following inputs:

 

     2014     2013     2012  

Estimated option life

     6.00 years        6.00 years        6.00 years   

Risk free interest rate

     1.86     1.01     1.09

Expected volatility

     35.35     33.58     45.76

Expected dividend rate

     0.00     0.00     0.00

Weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted

   $ 6.35      $ 6.13     $ 5.79  

The fair value of restricted share awards granted during 2014 was estimated using the closing price on the date of grant. The weighted average grant date fair values of restricted shares granted in 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $16.60 per share, $18.40 per share, and $12.74 per share, respectively.

The fair values of the restricted shares that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 follow:

 

     December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Restricted Shares

   $ 6,208       $ 9,076      $ 3,327  

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, share based payment expense was $10.0 million, $9.2 million, and $5.2 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the excess tax expense recognized on the vesting events was less than $0.1 million. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the excess tax benefit recognized on the vesting events was $1.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. As of

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost for outstanding restricted shares and options was $10.3 million, net of estimated forfeitures. As of December 31, 2014, the weighted-average period over which the unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized is 1.8 years.

NOTE 13—EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following weighted average shares and share equivalents are used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share

     32,210        33,764        25,545  

Dilutive securities:

        

Stock options

     414        572        300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share

  32,624     34,336     25,845  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The assumed proceeds used for calculating the dilutive impact of restricted stock awards under the treasury method includes the unrecognized compensation costs and excess tax benefits associated with the awards. The following table presents any average outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock and average restricted shares that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive (the exercise price of the options or the grant date market price of the restricted shares was greater than the average market price of the Company’s shares).

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Average options

     611        82        160  

Average restricted shares

     —          —          9  

Under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, subject to the Company’s approval, grantees have the option of electing to satisfy tax withholding obligations at the time of vesting or exercise by allowing the Company to withhold and purchase the shares of stock otherwise issuable to the grantee. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company repurchased and retired 130,120, 161,294, and 48,359 restricted shares at a weighted average market price of $15.53, $17.64, and $15.32, upon grantee vesting, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased 2.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock from one of its largest stockholders at a price of $14.50 per share, which was below the market price at the time, and immediately retired the shares, reducing stockholders’ equity by approximately $35.5 million.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 14—INCOME TAXES

Income Tax Provision

The Company calculates its provision for federal and state income taxes based on current tax law. The reported tax provision differs from the amounts currently receivable or payable because some income and expense items are recognized in different time periods for financial reporting purposes than for income tax purposes. The following is a summary of the provision for income taxes:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Current

        

Federal

   $ 19,309      $ 5,144      $ 4,332  

State

     2,959        645        1,136  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 22,268   $ 5,789   $ 5,468  

Deferred

Federal

$ 8,862   $ 15,868   $ 14,068  

State

  1,398     2,343     2,218  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 10,260   $ 18,211   $ 16,286  

Items charged or credited directly to stockholders’ equity

Federal

$ (33 ) $ 1,091   $ 206  

State

  (5 )   166     38  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ (38 ) $ 1,257   $ 244  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax provision

$ 32,490   $ 25,257   $ 21,998  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax provision to the income tax provision in the accompanying statements of income follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Statutory federal provision (35%)

   $ 29,369      $ 23,376      $ 19,520  

Statutory state income tax provision, net of federal tax benefit

     2,805        2,195        2,174  

Other

     316        (314 )      304  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense

$ 32,490   $ 25,257   $ 21,998  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Deferred Tax Assets/Liabilities

The tax effects of temporary differences between reported earnings and taxable earnings consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Deferred Tax Assets:

     

Compensation related

   $ 9,009      $ 5,002  

Credit losses

     1,670        2,789  

Acquisition related (1)

     4,347        6,635  

Other

     1,083        1,050  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

$ 16,109   $ 15,476  

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

Mark-to-market of derivatives and loans held for sale

$ (8,059 ) $ (6,157 )

Mortgage servicing rights related

  (90,359 )   (81,189 )

Depreciation

  (2,197 )   (2,376 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

$ (100,615 ) $ (89,722 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

$ (84,506 ) $ (74,246 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Acquisition-related deferred tax assets consist of book-to-tax differences associated with basis step ups related to the amortization of goodwill recorded from acquisitions, acquisition-related costs capitalized for tax purposes, and book-to-tax differences in intangible asset amortization.

The Company believes it is more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the deferred tax assets.

Tax Uncertainties

The Company periodically assesses its liabilities and contingencies for all periods open to examination by tax authorities based on the latest available information. Where the Company believes it is more likely than not that a tax position will not be sustained, management records its best estimate of the resulting tax liability, including interest, in the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2014, based on all known facts and circumstances and current tax law, management believes that there are no tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease over the next 12 months, producing, individually or in the aggregate, a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

NOTE 15—TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

On September 4, 2012, the Company consummated the acquisition of CWCapital LLC and at such time, Fortress and its subsidiaries became a related party by virtue of its ownership of greater than 10% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. Following the closing of the CW Acquisition, pursuant to a transition services agreement, the Company agreed to pay CW Financial $1.0 million per month for three months for support services during the integration period. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the amount of such fees paid to CW Financial was $3.0 million.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 16—SEGMENTS

The Company is one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending. The Company originates a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate loans that are sold to the GSEs or HUD or placed with institutional investors. The Company also services nearly all of the loans it sells to the GSEs and HUD and many of the loans that it places with institutional investors. Substantially all of the Company’s operations involve the delivery and servicing of loan products for its customers. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these integrated operations, which constitute the Company’s only operating segment for financial reporting purposes.

The Company evaluates the performance of its business and allocates resources based on a single-segment concept. No one borrower/key principal accounts for more than 3% of our total risk-sharing loan portfolio.

An analysis of the product concentrations and geographic dispersion that impact the Company’s servicing revenue is shown in the following tables. This information is based on the distribution of the loans serviced for others. The principal balance of the loans serviced for others, by product, as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Fannie Mae

   $ 20,521,425      $ 19,352,880      $ 18,854,611  

Freddie Mac

     12,916,705        10,271,732        9,114,221  

Ginnie Mae-HUD

     5,828,981        5,044,193        4,642,380  

Life insurance companies and other

     4,764,779        4,268,222        2,558,787  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 44,031,890   $ 38,937,027   $ 35,169,999  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The percentage of unpaid principal balance of the loans serviced for others as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 by geographical area, is as shown in the following table. No other state accounted for more than 5% unpaid principal balance and related servicing revenues in any of the three fiscal years presented. The Company does not have any operations outside of the United States.

 

     Percent of Total UPB as of December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

California

     14.9     17.1     18.6

Florida

     8.5     8.2     7.0

Texas

     7.5     7.1     7.5

Maryland

     6.1     8.1     9.2

Virginia

     5.2     5.7     5.6

All other states

     57.8     53.8     52.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  100.0   100.0   100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 17—OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

The following is a summary of the major components of other operating expenses for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Professional fees

   $ 11,117      $ 11,997      $ 15,377  

Travel and entertainment

     4,267        4,442        4,967  

Rent

     5,077        6,072        3,537  

Marketing and preferred broker

     3,693        3,873        2,755  

Office expenses

     3,537        3,676        2,577  

All other

     7,140        7,505        4,036  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 34,831   $ 37,565   $ 33,249  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 18—QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data and operating information on a quarterly basis for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     As of and for the year ended December 31, 2014  
(in thousands, except per share data)    4th Quarter      3rd Quarter      2nd Quarter      1st Quarter  

Gains from mortgage banking activities

   $ 71,876      $ 63,280      $ 52,241      $ 34,586  

Servicing fees

     26,073        25,036        23,962        23,343  

Total revenues

     112,598        98,055        85,286        64,833  

Personnel

     48,867        41,919        34,053        24,535  

Amortization and depreciation

     22,764        19,818        19,097        18,459  

Total expenses

     86,021        73,561        64,355        52,923  

Operating income

     26,577        24,494        20,931        11,910  

Net income

     16,251        15,113        12,914        7,144  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.50      $ 0.47      $ 0.40      $ 0.21  

Total originations

   $ 4,275,451      $ 3,124,265      $ 2,385,414      $ 1,582,576  

Servicing portfolio

   $ 44,031,890      $ 41,219,196      $ 39,793,733      $ 38,908,865  
     As of and for the year ended December 31, 2013  
(in thousands, except per share data)    4th Quarter      3rd Quarter      2nd Quarter      1st Quarter  

Gains from mortgage banking activities

   $ 52,386      $ 45,278      $ 63,076      $ 42,931  

Servicing fees

     23,750        22,954        22,370        21,141  

Total revenues

     85,470        73,650        90,734        69,185  

Personnel

     36,985        31,091        37,308        28,283  

Amortization and depreciation

     18,451        19,441        17,728        17,256  

Total expenses

     67,519        60,946        66,932        56,855  

Operating income

     17,951        12,704        23,802        12,330  

Net income

     11,206        8,055        14,543        7,726  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.33      $ 0.23      $ 0.42      $ 0.23  

Total originations

   $ 2,340,782      $ 1,763,489      $ 2,559,414      $ 1,731,352  

Servicing portfolio

   $ 38,937,027      $ 38,666,621      $ 37,885,270      $ 36,760,520  

 

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