Q2 2026 MFA Financial Inc Earnings Call

August 5, 2026

Speaker #1: Greetings. Welcome to the MFA Financial Inc. Analysis second quarter 2026 financial results. Conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.

Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the MFA Financial, Inc. announces Q2 2026 financial results conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please note this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Hal Schwartz, General Counsel at MFA Financial. Thank you, Hal. You may begin.

Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the MFA Financial, Inc. announces Q2 2026 Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please note this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Hal Schwartz, General Counsel at MFA Financial. Thank you, Hal. You may begin.

Speaker #1: A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #1: Please note this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Hal Schwartz, General Counsel at MFA Financial. Thank you, Hal.

Speaker #1: You may begin.

Speaker #2: Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. The information discussed on this conference call today may contain or refer to forward-looking statements regarding MFA Financial, Inc., which reflect management's beliefs, expectations, and assumptions as to MFA's future performance and operations.

Harold E. Schwartz: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone. The information discussed on this conference call today may contain or refer to forward-looking statements regarding MFA Financial, Inc., which reflect management's beliefs, expectations, and assumptions as to MFA's future performance and operations. When used, statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as will, believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, should, could, would, or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. These types of statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, including those described in MFA's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 2025, and other reports that it may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Harold Schwartz: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone. The information discussed on this conference call today may contain or refer to forward-looking statements regarding MFA Financial, Inc, which reflect management's beliefs, expectations, and assumptions as to MFA's future performance and operations. When used, statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as will, believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, should, could, would, or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. These types of statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, including those described in MFA's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 2025, and other reports that it may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Speaker #2: When used, statements that are not historical in nature—including those containing words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "could," "would," or similar expressions—are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Speaker #2: All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. These types of statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, including those described in MFA's annual report on Form 10-K for the year end of December 31, 2025, and other reports that it may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Speaker #2: These risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause MFA's actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied in any forward-looking statements it makes.

Harold E. Schwartz: These risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause MFA's actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied in any forward-looking statements it makes. For additional information regarding MFA's use of forward-looking statements, please see the relevant disclosure in the press release announcing MFA's Q2 2026 financial results. Thank you for your time. I would now like to turn this call over to MFA's CEO, Craig Knutson.

Harold Schwartz: These risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause MFA's actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied in any forward-looking statements it makes. For additional information regarding MFA's use of forward-looking statements, please see the relevant disclosure in the press release announcing MFA's Q2 2026 financial results. Thank you for your time. I would now like to turn this call over to MFA's CEO, Craig Knutson.

Speaker #2: For additional information regarding MFA's use of forward-looking statements, please see the relevant disclosure in the press release announcing MFA's second quarter 2026 financial results.

Speaker #2: Thank you for your time. I would now like to turn this call over to MFA's CEO, Craig Knutson.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Hal. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for MFA Financial's second quarter 2026 earnings call. With me today are Bryan Wulfsohn, our president and chief investment officer; Mike Roper, our chief financial officer; and other members of our senior management team.

Craig L. Knutson: Thank you, Hal. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us for MFA Financial's Q2 2026 earnings call. With me today are Bryan Wulfsohn, our President and Chief Investment Officer, Mike Roper, our Chief Financial Officer, and other members of our senior management team. I will offer some general remarks on the macroeconomic and political landscapes and will then provide an update on MFA's business initiatives and portfolio activities. I'll then turn the call over to Mike, followed by Bryan, before we open up the call for questions. Moving to market conditions. We entered April with markets still absorbing the geopolitical shock that ended the Q1.

Craig Knutson: Thank you, Hal. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us for MFA Financial's Q2 2026 earnings call. With me today are Bryan Wulfsohn, our President and Chief Investment Officer, Mike Roper, our Chief Financial Officer, and other members of our senior management team. I will offer some general remarks on the macroeconomic and political landscapes and will then provide an update on MFA's business initiatives and portfolio activities. I'll then turn the call over to Mike, followed by Bryan, before we open up the call for questions. Moving to market conditions. We entered April with markets still absorbing the geopolitical shock that ended the Q1.

Speaker #3: I will offer some general remarks on the macroeconomic and political landscapes and will then provide an update on MFA's business initiatives and portfolio activities.

Speaker #3: I'll then turn the call over to Mike, followed by Bryan, before we open up the call for questions. Moving to market conditions. We entered April with markets still absorbing the geopolitical shock that ended the first quarter.

Speaker #3: After ending March at 118 dollars per barrel, oil traded below 100 dollars per barrel for much of April before spiking back to 118 dollars at the end of April and then trading lower over the last two months of the quarter, closing out just below 73 dollars per barrel at the end of June.

Craig L. Knutson: After ending March at $118 per barrel, oil traded below $100 per barrel for much of April before spiking back to $118 at the end of April, then trading lower over the last two months of the quarter, closing out just below $73 per barrel at the end of June. In the rates market, while volatility dampened considerably, rates themselves rose modestly higher during the quarter. The MOVE Index closed out the Q1 around 100, but was in the mid-60s by the middle of April, spiked briefly in mid-May, then closed the quarter in the low 70s. The curve flattened materially during the quarter. Two-year Treasury yields rose 40 basis points and 10 years sold off about 15 basis points, with the 2/10 spread flattening from 52 to 29 basis points.

Craig Knutson: After ending March at $118 per barrel, oil traded below $100 per barrel for much of April before spiking back to $118 at the end of April, then trading lower over the last two months of the quarter, closing out just below $73 per barrel at the end of June. In the rates market, while volatility dampened considerably, rates themselves rose modestly higher during the quarter. The MOVE Index closed out the Q1 around 100, but was in the mid-60s by the middle of April, spiked briefly in mid-May, then closed the quarter in the low 70s. The curve flattened materially during the quarter. Two-year Treasury yields rose 40 basis points and 10 years sold off about 15 basis points, with the 2/10 spread flattening from 52 to 29 basis points.

Speaker #3: In the rates market, while volatility dampened considerably, rates themselves rose modestly higher during the quarter. The MOVE Index closed out the first quarter around 100, but was in the mid-60s by the middle of April, spiked briefly in mid-May, and then closed the quarter in the low 70s.

Speaker #3: The curve flattened materially during the quarter, two-year Treasury yields rose 40 basis points and 10-year sold-off about 15 basis points. With the 210 spread flattening from 52 to 29 basis points.

Speaker #3: Kevin Warsh chaired his first set of FOMC meetings in mid-June, and his tone at the press conference was more hawkish than many had expected.

Craig L. Knutson: Kevin Warsh chaired his first set of FOMC meetings in mid-June, and his tone at the press conference was more hawkish than many had expected. Inflation data remains elevated, payroll numbers continue to be strong, markets are now expecting a Fed funds increase later this year. The mortgage market remained constructive through the Q2, with spreads tightening modestly, securitization markets were well bid. Obviously, Kevin Warsh's second press conference last week did not go as well as his first, I personally think the financial press was more upset than the markets. I remember when Alan Greenspan was the Fed Chair, he elevated Fedspeak to a unique level of incomprehensibility. Through the Q2 market volatility, MFA delivered a solid quarter, made real progress on the strategic initiatives we laid out for you late last year. Economic book value was essentially unchanged.

Craig Knutson: Kevin Warsh chaired his first set of FOMC meetings in mid-June, and his tone at the press conference was more hawkish than many had expected. Inflation data remains elevated, payroll numbers continue to be strong, markets are now expecting a Fed funds increase later this year. The mortgage market remained constructive through the Q2, with spreads tightening modestly, securitization markets were well bid. Obviously, Kevin Warsh's second press conference last week did not go as well as his first, I personally think the financial press was more upset than the markets. I remember when Alan Greenspan was the Fed Chair, he elevated Fedspeak to a unique level of incomprehensibility. Through the Q2 market volatility, MFA delivered a solid quarter, made real progress on the strategic initiatives we laid out for you late last year. Economic book value was essentially unchanged.

Speaker #3: Inflation data remains elevated, payroll numbers continue to be strong, and markets are now expecting a Fed funds increase later this year. The mortgage market remained constructive through the second quarter, with spreads tightening modestly and securitization markets were well-bid.

Speaker #3: IBC Kevin Warsh's second press conference last week did not go as well as his first, but I personally think the financial press was more upset than the markets.

Speaker #3: I remember when Alan Greenspan was the Fed chair, and he elevated Fed speak to a unique level of incomprehensibility. Through the second quarter, market volatility, MFA delivered a solid quarter and made real progress on the strategic initiatives we laid out for you early late earlier last year, or late last year.

Speaker #3: Economic book value was essentially unchanged, we again declared a 36-cent dividend, and we generated a total economic return of positive 2.6 for the quarter.

Craig L. Knutson: We again declared a $0.36 dividend, we generated a total economic return of +2.6 for the quarter. First, we continued to prudently deploy capital, grow the balance sheet. Our investment portfolio ended the quarter at approximately $13 billion, up from $12.5 billion at 31 March, roughly 20% larger than a year ago, with growth concentrated in Agency MBS at what we believe remain attractive spreads. Second, this was the defining effort of the quarter, we significantly accelerated the resolution of delinquent assets. We resolved approximately $200 million of previously delinquent loans during the quarter, our 60-plus day delinquency rate declined from 7.8% to 7.0%. Mike will walk through how these resolutions flow through our earnings metrics, Bryan will provide more detail on the progress. The headline is simple. We are converting unproductive assets back into earning capital, we are doing it faster.

Craig Knutson: We again declared a $0.36 dividend, we generated a total economic return of +2.6 for the quarter. First, we continued to prudently deploy capital, grow the balance sheet. Our investment portfolio ended the quarter at approximately $13 billion, up from $12.5 billion at 31 March, roughly 20% larger than a year ago, with growth concentrated in Agency MBS at what we believe remain attractive spreads. Second, this was the defining effort of the quarter, we significantly accelerated the resolution of delinquent assets. We resolved approximately $200 million of previously delinquent loans during the quarter, our 60-plus day delinquency rate declined from 7.8% to 7.0%. Mike will walk through how these resolutions flow through our earnings metrics, Bryan will provide more detail on the progress. The headline is simple. We are converting unproductive assets back into earning capital, we are doing it faster.

Speaker #3: First, we continued to prudently deploy capital and grow the balance sheet. Our investment portfolio ended the quarter at approximately 13 billion dollars, up from 12.5 at March 31, and roughly 20 percent larger than a year ago, with growth concentrated in agency MBS at what we believe remain attractive spreads.

Speaker #3: Second, and this was the defining effort of the quarter, we significantly accelerated the resolution of delinquent assets. We resolved approximately 200 million of previously delinquent loans during the quarter, and our 60-plus-day delinquency rate declined from 7.8 percent to 7.0 percent.

Speaker #3: Mike will walk through how these resolutions flow through our earnings metrics and Bryan will provide more detail on the progress, but the headline is simple: we are converting unproductive assets back into earning capital and we're doing it faster.

Speaker #3: Thirdly, Lima's momentum continued to build, with origination volume up nearly 45 percent from the first quarter. The efforts expended throughout much of last year to improve technology and add salespeople are beginning to pay off.

Craig L. Knutson: Thirdly, Lima's momentum continued to build, with origination volume up nearly 45% from the Q1. The efforts expended throughout much of last year to improve technology and add salespeople are beginning to pay off. Fourth, we completed the exit of our former corporate headquarters, continued to bring down our expense base. Mike will quantify the run rate savings for you. Finally, we continue to repurchase common stock at a significant discount to economic book value, buying back over 500,000 shares during the quarter, funded largely by issuance of preferred stock through our ATM program. Taken together, a stable book value, a growing portfolio, a shrinking problem asset book, a re-acceleration of origination franchise, and a leaner expense base. We believe the earnings power of this portfolio is becoming increasingly visible as the legacy credit noise recedes.

Craig Knutson: Thirdly, Lima's momentum continued to build, with origination volume up nearly 45% from the Q1. The efforts expended throughout much of last year to improve technology and add salespeople are beginning to pay off. Fourth, we completed the exit of our former corporate headquarters, continued to bring down our expense base. Mike will quantify the run rate savings for you. Finally, we continue to repurchase common stock at a significant discount to economic book value, buying back over 500,000 shares during the quarter, funded largely by issuance of preferred stock through our ATM program. Taken together, a stable book value, a growing portfolio, a shrinking problem asset book, a re-acceleration of origination franchise, and a leaner expense base. We believe the earnings power of this portfolio is becoming increasingly visible as the legacy credit noise recedes.

Speaker #3: Fourth, we completed the exit of our former corporate headquarters and continued to bring down our expense base. Mike will quantify the run rate savings for you.

Speaker #3: And finally, we continue to repurchase common stock at a significant discount to economic book value buying back over 500,000 shares during the quarter, funded largely by issuance of preferred stock through our ATM program.

Speaker #3: Taken together, a stable book value, a growing portfolio, a shrinking problem asset book, and a re-acceleration of origination franchise, and a leaner expense base, we believe the earnings power of this portfolio is becoming increasingly visible as the legacy credit noise recedes.

Craig L. Knutson: I'd like to turn the call over to Mike now to discuss our financial results.

Craig Knutson: I'd like to turn the call over to Mike now to discuss our financial results.

Speaker #3: I'd like to turn the call over to Mike now to discuss our financial results.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Craig, and good morning, everyone. At June 30, gap book value was $12.71 per share, and economic book value was $13.20 per share. Each effectively unchanged from the end of the first quarter.

Michael C. Roper: Thanks, Craig, and good morning, everyone. At 30 June, GAAP book value was $12.71 per share, and economic book value was $13.20 per share, each effectively unchanged from the end of Q1. MFA again paid a common dividend of $0.36 and delivered a quarterly total economic return of 2.6%. Q2 GAAP net income was approximately $46.8 million, or $0.35 per basic common share. Net interest income, including TBA dollar roll income for the quarter was $59.6 million, a modest increase from $59.2 million in Q1. Lima One mortgage banking income rose to $8.4 million in connection with the significant growth in origination that Craig referenced earlier. G&A expenses totaled $31.2 million, including approximately $5 million of accelerated non-cash depreciation expense associated with our former corporate headquarters.

Mike Roper: Thanks, Craig, and good morning, everyone. At 30 June, GAAP book value was $12.71 per share, and economic book value was $13.20 per share, each effectively unchanged from the end of Q1. MFA again paid a common dividend of $0.36 and delivered a quarterly total economic return of 2.6%. Q2 GAAP net income was approximately $46.8 million, or $0.35 per basic common share. Net interest income, including TBA dollar roll income for the quarter was $59.6 million, a modest increase from $59.2 million in Q1. Lima One mortgage banking income rose to $8.4 million in connection with the significant growth in origination that Craig referenced earlier. G&A expenses totaled $31.2 million, including approximately $5 million of accelerated non-cash depreciation expense associated with our former corporate headquarters.

Speaker #2: MFA again paid a common dividend of 36 cents and delivered a quarterly total economic return of 2.6 percent. Second quarter gap net income was approximately 46.8 million, or 35 cents per basic common share.

Speaker #2: That interest income including TBA dollar roll income for the quarter was 59.6 million, a modest increase from 59.2 million in the first quarter. Lima One Mortgage Banking income rose to 8.4 million, in connection with the significant growth in origination that Craig referenced earlier.

Speaker #2: G&A expenses totaled 31.2 million, including approximately 5 million of accelerated non-cash depreciation expense associated with our former corporate headquarters. Those assets are now fully depreciated, and we expect run rate G&A to average approximately 26 to 27 million per quarter over the remainder of the year.

Michael C. Roper: Those assets are now fully depreciated, and we expect run rate G&A to average approximately $26 to 27 million per quarter over the remainder of the year. This run rate reflects the cumulative impact of our expense reduction initiatives and a decline of more than $6 million a quarter from the 2024 quarterly average of $33 million. Moving to our distributable earnings. DE for the quarter was $12.2 million or $0.12 per share. The decline in our DE was driven by $24.5 million of realized credit losses on fair value loans, as we resolved approximately $200 million of previously delinquent assets during the quarter. As we've discussed on prior calls, DE recognizes these losses only at resolution, while the economics are already embedded in our GAAP results and our book value from prior periods.

Mike Roper: Those assets are now fully depreciated, and we expect run rate G&A to average approximately $26 to 27 million per quarter over the remainder of the year. This run rate reflects the cumulative impact of our expense reduction initiatives and a decline of more than $6 million a quarter from the 2024 quarterly average of $33 million. Moving to our distributable earnings. DE for the quarter was $12.2 million or $0.12 per share. The decline in our DE was driven by $24.5 million of realized credit losses on fair value loans, as we resolved approximately $200 million of previously delinquent assets during the quarter. As we've discussed on prior calls, DE recognizes these losses only at resolution, while the economics are already embedded in our GAAP results and our book value from prior periods.

Speaker #2: This run rate reflects the cumulative impact of our expense reduction initiatives, and a decline of more than 6 million a quarter from the 2024 quarterly average of 33 million.

Speaker #2: Moving to our distributable earnings—DE for the quarter was $12.2 million, or $0.12 per share. The decline in our DE was driven by $24.5 million of realized credit losses on fair value loans, as we resolved approximately $200 million of previously delinquent assets during the quarter.

Speaker #2: As we've discussed on prior calls, DE recognizes these losses only at resolution, while the economics are already embedded in our gap results and our book value from prior periods.

Speaker #2: Including the reversal of these previously recognized mark-to-market losses, and our gap results, these same loans contributed 9.6 million of positive earnings for the quarter.

Michael C. Roper: Including the reversal of these previously recognized mark-to-market losses in our GAAP results, these same loans contributed $+9.6 million of earnings for the quarter. DE prior to realized credit losses, the new metric we introduced last quarter, was $36.7 million or $0.35 per share, up from $0.34 per share last quarter. As a reminder, our Q1 results included approximately $0.03 of non-recurring benefit related to the early termination of the lease for our former corporate headquarters. Excluding that one-time item in Q1, DE prior to realized credit losses improved by $0.04 per share or approximately 14% sequentially, which we believe highlights the improving earnings power of the portfolio. Though we're disappointed with the credit charges realized this quarter, the benefits of moving non-performing loans off the books are significant. We redeploy capital into new mid-teen ROE assets.

Mike Roper: Including the reversal of these previously recognized mark-to-market losses in our GAAP results, these same loans contributed $+9.6 million of earnings for the quarter. DE prior to realized credit losses, the new metric we introduced last quarter, was $36.7 million or $0.35 per share, up from $0.34 per share last quarter. As a reminder, our Q1 results included approximately $0.03 of non-recurring benefit related to the early termination of the lease for our former corporate headquarters. Excluding that one-time item in Q1, DE prior to realized credit losses improved by $0.04 per share or approximately 14% sequentially, which we believe highlights the improving earnings power of the portfolio. Though we're disappointed with the credit charges realized this quarter, the benefits of moving non-performing loans off the books are significant. We redeploy capital into new mid-teen ROE assets.

Speaker #2: DE prior to realized credit losses, the new metric we introduced last quarter, was 36.7 million, or 35 cents per share, up from 34 cents per share last quarter.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, our Q1 results included approximately 3 cents of non-recurring benefit related to the early termination of the lease for our former corporate headquarters.

Speaker #2: Excluding that one-time item in the first quarter, DE prior to realized credit losses improved by 4 cents per share, or approximately 14 percent sequentially, which we believe highlights the improving earnings power of the portfolio.

Speaker #2: Though we're disappointed with the credit charges realized this quarter, the benefits of moving non-performing loans off the books are significant. We redeployed capital into into new mid-teen ROE assets, we reduced servicing, legal, and other carrying costs, and we reduced the uncertainty of our future earnings.

Michael C. Roper: We reduce servicing, legal, and other carrying costs, we reduce the uncertainty of our future earnings. We currently expect realized credit losses to remain elevated in Q3, though below the level in Q2, before moderating significantly as we move into the end of the year and into H1 2027. We continue to expect that our DE will begin to reconverge with the level of our common dividend as those credit losses subside to more normalized levels. Finally, subsequent to quarter end, we estimate that our economic book value has decreased by approximately 2% since the end of Q2, driven by higher market interest rates and modestly wider spreads. I'd now like to turn the call over to Bryan, who will discuss our investment portfolio and Lima One.

Mike Roper: We reduce servicing, legal, and other carrying costs, we reduce the uncertainty of our future earnings. We currently expect realized credit losses to remain elevated in Q3, though below the level in Q2, before moderating significantly as we move into the end of the year and into H1 2027. We continue to expect that our DE will begin to reconverge with the level of our common dividend as those credit losses subside to more normalized levels. Finally, subsequent to quarter end, we estimate that our economic book value has decreased by approximately 2% since the end of Q2, driven by higher market interest rates and modestly wider spreads. I'd now like to turn the call over to Bryan, who will discuss our investment portfolio and Lima One.

Speaker #2: We currently expect realized credit losses to remain elevated in the third quarter, though below the level in Q2, before moderating significantly as we move into the end of the year and into the first half of 2027.

Speaker #2: We continue to expect that our DE will begin to reconverge with the level of our common dividend as those credit losses subside to more normalized levels.

Speaker #2: Finally, subsequent to quarter end, we estimate that our economic book value has decreased by approximately 2 percent since the end of the second quarter, driven by higher market interest rates and modestly wider spreads.

Speaker #2: I'd now like to turn the call over to Bryan, who will discuss our investment portfolio and Lima One.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Mike. We had a productive quarter expanding our investment portfolio. Reducing our legacy multifamily exposure, issuing and managing our securitizations, and growing Lima One.

Bryan Wulfsohn: Thanks, Mike. We had a productive quarter expanding our investment portfolio, reducing our legacy multifamily exposure, issuing and managing our securitizations, and growing Lima One. I'll touch on each of these. Starting with Non-QM, which remains our biggest asset class at $5.7 billion. We acquired $462 million of Non-QM loans with an average coupon of 6.9% and an LTV of 67%. We continue to source loans from longstanding relationships with a select group of originators. Loans are acquired through flow and mini-bulk transactions and are diligence carefully by our experienced investment team. Credit performance remains strong, with a default rate just over 4%. We issued our 24th Non-QM securitization during the quarter, selling nearly $300 million of bonds at an average cost of just over 5.5%. The loans in that deal carry a weighted average coupon of 6.75%.

Speaker #1: I'll touch on each of these. Starting with non-QM. Which remains our biggest asset class at 5.7 billion. We acquired 462 million of non-QM loans with an average coupon of 6.9 percent and an LTV of 67 percent.

Speaker #1: We continue to source loans from long-standing relationships with a select group of originators. Loans are acquired through flow and mini bulk transactions and are diligent carefully by our experienced investment team.

Speaker #1: Credit performance remains strong with a default rate just over 4 percent. We issued our 24th non-QM securitization during the quarter, selling nearly 300 million of bonds at an average cost of just over 5.5 percent, the loans and that deal carry a weighted average coupon of 6.75 percent.

Speaker #1: Separately, we re-securitized over 500 million of single-family rental loans after calling three prior issuances, unlocking 48 million of cash and financing capacity, while reducing mark-to-market recourse leverage.

Bryan Wulfsohn: Separately, we re-securitized over $500 million of single-family rental loans after calling three prior issuances, unlocking $48 million of cash and financing capacity while reducing mark-to-market recourse leverage. This is the second consecutive quarter that we've relevered older deals in order to unlock capital. Moving to our Agency portfolio. During the quarter, we purchased over $700 million of Agency bonds and grew that book to $4.1 billion. We again focus on low payoff spec pools, although we did further increase our TBA position nearly $500 million. Should market conditions remain favorable, we intend to continue to roll this TBA position, generating drop income that is economically equivalent to the net carry from owning pools. Agencies now comprise nearly a third of our investment portfolio, and we believe they are an attractive complement to our credit assets.

Speaker #1: This is the second consecutive quarter that we've re-levered older deals in order to unlock capital. Moving to our H2 portfolio. During the quarter, we purchased over 700 million of agency bonds and grew that book to 4.1 billion.

Speaker #1: We again focused on low payout spec pools, although we did further increase our TBA position nearly 500 million. Should market conditions remain favorable, we intend to continue to roll this TBA position, generating drop income that is economically equivalent to the net carry from owning pools.

Speaker #1: Agencies now comprise nearly a third of our investment portfolio, and we believe they are an attractive complement to our credit assets. That said, their liquidity profile affords us the ability to dial that book up or down depending on market prices and opportunities elsewhere in the business.

Bryan Wulfsohn: That said, their liquidity profile affords us the ability to dial that book up or down, depending on market prices and opportunities elsewhere in the business. Turning to Lima One. We are pleased to report that origination volume at Lima One rose by 44% during the quarter to $316 million. This included $220 million of new short-term transitional loans and $96 million of 30-year rental loans. As a reminder, originations had dropped over the past two years as we overhauled Lima's underwriting process and made significant personnel changes across the organization. Those changes are beginning to bear fruit across the business. Credit performance on more recent production at Lima One continues to be encouraging, with delinquency on recent vintages tracking meaningfully better than earlier years. We also invested heavily in technology improvements and rebuilt Lima's sales force.

Speaker #1: Turning to Lima One. We are pleased to report that origination volume at Lima One rose by 44 percent during the quarter to 316 million.

Speaker #1: This included 220 million of new short-term transitional loans and 96 million of 30-year rental loans, as a reminder, originations had dropped over the past two years, as we overhauled Lima's underwriting process and made significant personnel changes across the organization.

Speaker #1: Those changes are beginning to bear fruit across the business. Credit performance on more recent production at Lima One continues to be encouraging, with delinquency on recent fintages tracking meaningfully better than earlier years.

Speaker #1: We also invested heavily in technology improvements and rebuilt Lima's sales force. As we communicated in May, submissions have grown and Lima's origination pipeline has reached levels not seen since 2024.

Bryan Wulfsohn: As we communicated in May, submissions have grown, and Lima's origination pipeline has reached levels not seen since 2024. While origination is inherently lumpy and won't grow in a straight line, the direction is decidedly higher. We are excited about Lima's prospects as the team works hard to continuously improve the business. Finally, we made substantial progress resolving non-performing assets during Q2. As Craig mentioned, the delinquency rate across our entire loan portfolio declined by 80 basis points to 7%. In particular, we continue to shrink our legacy multifamily book, resolving $65 million of delinquent loans and reducing the portfolio to $360 million, less than half the size of the portfolio from a year ago. Multifamily transitional loans now comprises just 2% of our investment portfolio. Overall, the quarter reflected strong progress on several fronts.

Speaker #1: While origination is inherently lumpy and won't grow in a straight line, the direction is decidedly higher. We are excited about Lima's prospects as a team works hard to continuously improve the business.

Speaker #1: Finally, we made substantial progress resolving non-performing assets during Q2, as Craig mentioned, the delinquency rate across our entire loan portfolio declined by 80 basis points to 7 percent, in particular, we continue to shrink our legacy multifamily book, resolving 65 million of delinquent loans and reducing the portfolio to 360 million, less than half the size of the portfolio from a year ago.

Speaker #1: Multifamily transitional loans now comprises just 2 percent of our investment portfolio. Overall, the quarter reflected strong progress on several fronts. We added 1.6 billion of our target assets at expected ROEs in the mid-teens, funded in part by optimizing our securitizations to unlock capital while further reducing our reliance on mark-to-market borrowings against credit assets.

Bryan Wulfsohn: We added $1.6 billion of our target assets at expected ROEs in the mid-teens, funded in part by optimizing our securitizations to unlock capital while further reducing our reliance on mark-to-market borrowings against credit assets. Lima One grew both in volume and profitability, we cut delinquencies across the loan portfolio meaningfully. Taken together, these actions leave us with a bigger and higher-yielding portfolio, better-structured financing, and a growing origination platform that we believe positions us well to build value from here. With that, we'll turn the call over to the operator for questions.

Speaker #1: Lima One grew both in volume and profitability, and we cut delinquencies across the loan portfolio meaningfully. Taken together, these actions leave us with a bigger and higher yielding portfolio better structured financing and a growing origination platform that we believe positions us well to build value from here.

Speaker #1: And with that, we'll turn the call over to the operator for questions.

Speaker #3: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.

Operator: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press *1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press *2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment please while we poll for questions. Our first question is from Buzz George with KBW. Please proceed with your question

Speaker #3: A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue.

Speaker #3: For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions.

Speaker #3: Our first question is from Buzz George with KBW. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #4: Hey guys, good morning. Just on the remaining multifamily good morning. What's the time just the time frame on resolving the remaining multifamily loans? I didn't know if you said that.

Bose George: Hey guys, good morning. Just on the remaining multifamily, what's the timeframe on resolving the remaining multifamily loans? I didn't know if you said that. Also the equity you have remaining, that $84 million, what's the EAD on just that piece?

Speaker #4: And also, the current the equity you have remaining, that 84 million, what's the EAD on just that piece?

Speaker #1: So I'll answer the first and then pass it over to Mike to answer the second. You know, we believe that really we're probably a few quarters away from resolving the portfolio.

Bryan Wulfsohn: I'll answer the first and then pass it over to Mike to answer the second. We believe that really we're probably a few quarters away from resolving the portfolio. There are loans that are still paying that are extended, and we're giving time for the owners of those properties to resolve their loans through either refinance or sale of the property. The loans that are delinquent, we can work through rather quickly, to acquire the property and sell that subsequently. Really, in terms of resolving the entire thing, I think we're probably a few quarters away, but the material losses, credit losses are really here in the next quarter.

Speaker #1: You know, there are loans that are still paying that are extended, and we're giving time for the owners of those properties to resolve their, you know, their loans through either refinance or sale of the property.

Speaker #1: And then the loans that are you know, delinquent we can work through, you know, rather quickly to acquire the property and you know, sell that subsequently.

Speaker #1: So I, you know, really, in terms of resolving the entire thing, I think we're probably, you know, a few quarters away. But the material, you know, the material loss is—credit losses—are really, you know, here and in the next quarter.

Speaker #4: Okay, great.

Bose George: Okay, great.

Speaker #2: And then both understand your question directly. Are you asking what the impact would be if we were to redeploy that full 84 million, or are you asking what the lossless portion of the book generated for the quarter?

Michael C. Roper: Bose, to understand your question directly, are you asking what the impact would be if we were to redeploy that full $84 million? Or are you asking what the lossless portion of the book generated for the quarter?

Mike Roper: Bose, to understand your question directly, are you asking what the impact would be if we were to redeploy that full $84 million? Or are you asking what the lossless portion of the book generated for the quarter?

Speaker #4: Yeah, just trying to understand the impact of the redeployment. Like, is that a negative EAD at the moment, or is that zero, or yeah, just like yeah, but trying to calculate the the benefit of the redeployment.

Bose George: Just trying to understand the impact of the redeployment. Is that a -EAD at the moment, or is that zero?

Michael C. Roper: Yeah

Mike Roper: Yeah

Bose George: The benefit of the redeployment.

Speaker #2: Sure. So if you account for all the sort of you know, non-performing assets in that book, and then obviously the credit losses, that obviously would go away if we were to liquidate the rest of the book.

Michael C. Roper: If you account for all the sort of non-performing assets in that book, and then obviously the credit losses, that obviously would go away if we were to liquidate the rest of the book. Thinking about the $84 million deployed at a mid-teens ROE, you're talking about a marginal, call it $14, $15 million a year of additional earnings. Clearly there's going to be normalized losses on that, not the heightened credit losses we see today.

Mike Roper: If you account for all the sort of non-performing assets in that book, and then obviously the credit losses, that obviously would go away if we were to liquidate the rest of the book. Thinking about the $84 million deployed at a mid-teens ROE, you're talking about a marginal, call it $14, $15 million a year of additional earnings. Clearly there's going to be normalized losses on that, not the heightened credit losses we see today.

Speaker #2: Thinking about the $84 million deployed at, you know, like a mid-teens ROE, you're talking about a marginal, call it $14-15 million a year of additional earnings.

Speaker #2: And clearly there you know, there's going to be normalized losses on that, not the heightened credit losses we see today.

Speaker #4: Okay. Okay, great. And then on the agency you know, just given the what's happening with agency spreads, how do you see the risk-reward in that market, and then just where do you see the best the best risk-reward for deploying incremental capital?

Bose George: Okay. Great. Then on the Agency, just given what's happened with Agency spreads, how do you see the risk-reward in that market? Then just where do you see the best risk-reward for deploying incremental capital?

Speaker #1: Yeah, I mean, we still see agencies are attractive given spreads have widened, say, you know, 8 to 10 pips since the quarter. Still think it's sort of mid-teens ROEs are achievable.

Bryan Wulfsohn: We still see Agency are attractive given spreads have widened, say, 8 to 10 basis points since the quarter. Still think it's sort of mid-teens ROEs are achievable. Really our highest ROE business is still growth at Lima One in terms of origination. The double-digit type coupons finance that, say, 6% to 7%, offers a very good spread, and very high ROEs. That's still the most attractive. Non-QM continues to be attractive as well. That which ROEs are really in the mid-teens there too. We're really pressing on all fronts, deploying the additional capital and obviously things can change quarter-to-quarter, and we'll reallocate depending on where spreads and ROEs move.

Speaker #1: You know, really our highest ROE business is still, you know, growth at Lima One in terms of origination. You know, the double-digit, you know, type coupons financed at, you know, say, 6 to 7 percent, offers a very good spread.

Speaker #1: And very high ROEs. So that's still the most attractive, but non-QM continues to be attractive as well. So you know, that which ROEs are really in the you know, the mid-teens there too.

Speaker #1: So you know, we're really pressing on all fronts, deploying the additional capital and you know, obviously things can change quarter to quarter and we'll reallocate depending on where you know, where spreads and ROEs move.

Speaker #4: Okay, makes sense. Thanks.

Bose George: Okay. Makes sense. Thanks.

Speaker #3: Our next question is from Mikhail Government with Citizens JMP. Please proceed with your question.

Operator: Our next question is from Mikhail Goberman with Citizens JMP. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #2: Hey, good afternoon, everyone—or good morning. I just wanted to get your thoughts—good morning—wanted to get your thoughts on potential further improvements in operating leverage and expense reduction going forward.

Mikhail Goberman: Hey, good afternoon, everyone, or good morning. Just wanted to get your thoughts-

Bryan Wulfsohn: Good morning

Mikhail Goberman: Good morning. Wanted to get your thoughts on potential further improvements in operating leverage expense reduction going forward. I know you guys are doing good work with the changeover in the corporate headquarters and all that. Just your general thoughts on expenses going forward. Also, the second part of the question, with regards to Lima One, I know you've touched on Lima One already. Just what kind of, in terms of the products that Lima One is offering, just thoughts on that and how you see Q3 shaping up for Lima One in terms of maybe continuing the really good momentum you saw in Q2. Thanks.

Speaker #2: I know you guys are doing good work. With the changeover in the corporate headquarters and all that, just your general thoughts on expenses going forward.

Speaker #2: And also second part of the question, with regards to Lima One, I know you've touched on Lima One already. Just what kind of in terms of the products, that Lima One is offering, just thoughts on that and how you see the third quarter shaping up for Lima One in terms of maybe continuing the really good momentum you saw in the second quarter.

Speaker #2: Thanks.

Speaker #1: Yeah, I'll take the first part of your question and maybe Brian can take the second part there. On the G&A expenses, you know, we provided a guidance in the prepared remarks really because there's been a lot of noise as we sort of worked through those initiatives that we've talked about for some time now.

Michael C. Roper: Yeah. I'll take the first part of your question, and maybe Bryan can take the second part there. On the G&A expenses, we provided the guidance in the prepared remarks, really because there's been a lot of noise as we sort of worked through those initiatives that we've talked about for some time now. I think a lot of those sort of one-time blips, if you will, in the expenses are sort of reaching a point of normalization. With that said, we continuously evaluate the business for opportunities to be more efficient. Clearly we're committed to expense discipline across the business, including in Lima One. There's a couple of smaller items that we'll continue to flush through over the remainder of the year, including some expected savings from AI initiatives across the firm.

Mike Roper: Yeah. I'll take the first part of your question, and maybe Bryan can take the second part there. On the G&A expenses, we provided the guidance in the prepared remarks, really because there's been a lot of noise as we sort of worked through those initiatives that we've talked about for some time now. I think a lot of those sort of one-time blips, if you will, in the expenses are sort of reaching a point of normalization. With that said, we continuously evaluate the business for opportunities to be more efficient. Clearly we're committed to expense discipline across the business, including in Lima One. There's a couple of smaller items that we'll continue to flush through over the remainder of the year, including some expected savings from AI initiatives across the firm.

Speaker #1: I think a lot of those sort of one-time blips, if you will, in the expenses are sort of reaching a point of normalization. With that said, you know, we continuously evaluate the business for opportunity to be more efficient and clearly we're you know, committed to expense discipline.

Speaker #1: Across the business, including in Lima One. There's a couple of smaller items that we'll continue to flush through over the remainder of the year, including some expected savings from AI initiatives across the firm.

Speaker #1: But I think most of the big ticket items are sort of accounted for at this point in terms of the run rate G&A.

Michael C. Roper: I think most of the big-ticket items are sort of accounted for at this point, in terms of the run rate G&A.

Mike Roper: I think most of the big-ticket items are sort of accounted for at this point, in terms of the run rate G&A.

Speaker #5: And as it relates to Lima One, you know, given the nature of the housing stock and you know, being fairly high-priced, we've been focusing more on the ground-up construction space because that's where the opportunity is for investors.

Bryan Wulfsohn: As it relates to Lima One, given the nature of the housing stock being fairly high-priced, we have been focusing more on the ground-up construction space because that's where the opportunity is for investors. That's where we've seen sort of the materiality of the production out of Lima. That in addition to some bridge loans. Really in terms of volumes for Q3, we see a strong pipeline today. We saw good submissions in July. There's still sort of a couple months left of the quarter. It's unclear. We do expect there to be growth, but as I sort of mentioned in the earlier remarks, I'm not sure it's going to be the same jump that we saw from Q1 to Q2 because there's also some seasonality impacts when you go from the earlier in the year, the winter months into the spring and summer.

Speaker #5: And that's where we've seen sort of the materiality of the production out of Lima. That in addition to you know, some bridge loans. But you know, really in terms of you know, volumes for the third quarter, you know, we've seen we see a strong pipeline today.

Speaker #5: We've seen we saw good submissions in July. But there's still sort of a couple of months left of the quarter where we're sort of you know, it's unclear.

Speaker #5: We do expect there to be growth, but, you know, as I sort of mentioned in my earlier remarks, I'm not sure it's going to be the same, you know, the same jump that we saw from Q1 to Q2 because there's, you know, there's also some, you know, seasonality impacts, you know, when you go from earlier in the year, the winter months, into the spring and summer.

Speaker #2: Great, thank you. I appreciate it.

Mikhail Goberman: Great. Thank you. I appreciate it.

Craig L. Knutson: Thank you.

Craig Knutson: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. We have reached the end of the question and answer session.

Operator: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. We have reached the end of the question and answer session. I would like to turn the floor back over to Craig Knutson for closing comments.

Speaker #3: If you would like to I would like to turn the floor back over to Craig Knutson for closing comments.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Well, thanks everyone for your interest in MFA Financial. And we look forward to speaking with you again in November when we announce third quarter results.

Craig L. Knutson: Thank you. Well, thanks everyone for your interest in MFA Financial, and we look forward to speaking with you again in November when we announce Q3 results.

Craig Knutson: Thank you. Well, thanks everyone for your interest in MFA Financial, and we look forward to speaking with you again in November when we announce Q3 results.

Operator: This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

Q2 2026 MFA Financial Inc Earnings Call

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