WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS | | 66-0783125 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
5100 Tamarind Reef
Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820
(Address of principal executive office)
(340) 692-0525
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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(Title of Each ClassClass) | | (Name of Exchangeexchange on which Registeredregistered) |
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | AAMC | NYSE American |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:None.
Indicate by check if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨☐ No x☒
Indicate by check if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 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 Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x☒ No ¨☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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| Large Accelerated Filer | ¨ | ☐ | Accelerated Filer | ¨☐ |
| Non-Accelerated Filer | x | ☒ | Smaller Reporting Company | x☒ |
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| Emerging Growth Company | ¨☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ¨☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨☐ No x☒
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $8.2$9.2 million, based on the closing share price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 28, 201930, 2020 and the assumption that all Directors and executive officers of the registrant and their families and beneficial holders of 10% of the registrant's common stock are affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for any other purpose.
As of February 21, 2020, 1,618,80026, 2021, 2,048,319 shares of our common stock were outstanding (excluding 1,308,4241,359,600 shares held as treasury stock).
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the registrant's 2020 annual meeting, to be filed within 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
December 31, 20192020
References in this report to “we,” “our,” “us,” “AAMC” or the “Company” refer to Altisource Asset Management Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. References in this report to “Front Yard” refer to Front Yard Residential Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.
Special note on forward-looking statements
Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). 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 that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that 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 report 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 our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
our ability to implement our business strategy and the business strategy of Front Yard;
our ability to retain Front Yard as a client;
the likelihood that Front Yard (or its successor) will terminate our asset management agreement with Front Yard upon consummation of a merger to which Front Yard agreed on February 17, 2020;
our ability to develop and implement new businesses or, to the extent such businesses are developed, our ability to make them successful or sustain the performance of any such businesses;
our ability to retain and maintain our strategic relationships;
the ability of Front Yard to generate returns in amounts that would enable our management fees to increase;
our ability to obtain additional asset management clients;
our ability to effectively compete with our competitors;
Front Yard's ability to complete future or pending transactions;
the failure of our service providers to effectively perform their obligations under their agreements with us;
our ability to integrate newly acquired rental assets into Front Yard’s portfolio;
our ability to effectively manage the performance of Front Yard’s internal property manager at the level and/or the cost that it anticipates;
developments in the litigation regarding our redemption obligations under the Certificate of Designations of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Shares”), including our ability to obtain declaratory relief confirming that we are not obligated to redeem any of the Series A Shares on the upcoming March 15, 2020 redemption date if we do not have funds legally available to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Series A Shares requested to be redeemed on that redemption date;
our failure to maintain Front Yard’s qualification as a REIT;
general economic and market conditions; and
governmental regulations, taxes and policies.
While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of their respective dates, and we assume no obligation to update them to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information or otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained herein, please refer to the section “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Part IEXPLANATORY NOTE
Item 1. Business
Overview
Altisource Asset Management Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” “AAMC”“our,” or the “Company”) was incorporated inis filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (this “Amendment”) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the United States Virgin Islands (“USVI”) on March 15, 2012 (our “inception”fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Original Form 10-K”), and we commenced operations in December 2012. Our primary business is to provide asset management and certain corporate governance services to institutional investors. In October 2013, we applied for and were granted registration bywhich was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 3, 2021 solely to include the information required in Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of Form 10-K that was previously omitted from the Original Form 10-K. Except as a registered investment adviser under Section 203(c)expressly set forth herein, this Amendment does not reflect events occurring after the date of the Investment Advisers ActOriginal Form 10-K or modify or update any of 1940. We operatethe other disclosures contained in a single segment focused on providing asset managementthe Original Form 10-K in any way. Accordingly, this Amendment should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and certain corporate governance servicesour other filings with the SEC. This Amendment consists solely of the preceding cover page and table of contents, this explanatory note, Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14), the signature page and the certifications required to investment vehicles.be filed as exhibits to this Amendment.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. Our Directors and executive officers are as follows:
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| Indroneel Chatterjee | | 40 | | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
| Ricardo C. Byrd | | 71 | | Director |
| John A. Engerman | | 51 | | Director |
| John P. de Jongh, Jr. | | 62 | | Director |
| Christopher Moltke-Hansen | | 34 | | Chief Financial Officer |
| P. Graham Singer | | 40 | | General Counsel and Secretary |
| (1) | Except as otherwise indicated, all information set forth herein is as of April 15, 2021, and all stock ownership and equity award information for Messrs. Chatterjee, Moltke-Hansen and Singer are based solely upon their Form 4 filings with the SEC. |
Indroneel Chatterjee. Mr. Chatterjee became our Co-Chief Executive Officer and has served as a member of our Board of Directors on January 13, 2020, and Chairman of our Board since August 13, 2020, and Chief Executive Officer since December 31, 2020. Mr. Chatterjee was terminated as Chief Executive Officer for cause on April 16, 2021 and was deemed to have resigned as a director and Chairman on that date as well. Prior to joining AAMC, Mr. Chatterjee served as a consultant to various businesses since March 2019. He previously served as Senior Vice President, New Business Initiatives of Altisource Solutions, Inc. from September 2018 to March 2019. Altisource Solutions, Inc. is a subsidiary of Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“ASPS”), an integrated service provider and marketplace for the real estate and mortgage industries. Mr. Chatterjee served as Chief Financial Officer of ASPS from October 2017 to August 2018. Prior to joining ASPS, he served as Head of Credit Solutions, Global Markets at Nomura Securities, an investment banking firm, from January 2017 to September 2017 and as Executive Director on the fixed income trading desk at Nomura from August 2014.
Ricardo C. Byrd. Mr. Byrd was elected to our Board of Directors in June 2015. Mr. Byrd has served as the Executive Director of the National Association of Neighborhoods ("NAN"), one of the nation’s largest and oldest multi-issue membership associations of grass-roots neighborhood organizations, since 1995, and from 1982 to 1994, served as Federal FTA Project Manager for NAN. He has over thirty years of management experience in directing grass-roots programs. On America’s social and economic development challenges, he has served as a public policy catalyst, a community outreach strategist and resource person to the White House, Congressional, state and local government officials, corporations and neighborhood leaders. Mr. Byrd is a native Washingtonian, educated in the District of Columbia Public Schools, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University.
Mr. Byrd’s understanding of neighborhood and borrower needs will provide us with valuable inputs regarding borrower and tenant satisfaction. His diverse experience will further enable the Company to consider other client opportunities and their related benefits.
John A. Engerman. Mr. Engerman was elected to our Board of Directors in June 2019. Since 2019, Mr. Engerman has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of The Strategy Group VI, a professional services firm in St. Thomas, and has continued to serve in that role since March 2020 following its acquisition of BDO USVI, LLC (“BDO USVI”), a full-service accounting and advisory services firm located in St. Thomas, USVI. From July 2016 to March 2020, Mr. Engerman was Managing Partner of BDO USVI. From 2017 to 2018, Mr. Engerman served as the Territorial Campaign Manager for the successful Albert Bryan and Tregenza Roach Gubernatorial Team for the U.S. Virgin Islands. From January 2014 to June 2016, Mr. Engerman was Executive Vice President, Finance & Planning for International Capital & Management Company, a finance and analytics firm located in St. Thomas, USVI. From February 2001 to January 2014, Mr. Engerman was a Managing Member of ARI Group, LLC, a government and business advisory firm located in Fort Washington, MD. Mr. Engerman commenced his career in various accounting, auditing and advisory roles for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and Capgemini (now part of Ernst & Young). Mr. Engerman also served for five years in the United States Navy. Mr. Engerman holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration - Accounting from Howard University in Washington, DC and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Engerman brings extensive finance and accounting experience to the Board that enables him to provide valuable insight to the Audit Committee and guidance to the Board in overseeing the financial reporting and accounting aspects of our business.
John P. de Jongh, Jr. John P. de Jongh, Jr., the former Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, was appointed to our Board of Directors in December 2016. Governor de Jongh currently is a Principal of Chilmark Advisory, LLC (“Chilmark”), a U.S. Virgin Islands-based advisory firm with a focus on real estate, insurance and financial services. From January 2007 to January 2015, Governor de Jongh served two terms as the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, during which he led the territory through the difficult economic periods following the financial crisis of 2008, sponsored legislation to expand access of small businesses to loan programs and export initiatives, ensured Government access to capital markets, negotiated public-private initiatives with cruise lines and rum producers and implemented revitalization projects for St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. From 2003 to 2006, Governor de Jongh served as a Principal of Chilmark in the same capacities as his current position. From 1992 to 2002, Governor de Jongh served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the board of directors of Lockhart Companies Incorporated, a holding company with subsidiaries in real estate, insurance and financial services in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks & Caicos. He also served three terms as the President of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, a philanthropic organization focused on children and families. From 1993 to 1995, he was a Senior Managing Consultant for Public Financial Management, Inc., where he implemented five-year strategic plans for the cities of Philadelphia, PA, New Haven, CT and Washington, DC. Prior to 1993, Governor de Jongh served in multiple capacities for the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, including Commissioner of Finance, Director of Finance for the Virgin Islands Finance Authority, Executive Assistant to the Governor and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. Governor de Jongh received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Antioch College.
Governor de Jongh’s substantial political and business experience in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as his financial and real estate-related experience in general, bring strong targeted knowledge to our Company and drive a diverse and local understanding to our Board of Directors for the jurisdiction in which we are located.
Chris Moltke-Hansen. Mr. Moltke-Hansen has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2021. Mr. Moltke-Hansen joined the Company in 2018 and was subsequently promoted to Managing Director of Finance in October 2020. Mr. Moltke-Hansen resigned as Chief Financial Officer on April 24, 2021. In his previous positions with the Company, Mr. Moltke-Hansen was responsible for managing the Company’s financial and SEC reporting and the accounting policies of the Company and its primary client, Front Yard. Prior to joining AAMC in 2018, Mr. Moltke-Hansen was Vice President of Financial Control at Credit Suisse, a leading global wealth manager and investment bank, which he joined in 2011 and where he held various positions of increasing responsibility.
P. Graham Singer. Mr. Singer has served as our General Counsel & Secretary since January 2021. Mr. Singer resigned as General Counsel on April 23, 2021. Since joining the Company in April 2018, Mr. Singer has overseen a broad range of responsibilities including corporate structuring and consolidation, management and oversight of outside counsel specific to all real estate acquisitions and dispositions, and various real estate and property management activities, including loan extensions, modifications, and property-related litigation. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Singer served as Legal Counsel for VEREIT, Inc. where he was responsible for all aspects of the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets totaling greater than $2.5 billion in acquisitions and $550M in dispositions.
None of our Directors and/or executive officers is related to any other Director and/or executive officer of AAMC or any of its subsidiaries by blood, marriage or adoption.
Board of Directors
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that our Board of Directors shall consist of no less than three (3) members with the exact number to be determined by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. As of April 15, 2021, our Board of Directors consisted of four (4) members.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
The Board plays an active role in overseeing management and representing the interests of the stockholders. Directors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board and the meetings of committees on which they serve. Directors are also consulted for advice and counsel between formal meetings. Our current Board held seventeen (17) meetings in 2020. Each incumbent Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of Board meetings in 2020 held during the period for which they were a Director and (2) the total number of meetings in 2020 of all committees of our Board on which the Director served during the periods they served. The Board also regularly held executive sessions of the independent directors. We do not have a formal policy regarding Director attendance at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders. However, all of the incumbent members of our Board attended our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Independence of Directors
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our Board must be comprised of a majority of Directors who qualify as independent Directors under the standards of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), which governs the NYSE American where our common stock is listed.
Our Board annually reviews the direct and indirect relationships that we have with each Director. The purpose of this review is to determine whether any such transactions or relationships are inconsistent with a determination that the Director is independent. Only those Directors who are determined by our Board to have no material relationship with the Company are considered independent. This determination is based in part on the analysis of questionnaire responses that follow the independence standards and qualifications established by NYSE rules and law. Our current Board has determined that Messrs. Byrd, Engerman, and Governor de Jongh are independent Directors and were independent Directors for their full 2020-2021 service year.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board of Directors’ leadership structure consists of a Chairman who is also our Chief Executive Officer, a Lead Independent Director, who is elected by the independent directors, and three Committee Chairs, each of whom are independent directors (and one of whom, the Chair of our Audit Committee, is also our Lead Independent Director). We discuss succession planning with respect to our Chairman, our Chief Executive Officer, and other business heads at least annually.
Our Board has combined the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since June 2015, with Mr. Chatterjee serving as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since his appointment in January 2020 until April 16, 2021. Due to the respective combined positions as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, we have had a Lead Independent Director while the Chief Executive Officer holds both positions. Except for Mr. Chatterjee, all of our other Directors are independent, and all of our Board committees and their chairpersons are independent. Our Board believes that the strong leadership structure provides the Board with important balance and knowledge base, for several reasons. First, a combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer position allows us to speak with one voice to our stockholders, counterparties and external constituencies. Second, we have a strong Lead Independent Director who provides independent oversight over the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the full Board of Directors, including with respect to the calling of meetings of the Board, executive sessions of the independent members of the Board, and setting the agenda for meetings of the Board and meetings of the independent members of the Board. Our Lead Independent Director has provided important leadership and insight while also serving as the Chair of our Audit Committee. We also have empowered our other strong independent Directors to chair our Compensation Committee and Nomination/Governance Committee. Each of our independent Directors is authorized to call executive sessions of independent Directors to discuss any subject. Our independent Directors also frequently communicate with each other by telephone between meetings of the Board and committees of the Board on an ad hoc basis as needed.
Our Board believes that this leadership structure provides an effective balance between leadership of the Board and our Company by a strong Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and effective oversight of the Board and our Company by independent Directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nomination/Governance Committee. A brief description of these committees is provided below.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of our Board oversees the relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews and advises our Board with respect to reports by our independent registered public accounting firm and monitors our compliance with laws and regulations applicable to our operations, including the evaluation of significant matters relating to the financial reporting process and our system of accounting, internal controls, auditing and federal securities law matters and the review of the scope and results of the annual audit conducted by the independent registered public accounting firm.
The members of the Audit Committee since October 2020 have been Governor de Jongh, and Messrs. Byrd and Engerman. Governor de Jongh has served as the Chair of the Audit Committee since May 2018. For the 2021-2022 service year, Governor de Jongh is expected to continue to serve as the Chair of the Audit Committee, and Messrs. Byrd and Engerman will continue to serve as a member of the Audit Committee. Each member of our Audit Committee is independent as defined in regulations adopted by the SEC and NYSE listing standards. Our Board has determined that, throughout the 2020-2021 service year, all members of our Audit Committee are, and have been, “financially literate” as defined in SEC rules. Our Board has also determined that each of Mr. Engerman and Governor de Jongh qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in SEC rules.
Our Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by our Board of Directors, a copy of which is available on our website at www.altisourceamc.com and is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. On an annual basis, the Audit Committee reviews and approves its charter. The Audit Committee also evaluates its performance under its charter annually and delivers a report to the Board setting forth the results of its evaluation, including an assessment of the adequacy of its charter and any recommendations for amendments. The Audit Committee met seven (7) times in 2020.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee of our Board oversees our Board and employee compensation and employee benefit plans and practices. The Compensation Committee also evaluates and makes recommendations to our Board for human resource and compensation matters relating to our named executive officers (“NEOs”). With respect to all officers and employees of the Company other than the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officers and subsequently approves all executive compensation plans, any executive severance or termination arrangements and any equity compensation plans that are not subject to stockholder approval. The Compensation Committee also has the power to review our other compensation plans, including the goals and objectives thereof and to recommend changes to these plans to our Board. The Compensation Committee has authority for the administration of awards under AAMC’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Equity Plan”), and the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Equity Plan”). The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain independent counsel or other advisers as it deems necessary in connection with its responsibilities at our expense. The Compensation Committee may request that any of our Directors, officers or employees, or other persons attend its meetings to provide advice, counsel or pertinent information as the Compensation Committee requests.
The members of the Compensation Committee in 2020 were Messrs. Byrd, Engerman and Governor de Jongh, with Mr. Engerman serving as the Chair of the Compensation Committee since June 2019., Mr. Engerman is expected to continue to serve as the Chair of the Compensation Committee, and Mr. Byrd and Governor de Jongh is expected to continue to serve as Compensation Committee members. Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent as defined by NYSE listing standards. While we have no specific qualification requirements for members of the Compensation Committee, our members have knowledge and experience regarding compensation matters as developed through their respective business experience in both management and advisory roles, including general business management, executive compensation and employee benefits experience.
Our Compensation Committee operates under a written charter approved by our Board, a copy of which is available on our website at www.altisourceamc.com and is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves its charter. The Compensation Committee also evaluates its performance under its charter annually and delivers a report to the Board setting forth the results of its evaluation, including an assessment of the adequacy of its charter and any recommendations for amendments. The Compensation Committee met seven (7) times in 2020.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation: There were no interlocks during 2020.
Nomination/Governance Committee. The Nomination/Governance Committee of our Board makes recommendations to our Board of individuals qualified to serve as Directors and committee members for our Board; advises our Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees; develops and recommends to the Board a set of corporate governance principles; and oversees the evaluation of our Board and our management.
The members of the Nomination/Governance Committee since October 2020 were Messrs. Byrd, Engerman, and Governor de Jongh. Mr. Byrd has served as the Chair of the Nomination/Governance Committee since May 2017. For the 2021-2022 service year, Mr. Byrd is expected to continue to serve as Chair of the Nomination/Governance Committee, and Mr. Engerman and Governor de Jongh are expected to continue to serve as members of the Nomination/Governance Committee. Each member of our Nomination/Governance Committee is independent as defined in the NYSE listing standards.
Our Nomination/Governance Committee operates under a written charter approved by our Board of Directors, a copy of which is available on our website at www.altisourceamc.com and is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. On an annual basis, the Nomination/Governance Committee reviews and approves its charter. The Nomination/Governance Committee also evaluates its performance under its charter annually and delivers a report to the Board setting forth the results of its evaluation, including an assessment of the adequacy of its charter and any recommendations for amendments. The Nomination/Governance Committee met two (2) times in 2020.
It is the policy of our Nomination/Governance Committee to consider candidates for Director recommended by our stockholders. In evaluating all nominees for Director, our Nomination/Governance Committee will take into account the applicable requirements for Directors under the Exchange Act and NYSE listing standards. In addition, our Nomination/Governance Committee will take into account AAMC’s best interests as well as such factors as knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, diversity and the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the background of other members of our Board of Directors.
The Nomination/Governance Committee will consider diversity when it recommends Director nominees to the Board of Directors, viewing diversity in an expansive way to include differences in prior work experience, viewpoint, education and skill set. In particular, the Nomination/Governance Committee will consider diversity in professional experience, skills, expertise, training, broad-based business knowledge and understanding of our business environment when recommending Director nominees to the Board of Directors, with the objective of achieving a Board with diverse business and educational backgrounds. Board members should have individual backgrounds that, when combined, provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge that will serve our governance and strategic needs. The Nomination/Governance Committee will periodically review the skills and attributes of Board members within the context of the current make-up of the full Board as the Nomination/Governance Committee deems appropriate.
The Nomination/Governance Committee will regularly assess the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are anticipated. Various potential candidates for Director will then be identified. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nomination/Governance Committee through current members of the Board, professional search firms, stockholders or industry sources.
In connection with this evaluation, one or more members of the Nomination/Governance Committee, and others as appropriate, will interview prospective nominees. After completing this evaluation and interview, the Nomination/Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board. The Board will determine the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Nomination/Governance Committee. Should a stockholder recommend a candidate for Director, our Nomination/Governance Committee would evaluate such candidate in the same manner that it evaluates any other nominee.
A stockholder who wants to recommend persons for consideration by our Nomination/Governance Committee as nominees for election to our Board, can do so by writing to our Corporate Secretary at Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 5100 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820. The recommendation should provide each proposed nominee’s name, biographical data and qualifications. The recommendation should also include a written statement from the proposed nominee consenting to be named as a nominee and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a Director.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by our Board provide guidelines for us and our Board to ensure effective corporate governance. The Corporate Governance Guidelines cover topics such as Director qualification standards, Board and committee composition, Director responsibilities, Director access to management and independent advisors, Director compensation, Director orientation and continuing education, management succession and annual performance appraisal of the Board.
Our Nomination/Governance Committee reviews our Corporate Governance Guidelines at least once a year and, if necessary, recommends changes to our Board. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.altisourceamc.com and are available to any stockholder who requests them by writing to our Corporate Secretary at Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 5100 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820.
Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors
Non-management Directors meet in executive session without management representatives periodically.
Communications with Directors
If a stockholder should desire to contact our Board or any individual Director regarding AAMC, he or she may do so by mail addressed to our Corporate Secretary at Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 5100 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820. All stockholder communications received in writing will be distributed to our full Board if addressed to the full Board or to individual Directors if addressed to any of them individually.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our Directors, executive officers and employees (including our principal executive officer). We also adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that applies to our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Any waivers from the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers must be approved by our Board or the Audit Committee and will be subsequently disclosed when required by SEC or applicable exchange rules. Our Nomination/Governance Committee reviews our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers at least once a year and, if necessary, recommends changes to our Board. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers are available on our website at www.altisourceamc.com and are available to any stockholder who requests a copy by writing to our Corporate Secretary at Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 5100 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820. Any amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed under SEC or exchange rules, will either be posted on our website at www.altisourceamc.com or otherwise disclosed in accordance with such rules.
Risk Management and Oversight Process
Our Board and each of its committees are involved with the oversight of the Company’s risk management.
The Board and the Audit Committee oversee AAMC’s credit risk, liquidity risk, regulatory risk, operational risk and enterprise risk by regular reviews with management and internal and external auditors. In its periodic meetings with internal and external auditors, the Audit Committee discusses the scope and plan for the internal audit and includes management in its review of accounting and financial controls, assessment of business risks and legal and ethical compliance programs.
In its periodic meetings with the external auditors, the Audit Committee discusses the external audit scope, the external auditors’ responsibility under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), accounting policies and practices and other required communications. In addition, through regular reviews with management and, at times, certain employees of AAMC, the Nomination/Governance Committee assists the Board in overseeing the Company’s governance and succession risks, and the Compensation Committee assists the Board in overseeing our compensation policies and related risks.
The Board's role in risk oversight is consistent with the Company’s leadership structure, with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management having responsibility for assessing and managing the Company’s risk exposure, and the Board and its committees providing oversight in connection with these efforts. Our Investment Committee, which is comprised of our Lead Independent Director and our Chief Executive Officer, has responsibility for assessing and managing the Company’s risk exposure with respect to transactional and counterparty risk.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, Directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, Directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based upon the Company’s review of Section 16(a) reports and related written representations, the Company believes that with the exception of Chris Moltke-Hansen and P. Graham Singer, who upon appointment as executive officers on January 1, 2021, submitted their initial Form 3 filings one day late on January 12, 2021 due to challenges attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Indroneel Chatterjee, who submitted a Form 4 filing reporting one tax withholding transaction ten days late on February 16, 2021, all of the Company’s reporting persons complied with their Section 16(a) filing requirements in 2020.
Item 11. Executive Compensation. This section discusses the material components of our executive compensation program for our NEOs. We believe an effective executive compensation program aligns executives’ interests with stockholders by rewarding performance designed to increase stockholder value. We seek to promote individual service longevity and to provide our executives with long-term incentive opportunities that promote consistent, high-level performance. The Compensation Committee evaluates both performance and compensation annually to ensure that we maintain our ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of peer companies, subject to consideration of the Company’s own financial performance. To achieve these objectives, we generally believe executive compensation packages should include both cash and equity-based compensation that rewards performance as measured against established goals.
For 2020, our NEOs and their positions as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Indroneel Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer
George G. Ellison, Former Chief Executive Officer
Robin N. Lowe, Chief Financial Officer
Stephen H. Gray, General Counsel and Secretary
Elements of Compensation
The current compensation package for our NEOs consists of base salary and annual cash incentive compensation. This compensation structure was developed in order to provide each NEO with a competitive salary while emphasizing a cash incentive compensation element that is tied to the achievement of corporate goals and strategic initiatives as well as individual performance. The Compensation Committee also may, from time to time, grant equity compensation awards to the NEOs in order to further align their interests with AAMC’s stockholders. We believe that the following elements of compensation are appropriate in light of our strategic initiatives, industry, current challenges and environment.
Base Salary. Base salaries for our NEOs are established based on individual qualifications and job responsibilities while taking into account compensation levels at similarly situated companies for similar positions.
Base salaries of the NEOs are expected to be reviewed annually during the performance appraisal process with adjustments made based on market information, internal review of the executive officer’s compensation in relation to other officers, the individual performance of the executive officer and our corporate performance. Salary levels are also considered upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility. Salary adjustment recommendations will be based on our overall performance and an analysis of compensation levels necessary to maintain and attract quality personnel. The Compensation Committee will set the base salary for the Chief Executive Officer and approve the base salaries for all other NEOs.
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to our annual incentive philosophy, our executives can earn cash awards as determined by the Compensation Committee. Our philosophy provides the Compensation Committee and our management with the authority to establish incentive award guidelines, which are further discussed below.
Equity Awards. The Company adopted the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, which superseded the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (together with the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, the "Equity Incentive Plans"), to afford an incentive to officers, non-employee directors, employees, advisors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates to continue as officers, non-employee directors, employees, advisors or consultants, to increase their efforts on behalf of AAMC and to promote the success of AAMC’s business. From time to time, the Compensation Committee, as administrator, grants awards to our NEOs in addition to their annual cash incentive compensation.
Employee Relocation Program. In order to enable us to recruit top talent and incentivize key personnel to relocate, we offer a relocation package to individuals who are relocating to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and prior to 2021, the Cayman Islands, to work (the “Employee Relocation Program”). The Employee Relocation Program includes relocation benefits such as moving expenses, home sale support, a housing allowance, payment of applicable children’s school tuition fees and payment of “home leave” travel for return trips to the continental United States, in each case subject to certain limits and exceptions. Upon a participant’s departure after at least one year of service or termination without cause, such participant is eligible to receive reimbursement for relocation costs back to the continental United States. We believe that our Employee Relocation Program is necessary to attract and retain talent that is critical to our success.
2020 Compensation Determinations
Under AAMC’s annual cash incentive compensation plan, our NEOs can earn cash incentive compensation awards as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee and management have the authority to establish incentive compensation award guidelines. Each NEO has a targeted annual cash incentive award that is expressed as a percentage of his or her annual cash total target compensation. In 2020, 28-46% of total annual cash target compensation was payable to our NEOs only upon achievement of certain Company and individual performance levels. The appropriate targeted percentage varies based upon the nature and scope of each NEO’s responsibilities.
Our annual incentive-based cash compensation is structured to motivate executives to achieve key performance objectives by rewarding the executives for such achievement. We seek to accomplish this by utilizing a balanced methodology that incorporates multiple financial and non-financial performance objectives developed through our annual strategic planning process. The Compensation Committee also determined that there were certain goals for the Front Yard Residential Corporation (“business being managed by the executive officers given that the achievement of Front Yard”), a public real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on acquiring and managing quality, affordable single-family rental (“SFR”) properties for America's families.Yard's goals would enable Front Yard is currently our primary source of revenue and will drive our results.to meet performance targets that could translate into higher asset management revenues for AAMC.
Since we are heavily reliant on revenues earned fromFor 2020, corporate goals for both Front Yard investors may obtain additional information aboutand AAMC were developed by our Compensation Committee and included targets pertaining to (a) a renegotiation of the asset management agreement between AAMC and Front Yard in its SEC filings, including, without limitation,order to provide better termination fee protection to AAMC, prevent the asset management fees from continuing to decrease under the asset management agreement and provide a simpler market approach in the asset management agreement for AAMC to increase the fees payable to AAMC while enabling Front Yard to achieve general and administrative expense load more in line with industry standards, (b) further optimizing Front Yard’s financial statements and other important disclosures therein, available at http://www.sec.gov and http://ir.frontyardresidential.com/financial-information.
Duringdebt facilities to cap and/or fix interest rate exposure, (c) completing the second quarterinternalization of 2019,Front Yard's property management of its approximately 8,000 remaining externally managed rental properties on an accelerated basis to ensure Front Yard’s entire portfolio is internally managed, (d) improving and/or rationalizing the rental property operating metrics of Front Yard, commenced a(e) when permitted, adding additional revenue streams to AAMC that do not adversely affect the services provided to Front Yard under the asset management agreement, and (f) developing options to address the Series A Preferred Stock of AAMC.
This incentive compensation structure is intended to align the goals of our incentive eligible employees with the overall success of AAMC and Front Yard, as AAMC’s primary client, and ultimately with the interests of our stockholders.
The Company’s Compensation Committee reviewed the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the annual incentive compensation of Messrs. Lowe and Gray and could determine to amend such annual incentive compensation based on such factors as it determines are appropriate, including market information and individual performance. In coming to his recommendation to the Compensation Committee regarding the annual incentive compensation for Messrs. Lowe and Gray, the Chief Executive Officer has historically considered those elements of the AAMC executive scorecard that are attributable to Front Yard's and AAMC's performance. In light of AAMC's focus throughout 2020 on Front Yard's strategic alternatives review process, designedthe integration of all external property management onto Front Yard's internal property management platform and the renegotiation and amendment of the asset management agreement between Front Yard and AAMC, AAMC did not approve separate executive scorecard metrics attributable to maximize its stockholder value. Front Yard's and AAMC's performance for 2020. The Front Yard strategic alternative review process resulted in the proposed acquisition of Front Yard by affiliates of Amherst Residential, LLC (“Amherst”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 17, 2020. The integration of Front Yard's property management onto the internal platform was successfully completed well ahead of schedule, and the renegotiation of the asset management agreement resulted in a new amended and restated asset management agreement in May 2019 that addressed the goals of both Front Yard and AAMC.
In light of the Compensation Committee's review of these important successful initiatives, balanced against the operating challenges faced by Front Yard following the transfer of more than 12,000 properties onto Front Yard's internal property management platform, the Compensation Committee approved the following cash incentive compensation awards to our NEOs: an annual cash bonus of $947,500 to Mr. Ellison, or 66.7% of his aggregate target cash bonus opportunity; an annual cash bonus of $350,000 to Mr. Lowe, or 87.5% of his aggregate target cash bonus opportunity; and an annual cash bonus of $315,000 to Mr. Gray, or 71.4 % of his aggregate bonus opportunity. The Compensation Committee determined to award these bonuses, which were in line with the cash bonuses paid to the executives for 2019 in order to continue to incentivize them, considering the determination that the compensation to the executives continued to be lower than the median compensation to executives in similar companies, while ensuring that our NEOs' year-end incentive compensation payable by AAMC did not increase from the past three years, due to the continued challenging financial performance of AAMC. The 2019 year-end bonuses for each of Mr. Ellison and Mr. Lowe were not paid in light of the Front Yard merger transaction not being consummated, and Mr. Gray’s 2019 year-end bonus was paid in August 2020. Please see the Summary Compensation Table under “Executive Compensation” for the actual amounts awarded to our NEOs for 2019 performance.
The base salary paid and the annual cash incentive compensation approved for our NEOs totaled $3,596,538 in the aggregate for 2020, or approximately 26.2% of the management fees of $13,712,696 paid by Front Yard to AAMC. Of such $3,596,538 for our NEOs, 55.2% or $1,984,038 was paid as base salary and 44.8% or $1,612,500 was approved in the form of annual cash incentive compensation. $101,845 of the base salary and $1,012,500 of the annual cash incentive compensation were reimbursed by Front Yard pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended and restated asset management agreement with Front Yard.
Employment Agreements
Under his Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into on December 4, 2020, Mr. Chatterjee is entitled to receive an initial annual base salary of $675,000, subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Committee, with reduction in salary below such amount only permitted if part of an across-the-board reduction not to exceed 10% of the salaries of all executive officers at the “chief” level. Mr. Chatterjee is eligible to earn annual cash bonuses beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. His target bonus is $1,600,000. His bonus will be subject to the achievement of performance targets established by the Compensation Committee. He also received a cash signing bonus of $800,000, subject to an obligation to repay 100% of such signing bonus if terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement) or without Good Reason (as defined in the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement) within the first year following January 13, 2020 or 50% of such signing bonus if terminated by the Company for Cause or without Good Reason during the second year following January 13, 2020. Mr. Chatterjee also received an initial equity award outside of the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) but such award will otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Such initial equity award was an “inducement award” for purposes of the NYSE American’s exemption from shareholder approval requirements for inducement awards. The equity award consisted of performance-based options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock and 60,000 service-based restricted shares. The options are subject to vesting following the achievement of certain trading price targets and further time-based vesting criteria thereafter as further described below in the Outstanding Equity Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year-End table. The restricted shares will vest annually over a three-year period following the date of grant. Mr. Chatterjee will be entitled to receive additional option awards in connection with certain dilutive issuances of securities. He is eligible to participate in the Company’s health, life insurance, disability, retirement and other welfare plans on the same terms available to other senior executives. Upon termination of employment, Mr. Chatterjee will be eligible to receive accrued salary and benefits payable through the date of termination. He will be subject to customary confidentiality and non-disparagement obligations, as well as a twelve-month obligation not to solicit clients, customers or employees. In addition, if his employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by Mr. Chatterjee without Good Reason, he will be subject to a twelve-month non-competition obligation. If his employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Chatterjee for Good Reason, Mr. Chatterjee will be entitled to receive severance equal to the sum of his annual base salary and annual target bonus, payable in twelve month installments, and accelerated vesting of his equity awards (except as prohibited by the Plan), in each case, subject to his execution of a customary release, providing, among other things, confirmation of his confidentiality, non-disparagement and non-solicitation obligations.
Each of our executives during the 2020 calendar year had executed an Employee Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Agreement at the time they joined AAMC that contains covenants to maintain our confidential information and that all developments by such executive shall be our property.
2020 Equity Awards
On January 30, 2020, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Chatterjee an aggregate of 60,000 shares of AAMC service-based restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $786,600, which was determined based on the average of the high and low sales price of our common stock on the date of the grant, and 60,000 performance-based stock options with a grant date fair value of $636,733 based on probable achievement as further described above under “Employment Agreements”. Additionally, the Compensation Committee did not award any of Messrs. Ellison, Lowe or Gray any equity awards in 2020.
In determining the awards for our NEOs, the Compensation Committee considered the valuable and substantial contributions they had made to achieving Front Yard’s and AAMC’s strategic objectives, the importance to us of retaining and incentivizing them and the desire to have their cash compensation reduced and converted into the restricted stock awards so that the benefits of such grants only would be realized if the Company’s stock price were to increase.
Stock Ownership Policies
Although we do not have stock ownership requirements, our philosophy is that equity ownership by our Directors and executives is important to attract, motivate, retain and to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that our various equity incentive plans are adequate to achieve this process,philosophy. We also maintain an insider trading policy detailing our trading window period for Directors, executive officers and other employees.
Other Compensation
The Compensation Committee’s policy with respect to other employee benefit plans is to provide benefits to our employees, including executive officers, that are comparable to benefits offered by companies of a similar size to ours. A competitive comprehensive benefit program is essential to achieving the goal of attracting and retaining highly qualified employees.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Below is a description of the termination benefits payable to the NEOs, except Mr. Indroneel, whose benefits are described above under “Employment Agreements”.
Under our employment arrangements with each of Messrs. Ellison, Lowe and Gray, in the event that his employment is terminated by us without “cause,” he may receive severance benefits of up to six months’ base salary. In these instances, we appointedwould also pay standard relocation costs to relocate the executive to his previous domicile prior to being relocated to the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Cayman Islands, as applicable. If any of our executives’ employment is terminated for cause, his employment may be terminated without notice and with no liability to make any further payment to him, other than amounts accrued and unpaid as of the date of his termination.
Under the terms of their outstanding restricted stock award agreements, each of Messrs. Ellison, Lowe and Gray would have vested, and Mr. Ellison would have received vesting of common stock with a newvalue of $748,216, Mr. Lowe would have received vesting of common stock with a value of $183,617 and Mr. Gray would have received vesting of common stock with a value of $106,770, based on AAMC’s closing stock price of $23.58 per share on December 31, 2020.
The Compensation Committee may in its discretion revise, amend or add to the benefits of each executive officer.
None of our executive officers currently has an arrangement in which they would be entitled to a payment on a change of control of AAMC, other than payments for termination described above to the extent the surviving party in a change of control transaction assumes the employment arrangements described above. Messrs. Ellison, Lowe and Gray also have change in control agreements with Front Yard that provide for the payment of certain change in control compensation by Front Yard to such NEOs if, within two years of a “Change of Control” of Front Yard (as defined therein), the executive is terminated without “Cause” (as defined therein) or terminates his employment with us for “Good Reason” (as defined therein). Pursuant to such change in control agreements with Front Yard, the obligation to pay the change in control amount is the obligation of Front Yard, not AAMC. Such payments would be reduced to the extent of AAMC severance payment amounts described above.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table discloses compensation received by our NEOs for the fiscal years 2019 and 2020:
Name and Principal Position | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Non-Equity Incentive Compensation (3) | | | | | | | |
Indroneel Chatterjee (1) Chief Executive Officer | | 2020 | | $ | 649,038(6 | ) | | $ | 800,000(7 | ) | | $ | 786,600(7 | ) | | $ | 636,733(7 | ) | | | — | | | $ | 165,625(8 | ) | | $ | 3,037,996 | |
| | 2019 | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | | |
George G. Ellison (5) Former Chief Executive Officer | | 2020 | | $ | 475,000(9 | ) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | $ | 947,500(10 | ) | | $ | 107,563(11 | ) | | $ | 1,530,063 | |
| | 2019 | | $ | 472,692 | | | | | | | $ | 1,049,991 | | | | | | | | — | | | $ | 1,395,353 | | | $ | 2,918,036 | |
Robin N. Lowe Chief Financial Officer | | 2020 | | $ | 475,000(12 | ) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | $ | 350,000(13 | ) | | $ | 58,502(14 | ) | | $ | 883,502 | |
| | 2019 | | $ | 472,692 | | | | | | | $ | 259,596 | | | | | | | | — | | | $ | 89,197 | | | $ | 821,485 | |
Stephen H. Gray General Counsel and Secretary | | 2020 | | $ | 385,000(15 | ) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | $ | 315,000(16 | ) | | $ | 124,569(17 | ) | | $ | 824,569 | |
| | 2019 | | $ | 384,077 | | | | | | | $ | 149,995 | | | | | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 448,286 | | | $ | 1,132,358 | |
| (1) | Mr. Chatterjee joined the company on January 13, 2020 as Co-Chief Executive Officer, and upon resignation of Mr. Ellison on December 29, 2020, became the sole Chief Executive Officer of the Company. |
| (2) | Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted shares and option awards granted to our NEOs, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Such grant date fair value does not take into account any estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of restricted shares and option awards are set forth in Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in our Annual Report. The amount reported in this column reflects the accounting cost for these awards and does not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the directors upon the vesting of the restricted shares, the exercise of the stock options, or any sale of the underlying shares of common stock. |
| (3) | Consists of the cash annual incentive compensation related to performance in each year and generally awarded in the first quarter of the following year. For example, non-equity incentive compensation earned in 2020 was paid in January 2021. The non-equity incentive compensation for Messrs. Ellison, Lowe, and Gray were paid in the fourth quarter of 2020, and partially reimbursed by Front Yard Residential as detailed more fully in the respective footnotes below. |
| (4) | Consists of contributions from AAMC to each executive officer for relocation expenses, as applicable; supplemental living expenses; car allowances, as applicable; education allowances, as applicable; travel allowances and medical benefits, as detailed more fully in the respective footnotes below. |
| (5) | Mr. Ellison resigned as Chief Executive Officer on December 29, 2020. |
| (6) | The amount reported for 2020 represents Mr. Chatterjee's base salary of $675,000 from his hire date of January 13, 2020, to December 31, 2020. |
| (7) | The amount reported for 2020 represents Mr. Chatterjee's $800,000 signing bonus, and equity inducement grants consisting of 60,000 shares of service-based restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $786,600, which was determined based on the average of the high and low sales price of our common stock on the date of the grant, and 60,000 performance-based stock options with a grant date fair value of $636,733 based on probable achievement. Mr. Chatterjee's signing bonus was paid pursuant to his employment agreement as described above under “Employment Agreements”. The grant date fair value of Mr. Chatterjee's 60,000 performance-based stock options assuming maximum achievement is $3,408,600. |
| (8) | The amount reported for 2020 includes: $147,315 for supplemental living expenses relating to Mr. Chatterjee's employment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, $17,488 in medical and life insurance benefits, and $822 for home travel leave expenses. |
| (9) | Front Yard Residential Corporation reimbursed AAMC for $42,019 of the $475,000 of Mr. Ellison's salary paid in 2020 pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (10) | The amount in 2020 represents a non-equity cash incentive award to Mr. Ellison of $947,500, of which $722,500 was reimbursed by Front Yard Residential Corporation pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (11) | The amount reported for 2020 includes $58,485 for supplemental living expenses relating to Mr. Ellison's employment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, $32,584 in medical insurance benefits, $8,550 of 401(k) employer matching contributions, and $7,943 in relocation costs. Of the $107,563 of other compensation awarded to Mr. Ellison in 2020, $2,965 was reimbursed by Front Yard Residential Corporation pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (12) | Front Yard Residential Corporation reimbursed AAMC for $42,060 of the $475,000 of Mr. Lowe's salary paid in 2020 pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (13) | The amount in 2020 represents a non-equity cash incentive award to Mr. Lowe of $350,000, of which $87,500 was reimbursed by Front Yard Residential Corporation pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (14) | The amount reported for 2020 includes $53,179 for supplemental living expenses under his relocation package for employment in the Cayman Islands, consisting of $48,000 for supplemental living expenses and $5,179 for Cayman Islands government-required pension benefits, and $5,323 in medical insurance benefits. Of the $58,502 in all other compensation expenses awarded to Mr. Lowe in 2020, $4,000 was reimbursed by Front Yard Residential Corporation pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (15) | Front Yard Residential Corporation reimbursed AAMC for $17,766 of the $385,000 of Mr. Gray's salary paid in 2020 pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (16) | The amount in 2020 represents a non-equity cash incentive award to Mr. Gray of $315,000, of which $202,500 was reimbursed by Front Yard Residential Corporation pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
| (17) | The amount reported for 2020 includes $63,849 for supplemental living expenses relating to Mr. Gray's employment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, $46,470 in medical insurance benefits, and, $14,250 in 401(k) employer matching contributions. Of the $124,569 in all other compensation expenses awarded to Mr. Gray in 2020, $4,998 was reimbursed by Front Yard Residential Corporation pursuant to the transition plan associated with the termination of the amended AMA with Front Yard Residential Corporation. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2020:
| | | | | | | |
| (a) | | (d) | | | (e) | | | (f) | | | (g) | | | (h) | |
| | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | | | | | | | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (1) ($) | |
| Indroneel Chatterjee | | | 60,000(2 | ) | | $ | 13.11 | | | 1/30/2030 | | | | 60,000(3 | ) | | $ | 1,414,800 | |
| George G. Ellison | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 33,571(4 | ) | | $ | 791,604 | |
| Robin N. Lowe | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 7,787(4 | ) | | $ | 183,617 | |
| Stephen H. Gray | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,528(4 | ) | | $ | 106,770 | |
| (1) | Represents the fair market value of the restricted shares as of December 31, 2020, based on the closing price of AAMC’s common stock, as quoted on NYSE American, of $23.58 per share on December 31, 2020. |
| (2) | Mr. Chatterjee's performance-based options will be earned based on the achievement of two stock price hurdles. The first tranche of 40,000 performance options is subject to a hurdle stock price of $52.44, which is four times the $13.11 exercise price (the "First Performance Goal"). Once the First Performance Goal has been attained, 13,333 options will vest and become exercisable immediately, while an additional 26,667 options will be subject to a time-based service requirement, vesting in equal installments on the first and second anniversary following attainment of the First Performance Goal. The second tranche of 20,000 performance options is subject to a hurdle stock price of $104.88, which is eight times the $13.11 exercise price (the "Second Performance Goal"). Once achieved, 6,666 options will vest and become exercisable immediately, while an additional 13,334 options will be subject to a time-based service requirement vesting in equal installments on the first and second anniversary following the attainment of the Second Performance Goal. All of the aforementioned vesting requirements of the inducement performance options are subject to a expiration period ending ten years following the January 30, 2020 grant date. |
| (3) | Mr. Chatterjee's inducement restricted stock awards are subject to service-based vesting requirements and have or will vest ratably on each of January 30, 2021, 2022, and 2023. |
| (4) | With respect to the unvested time-based restricted stock for Messrs. Ellison, Lowe, and Gray, 33,571, 7,787, and 4,528 shares vested on or before February 16, 2021, respectively. |
Option Exercises
None of our NEOs exercised any options during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Board of Directors Compensation
The following table discloses compensation received by each non-management member of our Board who served as a Director during fiscal year 2020. Management members of our Board do not receive compensation for their service as a Director.
| | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | | | | | | | |
| Ricardo C. Byrd (2) | | $ | 90,000 | | | $ | 59,994 | | | $ | 149,994 | |
| John A. Engerman (2) | | | 90,000 | | | | 59,994 | | | | 149,994 | |
| John P. de Jongh Jr. (2) | | | 115,000 | | | | 59,994 | | | | 174,994 | |
| (1) | Each of Messrs. Byrd, Engerman, and Gov. de Jongh were granted 2,874 restricted shares of common stock of AAMC on October 13, 2020 for service on the Board. The number of shares granted was based on a share price of $20.87, which was the average of the high and low sales prices of our common stock on October 13, 2020, and represents the grant date fair value of such shares under FASB ASC 718. Such grant date fair value does not take into account estimated forfeitures. The amount reported in this column reflects the accounting cost for these restricted shares and does not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the directors upon the vesting of the restricted shares, or any sale of the underlying shares of common stock. |
| (2) | As of December 31, 2020, each of Messrs. Byrd, Engerman, and Gov. de Jongh held 2,874 unvested shares of time-based restricted stock. |
On October 13, 2020, Messrs. Byrd and Engram and Governor de Jongh, being the non-management members of the Board serving as of such date, were each awarded 2,874 shares of restricted stock under the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan for their service to the Board for the period commencing October 13,2020 to the date of the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Upon vesting, each such Director will receive 2,874 shares of our common stock. Such number of shares was determined by dividing $60,000 by the average of the high and low prices, or $20.87 per share, of AAMC common stock on October 13, 2020 and represents the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
Cash Compensation
As set forth above, we provide the following cash compensation to our non-management Directors in quarterly installments, paid in arrears for their services for the prior quarter:
an annual retainer of $75,000;
an additional $20,000 to the Lead Independent Director of the Board, only if the Chairman of the Board is a management Director (if the Chairman of the Board is a non-management director, the Chairman shall receive $50,000);
an additional $20,000 to the Audit Committee chairperson;
an additional $10,000 to all committee chairpersons (other than the Audit Committee chairperson); and
an additional $5,000 to all Audit Committee members.
Equity Compensation
The 2020 Equity Incentive Plan was approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on October 12, 2020, which supersedes the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2020 Equity Incentive Plan is described below in “Equity Compensation Plan Information”. As part of Director compensation, our non-management Directors have received annually restricted shares of common stock of AAMC with a Fair Market Value of $60,000 pursuant to the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. “Fair Market Value” is defined as the average of the high and low prices of our common stock as reported on the applicable securities exchange on which AAMC is listed or quoted on the first day of the service year. Equity compensation is granted for the prior year of service after each annual organizational meeting of the Board, which typically follows the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Shares of our common stock will be awarded if the Director attends an aggregate of at least 75% of all meetings of the Board and committees thereof of which the Director is a member during the service year. Grants of restricted shares to our Directors vest on the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the following year during which they were granted.
For Directors serving less than a full year, such Directors receive a pro rata portion of $60,000 of restricted shares of our common stock based on the high and low sales prices on the first day of his or her service year, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days served and the denominator of which is 365 days.
Other Compensation
Directors are reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board and its committees.
Any Director compensation may be prorated for a Director serving less than a full one (1) year term as in the case of a Director joining the Board after an Annual Meeting of Stockholders but during the service year.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the information contained in this Item 11 with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the information contained in this Item 11 be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s next Proxy Statement.
John Engerman
Governor de Jongh
Ricardo Byrd
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 25, 2021 by:
each Director and NEO of the Company;
all Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group; and
all persons known by the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding common stock.
The table is based upon information supplied to us by Directors, executive officers and principal stockholders and filings under the Exchange Act and is based on an aggregate of 2,048,319 shares issued and outstanding as of March 25, 2021, which does not include 1,359,600 shares held by us in treasury. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of our Directors and executive officers is: Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 5100 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820.
Shares Beneficially Owned as of March 25, 2021
Name of Beneficial Owner: | | | | | | |
| William C. Erbey (1) | | | 805,749 | | | | 39.3 | % |
| Putnam Investments, LLC (2) | | | 337,785 | | | | 16.5 | % |
| | | | | | |
| Indroneel Chatterjee (3) | | | 58,027 | | | | 2.8 | % |
| George G. Ellison (4)(5) | | | 85,577 | | | | 4.2 | % |
| Robin N. Lowe (6) | | | 33,300 | | | | 1.6 | % |
| Stephen H. Gray (7) | | | 5,093 | | | | * | |
| Chris Moltke-Hansen | | | 4,774 | | | | * | |
| P. Graham Singer | | | 5,303 | | | | * | |
| Ricardo C. Byrd (8) | | | 10,127 | | | | * | |
| John A. Engerman (8) | | | 7,105 | | | | * | |
| John P. de Jongh, Jr. (8) | | | 7,967 | | | | * | |
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons) (9) | | | 217,273 | | | | 10.6 | % |
| (1) | Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D/A filed by Mr. Erbey on May 20, 2019, a Form 4 filed by Mr. Erbey on May 31, 2019 and a Form 4 filed by Mr. Erbey on June 3, 2019. Includes: (a) 26,293 shares of common stock held by the Carisma Trust, a Nevada trust, the trustee of which is Venia, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Venia”) and (b) 696,029 shares of common stock held by Salt Pond Holdings, LLC, a U.S. Virgin Islands limited liability company (“Salt Pond”) of which the Christiansted Trust, a U.S. Virgin Islands trust (the “C-Trust”), the Frederiksted Trust, a U.S. Virgin Islands trust (the “F-Trust”), and Erbey Holding Corporation, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Erbey Holding”) are members. Erbey Holding is wholly owned by the Carisma Trust, the trustee of which is Venia (together with Mr. Erbey, E. Elaine Erbey (“Mrs. Erbey”), Erbey Holding, Salt Pond, the C-Trust, the F-Trust and the Carisma Trust, the “Reporting Persons”). The members of Venia are Mrs. Erbey, John Erbey (Mr. Erbey’s brother) and Andrew Burnett, although Mr. Erbey is given sole investment and voting control over any securities owned by Venia or the Carisma Trust. Mr. Erbey, John Erbey, Mrs. Erbey and Salt Pond are co-trustees of the C-Trust. Mr. Erbey, John Erbey, and Salt Pond are co-trustees of the F-Trust. Mr. Erbey, Erbey Holding, the C-Trust, the F-Trust, the Carisma Trust and Venia each may be deemed to beneficially own the 696,029 shares of common stock held by Salt Pond. |
| (2) | Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A jointly filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021 by Putnam Investments, LLC, Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the Putnam Advisory Company, LLC and Putnam Focused Equity Fund (collectively, “Putnam”). Includes zero shares as to which sole voting power is claimed, 337,785 shares as to which sole dispositive power is claimed and zero shares as to which shared voting power and shared dispositive power is claimed. Putnam’s address is 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. |
| (3) | Mr. Chatterjee also owns 100 shares of Series L Preferred Stock, which are excluded from the table above because such shares are not transferable and have no voting power. |
| (4) | Mr. Ellison resigned as Chief Executive Officer on December 29, 2020. |
| (5) | Based on information contained in a Form 4 filed by Mr. Ellison on October 14, 2020. |
| (6) | Based on information contained in a Form 4 filed by Mr. Lowe on February 21, 2020. |
| (7) | Based on information contained in a Form 4 filed by Mr. Gray on October 14, 2020. |
| (8) | Includes 2,874 shares issuable to each of Messrs. Byrd and Engerman and Governor de Jongh for service on our Board for the 2020 to 2021 service year that vest within 60 days after March 25, 2021. |
| (9) | Includes Messrs. Chatterjee, Moltke-Hansen, Singer, Byrd, Engerman, and Governor de Jongh. Does not include an aggregate of 60,000 stock options granted to Mr. Chatterjee or 50,000 restricted shares of common stock granted to Messrs. Chatterjee, Moltke-Hansen and Singer because such stock options or restricted shares do not become exercisable or vest, respectively, within 60 days after March 25, 2021. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information as December 31, 2020 with respect to compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance (other than the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Plan).
| | Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a) | | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b) | | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c) | |
| | |
| Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders: | |
| 2012 Equity Incentive Plan | | | 118,982 | | | $ | 4.01 | | | | 2,442 | |
| 2012 Special Equity Incentive Plan | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | |
| 2020 Equity Incentive Plan | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | 166,378 | |
| | |
| Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders: | |
| Indroneel Chatterjee (1) | | | 60,000 | | | $ | 13.11 | | | | 60,000 | |
| Total | | | 187,013 | | | $ | 7.06 | | | | 228,820 | |
| (1) | As approved in connection with his appointment as our Co-Chief Executive Officer on January 13, 2020, Mr. Chatterjee was granted inducement equity awards that were made outside of our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan but are otherwise subject to the terms and conditions of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. Such initial equity award qualified as “inducement awards” for purposes of the NYSE American's exemption from stockholder approval requirements for inducement awards. The equity awards consisted of options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock and 60,000 restricted shares. The options are subject to vesting following the achievement of certain trading price targets and further time-based vesting criteria thereafter. The restricted shares will vest annually over a three-year period following the grant date of January 30, 2020. |
The Equity Incentive Plans allow for grants to be made in a number of different forms, including but not limited to options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights. We granted options to purchase our common stock to the option holders of Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“ASPS”) under the 2012 Equity Plan and the 2012 Special Equity Incentive Plan in connection with the separation from ASPS. Other than the grant of these options, we have granted restricted shares of common stock under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, and 2012 Special Equity Incentive Plan subject to the vesting requirements described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Equity Incentive Plans.” We do not expect to grant any additional options or restricted shares under the 2012 Special Equity Incentive Plan, which was limited to the grants on or prior to our separation from ASPS; all grants made after our separation from ASPS were made out of our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. We have also issued shares of common stock to our non-management Directors in connection with their service on our Board as described above in “Director Compensation.”
On January 30, 2020, as approved in connection with his appointment as our Co-Chief Executive Officer on January 13, 2020, Mr. Chatterjee was granted inducement equity awards that were made outside of our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan but are otherwise subject to servethe terms and conditions of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. Such initial equity award qualified as an additional resource“inducement awards” for uspurposes of the NYSE American's exemption from stockholder approval requirements for inducement awards. The equity awards consisted of options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock and 60,000 restricted shares. The options are subject to vesting following the achievement of certain trading price targets and further time-based vesting criteria thereafter. The restricted shares will vest annually over a three-year period following the date of grant.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. Related Party Transaction Policy
The Board has adopted policies and procedures for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving AAMC and related persons (Directors, nominees for election as Director and NEOs or their immediate family members or stockholders owning 5% or greater of the Company’s outstanding stock or their immediate family members) within our written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is available at www.altisourceamc.com. The policies and procedures are not limited to related person transactions that meet the threshold for disclosure under the relevant SEC rules as the policies and procedures broadly cover any situation in which a conflict of interest may arise.
Any situation that potentially involves a conflict of interest is to be responsible for implementing new business. Our potential new businesses areimmediately disclosed to the Company’s General Counsel who, in the development stage under the leadership and direction of our new Co-Chief Executive Officer and may include assetconsultation with management services, investments in real estate related assets or other businesses that leverage the experience of our new Co-Chief Executive Officer and our real estate asset acquisition and portfolio management teams. Our incumbent Co-Chief Executive Officer has continued to focus on the business of Front Yard and the completionAudit Committee chair and with outside counsel, as appropriate, must assess the nature and extent of its strategic alternatives review.any concern and then recommend any follow up action, as needed. The General Counsel will notify the Chair of the Audit Committee if any such situation requires notice to or approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
On February 17, 2020, Front Yard's strategic alternatives review was completed, culminating in Front Yard's entry into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of Amherst Single Family Residential Partners VI, LP (“Amherst”), providing for the acquisition of Front Yard by Amherst (the “Merger”). The Merger is expectedRelated persons are required to close in the second quarter of 2020, subject toobtain the approval of the holders of a majority of Front Yard’s outstanding shares and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. If notice of terminationAudit Committee of the Amended AMABoard for any transaction or situation that may pose a conflict of interest. In considering a transaction, the Audit Committee will consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, (i) whether the transaction is given uponin the consummationbest interests of AAMC; (ii) alternatives to the related-person transaction; (iii) whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those available to third parties; (iv) the potential for the transaction to lead to an actual or apparent conflict of interest and any safeguards imposed to prevent such actual or apparent conflicts; and (v) the overall fairness of the Merger, a termination fee of approximately $46.3 million would become payabletransaction to us upon the effective date of such termination. Such termination fee would be payable, at Front Yard's option, in either (i) a lump sum on the effective date of the termination or (ii) one half on the effective date of the termination with the remainder due in equal installments on each of the six-, nine- and twelve-month anniversaries thereafter. We would also continue to receive management fees under the Amended AMA through the 180-day notice period of termination. We expect that such termination fee, in conjunction with our current assets, would be used in the development and implementation of new businesses.AAMC.
For information on the potential risks to AAMC in relation to the Merger and potential new business initiatives, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Additionally, our wholly owned subsidiary, NewSource Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“NewSource”), is a title insurance and reinsurance company licensed with the Bermuda Monetary Authority. NewSource commenced reinsurance activities during the second quarter of 2014. In December 2014, NewSource determined that the economics of the initial business did not warrant the continuation of its initial reinsurance quota share agreement with an unrelated third party. NewSource therefore transferred all of the risk of claims and future losses underwritten to an unrelated third party, and its reinsurance and insurance business has been dormant since that time.
Asset Management Agreement with Front Yard
On March 31, 2015, we entered into an asset management agreement (the “Former AMA”), under which we were the exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of 15 years from April 1, 2015, with two potential five-year extensions. The Former AMA provided for a fee structure in which we wereAAMC was entitled to a base management fee, an incentive management fee and a conversion fee for mortgage loans and real estate owned (“REO”)REO properties that becamebecome rental properties for the first time during each quarter.
On May 7, 2019, we entered into an amended and restated asset management agreement with Front Yard (the “Amended AMA”), under which we are theFront Yard’s exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of five years. The Amended AMA willwas eligible to renew automatically each year thereafter for an additional one-year term, subject in each case to certain termination provisions. The Amended AMA providesprovided for a fee structure in which we areAAMC was entitled to a Base Management Feebase management fee and a potential Incentive Fee.incentive fee.
Pursuant toOn August 13, 2020, the Amended AMA, we design and implement Front Yard's business strategy, administer certain of its business activities and day-to-day operations and provide corporate governance services, subject to oversight by Front Yard's Board of Directors. We are responsible for, among other duties: (1) performing and administering certain of Front Yard's day-to-day operations; (2) implementing the investment criteria in Front Yard's investment policy approved by its Board of Directors; (3) sourcing, analyzing and executing asset acquisitions, including the related financing activities; (4) overseeing Front Yard's renovation, leasing and property management of its SFR properties; (5) analyzing and executing sales of certain rental properties and REO properties; (6) performing asset management duties and (7) performing corporate governance and other management functions, including financial, accounting and tax management services.
We provide Front Yard with a management team and support personnel who have substantial experience in the acquisition and management of residential properties. Our management also has significant corporate governance experience that enables us to manage Front Yard's business and organizational structure efficiently. We have agreed not to provide the same or substantially similar services without the prior written consent of Front Yard's Board of Directors to any business or entity competing against Front Yard in (a) the acquisition or sale of SFR and/or REO properties, non-performing and re-performing mortgage loans or other similar assets; (b) the carrying on of an SFR business or (c) any other activity in which Front Yard engages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to any businesses engaged in lending or insurance activities or any other activity other than those described above. Further, at any time following Front Yard's determination and announcement that it will no longer engage in any of the above-described competitive activities, we would be entitled to provide advisory or other services to businesses or entities in such competitive activities without Front Yard's prior consent.
Accordingly, our operating results continue to be highly dependent on Front Yard's operating results. If the Amended AMA were terminated by Front Yard, our financial position and future prospects for revenues and growth would be materially adversely affected.
The Amended AMA may be terminated without cause (i) by Front Yard (including any successor of Front Yard) for any reason, or no reason, or (ii) by Front Yard or us in connection with the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, in either case with 180 days' prior written notice. If the Amended AMA is terminated by Front Yard without cause or in connection with the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, Front Yard shall pay a termination fee (the “Termination Fee”) to us in an amount generally equal to three times the arithmetical mean of the aggregate fees actually paid or payable with respect to each of the three immediately preceding completed calendar years (including any such prior years that may have occurred prior to the effective date of the Amended AMA). Upon any such termination by Front Yard, Front Yard shall have the right, at its option, to license certain intellectual property and technology assets from us. Front Yard also has the option to continue to utilize the services of AAMC for a transition period of up to one year following the effective date of termination of the Amended AMA at cost not to exceed $3,584,000 per quarter.
For more information on these asset management agreements, please see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to (i) provide asset management services to Front Yard in a manner that builds long-term value and a stable income stream for Front Yard's stockholders while generating management fees to AAMC and (ii) to develop additional scalable investment strategies and vehicles by leveraging the expertise of our management team.
Front Yard's Business Strategy
We are committed to assisting Front Yard in executing its strategy of being one of the top SFR REITs serving American families and their communities with a view to providing consistent and robust returns on equity and long-term growth for its investors. We have guided significant growth in Front Yard's portfolio of SFR properties in recent years. The internalization of Front
Yard's property management function, under our management, has provided Front Yard with additional opportunities to deliver an excellent tenant experience and manage its rental homes efficiently and in line with its key operating targets.
We believe there is a compelling opportunity in the SFR market and that we have implemented the right strategic plan for Front Yard to capitalize on the sustained growth in SFR demand. Front Yard targets the moderately priced single-family home market to acquire rental properties, which in our view, not only provide safe, comfortable homes for Front Yard's residents, but also offer attractive yield opportunities.
We expect Front Yard to hold SFR properties over the long term with a focus on developing Front Yard's brand. We also believe that, given the limited institutional penetration to date into the SFR marketplace, Front Yard's ability to acquire and effectively manage assets with attractive yields in strategic markets provides Front Yard with a significant opportunity to establish itself as a leading SFR equity REIT.
From an operational standpoint, Front Yard has established an extensive renovation and property management infrastructure that provides it with geographic reach and a scalable property management structure that will allow Front Yard to grow in a cost-efficient manner.
Front Yard's Acquisition Strategy
Through the judicious use of cash under our management, Front Yard's strong financing relationships and the sale of non-core assets, Front Yard has capitalized on opportunities to buy large portfolios and smaller pools of stabilized rental homes and individual residential properties at attractive yields. We have been successful in our pursuit of this strategy on Front Yard's behalf to date, having increased Front Yard's SFR portfolio to approximately 14,500 homes at December 31, 2019 from approximately 3,000 at December 31, 2015. Front Yard may continue to opportunistically source, bid on and acquire SFR properties that meet its targeted metrics under our management in the future.
Scalable Internal Property Management Platform
Front Yard has an efficient, scalable internal property management platform that provides tenants with excellent service and allows Front Yard to benefit from economies of scale. Front Yard now has direct, internally managed control of leasing, renovation and turn management, vendor management, market analysis and other property management support functions, which will enhance its ability to control costs and generate long-term returns to its stockholders. As of December 31, 2019, Front Yard had 220 employees who serviced homes in 29 MSAs across 19 states, and Front Yard works directly with over 300 vendors providing services to its homes with capacity to process over 500 turns per month.
The transition to internal property management has also provided Front Yard with the opportunity to develop its brand and enhance the tenant experience. The internal property manager has allowed Front Yard to develop a unified approach to renovation management, repair and maintenance, vendor contracting and material supply chain management in an effort to create a consistent look and feel for its SFR properties. Over time, we expect Front Yard to develop a nationally recognized brand that is known for consistent quality at affordable prices.
This internal property management platform is driven by proprietary technology solutions that support tenant experience and enhance operational efficiency and performance. In addition to in-house technicians, efficient back-office support evaluates and solicits the appropriate external vendors to perform required work, assigns the work to the vendor with the best possible combination of cost and delivery capabilities, provides uniform property management and inspection criteria and utilizes technology to review and assess properties. We believe this technology-driven property management infrastructure will result in increased long-term value for Front Yard's stockholders, which will in turn benefit AAMC.
Strengths that AAMC Brings to Front Yard
We are committed to a business strategy that will enable Front Yard to efficiently manage and continue to grow its SFR portfolio and to become one of the largest nationwide SFR REITs. Our goal is to enhance Front Yard's long-term stockholder value through the execution of its business plan with a focus on its competitive strengths. We believe these strengths will enable Front Yard to grow and provide strong stabilized results over time, which we expect will, in turn, result in improved results for AAMC. Front Yard's strong competitive position is based on the following strengths through our management:
Acquisition Strategy Enables Front Yard to Continue Building a Portfolio that Targets Attractive Yields to its Stockholders. Through our personnel and technical expertise, we have developed a disciplined market and asset
selection approach and a valuation model for Front Yard that uses proprietary and market data to evaluate and project the performance of SFR assets. This valuation model has been built with multiple broad economic and geographic inputs as well as numerous property-level inputs to determine which properties will produce attractive yields and how much to pay for these properties to best achieve optimal results. These internally developed tools help Front Yard to evaluate the most attractive SFR properties for sale. We also leverage Front Yard's property inspection, management and rental infrastructure and related data flows to identify and acquire attractive assets in any geographical locations into which Front Yard desires to grow. We intend to continue to build Front Yard's internal property management structure, which will allow Front Yard to focus on strategic geographical areas, develop regional experience to continually refine Front Yard's acquisition strategy and achieve rental portfolio growth with properties marked by strong stabilized occupancy rates and optimal economic returns. We also believe that Front Yard's focus on affordable housing provides it with a potential advantage, as we believe this is an underserved market segment that provides Front Yard with attractive yield and growth opportunities.
Extensive Internal Property Management Infrastructure. With the internal property manager and the support of its nationwide vendor networks, we believe that Front Yard is well positioned to operate and manage SFR properties across the United States at an attractive cost structure. Front Yard has an excellent, experienced property management team with a successful track-record of internal property management operations that enables Front Yard to capitalize on additional opportunities to enhance its tenants’ experience and improve its operating efficiency. We believe that the internal property management infrastructure provides Front Yard with a cost-efficient, scalable platform that will be a key factor in its success as it continues to grow.
Depth of Management Experience. We believe the experience and technical expertise of our management team is one of Front Yard's key strengths. Our team has a broad and deep knowledge of the real estate market with decades of experience in real estate, mortgage trading, housing, financial services and asset management. Their experience in the real estate industry brings a wealth of understanding of the markets in which Front Yard operates and can help Front Yard build its portfolio in a manner that brings attractive potential returns to its stockholders. Management and its supporting teams have expertise and extensive contacts that enable us to source SFR assets through access to auctions and sellers of SFR assets and obtain financing to optimize available leverage. We believe that our asset evaluation process and the experience and judgment of our executive management team in identifying, assessing, valuing and acquiring new SFR assets will help Front Yard to appropriately value the portfolios at the time of purchase and to operate them profitably.
Front Yard's Investment Process
We continue to provide personnel and portfolio managers with substantial experience in the real estate market. Using extensive market connections and a disciplined market and asset selection approach incorporating advanced quantitative models, our capital markets group has demonstrated expertise in sourcing, analyzing and negotiating the purchase of both large and small portfolios of rented single-family properties. Through close collaboration with Front Yard's internal property management team, we are able to source and acquire properties that fit Front Yard's investment strategy and integrate well with Front Yard's property management infrastructure. This expertise and coordination has enabled us to strategically grow Front Yard's SFR portfolio at December 31, 2019 to approximately 14,500 homes, the majority of which were stabilized rentals at the time of acquisition.
Front Yard's Financing Strategy
Front Yard intends to continue to finance its real estate investments with debt and equity, the proportions and character of which may vary based upon the particular characteristics of its portfolio and on market conditions. To the extent available at the relevant time, Front Yard's financing sources may include bank credit facilities, term financing, warehouse lines of credit, securitization financing, seller financing arrangements, structured financing arrangements and repurchase agreements, among others. Front Yard may also seek to raise additional capital through public or private offerings of debt or equity securities, depending upon market conditions.
Front Yard's Investment Committee and Investment Policy
We conduct substantially all of the investment activities on behalf of Front Yard pursuant to the Amended AMA. Front Yard’s Board of Directors has adopted a broad investment policy designed to facilitate our management of Front Yard’s capital and assets and our maintenance of an investment portfolio profile that meets Front Yard’s objectives. We report to Front Yard’s Investment Committee, whose role is to act in accordance with the investment policy and guidelines approved by Front Yard’s Board of Directors for the investment of its capital. As part of an overall investment portfolio strategy, the investment policy provides that we can facilitate Front Yard’s purchase or sale of non-performing or sub-performing residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage backed securities and real estate assets. We are also authorized, on behalf of Front Yard, to offer leases on acquired single-family residential real estate. The investment policy may be modified by Front Yard’s Board of Directors without the approval of our stockholders.
The objective of Front Yard’s investment policy is to oversee our efforts to achieve a return on assets consistent with Front Yard’s business objectives and to maintain adequate liquidity to meet Front Yard’s financial covenants and regular cash requirements.
The Investment Committee is authorized to approve the financing of Front Yard’s investment positions through bank credit facilities, seller financing arrangements, warehouse lines of credit, securitization financing, term financing, structured financing arrangements and repurchase agreements, among others, provided such agreements are negotiated with counterparties approved by the Investment Committee. We are also permitted to hedge Front Yard’s interest rate exposure on its financing activities through the use of interest rate swaps or caps, forwards, futures and options, subject to prior approval from Front Yard’s Investment Committee.
Investment Committee Approval of Counterparties
Front Yard’s Investment Committee is authorized to consider and approve, based on our recommendations:
the financial soundness of institutions with which Front Yard plans to transact business and recommendations with respect thereto;
Front Yard’s risk exposure limits with respect to the dollar amounts of total exposure with a given institution; and
investment accounts and trading accounts to be opened with banks, broker-dealers and financial institutions.
Investment Committee Guidelines
The activities of Front Yard’s Investment Committee are subject to the following guidelines, which we must follow in making recommendations to the Investment Committee:
No investment will be made that would cause Front Yard or any of its subsidiaries to fail to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
No investment will be made that would cause Front Yard to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”); and
Until appropriate investments can be identified, Front Yard may invest available cash in interest-bearing and short-term investments that are consistent with (a) Front Yard’s intention to qualify as a REIT and (b) Front Yard’s exemption from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
Broad Investment Policy Risks
Front Yard's investment policy is very broad. Therefore, its Investment Committee and we have extensive latitude in determining the types of assets that are appropriate investments for Front Yard and to make individual investment decisions. In the future, we may make investments with lower rates of return than those anticipated under current market conditions and/or may make investments with greater risks to achieve those anticipated returns. Front Yard's Board of Directors will periodically review its investment policy and its investment portfolio but will not typically review or approve each proposed investment made by us unless, for example, it falls outside our previously approved investment policy or constitutes a related party transaction.
In addition, in conducting periodic reviews, Front Yard's Board of Directors will rely primarily on information provided to it by us. We may use complex strategies, and transactions entered into by us on behalf of Front Yard may be costly, difficult or impossible to unwind by the time they are reviewed by Front Yard's Board of Directors. Further, Front Yard may change its
investment policy and targeted asset classes at any time without the consent of its stockholders, which could result in it making investments that are different in type from, and possibly riskier than, its current investments or the investments currently contemplated. Changes in Front Yard's investment strategy, investment policy and targeted asset classes may increase its exposure to interest rate risk, counterparty risk, default risk and real estate market fluctuations, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard and, in turn, could adversely affect the fees we earn under our asset management agreement.
Employees
As of December 31, 2019, we had 109 full-time employees in the USVI, the United States, the Cayman Islands and India. The majority of our employees undertake asset management functions for Front Yard that include acquisitions, capital markets access, risk management, accounting, internal audit, corporate management and legal services. The majority of our executive officers are also officers of Front Yard.
We employ a dedicated General Counsel for Front Yard. Although he is not employed by Front Yard, his primary duties are to act as Front Yard's General Counsel, and he reports to Front Yard's Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Front Yard also directs and approves his compensation and reimburses us for all costs associated with his employment.
Subsequent to the consummation of the Merger by Front Yard, we expect that certain of our employees may become direct employees of Front Yard or its successor, and our headcount may be reduced to levels necessary to develop and implement new business.
Our Competition
We are in a highly competitive market and are competing with other asset managers. Our competitors may have greater resources, more personnel, more clients, more sources of revenue and more capital than we do. Some of our competitors' clients may have the advantage of having significant amounts of capital, lower cost of capital or access to funding sources not available to our client. Additionally, our competitors and competitors' clients may have higher risk tolerances or may be willing to accept lower returns on investment. Some of our competitors may be regarded by potential clients as having better expertise related to specific assets.
Front Yard's Competition
Front Yard faces competition from various sources for the acquisition of SFR properties. Front Yard's competition includes other REITs, hedge funds, developers, private equity funds and partnerships. To effectively compete, Front Yard relies upon the substantial industry expertise of our management team and its coordination with the internal property management team in determining the optimal markets to purchase homes. We believe our relationshipTermination Agreement with Front Yard and Front Yard Residential L.P. (“FYR LP”) to terminate the Amended AMA and to provide for a transition plan to facilitate the internalization of Front Yard’s asset management function (the “Transition Plan”). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended AMA provide Front Yard with a competitive advantage and help Front Yard assessTermination Agreement, effective December 31, 2020, the investment risks and determine appropriate pricing. We expect Front Yard's current focus on directly acquiring SFR properties in our preferred market segments will continue to allow Front Yard to compete more effectively for attractive investment opportunities. Front Yard's competitive position is also reliant ondate that the management team and experienced personnel at its newly acquired internal property manager. We believe Front Yard's internal property management platform hasparties mutually agreed that the Transition Plan had been built for scale and will enable Front Yard to capitalize on additional opportunities to enhance its tenants’ experience and improve its operating efficiency for its entire portfolio as it grows. However, there can be no assurance that Front Yard will be able to achieve its business goals or expectations due to the competitive pricing and other risks that it faces. Front Yard's competitors may have greater resources and access to capital and higher risk tolerances than Front Yard, may be able to pay higher prices for assets or may be willing to accept lower returns on investment. As the inventory of available SFR properties and related assets will fluctuate, the competition for assets and financing may increase.
Front Yard also faces significant competition in the SFR market from other real estate companies, including REITs, investment companies, partnerships and developers. To effectively manage rental yield and occupancy levels, Front Yard will rely upon the ability of our management team and the internal property manager to supervise the renovation, yield management and property management services on its acquired properties. We also believe that Front Yard's focus on affordable housing provides it with a potential advantage, as Front Yard is focused on providing a single-family option to residents who might not be able to afford or qualify for a mortgage, which we believe will result in lower tenant turnover. Despite these efforts, some of Front Yard's competitors' SFR properties may be of better quality, be in more desirable locations or have leasing terms more favorable than Front Yard offers. In addition, Front Yard's ability to compete and meet its return objectives depends upon, among other factors, trends of the national and local economies, the financial condition and liquidity of current and prospective tenants, availability and cost of capital, taxes and governmental regulations. Given the significant competition, complexity of the market, changing
financial and economic conditions and evolving single-family tenant demographics and demands, we cannot assure you that Front Yard will be successful in acquiring or managing SFR properties that satisfy its return objectives.
Environmental Matters
We do not believe there are any environmental matters that will materially affect the conduct of our business.
As an owner of real estate, Front Yard is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and ordinances and also could be liable to third parties resulting from environmental contamination or noncompliance with environmental laws at its properties. We are tasked with monitoring these laws, regulations and ordinances and conducting due diligence in acquired properties for Front Yard. Environmental laws can impose liability on an owner or operator of real property for the investigation and remediation of contamination at or migrating from such real property without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of or was responsible for the presence of the contaminants. The liability is generally not limited under such laws and could exceed the property's value and the aggregate assets of the liable party. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination could adversely affect Front Yard's ability to sell, lease or renovate the real estate or borrow using the real estate as collateral. Although we do not believe these risks directly expose us to environmental liability as a separate independent company, these and other risks related to environmental matters could have an adverse impact on Front Yard, and such risks are described in more detail in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Governmental Regulations
Outside of routine business and regulatory filings to continue our registration as an investment adviser, we do not believe there are any governmental regulations that will materially affect the conduct of our asset management business.
Front Yard’s Governmental Regulations. Certain of Front Yard’s properties are subject to the rules of the various Home Owners Associations (“HOAs”satisfactorily completed (the “Termination Date”) where such properties are located. HOAs are private entities that regulate the activities of owners and occupants of, and levy assessments on, properties in a residential subdivision. HOA rules and regulations typically consist of various restrictions or guidelines regarding use and maintenance of the property. In addition, Front Yard’s properties are subject to various covenants and local laws and regulatory requirements, including permitting, licensing and zoning requirements. We believe that, under our management, Front Yard is in material compliance with such covenants, local laws and regulatory requirements and HOA rules and regulations. Front Yard also requires that its tenants agree to comply with such covenants, laws, ordinances and rules in their leases with us.
Fair Housing Act Applicable to Front Yard. The Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and its state law counterparts and the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and various state agencies, prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race or color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), handicap or, in some states, financial capability. We believe that, under our management and that of its internal property manager, Front Yard’s properties are in substantial compliance with the FHA and other regulations.
Available Information
We file Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other information with 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, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
Our principal Internet address is http://www.altisourceamc.com, and we encourage investors to use it as a way of easily finding information about us. We promptly make available on this website, free of charge, the reports that we file with or furnish to the SEC along with corporate governance information including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and select press releases. The contents of our website are available for informational purposes only and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in this report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Business
Because we derive our revenues from Front Yard pursuant to the Amended AMA any termination of the Amended AMA could be materially detrimental to us as well as our financial conditionwas terminated in its entirety. See “Termination and prospects. The entry byTransition Agreement with Front Yard into the Merger AgreementYard” below for more information on February 17, 2020 makes the termination of the Amended AMA more likely inand the near term.Transition Plan.
On May 7, 2019, we entered into the Amended AMAFor additional information regarding our asset management agreements with Front Yard, which replaced the Former AMA. We continuerefer to generate all of our revenues from Front Yard, as Front Yard is our principal client. In the Amended AMA, we negotiated, among other things, (i) a new minimum base management fee, which replaced the base management fee that had been diminishing each quarter under the former AMA and (ii) a new termination fee to be paid to AAMC in the event Front Yard terminates the AMA. The new termination provisions replaced the terms of the Former AMA that enabled Front Yard to terminate AAMC following a Front Yard “change of control” or certain other customary termination events without paying a termination fee to AAMC. As partial consideration for the new management fee terms and termination fee provisions in the Amended AMA, Front Yard was given the ability to terminate the Amended AMA at any time and for any reason. In the event Front Yard, as our primary source of revenues, were to terminate the Amended AMA, subject to a 180-day notice period, it is possible that the management fees we earn under the Amended AMA could be reduced, during a Front Yard transition period at the option of Front Yard of up to on-year, to our costs in providing the transition services. Following any transition period, our current management fees would reduce to $0. In addition, up to 50% of the Termination Fee (as defined in the Amended AMA) could be payable to AAMC in cash and/or stock of Front Yard over up to twelve months following such termination. To the extent Front Yard pays a portion of the Termination Fee in stock, we would be subject to the market risks related to Front Yard or any successor entity. To the extent we are unable to develop any new businesses or obtain any additional asset management clients following a termination by Front Yard, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.
On May 21, 2019, following the settlement of a proxy contest, Front Yard announced that it had refreshed its board of directors and formed a special committee to explore strategic alternatives, including without limitation, a potential internalization of the asset management function, potential termination of AAMC and the potential sale of Front Yard. On February 17, 2020, Front Yard entered into the Merger Agreement with Amherst, pursuant to which Amherst will acquire Front Yard in a closing likely to occur in the second quarter of 2020. It is, therefore, likely that Amherst could terminate the Amended AMA, potentially in the short term. If AAMC were to be terminated, the notice of termination would likely be given on the date the Merger is consummated, and such termination would likely become effective 180 days after such termination notice, or potentially sooner if AAMC agrees to an earlier termination.
Upon the effective date of the termination of the AMA, Amherst could determine to pay the termination fee of approximately $46.3 million in either a lump sum on the effective date or one-half of the termination fee on the effective date, with the other half payable in equal installments on each of the six-, nine- and twelve-month anniversaries thereof. The Amended AMA also provides Front Yard (or its successor) with the ability to terminate the Amended AMA for “Cause” (as defined in the Amended AMA), in which case no termination fee would be payable to AAMC. To the extent Amherst terminates the Amended AMA for Cause or to the extent Amherst were to opt to pay the termination fee over time, any delay or reduction of the payment of the termination fee could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and prospects. AAMC may not be able to replace the lost revenues from Front Yard with a revenue stream from alternative sources on a timely basis or at all, which would have a material, adverse effect on us.
Holders of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Shares”) have given us purported notices under the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Shares (the “Certificate”) to redeem an aggregate of $250.0 million liquidation preference of our Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. If we are unable to obtain declaratory relief to confirm that we have no obligation to redeem the Series A Shares because we do not have funds legally available therefor, we may be required to pay damages or redeem a portion of the Series A Shares, which could materially and adversely affect our ongoing business and liquidity.
Between January 31, 2020 and February 3, 2020, we received purported notices from holders of our Series A Shares requesting us to redeem an aggregate of $250.0 million liquidation preference of our Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. We do not have legally available funds to redeem all of the Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. As a result, under the terms of the Certificate,
we do not believe that we are obligated to redeem any of the Series A Shares under the Certificate, and, consistent with the exclusive forum provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, we have filed a claim for declaratory relief in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, against Luxor Capital Group, LP and certain of its funds and managed accounts (collectively, “Luxor”) to confirm our interpretation of the Certificate. AAMC intends to continue to pursue its strategic business initiatives despite this litigation. See “Item 1. Business.” If Luxor were to prevail in its lawsuit, we may need to cease or curtail our business initiatives, and our liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. For more information on the legal proceedings with Luxor, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We have a limited operating history. Due to the Merger Agreement entered into by Front Yard on February 17, 2020 and its potential effects on us, if we are unable to timely develop and implement new businesses as planned, we will be materially and adversely affected.
We commenced operations in 2012, and our business model has been relatively untested and evolving. Businesses like ours that have a limited operating history and a limited client base present substantial business and financial risks and may suffer significant losses. As a result, we cannot predict our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Our results for prior periods are not necessarily indicative of our results for any future period, and we may not have sufficient additional capital or develop additional revenue streams to implement our business model. Because we have utilized the substantial majority of our resources in the management of Front Yard, as our primary client, we have been unable to develop and implement significant new or alternative business revenue streams. There can be no assurance that our business will be profitable or that, to the extent that new business are implemented, they will be sustainable. The earnings potential of our current and any proposed businesses is unproven, and the absence of an operating history, particularly in any new businesses, makes it difficult to evaluate our prospects.
We may not be able to obtain or develop additional clients on acceptable terms or at all. Our ability to attract, develop and/or maintain additional clients may depend, in large part, on the success of Front Yard under our management and our ability to continue to develop and implement Front Yard’s business plan profitably and enable Front Yard to maintain and grow its stockholder returns and dividends. We may be unable to reduce our reliance on Front Yard for management fees, and our failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and could adversely affect our ability to attract additional clients and the sustainability of our business model.
The asset management business is intensely competitive.
The asset management business is intensely competitive, driven by a variety of factors, including asset performance, the quality of service provided to clients, brand recognition and business reputation. Our asset management business competes with a number of other asset managers. A number of factors serve to increase our competitive risks:
A number of our competitors may have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources and more personnel than we do;
Our clients may not perform as well as the clients of our competitors;
Several of our competitors and their clients have significant amounts of capital, and many of them have similar management objectives to ours, which may create additional competition for management opportunities;
Some of these competitors' clients may also have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to our clients, which may create competitive disadvantages for us with respect to funding opportunities;
Some of our competitors' clients may have higher risk tolerances, different risk assessments or lower return thresholds, which could allow them to facilitate the acquisition and management by their clients of a wider variety of assets and allow them to advise their clients to bid more aggressively than our clients for assets on which we would advise our clients to bid;
There are relatively few barriers to entry impeding new asset management firms, and the successful efforts of new entrants into the asset management business is expected to continue to result in increased competition;
Some of our competitors may have better expertise or be regarded by potential clients as having better expertise with regard to specific assets; and
Other industry participants will from time to time seek to recruit members of our management team and other employees away from us.
The success of our business is dependent on Front Yard and its ongoing access to sufficient and cost-effective sources of capital.
Front Yard may require additional working capital to implement its investment strategies and may need to utilize a variety of funding sources to provide sufficient capital to effectively carry out Front Yard’s (and Amherst’s) business plan through any termination of the Amended AMA. We will have significant responsibilities in advising Front Yard on its ability to obtain and deploy such capital. Front Yard may utilize various sources of liquidity, including, without limitation, accessing the capital markets to issue debt or equity securities; engaging in collateralized or other borrowings, including repurchase agreements and warehouse facilities from third party banks; or entering into securitization transactions, all or any of which may not be available or have terms that are not cost effective, therefore having an adverse impact on Front Yard's financial performance. Front Yard currently is our primary customer. The loss of this key financing source, customer or its failure to pay us would adversely affect our revenues, results of operation and financial condition. We may not be able to obtain additional clients on acceptable terms or at all. Therefore, we may be unable to reduce our reliance on Front Yard for management fees.
Suboptimal economics of real estate-related insurance activities or a failure to commence and/or grow the business of NewSource could adversely impact our investment in NewSource.
We invested $2.0 million in 100% of the common stock of NewSource during 2013, and we invested an additional $5.0 million in 2015. Despite the commencement in 2014 of NewSource’s title reinsurance business operations, NewSource determined that the economics of the initial business activities did not warrant the continuation of its initial reinsurance quota share agreement with an unrelated third party. NewSource therefore transferred all of the risk of claims and future losses underwritten to an unrelated third party for a price of $3.2 million.
We are continuing to evaluate NewSource's real estate-related insurance and reinsurance strategy and considering related opportunities. There is no assurance that we will be able to develop or grow NewSource's business strategy or operations or engage in insurance and reinsurance activities at all. In any such event, the business model for NewSource would become challenged or the growth of NewSource would become hampered, which would adversely affect the economics of our investment in NewSource and/or its ability to generate stockholder returns.
We are subject to the risks of securities laws liability and related civil litigation.
We may be subject to risk of securities litigation and derivative actions from time to time as a result of being publicly traded, including the actions set forth in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” There can be no assurance that any settlement or liabilities in any future lawsuits or claims against us would be covered or partially covered by our insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings in one or more periods. The range of possible resolutions for any potential legal actions could include determinations and judgments against us or settlements that could require substantial payments by us, including the costs of defending such suits, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
An unidentified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting could, if not remediated, result in material misstatements in our financial statements.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. There can be no assurance that material weaknesses will not arise in the future or that any remediation efforts will be successful. If additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls are discovered in the future, we could be required to restate our financial results or experience a decline in the price of our securities.
Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. Management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Our success depends on our senior management team, and if we are not able to retain them, it could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are highly dependent upon the continued services and experience of our senior management team to, among other things, continue providing services to Front Yard under the Amended AMA, develop and implement of our growth strategies and maintain and develop our client relationships. In the event that, for any reason, we are unable to retain our key personnel, it may be difficult for us to secure suitable replacements on acceptable terms. Following the Merger and any termination of the Amended AMA, it is possible that we could lose some or a majority of our senior management team, either through them leaving after termination of the Amended AMA to work for the successor to Front Yard or departing to accept other opportunities. Neither Front Yard nor its successor in the Merger are entitled to solicit or hire our employees until the Amended AMA is actually terminated, but it is possible that AAMC and Front Yard (or its successor) could agree to terminate the Amended AMA earlier than 180 days after notice of termination is given. In the event a significant portion of our senior management team departs, we may not be able to replace them on a timely basis or at all, which would adversely impact the development and implementation of our growth strategies and/or the consummation of new businesses, thereby adversely impact our financial condition.
Unpredictability of the credit markets may restrict our clients' or our access to capital and may make it difficult or impossible for us to obtain any required additional financing.
The domestic and international credit markets may be unpredictable. In the event that we need additional capital for our business, we may have a difficult time obtaining it and/or the terms upon which we can obtain it may be unfavorable, which would have an adverse impact on our financial performance. In addition, failures of our clients to raise capital or access capital markets could adversely impact their ability to grow and/or generate adequate returns on capital, which could adversely impact any management fees we earn.
Our business could be significantly impacted if we suffer failure or disruptions of our information systems.
We rely heavily on communications, data processing and other information processing systems to conduct our business and support our day-to-day activities, most services of which were provided through a former related party as our technology provider until we internalized our technology infrastructure in August 2019. In the period leading up to the transition of technology in-house, we developed our own technology infrastructure, which is based on the cloud and a new security system outsourced to a new third-party information security provider. Our current technology infrastructure is relatively new and is continuing to be developed. Although we continue to utilize a sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructure provided by a third-party that has significant experience, our internal technology systems are vulnerable to interruption by fire, loss, system malfunction and other events that are beyond our control. Systems interruptions could reduce our ability to provide our services and could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial performance, and we may not be able to completely rely on the cloud-based systems and infrastructure that we have designed to reduce the risk of interruption. Our inability to replace or successfully replicate these information services from a third party or develop them internally could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Failure to retain the tax benefits provided by the USVI would adversely affect our financial performance.
We are incorporated under the laws of the USVI and are headquartered in the USVI. The USVI has an Economic Development Commission (the “EDC”) that provides benefits (“EDC Benefits”) to certain qualified businesses in the USVI that enable us to avail ourselves of significant tax benefits for a thirty-year period. We received our certificate to operate as a company that qualifies for EDC Benefits as of February 1, 2013, which provides us with a 90% tax credit on USVI-source income so long as we comply with the requirements of the EDC and our certificate of benefits. It is possible that we may not be able to retain our qualifications for the EDC Benefits or that changes in U.S. federal, state, local or USVI taxation statutes or applicable regulations may cause a reduction in or an elimination of the EDC Benefits, all of which could result in a significant increase to our tax expense, and, therefore, adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our USVI operations may become subject to United States federal income taxation.
Our parent company is incorporated under the laws of the USVI and intends to operate in a manner that will cause us to be treated as not engaging in a trade or business within the United States, which will cause us to be exempt from current United States federal income taxation on our net income. However, because there are no definitive standards provided by the Code, regulations or court decisions as to the specific activities that constitute being engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the United States, and as any such determination is essentially factual in nature, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not successfully assert that we are engaged in a trade or business within the United States.
If the IRS were to successfully assert that we have been engaged in a trade or business within the United States in any taxable year, various adverse tax consequences could result, including the following:
We may become subject to current United States federal income taxation on our net income from sources within the United States;
We may be subject to United States federal income tax on a portion of our net investment income, regardless of its source;
We may not be entitled to deduct certain expenses that would otherwise be deductible from the income subject to United States taxation; and
We may be subject to United States branch profits tax on profits deemed to have been distributed out of the United States.
United States persons who own shares may be subject to United States federal income taxation on our undistributed earnings and may recognize ordinary income upon disposition of shares.
Significant potential adverse United States federal income tax consequences generally apply to any United States person who owns shares in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). We cannot provide assurance that we will not be a PFIC in any future taxable year.
In general, we would be a PFIC for a taxable year if either (i) 75% or more of our income constitutes “passive income” or (ii) 50% or more of our assets produce “passive income.” Passive income generally includes interest, dividends and other investment income. We believe that we are currently operating, and intend to continue operating, our business in a way that should not cause us to be a deemed PFIC; however, we cannot assure you the IRS will not successfully challenge this conclusion.
United States persons who, directly or indirectly or through attribution rules, own 10% or more of our shares (“United States 10% Stockholders”), based on either voting power or value, may be subject to the controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) rules. Under the CFC rules, each United States 10% stockholder must annually include his pro rata share of the CFC's “Subpart F income,” even if no distributions are made. Also, all capital gains from the sale of PFIC shares will be treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes and thus are not eligible for preferential long-term capital gains rates.
We believe that the dispersion of our ordinary shares among holders will generally prevent new stockholders who acquire shares from being United States 10% Stockholders. We cannot assure you, however, that these rules will not apply to you. If you are a United States person, we strongly urge you to consult your own tax adviser concerning the CFC rules.
United States tax-exempt organizations who own shares may recognize unrelated business taxable income.
If you are a United States tax-exempt organization, you may recognize unrelated business taxable income with respect to our insurance-related income if a portion of our Subpart F income is allocated to you. In general, Subpart F income will be allocated to you if we are a CFC and you are a United States 10% Stockholder and certain exceptions do not apply. In general, with respect to insurance revenues related to NewSource, we will be treated as a CFC only if NewSource would be taxed as an insurance company were it a U.S. corporation, its applicable insurance liabilities exceed 25% of its total assets and elective relief provisions do not apply. Although we do not believe that any United States persons will be allocated Subpart F income, we cannot assure you that this will be the case. If you are a United States tax-exempt organization, we advise you to consult your own tax adviser regarding the risk of recognizing unrelated business taxable income.
We may in the future become subject to the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income provisions.
The Tax Cuts and Job Reform Act requires U.S. stockholders of CFCs to include in income, as a deemed dividend, the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) of the CFCs. The GILTI regime is designed to decrease the incentive for a U.S. group to shift corporate profits to low-taxed jurisdictions. We are not currently impacted by the GILTI provisions, as the entirety of the aggregate net income for each of our CFCs is excluded from our “net tested income” (the basis on which the tax is calculated), as it constitutes Subpart F income and is subject to an effective foreign tax rate greater than 90% of the maximum U.S. corporate income tax rate. We cannot rule out the possibility that we will in the future find ourselves subject to the GILTI rules, should the income of our CFCs no longer be entirely Subpart F income and be taxed at a foreign tax rate greater than 90% if the U.S. corporate income tax rate.
Change in United States tax laws may be retroactive and could subject us and/or United States persons who own shares to United States income taxation on our undistributed earnings.
The tax laws and interpretations regarding whether we are engaged in a United States trade or business, are a CFC or a PFIC are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. New regulations or pronouncements interpreting or clarifying such rules may be forthcoming from the IRS. We are not able to predict if, when or in what form such guidance will be provided and whether such guidance will have a retroactive effect.
The impact of the initiative of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to eliminate harmful tax practices is uncertain and could adversely affect our tax status in the United States Virgin Islands.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has published reports and launched a global dialogue among member and non-member countries on measures to limit harmful tax competition. These measures are largely directed at counteracting the effects of tax havens and preferential tax regimes in countries around the world. While the USVI is currently a jurisdiction that has substantially implemented internationally agreed tax standards, we are not able to predict if additional requirements will be imposed and, if so, whether changes arising from such additional requirements will subject us to additional taxes.
Concentration of Credit Risk
We maintain our cash and cash equivalents at financial or other intermediary institutions. The combined account balances at each institution typically exceed FDIC insurance coverage of $250,000 per depositor, and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. At December 31, 2019, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalent balances held at financial institutions exceeded FDIC insured limits. Any event that would cause a material portion of our cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions to be uninsured by the FDIC could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Management and Our Relationships
We could have conflicts with Front Yard, and our Directors or management could have conflicts of interest due to their relationship with Front Yard, which may be resolved in a manner adverse to us.
We have engaged, and continue to engage, in a substantial amount of business with Front Yard. Conflicts may arise between Front Yard and us because of our ongoing agreement with Front Yard and because of the nature of our respective businesses.
The majority of our executive officers is also an executive officer of Front Yard and has interests in our relationship with Front Yard that may be different than the interests of our stockholders. As a result, they may have obligations to us and Front Yard and could have conflicts of interest with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us and Front Yard. In particular, these individuals have a direct interest in the financial success of Front Yard that may encourage these individuals to support strategies in furtherance of the financial success of Front Yard that could potentially adversely impact us.
We follow policies, procedures and practices to avoid potential conflicts with respect to our dealings with Front Yard, including where necessary, certain of our officers recusing themselves from discussions on, and approvals of, transactions with Front Yard. We also manage potential conflicts of interest through oversight by independent members of our Board of Directors (independent directors constitute a majority of our Board of Directors), and we will also seek to manage these potential conflicts through dispute resolution and other provisions of our agreements with Front Yard. Although we continue to seek ways to lessen many of these potential conflicts of interest, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective, that
we will be able to resolve all conflicts with Front Yard or that the resolution of any such conflicts will be no less favorable to us than if we were dealing with a third party that had none of the connections we have with Front Yard.
Our Directors have the right to engage or invest in the same or similar businesses as ours.
Our Directors may have other investments and business activities in addition to their interest in, and responsibilities to, us. Under the provisions of our Charter and our bylaws (the “Bylaws”), our Directors have no duty to abstain from exercising the right to engage or invest in the same or similar businesses as ours or employ or otherwise engage any of the other Directors. If any of our Directors who are also directors, officers or employees of any company acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity outside of his capacity as one of our Directors, then our Bylaws provide that such Director will be permitted to pursue that corporate opportunity independently of us, so long as the Director has acted in good faith. Our Bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such a Director will be deemed to have satisfied his fiduciary duties to us and will not be liable to us for pursuing such a corporate opportunity independently of us. This may create conflicts of interest between us and certain of our Directors and result in less than favorable treatment of us and our stockholders. As of this date, none of our Directors is directly involved as a director, officer or employee of a business that competes with us, but there can be no assurance that will remain unchanged in the future.
Risks related to our common stock
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.
The price at which our common stock trades has fluctuated, and may continue to fluctuate, significantly. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to many things, including but not limited to, the following:
variations in actual or anticipated results of our operations, liquidity or financial condition;
changes in, or the failure to meet, our financial estimates or those of by securities analysts;
actions or announcements by our competitors;
potential conflicts of interest, or the discontinuance of our strategic relationships with Front Yard or others;
failure of Front Yard's internal property manager to provide effective and cost-efficient property management services;
actual or anticipated accounting problems;
regulatory actions;
lack of liquidity;
changes in the financial condition or stock price of Front Yard;
an inability to develop or obtain new businesses or client relationships, respectively;
changes in the market outlook for the real estate, mortgage or housing markets;
technology changes in our business;
changes in interest rates that lead purchasers of our common stock to demand a higher yield;
actions by our stockholders;
speculation in the press or investment community;
general market, economic and political conditions, including an economic slowdown or dislocation in the global credit markets;
failure to maintain the listing of our common stock on the NYSE American;
failure of Front Yard to qualify or maintain qualification as a REIT;
failure of Front Yard to maintain its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act;
changes in accounting principles;
passage of legislation or other regulatory developments that adversely affect us or our industry; and
departure of our key personnel.
The market prices of securities of asset management service providers have experienced fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating results of these companies. These market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the market price of our common stock.
Furthermore, our small size and different investment characteristics may not continue to appeal to our current investor base that may seek to dispose of large amounts of our common stock. There is no assurance that there will be sufficient buying interest to offset those sales, and, accordingly, the market price of our common stock could be depressed and/or experience periods of high volatility.
Risks to Us Related to Front Yard’s Business Risks and Operating Performance
Front Yard is our primary source of revenue and will drive our potential future growth. Unless and until our Amended AMA with Front Yard or its successor is terminated, any risk associated with Front Yard's business that would adversely affect its ability to generate revenue and pay distributions to its stockholders is a risk to our business, as our revenues, results of operations and financial condition significantly depend upon the management fees paid to us by Front Yard. Any risk that ultimately adversely affects Front Yard could adversely affect the revenues we can generate under the asset management agreement, our results of operations and our financial condition. The risks related to Front Yard’s business, which can also be reviewed by investors in Front Yard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Front Yard’s other filings with the SEC, are provided below.
Front Yard has a limited and evolving operating history. If Front Yard is unable to implement its business strategy as planned, it will be materially and adversely affected.
Front Yard commenced operations approximately seven years ago, and its business model is relatively untested and evolving. Businesses like Front Yard’s that have a limited operating history present substantial business and financial risks and may suffer significant losses. As a result, we cannot predict Front Yard’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Front Yard only began to generate residential rental revenue during 2013, and its historical financial results have been partially attributable to purchasing residential mortgage loans and other rental-related assets at a discount. As a result of the changes to its acquisition strategy and evolving market conditions, Front Yard has not completed any residential mortgage loan portfolio acquisitions since December 2014, Front Yard do not anticipate further acquisitions of such loans. There can be no assurance, however, that Front Yard will be able to identify and successfully acquire portfolios of SFR properties or related assets on favorable terms or at all.
Front Yard has experienced significant growth in its rental portfolio and anticipates further growth, which may result in our inability to effectively manage its SFR portfolio, including, but not limited to, delays in renovations, suboptimal tenant underwriting and other operational inefficiencies that could reduce Front Yard's profitability or damage its reputation. Generally, we expect that Front Yard's SFR portfolio may grow at an uneven pace, if at all, as opportunities to acquire SFR portfolios on acceptable terms may be irregularly timed and may involve large or small portfolios of SFR properties. The timing and extent of Front Yard's success in acquiring such assets cannot be predicted due to market conditions, limited financial resources or other constraints.
As a result of the foregoing developments, results from prior periods are not necessarily indicative of Front Yard's results for any future period, and Front Yard may not have sufficient additional capital to implement its business model. The earnings potential of Front Yard's business is unproven, and Front Yard's limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate Front Yard's prospects. We may not be able to implement Front Yard's business strategy as planned, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Front Yard is operating in an emerging industry, and the long-term viability of its investment strategy on an institutional scale is unproven.
Large-scale institutional investment in single-family residential homes for rent is a relatively recent phenomenon that has emerged out of the mortgage and housing crisis that began in late 2007. Prior to that time, SFR homes were generally not viewed as viable assets for investment on a large scale by institutional investors. Consequently, the long-term viability of the SFR property investment strategy on an institutional scale has not yet been proven. As a participant in this emerging industry, Front Yard is subject to the risk that SFR properties may not prove to be a viable long-term investment strategy on an institutional scale for a permanent capital vehicle. If it turns out that this investment strategy is not a viable one, Front Yard would be materially and adversely affected and may not be able to sustain the growth of its assets and results from operations that it seeks.
Front Yard's failure to raise equity capital and/or obtain adequate debt financing could adversely affect its ability to increase its rental portfolio, manage its existing assets and generate stockholder returns.
Front Yard's success has been, and may continue to be, largely dependent on its ability use its remaining free capital or to raise equity capital and obtain debt financing to increase the size of its rental portfolio, manage its existing assets and generate attractive stockholder returns. Front Yard requires significant financial resources and relies on cost-effective leverage to maintain its obligations under its debt facilities and to continue to acquire portfolios of SFR properties. If Front Yard is unable to continue to raise equity capital, leverage its portfolio through financing facilities with optimal costs of debt or if Front Yard's
leverage ratios are too high, its current portfolio and cash from operations may become inadequate to meet its financial obligations.
Front Yard uses leverage as a component of its financing strategy in an effort to increase its buying power and enhance its returns. No assurance can be provided that Front Yard will be able to timely access all funds available under its financing arrangements, refinance such financing arrangements or obtain other debt or equity financing on favorable terms or at all.
In any event, limited availability of credit may have an adverse effect on Front Yard's ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, thereby increasing financing costs and/or requiring Front Yard to accept financing with increasing restrictions. Front Yard's long-term ability to grow through additional investments will be limited if it cannot obtain additional debt or equity financing.
Front Yard may not be able to successfully operate its business or generate sufficient operating cash flows to make or sustain distributions to its stockholders.
There can be no assurance that Front Yard will be able to successfully operate its business or generate sufficient cash to make distributions to its stockholders. Front Yard's ability to make or sustain distributions to its stockholders depends on many factors, including the following: the availability of attractive risk-adjusted investment opportunities that satisfy its investment strategy and its success in identifying and consummating such opportunities on favorable terms; the level and expected movement of home prices; the occupancy rates and rent levels of rental properties; the restoration, maintenance, marketing and other operating costs related to its SFR and REO properties; Front Yard's relatively new internal property management platform and its ability to accommodate growth; the level and volatility of interest rates; our ability to effectively manage a significant increase in the number of properties in Front Yard’s SFR portfolio; its ability to sell its remaining non-rental REO properties and mortgage loans on favorable terms; the availability of short-term and long-term financing on favorable terms; conditions in the financial, real estate, housing and mortgage markets and the general economic conditions, as to which no assurance can be given. We cannot assure you that Front Yard will be able to make investments with attractive risk-adjusted returns or will not seek investments with greater risk to obtain the same level of returns or that the value of its investments in the future will not decline substantially. Existing and future government regulations may result in additional costs or delays, which could adversely affect the implementation of Front Yard's investment strategy.
Front Yard has leveraged its investments and expects to continue to do so, which may materially and adversely affect its return on investments and may reduce cash available for distribution to Front Yard's stockholders.
To the extent available, we intend to continue to leverage Front Yard's investments through borrowings, the level of which may vary based on the particular characteristics of Front Yard's investment portfolio and on market conditions. Front Yard's financing agreements generally require it to comply with various financial covenants, including, without limitation, the following:
reporting requirements to the agent or lender,
minimum adjusted tangible net worth requirements,
minimum net asset requirements,
limitations on the indebtedness,
minimum levels of liquidity, including specified levels of unrestricted cash,
limitations on sales and dispositions of properties collateralizing certain of the loan agreements,
various restrictions on the use of cash generated by the operations of properties, and
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.
We expect any of Front Yard's future financing arrangements will have similar provisions. In the event that it is unable to satisfy these requirements, Front Yard could be forced to sell additional investments at a loss, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Front Yard's financing agreements are complex and require a significant level of oversight by management. In part, this is due to the fact that the SFR properties and other assets that collateralize these facilities require specific activities to be performed at specific points in time in order to preserve value. Front Yard's inability to comply with the terms and conditions of these agreements could materially and adversely impact it. In addition, Front Yard's outstanding financing agreements contain, and we expect any future financing agreements will contain, events of default, including payment defaults, substantial margin calls, breaches of financial and other covenants and/or certain representations and warranties, cross-defaults, servicer and property manager termination events, guarantor defaults, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and other events of default customary
for these types of agreements. Because Front Yard's financing agreements will typically contain cross-default provisions, a default that occurs under any one agreement could allow the lenders under its other agreements to also declare a default. Any losses Front Yard incurs on its repurchase and other financing agreements could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Front Yard has utilized term financing arrangements, loan agreements, repurchase agreements, seller financing arrangements and securitization transactions to finance its portfolio and may in the future utilize other sources of borrowings, including bank credit facilities, warehouse lines of credit and structured financing arrangements, among others, each of which may have similar risks to other financing agreements, including, but not limited to, covenant compliance, events of default, acceleration and margin calls.
The percentage of leverage Front Yard employs, which could increase substantially in the future, varies depending on assets in its portfolios, its available capital, its ability to obtain and access financing arrangements with lenders and the lenders’ and rating agencies’ estimate of the stability of its investment portfolio’s cash flow. There can be no assurance that new sources of financing will be available to Front Yard in the future or that existing sources of financing will continue to be available to it. Front Yard's governing documents contain no limitation on the amount of debt it may incur. In general, the use of leverage amplifies Front Yard's results, both positively and negatively. If Front Yard does not achieve its targeted results, Front Yard's return on its investments and cash available for distribution to its stockholders may be reduced, and the cost of its financing could exceed the revenues it generates from its portfolio. Front Yard's debt service payments will reduce cash flow available for distribution to stockholders. Front Yard may not be able to meet its debt service obligations and, to the extent that it cannot, it risks the loss of some or all of its assets to foreclosure or sale to satisfy the obligations.
Front Yard utilizes non-recourse long-term financing structures, and such structures expose it to risks which could result in losses to Front Yard.
Front Yard currently utilizes non-recourse long-term financing for certain of its investments and intends to continue to do so if, and to the extent, available. In such structures, Front Yard's lenders typically have only a claim against the assets collateralizing the debt rather than a general claim against Front Yard as an entity, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, long-term financing structures may offer significantly less flexibility to refinance or terminate on cost-effective terms or at all and, as a result, could make it more difficult for Front Yard to capitalize on changes in market conditions, including the availability of less expensive debt. In the event it is unable to renew or refinance existing long-term facilities, Front Yard may increase its reliance on short-term facilities, which would likely be recourse to Front Yard as an entity.
Front Yard may also continue to finance its investments with relatively short-term facilities until a sufficient portfolio is accumulated. If Front Yard is unable to renew, refinance or obtain new long-term and/or short-term facilities, it may be required to seek other forms of potentially less attractive financing or to liquidate assets at an inopportune time or price. In such an event, Front Yard's overall results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely impacted.
Front Yard's inability to make interest and/or principal payments on its single-family rental financing arrangements would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition.
Front Yard has entered into various term financing loans to finance its portfolio of SFR properties. These loans (the “SFR Loans”) are each secured by the membership interests in the applicable subsidiary of Front Yard that owns the underlying properties (each, an “SFR Borrower”) and the properties and other assets held by such SFR Borrower. Upon the occurrence of a default of the payment of principal and/or interest on one or more of the SFR Loans, recourse may generally be had against the assets of the applicable SFR Borrower and the membership interests in such SFR Borrower. The primary security and source of payment for the SFR Loans is the cash flows generated by the properties and the other collateral described in the underlying loan agreements (the “SFR Loan Agreements”). Since revenues from the properties held by the relevant SFR Borrower generally serve as the primary source for monthly payments due on the corresponding SFR Loan, if revenue from the properties is reduced or if expenses incurred in the operation of the properties increase, the ability of such SFR Borrower to make payments with respect to such SFR Loan may be impaired. Similarly, the SFR Loan Agreements require the applicable SFR Borrower to make a balloon payment at the ultimate maturity date of the corresponding SFR Loan. The ability of the relevant SFR Borrower to sell and/or refinance the properties and to make the payment on the maturity date or the equity owner of the SFR Borrower (each a “SFR Equity Owner”), to sell and/or refinance its equity interest in such SFR Borrower to timely perform its guaranty obligations with respect to such maturity date payment, could be impaired by a decline in the value of the collateral properties. If an SFR Borrower is unable to make payments under the applicable SFR Loan or fails to make payment at maturity, the lender would be able to take possession/title to the membership interests of such SFR Borrower and the properties and other assets of such SFR Borrower to satisfy and discharge the corresponding SFR Loan obligations. In such an event, Front Yard's overall results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.
Even though the SFR Loans are non-recourse to Front Yard and all of its subsidiaries other than the relevant SFR Equity Owner and SFR Borrower, Front Yard has agreed to limited bad act indemnification obligations to the lender for the payment of (i) certain losses arising out of certain bad or wrongful acts of the SFR Equity Owners and SFR Borrowers with respect to the SFR Loans and (ii) a portion of the principal amount of the SFR Loans and certain other obligations under the SFR Loan Agreements in the event Front Yard causes certain voluntary bankruptcy events of the applicable SFR Equity Owner or SFR Borrower. Any of such liabilities could have a material adverse effect on Front Yard's results of operations and/or financial condition.
Front Yard utilizes repurchase agreement financing structures, and such structures expose Front Yard to risks that could result in losses.
Front Yard has leveraged certain of its investments to date through its repurchase agreements. When Front Yard enters into any repurchase agreement, it may sell residential properties or securities to lenders (i.e., repurchase agreement counterparties) and receive cash from the lenders. The lenders are obligated to resell the same assets back to Front Yard at the end of the term of the transaction. Because the cash Front Yard receives from the lender when it initially sells the assets to the lender is less than the value of those assets, if the lender defaults on its obligation to resell the same assets back to Front Yard, it could incur a loss on the transaction. In addition, repurchase agreements generally allow the counterparties, to varying degrees, to determine a new market value of the collateral to reflect current market conditions or for other reasons. If such counterparty determines that the value of the collateral has decreased, it may initiate a margin call and require Front Yard to either post additional collateral to cover such decrease or repay a portion of the outstanding borrowing. Should this occur, in order to obtain cash to satisfy a margin call, Front Yard may be required to liquidate assets at a disadvantageous time, which could cause Front Yard to incur losses. In the event Front Yard is unable to satisfy a margin call, our counterparty may sell the collateral, which may result in significant losses to Front Yard.
Front Yard may be adversely affected by changes in LIBOR reporting practices, the method in which LIBOR is determined or the use of alternative reference rates.
Front Yard's variable rate debt and interest rate caps are currently indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In July 2017, the United Kingdom regulator that regulates LIBOR announced its intention to phase out LIBOR rates by the end of 2021. It is impossible to predict the further effect of this announcement, any changes in the methods by which LIBOR is determined or other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted. In April 2018, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York commenced publishing the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), an alternative reference rate proposed by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”), a group of major market participants convened by the U.S. Federal Reserve, with participation by SEC Staff and other regulators. SOFR is based on transactions in the more robust U.S. Treasury repurchase market and has been proposed as the alternative to LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that currently rely on LIBOR as a reference rate. ARRC has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR from LIBOR, and organizations are currently working on industry-wide and company-specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to LIBOR. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, and it is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR, whether LIBOR rates will cease to be published or supported before or after 2021 or whether additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted. Such developments and any other legal or regulatory changes in the method by which LIBOR is determined or the transition from LIBOR to a successor benchmark may result in, among other things, a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in LIBOR, a delay in the publication of LIBOR and/or changes in the rules or methodologies of LIBOR, which may discourage market participants from continuing to administer or to participate in LIBOR’s determination and, in certain situations, could result in LIBOR no longer being determined and published. If a published U.S. dollar LIBOR rate is unavailable after 2021, the interest rates on Front Yard's variable rate debt or strike rates on Front Yard's interest rate caps that are indexed to LIBOR may be determined using various alternative methods, any of which may result in interest obligations that are more or less than or do not otherwise correlate over time with the payments that would have been made on such debt or received on such interest rate caps if U.S. dollar LIBOR was available in its current form. Further, the same costs and risks that may lead to the unavailability of U.S. dollar LIBOR may make one or more of the alternative methods impossible or impracticable to determine. Any of these proposals or consequences could have a material adverse effect on Front Yard's financing costs, and, to the extent Front Yard's interest rate cap arrangements cannot adequately protect against all such possibly adverse consequences, such proposals or consequences could adversely affect Front Yard's financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Front Yard's failure to effectively perform property management functions or to effectively manage its expanded portfolio and operations could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Prior to Front Yard's acquisition of HavenBrook Partners, LLC (“HavenBrook” or its “internal property manager”), Front Yard had relied on third parties to provide property management services for the properties in its SFR portfolio. As a result, prior to August 8, 2018, Front Yard did not have direct experience operating its own property manager. If Front Yard's internal property manager is unable to effectively perform property management services at the level and/or the cost that we expect, or if Front Yard fails to allocate sufficient resources to meet their property management needs, it would adversely affect Front Yard's performance. Through HavenBrook, Front Yard will have direct responsibility for the management of the properties in its SFR portfolio, including, without limitation, renovations, maintenance and certain matters related to leasing, such as marketing and selection of tenants. In addition, Front Yard will be responsible for ensuring the compliance of HavenBrook with governmental laws, regulations and covenants that are applicable to its homes, tenants and prospective tenants, including, without limitation, permitting, licensing and zoning requirements and tenant relief laws, such as laws regulating evictions, rent control laws and other regulations that limit Front Yard's ability to increase rental rates. Front Yard has limited experience operating its own property manager, and it is difficult to evaluate its potential future performance.
Front Yard's ability to perform the property management services will be affected by various factors, including, among other things, its ability to maintain sufficient personnel and retain key personnel and the number of its SFR properties that it will manage. Increases in the number of properties Front Yard internally manages have required Front Yard to hire a large number of additional qualified personnel. No assurance can be made that Front Yard will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining skilled personnel or in integrating any new personnel into its organization.
Although we expect that the the utilization of HavenBrook as an internal property manager will result in certain benefits for Front Yard, there can be no assurance regarding when or the extent to which Front Yard will be able to realize these benefits, which may be difficult, unpredictable and subject to delays. Front Yard's future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to successfully monitor its operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality, and maintain other necessary internal controls. There can be no assurance Front Yard's expansion or acquisition opportunities will be successful, or that it will realize its expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements, synergies or other benefits.
Front Yard's inability to effectively perform the property management services on its properties or to effectively manage its expanded portfolio and operations could materially adversely affect Front Yard's business, financial results and share price.
Front Yard faces intense competition for the employment of highly skilled managerial and operational personnel.
Front Yard's business plan may require that it employ additional highly skilled managerial and operational personnel, and Front Yard's inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future could have an adverse effect on its business and financial results. Competition for such skilled managerial and operational personnel is intense. As additional large real estate investors and property managers enter into and expand their scale within the single-family rental business, we expect Front Yard to face increased challenges in hiring and retaining personnel, and there can be no assurance that Front Yard will be successful in attracting and retaining such skilled personnel. If Front Yard is unable to hire and retain qualified personnel as required, its growth and operating results could be adversely affected.
Front Yard's ability to meet its labor needs while controlling its labor costs is subject to numerous external factors, including unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, changing demographics and changes in employment legislation. If Front Yard is unable to retain qualified personnel or its labor costs increase significantly, its business operations and financial performance could be adversely impacted.
Front Yard may incur significant costs in renovating its properties or turning vacant properties, and it may underestimate the costs or amount of time necessary to complete restorations or unit turns.
While a substantial portion of the SFR properties Front Yard has acquired to date meet its rental specifications at the time of acquisition, properties frequently require additional renovations prior to renting. Before renting a property, a detailed assessment is performed, with an on-site review of the property, to identify the scope of renovation to be completed. Beyond customary repairs, Front Yard may undertake improvements designed to optimize the overall property appeal and increase the value of the property. Though we endeavor to conduct property inspections and due diligence prior to Front Yard's acquisition of new SFR portfolios, we expect that nearly all of Front Yard's rental properties will require some level of renovation immediately upon their acquisition or in the future following expiration of a lease or otherwise. Front Yard may acquire properties that we plan to extensively renovate and restore. In addition, in order to reposition properties in the rental market,
Front Yard will be required to make ongoing capital improvements and may need to perform significant renovations and repairs from time to time. Consequently, Front Yard is exposed to the risks inherent in property renovation, including potential cost overruns, increases in labor and materials costs, delays by contractors in completing work, delays in the timing of receiving necessary work permits and certificates of occupancy and poor workmanship. If our assumptions regarding the cost or timing of renovations across Front Yard's properties prove to be materially inaccurate, it may be more costly or take significantly more time than anticipated to develop and grow its SFR portfolio, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
In addition, we anticipate a minimum level of effort will be required to prepare a newly vacant property to be made ready for occupancy by a new tenant, and Front Yard is exposed to risks of cost overruns, increases in costs of materials or labor, delays in the completion of work and other factors. If Front Yard is unable to perform unit turns efficiently or in a timely manner, it would experience decreased revenue, increased expenses or both.
The availability of portfolios of single-family residential properties for purchase on favorable terms may decline as market conditions change, our industry matures and/or additional purchasers for such portfolios emerge, and the prices for such portfolios may increase, any of which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
In recent years, there has been an increase in supply of SFR property portfolios available for sale. Because Front Yard operates in an emerging industry, market conditions may be volatile, and the prices at which portfolios of SFR properties can be acquired may increase from time to time, or permanently, due to new market participants seeking such portfolios, a decrease in the supply of desirable portfolios or other adverse changes in the geographic areas that we may target from time to time. For these reasons, the supply of SFR properties that Front Yard may acquire may decline over time, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard and its growth prospects.
Portfolios of properties that Front Yard has acquired or may acquire may include properties that do not fit its investment criteria, and divestiture of such properties may be costly or time consuming or both, which may adversely affect its operating results.
Front Yard acquired, and expects to continue to acquire, portfolios of SFR properties, many of which are, or will be, subject to existing leases. To the extent the management and leasing of such properties has not been consistent with its property management and leasing standards, Front Yard may be subject to a variety of risks, including risks relating to the condition of the properties, the credit quality and employment stability of the tenants and compliance with applicable laws, among others. In addition, financial and other information provided to Front Yard regarding such portfolios during our due diligence may be inaccurate, and Front Yard may not be able to obtain relief under contractual remedies, if any. If Front Yard concludes that certain properties acquired as part of a portfolio do not fit its investment criteria, it may decide to sell such properties and may be required to renovate the properties prior to sale, to hold the properties for an extended marketing period and/or sell the property at an unfavorable price, any of which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Competition in identifying and acquiring residential rental assets could adversely affect Front Yard's ability to implement its business strategy, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Front Yard faces competition from various sources for investment opportunities, including REITs, hedge funds, private equity funds, partnerships, developers and others. Some third-party competitors have substantially greater financial resources and access to capital than Front Yard does and may be able to accept more risk than Front Yard can. Competition from these companies may reduce the number of attractive investment opportunities available to Front Yard or increase the bargaining power of asset owners seeking to sell, which would increase the prices of assets. If such events occur, Front Yard's ability to implement its business strategy could be adversely affected, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard. Given the existing competition, complexity of the market and requisite time needed to make such investments, no assurance can be given that Front Yard will be successful in acquiring investments that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. Furthermore, there is no assurance that such investments, once acquired, will perform as expected.
Front Yard may be materially and adversely affected by risks affecting the single-family rental properties in which its investments may be concentrated at any given time, as well as from unfavorable changes in the related geographic regions.
Front Yard's assets are not subject to any geographic diversification requirements or concentration limitations, and, as a result, circumstances or events that impact a geographic region in which Front Yard has a significant concentration of properties, including a downturn in regional economic conditions or natural disasters, could materially and adversely affect Front Yard. Entities that sell residential rental portfolios may group the portfolios by location or other metrics that could result in a concentration of Front Yard's portfolio by geography, SFR property characteristics and/or tenant demographics. Such
concentration could increase the risk of loss to Front Yard if the particular concentration in its portfolio is subject to greater risks or undergoing adverse developments. In addition, adverse conditions in the areas where the properties or tenants are located (including business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, changing demographics, oversupply, reduced demand and other factors) may have an adverse effect on the value of its investments. A material decline in the demand for single-family housing or rentals in the areas where Front Yard owns assets may materially and adversely affect Front Yard. Lack of diversification can increase the correlation of non-performance and foreclosure risks among Front Yard's investments.
Short-term leases of residential property expose Front Yard more quickly to the effects of declining market rents.
We anticipate that a majority of Front Yard's leases to tenants of SFR properties will be for a term of one year. As these leases permit the residents to leave at the end of the lease term without penalty, we anticipate Front Yard's rental revenues will be affected by declines in market rents more quickly than if its leases were for longer terms. Short-term leases may result in high turnover, resulting in additional cost to renovate and maintain the property and lower occupancy levels. Because Front Yard has a limited operating history, its tenant turnover rate and related cost estimates may be less accurate than if we had more operating data upon which to base these estimates.
Front Yard may be unable to secure funds for property restoration or other capital improvements, which could limit its ability to attract, retain or replace tenants.
When Front Yard acquires or otherwise takes title to single-family properties or when tenants fail to renew their leases or otherwise vacate their space, Front Yard generally will be required to expend funds for property restoration and leasing commissions in order to lease the property. If Front Yard has not established reserves or set aside sufficient funds for such expenditures, it may have to obtain financing from other sources, as to which no assurance can be given. Front Yard may also have future financing needs for other capital improvements to restore its properties. If Front Yard needs to secure financing for capital improvements in the future but are unable to secure such financing on favorable terms or at all, Front Yard may be unable or unwilling to make capital improvements or it may be required or may choose to defer such improvements. If this happens, Front Yard's properties may suffer from a greater risk of obsolescence or decreased marketability, a decline in value or decreased cash flow as a result of fewer potential tenants being attracted to the property or existing tenants not renewing their leases. If Front Yard does not have access to sufficient funding in the future, it may not be able to make necessary capital improvements to its properties, and its properties’ ability to generate revenue may be significantly impaired.
Front Yard's revenue and expenses are not directly correlated, and, because a large percentage of its costs and expenses are fixed and some variable expenses may not decrease over time, it may not be able to adapt its cost structure to offset any declines in its revenue.
Many of the expenses associated with Front Yard's business, such as acquisition costs, restoration and maintenance costs, HOA fees, personal and real property taxes, insurance, compensation and other general expenses are fixed and would not necessarily decrease proportionally with any decrease in revenue. Front Yard's assets also will likely require a significant amount of ongoing capital expenditure. Front Yard's expenses, including capital expenditures, will be affected by, among other things, any inflationary increases, and cost increases may exceed the rate of inflation in any given period. Certain expenses, such as HOA fees, taxes, insurance and maintenance costs are recurring in nature and may not decrease on a per-unit basis as Front Yard's portfolio grows through additional property acquisitions. By contrast, Front Yard's revenue is affected by many factors beyond our control, such as the availability and price of alternative rental housing and economic conditions in its markets. As a result, Front Yard may not be able to fully, or even partially, offset any increase in its expenses with a corresponding increase in its revenues. In addition, state and local regulations may require Front Yard to maintain its properties, even if the cost of maintenance is greater than the potential benefit.
Competition could limit Front Yard's ability to lease single-family rental properties or increase or maintain rents.
Front Yard's SFR properties, when acquired, will compete with other housing alternatives to attract residents, including rental apartments, condominiums and other single-family homes available for rent as well as new and existing condominiums and single-family homes for sale. Front Yard's competitors’ properties may be better quality, in a more desirable location or have leasing terms more favorable than Front Yard can provide. In addition, Front Yard's ability to compete and generate favorable returns depends upon, among other factors, trends of the national and local economies, the financial condition and liquidity of current and prospective renters, availability and cost of capital, taxes and governmental regulations. Given Front Yard's significant competition, we cannot assure you that it will be successful in acquiring or managing SFR properties that generate favorable returns.
If rents in Front Yard's markets do not increase sufficiently to keep pace with rising costs of operations, its operating results and cash available for distribution will decline.
The success of Front Yard's business model will substantially depend on conditions in the SFR property market in its geographic markets. Front Yard's asset acquisitions are premised on assumptions about, among other things, occupancy and rent levels. If those assumptions prove to be inaccurate, Front Yard's operating results and cash available for distribution will be lower than expected, potentially materially. Rental rates and occupancy levels have benefited in recent periods from macroeconomic trends affecting the U.S. economy and residential real estate and mortgage markets in particular, including a tightening of credit and increases in interest rates that has made it more difficult to finance a home purchase, combined with efforts by consumers generally to reduce their exposure to credit. A decrease in rental rates would have a material adverse effect on the performance of Front Yard's SFR portfolio or could cause a default of its obligations under one or more financing agreements, and Front Yard's business, results of operations and financial condition would therefore be materially harmed.
If the current trend favoring renting rather than homeownership reverses, the single-family rental market could decline.
The SFR market is currently significantly larger than in historical periods. We do not expect the favorable trends in the SFR market to continue indefinitely. Eventually, continued strengthening of the U.S. economy and job growth, together with the large supply of foreclosed SFR properties, the current availability of low residential mortgage rates and government sponsored programs promoting home ownership, may contribute to a stabilization or reversal of the current trend that favors renting rather than homeownership. In addition, we expect that as investors increasingly seek to capitalize on opportunities to purchase undervalued housing properties and convert them to productive uses, the supply of SFR properties will decrease and the competition for tenants will intensify. A softening of the rental property market in Front Yard's markets would adversely affect its operating results and cash available for distribution, potentially materially.
Suboptimal tenant underwriting and defaults by Front Yard's tenants may materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Front Yard's success will depend, in large part, upon its ability to attract and retain qualified tenants for its properties. This will depend, in turn, upon Front Yard's ability to screen applicants, identify good tenants and avoid tenants who may default. Front Yard will inevitably make mistakes in its selection of tenants, and it may rent to tenants whose default on its leases or failure to comply with the terms of the lease or HOA regulations could materially and adversely affect Front Yard. For example, tenants may default on payment of rent; make unreasonable and repeated demands for service or improvements; make unsupported or unjustified complaints to regulatory or political authorities; make use of Front Yard's properties for illegal purposes; damage or make unauthorized structural changes to its properties that may not be fully covered by security deposits; refuse to leave the property when the lease is terminated; engage in domestic violence or similar disturbances; disturb nearby residents with noise, trash, odors or eyesores; fail to comply with HOA regulations; sub-let to less desirable individuals in violation of Front Yard's leases or permit unauthorized persons to live with them. The process of evicting a defaulting tenant from a family residence can be adversarial, protracted and costly. Furthermore, some tenants facing eviction may damage or destroy the property. Damage to Front Yard's properties may significantly delay re-leasing after eviction, necessitate expensive repairs, reduce the rental revenue generated by the property or impair its value. In addition, Front Yard will incur turnover costs associated with re-leasing the properties, such as marketing expenses and brokerage commissions, and will not collect revenue while the property is vacant. Although Front Yard will attempt to work with tenants to prevent such damage or destruction, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in all or most cases. Such tenants will not only cause Front Yard not to achieve its financial objectives for the properties in which they live, but may subject Front Yard to liability, and may damage Front Yard's reputation with its other tenants and in the communities where it does business.
A significant uninsured property or liability loss could have a material adverse effect on Front Yard.
Front Yard carries commercial general liability insurance and property insurance with respect to its SFR properties on terms we consider commercially reasonable. However, many of the policies covering casualty losses are subject to substantial deductibles and exclusions, and Front Yard will be self-insured up to the amount of the deductibles and exclusions. For example, Front Yard may not always be fully insured against losses arising from floods, windstorms, fires, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism or civil unrest because they are either uninsurable or the cost of insurance makes it economically impractical. If an uninsured property loss or a property loss in excess of insured limits were to occur, Front Yard could lose its capital invested in a property or group of properties as well as the anticipated future revenues from affected SFR properties or groups of properties. Further, inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors might also prevent Front Yard from using insurance proceeds to replace or renovate a property after it has been damaged or destroyed.
In the event that Front Yard incurs a casualty loss that is not fully covered by insurance, the value of its assets will be reduced by the amount of any such uninsured loss, and Front Yard could experience a significant loss of capital invested and potential revenues in these properties and could potentially remain obligated under any recourse debt associated with the property. Further, if an uninsured liability to a third party were to occur, Front Yard would incur the cost of defense and settlement with or court ordered damages to that third party. A significant uninsured property or liability loss could adversely affect Front Yard's financial condition, operating results, cash flows and ability to make distributions on its common stock.
A significant number of Front Yard's SFR and non-rental REO properties may be part of homeowners’ associations. Front Yard and its renters will be subject to the rules and regulations of such homeowners’ associations which may be arbitrary or restrictive and violations of such rules may subject us to additional fees and penalties and litigation which may be costly.
A significant number of Front Yard's properties may be subject to HOAs which are private entities that regulate the activities of and levy assessments on properties in a residential subdivision. Some of the HOAs that will govern Front Yard's properties may enact onerous or arbitrary rules that restrict Front Yard's ability to renovate, market or lease its SFR properties or require it to renovate or maintain such properties at standards or costs that are in excess of our planned operating budgets. Such rules may include requirements for landscaping, limitations on signage promoting a property for lease or sale or the use of specific construction materials to be used in renovations. Some HOAs also impose limits on the number of property owners who may rent their homes which, if met or exceeded, may cause Front Yard to incur additional costs to sell the affected property and opportunity costs of lost rental income. Furthermore, many HOAs impose restrictions on the conduct of occupants of homes and the use of common areas, and Front Yard may have renters who violate these HOA rules for which Front Yard may be liable as the property owner. Additionally, the boards of directors of the HOAs that will govern its properties may not make important disclosures or may block Front Yard's access to HOA records, initiate litigation, restrict its ability to sell, impose assessments or arbitrarily change the HOA rules. Front Yard may be unaware of or unable to review or comply with certain HOA rules before acquiring a property, and any such excessively restrictive or arbitrary regulations may cause Front Yard to sell such property, if possible, prevent it from renting such property or otherwise reduce its cash flow from such property. Any of the above-described occurrences may materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Front Yard relies on information supplied by prospective tenants in managing its business.
Front Yard relies on information supplied by prospective tenants in their rental applications as part of its due diligence process to make leasing decisions, and Front Yard cannot be certain that this information is accurate. In particular, Front Yard relies on information submitted by prospective tenants regarding household income, tenure at current job, number of children and size of household. Moreover, these applications are submitted to Front Yard at the time it evaluates a prospective tenant, and Front Yard does not require tenants to provide updated information during the terms of their leases, notwithstanding the fact that this information can, and frequently does, change over time. Even though this information is not updated, Front Yard will use it to evaluate the overall average credit characteristics of its portfolio over time. If tenant-supplied information is inaccurate or Front Yard's tenants’ creditworthiness declines over time, Front Yard may make poor leasing decisions and its portfolio may contain more credit risk than it believes.
Difficulties in selling REO properties and other non-core assets could limit Front Yard's flexibility and/or harm its liquidity.
Federal tax laws may limit Front Yard's ability to earn a gain on the sale of its properties if it is found to have held or acquired the properties with the intent to resell, and this limitation may adversely affect its willingness to sell REO properties under favorable conditions or if necessary for funding purposes. Front Yard typically contributes REO properties that will not meet its rental profile to its taxable REIT subsidiary in order to sell and generate gains or losses at the taxable REIT subsidiary upon such sales. In addition, Front Yard's REO properties that it intends to sell may at times be difficult to dispose of quickly or at favorable prices. These potential difficulties in selling real estate in Front Yard's markets may limit its ability to either sell properties that it deems unsuitable for rental or change or reduce the REO properties in its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Front Yard's failure to sell or delays in selling its REO properties could potentially cause a strain on its liquidity, and it may be forced to reduce prices and/or continue to hold such REO properties without leverage, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard's financial condition.
The growth of Front Yard's SFR portfolio, at least in the short term, is expected to be partially dependent on its ability to sell non-core assets. If Front Yard is unable to sell these assets at optimal prices or on a timely basis, or if the market shifts, creating lower sales prices, Front Yard's ability to utilize the equity embedded in these assets would be harmed, which would have a material adverse effect on its ability to convert the proceeds of such sales into buying power for the acquisition of SFR properties. Furthermore, a large portion of the sale proceeds of such non-core assets are utilized to purchase the assets off of Front Yard's repurchase and loan facilities for which the assets are collateral. If a higher than expected portion of the loan sale
consideration must be utilized to repurchase assets off of its facilities, Front Yard's ability to purchase SFR properties may also be adversely affected, which would slow the growth of its rental portfolio.
Front Yard's SFR and REO properties are not liquid assets, which could limit its ability to vary its portfolio or to realize the value at which such assets are carried if it is required to dispose of them.
Front Yard's SFR and REO properties are not liquid assets, which could limit Front Yard's ability to vary its portfolio or to realize the value at which such assets are carried if Front Yard is required to dispose of them. Front Yard's inability to sell individual or portfolios of SFR and/or REO properties on acceptable terms and/or in accordance with its anticipated timing could materially and adversely affect Front Yard's financial condition.
We utilize analytical models and data in connection with the valuation of Front Yard's investments, and any incorrect, misleading or incomplete information used in connection therewith would subject Front Yard to potential risks.
We rely heavily on models and data, including analytical models (both proprietary models developed by us and those supplied by third parties) and information and data supplied by third parties. Models and data are used to value Front Yard's assets or potential investments and also in connection with performing due diligence on Front Yard's investments. In the event models and data prove to be incorrect, misleading or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose us to potential risks. For example, by relying on incorrect models and data, especially valuation models, Front Yard may be induced to buy certain investments at prices that are too high, to sell certain other investments at prices that are too low or to miss favorable opportunities altogether.
Changes in global economic and capital market conditions, including periods of generally deteriorating occupancy and real estate industry fundamentals, may materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
There are risks to the ownership of real estate and real estate related assets, including decreases in residential property values, changes in global, national, regional or local economic, demographic and real estate market conditions as well as other factors particular to the locations of Front Yard's investments. A prolonged recession and a slow recovery could materially and adversely affect Front Yard as a result of, among other items, the following:
joblessness or unemployment rates that adversely affect the local economy;
an oversupply of or a reduced demand for SFR properties for rent;
a decline in employment or lack of employment growth;
the inability or unwillingness of residents to pay rent increases or fulfill their lease obligations;
a decline in rental rate, which may be accentuated since we expect Front Yard to generally have rent terms of one year;
rent control or rent stabilization laws or other laws regulating housing that could prevent us from raising rents to offset increases in operating costs;
changes in interest rates and availability and terms of debt financing; and
economic conditions that could cause an increase in Front Yard's operating expenses such as increases in property taxes, utilities and routine maintenance.
These conditions could also adversely impact the financial condition and liquidity of the renters that will occupy Front Yard's real estate properties and, as a result, their ability to pay rent to Front Yard.
Inflation or deflation may adversely affect Front Yard's results of operations and cash flows.
Increased inflation could have an adverse impact on interest rates, property management expenses and general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than Front Yard's rental and other revenue. Conversely, deflation could lead to downward pressure on rents and other sources of income without an accompanying reduction in Front Yard's expenses. Accordingly, inflation or deflation may adversely affect Front Yard's results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in applicable laws or noncompliance with applicable law could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
As an owner of real estate, Front Yard is required to comply with numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, some of which may conflict with one another or be subject to limited judicial or regulatory interpretations. These laws and regulations may include zoning laws, building codes, landlord-tenant laws and other laws generally applicable to Front Yard's business operations. Noncompliance with laws or regulations could expose Front Yard to liability.
Lower revenue growth or significant unanticipated expenditures may result from Front Yard's need to comply with changes in (i) laws imposing remediation requirements and potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, (ii) rent control or rent stabilization laws or other residential landlord-tenant laws or (iii) other governmental rules and regulations or enforcement policies affecting the rehabilitation, use and operation of Front Yard's SFR properties, including changes to building codes and fire and life-safety codes.
Residential properties that are subject to foreclosure or short-sales are subject to risks of theft, vandalism or other damage that could impair their value.
When a residential property is subject to foreclosure, it is possible that the homeowner may cease to maintain the property adequately or that the property may be abandoned by the homeowner and become susceptible to theft or vandalism. Lack of maintenance, theft and vandalism can substantially impair the value of the property. To the extent Front Yard initiates foreclosure proceedings, some of its properties could be impaired.
Contingent or unknown liabilities associated with respect to Front Yard's prior acquisitions of portfolios of properties could adversely affect its financial condition, cash flows and operating results.
Assets and entities that Front Yard has acquired in connection with prior SFR portfolio or operating entity acquisitions may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which Front Yard may have limited or no recourse against the sellers. Unknown or contingent liabilities might include liabilities for or with respect to liens attached to properties; unpaid real estate tax, utilities or HOA charges for which a subsequent owner remains liable; clean-up or remediation of environmental conditions or code violations; claims of customers, vendors or other persons dealing with the acquired entities; or tax liabilities. Purchases of single-family properties in portfolio purchases typically involve limited representations or warranties with respect to the properties and may allow Front Yard limited or no recourse against the sellers. Such properties also often have unpaid tax, utility and HOA liabilities for which Front Yard may be obligated but fail to anticipate. As a result, the total amount of costs and expenses that Front Yard may incur with respect to liabilities associated with prior SFR property or entity acquisitions may exceed its expectations, which may adversely affect Front Yard's operating results and financial condition. Additionally, such prior SFR property acquisitions may be subject to covenants, conditions or restrictions that restrict the use or ownership of such properties, including prohibitions on leasing. Front Yard may not have discovered such restrictions during the acquisition process, and such restrictions may adversely affect its ability to operate such properties as it intends.
The costs and amount of time necessary to secure possession and control of a certain properties may exceed our assumptions, which would delay Front Yard's receipt of revenue from, and return on, the property.
A majority of the SFR properties Front Yard has acquired have had an existing tenant at the time of acquisition. However, certain SFR and non-rental REO properties require Front Yard to secure possession. In certain circumstances, Front Yard may have to evict occupants who are in unlawful possession before it can secure possession and control of the property. The holdover occupants may be the former owners or tenants of a property, or they may be squatters or others who are illegally in possession. Securing control and possession from these occupants can be both costly and time-consuming. If these costs and delays exceed our expectations, Front Yard's and our financial performance may suffer because of the increased expenses incurred or the unexpected delays in turning the properties into revenue-producing rental properties.
Eminent domain could lead to material losses on Front Yard's investments.
It is possible that governmental authorities may exercise eminent domain to acquire land on which Front Yard's properties are built in order to build roads or other infrastructure. Any such exercise of eminent domain would allow Front Yard to recover only the fair value of the affected properties, which we believe may be interpreted to be substantially less than the actual value of the property. Several cities are also exploring proposals to use eminent domain to acquire residential loans to assist borrowers to remain in their homes, potentially reducing the supply of single-family properties for sale in Front Yard's markets. Any of these events can cause a material loss to Front Yard.
Front Yard is now exposed to labor and employment risks to which it has not historically been exposed.
Prior to the HB Acquisition, Front Yard had no employees of its own. With the completion of the HB Acquisition, Front Yard now has employees of its own managing the internal property management function. As an employer, Front Yard is now subject to those potential liabilities that are commonly faced by employers, such as workers’ disability and compensation claims, potential labor disputes and other employee-related liabilities and grievances. Further, Front Yard bears the costs of the establishment and maintenance of payroll management and health, retirement and similar benefit plans for its employees.
Front Yard is subject to the risks of securities laws liability and related civil litigation.
Front Yard may be subject to the risk of securities litigation and derivative actions from time to time as a result of being publicly traded. There can be no assurance that any settlement or liabilities in such action or any future lawsuits or claims against Front Yard would be covered or partially covered by its insurance policies, which could have a material adverse effect on Front Yard's earnings in one or more periods. The range of possible resolutions in relation to any such lawsuits or claims could include determinations and judgments against Front Yard or settlements that could require substantial payments by Front Yard, including the costs of defending such suit, which could have a material adverse effect on Front Yard's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An adverse resolution of any future lawsuits or claims against Front Yard could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Front Yard likely will incur costs due to litigation, including but not limited to, class actions, tenant rights claims and consumer demands.
There are numerous tenants’ rights and consumer rights organizations throughout the country. As Front Yard grows in scale, it may attract attention from some of these organizations and become a target of legal demands or litigation. Many such consumer organizations have become more active and better funded in connection with mortgage foreclosure-related issues and displaced home ownership. Some of these organizations may shift their litigation, lobbying, fundraising and grass roots organizing activities to focus on landlord-tenant issues as more entities engage in the SFR property market. Additional actions that may be targeted at Front Yard include eviction proceedings and other landlord-tenant disputes, challenges to title and ownership rights (including actions brought by prior owners alleging wrongful foreclosure by their lender or servicer) and issues with local housing officials arising from the condition or maintenance of an SFR property. While we intend to conduct Front Yard's rental business lawfully and in compliance with applicable landlord-tenant and consumer laws, such organizations might work in conjunction with trial and pro bono lawyers in one state or multiple states to attempt to bring claims against Front Yard on a class action basis for damages or injunctive relief. We cannot anticipate what form such legal actions might take or what remedies they may seek. Any of such claims may result in a finding of liability that may materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Additionally, these organizations may lobby local county and municipal attorneys or state attorneys general to pursue enforcement or litigation against Front Yard or may lobby state and local legislatures to pass new laws and regulations to constrain Front Yard's business operations. If they are successful in any such endeavors, they could directly limit and constrain Front Yard's business operations and impose on Front Yard significant litigation expenses, including settlements to avoid continued litigation or judgments for damages or injunctions. Any of the above-described occurrences may materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise Front Yard's and/or our information systems and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.
In the ordinary course of Front Yard's and our business, we or our external service providers may acquire and store sensitive data on our network, such as our proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of Front Yard's prospective and current tenants. The secure processing and maintenance of this information is critical to our business strategy. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be subject to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disruption to our operations and the services we provide to customers or damage our reputation, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard and/or us.
Front Yard may incur substantial costs due to environmental contamination or non-compliance.
Under various federal, state and local environmental and public health laws, regulations and ordinances, Front Yard may be required, regardless of knowledge or responsibility, to investigate and remediate the effects of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at its SFR properties (including in some cases, asbestos-containing construction materials, lead-based paints, contaminants migrating from off-site sources and natural substances such as methane, mold and radon gas) and may be held liable under these laws or common law to a governmental entity or to third parties for property, personal injury or natural resources damages and for investigation and remediation costs incurred as a result of the contamination. These damages and costs may be substantial and may exceed any insurance coverage Front Yard may have for such events, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard. The presence of such substances or the failure to properly remediate the contamination may adversely affect Front Yard's ability to borrow against, sell or rent the affected property. In addition, some environmental laws create or allow a government agency to impose a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs as a result of the contamination, which may also adversely affect Front Yard's ability to borrow against, sell or rent the affected property.
Front Yard properties will be subject to property and other taxes that may increase over time.
Front Yard will be responsible for property taxes for its SFR properties when acquired, which may increase as tax rates change and properties are reassessed by taxing authorities. If Front Yard fails to pay any such taxes, the applicable taxing authorities may place a lien on the property and the property may be subject to a tax sale. Increases in property taxes would also adversely affect Front Yard's yield from rental properties. Any such occurrence may materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Front Yard's concentrations of credit risk could have a material adverse effect on us.
Front Yard maintains cash and cash equivalent investments and restricted cash at financial or other intermediary institutions. The combined account balances at each institution typically exceed FDIC insurance coverage of $250,000 per depositor and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. At December 31, 2019, substantially all of Front Yard's cash and cash equivalent balances held at financial institutions exceeded FDIC insured limits. Any event that would cause the insolvency of a financial institution at which we hold a material portion of Front Yard's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in excess of amounts subject to FDIC deposit insurance would have a material adverse effect on Front Yard's financial condition and results of operations.
Front Yard's business could be negatively affected as a result of stockholder activism, which could cause it to incur significant expense, hinder execution of its business strategy and impact the trading value of its securities or result in the termination of our asset management agreement with Front Yard.
Activist stockholders may publicly advocate for certain governance and strategic changes at Front Yard, and there is no assurance that any such efforts would not be successful or that Front Yard would not be subject to additional stockholder activity or demands in the future. Stockholder activism, including potential proxy contests, requires significant time and attention by management and the Board of Directors, potentially interfering with Front Yard's ability to execute its strategic plan. Additionally, such stockholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to Front Yard's future direction and adversely affect its relationships with key business partners. Also, Front Yard may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to activist stockholder matters. Any of these impacts could materially and adversely affect Front Yard's business and operating results. Further, the market price of Front Yard's common stock could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties described above.
If Front Yard is deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, it would have significant adverse consequences to Front Yard.
Front Yard does not intend or expect to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act Investment Company Act, since it will not engage primarily or hold itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Rather, Front Yard will be primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring real estate and mortgages on real estate, specifically SFR assets. To the extent that the SEC determines that Front Yard is in fact an investment company, Front Yard intends to rely on the exception from the Investment Company Act set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act, which excludes from the definition of investment company “any person who is not engaged in the business of issuing redeemable securities, face-amount certificates of the installment type or periodic payment plan certificates, and who is primarily engaged in one or more of the following businesses: . . .(C) purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” The SEC generally requires that for the exception provided
by Section 3(c)(5)(C) to be available, at least 55% of an entity's be comprised of mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate, also known as “qualifying interests,” and at least another 25% of the entity’s assets must be comprised of additional qualifying interests or real estate-type interests (with no more than 20% of the entity’s assets comprised of miscellaneous assets). Any significant acquisition by Front Yard of non-real estate assets without the acquisition of substantial real estate assets could cause Front Yard to meet the definitions of an “investment company.” If Front Yard is deemed to be an investment company, Front Yard may be required to register as an investment company if it is unable to dispose of the disqualifying assets, which could have a material adverse effect on Front Yard.
Registration under the Investment Company Act would require Front Yard to comply with a variety of substantive requirements that impose, among other things:
limitations on capital structure;
restrictions on specified investments;
restrictions on leverage or senior securities;
restrictions on unsecured borrowings;
prohibitions on transactions with affiliates and
compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly increase Front Yard's operating expenses.
If Front Yard were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, it would be prohibited from engaging in its business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against it. Registration with the SEC as an investment company would be costly, would subject Front Yard to a host of complex regulations and would divert attention from the conduct of Front Yard's business. In addition, if Front Yard purchases or sells any real estate assets to avoid becoming an investment company under the Investment Company Act, it could materially adversely affect its net asset value, the amount of funds available for investment and its ability to pay distributions to its stockholders.
Risks Related to Front Yard's Qualification as a REIT
Front Yard’s failure to qualify as a REIT would materially and adversely affect Front Yard and us.
Front Yard made an election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with the year ended December 31, 2013. However, we cannot assure you that Front Yard will remain qualified as a REIT. Moreover, Front Yard's qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend upon its ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the federal income tax laws. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that Front Yard's actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. If Front Yard fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will face serious tax consequences that will substantially reduce the funds available for distribution to its stockholders because:
Front Yard would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to stockholders in computing its taxable income, thus becoming subject to federal income tax;
Front Yard could be subject to increased state and local taxes; and
Unless Front Yard is entitled to relief under certain federal income tax laws, it could not re-elect REIT status until the fifth calendar year after the year in which it failed to qualify as a REIT. In addition, if Front Yard fails to qualify as a REIT, it will no longer be required to make distributions.
As a result of all these factors, Front Yard's failure to qualify as a REIT could impair its ability to expand its business and raise capital, and it could materially and adversely affect Front Yard and the market price of its common stock.
In addition, the Amended AMA provides that Front Yard can terminate AAMC for “Cause,” without payment of a termination fee to AAMC, if Front Yard fails to maintain qualification as a REIT unless Front Yard’s board of directors makes its own determination to cease qualification as a REIT and instructs AAMC to do so. Any termination of us by Front Yard for failure to maintain its qualification as a REIT would result in our loss of a termination fee, currently set at approximately $46.3 million, would materially adversely affect our financial condition and prospects.
Front Yard's tax position with respect to the accrual of interest and market discount income with respect to distressed mortgage loans that Front Yard previously owned involves risk.
Prior to Front Yard's divestiture of its remaining mortgage loans in 2019, it did not accrue interest or market discount income on defaulted or delinquent loans when certain criteria are satisfied. The criteria generally relate to whether those amounts are uncollectible or of doubtful collectability. If the Internal Revenue Service were to challenge this position successfully, Front Yard could be subject to entity level excise tax as a result of “deficiency dividends” that it would have been required to pay to its stockholders at the time of such an adjustment to its income in order to maintain its qualification as a REIT.
Compliance with REIT requirements may cause Front Yard to forego otherwise attractive opportunities which may hinder or delay its ability to meet its investment objectives and reduce your overall return.
To qualify as a REIT, Front Yard is required at all times to satisfy certain tests relating to, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of its assets, its financing, hedging and investment strategies, the ownership of its stock and amounts it distributed to its stockholders. Compliance with the REIT requirements may preclude Front Yard from certain financing or hedging strategies or cause it to forego otherwise attractive opportunities which may hinder or delay its ability to meet its investment objectives and reduce your overall return. For example, Front Yard may be required to pay distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when it does not have funds readily available for distribution.
Compliance with REIT requirements may force Front Yard to liquidate otherwise attractive investments, which could materially adversely affect Front Yard.
To qualify as a REIT, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of Front Yard's assets must consist of qualified real estate assets, cash, cash items and government securities. In addition, no more than 20% of the value of Front Yard's assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. Except for securities that qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test above and investments in Front Yard's qualified REIT subsidiaries and its taxable REIT subsidiaries, its investment in the value of any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of its total assets, and it may not own more than 10% of the total vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer, except, in the case of the 10% value test, certain “straight debt” securities. In order to satisfy these requirements, Front Yard may be forced to liquidate otherwise attractive investments, potentially at a loss, which could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Failure to make required distributions would subject Front Yard to federal corporate income tax.
We intend to continue to operate Front Yard in a manner so as to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In order to qualify as a REIT, Front Yard generally is required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain, each year to its stockholders. To the extent that Front Yard satisfies this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of its REIT taxable income, it will be subject to federal corporate income tax on its undistributed taxable income. In addition, Front Yard will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that it pays out to its stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under the Code.
The IRS may deem the gains from sales of Front Yard's properties to be subject to a 100% prohibited transaction tax.
From time to time, Front Yard may be forced to sell properties that do not meet its investment objectives or it may need to sell properties, mortgage loans or other assets either because they do not meet its rental portfolio objectives or to satisfy its REIT distribution requirements. In general, to prevent even the appearance of acting as a “dealer,” REITs do not sell residential assets out of the REIT itself. Rather, taxable REIT subsidiaries are utilized for that purpose. Were we to purchase real estate assets with a view toward re-selling them, it could be considered a “dealer” of real estate, which could cause Front Yard to fail to meet its REIT requirements or such sales could be considered “prohibited transactions.” Because Front Yard has historically purchased large portfolios of mortgage loans with a view toward converting them into rental homes, there may be assets that it purchased as part of all-or none portfolios that are not acceptable for its portfolio and necessary to sell. Typically, Front Yard contributes REO properties that it determines will not meet its rental portfolio criteria to its taxable REIT subsidiary to prevent the sales from being deemed prohibited transactions. The IRS may deem one or more sales of Front Yard's properties to be “prohibited transactions.” If the IRS takes the position that Front Yard has engaged in a “prohibited transaction” (i.e., if Front Yard sells a property held by us primarily for sale in the ordinary course of our trade or business), then any gain it recognizes from such sale would not disqualify Front Yard as a REIT, but such gains would be subject to a 100% tax. The Code sets forth a safe harbor for REITs that wish to sell property without risking the imposition of the 100% tax; however, there is no assurance that Front Yard will be able to qualify for the safe harbor. Front Yard does not intend to hold property for sale in the ordinary
course of business; however, there is no assurance that its position will not be challenged by the IRS especially if it makes frequent sales or sales of property in which it has short holding periods.
In the future, Front Yard could be required to sell assets, borrow funds or raise equity capital to fund its distributions or to make a portion of its distributions in the form of a taxable stock distribution.
Front Yard's Board of Directors has the sole discretion to determine the timing, form and amount of any distributions to its stockholders, and the amount of such distributions may be limited. In the future, Front Yard could be required to sell assets, borrow funds or raise equity capital to fund its distributions or to make a portion of its distributions in the form of a taxable stock distribution. Front Yard's Board of Directors will make determinations regarding distributions based upon various factors, including its historical and projected financial condition and requirements, liquidity and results of operations, financing covenants, maintenance of its REIT qualification, applicable law and other factors, as its Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time. To the extent that Front Yard is required to sell assets in adverse market conditions or borrow funds at unfavorable rates, it could be materially and adversely affected. To the extent Front Yard may have to raise equity capital, it may be unable to do so at attractive prices, on a timely basis or at all, which could adversely affect its ability to make distributions to its stockholders.
Even if Front Yard qualifies as a REIT, it may be subject to tax liabilities that could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
Even if Front Yard qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on its income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. In addition, Front Yard could, in certain circumstances, be required to pay an excise tax or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to utilize one or more of the relief provisions under the Code to maintain its qualification as a REIT. In order to meet the REIT qualification requirements or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from sales of “dealer property,” Front Yard may also move or hold some of its assets or conduct activities through a TRS. In addition, if Front Yard lends money to a TRS, the TRS may be unable to deduct all or a portion of the interest paid to Front Yard, which could result in an even higher corporate level tax liability. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to Front Yard's stockholders.
Furthermore, the Code imposes a 100% tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s length basis. We will structure Front Yard's transaction with any of its TRS entities on terms that we believe are arm’s length to avoid incurring the 100% excise tax described above. There can be no assurances, however, that Front Yard will be able to avoid application of the 100% tax. Any such additional tax liabilities would have an adverse effect on Front Yard and us.
Ordinary dividends payable by REITs are generally taxed at U.S. federal income tax rates, higher than tax rates applicable to dividends from Subchapter C corporations.
The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for “qualifying dividends” payable by Subchapter C U.S. corporations to individual U.S. stockholders is 23.8%, including the 3.8% Medicare tax. Subject to a number of limitations, individuals receiving ordinary dividends payable by REITs will be eligible for up to a 20% deduction. For those individuals qualifying for the full 20% deduction, the maximum tax rate on such dividends will be 33.4%, including the 3.8% Medicare tax.
Front Yard may be subject to legislative or regulatory tax changes that could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.
At any time, the federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation or any amendment to any existing federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective, and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. Front Yard and its stockholders could be materially and adversely affected by any such change in or any new, federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation. This, in turn, could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate management fees.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
We conduct our principal operations through leased office space. We are headquartered in approximately 5,000 square feet of office space located at 5100 Tamarind Reef, Christiansted, VI 00820, and we also have offices located in Charlotte, North Carolina; College Station, Texas; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Bengaluru, India. For more information, please see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3. Legal proceedings
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Set forth below is a summary of material legal proceedings to which we are a party as of December 31, 2019 and through the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Erbey Holding Corporation et al. v. Blackrock Management Inc., et al.
On April 12, 2018, a partial stockholder derivative action was filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix under the caption Erbey Holding Corporation, et al. v. Blackrock Financial Management Inc., et al. The action was filed by Erbey Holding Corporation (“Erbey Holding”), John R. Erbey Family Limited Partnership (“JREFLP”), by its general partner Jupiter Capital, Inc., Salt Pond Holdings, LLC (“Salt Pond”), Munus, L.P. (“Munus”), Carisma Trust (“Carisma”), by its trustee, Venia, LLC, and Tribue Limited Partnership (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) each on its own behalf and Salt Pond and Carisma derivatively on behalf of AAMC. The action was filed against Blackrock Financial Management, Inc., Blackrock Investment Management, LLC, Blackrock Investments, LLC, Blackrock Capital Management, Inc., Blackrock, Inc. (collectively, “Blackrock”), Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, PIMCO Investments LLC (collectively, “PIMCO”) and John and Jane Does 1-10 (collectively with Blackrock and PIMCO, the “Defendants”). The action alleges a conspiracy by Blackrock and PIMCO to harm Ocwen Financial Corporation (“Ocwen”) and AAMC and certain of their subsidiaries, affiliates and related companies and to extract enormous profits at the expense of Ocwen and AAMC by attempting to damage their operations, business relationships and reputations. The complaint alleges that Defendants’ conspiratorial activities, which included short-selling activities, were designed to destroy Ocwen and AAMC, and that the Plaintiffs (including AAMC) suffered significant injury, including but not limited to lost value of their stock and/or stock holdings. The action seeks, among other things, an award of monetary damages to AAMC, including treble damages under Section 605, Title IV of the Virgin Islands Code related to the Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, punitive damages and an award of attorney’s and other fees and expenses.
Defendants have moved to dismiss the first amended verified complaint. Plaintiffs and AAMC have moved for leave to file a second amended verified complaint to include AAMC as a direct plaintiff, rather than as a derivative party. On March 27, 2019, the Court held oral argument on Defendants' motions to dismiss the first amended verified complaint and Plaintiffs' motion for leave to file the second amended verified complaint.
At this time, we are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, nor can we estimate the range of possible damages to be awarded to AAMC, if any. We have determined that there is no contingent liability related to this matter for AAMC.
Altisource Asset Management Corporation v. Luxor Capital Group, LP, et al.
On January 27, 2020, AAMC filed a complaint for declaratory judgment relief in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, against Luxor Capital Group, LP and certain of its funds and managed accounts (collectively, “Luxor”) regarding AAMC’s redemption obligations under the Certificate of Designations (the “Certificate) of AAMC’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Shares”). Under the Certificate, holders of the Series A Shares are permitted on March 15, 2020 and on each successive five-year anniversary of March 15, 2020 to request AAMC, upon not less than 15 nor more than 30 business days’ prior notice, to redeem all but not less than all of their Series A Shares out of legally available funds. AAMC seeks a declaration that AAMC is not required to redeem any of Luxor’s Series A Shares on a redemption date if AAMC does not have legally available funds to redeem all of Luxor’s Series A Shares on such redemption date. Luxor has filed a motion to remove the action to the U.S District Court for the Virgin Islands.
Luxor Capital Group, LP, et al. v. Altisource Asset Management Corporation
On February 3, 2020, Luxor filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, against AAMC for breach of contract, specific performance, unjust enrichment, and related damages and expenses. The complaint alleges that AAMC’s position that it would not redeem any of Luxor’s Series A Shares on the March 15, 2020 redemption date is a material breach of AAMC’s redemption obligations under the Certificate. Luxor seeks an order requiring AAMC to redeem its Series A Shares, recovery of no less than $144,212,000 in damages, which is equal to the amount Luxor would receive if AAMC redeemed all of Luxor’s Series A Shares at the redemption price of $1,000 per share set forth in the Certificate, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit. In the alternative, Luxor seeks a return of its initial purchase price of $150,000,000 for the Series A Shares, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit. As described above, AAMC previously filed an action for declaratory relief to confirm its interpretation of the redemption provisions in the Certificate, and intends to vigorously defend itself against the claims by Luxor.
Item 4. Mine safety disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock has been listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “AAMC” since December 13, 2013. The following table sets forth the high and low close of day sales prices for our common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Quarter ended | | High | | Low | | High | | Low |
| March 31 | | $ | 39.75 |
| | $ | 25.83 |
| | $ | 81.60 |
| | $ | 58.35 |
|
| June 30 | | 30.25 |
| | 11.50 |
| | 70.40 |
| | 57.60 |
|
| September 30 | | 13.80 |
| | 7.99 |
| | 69.05 |
| | 56.40 |
|
| December 31 | | 15.50 |
| | 9.35 |
| | 59.50 |
| | 29.69 |
|
The number of holders of record of our common stock as of February 21, 2020 was 47. The number of beneficial stockholders is substantially greater than the number of holders as a large portion of our stock is held through brokerage firms. Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is set forth in Note 76, “Related-Party Transactions” of the consolidated financial statements.
The information understatements included within the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive proxy statement for theCompany's 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to beReport filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2019 is incorporated hereinon March 3, 2021.
Aggregate Management Fees and Expense Reimbursements Paid to AAMC by reference.
Dividends
We will pay dividends at the sole and absolute discretion of our Board of Directors in the light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition, liquidity, capital requirements, the availability of capital, general overall economic conditions and other factors. We paid no dividends from inception through December 31, 2019.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In March 2014, the Board of Directors authorized total repurchases of up to $300.0 million of common stock. At December 31, 2019, we have approximately $31.3 million remaining that is authorized by our Board of Directors for share repurchases. Repurchased shares are held as treasury stock and available for general corporate purposes. No repurchase plan has expired during the year ended December 31, 2019.
We did not repurchase any shares of common stock pursuant to our share repurchase plan during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Pursuant to our equity incentive plan, we may reacquire shares of common stock tendered to satisfy the tax withholding on equity awards. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 9,596 shares were reacquired at a weighted average per share price of $25.39 pursuant to our equity incentive plan.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected financial data derived from our audited consolidated financial statements ($ in thousands, except per share data). The historical results presented below may not be indicative of our future performance. The data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report, and “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Total revenue | $ | 15,762 |
| | $ | 15,926 |
| | $ | 18,160 |
| | $ | 19,991 |
| | $ | 248,099 |
|
| Net loss | (2,613 | ) | | (10,876 | ) | | (6,969 | ) | | (4,935 | ) | | (3,290 | ) |
| Loss per basic common share | (1.77 | ) | | (6.88 | ) | | (4.57 | ) | | (2.93 | ) | | (1.59 | ) |
| Loss per diluted common share | (1.77 | ) | | (6.88 | ) | | (4.57 | ) | | (2.93 | ) | | (1.59 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Total assets | $ | 53,248 |
| | $ | 49,367 |
| | $ | 60,387 |
| | $ | 65,748 |
| | $ | 2,518,601 |
|
| Repurchase and loan agreements | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 763,369 |
|
| Other secured borrowings | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 502,599 |
|
Deconsolidation of Front Yard
Prior to January 1, 2016, we concluded that Front Yard was a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and we consolidated the accounts of Front Yard in our consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted2020
In 2020, the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) – Amendmentsaggregate fees paid to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”) and performed an analysis of our relationship with Front Yard pursuant to the amended guidance. We determined that the compensation we receive in return for our services to Front Yard is commensurate with the level of effort required to perform such services and the arrangement includes customary terms, conditions or amounts present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm’s length; therefore, Front Yard is no longer a VIE under the amended guidance. As a result, effective January 1, 2016, we no longer consolidate the accounts of Front Yard. We have applied ASU 2015-02 using the modified retrospective approach, which has resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment to our equity on January 1, 2016. As a result, periods prior to January 1, 2016 were not impacted. The adoption effectively removed those balances previously disclosed that related to Front Yard from our consolidated financial statements and eliminated the amounts previously reported as non-controlling interests in Front Yard as a consolidated affiliate. Subsequent to adoption, our consolidated revenues consist of management fees and expense reimbursements received from Front YardAAMC under the asset management agreements and our consolidated expenses consist of salaries and employee benefits, legal and professionalby Front Yard were $13,712,696 in management fees and general$2,866,933 in expense reimbursements, and administrative expenses.
$46,000,000 in termination fees.
Due to the significance of Front Yard's consolidated financial statements to our historical consolidated financial statements in periods prior to January 1, 2016, our consolidated financial statements have limited comparability with our consolidated financial statements in 2015 and prior periods.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Our Company
We were incorporated in the United States Virgin Islands on March 15, 2012. In October 2013, we applied for and were granted registration by the SEC as a registered investment adviser under Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. We operate in a single segment focused on providing asset management and certain corporate governance services to institutional investors.
Our primary client is Front Yard, a publicly traded REIT focused on acquiring and managing quality, affordable SFR properties for America's families. Front Yard is currently our primary source of revenue and will drive our results.
Since we are heavily reliant on revenues earned from Front Yard, investors may obtain additional information about Front Yard in its SEC filings, including, without limitation, Front Yard’s financial statements and other important disclosures therein, available at http://www.sec.gov and http://ir.frontyardresidential.com/financial-information.
Our strategy for Front Yard is to build long-term stockholder value through the efficient management and continued growth of its portfolio of SFR homes, which we target to operate at an attractive yield. We believe there is a compelling opportunity in the SFR market and that we have implemented the right strategic plan for Front Yard to capitalize on the sustained growth in single-family rental demand. We target the moderately priced single-family home market for Front Yard that, in our view, offers attractive yield opportunities for Front Yard that should benefit AAMC in the form of growing management fees as Front Yard continues to grow.
No Incentive Management Overview
We made substantial progress during the 2019 fiscal year towards our strategic objectives for Front Yard, including the renegotiation of the asset management agreement, the completion of the internalization of Front Yard's property management and continued disposition of Front Yard's non-core assets. Further, we appointed a Co-Chief Executive Officer on January 13, 2020 to provide an additional resource for AAMC to implement new business.
Amended Asset Management Agreement with Front Yard
On May 7, 2019, we amended and restated our asset management agreement with Front Yard. We believe the Amended AMA provides an improved fee structure that provides AAMC with the potential to grow management fee revenues while encouraging growth and performance at Front Yard, subject to certain performance thresholds and an aggregate fee cap aimed to prevent the management fees from increasing Front Yard's general and administrative expenses above industry standards, based on the size of Front Yard’s gross real estate asset base. Importantly, the Amended AMA also provides for a termination option that would, if exercised, provide an industry-standard termination fee to AAMC that did not exist prior to the amendment, while providing Front Yard with the flexibility to further internalize if the Front Yard board of directors determines it is in its stockholders’ best interest to do so. For further details of the Amended AMA, refer to refer to Note 6, “Related-party Transactions” of the consolidated financial statements.
Full Internalization of Front Yard's Property Management
During the first quarter of 2019, the internalization of Front Yard's property management function was completed with more than 14,000 of its rental properties managed on its internal platform. Front Yard now has direct control of leasing, renovation and turn management, vendor management, market analysis and other property management support functions, which has enhanced Front Yard's ability to control costs and generate long-term returns to its stockholders. The transition to internal property management has also provided Front Yard with the opportunity to continue developing its brand and enhancing its residents' experience. Over time, we expect Front Yard to develop a nationally recognized brand that is known for consistent quality at affordable prices. We believe that with the completion of the internalization, Front Yard is well positioned to continue improving upon its operating efficiencies as it refines its internal property management platform and grows its rental portfolio, which, in turn, could benefit AAMC with growing management fee revenues over time.
Continued Liquidation of Non-core Assets
We continued to manage Front Yard's liquidation of its remaining non-core assets, including the full divestiture of its remaining mortgage loans in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, Front Yard's real estate portfolio included
only 22 non-rental REO properties. We continually evaluate the performance of Front Yard's SFR portfolio and market certain rental properties for sale that do not meet Front Yard's strategic objectives, and we have identified 181 former rental properties for sale as of December 31, 2019. These property sales allow Front Yard to improve its operating efficiency and recycle capital that may be used to purchase pools of stabilized rental homes at attractive yields, to repurchase common stock, to pay down debt or to utilize the proceeds for such other purposes as it determines will best serve its stockholders.
Optimization of Financing in 2019
We have continued our efforts to optimize Front Yard's financing structure during 2019. On April 5, 2019 we assisted Front Yard in amending its loan agreement with Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC to, among other things, reduce the interest rate spread over one-month LIBOR from 3.00% to 2.30%, improve certain advance rates and modify the facility's fee structure, resulting in a net reduction of fees to Front Yard. In addition, on April 26, 2019, we assisted Front Yard in amending its repurchase agreement with Credit Suisse AG to reduce the interest rate spread over one-month LIBOR from 3.00% to 2.30% for fundingFee under the facility secured by rental properties and reduce the fee structure of the facility. These enhancements to Front Yard's short-term facilities will result in interest savings while also providing Front Yard with additional flexibility in deploying its capital.
Development of New Business for AAMC
During the second quarter of 2019, Front Yard commenced a strategic alternatives review process designed to maximize its stockholder value. In light of this process, we appointed a new Co-Chief Executive Officer on January 13, 2020 to serve as an additional resource for us and to be responsible for implementing new business. Our potential new businesses are in the development stage under the leadership and direction of our new Co-Chief Executive Officer and may include asset management services, investments in real estate related assets or other businesses that leverage the experience of our new Co-Chief Executive Officer and our real estate asset acquisition and portfolio management teams. Our incumbent Co-Chief Executive Officer has continued to focus on the business of Front Yard and the completion of its strategic alternatives review.
On February 17, 2020, Front Yard's strategic alternatives reviewFormer AMA was completed, culminating in Front Yard's entry into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with affiliates of Amherst, providing for the acquisition of Front Yard by Amherst. The Merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the approval of the holders of a majority of Front Yard’s outstanding shares and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. If notice of termination of the Amended AMA is given upon the consummation of the Merger, a termination fee of approximately $46.3 million would become payable to us upon the effective date of such termination. Such termination fee would be payable, atduring 2020 because Front Yard's option, in either (i) a lump sumreturn on the effective date of the termination or (ii) one half on the effective date of the termination with the remainder due in equal installments on each of the six-, nine- and twelve-month anniversaries thereafter. We would also continue to receive management fees under the Amended AMA through the 180-day notice period of termination. We expect that such termination fee would be used, in conjunction with our current assets, in the development and implementation of new businesses.
Observations on Current Market Opportunities
We believe there is a compelling opportunity in the SFR market and that we have implemented the right strategic plan for Front Yard to capitalize on the sustained growth in SFR demand. Front Yard targets the moderately priced single-family home market to acquire rental properties, which, in our view, not only provide a safe, comfortable SFR rental opportunity for our residents, but also offer attractive yield opportunities driven by demand from renters.
We believe that Front Yard's focus on affordable housing provides it with a potential advantage, as we believe this is an underserved market segment that provides Front Yard with attractive yield and growth opportunities. In our view, the macroeconomic environment is creating favorable tailwinds for Front Yard's business. Economic indicators suggest that affordable single-family housing is in short supply, home building is not keeping up with demand and mortgage lending for credit-challenged families remains constrained. Front Yard provides an important alternative: affordable rental properties that our residents are proud to call home. By targeting moderately priced, single-family homes, we believe that Front Yard can optimize the yield on its investments and capitalize on the sustained growth in affordable single-family rental demand.
Metrics Affecting Our Consolidated Results
Our operating results are affected by various factors and market conditions, including the following:
Revenues
Our revenues consist of fees due to us under the asset management agreements with Front Yard. Under the Amended AMA, our revenues include a quarterly Base Management Fee and a potential annual Incentive Fee, each of which are dependent upon Front Yard's performance and are subject to potential downward adjustments and an aggregate fee cap. Beginning in the third quarter of 2019 (the first full quarter under the Amended AMA), the Base Management Fee we recognize under the Amended AMA is subject to a quarterly minimum of $3,584,000.
Under the Former AMA, our revenues included a base management fee and a conversion fee. The base management fee was calculated as a percentage of Front Yard’s average invested capital, and the conversion fee was based on the number and value of mortgage loans and/or REO properties that Front Yard converted to rental properties for the first time in each period.
Under both the Amended AMA and the Former AMA, our revenues also include reimbursements of certain expenses in our management of Front Yard's business, which relate primarily to travel and certain operating expenses solely related to our management of Front Yard's business and the base salary, bonus, benefits and stock compensation, if any, solely of the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard. In addition, during 2019, we accrued the reimbursement of a one-time bonus payable to an AAMC employee on behalf of Front Yard. All other salary, bonus, benefits and stock compensation of AAMC’s employees (other than Front Yard share-based compensation issued to them by Front Yard) are the responsibility of AAMC and are not reimbursed by Front Yard pursuant to the Amended AMA.
In addition, we receive dividends on the shares of Front Yard common stock that we own when Front Yard declares and pays dividends to its holders of common stock. Upon the declaration of such dividends, we record them as other income. The amount of dividends we receive will vary with Front Yard's financial performance, taxable income, liquidity needs and other factors deemed relevant by Front Yard's Board of Directors. Lastly, we recognize changes in the fair value of our holdings of Front Yard common stock as other income or loss that will be directly dependent upon fluctuations in the market price of Front Yard's common stock.
Expenses
Our expenses consist primarily of salaries and employee benefits, legal and professional fees and general and administrative expenses. Salaries and employee benefits include the base salaries, incentive bonuses, medical coverage, retirement benefits, non-cash share-based compensation and other benefits provided to our employees for their services. Legal and professional fees include services provided by third-party attorneys, accountants and other service providers of a professional nature. General and administrative expenses include costs related to the general operation and overall administration of our business as well as non-cash share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards to our Directors.
Primary Driver of Our Operating Results
Our performance in each particular period will be affected by our ability to manage Front Yard’s business and rental portfolio effectively. If there are declines in Front Yard’s performance, our fees in each such period could be adversely affected. Conversely, if there are improvements in Front Yard’s performance, our fees in each period could be positively affected. Front Yard's operating results may be affected by various factors, including, but not limited to, the number and performance of Front Yard's SFR properties, its ability to use financing to grow its SFR portfolio and its ability to control operating expenses. The extent to which we are successful in managing these factors for Front Yard affects our ability to generate management fees, which are our primary source of income.
Results of Operations
The following discussion compares our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Our results of operations for the periods presented are not indicative of our expected results in future periods.
For discussion that compares our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, see “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations” included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2019.
Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2018
Management Fees and Expense Reimbursements
We recognized base management fees from Front Yard of $14.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in base management fees is primarily driven by (i) reductions in Front Yard's average invested capital (as defined in the Former AMA) duringfor the first four monthsprevious seven quarters was below the required hurdle rate.
No incentive fees were paid by Front Yard to AAMC under the Amended AMA.
Termination and Transition Agreement with Front Yard
On August 13, 2020, the Company entered into a Termination Agreement with Front Yard and FYR LP to terminate the Amended AMA and to provide for a Transition Plan.
Pursuant to the terms of 2019the Termination Agreement, effective on the Termination Date, the Amended AMA was terminated in its entirety.
In connection with the Termination Agreement, the Company was paid by Front Yard an aggregate termination fee (the “Termination Fee”) of $46,000,000, with payments consisting of $15,000,000 in cash paid within two business days after the execution of the Termination Agreement, $15,000,000 in cash paid on the Termination Date and (ii)$16,000,000 in Front Yard common stock (“Common Stock”), paid on the Minimum Base Fee of $3.6 millionTermination Date. During the transition period, the Company continued to be paid the base management fee provided for in the AMA (equal to $3,584,000 per quarter becoming applicable beginningas contemplated by the Amended AMA) and a pro rata portion of the base management fee for the partial calendar quarter ending December 31, 2020, the date Front Yard determined that the transition had been satisfactorily completed.
In addition, in May 2019.connection with the termination, the Company transferred to Front Yard, the equity interests of the Company’s Indian subsidiary, the equity interests of the Company’s Cayman Islands subsidiary, the right to solicit and hire designated employees of the Company that currently oversee the management of Front Yard’s business and other assets of the Company that are used in connection with the operation of Front Yard’s business (the “Transferred Assets”). The aggregate purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) for the Transferred Assets was $8,200,000, with payments consisting of $3,200,000 in cash paid within two business days after the execution of the Termination Agreement and $5,000,000 in Common Stock, paid on the Termination Date. The Company was provided and executed the right to retain certain employees that do not currently oversee the management of Front Yard’s business and the right to solicit and retain certain other designated employees of the Company. In addition to the retention of such key employees, the Company retained certain assets and operating subsidiaries to continue to build out its asset management businesses focused on the origination and underwriting of short duration construction loans backed by single-family rental homes as well as other new business initiatives.
For the portion of the Termination Fee or Purchase Price that was paid in Common Stock, the value of each share of Common Stock was the volume-weighted average share price, as determined by reference to a Bloomberg terminal, of Common Stock for the five business days immediately preceding the date on which such portion is actually paid, which was $16.17 per share. In addition, for the portion of the Termination Fee or Purchase Price that was paid in Common Stock, the Company agreed to vote any such shares of Common Stock in accordance with recommendations of Front Yard’s board of directors for a period of one year following the Termination Date.
The Termination Agreement contains various covenants, including, among others, that until the Termination Date, the Company perform its obligations under the Amended AMA and manage the business of the Front Yard and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, except as otherwise directed by the board of directors of Front Yard in accordance with the Amended AMA.
The foregoing description of the Termination Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Termination Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 18, 2020, and is incorporated herein by reference. Equity Plans
Options Granted in Separation from ASPS
In connection with our separation from ASPS in December 2012, we adopted the 2012 Equity Plan. In the separation transaction, we issued options to purchase 242,771 shares of our common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $1.52 per share at December 31, 2012 under the 2012 Equity Plan to ASPS employees holding ASPS stock options immediately prior to the separation, representing the same exchange ratio as the separation transaction of one share for every ten shares represented by the ASPS options. These options expire on the same dates as they expired under the ASPS plans. Because the options were granted as part of the separation to holders of ASPS stock options, no share-based compensation related to these options is included in our consolidated financial statements appearing in our 2020 Annual Report. None of these options have ever been held by, or were exercised by, any of our NEOs. No additional shares of common stock are issuable under the 2012 Equity Plan other than shares of restricted stock issuable to our Directors and employees.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to AAMC for professional services by Ernst & Young LLP with respect to our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| | | | | | |
| Audit Fees | | $ | 468,950 | | | $ | 450,666 | |
| Audit-Related Fees | | | — | | | | — | |
| Tax Fees | | | 17,546 | | | | 46,957 | |
| All Other Fees | | | — | | | | — | |
| Total | | $ | 486,496 | | | $ | 497,623 | |
Audit Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees and expenses billed for professional services rendered for the audits of AAMC’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, for reviews of the financial statements included in AAMC’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during those fiscal years and for services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and affiliates in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the relevant fiscal year.
Audit-Related Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees billed for audit-related services by the independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audits or reviews of the financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.”
Tax Fees. This category would include the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance and tax planning.
All Other Fees. This category would include the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm that are not reported above under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees” or “Tax Fees.” We earned conversiondid not incur any such other fees of $29,000 and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 20192020 and 2018, respectively. This decrease is primarily due2019.
The Audit Committee considered the fees paid to fewer loans and REO properties converting to rental properties as we continue to pareErnst & Young LLP for the small number of remaining legacy assets of Front Yard. Under the Amended AMA, we will no longer receive conversion fees from Front Yard.
We recognized expense reimbursements due from Front Yard of $1.5 million for thefiscal year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Expense reimbursements relate primarily to travel and and certain operating expenses in managing Front Yard's business and the employment costs related to the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard. In addition, during 2019, we accrued the reimbursement of a one-time bonus payable to an AAMC employee on behalf of Front Yard.
Salaries and Employee Benefits
Salaries and employee benefits decreased to $17.0 million from $17.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This decrease is primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expense for awards granted to our employees, partially offset by increases in our employee headcount.
Legal and Professional Fees
Legal and professional fees increased to $3.6 million from $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This increase is primarily due to an increase in legal and consulting fees related to the negotiation and amendment of the asset management agreement.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased to $4.1 million from $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This increase is primarily due to increased occupancy costs related to new, larger office space to accommodate increased headcount and technology costs as we brought certain IT functions in-house, partially offset by lower travel costs during 2019.
Change in Fair Value of Front Yard Common Stock
The change in fair value of Front Yard common stock was $5.9 million compared to $(5.1) million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These changes in fair value were due solely to changes in the market price of Front Yard's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange at each reporting date.
Dividend Income
Dividend income on shares of Front Yard common stock was $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The amount of dividend income may vary with Front Yard's financial performance, taxable income, liquidity needs and other factors deemed relevant by Front Yard's Board of Directors.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $20.0 million compared to $27.2 million as of December 31, 2018. The reduction in the cash and cash equivalents in 2019 was primarily due to the use of cash in the payment of ongoing employee compensation and benefits, dividends on preferred stock issued under the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Program and general corporate expenses. At December 31, 2019, we also held $20.0 million in Front Yard common stock. We also continue to generate asset management fees from Front Yard under the Amended AMA. We believe these sources of liquidity are sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term (one year) liquidity requirements. Our only ongoing cash expenditures are salaries and employee benefits, legal and professional fees, lease obligations and other general and administrative expenses.
Between January 31, 2020 and February 3, 2020, we received purported notices from holders of our Series A Shares requesting us to redeem an aggregate of $250,000,000 liquidation preference of our Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. We do not have legally available funds to redeem all of the Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. As a result, we do not believe, under the terms of the Certificate, that we are obligated to redeem any of the Series A Shares under the Certificate, and, on January 27, 2020, we filed a claim for declaratory relief in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, against Luxor to confirm our interpretation of the Certificate. Luxor has filed a motion to remove the action to the U.S District Court for the Virgin Islands.
On February 3, 2020, Luxor filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, against AAMC for breach of contract, specific performance, unjust enrichment, and related damages and expenses. The complaint alleges that AAMC’s position that it will not redeem any of Luxor’s Series A Shares on the March 15, 2020 redemption date is a material breach of AAMC’s redemption obligations under the Certificate. Luxor seeks an order requiring AAMC to redeem its Series A Shares, recovery of no less than $144,212,000 in damages, which is equal to the amount Luxor would receive if AAMC redeemed all of Luxor’s Series A Shares at the redemption price of $1,000 per share set forth in the Certificate, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit. In the alternative, Luxor seeks a return of its initial purchase price of $150,000,000 for the Series A Shares, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit.
AAMC intends to continue to pursue its strategic business initiatives despite this litigation. See “Item 1. Business.” If Luxor were to prevail in its lawsuit, we may need to cease or curtail our business initiatives and our liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. For more information on the legal proceedings with Luxor, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Treasury Shares
At December 31, 2019, a total of $268.7 million in shares of our common stock have been repurchased under the authorization by our Board of Directors to repurchase up to $300.0 million in shares of our common stock. Repurchased shares are held as treasury stock and are available for general corporate purposes. We have an aggregate of $31.3 million remaining for repurchases under our Board-approved repurchase plan.
Cash Flows
We report and analyze our cash flows based on operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated ($ in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | (6,744 | ) | | $ | (2,426 | ) | | $ | 365 |
|
| Net cash used in investing activities | (186 | ) | | (107 | ) | | (1,841 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (244 | ) | | (3,645 | ) | | (5,759 | ) |
| Total cash flows | $ | (7,174 | ) | | $ | (6,178 | ) | | $ | (7,235 | ) |
Net cash used in operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted primarily of ongoing salaries and benefits, payment of annual incentive compensation, dividends on preferred stock issued under the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Program and general corporate expenses in excess of revenues. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted primarily of management fee revenues, partially offset by salaries and employee benefits, legal and professional fees and general and administrative expenses.
Net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of investments in short-term investments and property and equipment, partially offset by proceeds from the maturities of short-term investments. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of investments in short-term investments and property and equipment.
Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily related to shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock. Net cash used in financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted primarily of repurchases of our common stock.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2019 or 2018.
Recent accounting pronouncements
See Note 1, “Organization and Basis of Presentation - Recently issued accounting standards” to our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Judgments
Accounting standards require information in financial statements about the risks and uncertainties inherent in significant estimates, and the application of generally accepted accounting principles involves the exercise of varying degrees of judgment. Certain amounts included in or affecting our financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated, requiring us to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report for our assets and liabilities and our revenues and expenses during the reporting period and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ significantly from our estimates and any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
We consider our critical accounting judgments to be those used in the determination of the reported amounts and disclosure related to the following:
Income taxes
Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which management expects those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change occurs. Subject to our judgment, we reduce a
deferred tax asset by a valuation allowance if it is “more likely than not” that some or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in evaluating tax positions, and we recognize tax benefits only if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority.
For all temporary differences, we have considered the potential future sources of taxable income against which they may be realized. In so doing, we have taken into account temporary differences that we expect to reverse in future years and those where it is unlikely. Where it is more likely than not that there will not be potential future taxable income to offset a temporary difference, a valuation allowance has been recorded.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk includes risks that arise from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that affect market sensitive instruments. The primary market risk that we are currently exposed to is market risk related to our investment in Front Yard's common stock.
Investment Risk Relating to Front Yard's Common Stock
We have purchased an aggregate of 1,624,465 shares of Front Yard common stock in open market transactions, and we may purchase additional shares of Front Yard common stock from time to time. If additional purchases are commenced, any such purchases of Front Yard common stock by us may be discontinued at any time, or we may commence sales of such common stock. To the extent we have purchased, or continue to acquire, Front Yard common stock, we will be exposed to risks and uncertainties with respect to our ownership of such shares, including downward pressure on Front Yard’s stock price, a reduction or increase of dividends declared and paid on the Front Yard stock and/or an inability to dispose of such shares at a time when we otherwise may desire or need to do so. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in mitigating such risks.
In addition, under the terms of the Amended AMA, at the option of Front Yard, up to 25% of Incentive Fees each year and up to 50% of a Termination Fee, if payable, may be paid in shares of Front Yard common stock. Should Front Yard make this election, we would further be exposed to the above-described market risk on the shares we receive.
If the Merger is consummated, we expectdetermined that the shares of Front Yard common stock that we hold will be converted into cash in the amount of $12.50 per share. If the Merger is not consummated, we will continue to be subject to the risk of any decline in the market price of Front Yard common stock.
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statementsservices and Supplementary Data
See our consolidated financial statements starting on page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation required by the Exchange Act, under the supervision andfees are compatible with the participationindependence of our co-principal executive officers and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2019. Based on this evaluation, our co-principal executive officers and principal financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our co-principal executive officers and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As a result of this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 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 issuer; 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 issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the issuer; and 3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the issuer's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, anLLP.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and (unless the de minimus exception of applicable law permits) non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent registered certified public accounting firm as stated in their report that appears herein.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Altisource Asset Management Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issuedhas received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations ofAudit Committee. For the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Altisource Asset Management Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based onthe COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Altisource Asset Management Corporation as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' deficit and cash flows for each of the threefiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, andall fees associated with the related notes and our report dated February 28, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.independent registered public accounting firm’s services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s managementAudit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and fordelegated will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its assessment ofnext scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by 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 are aindependent registered public accounting firm registeredto management.
The exhibits listed below are filed with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities lawsthis Amendment and the applicable rules and regulationsexhibits listed in Item 15 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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 transactionsOriginal Form 10-K 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.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 28, 2020
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Controls
Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. Management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error or fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Part III
We will file a definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2020 Proxy Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after December 31, 2019. Accordingly, certain information required by Part III has been omitted under General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K. Only those sections of the 2020 Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Code of Ethics.”in this Amendment.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation.”
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2020 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance.”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” and “Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures.”
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits
Exhibits
|
| | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
| | Separation Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2012, between Altisource Asset Management Corporation and Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 28, 2012). |
| | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Altisource Asset Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 5, 2017). |
| | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Altisource Asset Management Corporation. |
| | Certificate of Designations establishing the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 19, 2014). |
| | Form of Option Award Agreement by and between Altisource Asset Management Corporation and Indroneel Chatterjee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed with the Commission on January 29, 2020). |
| | Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement by and between Altisource Asset Management Corporation and Indroneel Chatterjee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed with the Commission on January 29, 2020). |
| | Amended and Restated Asset Management Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2019, by and among Front Yard Residential Corporation, Front Yard Residential, L.P. and Altisource Asset Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 8, 2019). |
| | Asset Management Agreement, dated March 31, 2015, among Front Yard Residential Corporation (f/k/a Altisource Residential Corporation), Front Yard Residential L.P. (f/k/a Altisource Residential, L.P.) and Altisource Asset Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 2, 2015). |
| | Amendment to Asset Management Agreement, dated April 7, 2015, among Front Yard Residential Corporation (f/k/a Altisource Residential Corporation), Front Yard Residential L.P. (f/k/a Altisource Residential, L.P.) and Altisource Asset Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 13, 2015). |
| | Altisource Asset Management Corporation 2016 Preferred Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 1, 2017). |
| | Form of Preferred Stock Agreement under 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 5, 2017). |
| | Schedule of Subsidiaries |
| | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
| | Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) |
| | Certification of Co-CEOInterim Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | Certification of Co-CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | Certification of Co-CEO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | Certification of Co-CEO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
101.INS* | | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
|
| | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
101.LAB* | | XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase |
101.PRE* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
__________
* Filed herewith.
† Denotes management contract or compensatory arrangement.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
| | | | |
| | | | Altisource Asset Management Corporation |
Date: | February 28, 2020 | |
| Date: | April 30, 2021 | By: | /s/ | George G. Ellison Thomas K. McCarthy |
| | | | | George G. EllisonThomas K. McCarthy |
| | | | | Co-ChiefInterim Chief Executive Officer |
Date: | February 28, 2020 | By: | /s/ | Indroneel Chatterjee |
| | | | Indroneel Chatterjee |
| | | | Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Date: | February 28, 2020 | By: | /s/ | Robin N. Lowe |
| | | | Robin N. Lowe |
| | | | Chief Financial Officer |
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints George G. Ellison, Indroneel Chatterjee and Robin N. Lowe and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of substitution and resubstitution to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that such attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K and any and all amendments hereto, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, and his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated: |
| | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
/s/ George G. Ellison | | Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Co-Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
| | February 28, 2020 |
George G. Ellison | | | | |
/s/ Ricardo C. Byrd | | Director | | February 28, 2020 |
Ricardo C. Byrd | | | | |
/s/ John P. de Jongh, Jr. | | Director | | February 28, 2020 |
John P. de Jongh, Jr. | | | | |
/s/ John A. Engerman | | Director | | February 28, 2020 |
John A. Engerman | | | | |
/s/ Indroneel Chatterjee | | Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | | February 28, 2020 |
Indroneel Chatterjee | | | | |
/s/ Robin N. Lowe | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
| | February 28, 2020 |
Robin N. Lowe | | | | |
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Altisource Asset Management Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, 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) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 28, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company‘s auditor since 2017.
Atlanta, Georgia
February 28, 2020
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
|
| | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2019 | | December 31, 2018 |
| Current assets: | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 19,965 |
| | $ | 27,171 |
|
| Short-term investments | 517 |
| | 584 |
|
| Front Yard common stock, at fair value | 20,046 |
| | 14,182 |
|
| Receivable from Front Yard | 5,014 |
| | 3,968 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 1,609 |
| | 1,552 |
|
| Total current assets | 47,151 |
| | 47,457 |
|
| Non-current assets: | | | |
| Right-of-use lease assets | 4,339 |
| | — |
|
| Other non-current assets | 1,758 |
| | 1,910 |
|
| Total non-current assets | 6,097 |
| | 1,910 |
|
| Total assets | 53,248 |
| | 49,367 |
|
| | | | |
| Current liabilities: | | | |
| Accrued salaries and employee benefits | $ | 5,407 |
| | $ | 5,583 |
|
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 1,328 |
| | 1,188 |
|
| Short-term lease liabilities | 265 |
| | — |
|
| Total current liabilities | 7,000 |
| | 6,771 |
|
| Long-term lease liabilities | 4,218 |
| | — |
|
| Total liabilities | 11,218 |
| | 6,771 |
|
| | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) | — |
| | — |
|
| | | | |
| Redeemable preferred stock: | | | |
| Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018; redemption value $250,000 | 249,958 |
| | 249,752 |
|
| | | | |
| Stockholders' deficit: | | | |
| Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 authorized shares; 2,897,177 and 1,598,512 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2019 and 2,862,760 and 1,573,691 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 | 29 |
| | 29 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital | 44,646 |
| | 42,245 |
|
| Retained earnings | 23,662 |
| | 26,558 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (33 | ) | | — |
|
| Treasury stock, at cost, 1,298,665 and 1,289,069 shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively | (276,232 | ) | | (275,988 | ) |
| Total stockholders' deficit | (207,928 | ) | | (207,156 | ) |
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 53,248 |
| | $ | 49,367 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Revenues: | | | | | |
| Management fees from Front Yard | $ | 14,270 |
| | $ | 14,567 |
| | $ | 16,010 |
|
| Conversion fees from Front Yard | 29 |
| | 176 |
| | 1,291 |
|
| Expense reimbursements from Front Yard | 1,463 |
| | 1,183 |
| | 859 |
|
| Total revenues | 15,762 |
| | 15,926 |
| | 18,160 |
|
| Expenses: | | | | | |
| Salaries and employee benefits | 17,029 |
| | 17,320 |
| | 19,393 |
|
| Legal and professional fees | 3,611 |
| | 1,605 |
| | 2,794 |
|
| General and administrative | 4,147 |
| | 3,609 |
| | 3,320 |
|
| Total expenses | 24,787 |
| | 22,534 |
| | 25,507 |
|
| Other income (loss): | | | | | |
| Change in fair value of Front Yard common stock | 5,864 |
| | (5,084 | ) | | — |
|
| Dividend income on Front Yard common stock | 731 |
| | 975 |
| | 975 |
|
| Other income | 155 |
| | 216 |
| | 111 |
|
| Total other income (loss) | 6,750 |
| | (3,893 | ) | | 1,086 |
|
| Loss before income taxes | (2,275 | ) | | (10,501 | ) | | (6,261 | ) |
| Income tax expense | 338 |
| | 375 |
| | 708 |
|
| Net loss | (2,613 | ) | | (10,876 | ) | | (6,969 | ) |
| Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs | (206 | ) | | (206 | ) | | (206 | ) |
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (2,819 | ) | | $ | (11,082 | ) | | $ | (7,175 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| Loss per share of common stock – basic: | | | | | |
| Loss per basic common share | $ | (1.77 | ) | | $ | (6.88 | ) | | $ | (4.57 | ) |
| Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic | 1,589,952 |
| | 1,611,424 |
| | 1,570,428 |
|
| | | | | | |
| Loss per share of common stock – diluted: | | | | | |
| Loss per diluted common share | $ | (1.77 | ) | | $ | (6.88 | ) | | $ | (4.57 | ) |
| Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted | 1,589,952 |
| | 1,611,424 |
| | 1,570,428 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Net loss | $ | (2,613 | ) | | $ | (10,876 | ) | | $ | (6,969 | ) |
| Other comprehensive (loss) income: | | | | | |
| Currency translation adjustments, net | (33 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Change in unrealized loss on Front Yard common stock | — |
| | — |
| | 1,332 |
|
| Total other comprehensive (loss) income | (33 | ) | | — |
| | 1,332 |
|
| | | | | | |
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (2,646 | ) | | $ | (10,876 | ) | | $ | (5,637 | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit
(In thousands, except share amounts)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Treasury Stock | | Total Stockholders' Deficit |
| | Number of Shares | | Amount | | | | | |
| December 31, 2016 | 2,637,629 |
| | $ | 26 |
| | $ | 30,696 |
| | $ | 46,145 |
| | $ | (2,662 | ) | | $ | (266,484 | ) | | $ | (192,279 | ) |
| Common shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net of employee tax withholdings | 177,493 |
| | 2 |
| | 83 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 85 |
|
| Treasury shares repurchased | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (4,980 | ) | | (4,980 | ) |
| Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (864 | ) | | (864 | ) |
| Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (206 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (206 | ) |
| Share-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | 6,986 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,986 |
|
| Change in unrealized loss on Front Yard common stock | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,332 |
| | — |
| | 1,332 |
|
| Net loss | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (6,969 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (6,969 | ) |
| December 31, 2017 | 2,815,122 |
| | 28 |
| | 37,765 |
| | 38,970 |
| | (1,330 | ) | | (272,328 | ) | | (196,895 | ) |
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01 (Note 1) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,330 | ) | | 1,330 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Common shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net of employee tax withholdings | 47,638 |
| | 1 |
| | 14 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 15 |
|
| Treasury shares repurchased | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,186 | ) | | (3,186 | ) |
| Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (474 | ) | | (474 | ) |
| Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (206 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (206 | ) |
| Share-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | 4,466 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,466 |
|
| Net loss | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (10,876 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (10,876 | ) |
| December 31, 2018 | 2,862,760 |
| | 29 |
| | 42,245 |
| | 26,558 |
| | — |
| | (275,988 | ) | | (207,156 | ) |
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 842 (Note 1) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (77 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (77 | ) |
| Common shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net of employee tax withholdings | 34,417 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (244 | ) | | (244 | ) |
| Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (206 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (206 | ) |
| Share-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | 2,401 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,401 |
|
| Currency translation adjustments, net | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (33 | ) | | — |
| | (33 | ) |
| Net loss | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,613 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (2,613 | ) |
| December 31, 2019 | 2,897,177 |
| | 29 |
| | 44,646 |
| | 23,662 |
| | (33 | ) | | (276,232 | ) | | (207,928 | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Operating activities: | | | | | |
| Net loss | $ | (2,613 | ) | | $ | (10,876 | ) | | $ | (6,969 | ) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 392 |
| | 436 |
| | 302 |
|
| Change in fair value of Front Yard common stock | (5,864 | ) | | 5,084 |
| | — |
|
| Share-based compensation | 2,401 |
| | 4,466 |
| | 6,986 |
|
| Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets | 345 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | |
| Receivable from Front Yard | (1,046 | ) | | 183 |
| | 1,115 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (147 | ) | | (530 | ) | | 942 |
|
| Other non-current assets | 13 |
| | (224 | ) | | (1,060 | ) |
| Accrued salaries and employee benefits | (163 | ) | | (68 | ) | | 1,551 |
|
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 126 |
| | (897 | ) | | (2,502 | ) |
| Operating lease liabilities | (188 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (6,744 | ) | | (2,426 | ) | | 365 |
|
| Investing activities: | | | | | |
| Investment in short-term investments | (1,564 | ) | | (571 | ) | | (625 | ) |
| Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments | 1,631 |
| | 612 |
| | — |
|
| Investment in property and equipment | (295 | ) | | (148 | ) | | (1,216 | ) |
| Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment | 42 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Net cash used in investing activities | (186 | ) | | (107 | ) | | (1,841 | ) |
| Financing activities: | | | | | |
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | — |
| | 36 |
| | 650 |
|
| Payment of tax withholdings on exercise of stock options | — |
| | (21 | ) | | (565 | ) |
| Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock | (244 | ) | | (474 | ) | | (864 | ) |
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | (3,186 | ) | | (4,980 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (244 | ) | | (3,645 | ) | | (5,759 | ) |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (7,174 | ) | | (6,178 | ) | | (7,235 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (32 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period | 27,171 |
| | 33,349 |
| | 40,584 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period | $ | 19,965 |
| | $ | 27,171 |
| | $ | 33,349 |
|
| |
| | | |
|
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | |
| Income taxes paid | $ | 594 |
| | $ | 1,467 |
| | $ | 820 |
|
| Right-of-use lease assets recognized - operating leases | 4,684 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Operating lease liabilities recognized | 4,671 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
Altisource Asset Management Corporation26
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2019
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Altisource Asset Management Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” “AAMC” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the U.S. Virgin Islands (“USVI”) on March 15, 2012 (our “inception”) and commenced operations on December 21, 2012. Our primary business is to provide asset management and certain corporate governance services to institutional investors. We have also been a registered investment adviser under Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 since October 2013.
Our primary client is Front Yard Residential Corporation (“Front Yard”), a public real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on acquiring and managing quality, affordable single-family rental (“SFR”) properties throughout the United States. All of our revenue for all periods presented was generated through our asset management agreements with Front Yard.
On March 31, 2015, we entered into an asset management agreement (the “Former AMA”) with Front Yard, under which we were the exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of 15 years from April 1, 2015, with two potential five-year extensions. The Former AMA provided for a fee structure in which we were entitled to a base management fee, an incentive management fee and a conversion fee for mortgage loans and real estate owned (“REO”) properties that became rental properties during each quarter.
On May 7, 2019, we entered into an amended and restated asset management agreement with Front Yard (the “Amended AMA”), under which we are the exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of five years. The Amended AMA will renew automatically each year thereafter for an additional one-year term, subject in each case to certain termination provisions. The Amended AMA provides for a fee structure in which we are entitled to a Base Management Fee and a potential Incentive Fee. Accordingly, our operating results continue to be highly dependent on Front Yard's operating results. See Note 6 for additional details of these asset management agreements.
Since we are heavily reliant on revenues earned from Front Yard, investors may obtain additional information about Front Yard in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including, without limitation, Front Yard’s financial statements and other important disclosures therein, available at http://www.sec.gov and http://ir.frontyardresidential.com/financial-information.
Additionally, our wholly owned subsidiary, NewSource Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“NewSource”), is a title insurance and reinsurance company licensed with the Bermuda Monetary Authority. NewSource commenced reinsurance activities during the second quarter of 2014. In December 2014, NewSource determined that the economics of the initial business did not warrant the continuation of its initial reinsurance quota share agreement with an unrelated third party. NewSource therefore transferred all of the risk of claims and future losses underwritten to an unrelated third party, and its reinsurance and insurance business has been dormant since that time.
Basis of presentation and use of estimates
The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). All wholly owned subsidiaries are included, and all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Redeemable Preferred Stock
Issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in 2014 Private Placement
During the first quarter of 2014, AAMC issued 250,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Shares”) for $250.0 million to institutional investors. Under the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Shares (the “Certificate”), we have the option to redeem all of the Series A Shares on March 15, 2020 and on each successive five-year anniversary of March 15, 2020 thereafter. In connection with these same redemption dates, each holder of our Series A Shares has the right to give notice requesting us to redeem all of the shares of Series A Shares held by such holder out of legally available funds. In accordance with the terms of the Certificate, if we have legally available funds to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Series A Shares requested to be redeemed on a redemption date, we will deliver to those holders who have requested redemption in accordance with the Certificate a notice of redemption. If we do not have legally available funds to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Series A Shares requested to be redeemed on a redemption date, we will not provide a notice of redemption. The redemption right will be exercisable in connection with each redemption date every five years until the mandatory redemption date in 2044. If we are required to redeem all of a holder’s Series A Shares, we are required to do so for cash at a price equal to $1,000 per share (the issuance price) out of legally available funds.
Between January 31, 2020 and February 3, 2020, we received purported notices from holders of our Series A Shares requesting us to redeem an aggregate of $250.0 million liquidation preference of our Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. We do not have legally available funds to redeem all of the Series A Shares on March 15, 2020. As a result, we do not believe, under the terms of the Certificate, that we are obligated to redeem any of the Series A Shares under the Certificate, and, consistent with the exclusive forum provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, on January 27, 2020, we filed a claim for declaratory relief in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, against Luxor Capital Group, LP and certain of its funds and managed accounts (collectively, “Luxor”) to confirm our interpretation of the Certificate. Luxor has filed a motion to remove the action to the U.S District Court for the Virgin Islands.
On February 3, 2020, Luxor filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, against AAMC for breach of contract, specific performance, unjust enrichment, and related damages and expenses. The complaint alleges that AAMC’s position that it will not redeem any of Luxor’s Series A Shares on the March 15, 2020 redemption date is a material breach of AAMC’s redemption obligations under the Certificate. Luxor seeks an order requiring AAMC to redeem its Series A Shares, recovery of no less than $144,212,000 in damages, which is equal to the amount Luxor would receive if AAMC redeemed all of Luxor’s Series A Shares at the redemption price of $1,000 per share set forth in the Certificate, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit. In the alternative, Luxor seeks a return of its initial purchase price of $150,000,000 for the Series A Shares, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit.
AAMC intends to continue to pursue its strategic business initiatives despite this litigation. If Luxor were to prevail in its lawsuit, we may need to cease or curtail our business initiatives and our liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.
The holders of our Series A Shares are not entitled to receive dividends with respect to their Series A Shares. The Series A Shares are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1,250 per share (or an exchange rate of 0.8 shares of common stock for Series A Share), subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments.
Upon certain change of control transactions or upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of the Series A Shares will be entitled to receive an amount in cash per Series A Share equal to the greater of:
(i) $1,000 plus the aggregate amount of cash dividends paid on the number of shares of common stock into which such Series A Shares were convertible on each ex-dividend date for such dividends; and
(ii) the number of shares of common stock into which the Series A Shares are then convertible multiplied by the then-current market price of the common stock.
The Certificate confers no voting rights to holders, except with respect to matters that materially and adversely affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of the Series A Shares or as otherwise required by applicable law.
With respect to the distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series A Shares rank senior to our common stock and on parity with all other classes of preferred stock that may be issued by us in the future.
The Series A Shares are recorded net of issuance costs, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis through the first potential redemption date in March 2020.
2016 Employee Preferred Stock Plan
On May 26, 2016, the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Plan (the “Employee Preferred Stock Plan”) was approved by our stockholders. Pursuant to the Employee Preferred Stock Plan, the Company may grant one or more series of non-voting preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in the Company to induce certain employees to become employed and remain employees of the Company in the USVI, and any of its future USVI subsidiaries, to encourage ownership of shares in the Company by such USVI employees and to provide additional incentives for such employees to promote the success of the Company’s business.
Pursuant to our stockholder approval of the Employee Preferred Stock Plan, on December 29, 2016, the Company authorized 14 additional series of preferred stock of the Company, consisting of Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stock, Series K Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series M Preferred Stock, Series N Preferred Stock and Series O Preferred Stock, and each series shall consist of up to an aggregate of 1,000 shares.
We have issued shares of preferred stock under the Employee Preferred Stock Plan to certain of our USVI employees. These shares of preferred stock are mandatorily redeemable by us in the event of the holder's termination of service with the Company for any reason. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had 1,000 and 800 shares outstanding, respectively, and we included the redemption value of these shares of $10,000 and $8,000, respectively, within accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
In December 2019, February 2019 and February 2018, our Board of Directors declared and paid an aggregate of $1.0 million (in relation to the 2019 fiscal year), $1.1 million (in relation to the 2018 fiscal year) and $0.9 million (in relation to the 2017 fiscal year), respectively, of dividends on the preferred stock issued under the Employee Preferred Stock Plan. Such dividends are included in salaries and employee benefits in our consolidated statement of operations.
Recently issued accounting standards
Adoption of recent accounting standards
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”). ASU 2016-02 requires that lessees recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms greater than twelve months in the statement of financial position and also requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Accounting by lessors is substantially unchanged from prior practice as lessors will continue to recognize lease revenue on a straight-line basis. The FASB has also issued multiple ASUs amending certain aspects of Topic 842. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis, and a number of practical expedients may apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2019 when the standard became effective and was required to be adopted. Consistent with the standard, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019. As mentioned above, the new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We elected the “package of practical expedients,” which permits us not to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. We did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements; the latter not being applicable to us. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity's ongoing accounting not to separate the lease and non-lease components, including common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance on our office leases that is paid along with rents. We elected the short-term lease exemption for all leases that qualify; as a result, we will not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for leases with a term of less than 12 months at inception. Upon our adoption of this standard, we recognized operating lease right-of-use assets of $2.8 million, lease liabilities of $2.8 million and a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of $(0.1) million. We have also provided the required incremental disclosures about our leasing activities on a prospective basis in Note 4.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10). ASU 2016-01 requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). Our adoption of ASU
2016-01 effective January 1, 2018 resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment to our balance sheet of $1.3 million to reclassify our accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings, and thereafter we record the impact of changes in the fair value of our Front Yard common stock during the current period through profit and loss. Periods ending prior to the adoption were not impacted.
Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends the guidance on measuring credit losses on financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13, as amended, is intended to address the issue that the previous “incurred loss” methodology was restrictive for an entity's ability to record credit losses based on not yet meeting the “probable” threshold. The new language will require these assets to be valued at amortized cost presented at the net amount expected to be collected with a valuation provision. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis. We expect to adopt this standard on January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash equivalents
We consider highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Certain account balances exceed FDIC insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. To mitigate this risk, we maintain our cash and cash equivalents at large national or international banking institutions.
Consolidations
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AAMC and its consolidated subsidiaries, which include the voting interest entities in which we are determined to have a controlling financial interest. Our voting interest entities consist entirely of our wholly owned subsidiaries. We also consider variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for consolidation where we are the primary beneficiary. We had no VIEs or potential VIEs as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 or 2017.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income or loss, less amortization of preferred stock issuance costs, by the weighted average common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average common stock outstanding for the period plus the dilutive effect of (i) stock options and restricted stock outstanding using the treasury stock method and (ii) Series A Preferred Stock using the if-converted method. Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic excludes the impact of unvested restricted stock since dividends paid on such restricted stock are non-participating.
Fair value of financial instruments
We designate fair value measurements into three levels based on the lowest level of substantive input used to make the fair value measurement. Those levels are as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Front Yard common stock
The shares of Front Yard common stock that we hold is reported at fair value based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets.
Upon our adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of Front Yard common stock are recognized through net income. Prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-01, changes in the fair value of Front Yard common stock were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as changes in unrealized gain (loss) on Front Yard common stock. See Note 1 for additional information regarding ASU 2016-01.
Our ability to sell these securities, or the price ultimately realized for these securities, depends upon the demand in the market and potential restrictions on the timing at which we may be able to sell the Front Yard common stock when desired.
Income taxes
Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which management expects those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change occurs. Subject to our judgment, we reduce a deferred tax asset by a valuation allowance if it is “more likely than not” that some or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in evaluating tax positions, and we recognize tax benefits only if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority.
For all temporary differences, we have considered the potential future sources of taxable income against which they may be realized. In so doing, we have taken into account temporary differences that we expect to reverse in future years and those where it is unlikely. Where it is more likely than not that there will not be potential future taxable income to offset a temporary difference, a valuation allowance has been recorded.
Leases
On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02, including various associated updates and amendments, which together comprise the requirements for lease accounting under ASC 842. ASU 2016-02 fundamentally changes accounting for operating leases by requiring lessees to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset over the term of the lease. We also adopted the “package of practical expedients,” which permits us not to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. We also elected the short-term lease exemption for all leases that qualify; as a result, we will not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for leases with a term of less than 12 months at inception.
We lease office space under various operating leases. Our office leases are generally for terms of one to five years and typically include renewal options, which we consider when determining our lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to the extent that a renewal option is reasonably certain of being exercised. Along with rents, we are generally required to pay common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance, each of which vary from period to period and are therefore expensed as incurred.
Other non-current assets
Other non-current assets includes leasehold improvements; furniture, fixtures and equipment; deferred tax assets and miscellaneous other assets. The cost basis of fixed assets is depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of three to five years based on the nature of the components.
Revenue recognition
Under the Amended AMA, we administer certain of Front Yard's business activities and day-to-day operations and provide corporate governance services to Front Yard. Base Management Fees are earned by us ratably throughout the applicable quarter and are initially based on Front Yard's Adjusted AFFO (as defined in the Amended AMA), subject to a minimum amount and certain potential adjustments. In the event that Front Yard's performance exceeds certain hurdles, we would be entitled to an
annual Incentive Fee based on a percentage of Front Yard's earnings in excess of such hurdle, subject to certain potential adjustments. Under the Former AMA, the base management fees were earned by us ratably throughout the applicable quarter and were based on a percentage of Front Yard's average invested capital (as defined in the Former AMA). See Note 6 for further information on the asset management agreements with Front Yard.
We have evaluated the nature of the services provided to Front Yard and have determined that such services constitute a series of distinct services that should be accounted for as a single performance obligation completed over time, which is simultaneously performed by us and consumed by Front Yard. Therefore, we earn management fees are ratably over the applicable fiscal period.
Under both the Amended AMA and the Former AMA, we receive expense reimbursements from Front Yard for the compensation and benefits of the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard and certain operating expenses incurred on Front Yard's behalf. These expense reimbursements are earned by us at the time the underlying expense is incurred.
In addition, under the Former AMA, we also received conversion fees based on a percentage of the fair value of properties that became rented for the first time in each quarter. Such conversion fees were earned by us in the quarter that the conversion to rentals occurred.
We have determined that the expense reimbursements and conversion fees are variable consideration, and we recognize each component of this revenue on a quarterly basis up to the amount that would likely not be reversed.
Share-based compensation
We amortize the grant date fair value of restricted stock as expense on a straight-line basis over the service period with an offsetting increase in stockholders' equity. The grant date fair value of awards with only service-based vesting conditions is determined based upon the share price on the grant date. The grant date fair value of awards with both service-based and market-based vesting conditions is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation.
We recognize share-based compensation expense related to (i) awards to employees in salaries and employee benefits and (ii) awards to Directors or non-employees in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
Forfeitures of share-based awards are recognized as they occur.
Short-term investments
Short-term investments include certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities less than one year.
Treasury stock
We account for repurchased common stock under the cost method and include such treasury stock as a component of total stockholders’ equity. We have repurchased shares of our common stock (i) under our Board approval to repurchase up to $300.0 million in shares of our common stock and (ii) upon our withholding of shares of our common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of our restricted stock.
3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table sets forth the carrying amount and fair value of the Company's financial assets by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 ($ in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| | Carrying Amount | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets | | Observable Inputs Other Than Level 1 Prices | | Unobservable Inputs |
| December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | |
| Recurring basis (assets) | | | | | | | |
| Front Yard common stock | $ | 20,046 |
| | $ | 20,046 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2018 | | | | | | | |
| Recurring basis (assets) | | | | | | | |
| Front Yard common stock | $ | 14,182 |
| | $ | 14,182 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
We did not transfer any assets from one level to another level during the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2018.
The fair value of our Front Yard common stock is based on unadjusted quoted market prices from active markets.
At each of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we held 1,624,465 shares of Front Yard's common stock, representing approximately 3.0% of Front Yard's then-outstanding common stock at each date. All of our shares of Front Yard's common stock were acquired in open market transactions.
The following table presents the cost and fair value of our holdings in Front Yard's common stock as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 ($ in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | |
| Front Yard common stock | $ | 20,596 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (550 | ) | | $ | 20,046 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2018 | | | | | | | |
| Front Yard common stock | $ | 20,596 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (6,414 | ) | | $ | 14,182 |
|
4. Leases
We currently occupy office space under operating leases in Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands; Charlotte, North Carolina; College Station, Texas; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Bengaluru, India. As of December 31, 2019, our weighted average remaining lease term, including applicable extensions, was 9.1 years. We applied a discount rate of 8.4% to our office leases. We determine the discount rate for each lease to be either the discount rate stated in the lease agreement or our estimated rate that we would be charged to finance real estate assets.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized rent expense of $0.5 million related to long-term operating leases and $0.2 million related to short-term operating leases. We include rent expense as a component of general and administrative expenses.
The following table presents a maturity analysis of our operating leases as of December 31, 2019 ($ in thousands):
|
| | | |
| | Operating Lease Liabilities |
| 2020 | $ | 622 |
|
| 2021 | 642 |
|
| 2022 | 667 |
|
| 2023 | 695 |
|
| 2024 | 717 |
|
| Thereafter | 3,162 |
|
| Total lease payments | 6,505 |
|
| Less: interest | 2,022 |
|
| Lease liabilities | $ | 4,483 |
|
5. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation, claims and assessments
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Set forth below is a summary of material legal proceedings to which we are a party as of December 31, 2019:
Erbey Holding Corporation et al. v. Blackrock Management Inc., et al.
On April 12, 2018, a partial stockholder derivative action was filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix under the caption Erbey Holding Corporation, et al. v. Blackrock Financial Management Inc., et al. The action was filed by Erbey Holding Corporation (“Erbey Holding”), John R. Erbey Family Limited Partnership (“JREFLP”), by its general partner Jupiter Capital, Inc., Salt Pond Holdings, LLC (“Salt Pond”), Munus, L.P. (“Munus”), Carisma Trust (“Carisma”), by its trustee, Venia, LLC, and Tribue Limited Partnership (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) each on its own behalf and Salt Pond and Carisma derivatively on behalf of AAMC. The action was filed against Blackrock Financial Management, Inc., Blackrock Investment Management, LLC, Blackrock Investments, LLC, Blackrock Capital Management, Inc., Blackrock, Inc. (collectively, “Blackrock”), Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, PIMCO Investments LLC (collectively, “PIMCO”) and John and Jane Does 1-10 (collectively with Blackrock and PIMCO, the “Defendants”). The action alleges a conspiracy by Blackrock and PIMCO to harm Ocwen Financial Corporation (“Ocwen”) and AAMC and certain of their subsidiaries, affiliates and related companies and to extract enormous profits at the expense of Ocwen and AAMC by attempting to damage their operations, business relationships and reputations. The complaint alleges that Defendants’ conspiratorial activities, which included short-selling activities, were designed to destroy Ocwen and AAMC, and that the Plaintiffs (including AAMC) suffered significant injury, including but not limited to lost value of their stock and/or stock holdings. The action seeks, among other things, an award of monetary damages to AAMC, including treble damages under Section 605, Title IV of the Virgin Islands Code related to the Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, punitive damages and an award of attorney’s and other fees and expenses.
Defendants have moved to dismiss the first amended verified complaint. Plaintiffs and AAMC have moved for leave to file a second amended verified complaint to include AAMC as a direct plaintiff, rather than as a derivative party. On March 27, 2019, the Court held oral argument on Defendants' motions to dismiss the first amended verified complaint and Plaintiffs' motion for leave to file the second amended verified complaint.
At this time, we are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, nor can we estimate the range of possible damages to be awarded to AAMC, if any. We have determined that there is no contingent liability related to this matter for AAMC.
For information regarding legal proceedings that arose subsequent to December 31, 2019, refer to Note 12.
6. Related-party Transactions
Asset management agreement with Front Yard
Pursuant to the Amended AMA, we design and implement Front Yard's business strategy, administer certain of its business activities and day-to-day operations and provide corporate governance services, subject to oversight by Front Yard's Board of Directors. We are responsible for, among other duties: (1) performing and administering certain of Front Yard's day-to-day operations; (2) implementing the investment criteria in Front Yard's investment policy approved by its Board of Directors; (3) sourcing, analyzing and executing asset acquisitions, including the related financing activities; (4) overseeing Front Yard's renovation, leasing and property management of its SFR properties; (5) analyzing and executing sales of certain rental properties and REO properties; (6) performing asset management duties and (7) performing corporate governance and other management functions, including financial, accounting and tax management services.
We provide Front Yard with a management team and support personnel who have substantial experience in the acquisition and management of residential properties. Our management also has significant corporate governance experience that enables us to manage Front Yard's business and organizational structure efficiently. We have agreed not to provide the same or substantially similar services without the prior written consent of Front Yard's Board of Directors to any business or entity competing against Front Yard in (a) the acquisition or sale of SFR and/or REO properties, non-performing and re-performing mortgage loans or other similar assets; (b) the carrying on of an SFR business or (c) any other activity in which Front Yard engages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to any businesses engaged in lending or insurance activities or any other activity other than those described above. Further, at any time following Front Yard's determination and announcement that it will no longer engage in any of the above-described competitive activities, we would be entitled to provide advisory or other services to businesses or entities in such competitive activities without Front Yard's prior consent.
Terms of the Amended AMA
We and Front Yard entered into the Amended AMA on May 7, 2019 (the “Effective Date”). The Amended AMA amends and restates, in its entirety, the Former AMA. The Amended AMA has an initial term of five years and will renew automatically each year thereafter for an additional one-year term, subject in each case to the termination provisions further described below.
Management Fees
The Amended AMA provides for the following management fee structure, which is subject to certain performance thresholds and an Aggregate Fee Cap (as described below):
Base Management Fee. Front Yard will pay a quarterly base management fee (the “Base Management Fee”) to us as follows:
| |
◦ | Initially, commencing on the Effective Date and until the Reset Date (as defined below), the quarterly Base Management Fee will be (i) $3,584,000 (the “Minimum Base Fee”) plus (ii) an additional amount (the “Additional Base Fee”), if any, of 50% of the amount by which Front Yard's per share Adjusted AFFO (as defined in the Amended AMA) for the quarter exceeds $0.15 per share (provided that the Base Management Fee for any calendar quarter prior to the Reset Date cannot be less than the Minimum Base Fee or greater than $5,250,000). Beginning in 2021, the Base Management Fee may be reduced, but not below the Minimum Base Fee, in the fourth quarter of each year by the amount that Front Yard's AFFO (as defined below) on a per share basis is less than an aggregate of $0.60 for the applicable calendar year (the “AFFO Adjustment Amount”); and
|
| |
◦ | Thereafter, commencing in the first quarter after which the quarterly Base Management Fee first reaches $5,250,000 (the “Reset Date”), the Base Management Fee will be 25% of the sum of (i) the applicable Annual Base Fee Floor plus (ii) the amount calculated by multiplying the applicable Manager Base Fee Percentage by the amount, if any, that Front Yard's Gross Real Estate Assets (as defined below) exceeds the applicable Gross Real Estate Assets Floor (in each case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), as set forth in the table below), minus (iii) solely in the case of the fourth quarter of a calendar year, the AFFO Adjustment Amount (if any); provided, that the Base Management Fee for any calendar quarter shall not be less than the Minimum Base Fee.
|
|
| | | | | | |
| Gross Real Estate Assets (1) | | Annual Base Fee Floor | | Manager Base Fee Percentage | | Gross Real Estate Assets Floor |
| Up to $2,750,000,000 | | $21,000,000 | | 0.325% | | $2,250,000,000 |
| $2,750,000,000 – $3,250,000,000 | | $22,625,000 | | 0.275% | | $2,750,000,000 |
| $3,250,000,000 – $4,000,000,000 | | $24,000,000 | | 0.250% | | $3,250,000,000 |
| $4,000,000,000 – $5,000,000,000 | | $25,875,000 | | 0.175% | | $4,000,000,000 |
| $5,000,000,000 – $6,000,000,000 | | $27,625,000 | | 0.125% | | $5,000,000,000 |
| $6,000,000,000 – $7,000,000,000 | | $28,875,000 | | 0.100% | | $6,000,000,000 |
| Thereafter | | $29,875,000 | | 0.050% | | $7,000,000,000 |
_______________
| |
(1) | Gross Real Estate Assets is generally defined as the aggregate book value of all residential real estate assets owned by Front Yard and its subsidiaries before reserves for depreciation, impairment or other non-cash reserves as computed in accordance with GAAP. |
In determining the Base Management Fee, “AFFO” is generally calculated as GAAP net income (or loss) adjusted for (i) gains or losses from debt restructuring and sales of property; (ii) depreciation, amortization and impairment on residential real estate assets; (iii) unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures; (iv) acquisition and related expenses, equity based compensation expenses and other non-recurring or non-cash items; (v) recurring capital expenditures on all real estate assets and (vi) the cost of leasing commissions.
For any partial quarter during the term of the Amended AMA, the Base Management Fee is subject to proration based on the number of calendar days under the Amended AMA in such period.
Incentive Fee. We may earn an annual Incentive Fee to the extent that Front Yard's AFFO exceeds certain performance thresholds. The annual Incentive Fee, if any, shall be an amount equal to 20% of the amount by which Front Yard's AFFO for the calendar year (after the deduction of Base Management Fees but prior to the deduction of Incentive Fees) exceeds 5% of Gross Shareholder Equity (as defined below).
In each calendar year, the Incentive Fee will be limited to the extent that any portion of the Incentive Fee for such calendar year (after taking into account any AFFO Adjustment Amount and the payment of the Incentive Fee) would cause the AFFO per share for such calendar year to be less than $0.60 (the “Incentive Fee Adjustment”). For any partial calendar year under the Amended AMA, the Incentive Fee amount (and Incentive Fee Adjustment, if any) for that partial calendar year is subject to proration based on the number of calendar days of the year that the Amended AMA is in effect.
Gross Shareholder Equity for purposes of the Amended AMA is generally defined as the arithmetic average of all shareholder equity as computed in accordance with GAAP and adding back all accumulated depreciation and changes due to non-cash valuations (including those recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income) and other non-cash adjustments, in each case, as of the first day of such calendar year, the first day of each of the second, third and fourth calendar quarters of such calendar year and the first day of the succeeding calendar year.
Front Yard has the flexibility to pay up to 25% of the annual Incentive Fee to us in shares of its common stock, subject to certain conditions specified in the Amended AMA.
Aggregate Fee Cap
The aggregate amount of the Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees payable to us in any calendar year cannot exceed the “Aggregate Fee Cap,” which is generally defined as follows:
For any calendar year in which average Gross Real Estate Assets is less than $2,250,000,000, the aggregate fees payable to us shall not exceed $21,000,000; or
For any calendar years in which average Gross Real Estate Assets exceeds $2,250,000,000, the aggregate fees payable to us shall not exceed the sum of (i) the applicable Aggregate Fee Floor plus (ii) the amount calculated by multiplying the applicable Aggregate Fee Percentage by the amount, if any, by which average Gross Real Estate Assets exceed the applicable Gross Real Estate Assets Floor, in each case as set forth in the table below.
|
| | | | | | |
| Gross Real Estate Assets | | Aggregate Fee Floor | | Aggregate Fee Percentage | | Gross Real Estate Assets Floor |
| $2,250,000,000 – $2,750,000,000 | | $21,000,000 | | 0.650% | | $2,250,000,000 |
| $2,750,000,000 – $3,250,000,000 | | $24,250,000 | | 0.600% | | $2,750,000,000 |
| $3,250,000,000 – $4,000,000,000 | | $27,250,000 | | 0.500% | | $3,250,000,000 |
| $4,000,000,000 – $5,000,000,000 | | $31,000,000 | | 0.450% | | $4,000,000,000 |
| $5,000,000,000 – $6,000,000,000 | | $35,500,000 | | 0.250% | | $5,000,000,000 |
| $6,000,000,000 – $7,000,000,000 | | $38,000,000 | | 0.125% | | $6,000,000,000 |
| Thereafter | | $39,250,000 | | 0.100% | | $7,000,000,000 |
Expenses and Expense Budget
We are responsible for all of our own costs and expenses other than the expenses related to compensation of Front Yard’s dedicated general counsel and, beginning in January 2020, four specified employees who provide direct property management services to Front Yard. Front Yard and its subsidiaries pay their own costs and expenses, and, to the extent such Front Yard expenses are initially paid by us, Front Yard is required to reimburse us for such reasonable costs and expenses.
Termination Provisions
The Amended AMA may be terminated without cause (i) by Front Yard for any reason, or no reason, or (ii) by Front Yard or us in connection with the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, in either case with 180 days' prior written notice. If the Amended AMA is terminated by Front Yard without cause or in connection with the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, Front Yard shall pay a termination fee (the “Termination Fee”) to us in an amount generally equal to three times the arithmetical mean of the aggregate fees actually paid or payable with respect to each of the three immediately preceding completed calendar years (including any such prior years that may have occurred prior to the Effective Date). Upon any such termination by Front Yard, Front Yard shall have the right, at its option, to license certain intellectual property and technology assets from us.
If the Termination Fee becomes payable (except in connection with a termination by us for cause, which would require the payment of the entire Termination Fee in cash), at least 50% of the Termination Fee must be paid in cash on the termination date and the remainder of the Termination Fee may be paid, at Front Yard’s option, either in cash or, subject to certain conditions specified in the Amended AMA, in Front Yard common stock in up to three equal quarterly installments (without interest) on each of the six-, nine- and twelve-month anniversaries of the termination date until the Termination Fee has been paid in full.
Front Yard may also terminate the Amended AMA, without the payment of a Termination Fee, upon a change of control of us (as described in the Amended AMA) and “for cause” upon the occurrence of certain events including, without limitation, a final judgment that we or any of our agents, assignees or controlled affiliates has committed a felony or materially violated securities
laws; our bankruptcy; the liquidation or dissolution of AAMC; a court determination that we have committed fraud or embezzled funds from Front Yard; a failure of Front Yard to qualify as a REIT as a result of any action or inaction of us; an uncured material breach of a material provision of the Amended AMA; or receipt of certain qualified opinions from our or Front Yard's independent public accounting firm that (i) with respect to such opinions relating to us, are reasonably expected to materially adversely affect either our ability to perform under the Amended AMA or Front Yard, or (ii) with respect to such opinions relating to Front Yard, such opinions are a result of our actions or inaction; in each case, subject to the exceptions and conditions set forth in the Amended AMA. We may terminate the Amended AMA upon an uncured default by Front Yard under the Amended AMA and receive the Termination Fee. A termination “for cause” may be effected by Front Yard with 30 days' written notice or by us with 60 days' written notice. Upon any termination by Front Yard “for cause,” Front Yard shall have the right, at its option, to license certain intellectual property and technology assets from us.
Transition Following Termination
Following any termination of the Amended AMA, we are required to cooperate in executing an orderly transition to a new manager or otherwise in accordance with Front Yard’s direction including by providing transition services as requested by Front Yard for up to one (1) year after termination or such longer period as may be mutually agreed (including by assisting Front Yard with the recruiting, hiring and/or training of new replacement employees) at cost (but not more than the Base Management Fee at the time of termination).
If the Amended AMA were to be terminated, our financial position and future prospects for revenues and growth would be materially adversely affected.
Terms of the Former AMA
On March 31, 2015, we entered into the Former AMA with Front Yard. The Former AMA, which became effective on April 1, 2015, provided for the following management fee structure:
Base Management Fee. We were entitled to a quarterly base management fee equal to 1.5% of the product of (i) Front Yard's average invested capital (as defined in the Former AMA) for the quarter multiplied by (ii) 0.25, while it had fewer than 2,500 SFR properties actually rented (“Rental Properties”). The base management fee percentage increased to 1.75% of average invested capital while Front Yard had between 2,500 and 4,499 Rental Properties and increased to 2.0% of average invested capital while it had 4,500 or more Rental Properties. Because Front Yard has more than 4,500 Rental Properties, we were entitled to receive a base management fee of 2.0% of Front Yard’s invested capital under the Former AMA during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017;
Incentive Management Fee. We were entitled to a quarterly incentive management fee equal to 20% of the amount by which Front Yard's return on invested capital (based on AFFO, defined as net income attributable to holders of common stock calculated in accordance with GAAP plus real estate depreciation expense minus recurring capital expenditures on all real estate assets owned by Front Yard) exceeded an annual hurdle return rate of between 7.0% and 8.25% (or 1.75% and 2.06% per quarter), depending on the 10-year treasury rate. To the extent Front Yard had an aggregate shortfall in its return rate over the previous seven quarters, that aggregate return rate shortfall was added to the normal quarterly return hurdle for the next quarter before we were entitled to an incentive management fee. The incentive management fee increased to 22.5% while Front Yard had between 2,500 and 4,499 Rental Properties and increased to 25% while it had 4,500 or more Rental Properties. No incentive management fee under the Former AMA was earned by us because Front Yard's return on invested capital (as defined in the Former AMA) was below the cumulative required hurdle rate; and
Conversion Fee. We were entitled to a quarterly conversion fee equal to 1.5% of the market value of assets converted into leased single-family homes by Front Yard for the first time during the applicable quarter.
Under the Former AMA, Front Yard reimbursed us for the compensation and benefits of the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard and certain operating expenses incurred on Front Yard's behalf.
Common Stock Repurchased from Luxor
On March 23, 2017, we completed the repurchase of an aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock from an affiliated fund of Luxor in a block trade at a price of $52.50 per share, or an aggregate of $2.6 million, pursuant to our previously reported $300.0 million stock repurchase program. Luxor may have been considered a related party of the Company at the time of the transaction because a Luxor partner was a member of our Board of Directors at such time. Following the transaction, the Company now holds the acquired shares as treasury shares.
7. Incentive Compensation and Share-based Payments
Long-term incentive compensation
Our officers and employees participate in an annual non-equity incentive program whereby they are eligible for incentive cash payments based on a percentage of their annual base salary. Our officers generally have a target annual non-equity incentive payment percentage that ranges from 50% to 100% of base salary. The officer's actual incentive payment for the year is determined by (i) the Company's performance versus the objectives established in the corporate scorecard (80%) and (ii) a performance appraisal (20%).
Share-based Payments
Certain executive officers and employees have and will receive grants of stock options and/or restricted stock under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”). The 2012 Plan also allows for the grant of performance awards and other awards such as purchase rights, equity appreciation rights, shares of common stock awarded without restrictions or conditions, convertible securities, exchangeable securities or other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock, as the Compensation Committee in its discretion may determine.
A special grant of stock options and restricted stock was made to certain employees of Altisource Portfolio Solutions N.A. (“ASPS”) related to our separation from ASPS under the 2012 Special Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Special Plan”). We included no share-based compensation in our consolidated financial statements for the portion of these grants made to ASPS employees. The shares of restricted stock became fully vested and were issued during 2017.
Dividends received on restricted stock are forfeitable and are accumulated until the time of vesting at the same rate and on the same date as on shares of common stock. Upon the vesting of stock options and restricted stock, we may withhold up to the statutory minimum to satisfy the resulting employee tax obligation.
The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance. We may issue new shares or issue shares from treasury shares upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock.
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| | | |
| | December 31, 2019 |
Stock options outstanding | | 15,256 |
|
Possible future issuances under equity incentive plan | | 2,442 |
|
| | 17,698 |
|
As of December 31, 2019, we had 2,102,823 remaining shares of common stock authorized to be issued under our charter.
Stock options
The following table sets forth the activity of our outstanding options:
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| | | | | | | |
| | | Number of Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share |
| December 31, 2016 | | 141,367 |
| | $ | 1.01 |
|
| Exercised (1) | | (111,917 | ) | | 0.75 |
|
| December 31, 2017 | | 29,450 |
| | 2.01 |
|
| Exercised (1) | | (12,112 | ) | | 1.26 |
|
| Forfeited or canceled | | (1,832 | ) | | 0.66 |
|
| December 31, 2018 | | 15,506 |
| | 2.75 |
|
| Exercised (1) | | (250 | ) | | 1.51 |
|
| December 31, 2019 | | 15,256 |
| | $ | 2.77 |
|
_____________
| |
(1) | The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was a nominal amount, $0.7 million and $9.0 million, respectively. |
As of December 31, 2019, we had 15,256 outstanding options, all of which were exercisable, with a weighted average exercise price of $2.77, weighted average remaining life of 1.1 years and intrinsic value of $0.1 million. Of these options, none had an exercise price higher than the market price of our common stock as of December 31, 2019.
Restricted stock
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we granted 60,329 shares of service-based restricted stock to members of management with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $26.68 under the 2012 Plan. The restricted stock will vest in three equal annual installments on each of January 23, 2020, 2021 and 2022, subject to forfeiture or acceleration.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we granted 25,074 shares of service-based restricted stock to members of management with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $64.05 under the 2012 Plan. The restricted stock vests in three equal annual installments, the first of which occurred on February 20, 2019 with the remaining installments vesting in February 2020 and 2021, subject to forfeiture or acceleration.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we granted 20,205 shares of service-based restricted stock to members of management with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $78.58 under the 2012 Plan. The restricted stock vests in three equal annual installments. The first two installments vested on March 7, 2018 and 2019, and the last installment will vest on March 7, 2020, subject to forfeiture or acceleration.
Restricted stock granted in 2015 and 2014 vests based on achievement of the following market-based performance hurdles (all of which have been met) and vesting schedules:
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the grant will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth below if the market value of our stock meets both of the following conditions: (i) the market value has realized a compounded annual gain of at least twenty percent (20%) over the market value on the date of the grant and (ii) the market value is at least double the market value on the date of the grant;
Fifty percent (50%) of the grant will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth below if the market value of our stock meets both of the following conditions: (i) the market value has realized a compounded annual gain of at least twenty-two and a half percent (22.5%) over the market value on the date of the grant and (ii) the market value is at least triple the market value on the date of the grant and
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the grant will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth below if the market value of Company stock meets both of the following conditions: (i) the market value has realized a compounded annual gain of at least twenty-five percent (25%) over the market value on the date of the grant and (ii) the market value is at least quadruple the market value on the date of the grant.
After the performance hurdles have been achieved, 25% of the restricted stock vested on the first anniversary of the date that the performance hurdle for that tranche was met. The remaining 75% of that tranche either (i) vested on the second anniversary of the date that the performance hurdle was met for certain grants or (ii) will continue to vest
ratably over the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date that the performance hurdle was met for certain grants.
Additionally, our Directors each receive annual grants of restricted stock equal to $60,000 based on the market value of our common stock at the time of the annual stockholders meeting. This restricted stock vests and is issued after a one-year service period subject to each Director attending at least 75% of the Board and committee meetings. No dividends are paid on the shares until the award is issued. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we granted 12,693, 1,866 and 2,001 shares of stock, respectively, pursuant to the 2012 Plan with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $14.18, $64.30 and $89.93, respectively.
We recorded $2.4 million, $4.5 million and $7.0 million of compensation expense related to these grants for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $1.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of total unrecognized share-based compensation cost to be recognized over a weighted average remaining estimated term of 0.8 years and 1.6 years, respectively.
The following table sets forth the activity of our restricted stock:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | | Number of Shares | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| December 31, 2016 | | 124,879 |
| | $ | 193.17 |
|
| Granted | | 22,206 |
| | 79.60 |
|
| Vested (1) | | (65,576 | ) | | 79.45 |
|
| December 31, 2017 | | 81,509 |
| | 253.72 |
|
| Granted | | 26,940 |
| | 64.07 |
|
| Vested (1) | | (35,526 | ) | | 339.25 |
|
| December 31, 2018 | | 72,923 |
| | 142.03 |
|
| Granted | | 73,022 |
| | 24.51 |
|
| Vested (1) | | (34,188 | ) | | 178.76 |
|
| December 31, 2019 | | 111,757 |
| | $ | 54.18 |
|
_____________
| |
(1) | The vesting date fair value of restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $0.9 million, $2.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively. |
8. Income Taxes
We are domiciled in the USVI and are obligated to pay taxes to the USVI on our income. We applied for tax benefits from the USVI Economic Development Commission and received our certificate of benefits (“the EDC Certificate”), effective as of February 1, 2013. Pursuant to the EDC Certificate, so long as we comply its provisions, we will receive a 90% tax reduction on our USVI-sourced income until 2043. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we generated a tax loss in the USVI.
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, in addition to the management fees from Front Yard (which represent eligible income under the EDC Certificate), AAMC also had income on the Front Yard common stock that it owns, as well as internally-sourced revenues from its Cayman Islands subsidiary, both of which are not eligible for the 90% tax reduction.
Beginning on January 1, 2017, AAMC US, Inc., a domestic U.S. corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary, began operations. This entity is based entirely in the mainland U.S. and is subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income tax.
The following table sets forth the components of income (loss) before income taxes:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year ended December 31, |
| | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | | $ | (3,433 | ) | | $ | (10,955 | ) | | $ | (7,259 | ) |
| Other | | 1,158 |
| | 454 |
| | 998 |
|
| Loss before income taxes | | $ | (2,275 | ) | | $ | (10,501 | ) | | $ | (6,261 | ) |
The following table sets forth the components of our deferred tax assets:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | December 31, 2019 | | December 31, 2018 |
| Deferred tax assets: | | | | |
| Stock compensation | | $ | 114 |
| | $ | 199 |
|
| Accrued expenses | | 669 |
| | 619 |
|
| Front Yard common stock | | — |
| | 1,482 |
|
| Net operating losses (1) | | 357 |
| | 184 |
|
| Lease liabilities | | 955 |
| | — |
|
| Other | | 48 |
| | 35 |
|
| Gross deferred tax assets | | 2,143 |
| | 2,519 |
|
| Deferred tax liability: | | | | |
| Right-of-use lease assets | | 922 |
| | — |
|
| Front Yard common stock | | 42 |
| | — |
|
| Depreciation | | 4 |
| | 10 |
|
| Gross deferred tax liabilities | | 968 |
| | 10 |
|
| Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | | 1,175 |
| | 2,509 |
|
| Valuation allowance | | (491 | ) | | (1,877 | ) |
| Deferred tax asset, net | | $ | 684 |
| | $ | 632 |
|
_____________
| |
(1) | Net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forwards for tax years prior to 2018 expire in 2037. Beginning with 2018, NOLs are carried forward indefinitely. |
The change in deferred tax assets is included in changes in other non-current assets in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Significant factors contributing to the decrease in our valuation allowance in 2019 are decreases in the temporary differences attributable to our investment in Front Yard common stock, partially offset by tax losses in the USVI.
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the statutory USVI income tax rate to our effective income tax rate:
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year ended December 31, |
| | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands income tax rate | | 23.1 | % | | 23.1 | % | | 38.5 | % |
| State and local income tax rates | | (0.7 | ) | | 0.1 |
| | (0.1 | ) |
| EDC benefits in the USVI | | (42.4 | ) | | 9.2 |
| | (45.1 | ) |
| Foreign tax rate differential | | (1.4 | ) | | (0.3 | ) | | 0.3 |
|
| Permanent and other | | (8.0 | ) | | (3.5 | ) | | (4.6 | ) |
| Share-based compensation | | (56.1 | ) | | (22.0 | ) | | — |
|
| Valuation allowance | | 68.8 |
| | (10.2 | ) | | — |
|
| Effective income tax rate | | (16.7 | )% | | (3.6 | )% | | (11.0 | )% |
During the tax years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized no interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had accrued no unrecognized tax benefits or associated interest and penalties.
We remain subject to tax examination in the USVI for tax years 2016 to 2019 and in the United States for tax years 2017 to 2019.
9. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the components of diluted loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Numerator | | | | | |
| Net loss | $ | (2,613 | ) | | $ | (10,876 | ) | | $ | (6,969 | ) |
| Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs | (206 | ) | | (206 | ) | | (206 | ) |
| Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (2,819 | ) | | $ | (11,082 | ) | | $ | (7,175 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| Denominator | | | | | |
| Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic | 1,589,952 |
| | 1,611,424 |
| | 1,570,428 |
|
| Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted | 1,589,952 |
| | 1,611,424 |
| | 1,570,428 |
|
| | | | | | |
| Loss per basic common share | $ | (1.77 | ) | | $ | (6.88 | ) | | $ | (4.57 | ) |
| Loss per diluted common share | $ | (1.77 | ) | | $ | (6.88 | ) | | $ | (4.57 | ) |
We excluded the items presented below from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were antidilutive for the periods indicated ($ in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Numerator | | | | | |
| Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs | $ | 206 |
| | $ | 206 |
| | $ | 206 |
|
| | | | | | |
| Denominator | | | | | |
| Stock options | 12,860 |
| | 22,268 |
| | 57,488 |
|
| Restricted stock | 26,575 |
| | 36,180 |
| | 38,424 |
|
| Preferred stock, if converted | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
|
10. Segment Information
Our primary business is to provide asset management and certain corporate governance services to institutional investors. Because substantially all of our revenue is derived from the services we provide to Front Yard, we operate as a single segment focused on providing asset management and corporate governance services.
11. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The following tables set forth our quarterly financial information (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | | Full Year |
| Total revenues | $ | 3,903 |
| | $ | 3,898 |
| | $ | 3,834 |
| | $ | 4,127 |
| | $ | 15,762 |
|
| Net (loss) income | (840 | ) | | 3,289 |
| | (3,523 | ) | | (1,539 | ) | | (2,613 | ) |
| (Loss) income per share of common stock – basic | (0.56 | ) | | 2.04 |
| | (2.25 | ) | | (1.00 | ) | | (1.77 | ) |
| (Loss) income per share of common stock – diluted | (0.56 | ) | | 1.81 |
| | (2.25 | ) | | (1.00 | ) | | (1.77 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | | Full Year |
| Total revenues | $ | 4,052 |
| | $ | 3,916 |
| | $ | 3,934 |
| | $ | 4,024 |
| | $ | 15,926 |
|
| Net loss | (4,364 | ) | | (1,067 | ) | | (1,155 | ) | | (4,290 | ) | | (10,876 | ) |
| Loss per share of common stock – basic | (2.75 | ) | | (0.69 | ) | | (0.75 | ) | | (2.69 | ) | | (6.88 | ) |
| Loss per share of common stock – diluted | (2.75 | ) | | (0.69 | ) | | (0.75 | ) | | (2.69 | ) | | (6.88 | ) |
12. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the impact of all events subsequent to December 31, 2019 and through the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements, except as follows:
Inducement Equity Awards to New Co-Chief Executive Officer
On January 30, 2020, we granted options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock and 60,000 restricted shares to our newly appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer. The options will be subject to vesting following the achievement of certain trading price targets and further time-based vesting criteria thereafter. The restricted shares will vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period following the date of grant.
Altisource Asset Management Corporation v. Luxor Capital Group, LP, et al.
On January 27, 2020, AAMC filed a complaint for declaratory judgment relief in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, against Luxor regarding AAMC’s redemption obligations under the Certificate of AAMC’s Series A Shares. Under the Certificate, holders of the Series A Shares are permitted on March 15, 2020 and on each successive five-year anniversary of March 15, 2020 to request AAMC, upon not less than 15 nor more than 30 business days’ prior notice, to redeem all but not less than all of their Series A Shares out of legally available funds. AAMC seeks a declaration that AAMC is not required to redeem any of Luxor’s Series A Shares on a redemption date if AAMC does not have legally available funds to redeem all of Luxor’s Series A Shares on such redemption date. Luxor has filed a motion to remove the action to the U.S District Court for the Virgin Islands.
Redemption Notices Received from Holders of Series A Shares and Company Response
Between January 31, 2020 and February 3, 2020, AAMC received purported notices from holders of the Series A C Shares requesting that the Company redeem an aggregate of $250.0 million liquidation preference of its Series A Shares on March 15, 2020.
On February 21, 2020, the Company delivered a letter in response to the holders who delivered the purported notices stating that, pursuant to the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Shares, the Company will not provide such holders a notice of a redemption or redeem all, but not less than all, of their outstanding Series A Shares on March 15, 2020 due to a lack of legally available funds.
Luxor Capital Group, LP, et al. v. Altisource Asset Management Corporation
On February 3, 2020, Luxor filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, against AAMC for breach of contract, specific performance, unjust enrichment, and related damages and expenses. The complaint alleges that AAMC’s position that it would not redeem any of Luxor’s Series A Shares on the March 15, 2020 redemption date is a material breach of AAMC’s redemption obligations under the Certificate. Luxor seeks an order requiring AAMC to redeem its Series A Shares, recovery of no less than $144,212,000 in damages, which is equal to the amount Luxor would receive if AAMC redeemed all of Luxor’s Series A Shares at the redemption price of $1,000 per share set forth in the Certificate, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit. In the alternative, Luxor seeks a return of its initial purchase price of $150,000,000 for the Series A Shares, as well as payment of its costs and expenses in the lawsuit. As described above, AAMC previously filed an action for declaratory relief to confirm its interpretation of the redemption provisions in the Certificate, and intends to vigorously defend itself against the claims by Luxor.
