Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported a GAAP net loss of $32 million or $0.49 per share, with a book value of $13.04 as of December 31 [3] - Distributable earnings were $14 million or $0.22 per share, and a cash dividend of $0.25 was paid for Q4 [3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New originations in Q4 totaled $424 million, surpassing repayments of $380 million, indicating a positive trend in loan origination [8] - Over 75% of new originations during the year were concentrated in multifamily and industrial loans, sectors with resilient fundamentals [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the year with over $880 million in liquidity, including $85 million in cash and $700 million in undrawn capacity on the corporate revolver [9] - Total financing capacity was $8.2 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.2 times and a total leverage ratio of 3.9 times, consistent with target ranges [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its liquidity position and has closed a $650 million Term Loan B, reducing the coupon to SOFR plus 250 basis points [4] - A focus on geographic diversification was highlighted, with the first loan in Europe closed, positioning the company to capitalize on relative value across the U.S. and Europe [5] - The company plans to implement an aggressive resolution strategy for watchlist assets and select office assets to compress the discount of stock price to book value [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the market improving and highlighted the importance of executing business plans to unlock value in the REO portfolio [6][7] - The dividend policy is under active evaluation as part of broader capital allocation discussions, balancing near-term earnings visibility with long-term shareholder value [7] Other Important Information - The company downgraded certain loans to risk rating 5, resulting in total incremental CECL provisions of $44 million during the quarter [8] - The weighted average risk rating on the portfolio is 3.2, indicating a moderate level of risk across the loan portfolio [9] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Discussion on accelerating resolutions on watchlist and REO assets - Management acknowledged progress on REO and emphasized the goal of liquidating assets to create a cleaner portfolio, which could lead to better market recognition [12][14] Question: What does success look like by the end of 2026? - Success is defined as monetizing or liquidating the majority of the watchlist and addressing office portfolio issues, with a focus on clarity and resolution [16][18] Question: Concerns about loans that are under-earning in 2026 - Management indicated that while some assets are underperforming, contractual payments are being made, and there is potential upside from resolving REO assets [25][27] Question: Dividend policy and financial analysis - Management confirmed that dividend decisions will be based on empirical financial analysis rather than market sentiment [28][29] Question: Insights on commercial real estate credit demand - Management noted increased allocations to real estate credit and equity, with a shift towards opportunistic and value-add investments [48][50] Question: Impact of rate cuts on REO assets - Management observed that rate cuts are helping liquidity in the market, although the overall sentiment for real estate remains positive [54][55] Question: View on the office sector and attractive loan characteristics - Management emphasized a high bar for office loans, focusing on newer, high-quality assets with stable cash flows [58][59] Question: Expectations for originations and repayments - Management indicated that originations will align with repayments as they execute their resolution strategy, with REO sales potentially increasing portfolio size [60][61]