Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated distributable earnings of $32.1 million or $0.25 per share, achieving a return on equity of 8.3% with adjusted leverage of 1.7 times [3][10] - The loan portfolio grew by approximately $354 million to $1.9 billion, representing 40% of total assets [4][15] - The securities portfolio totaled $1.9 billion, also representing 40% of total assets, with a weighted average yield of 5.7% [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan origination activity accelerated with $511 million of new loans across 17 transactions, marking the highest quarterly origination volume in over three years [3][4] - The real estate portfolio generated $15.1 million in net operating income during the third quarter, primarily consisting of net lease properties with long-term leases [6][16] - The company closed its inaugural $500 million investment-grade bond offering at a rate of 5.5%, which was the tightest new issuance spread in its history [7][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reduced office loan exposure to $652 million, or 14% of total assets, following the full payoff of its third-largest office loan [4][15] - Approximately 50% of the remaining office loan portfolio consists of two well-performing loans secured by prime properties in Miami [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to capitalize on investment opportunities while maintaining prudent credit risk management, expecting fourth-quarter loan originations to exceed third-quarter production [8][20] - The management plans to focus on organic growth of the loan portfolio, with expectations to increase the loan portfolio to around $3.4 billion [34][41] - The company is positioning itself alongside high-quality peers, including equity REITs, rather than solely within the commercial mortgage REIT space [8][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of the company's investment-grade balance sheet and disciplined use of unsecured debt, which positions it well for future growth [8][11] - The company anticipates that the yield curve will steepen next year, potentially leading to more regular contributions to securitizations [20] - Management noted that the current market conditions favor the company's business model as it heads into 2026 [21] Other Important Information - The company maintains $879 million in liquidity, including $49 million in cash and $830 million of undrawn capacity on its unsecured revolver [7][11] - The company repurchased $1.9 million of common stock in the third quarter, with a total of $9.3 million repurchased year-to-date [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are there any changes in origination strategy post investment-grade rating? - Management indicated a focus on slightly larger transactions and better quality assets, with no wholesale changes in strategy [24] Question: Any construction loans or large CapEx projects in the recent origination? - Management clarified that there were no construction loans in the recent portfolio, focusing instead on industrial and multifamily assets [27] Question: What is the growth outlook for the $1.9 billion loan portfolio? - Management expects the loan portfolio to grow by approximately $1 billion, with a strong origination quarter leading to increased activity [34] Question: Is improving ROE part of the strategy for the next one to two years? - Management confirmed that the plan includes writing more loans and optimizing the capital structure to improve ROE [38] Question: Will the company consider launching a securities fund? - Management acknowledged past considerations but emphasized a focus on the commercial mortgage business over residential [60] Question: How is the New York office equity investment performing? - Management reported positive developments in the investment, with the building now over 90% leased [63][66]