Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE:FBRT) FY Conference November 20, 2025 10:55 AM ET Company ParticipantsLindsey Crabbe - Director of Investor RelationsConference Call ParticipantsNone - AnalystNone - Analyst 1ModeratorAll right, everybody. Thank you, guys, for joining us and for your patience. Our next presenting company is Franklin BSP Realty Trust, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FBRT. Presenting for the company today is Lindsey Crabbe, Director of Investor Relations.Lindsey Cr ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported distributable earnings of $52.1 million or $0.25 per share, and $62.5 million or $0.30 per share excluding one-time realized losses of $10.5 million from the sale of two REO assets in the second quarter [17] - The total delinquencies decreased to $529 million as of June 30 from $654 million at March 31, with non-performing loans (NPLs) at approximately $472 million compared to $511 million last quarter [19][20] - The average yield on core investments decreased to 7.95% from 8.15% last quarter, primarily due to less back interest collected and additional delinquencies [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the agency business, the company originated $850 million in loans during the second quarter and $1.5 billion for the first six months, with a strong July resulting in $1 billion in agency loans [11][12] - The single-family rental business generated approximately $230 million in new business in the second quarter, with a strong pipeline and successful conversion of construction loans into bridge loans [13] - The construction lending business closed $265 million in deals in the first six months and an additional $144 million in July, with a strong pipeline of applications [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The prolonged elevated rate environment has created challenges in the agency originations business, affecting borrowers' ability to transition to fixed-rate loans [7] - The company anticipates that the current year will be challenging due to the significant drag on earnings from REO assets and delinquencies, with expectations for a transitional year [9][15] - The competitive landscape in balance sheet lending remains strong, with a significant appetite for deals and a large amount of capital chasing transactions [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company views 2025 as a transitional year focused on resolving REO assets and delinquencies to build a strong earnings foundation for 2026 [16] - The company aims to leverage its securitization platform to scale up its single-family rental business and gain market share, enhancing competitive advantages [6] - The strategy includes being selective in closing deals, with a focus on maintaining credit quality and structure despite competitive pressures [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current elevated rate environment has created volatility and uncertainty, making it difficult to predict interest rate movements for the remainder of the year [7] - The company is optimistic about future earnings growth and dividend increases in 2026 if there is a sustained reduction in interest rates [9] - Management emphasized the importance of managing through the loan book effectively despite the challenges posed by the current economic environment [7] Other Important Information - The company successfully completed a high-yield unsecured debt offering, raising $500 million to pay off convertible debt and enhance liquidity [4][5] - The investment portfolio grew to $11.6 billion at June 30, with originations outpacing runoff for the second consecutive quarter [23] - The company recorded an additional $16 million in loan loss reserves in the second quarter, reflecting changes in the outlook on real estate values [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drop in net interest income from $75 million to $69 million - Management explained that the drop was due to increased delinquencies and less back interest collected on delinquent loans, with reversals impacting the figures [28][29] Question: Future REO levels and potential peak - Management indicated that they are aggressively managing non-performing loans and expect to see a peak in REO levels, with a focus on transitioning assets quickly [31][32] Question: Increased lending spreads and capital markets activity - Management noted that lower interest rates create opportunities for distressed deals, leading to increased interest in their REO and sub-performing loan books [37][38] Question: Losses related to REO this quarter - Management confirmed that losses were primarily from one property that was foreclosed and sold quickly, with another asset marked close to its value [50][51] Question: PIK interest on the balance sheet - Management confirmed that PIK interest is being capitalized in loan balances, with $95 million of PIK on the balance sheet as of June 30 [56][58] Question: Absorption of vacancy and property strategy - Management discussed that their portfolio is primarily in workforce housing, which is seeing steady growth in occupancy, and they are focused on repositioning underperforming assets [62][63] Question: Capital expenditures for portfolio repositioning - Management estimated that capital expenditures for repositioning assets would be in the range of $25 million to $50 million over time [70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported distributable earnings of $52.1 million or $0.25 per share, and $62.5 million or $0.30 per share excluding one-time realized losses of $10.5 million from the sale of two REO assets in the second quarter [18] - The total delinquencies decreased to $529 million as of June 30 from $654 million at March 31, with non-performing loans (NPLs) at approximately $472 million compared to $511 million last quarter [20][21] - The average yield on core investments decreased to 7.95% from 8.15% last quarter, primarily due to less back interest collected and additional delinquencies [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the agency business, the company originated $850 million in loans during the second quarter and $1.5 billion for the first six months, with a strong July resulting in $1 billion in agency loans [12][24] - The single-family rental business saw approximately $230 million in new business during the second quarter, with a strong pipeline for future growth [13][14] - The construction lending business closed $265 million in the first six months and an additional $144 million in July, with a strong pipeline of applications [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The prolonged elevated rate environment has created challenges in the agency originations business, affecting borrowers' ability to transition to fixed-rate loans [8] - The company anticipates that if there is a sustained reduction in interest rates, it will positively impact origination volumes and earnings [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company views 2025 as a transitional year focused on resolving REO assets and delinquencies, aiming to build a strong earnings foundation for 2026 [16][17] - The company is committed to being selective in its lending practices, closing $100 million in the second quarter and $215 million in July, with a target of $1.5 billion to $2 billion in bridge loan production for 2025 [11] - The company is expanding its securitization platform to increase leverage and efficiency in the single-family rental business, enhancing competitive advantage [6][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current market environment is characterized by volatility and uncertainty, particularly regarding interest rates, which complicates predictions for the remainder of the year [8] - The company is optimistic about future growth, especially if interest rates decrease, which would facilitate increased origination volumes and improved earnings [10][81] Other Important Information - The company successfully completed a high-yield unsecured debt offering, raising $500 million to pay off convertible debt and enhance liquidity [4][5] - The investment portfolio grew to $11.6 billion at June 30, with an all-in yield of 7.86% [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drop in net interest income from $75 million to $69 million - Management explained that the drop was due to increased delinquencies and less back interest collected on delinquent loans, along with reversals on certain loans [30][31] Question: Future peak of REO assets - Management indicated that they expect REO assets to peak around $400 million to $600 million, with a focus on accelerating the resolution of non-performing loans [33][34] Question: Interest from outside parties in REO and sub-performing loan books - Management confirmed that there is significant interest in distressed deals, with multiple bidders for such assets, particularly as interest rates decline [40][41] Question: Capital expenditures for repositioning assets - Management estimated that capital expenditures for repositioning assets would be between $25 million to $50 million over the next six to twelve months [70][72] Question: Agency originations dynamics between Fannie and Freddie - Management noted that both agencies have competitive advantages, with Fannie Mae traditionally being more active, but Freddie Mac has been stepping up recently [75][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported distributable earnings of $81.6 million or $0.40 per share for Q4 2024, and $1.74 for the full year, translating to a return on equity (ROE) of approximately 14% [40] - The forecast for distributable earnings in 2025 has been adjusted to a range of $0.30 to $0.35 per quarter due to changes in the macroeconomic climate [41][12] - The company experienced elevated legal and consulting fees due to short-sell reports, estimated to impact earnings by approximately $0.03 to $0.05 per share going forward [42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company modified $4.7 billion of loans over the last two years, with $4.1 billion modified in 2024 alone, indicating a strong focus on loan modifications [15][16] - The agency business had a strong Q4 with $1.35 billion in new originations, closing the year with $4.3 billion in GSP agent fee volume [28][29] - The single-family rental business saw $1.7 billion in new loans in 2024, significantly above the previous year's production [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a 100 basis point decrease in SOFR, which has reduced earnings on cash and escrow balances [11][58] - Total delinquencies decreased by 13% to approximately $819 million as of December 31, down from $945 million at the end of Q3 [46] - The average yield on core investments decreased to 8.52% from 9.04% due to a reduction in SOFR [60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on repositioning REO assets and expects to significantly grow the NOI from these assets over the next 12 to 24 months [23][24] - A capital-light agency platform is a critical part of the company's strategy, allowing for significant long-dated income streams [26] - The company plans to originate between $1.5 billion to $2 billion in bridge loans in 2025, enhancing returns and efficiency [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the challenging interest rate environment, noting that they are well-capitalized and have a cushion between earnings and dividends [8][9] - The outlook suggests that elevated rates will persist, creating headwinds for agency origination volumes [10] - Management is optimistic about the potential for future earnings growth if interest rates decline [24][37] Other Important Information - The company has grown its book value by 26% over the last five years, contrasting with a 25% erosion in net asset values among peers [15][55] - The company has successfully transitioned new sponsors to manage assets, which is expected to create more predictable future income streams [17][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Dividend expectations for 2025 - Management appreciates the clarity provided regarding dividend expectations, indicating that the market is better prepared for this information now rather than later [66] Question: Institutional money and distressed bridge loans - Management noted that there is institutional capital available for distressed assets, but the market is currently experiencing a pause due to rising interest rates [68][70] Question: Performance of modified loans - Management indicated that the majority of modified loans are performing well, with a focus on ensuring sponsors bring in additional capital [82][86] Question: Servicing escrow balances - Management explained that the reduction in earnings from escrows and cash is due to lower SOFR rates and decreased cash balances, projecting earnings of $80 million to $85 million going forward [90][92] Question: Confidence in book value and potential buybacks - Management expressed confidence in the book value, stating that while there may be minor adjustments, they believe they have adequately reserved for potential losses [115][123]