Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of December 31, GAAP book value was $13.20 per share, and economic book value was $13.75 per share, both showing modest increases from the end of September [21] - Total economic return for the fourth quarter was 3.1% and 9% for the full year of 2025, with total shareholder return for the year at 6% [11][21] - GAAP earnings for the fourth quarter were $54.3 million, or $0.42 per basic common share, with net interest income at $55.5 million, a slight decline from $56.8 million in the previous quarter [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the fourth quarter, the company acquired $1.9 billion of loans and securities, including $1.2 billion of agencies and $443 million of non-QM loans [13] - The agency book grew by over 50% to $3.3 billion during the quarter, with a focus on low pay-up spec pools [29] - Lima One originated $226 million of new loans in the fourth quarter, including various types of loans, contributing to $5.7 million of mortgage banking income [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Bloomberg US Aggregate Index increased by 7.3% in 2025, following a decline of 7.1% over the previous three years [6] - Treasury rates declined, with 2-year yields dropping 77 basis points and 10-year yields dropping by 39 basis points, leading to a steepening of the 2-10 spread from 32 basis points to 70 basis points [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing earnings and return on equity (ROE) through strategic initiatives, including deploying over $100 million of excess cash into target assets [12] - The company plans to relaunch multifamily lending and has made investments in technology and sales force at Lima One to enhance growth [14][15] - The company is optimistic about 2026, expecting supportive government policies and favorable market conditions to drive growth [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that 2025 felt like an exit from a challenging period for fixed income investors, with lower rates and volatility creating a favorable environment for the mortgage market [5][9] - The company expects to see the results of its strategic initiatives reflected in financials in 2026, with a focus on resolving delinquent loans and reducing expenses [17][20] Other Important Information - The company reported a decline in general and administrative (G&A) expenses to $119 million in 2025 from $132 million in 2024, achieving a reduction of approximately 9.5% [25] - Approximately 40% of the 2025 common dividends were treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, enhancing the after-tax yield for shareholders [21][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the run rate ROE on your EAD once loss provisions are through? - Management indicated that DE on a lossless basis was in the 8%-9% range, expected to rise to 10-11% in the back half of 2026 [44] Question: Can you discuss the re-entry into the multifamily market? - The company is targeting higher quality loans with larger unit sizes and an originate-to-sell model to capture fees [46] Question: How do you think about the potential deals that could be called? - Management noted that several deals could unlock $50 million-$100 million of capital for reinvestment [52] Question: How should we think about capital allocation going forward? - The expectation is to initially increase investments in the agency portfolio before transitioning to non-QM and BPL asset classes [55] Question: What are your expectations for margins and total volumes throughout the year? - The company anticipates healthy spreads and significant growth potential, particularly in the back half of the year [70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of December 31, GAAP book value was $13.20 per share, and economic book value was $13.75 per share, both showing modest increases from the end of September [21] - Total economic return for the fourth quarter was 3.1% and 9% for the full year of 2025, with total shareholder return for the year at 6% [11][21] - GAAP earnings for the fourth quarter were $54.3 million, or $0.42 per basic common share, with net interest income at $55.5 million, a decline from $56.8 million in the third quarter [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the fourth quarter, the company acquired $1.9 billion of loans and securities, including $1.2 billion of agencies and $443 million of non-QM loans [13] - The agency portfolio grew by over 50% to $3.3 billion during the quarter, with significant investments made before spreads tightened [29] - Distributable earnings for the fourth quarter were approximately $27.8 million, or $0.27 per share, an increase from $0.20 per share in the third quarter [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Bloomberg US Aggregate Index was up 7.3% in 2025, following a decline of 7.1% over the previous three years [6] - Treasury rates declined, with 2-year yields dropping 77 basis points and 10-year yields dropping by 39 basis points [7] - The MOVE Index, which measures bond market volatility, ended the year at just under 64, down from above 100 for most of the previous three years [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing earnings and growing return on equity (ROE) through strategic initiatives, including deploying excess cash into target assets [12] - The company plans to relaunch multifamily lending and has hired 45 new salespeople at Lima One, indicating a push for growth in 2026 [14] - The company is also working on resolving delinquent loans, with over $150 million resolved in the fourth quarter, unlocking capital for redeployment [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the macroeconomic environment, citing favorable conditions for the mortgage market due to lower rates and government support for housing affordability [9][10] - The company expects to see the results of its strategic initiatives reflected in financials in 2026, with a focus on enhancing earnings and ROEs [20] - Management noted that while the delinquency rate across the loan portfolio ended the year at just over 7%, it is expected to remain elevated in the legacy portfolio as it winds down [35] Other Important Information - The company reported a decline in general and administrative (G&A) expenses, totaling $119 million for 2025, down from $132 million in 2024 [25] - Approximately 40% of the 2025 common dividends were treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, enhancing after-tax yield for shareholders [21][22] - The company has reauthorized a stock buyback program, utilizing proceeds from preferred stock issuance to repurchase common stock at a discount [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the run rate ROE on your EAD once loss provisions are through? - Management indicated that DE on a lossless basis was in the 8%-9% range, expected to rise to 10-11% in the back half of 2026 [44] Question: Can you discuss the re-entry into the multifamily market? - The company is targeting higher quality loans with larger average amounts, focusing on an originate-to-sell model [46] Question: How do you think about the potential deals that could be called? - Management noted that several deals could unlock $50 million-$100 million of capital for redeployment [51] Question: What are your expectations for margins and total volumes throughout the year? - The company anticipates healthy spreads and significant growth potential, particularly in the back half of the year [68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of December 31, GAAP book value was $13.20 per share, and economic book value was $13.75 per share, both showing modest increases from the end of September [14] - For the fourth quarter, MFA generated GAAP earnings of $54.3 million, or $0.42 per basic common share, with net interest income at $55.5 million, a slight decline from $56.8 million in the previous quarter [15][16] - Distributable earnings for the fourth quarter were approximately $27.8 million, or $0.27 per share, an increase from $0.20 per share in the third quarter [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the fourth quarter, MFA acquired $1.9 billion of loans and securities, including $1.2 billion of agencies, $443 million of non-QM loans, and $226 million of new business purpose loans [10] - The agency book grew by over 50% to $3.3 billion during the quarter, with a focus on low payout spec pools [20] - Lima One originated $226 million of new loans in the fourth quarter, including various types of loans such as new construction and rehab loans [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Bloomberg US Aggregate Index was up 7.3% in 2025, following a decline of 7.1% over the previous three years [5] - Treasury rates declined, with 2-year yields dropping 77 basis points and 10-year yields dropping by 39 basis points [5] - The delinquency rate across the entire loan portfolio ended the year at just over 7%, down from 7.5% a year ago [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - MFA is focused on increasing earnings and growing return on equity (ROE) through strategic initiatives, including deploying excess cash into target assets [9] - The company is excited about 2026, starting the year with favorable market conditions and government support for housing affordability [6][7] - MFA plans to relaunch multifamily lending and has made investments in technology and sales force to enhance operational efficiency [11][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the mortgage market due to lower rates, reduced volatility, and a positively sloped yield curve [6] - The company expects to see results from its strategic initiatives in 2026, with a focus on resolving delinquent loans and reducing general and administrative expenses [12][13] - Management anticipates that distributable earnings will reconverge with the common dividend in the latter half of 2026 [30] Other Important Information - MFA paid a common dividend of $0.36 for the fourth quarter and $1.44 for the full year, with approximately 40% of dividends treated as a tax-deferred return of capital [14] - The company has rolled out several technology platforms to enhance borrower experience and drive operational efficiencies [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the run rate ROE on your EAD once loss provisions are through? - Management indicated that DE on a lossless basis is expected to be in the 8%-9% range, potentially reaching 10-11% in the back half of next year [29] Question: Can you discuss the re-entry into the multifamily market? - The company is targeting higher quality loans with larger unit sizes and an originate-to-sell model to capture fees [31] Question: How do you think about the potential deals that could be called? - Management expects to unlock $50 million-$100 million of capital that can be redeployed, with several deals anticipated in the coming quarters [36] Question: How should we think about capital allocation going forward? - The expectation is to initially increase investments in the agency portfolio before transitioning to non-QM and BPL asset classes as capital is freed up [40] Question: What are your expectations for margins and total volumes throughout the year? - The company anticipates healthy spreads and significant growth potential, particularly in the back half of the year as new channels come online [54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The economic book value decreased by 1% to $13.69 per share, while GAAP book value also fell by 1% to $13.12 per share [14] - Distributable earnings (DE) for the quarter were $0.24 per share, down from $0.29 per share in the previous quarter, primarily due to credit losses [17] - GAAP earnings were $33.2 million or $0.22 per basic common share, driven by an increase in net interest income to $61.3 million [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company sourced $876 million in loans and securities, including $500 million in non-QM loans and $217 million in business purpose loans [12][20] - The delinquency rate for loans over 60 days decreased from 7.5% to 7.3% [15][24] - Lima One originated $217 million in business purpose loans, with an increase in mortgage banking income from $5.4 million to $6.1 million [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market for securitized mortgage credit assets continues to deepen, with increased liquidity and strong investor appetite [6][9] - Mortgage credit spreads widened in April but retraced to levels seen at the end of Q1 by the end of the second quarter [6][22] - The company completed its eighteenth non-QM securitization in May, selling $291 million of bonds at an average coupon of 5.76% [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue focusing on non-QM loans, business purpose loans, and agency securities, with plans to grow the business purpose loan originations [20][23] - The management is optimistic about the economic return potential of the portfolio, indicating that the economic earnings power is closer to a 10% dividend yield [29] - The company is actively resolving non-performing loans and expects to utilize additional loan sales to accelerate the resolution of underperforming assets [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the economic and macro environments appear clearer as the year progresses, with resilient growth despite slower than expected rates [8][9] - There is a consensus for two rate cuts later this year, which is favorable for mortgage REITs [9] - The management expressed confidence in the current earnings power of the portfolio and the sustainability of the common dividend [18] Other Important Information - The company expects to lower its G&A expenses by 7% to 10% per year from 2024 levels due to ongoing expense reduction initiatives [18] - Subsequent to the quarter end, the economic book value is estimated to have increased by approximately 1% to 2% [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Economic return for the portfolio - Management discussed the economic return of the portfolio and indicated that the economic earnings power is much closer to a 10% dividend yield, with potential upside as capital is redeployed from troubled loans [28][29] Question: New loan officers at Lima One - The new hires are focused on the West and Midwest, with expectations for aggressive growth in the latter half of the year as they ramp up [40][41] Question: Capital allocation trends - Management indicated that they would continue to deploy capital across non-QM, HC, and business purpose loans, with a preference for increasing business purpose loan originations [33][49] Question: Distribution potential for new transitional loans - Management noted that they have been selling rental loans and expect to grow originations, with a balance between securitization financing and loan sales [56] Question: Execution risk for developers - Management stated that they are not seeing material pressure on rental income and exit prices, tracking these metrics month to month [65][66] Question: Relative risk of loan vintages - Management indicated that the 2023 vintage for multifamily loans was tougher, but overall LTVs are low, minimizing concerns about losses [67] Question: Callability of non-QM portfolio - Management explained that lower interest rates could lead to more callable deals, but the impact would be marginal due to offsetting swaps [70][72]