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Watchlist
Account
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
AGM
#5074
Rank
$1.59 B
Marketcap
๐บ๐ธ
United States
Country
$147.21
Share price
1.97%
Change (1 day)
-20.85%
Change (1 year)
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Annual Reports (10-K)
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
Quarterly Reports (10-Q)
Financial Year FY2019 Q1
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation - 10-Q quarterly report FY2019 Q1
Text size:
Small
Medium
Large
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 2, 2019
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
Commission File Number 001-14951
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Federally chartered instrumentality
of the United States
52-1578738
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification number)
1999 K Street, N.W., 4th Floor,
Washington, D.C.
20006
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
(202) 872-7700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
x
No
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Emerging growth company
o
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.
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o
No
x
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol
Exchange on which registered
Class A voting common stock
AGM.A
New York Stock Exchange
Class C non-voting common stock
AGM
New York Stock Exchange
5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
AGM.PRA
New York Stock Exchange
6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B
AGM.PRB
New York Stock Exchange
6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
AGM.PRC
New York Stock Exchange
As of April 25, 2019, the registrant had outstanding
1,030,780
shares of Class A voting common stock,
500,301
shares of Class B voting common stock and
9,167,448
shares of Class C non-voting common stock.
Table of Contents
PART I
4
Item 1.
Financial Statements
4
Consolidated Balance Sheets
5
Consolidated Statements of Operations
6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
7
Consolidated Statements of Equity
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
10
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
48
Forward-Looking Statements
48
Overview
50
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
53
Results of Operations
55
Outlook
68
Balance Sheet Review
71
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
72
Risk Management
72
Liquidity and Capital Resources
88
Regulatory Matters
90
Other Matters
90
Supplemental Information
91
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
96
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
96
PART II
96
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
96
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
96
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
97
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
97
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
97
Item 5
.
Other Information
98
Item 6.
Exhibits
98
Signatures
99
3
PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements
4
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
As of
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
376,122
$
425,256
Investment securities:
Available-for-sale, at fair value
2,457,978
2,217,852
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
45,032
45,032
Total Investment Securities
2,503,010
2,262,884
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale, at fair value
6,441,624
5,974,497
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,040,415
2,096,618
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
8,482,039
8,071,115
USDA Securities:
Trading, at fair value
9,487
9,999
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,125,312
2,166,174
Total USDA Securities
2,134,799
2,176,173
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
4,480,511
4,004,968
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
1,566,330
1,517,101
Allowance for loan losses
(6,753
)
(7,017
)
Total loans, net of allowance
6,040,088
5,515,052
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value
1,253
128
Financial derivatives, at fair value
6,053
7,487
Interest receivable (includes $11,727 and $19,783, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
143,877
180,080
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
39,913
40,366
Deferred tax asset, net
3,994
6,369
Prepaid expenses and other assets
66,629
9,418
Total Assets
$
19,797,777
$
18,694,328
Liabilities and Equity:
Liabilities:
Notes payable:
Due within one year
$
8,571,615
$
7,757,050
Due after one year
8,679,287
8,486,647
Total notes payable
17,250,902
16,243,697
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
1,567,195
1,528,957
Financial derivatives, at fair value
22,203
19,633
Accrued interest payable (includes $9,647 and $17,125, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
94,420
96,743
Guarantee and commitment obligation
38,288
38,683
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
59,433
11,891
Reserve for losses
2,038
2,167
Total Liabilities
19,034,479
17,941,771
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Equity:
Preferred stock:
Series A, par value $25 per share, 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
58,333
58,333
Series B, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,044
73,044
Series C, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,382
73,382
Common stock:
Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding
1,031
1,031
Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding
500
500
Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,157,841 shares and 9,137,550 shares outstanding, respectively
9,158
9,138
Additional paid-in capital
118,841
118,822
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
21,254
24,956
Retained earnings
407,755
393,351
Total Equity
763,298
752,557
Total Liabilities and Equity
$
19,797,777
$
18,694,328
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents
$
18,707
$
11,463
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
85,411
62,430
Loans
51,397
45,653
Total interest income
155,515
119,546
Total interest expense
114,916
76,317
Net interest income
40,599
43,229
Release of loan losses
264
431
Net interest income after release of loan losses
40,863
43,660
Non-interest income:
Guarantee and commitment fees
3,513
3,499
Losses on financial derivatives
(360
)
(3,850
)
Gains on trading securities
44
16
Other income
493
574
Non-interest income
3,690
239
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits
7,606
6,654
General and administrative
4,596
4,326
Regulatory fees
688
625
Real estate owned operating costs, net
—
16
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses
(129
)
21
Non-interest expense
12,761
11,642
Income before income taxes
31,792
32,257
Income tax expense
6,622
6,438
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac
25,170
25,819
Preferred stock dividends
(3,296
)
(3,295
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874
$
22,524
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share
$
2.05
$
2.12
Diluted earnings per common share
$
2.03
$
2.10
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Net income
$
25,170
$
25,819
Other comprehensive income before taxes:
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
3,241
21,228
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities
(2,262
)
(1,310
)
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges
(5,665
)
6,663
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before tax
(4,686
)
26,581
Income tax benefit/(expense) related to other comprehensive (loss)/income
984
(5,582
)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax
(3,702
)
20,999
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac
$
21,468
$
46,818
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
7
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(unaudited)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Paid-In
Comprehensive
Retained
Total
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income/(Loss)
Earnings
Equity
(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
8,400
$
204,759
10,619
$
10,619
$
118,979
$
51,085
$
322,704
$
708,146
Cumulative effect from change in hedge accounting
—
—
—
—
—
27
471
498
Balance as of January 1, 2018
8,400
$
204,759
10,619
$
10,619
$
118,979
$
51,112
$
323,175
$
708,644
Net income:
Attributable to Farmer Mac
—
—
—
—
—
—
25,819
25,819
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—
—
—
—
—
20,999
—
20,999
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3,295
)
(3,295
)
Common stock (cash dividend of $0.58 per share)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(6,161
)
(6,161
)
Issuance of Class C Common Stock
—
—
31
31
3
—
—
34
Stock-based compensation cost
—
—
—
—
664
—
—
664
Other stock-based award activity
—
—
—
—
(1,438
)
—
—
(1,438
)
Balance as of March 31, 2018
8,400
$
204,759
10,650
$
10,650
$
118,208
$
72,111
$
339,538
$
745,266
Balance as of December 31, 2018
8,400
$
204,759
10,669
$
10,669
$
118,822
$
24,956
$
393,351
$
752,557
Net income:
Attributable to Farmer Mac
—
—
—
—
—
—
25,170
25,170
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
—
—
—
—
—
(3,702
)
—
(3,702
)
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3,296
)
(3,296
)
Common stock (cash dividend of $0.70 per share)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(7,470
)
(7,470
)
Issuance of Class C Common Stock
—
—
20
20
3
—
—
23
Stock-based compensation cost
—
—
—
—
724
—
—
724
Other stock-based award activity
—
—
—
—
(708
)
—
—
(708
)
Balance as of March 31, 2019
8,400
$
204,759
10,689
$
10,689
$
118,841
$
21,254
$
407,755
$
763,298
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
8
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
25,170
$
25,819
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net amortization of deferred gains, premiums, and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities
(2,204
)
309
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs
10,826
6,008
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives
(69,096
)
19,174
Total release for losses
(393
)
(410
)
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards
127
440
Deferred income taxes
2,902
(161
)
Stock-based compensation expense
724
664
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale
18,671
34,699
Net change in:
Interest receivable
36,204
41,219
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
58
(15
)
Other assets
(5,674
)
(11,973
)
Accrued interest payable
(2,323
)
(4,054
)
Other liabilities
3,528
6,111
Net cash provided by operating activities
18,520
117,830
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
(473,326
)
(242,677
)
Purchases of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
(857,511
)
(931,199
)
Purchases of loans held for investment
(748,553
)
(267,756
)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities
205,240
263,621
Proceeds from repayment of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
554,340
472,235
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment
222,980
191,298
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
116,708
131,202
Net cash used by investing activities
(980,122
)
(383,276
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes
12,773,401
10,587,657
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes
2,124,252
2,060,844
Payments to redeem discount notes
(12,597,517
)
(10,941,104
)
Payments to redeem medium-term notes
(1,311,954
)
(1,200,936
)
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts
(64,263
)
(38,918
)
Proceeds from common stock issuance
3
3
Tax payments related to share-based awards
(688
)
(1,407
)
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock
(10,766
)
(9,457
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
912,468
456,682
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(49,134
)
191,236
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
425,256
302,022
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
376,122
$
493,258
Non-cash activity:
Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
116,708
131,202
Consolidation of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
97,780
96,909
Reclassification of defaulted loans from loans held for investment in consolidated trusts to loans held for investment (Table 6.2)
4,721
721
Maturity of investment security - not yet settled
(40,310
)
—
Purchases of securities - traded, not yet settled
35,100
5,640
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
9
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2018 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2018 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2018 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its
two
subsidiaries during the year: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
10
The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs:
Table 1.1
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
As of March 31, 2019
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural Utilities
Institutional Credit
Corporate
Total
(in thousands)
On-Balance Sheet:
Consolidated VIEs:
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
$
1,566,330
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1,566,330
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
(1)
1,567,195
—
—
—
—
1,567,195
Unconsolidated VIEs:
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Carrying value
(2)
—
27,031
—
—
—
27,031
Maximum exposure to loss
(3)
—
26,794
—
—
—
26,794
Investment securities:
Carrying value
(4)
—
—
—
—
1,026,064
1,026,064
Maximum exposure to loss
(3) (4)
—
—
—
—
1,030,108
1,030,108
Off-Balance Sheet:
Unconsolidated VIEs:
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Maximum exposure to loss
(3) (5)
128,221
376,487
—
—
—
504,708
(1)
Includes borrower remittances of
$0.9 million
. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of
March 31, 2019
.
(2)
Includes
$0.2 million
of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business.
(3)
Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(4)
Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
(5)
The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
11
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
As of December 31, 2018
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural Utilities
Institutional Credit
Corporate
Total
(in thousands)
On-Balance Sheet:
Consolidated VIEs:
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
$
1,517,101
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1,517,101
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
(1)
1,528,957
—
—
—
—
1,528,957
Unconsolidated VIEs:
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Carrying value
(2)
—
27,627
—
—
—
27,627
Maximum exposure to loss
(3)
—
27,383
—
—
—
27,383
Investment securities:
Carrying value
(4)
—
—
—
—
1,000,942
1,000,942
Maximum exposure to loss
(3) (4)
—
—
—
—
1,003,968
1,003,968
Off-Balance Sheet:
Unconsolidated VIEs:
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Maximum exposure to loss
(3) (5)
135,862
367,684
—
—
—
503,546
(1)
Includes borrower remittances of
$11.9 million
. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of
December 31, 2018
.
(2)
Includes
$0.2 million
of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business.
(3)
Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(4)
Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
(5)
The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
12
(a)
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and unvested restricted stock awards. The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
Table 1.2
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Net
Income
Weighted-Average Shares
$ per
Share
Net
Income
Weighted-Average Shares
$ per
Share
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874
10,670
$
2.05
$
22,524
10,622
$
2.12
Effect of dilutive securities
(1)
SARs and restricted stock
—
107
(0.02
)
—
119
(0.02
)
Diluted EPS
$
21,874
10,777
$
2.03
$
22,524
10,741
$
2.10
(1)
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, SARs and restricted stock of
56,976
and
25,062
, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, contingent shares of unvested restricted stock of
12,284
and
13,138
, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
(b)
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes.
The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018:
Table 1.3
As of March 31, 2019
As of March 31, 2018
Available-for-Sale Securities
Held-to-Maturity Securities
Cash Flow Hedges
Total
Available-for-Sale Securities
Held-to-Maturity Securities
Cash Flow Hedges
Total
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Beginning Balance
$
(25,360
)
$
43,443
$
6,873
$
24,956
$
(1,676
)
$
48,236
$
4,525
$
51,085
Cumulative effect from change in hedge accounting
—
—
—
—
—
—
27
27
Adjusted Beginning Balance
(25,360
)
43,443
6,873
24,956
(1,676
)
48,236
4,552
51,112
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications
3,318
—
(4,095
)
$
(777
)
18,187
—
5,053
$
23,240
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(758
)
(1,787
)
(380
)
(2,925
)
(1,417
)
(1,035
)
211
(2,241
)
Net comprehensive income/(loss)
2,560
(1,787
)
(4,475
)
(3,702
)
16,770
(1,035
)
5,264
20,999
Ending Balance
$
(22,800
)
$
41,656
$
2,398
$
21,254
$
15,094
$
47,201
$
9,816
$
72,111
13
The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
Table 1.4
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Before Tax
Provision (Benefit)
After Tax
Before Tax
Provision (Benefit)
After Tax
(in thousands)
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale-securities:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale-securities
$
4,200
$
882
$
3,318
$
23,022
$
4,835
$
18,187
Less reclassification adjustments included in:
Net interest income
(1)
(953
)
(200
)
(753
)
(1,787
)
(375
)
(1,412
)
Other income
(2)
(6
)
(1
)
(5
)
(7
)
(2
)
(5
)
Total
$
3,241
$
681
$
2,560
$
21,228
$
4,458
$
16,770
Held-to-maturity securities:
Less reclassification adjustments included in:
Net interest income
(3)
(2,262
)
(475
)
(1,787
)
(1,310
)
(275
)
(1,035
)
Total
$
(2,262
)
$
(475
)
$
(1,787
)
$
(1,310
)
$
(275
)
$
(1,035
)
Cash flow hedges
Unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges
$
(5,184
)
$
(1,089
)
(4,095
)
$
6,396
$
1,343
5,053
Less reclassification adjustments included in:
Net interest income
(4)
(481
)
(101
)
(380
)
267
56
211
Total
$
(5,665
)
$
(1,190
)
$
(4,475
)
$
6,663
$
1,399
$
5,264
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
$
(4,686
)
$
(984
)
$
(3,702
)
$
26,581
$
5,582
$
20,999
(1)
Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
(2)
Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
(3)
Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
(4)
Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
14
(c)
New Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
Standard
Description
Date of Adoption
Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements
ASU 2016-02
, Leases (Topic 842)
This Update provides new guidance intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. This Update requires organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. It also requires new disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.
January 1, 2019
The adoption of this Update did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance, Not Yet Adopted Within Our Consolidated Financial Statements
Standard
Description
Date of Planned Adoption
Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements
ASU 2016-13
, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This Update will require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, as well as require entities to use forward-looking information to form their credit loss estimates.
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac is currently developing its accounting policy, planning for changes to its loss estimation methodologies, and evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. The impact will primarily result from the new requirements to recognize all expected losses rather than just incurred losses as of the reporting date.
ASU 2017-08
, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
The amendments in this Update shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. There is no required accounting change for securities held at a discount in this ASU.
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2018-13
, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
The amendments in this Update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, including the consideration of costs and benefits. Certain disclosure requirements were either removed, modified, or added.
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2018-15
, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract
The amendments in this Update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license).
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
(d)
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.
15
2.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 2.1
As of March 31, 2019
Amount Outstanding
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
19,700
$
—
$
19,700
$
—
$
(788
)
$
18,912
Floating rate asset-backed securities
27,726
(130
)
27,596
—
(145
)
27,451
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
1,379,534
1,393
1,380,927
626
(5,316
)
1,376,237
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
370
—
370
23
—
393
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
1,039,925
(5,543
)
1,034,382
705
(102
)
1,034,985
Total available-for-sale
2,467,255
(4,280
)
2,462,975
1,354
(6,351
)
2,457,978
Held-to-maturity:
Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
(1)
45,032
—
45,032
926
—
45,958
Total investment securities
$
2,512,287
$
(4,280
)
$
2,508,007
$
2,280
$
(6,351
)
$
2,503,936
(1)
The held-to-maturity investment securities had a weighted average yield of
3.8%
as of
March 31, 2019
.
As of December 31, 2018
Amount Outstanding
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
19,700
$
—
$
19,700
$
—
$
(985
)
$
18,715
Floating rate asset-backed securities
28,940
(136
)
28,804
2
(128
)
28,678
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
1,379,472
1,528
1,381,000
721
(4,267
)
1,377,454
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
384
1
385
18
—
403
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
797,913
(4,882
)
793,031
119
(548
)
792,602
Total available-for-sale
2,226,409
(3,489
)
2,222,920
860
(5,928
)
2,217,852
Held-to-maturity:
Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
(1)
45,032
—
45,032
562
—
45,594
Total investment securities
$
2,271,441
$
(3,489
)
$
2,267,952
$
1,422
$
(5,928
)
$
2,263,446
(1)
The held-to-maturity investment securities had a weighted average yield of
3.5%
as of
December 31, 2018
.
Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018.
16
As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows:
Table 2.2
As of March 31, 2019
Available-for-Sale Securities
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
(dollars in thousands)
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—
$
—
$
18,912
$
(788
)
Floating rate asset-backed securities
6,179
(56
)
18,173
(89
)
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
715,948
(3,368
)
381,997
(1,948
)
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
262,700
(41
)
117,382
(61
)
Total
$
984,827
$
(3,465
)
$
536,464
$
(2,886
)
Number of securities in loss position
48
63
As of December 31, 2018
Available-for-Sale Securities
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
(dollars in thousands)
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—
$
—
$
18,715
$
(985
)
Floating rate asset-backed securities
6,456
(38
)
19,058
(90
)
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
927,416
(2,907
)
196,416
(1,360
)
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
499,581
(336
)
81,597
(212
)
Total
$
1,433,453
$
(3,281
)
$
315,786
$
(2,647
)
Number of securities in loss position
72
48
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of market spreads and an increase in the levels of interest rates from the dates of acquisition to
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+."
Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of
March 31, 2019
that is, on average, approximately
99.5%
of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of maturity or changes in credit spreads. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not "more likely than not" that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
17
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of
March 31, 2019
are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 2.3
As of March 31, 2019
Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Weighted-
Average
Yield
(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year
$
982,026
$
982,554
1.40%
Due after one year through five years
272,477
272,528
2.78%
Due after five years through ten years
650,974
647,882
2.87%
Due after ten years
557,498
555,014
3.08%
Total
$
2,462,975
$
2,457,978
2.32%
3.
FARMER MAC GUARANTEED SECURITIES AND USDA SECURITIES
The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 3.1
As of March 31, 2019
Unpaid Principal Balance
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
AgVantage
$
2,013,619
$
(235
)
$
2,013,384
$
7,035
$
(5,932
)
$
2,014,487
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
26,794
237
27,031
237
—
27,268
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
2,040,413
2
2,040,415
7,272
(5,932
)
2,041,755
USDA Securities
2,072,411
52,901
2,125,312
1
(21,409
)
2,103,904
Total held-to-maturity
$
4,112,824
$
52,903
$
4,165,727
$
7,273
$
(27,341
)
$
4,145,659
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
$
6,408,318
$
(190
)
$
6,408,128
$
67,066
$
(33,570
)
$
6,441,624
Trading:
USDA Securities
(1)
$
9,087
$
649
$
9,736
$
22
$
(271
)
$
9,487
(1)
The trading USDA securities had a weighted average yield of
5.23%
as of
March 31, 2019
.
18
As of December 31, 2018
Unpaid Principal Balance
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
AgVantage
$
2,069,185
$
(194
)
$
2,068,991
$
2,637
$
(11,948
)
$
2,059,680
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
27,383
244
27,627
98
—
27,725
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
2,096,568
50
2,096,618
2,735
(11,948
)
2,087,405
USDA Securities
2,110,963
55,211
2,166,174
—
(62,227
)
2,103,947
Total held-to-maturity
$
4,207,531
$
55,261
$
4,262,792
$
2,735
$
(74,175
)
$
4,191,352
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
$
6,003,733
$
(204
)
$
6,003,529
$
22,335
$
(51,367
)
$
5,974,497
Trading:
USDA Securities
(1)
$
9,591
$
701
$
10,292
$
20
$
(313
)
$
9,999
(1)
The trading USDA securities had a weighted average yield of
5.21%
as of
December 31, 2018
.
As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows:
Table 3.2
As of March 31, 2019
Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
AgVantage
$
212,783
$
(67
)
$
1,030,571
$
(5,865
)
USDA Securities
33,763
(819
)
2,069,702
(20,590
)
Total held-to-maturity
$
246,546
$
(886
)
$
3,100,273
$
(26,455
)
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
$
552,404
$
(3,779
)
$
1,633,673
$
(29,791
)
19
As of December 31, 2018
Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
AgVantage
$
669,610
$
(1,760
)
$
976,318
$
(10,188
)
USDA Securities
38,203
(696
)
2,065,743
(61,531
)
Total held-to-maturity
$
707,813
$
(2,456
)
$
3,042,061
$
(71,719
)
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
$
1,480,423
$
(9,364
)
$
1,599,679
$
(42,003
)
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, as applicable. The unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018 reflect their increased cost basis resulting from their transfer to held-to-maturity as of October 1, 2016.
The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States.
The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on
28
and
38
available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. There were
32
and
43
held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of
March 31, 2019
,
24
available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months.
As of December 31, 2018
,
21
available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months. Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities and available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities are other-than-temporarily impaired as of either
March 31, 2019
or December 31, 2018. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not "more likely than not" that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
During the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
20
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of
March 31, 2019
are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 3.3
As of March 31, 2019
Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Weighted-
Average
Yield
(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year
$
584,884
$
585,085
3.09
%
Due after one year through five years
2,976,650
2,988,640
3.16
%
Due after five years through ten years
1,281,673
1,291,943
3.21
%
Due after ten years
1,564,921
1,575,956
3.62
%
Total
$
6,408,128
$
6,441,624
3.28
%
As of March 31, 2019
Held-to-Maturity Securities
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Weighted-
Average
Yield
(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year
$
682,586
$
681,561
2.15
%
Due after one year through five years
1,420,155
1,421,423
3.07
%
Due after five years through ten years
204,350
202,025
3.45
%
Due after ten years
1,858,636
1,840,650
3.62
%
Total
$
4,165,727
$
4,145,659
3.18
%
4.
FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES
Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets, future cash flows, or debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes. For more information about Farmer Mac's financial derivatives, see Note 6 in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
21
The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of
March 31, 2019
and
December 31, 2018
:
Table 4.1
As of March 31, 2019
Fair Value
Weighted-
Average
Pay Rate
Weighted-
Average Receive Rate
Weighted-
Average
Forward
Price
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Term (in years)
Notional Amount
Asset
(Liability)
(dollars in thousands)
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed non-callable
$
4,085,824
$
1,489
$
(5,981
)
2.49%
2.63%
11.95
Receive fixed non-callable
1,760,200
807
(4,163
)
2.61%
1.88%
1.42
Receive fixed callable
370,000
617
(1
)
2.36%
2.63%
2.48
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed non-callable
373,000
2,043
(144
)
2.40%
2.91%
5.87
No hedge designation:
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed non-callable
316,534
281
(11,785
)
3.69%
2.74%
6.00
Receive fixed non-callable
2,886,621
—
—
2.56%
2.36%
0.97
Basis swaps
2,004,000
841
(74
)
2.58%
2.56%
1.22
Treasury futures
12,300
(94
)
123.46
Credit valuation adjustment
(25
)
39
Total financial derivatives
$
11,808,479
$
6,053
$
(22,203
)
Collateral (held)/pledged
(3,900
)
90,420
Net amount
$
2,153
$
68,217
22
As of December 31, 2018
Fair Value
Weighted-
Average
Pay Rate
Weighted-
Average Receive Rate
Weighted-
Average
Forward
Price
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Term (in years)
Notional Amount
Asset
(Liability)
(dollars in thousands)
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed non-callable
$
3,097,084
$
3,004
$
(4,326
)
2.42%
2.58%
9.75
Receive fixed non-callable
1,871,200
547
(4,484
)
2.50%
1.84%
1.58
Receive fixed callable
160,000
338
(28
)
2.35%
3.06%
2.91
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed non-callable
373,000
2,441
(99
)
2.40%
2.83%
6.12
No hedge designation:
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed non-callable
316,664
796
(10,399
)
3.69%
2.52%
6.25
Receive fixed non-callable
2,347,371
—
—
2.37%
2.10%
0.86
Basis swaps
1,770,026
421
(130
)
2.45%
2.49%
1.27
Treasury futures
20,400
—
(188
)
121.09
Credit valuation adjustment
(60
)
21
Total financial derivatives
$
9,955,745
$
7,487
$
(19,633
)
Collateral (held)/pledged
(1,778
)
47,018
Net amount
$
5,709
$
27,385
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac expects to reclassify
$1.3 million
after tax from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings over the next twelve months. This amount could differ from amounts actually recognized due to changes in interest rates, hedge de-designations, and the addition of other hedges after
March 31, 2019
. During the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and
2018
, there were
no
gains or losses from interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings because it became probable that the original forecasted transaction would not occur.
23
The following table summarizes the net income/(expense) recognized in the
consolidated statements of operations
related to derivatives for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and
2018
:
Table 4.2
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives
Net Interest Income
Non-Interest Income
Total
Interest Income
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
Interest Income Loans
Total Interest Expense
Losses on financial derivatives
(in thousands)
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations:
$
85,411
$
51,397
$
(114,916
)
$
(360
)
$
21,532
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships:
Recognized on derivatives
1,550
(22
)
(3,218
)
—
(1,690
)
Recognized on hedged items
24,565
4,555
(9,922
)
—
19,198
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—
—
(149
)
—
(149
)
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships
$
26,115
$
4,533
$
(13,289
)
$
—
$
17,359
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships:
Recognized on derivatives
(58,987
)
(20,082
)
8,978
—
(70,091
)
Recognized on hedged items
59,352
16,237
(8,197
)
—
67,392
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships
$
365
$
(3,845
)
$
781
$
—
$
(2,699
)
Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives
—
—
481
—
481
Recognized on hedged items
—
—
(2,688
)
—
(2,688
)
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Expense recognized on cash flow hedges
$
—
$
—
$
(2,208
)
$
—
$
(2,208
)
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships:
Gains on interest rate swaps
—
—
—
2,168
2,168
Interest expense on interest rate swaps
—
—
—
(2,300
)
(2,300
)
Treasury futures
—
—
—
(228
)
(228
)
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(360
)
$
(360
)
24
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives
Net Interest Income
Non-Interest Income
Total
Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
Interest Income Loans
Total Interest Expense
Losses on financial derivatives
(in thousands)
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations
$
62,430
$
45,653
$
(76,317
)
$
(3,850
)
$
27,916
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships:
Recognized on derivatives
(1,488
)
(297
)
294
—
(1,491
)
Recognized on hedged items
13,597
1,414
(7,915
)
—
7,096
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—
—
(155
)
—
(155
)
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships
$
12,109
$
1,117
$
(7,776
)
$
—
$
5,450
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships:
Recognized on derivatives
20,449
6,419
(9,647
)
—
17,221
Recognized on hedged items
(18,948
)
(6,572
)
11,137
—
(14,383
)
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships
$
1,501
$
(153
)
$
1,490
$
—
$
2,838
Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives
$
—
$
—
$
(267
)
$
—
$
(267
)
Recognized on hedged items
—
—
(1,780
)
—
(1,780
)
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Expense recognized on cash flow hedges
$
—
$
—
$
(2,049
)
$
—
$
(2,049
)
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships:
Losses on interest rate swaps
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(2,088
)
$
(2,088
)
Interest expense on interest rate swaps
—
—
—
(1,987
)
(1,987
)
Treasury futures
—
—
—
225
225
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(3,850
)
$
(3,850
)
25
The following table shows the carrying amount and associated cumulative basis adjustment related to the application of hedge accounting that is included in the carrying amount of hedged assets and liabilities in fair value hedging relationships as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 4.3
Hedged Items in Fair Value Relationship
Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Available-for-Sale, at fair value
$
3,360,615
$
2,882,919
$
58,445
$
(906
)
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
726,169
194,617
8,968
(5,287
)
Other Assets
1,981
—
1,981
—
Notes Payable, due after one year
(1)(2)
(2,103,633
)
(2,021,356
)
541
8,785
(1)
Carrying amount represents amortized cost.
(2)
Includes
$0.2 million
and
$0.3 million
of hedging adjustments on a discontinued hedging relationship as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively.
The following table shows Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 4.4
March 31, 2019
Gross Amount Recognized
(1)
Counterparty Netting
Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
Assets:
Derivatives
Interest rate swap
$
42,551
$
38,417
$
4,134
Liabilities:
Derivatives
Interest rate swap
$
139,843
$
133,793
$
6,050
(1)
Gross amount excludes netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but includes accrued interest.
December 31, 2018
Gross Amount Recognized
(1)
Counterparty Netting
Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
Assets:
Derivatives
Interest rate swaps
$
51,267
$
48,124
$
3,143
Liabilities:
Derivatives
Interest rate swaps
$
78,437
$
64,568
$
13,869
(1)
Gross amount excludes netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but includes accrued interest.
26
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac held
$3.0 million
of
cash and
$0.9 million
of investment securities as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of
$0.2 million
. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac held
$0.7 million
of cash and
$1.1 million
of investment securities as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of
$1.4 million
.
Farmer Mac posted
no
cash and
$90.4 million
of investment securities as of
March 31, 2019
and posted
no
cash and
$47.0 million
investment securities as of December 31, 2018. Farmer Mac records posted cash as a reduction in the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of prepaid expenses and other assets. Any investment securities posted as collateral are included in the investment securities balances on the consolidated balance sheets. If Farmer Mac had breached certain provisions of the derivative contracts as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements, but would not have been required to post additional collateral. As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, there were
no
financial derivatives in a net payable position where Farmer Mac was required to pledge collateral which the counterparty had the right to sell or repledge.
Of Farmer Mac's
$11.8 billion
notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of
March 31, 2019
,
$9.9 billion
were cleared through the swap clearinghouse. Of Farmer Mac's
$9.9 billion
notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2018,
$8.5 billion
were cleared through the swap clearinghouse. For more information about interest rate swaps cleared through a clearinghouse, see Note 6 in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
5.
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES
Loans
Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 5.1
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
Unsecuritized
In Consolidated Trusts
Total
Unsecuritized
In Consolidated Trusts
Total
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch
$
3,044,567
$
1,566,330
$
4,610,897
$
3,071,222
$
1,517,101
$
4,588,323
Rural Utilities
1,429,101
—
1,429,101
938,843
—
938,843
Total unpaid principal balance
(1)
4,473,668
1,566,330
6,039,998
4,010,065
1,517,101
5,527,166
Unamortized premiums, discounts, and other cost basis adjustments
6,843
—
6,843
(5,097
)
—
(5,097
)
Total loans
4,480,511
1,566,330
6,046,841
4,004,968
1,517,101
5,522,069
Allowance for loan losses
(5,270
)
(1,483
)
(6,753
)
(5,565
)
(1,452
)
(7,017
)
Total loans, net of allowance
$
4,475,241
$
1,564,847
$
6,040,088
$
3,999,403
$
1,515,649
$
5,515,052
(1)
Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.
27
Allowance for Losses
Farm & Ranch
The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018:
Table 5.2
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Reserve
for Losses
Total
Allowance
for Losses
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Reserve
for Losses
Total
Allowance
for Losses
(in thousands)
Beginning Balance
$
7,017
$
2,167
9,184
$
6,796
$
2,070
8,866
Provision for/(release of) losses
(264
)
(129
)
(393
)
(431
)
21
(410
)
Charge-offs
—
—
—
—
—
—
Ending Balance
6,753
2,038
8,791
6,365
2,091
8,456
During first quarter 2019, the net release to the allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses was primarily due to a decrease in Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on loans that Farmer Mac identified as impaired and individually evaluated. This was offset in part by a modest decline in credit quality during the first quarter of 2019. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2019.
During first quarter 2018, the net releases to the allowance for loan losses recorded were primarily attributable to (1) paydowns or payoffs of loans with an existing allowance in amounts that exceeded the increase in the allowance associated with net volume growth in Farm & Ranch loans recorded in first quarter 2018, and (2) paydowns on existing substandard loans or an improvement in the risk ratings of certain substandard loans, which resulted in the reduction of the amount of substandard assets rate in the lowest quality tier. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2018.
28
The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and
2018
by commodity type:
Table 5.3
March 31, 2019
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Beginning Balance
$
4,394
$
2,126
$
1,460
$
474
$
720
$
10
$
9,184
(Release of)/provision for losses
(161
)
(192
)
(8
)
(61
)
17
12
(393
)
Charge-offs
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Ending Balance
$
4,233
$
1,934
$
1,452
$
413
$
737
$
22
$
8,791
March 31, 2018
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Beginning Balance
$
4,081
$
2,469
$
1,211
$
481
$
606
$
18
$
8,866
(Release of)/provision for losses
(288
)
10
25
(68
)
(84
)
(5
)
(410
)
Charge-offs
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Ending Balance
$
3,793
$
2,479
$
1,236
$
413
$
522
$
13
$
8,456
29
The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31,
2018
:
Table 5.4
As of March 31, 2019
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
Ending Balance:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
2,450,803
$
946,435
$
699,333
$
341,177
$
12,036
$
4,586
$
4,454,370
Off-balance sheet
1,215,602
506,782
620,297
168,685
72,285
3,083
2,586,734
Total
$
3,666,405
$
1,453,217
$
1,319,630
$
509,862
$
84,321
$
7,669
$
7,041,104
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
86,299
$
36,785
$
27,064
$
6,379
$
—
$
—
$
156,527
Off-balance sheet
10,752
2,357
3,916
869
—
60
17,954
Total
$
97,051
$
39,142
$
30,980
$
7,248
$
—
$
60
$
174,481
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet
$
2,537,102
$
983,220
$
726,397
$
347,556
$
12,036
$
4,586
$
4,610,897
Off-balance sheet
1,226,354
509,139
624,213
169,554
72,285
3,143
2,604,688
Total
$
3,763,456
$
1,492,359
$
1,350,610
$
517,110
$
84,321
$
7,729
$
7,215,585
Allowance for Losses:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
1,818
$
958
$
631
$
265
$
84
$
16
$
3,772
Off-balance sheet
665
108
236
26
653
5
1,693
Total
$
2,483
$
1,066
$
867
$
291
$
737
$
21
$
5,465
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
1,551
$
816
$
511
$
103
$
—
$
—
$
2,981
Off-balance sheet
199
52
74
19
—
1
345
Total
$
1,750
$
868
$
585
$
122
$
—
$
1
$
3,326
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet
$
3,369
$
1,774
$
1,142
$
368
$
84
$
16
$
6,753
Off-balance sheet
864
160
310
45
653
6
2,038
Total
$
4,233
$
1,934
$
1,452
$
413
$
737
$
22
$
8,791
30
As of December 31, 2018
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
Ending Balance:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
2,452,803
$
952,719
$
705,752
$
329,070
$
12,097
$
4,477
$
4,456,918
Off-balance sheet
1,239,094
515,520
624,522
166,907
73,084
3,286
2,622,413
Total
$
3,691,897
$
1,468,239
$
1,330,274
$
495,977
$
85,181
$
7,763
$
7,079,331
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
66,432
$
36,333
$
21,361
$
7,278
$
—
$
—
$
131,404
Off-balance sheet
13,298
5,249
3,737
883
—
69
23,236
Total
$
79,730
$
41,582
$
25,098
$
8,161
$
—
$
69
$
154,640
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet
$
2,519,235
$
989,052
$
727,113
$
336,348
$
12,097
$
4,477
$
4,588,322
Off-balance sheet
1,252,392
520,769
628,259
167,790
73,084
3,355
2,645,649
Total
$
3,771,627
$
1,509,821
$
1,355,372
$
504,138
$
85,181
$
7,832
$
7,233,971
Allowance for Losses:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
2,120
$
822
$
731
$
303
$
84
$
4
$
4,064
Off-balance sheet
668
170
207
29
636
5
1,715
Total
$
2,788
$
992
$
938
$
332
$
720
$
9
$
5,779
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet
$
1,329
$
1,065
$
437
$
122
$
—
$
—
$
2,953
Off-balance sheet
277
69
85
20
—
1
452
Total
$
1,606
$
1,134
$
522
$
142
$
—
$
1
$
3,405
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet
$
3,449
$
1,887
$
1,168
$
425
$
84
$
4
$
7,017
Off-balance sheet
945
239
292
49
636
6
2,167
Total
$
4,394
$
2,126
$
1,460
$
474
$
720
$
10
$
9,184
31
The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31,
2018
:
Table 5.5
As of March 31, 2019
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
Impaired Loans:
With no specific allowance:
Recorded investment
$
32,570
$
15,531
$
7,708
$
1,605
$
—
$
—
$
57,414
Unpaid principal balance
32,501
15,498
7,691
1,602
—
—
57,292
With a specific allowance:
Recorded investment
(1)
64,666
23,690
23,331
5,657
—
60
117,404
Unpaid principal balance
64,550
23,644
23,289
5,646
—
60
117,189
Associated allowance
1,750
868
585
122
—
1
3,326
Total:
Recorded investment
97,236
39,221
31,039
7,262
—
60
174,818
Unpaid principal balance
97,051
39,142
30,980
7,248
—
60
174,481
Associated allowance
1,750
868
585
122
—
1
3,326
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status
(2)
$
35,879
$
12,843
$
10,490
$
3,760
$
—
$
—
$
62,972
(1)
Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on
$115.0 million
(
66%
) of impaired loans as of
March 31, 2019
, which resulted in a specific allowance of
$2.5 million
.
(2)
Includes
$15.8 million
of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
As of December 31, 2018
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
Impaired Loans:
With no specific allowance:
Recorded investment
$
20,734
$
3,592
$
5,764
$
1,922
$
—
$
—
$
32,012
Unpaid principal balance
20,632
3,573
5,737
1,912
—
—
31,854
With a specific allowance:
Recorded investment
(1)
59,335
38,176
19,443
6,276
—
70
123,300
Unpaid principal balance
59,098
38,009
19,361
6,249
—
69
122,786
Associated allowance
1,606
1,134
522
142
—
1
3,405
Total:
Recorded investment
80,069
41,768
25,207
8,198
—
70
155,312
Unpaid principal balance
79,730
41,582
25,098
8,161
—
69
154,640
Associated allowance
1,606
1,134
522
142
—
1
3,405
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status
(2)
$
26,611
$
21,349
$
8,803
$
4,645
$
—
$
—
$
61,408
(1)
Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on
$120.9 million
(
78%
) of impaired loans as of
December 31, 2018
, which resulted in a specific allowance of
$2.7 million
.
(2)
Includes
$41.8 million
of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
32
The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and
2018
:
Table 5.6
March 31, 2019
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
$
88,653
$
40,495
$
28,123
$
7,730
$
—
$
65
$
165,066
Income recognized on impaired loans
322
299
113
67
—
—
801
March 31, 2018
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
$
72,017
$
43,427
$
22,274
$
8,850
$
—
$
716
$
147,284
Income recognized on impaired loans
392
172
79
55
—
—
698
Net credit losses and
90
-day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet securities representing interests in pools of eligible Farm & Ranch loans ("Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities") and LTSPCs are presented in the table below. As of
March 31, 2019
, there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac had not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans.
Table 5.7
90-Day Delinquencies
(1)
Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses
As of
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
On-balance sheet assets:
Farm & Ranch:
Loans
$
47,219
$
19,577
$
—
$
16
Total on-balance sheet
$
47,219
$
19,577
$
—
$
16
Off-balance sheet assets:
Farm & Ranch:
LTSPCs
$
5,147
$
7,304
$
—
$
—
Total off-balance sheet
$
5,147
$
7,304
$
—
$
—
Total
$
52,366
$
26,881
$
—
$
16
(1)
Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are
90 days
or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
Of the
$47.2 million
of on-balance sheet loans reported as
90
-day delinquencies as of
March 31, 2019
,
$0.1 million
were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Of the
$19.6 million
of on-balance
33
sheet loans reported as
90
-day delinquencies as of December 31,
2018
,
$0.1 million
were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Credit Quality Indicators
The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31,
2018
:
Table 5.8
As of March 31, 2019
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade
(1)
On-balance sheet:
Acceptable
$
2,391,354
$
901,684
$
682,548
$
331,910
$
10,539
$
4,586
$
4,322,621
Special mention
(2)
59,594
44,751
16,786
9,267
1,497
—
131,895
Substandard
(3)
86,154
36,785
27,063
6,379
—
—
156,381
Total on-balance sheet
$
2,537,102
$
983,220
$
726,397
$
347,556
$
12,036
$
4,586
$
4,610,897
Off-Balance Sheet:
Acceptable
$
1,088,307
$
476,644
$
558,864
$
165,020
$
71,160
$
2,477
$
2,362,472
Special mention
(2)
80,802
24,960
45,249
870
—
—
151,881
Substandard
(3)
57,245
7,535
20,100
3,664
1,125
666
90,335
Total off-balance sheet
$
1,226,354
$
509,139
$
624,213
$
169,554
$
72,285
$
3,143
$
2,604,688
Total Ending Balance:
Acceptable
$
3,479,661
$
1,378,328
$
1,241,412
$
496,930
$
81,699
$
7,063
$
6,685,093
Special mention
(2)
140,396
69,711
62,035
10,137
1,497
—
283,776
Substandard
(3)
143,399
44,320
47,163
10,043
1,125
666
246,716
Total
$
3,763,456
$
1,492,359
$
1,350,610
$
517,110
$
84,321
$
7,729
$
7,215,585
Commodity analysis of past due loans
(1)
On-balance sheet
$
30,149
$
7,929
$
6,745
$
2,396
$
—
$
—
$
47,219
Off-balance sheet
4,360
196
100
491
—
—
5,147
90 days or more past due
$
34,509
$
8,125
$
6,845
$
2,887
$
—
$
—
$
52,366
(1)
Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)
Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)
Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
34
As of December 31, 2018
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(in thousands)
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade
(1)
On-balance sheet:
Acceptable
$
2,381,853
$
937,793
$
679,253
$
321,345
$
10,604
$
4,477
$
4,335,325
Special mention
(2)
71,096
14,926
26,499
7,725
1,493
—
121,739
Substandard
(3)
66,286
36,333
21,361
7,278
—
—
131,258
Total on-balance sheet
$
2,519,235
$
989,052
$
727,113
$
336,348
$
12,097
$
4,477
$
4,588,322
Off-Balance Sheet
Acceptable
$
1,128,787
$
469,479
$
577,708
$
162,730
$
71,959
$
2,656
$
2,413,319
Special mention
(2)
62,430
36,778
30,703
1,023
—
—
130,934
Substandard
(3)
61,175
14,512
19,848
4,037
1,125
699
101,396
Total off-balance sheet
$
1,252,392
$
520,769
$
628,259
$
167,790
$
73,084
$
3,355
$
2,645,649
Total Ending Balance:
Acceptable
$
3,510,640
$
1,407,272
$
1,256,961
$
484,075
$
82,563
$
7,133
$
6,748,644
Special mention
(2)
133,526
51,704
57,202
8,748
1,493
—
252,673
Substandard
(3)
127,461
50,845
41,209
11,315
1,125
699
232,654
Total
$
3,771,627
$
1,509,821
$
1,355,372
$
504,138
$
85,181
$
7,832
$
7,233,971
Commodity analysis of past due loans
(1)
On-balance sheet
$
8,345
$
2,997
$
4,059
$
4,176
$
—
$
—
$
19,577
Off-balance sheet
6,476
197
—
631
—
—
7,304
90 days or more past due
$
14,821
$
3,194
$
4,059
$
4,807
$
—
$
—
$
26,881
(1)
Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
(2)
Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
(3)
Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
35
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, the range of original loan-to-value ratios, and the range in the size of borrower exposure for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 5.9
As of
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
By commodity/collateral type:
Crops
$
3,763,456
$
3,771,627
Permanent plantings
1,492,359
1,509,821
Livestock
1,350,610
1,355,372
Part-time farm
517,110
504,138
Ag. Storage and Processing
84,321
85,181
Other
7,729
7,832
Total
$
7,215,585
$
7,233,971
By geographic region
(1)
:
Northwest
$
847,896
$
855,596
Southwest
2,282,664
2,273,184
Mid-North
2,287,199
2,296,073
Mid-South
893,639
883,279
Northeast
337,019
332,370
Southeast
567,168
593,469
Total
$
7,215,585
$
7,233,971
By original loan-to-value ratio:
0.00% to 40.00%
$
1,304,411
$
1,333,790
40.01% to 50.00%
1,831,552
1,811,166
50.01% to 60.00%
2,506,962
2,530,484
60.01% to 70.00%
1,250,982
1,244,823
70.01% to 80.00%
(2)
298,001
289,427
80.01% to 90.00%
(2)
23,677
24,281
Total
$
7,215,585
$
7,233,971
By size of borrower exposure
(3)
:
Less than $1,000,000
$
2,446,989
$
2,431,296
$1,000,000 to $4,999,999
2,736,397
2,755,996
$5,000,000 to $9,999,999
881,847
916,422
$10,000,000 to $24,999,999
604,712
601,349
$25,000,000 and greater
545,640
528,908
Total
$
7,215,585
$
7,233,971
(1)
Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
(2)
Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with original loan-to-value ratios of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance.
(3)
Includes multiple loans to the same borrower or borrower-related entities.
The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when
36
available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment. Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.
Material Related Party Transactions
On February 19, 2019, Farmer Mac purchased a
$546.2 million
portfolio of participations in seasoned Rural Utilities loans from CoBank, ACB and CoBank, FCB (collectively, "CoBank") under a master loan participation agreement entered into on February 13, 2019. CoBank is a related party to Farmer Mac because of its stock ownership in Farmer Mac. For more information, see the Current Report on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on February 20, 2019.
6.
GUARANTEES AND LONG-TERM STANDBY PURCHASE COMMITMENTS
The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans:
Table 6.1
Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
Guaranteed Securities
$
128,221
$
135,862
USDA Guarantees:
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
376,487
367,684
Institutional Credit:
AgVantage Securities
9,898
9,898
Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility
(1)
300,000
300,000
Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
$
814,606
$
813,444
(1)
Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.
Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors. The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations:
Table 6.2
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Proceeds from new securitizations
$
116,708
$
131,202
Guarantee fees received
442
546
Purchases of assets from the trusts
(1)
(4,721
)
(721
)
(1)
Previously reported as loans held for investment in consolidated trust, at amortized cost, on the consolidated balance sheets. Upon purchase, these loans were reclassified to loans held for investment on the consolidated balance sheets.
37
Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated
$2.7 million
and
$2.8 million
as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was
10.3 years
. As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was
4.8 years
and
5.0 years
, respectively.
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments
An LTSPC is a commitment by Farmer Mac to purchase eligible loans from an identified pool of loans under specified circumstances set forth in the applicable agreement, either for cash or in exchange for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, on one or more undetermined future dates. As consideration for its assumption of the credit risk on loans underlying an LTSPC, Farmer Mac receives a commitment fee payable monthly in arrears.
The maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be requested to make under all LTSPCs, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans, was
$3.1 billion
and
$3.2 billion
as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively.
As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was
15.4 years
and
15.3 years
, respectively. For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated
$35.6 million
and
$35.9 million
as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively.
7.
EQUITY
Common Stock
During first quarter 2019, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of
$0.70
per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2018, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of
$0.58
per share on all classes of its common stock.
Farmer Mac's board of directors approved a share repurchase program during third quarter 2015 authorizing Farmer Mac to repurchase up to
$25.0 million
of its outstanding Class C non-voting common stock for two years. In August 2017, Farmer Mac's board of directors approved the continuation of the share repurchase program on its existing terms through August 2019 for the repurchase of up to
$5.4 million
of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock. This is the amount that was remaining under the share repurchase program that Farmer Mac's board of directors originally authorized in third quarter 2015 for the repurchase of up to
$25.0 million
of outstanding Class C non-voting common stock.
On March 14, 2019, Farmer Mac's board of directors modified the terms of the existing share repurchase program by increasing the authorization for the repurchase to up to
$10.0 million
of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock and extending the term of the program through March 2021. Farmer Mac did
not
repurchase any shares during the first quarter 2019 under this program. As of
38
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had repurchased approximately
668,000
shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately
$19.6 million
under the share repurchase program, and has not repurchased any shares since first quarter 2016.
Capital Requirements
Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, the minimum capital requirement was greater than the risk-based capital requirement. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was
$572.9 million
and its core capital level was
$742.0 million
, which was
$169.1 million
above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was
$545.0 million
and its core capital level was
$727.6 million
, which was
$182.6 million
above the minimum capital requirement as of that date.
In accordance with FCA's rule on Farmer Mac's capital planning, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of Tier 1 capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, and qualifying preferred stock) and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.
8. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at
$6.5 billion
whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values (i.e., level 3). These financial instruments measured as Level 3 represented
33%
of total assets and
72%
of financial instruments measured at fair value as of
March 31, 2019
. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at
$6.0 billion
whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values. These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented
32%
of total assets and
73%
of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2018.
Transfers in and/or out of the different levels within the fair value hierarchy are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. During the first three months of both 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements of Farmer Mac's investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Securities, and financial derivatives.
39
The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value:
Table 8.1
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of March 31, 2019
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—
$
—
$
18,912
$
18,912
Floating rate asset-backed securities
—
27,451
—
27,451
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—
1,376,237
—
1,376,237
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—
393
—
393
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
1,034,985
—
—
1,034,985
Total Investment Securities
1,034,985
1,404,081
18,912
2,457,978
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
—
—
6,441,624
6,441,624
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
—
—
6,441,624
6,441,624
USDA Securities:
Trading
—
—
9,487
9,487
Total USDA Securities
—
—
9,487
9,487
Financial derivatives
—
6,053
—
6,053
Total Assets at fair value
$
1,034,985
$
1,410,134
$
6,470,023
$
8,915,142
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives
$
94
$
22,109
$
—
$
22,203
Total Liabilities at fair value
$
94
$
22,109
$
—
$
22,203
Non-recurring:
Assets:
Loans held for investment
$
—
$
—
$
339
$
339
REO
—
—
1,253
1,253
Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value
$
—
$
—
$
1,592
$
1,592
40
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2018
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—
$
—
$
18,715
$
18,715
Floating rate asset-backed securities
—
28,678
—
28,678
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—
1,377,454
—
1,377,454
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—
403
—
403
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
792,602
—
—
792,602
Total available-for-sale
792,602
1,406,535
18,715
2,217,852
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
—
—
5,974,497
5,974,497
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
—
—
5,974,497
5,974,497
USDA Securities:
Trading
—
—
9,999
9,999
Total USDA Securities
—
—
9,999
9,999
Financial derivatives
—
7,487
—
7,487
Total Assets at fair value
$
792,602
$
1,414,022
$
6,003,211
$
8,209,835
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives
$
188
$
19,445
$
—
$
19,633
Total Liabilities at fair value
$
188
$
19,445
$
—
$
19,633
Non-recurring:
Assets:
Loans held for investment
$
—
$
—
$
317
$
317
REO
—
—
128
128
Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value
$
—
$
—
$
445
$
445
41
The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018.
Table 8.2
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning
Balance
Purchases
Sales
Settlements
Realized and
Unrealized Gains included
in Income
Unrealized Gains
included in Other
Comprehensive
Income
Ending
Balance
(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
18,715
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
197
$
18,912
Total available-for-sale
18,715
—
—
—
—
197
18,912
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
5,974,497
776,332
—
(371,733
)
59,352
3,176
6,441,624
Total available-for-sale
5,974,497
776,332
—
(371,733
)
59,352
3,176
6,441,624
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale
—
18,928
(18,928
)
—
—
—
—
Trading
9,999
—
—
(556
)
44
—
9,487
Total USDA Securities
9,999
18,928
(18,928
)
(556
)
44
—
9,487
Total Assets at fair value
$
6,003,211
$
795,260
$
(18,928
)
$
(372,289
)
$
59,396
$
3,373
$
6,470,023
42
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Beginning
Balance
Cumulative Effect from Change in Hedge Accounting
Purchases
Sales
Settlements
Realized and
Unrealized (Losses)/Gains included
in Income
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other
Comprehen-sive
Income
Ending
Balance
(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
18,814
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
196
$
19,010
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
$
4,333
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(109
)
$
—
$
(104
)
$
4,120
Total available-for-sale
23,147
—
—
—
(109
)
—
92
23,130
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage
5,471,914
487
655,447
—
(290,268
)
(18,948
)
20,755
5,839,387
Total available-for-sale
5,471,914
487
655,447
—
(290,268
)
(18,948
)
20,755
5,839,387
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale
—
—
34,293
(34,293
)
—
—
—
—
Trading
(1)
13,515
—
—
—
(1,973
)
16
—
11,558
Total USDA Securities
13,515
—
34,293
(34,293
)
(1,973
)
16
—
11,558
Total Assets at fair value
$
5,508,576
$
487
$
689,740
$
(34,293
)
$
(292,350
)
$
(18,932
)
$
20,847
$
5,874,075
(1)
Includes unrealized gains of
$0.1 million
attributable to assets still held as of
March 31, 2018
that are recorded in "
Gains on trading securities
."
43
The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018.
Table 8.3
As of March 31, 2019
Financial Instruments
Fair Value
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range (Weighted-Average)
(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
18,912
Indicative bids
Range of broker quotes
96.0% - 96.0% (96.0%)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
AgVantage
$
6,441,624
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
1.7% - 4.2% (3.1%)
USDA Securities
$
9,487
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
3.1% - 5.2% (4.9%)
CPR
7% - 19% (17%)
As of December 31, 2018
Financial Instruments
Fair Value
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range (Weighted-Average)
(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
18,715
Indicative bids
Range of broker quotes
95.0% - 95.0% (95.0%)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
AgVantage
$
5,974,497
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
3.0% - 4.4% (3.3%)
USDA Securities
$
9,999
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
3.2% - 5.2% (4.9%)
CPR
7% - 17% (16%)
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurements of AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities is the discount rate commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease. Prepayment rates are not presented in the table above for AgVantage securities because they generally do not pay down principal based on amortization schedules but instead typically have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligations are due.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of USDA Securities are the prepayment rate and discount rate commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase and would likely expect a corresponding decrease in forecasted prepayment rates. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease and would likely expect a corresponding increase in forecasted prepayment rates.
44
Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 8.4
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
376,122
$
376,122
$
425,256
$
425,256
Investment securities
2,503,936
2,503,010
2,263,446
2,262,884
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
8,483,379
8,482,039
8,061,903
8,071,115
USDA Securities
2,113,391
2,134,799
2,113,946
2,176,173
Loans
6,092,347
6,040,088
5,512,781
5,515,052
Financial derivatives
6,053
6,053
7,487
7,487
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:
LTSPCs
36,049
36,660
37,461
36,870
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
3,073
3,253
3,424
3,496
Financial liabilities:
Notes payable:
Due within one year
8,564,034
8,571,615
7,744,388
7,757,050
Due after one year
8,726,760
8,679,287
8,473,558
8,486,647
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
1,575,585
1,567,195
1,501,754
1,528,957
Financial derivatives
22,203
22,203
19,633
19,633
Guarantee and commitment obligations:
LTSPCs
35,026
35,637
36,471
35,880
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
2,472
2,651
2,731
2,803
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as Level 1. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 2. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as Level 3. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as Level 2. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as Level 3. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as Level 3. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for Level 3 financial instruments
45
are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.
9.
BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING
The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and
2018
:
Table 9.1
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural
Utilities
Institutional Credit
Corporate
Reconciling
Adjustments
Consolidated Net Income
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
15,282
$
4,442
$
(274
)
$
18,187
$
2,962
$
—
$
40,599
Less: reconciling adjustments
(1)(2)(3)
(2,545
)
(478
)
3,507
(1,814
)
(468
)
1,798
—
Net effective spread
12,737
3,964
3,233
16,373
2,494
1,798
—
Guarantee and commitment fees
(2)
4,744
224
363
88
—
(1,906
)
3,513
Other income/(expense)
(3)
480
—
7
—
22
(332
)
177
Non-interest income/(loss)
5,224
224
370
88
22
(2,238
)
3,690
Release of loan losses
264
—
—
—
—
—
264
Release of reserve for losses
129
—
—
—
—
—
129
Other non-interest expense
(4,799
)
(1,428
)
(866
)
(2,159
)
(3,638
)
—
(12,890
)
Non-interest expense
(4)
(4,670
)
(1,428
)
(866
)
(2,159
)
(3,638
)
—
(12,761
)
Core earnings before income taxes
13,555
2,760
2,737
14,302
(1,122
)
(440
)
(5)
31,792
Income tax (expense)/benefit
(2,847
)
(580
)
(575
)
(3,003
)
290
93
(6,622
)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest
10,708
2,180
2,162
11,299
(832
)
(347
)
(5)
25,170
Preferred stock dividends
—
—
—
—
(3,296
)
—
(3,296
)
Segment core earnings/(losses)
$
10,708
$
2,180
$
2,162
$
11,299
$
(4,128
)
$
(347
)
(5)
$
21,874
Total assets at carrying value
$
4,698,250
$
2,191,896
$
1,443,393
$
8,502,084
$
2,962,154
$
—
$
19,797,777
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance
$
7,215,585
$
2,484,779
$
2,074,714
$
8,731,835
$
—
$
—
$
20,506,913
(1)
Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts
(2)
Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3)
Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "
Losses on financial derivatives
" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4)
Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount.
(5)
Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.
46
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural
Utilities
Institutional Credit
Corporate
Reconciling
Adjustments
Consolidated Net Income
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
14,941
$
5,070
$
2,537
$
17,832
$
2,849
$
—
$
43,229
Less: reconciling adjustments
(1)(2)(3)
(2,401
)
(670
)
413
(3,008
)
(462
)
6,128
—
Net effective spread
12,540
4,400
2,950
14,824
2,387
6,128
—
Guarantee and commitment fees
(2)
4,378
166
449
90
—
(1,584
)
3,499
Other income/(expense)
(3)
557
5
5
—
(139
)
(3,688
)
(3,260
)
Non-interest income/(loss)
4,935
171
454
90
(139
)
(5,272
)
239
Release of loan losses
431
—
—
—
—
—
431
Provision for reserve for losses
(21
)
—
—
—
—
—
(21
)
Other non-interest expense
(4,520
)
(1,193
)
(673
)
(1,846
)
(3,389
)
—
(11,621
)
Non-interest expense
(4)
(4,541
)
(1,193
)
(673
)
(1,846
)
(3,389
)
—
(11,642
)
Core earnings before income taxes
13,365
3,378
2,731
13,068
(1,141
)
856
(5)
32,257
Income tax (expense)/benefit
(2,807
)
(709
)
(574
)
(2,744
)
575
(179
)
(6,438
)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest
10,558
2,669
2,157
10,324
(566
)
677
(5)
25,819
Preferred stock dividends
—
—
—
—
(3,295
)
—
(3,295
)
Segment core earnings/(losses)
$
10,558
$
2,669
$
2,157
$
10,324
$
(3,861
)
$
677
(5)
$
22,524
Total assets at carrying value
$
4,306,960
$
2,195,714
$
1,043,335
$
8,066,231
$
2,784,996
$
—
$
18,397,236
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance
$
6,932,002
$
2,391,739
$
1,729,797
$
8,325,905
$
—
$
—
$
19,379,443
(1)
Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
(2)
Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3)
Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "
Losses on financial derivatives
" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4)
Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount.
(5)
Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.
47
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Financial information included in this report is consolidated to include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries – Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation and Farmer Mac II LLC. This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with: (1) the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report; and (2) Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In this report, the words "Farmer Mac," "we," "our," and "us" refer to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires.
Some statements made in this report, such as in the "Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section, are "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about management's current expectations for Farmer Mac's future financial results, business prospects, and business developments. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements. These statements typically include terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "may," "could," "should," and similar phrases. This report includes forward-looking statements addressing Farmer Mac's:
•
prospects for earnings;
•
prospects for growth in business volume;
•
trends in net interest income and net effective spread;
•
trends in portfolio credit quality, delinquencies, substandard assets, credit losses, and provisions for losses;
•
trends in expenses;
•
trends in investment securities;
•
prospects for asset impairments and allowance for losses;
•
changes in capital position;
•
future dividend payments; and
•
other business and financial matters.
Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve assumptions, estimates, and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties. Various factors or events, both known and unknown, could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019, and uncertainties about:
•
the availability to Farmer Mac of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms;
•
legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac, its sources of business, or the agricultural or rural utilities industries;
•
fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries;
48
•
the rate and direction of development of the secondary market for agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans, including lender interest in Farmer Mac's products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac;
•
the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities indebtedness;
•
the effect of economic conditions, including the effects of drought and other weather-related conditions and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values, on agricultural mortgage lending and borrower repayment capacity;
•
the effect of any changes in Farmer Mac's executive leadership;
•
developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;
•
changes in the level and direction of interest rates, which could, among other things, affect the value of collateral securing Farmer Mac's agricultural mortgage loan assets;
•
the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to basis risk, which results from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes; and
•
volatility in commodity prices relative to costs of production, changes in U.S. trade policies, or fluctuations in export demand for U.S. agricultural products.
Considering these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this report. Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. The information in this report is not necessarily indicative of future results.
49
Overview
We increased our outstanding business volume by a net
$782.4 million
, or
4.0%
, to
$20.5
billion during first quarter 2019. This increase was driven by net growth of $482.6 million in the Rural Utilities line of business and $349.0 million in the Institutional Credit line of business.
Our overall credit quality as of March 31, 2019 declined modestly compared to December 31, 2018. Our 90-day delinquencies and substandard assets each increased both in dollars and as a percentage of the Farm & Ranch portfolio compared to year-end 2018, though Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency rate and substandard asset rate each remained below Farmer Mac's historical averages. We released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses because of a decrease in our Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on $25 million of Farm & Ranch loans that we identified as impaired and individually evaluated. In first quarter 2018, we also released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses.
On March 14, 2019, Farmer Mac's board of directors modified the terms of the existing share repurchase program by increasing the authorization for the repurchase to up to $10.0 million of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock and extending the term of the program through March 2021.
The discussion below of Farmer Mac's financial information includes "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
Net Income and Core Earnings
Our net income attributable to common stockholders for first quarter
2019
was
$21.9 million
, compared to
$19.6 million
in fourth quarter 2018 and
$22.5 million
in first quarter 2018.
The
$2.3 million
sequential increase in net income attributable to common stockholders was primarily due to a $2.1 million after-tax decrease in losses on undesignated financial derivatives and a $1.0 million after-tax decrease in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. The sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to the absence of technology implementation costs in the amount of $0.5 million after tax that were incurred in the previous quarter. The remainder of the sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to decreases in servicing advances and hiring expenses. These sequential positive factors were offset in part by a decrease of $1.3 million after tax in net interest income.
The
$0.6 million
year-over-year decrease in net income attributable to common stockholders was primarily driven by a
$2.1 million
after-tax decrease in net interest income and a $1.0 million after-tax increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased headcount and continued investments in technology and business infrastructure to expand capacity and efficiency. The year-over-year negative factors were offset in part by a
$2.8 million
after-tax decrease in losses on undesignated financial derivatives.
Our non-GAAP core earnings for first quarter
2019
were
$22.2 million
, compared to
$20.5 million
in fourth quarter 2018 and
$21.8 million
in first quarter 2018.
50
The
$1.7 million
sequential increase in core earnings was primarily due to: (1) a
$1.0 million
after-tax decrease in G&A expenses; (2) a $0.5 million after-tax increase in late fees and other income received; and (3) a $0.4 million after-tax decrease in our provision for losses. The sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to the absence of technology implementation costs in the amount of $0.5 million after tax that were incurred in the previous quarter. The remainder of the sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to decreases in servicing advances and hiring expenses.
The
$0.4 million
year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a
$1.3 million
after-tax increase in net effective spread. The year-over-year increase was offset in part primarily by a
$1.0 million
after-tax increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased headcount and continued investments in technology and business infrastructure to expand capacity and efficiency.
For more information about net income attributable to common stockholders, the composition of core earnings, and a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations." For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
Net Interest Income and Net Effective Spread
Net interest income was
$40.6 million
for first quarter 2019, compared to
$42.2 million
for fourth quarter 2018 and
$43.2 million
in first quarter 2018. The overall net interest yield was
0.86%
for first quarter 2019, compared to
0.93%
for fourth quarter 2018 and
0.98%
for first quarter 2018.
The $1.6 million and 7 basis point sequential decrease in net interest income was primarily due to: (1) a $1.9 million net change in fair value on financial derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedge accounting relationships; and (2) a $0.6 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs. These negative factors were partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in interest income generated from new business volume. The 7 basis point sequential decrease was primarily attributable to a 4 basis point increase in losses on financial derivatives that are in fair value hedge accounting relationships and a 1 basis point increase in LIBOR-based funding costs.
The $2.6 million and 12 basis point year-over-year decrease in net interest income was primarily due to: (1) a $5.5 million net change in fair value on financial derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedge accounting relationships; and (2) a $0.5 million increase in LIBOR-based funding costs. These negative factors were partially offset by: (1) a $2.1 million increase in interest income generated from new business volume; (2) a $0.7 million increase in net yield adjustments related to the amortization of premiums and discounts; and (3) a $0.5 million increase resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. The 12 basis point year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to a 12 basis point increase in losses on financial derivatives that are in fair value hedge accounting relationships.
Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, was
$38.8 million
in first quarter 2019, compared to
$38.9 million
in fourth quarter 2018 and
$37.1 million
in first quarter 2018. In percentage terms, net effective spread was
0.89%
in first quarter 2019, compared to
0.93%
in fourth quarter 2018 and
0.91%
in first quarter 2018. Farmer Mac uses net effective spread as an alternative measure to net interest income because management believes it is a useful metric that reflects the economics of the net spread between all
51
the assets owned by Farmer Mac and all related funding, including any associated derivatives, some of which may not be included in net interest income.
The
$0.1 million
sequential decrease in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in LIBOR-based funding costs, which was mostly offset by a $0.5 million increase in net effective spread resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities. In percentage terms, net effective spread decreased by 4 basis points from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019, primarily due to a 1 basis point increase in our LIBOR-based funding costs and the 1 basis point effect of fewer interest-earning days in first quarter 2019 than in the previous quarter.
The
$1.7 million
year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in net effective spread from new business volume and a $0.5 million increase in net effective spread from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. These positive factors were partially offset by $0.5 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs and a $0.3 million decrease in cash basis interest income. Net effective spread in percentage terms decreased by 2 basis points in first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018, which was primarily due to the increase in funding costs.
For more information about Farmer Mac's use of net effective spread as a financial measure, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures." For a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread, see Table 6 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Net Interest Income."
Business Volume
Our outstanding business volume was
$20.5 billion
as of March 31, 2019, a net increase of
$782.4 million
from December 31, 2018, after taking into account all new business, maturities, and paydowns on existing assets. This increase was driven by net growth of $482.6 million in the Rural Utilities line of business and $349.0 million in the Institutional Credit line of business, partially offset by net decreases of $30.8 million in the USDA Guarantees line of business and $18.4 million in the Farm & Ranch line of business.
For more information about Farmer Mac's business volume, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Business Volume."
Capital
As of
March 31, 2019
, our core capital level was
$742.0 million
, which was
$169.1 million
above the minimum capital level required by our statutory charter. As of
December 31, 2018
, our core capital level was
$727.6 million
, which was
$182.6 million
above the minimum capital requirement. The decrease in capital above the minimum capital level was due to growth in our outstanding business volume.
Credit Quality
Our overall credit quality as of March 31, 2019 declined modestly compared to December 31, 2018, which is consistent with our stated expectations that our 90-day delinquency and substandard assets rates will revert closer to their respective historical averages. Our 90-day delinquencies and substandard assets each increased both in dollars and as a percentage of the Farm & Ranch portfolio compared to year-end 2018,
52
though Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency rate and substandard asset rate each remained below Farmer Mac's historical averages. We released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses because of a decrease in Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on $25 million in Farm & Ranch loans that we identified as impaired and individually evaluated. In first quarter 2018, we also released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's allowance for losses was
$8.8 million
(
0.12%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to
$9.2 million
(
0.13%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018. The $0.4 million decrease in the total allowance for losses in first quarter 2019 was primarily due to net paydowns in our Farm & Ranch loan portfolio and lower specific allowance amounts on impaired loans.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were
$246.7 million
(
3.4%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio)
,
compared to
$232.7 million
(
3.2%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of
December 31, 2018
. The $14.0 million increase in substandard assets in first quarter 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 was due to the downgrade of more assets into the substandard category than those that paid off or migrated to a more favorable category. Of the assets that were downgraded into the substandard category, most consisted of crop and livestock loans, specifically in the corn and soybean, peanut, and cattle and calves commodity sub-groups.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were
$52.4 million
(
0.73%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to
$26.9 million
(
0.37%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of
December 31, 2018
and
$47.6 million
(
0.69%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of March 31, 2018. The sequential increase is primarily due to seasonal delinquencies associated with loans that have annual (January 1st) and semi-annual (January 1st and July 1st) payment terms, which account for most of the loans in the Farm & Ranch portfolio. As of March 31, 2019, 90-day delinquencies have improved across all major commodity groups other than crops. Although the 90-day delinquency rate for crops remains elevated relative to other commodity groups, idiosyncratic factors also played a significant role in the higher 90-day delinquency rate for crops for first quarter 2019. Specifically, four large delinquent crop loans accounted for nearly 45% of all crop delinquencies during the quarter. Those four loans relate to the alfalfa, barley, peanut, and cotton commodities and not to corn or soybeans, which have experienced continued downward pricing pressures from trade disruptions and increased production.
For more information about Farmer Mac's credit metrics, including 90-day delinquencies, the total allowance for losses, and substandard assets, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In the accompanying analysis of its financial information, Farmer Mac sometimes uses "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, Farmer Mac uses the following non-GAAP measures: "core earnings," "core earnings per share," and "net effective spread." Farmer Mac uses these non-GAAP measures to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, they are useful alternative measures in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends.
The non-GAAP financial measures that Farmer Mac uses may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of these non-GAAP
53
measures is intended to be supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Core Earnings and Core Earnings Per Share
Core earnings and core earnings per share principally differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations. These fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is expected.
Core earnings and core earnings per share also differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that we believe are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. For a reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and of earnings per common share to core earnings per share, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations."
Net Effective Spread
Farmer Mac uses net effective spread to measure the net spread Farmer Mac earns between its interest-earning assets and the related net funding costs of these assets. Net effective spread differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it excludes: (1) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value that are amortized as adjustments to yield in interest income over the contractual or estimated remaining lives of the underlying assets; (2) interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, which are presented on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheets as "
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
"; and (3) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in a fair value hedge relationship.
Farmer Mac excludes from net effective spread the premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value because they either do not reflect actual cash premiums paid for the assets at acquisition or are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance if the assets are held to maturity, as is expected. Farmer Mac also excludes from net effective spread the interest income and interest expense associated with the consolidated trusts and the average balance of the loans underlying these trusts to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns on the related Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities owned by third parties is effectively a guarantee fee. Accordingly, the excluded interest income and interest expense associated with consolidated trusts is reclassified to guarantee and commitment fees in determining Farmer Mac's core earnings. Farmer Mac also excludes from net effective spread the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in fair value hedge relationships because they are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance, as we expect to hold the financial derivatives and corresponding hedged items to maturity.
Net effective spread also principally differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives
54
that are not designated in hedge relationships ("undesignated financial derivatives"). Farmer Mac uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk exposure by synthetically modifying the interest rate reset or maturity characteristics of certain assets and liabilities. The accrual of the contractual amounts due on interest rate swaps designated in hedge relationships is included as an adjustment to the yield or cost of the hedged item and is included in net interest income. For undesignated financial derivatives, Farmer Mac records the income or expense related to the accrual of the contractual amounts due in "
Losses on financial derivatives
" on the consolidated statements of operations. However, the accrual of the contractual amounts due for undesignated financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's calculation of net effective spread.
Net effective spread also differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, which consist of: (1) the net effects of cash settlements on agency forward contracts on the debt of other GSEs and U.S. Treasury security futures that we use as short-term economic hedges on the issuance of debt; and (2) the net effects of initial cash payments that Farmer Mac receives upon the inception of certain swaps. The inclusion of these items in net effective spread is intended to reflect our view of the complete net spread between an asset and all of its related funding, including any associated derivatives, whether or not they are designated in a hedge accounting relationship.
For a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread, see Table 6 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Net Interest Income."
Results of Operations
Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for first quarter 2019 was
$21.9 million
(
$2.03
per diluted common share), compared to
$22.5 million
(
$2.10
per diluted common share) for first quarter 2018. Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for first quarter 2019 were
$22.2 million
(
$2.06
per diluted common share), compared to
$21.8 million
(
$2.03
per diluted common share) for first quarter 2018. For more information about the changes in net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Net Income and Core Earnings."
Reconciliations of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and core earnings per share are presented in the following tables along with information about the composition of core earnings:
55
Table 1
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874
$
22,524
Less reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 8)
2,240
(2,279
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(2,817
)
2,564
Unrealized gains on trading securities
44
16
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(16
)
(686
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
110
1,242
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
92
(180
)
Sub-total
(347
)
677
Core earnings
$
22,221
$
21,847
Composition of Core Earnings:
Revenues:
Net effective spread
(1)
$
38,801
$
37,101
Guarantee and commitment fees
(2)
5,419
5,083
Other
(3)
509
428
Total revenues
44,729
42,612
Credit related expense (GAAP):
Release of losses
(393
)
(410
)
REO operating expenses
—
16
Total credit related expense
(393
)
(394
)
Operating expenses (GAAP):
Compensation and employee benefits
7,606
6,654
General and administrative
4,596
4,326
Regulatory fees
688
625
Total operating expenses
12,890
11,605
Net earnings
32,232
31,401
Income tax expense
(4)
6,715
6,259
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)
3,296
3,295
Core earnings
$
22,221
$
21,847
Core earnings per share:
Basic
$
2.08
$
2.06
Diluted
2.06
2.03
Weighted-average shares:
Basic
10,670
10,622
Diluted
10,777
10,741
(1)
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" for an explanation of net effective spread. See Table 6 for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.
56
(2)
Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(3)
Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(4)
Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.
Table 2
Reconciliation of GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings - Basic Earnings Per Share
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Basic EPS
$
2.05
$
2.12
Less reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 8)
0.21
(0.21
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(0.26
)
0.24
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
—
(0.06
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
0.01
0.12
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
0.01
(0.03
)
Sub-total
(0.03
)
0.06
Core Earnings - Basic EPS
$
2.08
$
2.06
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,670
10,622
Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings - Diluted Earnings Per Share
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Diluted EPS
$
2.03
$
2.10
Less reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 8)
0.21
(0.21
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(0.26
)
0.24
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
—
(0.06
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
0.01
0.12
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
0.01
(0.02
)
Sub-total
(0.03
)
0.07
Core Earnings - Diluted EPS
$
2.06
$
2.03
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,777
10,741
57
The non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings are:
1. (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives due to fair value changes are presented by two reconciling items in Table 1 above: (1) Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes; and (2) Losses/(gains) on hedging activities due to fair value changes. The table below calculates the non-GAAP reconciling item for (losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes:
Table 3
Non-GAAP Reconciling Items for (Losses)/Gains on Hedging Activities due to Fair Value Changes
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
(Losses)/gains due to fair value changes (see Table 4.2)
(2,699
)
2,838
Initial cash payment received at inception of swap
(118
)
(274
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
$
(2,817
)
$
2,564
2. Unrealized gains on trading securities. The unrealized gains/(losses) on trading securities are reported on Farmer Mac's consolidated statements of operations, which represent changes during the period in fair values for trading assets remaining on Farmer Mac's balance sheet as of the end of the reporting period.
3. Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value. The amount of this non-GAAP reconciling item is the recorded amount of premium, discount, or deferred gain amortization during the reporting period on those assets for which the premium, discount, or deferred gain was based on the application of an accounting principle (e.g., consolidation of variable interest entities) rather than on a cash transaction (e.g., a purchase price premium or discount).
4. The net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. These terminations or net settlements relate to:
•
Forward contracts on the debt of other GSEs and futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities. These contracts are used as a short-term economic hedge of the issuance of debt. For GAAP purposes, realized gains or losses on settlements of these contracts are reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they occur. For core earnings purposes, these realized gains or losses are deferred and amortized as net yield adjustments over the term of the related debt, which generally ranges from 3 to 15 years.
•
Initial cash payments received by Farmer Mac upon the inception of certain swaps. When there is no direct payment arrangement between a swap dealer counterparty and a debt dealer issuing Farmer Mac's medium-term notes for a particular transaction, Farmer Mac may receive an initial cash payment from the swap dealer at the inception of the swap to offset dollar-for-dollar the amount of the discount on the associated hedged debt. For GAAP purposes, changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in "Gains on financial derivatives," while the economically offsetting discount on the associated hedged debt is amortized over the term of the debt as an adjustment to its yield. For core earnings purposes, these initial cash payments are deferred and amortized as net yield adjustments over the term of the related debt, which generally ranges from 3 to 15 years.
The following sections provide more detail about specific components of Farmer Mac's results of operations.
58
Net Interest Income
. The following table provides information about interest-earning assets and funding for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018. The average balance of non-accruing loans is included in the average balance of loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities presented, though the related income is accounted for on a cash basis. Therefore, as the average balance of non-accruing loans and the income received increases or decreases, the net interest income and yield will fluctuate accordingly. The average balance of loans in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties is disclosed in the net effect of consolidated trusts and is not included in the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The interest income and expense associated with these trusts are shown in the net effect of consolidated trusts.
Table 4
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Average
Balance
Income/
Expense
Average
Rate
Average
Balance
Income/
Expense
Average
Rate
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Cash and investments
$
2,815,695
$
18,707
2.66
%
$
2,639,766
$
11,463
1.74
%
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
(1)
14,557,209
121,781
3.35
%
13,627,493
95,161
2.79
%
Total interest-earning assets
17,372,904
140,488
3.23
%
16,267,259
106,624
2.62
%
Funding:
Notes payable due within one year
3,510,208
21,265
2.42
%
3,902,446
13,716
1.41
%
Notes payable due after one year
(2)
13,187,397
80,529
2.44
%
11,652,847
51,263
1.76
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
(3)
16,697,605
101,794
2.44
%
15,555,293
64,979
1.67
%
Net non-interest-bearing funding
675,299
—
711,966
—
Total funding
17,372,904
101,794
2.34
%
16,267,259
64,979
1.60
%
Net interest income/yield prior to consolidation of certain trusts
17,372,904
38,694
0.89
%
16,267,259
41,645
1.02
%
Net effect of consolidated trusts
(4)
1,544,172
1,905
0.49
%
1,381,481
1,584
0.46
%
Net interest income/yield
$
18,917,076
$
40,599
0.86
%
$
17,648,740
$
43,229
0.98
%
(1)
Excludes interest income of
$15.0 million
and
$12.9 million
in first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
(2)
Includes current portion of long-term notes.
(3)
Excludes interest expense of
$13.1 million
and
$11.3 million
in first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
(4)
Includes the effect of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
The $2.6 million and 12 basis point year-over-year decrease in net interest income was primarily due to: (1) a $5.5 million net change in fair value on financial derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedge accounting relationships; and (2) a $0.5 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs. These negative factors were partially offset by: (1) a $2.1 million increase in interest income generated from new business volume; (2) a $0.7 million increase in net yield adjustments related to the amortization of premiums and discounts; and (3) a $0.5 million increase resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. The 12 basis point sequential decrease was primarily attributable to a 12 basis point increase in losses on financial derivatives that are in fair value hedge accounting relationships.
The following table sets forth information about changes in the components of Farmer Mac's net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts for the periods indicated. For each category, information is provided on changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by old rate) and changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume). Combined rate/volume variances, the third element of the calculation, are allocated based on their relative size.
59
Table 5
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to Same Period in 2018
Increase/(Decrease) Due to
Rate
Volume
Total
(in thousands)
Income from interest-earning assets:
Cash and investments
$
6,435
$
809
$
7,244
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
19,798
6,822
26,620
Total
26,233
7,631
33,864
Expense from other interest-bearing liabilities
31,741
5,074
36,815
Change in net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts
(1)
$
(5,508
)
$
2,557
$
(2,951
)
(1)
Excludes the effect of debt in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread. Net effective spread is measured by: including (1) expenses related to undesignated financial derivatives, which consists of income or expense related to contractual amounts due on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships (the income or expense related to financial derivatives designated in hedge relationships is already included in net interest income), and (2) the amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements of financial derivatives; and excluding (3) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, (4) the net effects of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, and (5) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and corresponding financial assets or liabilities in fair value hedge relationships. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" for more information about the explanation of net effective spread.
Table 6
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Dollars
Yield
Dollars
Yield
(dollars in thousands)
Net interest income/yield
$
40,599
0.86
%
$
43,229
0.98
%
Net effects of consolidated trusts
(1,905
)
0.03
%
(1,584
)
0.04
%
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives
(2,544
)
(0.06
)%
(2,302
)
(0.06
)%
Amortization of premiums/discounts on assets consolidated at fair value
23
—
%
694
0.02
%
Amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
(71
)
—
%
(98
)
—
%
Fair value changes on fair value hedge relationships
2,699
0.06
%
(2,838
)
(0.07
)%
Net effective spread
$
38,801
0.89
%
$
37,101
0.91
%
The
$1.7 million
year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in net effective spread from new business volume and a $0.5 million increase in net effective spread resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. These positive factors were partially offset by $0.5 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs and a $0.3 million decrease in cash basis interest income. Net effective spread in percentage terms decreased by 2 basis points in first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018, which was primarily due to the increase in LIBOR-based funding costs.
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See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about net interest income and net effective spread from Farmer Mac's individual business segments. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Supplemental Information" for quarterly net effective spread by line of business.
Release of and Provision for Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses
. The following table summarizes the components of Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses for the three months ended
March 31, 2019
and 2018:
Table 7
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Reserve
for Losses
Total
Allowance
for Losses
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Reserve
for Losses
Total
Allowance
for Losses
(in thousands)
Beginning Balance
$
7,017
$
2,167
$
9,184
$
6,796
$
2,070
$
8,866
(Release of)/provision for losses
(264
)
(129
)
(393
)
(431
)
21
(410
)
Charge-offs
—
—
—
—
—
—
Ending Balance
$
6,753
$
2,038
$
8,791
$
6,365
$
2,091
$
8,456
Although our overall credit quality declined modestly during the first quarter of 2019, we released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses because of a decrease in Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on $25 million in Farm & Ranch loans that we identified as impaired and individually evaluated. Specifically, the modest decline in credit quality of the Farm & Ranch portfolio, which contributed $0.2 million to the total allowance for losses, was more than offset by the decline in outstanding Farm & Ranch business volume and the lower specific allowance amounts on the $25 million in impaired Farm & Ranch loans, which reduced the total allowance for losses by $0.5 million, in aggregate.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac individually evaluated
$59.8 million
of the
$174.8 million
of recorded investment in impaired assets for collateral shortfalls against updated appraised values, other updated collateral valuations, or discounted values. For the remaining
$115.0 million
of impaired assets for which updated valuations were not available, Farmer Mac evaluated them in the aggregate in consideration of their similar risk characteristics and historical statistics. Farmer Mac recorded specific allowances of
$3.3 million
for undercollateralized assets as of
March 31, 2019
. Farmer Mac's general allowances were
$5.5 million
as of
March 31, 2019
.
The releases to the allowance for loan losses recorded during first quarter 2018 were attributable to (1) paydowns or payoffs of loans with an existing allowance in amounts that exceeded the increase in the allowance associated with net volume growth in Farm & Ranch loans recorded in first quarter 2018, and (2) paydowns on existing substandard loans or an improvement in the risk ratings of certain substandard loans, which resulted in the reduction of the amount of substandard assets rated in the lowest credit quality tier.
See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
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Guarantee and Commitment Fees
. Guarantee and commitment fees, which compensate Farmer Mac for assuming the credit risk on loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs, were
$3.5 million
for both first quarter 2019 and 2018.
Guarantee and commitment fees, for the purpose of core earnings, include interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Guarantee and commitment fees, for the purpose of core earnings, were
$5.4 million
for first quarter 2019 compared to
$5.1 million
for first quarter 2018.
For more information about net income attributable to common stockholders, the composition of core earnings, and a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations." For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
Losses on financial derivatives
. The components of gains and losses on financial derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are summarized in the following table:
Table 8
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Losses on financial derivatives:
Gains/(losses) due to fair value changes
$
2,240
$
(2,279
)
Accrual of contractual payments
(2,544
)
(2,302
)
(Losses)/gains due to terminations or net settlements
(56
)
731
Losses on financial derivatives
$
(360
)
$
(3,850
)
These changes in fair value are primarily the result of fluctuations in long-term interest rates. The accrual of periodic cash settlements for interest paid or received from Farmer Mac's interest rate swaps that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships is shown as expense related to financial derivatives. Payments or receipts to terminate derivative positions or net cash settled forward sales contracts on the debt of other GSEs and U.S. Treasury security futures that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships and initial cash payments received upon the inception of certain swaps not designated in hedge accounting relationships are included in "Gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements" in the table above. For swaps not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, when there is no direct payment arrangement between a swap dealer counterparty and a debt dealer issuing Farmer Mac's medium-term notes for a particular transaction, Farmer Mac may receive an initial cash payment from the swap dealer at the inception of the swap to offset dollar-for-dollar the amount of the discount on the associated hedged debt. Changes in the fair value of these swaps are recognized immediately in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives," while the offsetting discount on the hedged debt is amortized over the term of the debt as an adjustment to its yield. The amounts of initial cash payments received by Farmer Mac vary depending on the number of the aforementioned type of swaps it executes during a quarter.
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Other Income
. Other income totaled
$0.5 million
for first quarter 2019, compared to
$0.6 million
for first quarter 2018. Other income includes late fees of $0.4 million and $0.5 million on Farm & Ranch loans, in the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Compensation and Employee Benefits
.
Compensation and employee benefits were
$7.6 million
for first quarter 2019, compared to
$6.7 million
for first quarter 2018. The increase in compensation and employee benefits in first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018 was due to an increase in headcount and related employee health insurance costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
.
G&A expenses were
$4.6 million
for first quarter 2019, compared to
$4.3 million
for first quarter 2018. The increase in G&A expenses for first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018 was primarily due to an increase in hiring expenses of $0.2 million.
Regulatory Fees
.
Regulatory fees, which consist of the fees paid to the Farm Credit Administration ("FCA"), an independent agency in the executive branch of the United States government that regulates Farmer Mac, were
$0.7 million
for first quarter 2019, compared to
$0.6 million
for first quarter 2018. FCA has advised Farmer Mac that its estimated fees for the federal government fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 would increase to $2.75 million ($0.688 million per federal government fiscal quarter). After the end of a federal government fiscal year, FCA may revise its prior year estimated assessments to reflect actual costs incurred, and has issued both additional assessments and refunds in the past.
Income Tax Expense
. Income tax expense was
$6.6 million
for first quarter 2019, compared to
$6.4 million
for first quarter 2018. The effective federal tax rate for first quarter 2019 closely approximates the 21.0% statutory federal corporate tax rate. For first quarter 2018, the effective tax rate was 20.0% due to tax benefits associated with stock compensation exercises.
Business Volume
. During first quarter
2019
, we added
$1.7 billion
of gross new business volume, compared to
$1.4 billion
in first quarter 2018. Specifically, we:
•
purchased
$825.4 million
of AgVantage securities;
•
purchased
$546.2 million
of Rural Utilities loans;
•
purchased
$203.2 million
of newly originated Farm & Ranch loans;
•
added
$91.2 million
of Farm & Ranch loans under LTSPCs;
•
purchased
$38.3 million
of USDA Securities; and
•
issued
$18.9 million
of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
Our outstanding business volume was
$20.5 billion
as of March 31, 2019, a net increase of
$782.4 million
from December 31, 2018, after taking into account all new business, maturities, and paydowns on existing assets. This increase was driven by net growth of $482.6 million in the Rural Utilities line of business and $349.0 million in the Institutional Credit line of business. This net growth was partially offset by a net decrease of $30.8 million in the USDA Guarantees line of business and a net decrease of $18.4 million in the Farm & Ranch line of business.
The net growth in our Rural Utilities line of business was primarily due to the purchase of a
$546.2 million
portfolio of participations in seasoned loans from CoBank. Because this transaction settled on February 19, 2019, it contributed less than half a quarter's worth of net effective spread in first quarter 2019. This was the first time we have purchased program assets in any of our lines of business from
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CoBank.
Within the Institutional Credit line of business, we experienced net business volume growth in AgVantage securities purchased from large counterparties of $333.8 million and net business volume growth purchased from smaller financial fund counterparties of $15.3 million. The net growth from our large counterparties was driven by the purchase of a new $325 million AgVantage security in the rural utilities industry. Because our purchase of this security settled on February 15, 2019, it contributed approximately a half quarter's worth of net effective spread in first quarter 2019.
Our Farm & Ranch line of business experienced a net decrease of $18.4 million, which was comprised of a net decrease of $41.0 million in loans under LTSPCs, partially offset by a $22.6 million net increase in our outstanding loan purchase volume. Based on our analysis of bank and Farm Credit System call report data, the growth rate of the overall agricultural mortgage market declined in 2018. Nevertheless, our net growth of 7.9% in Farm & Ranch loan purchases over the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 compared favorably to the 4.7% net growth of the overall agricultural mortgage loan market over the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Although our gross purchase volume slowed during first quarter 2019, the loan prepayment rate during the quarter was among the lowest we have ever experienced. We believe that the decrease in gross purchase volume correlates with our overall market observations of less demand for mortgage refinancings and fewer agricultural real estate transactions.
Our USDA Guarantees line of business experienced a net decrease of $30.8 million in first quarter 2019 compared to net growth of $39.5 million in first quarter 2018. This decrease in growth reflects lower loan volume being processed through the USDA and the impact of the government shutdown during January 2019.
For more information about potential growth opportunities in Farmer Mac's lines of business, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Outlook" in this report.
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The following table sets forth gross purchase volumes of non-delinquent eligible loans, new loans added under LTSPCs, and new guarantees during the periods indicated in the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, and Rural Utilities lines of business, as well as purchases of AgVantage securities in the Institutional Credit line of business. The table also sets forth the net growth or decrease under Farmer Mac's lines of business, after maturities, principal paydowns, and sales:
Table 9
New Business Volume – Farmer Mac Loan Purchases, Guarantees, LTSPCs, and AgVantage Securities
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
Gross volume
Net growth/(decrease)
Gross Volume
Net growth/(decrease)
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
Loans
$
203,156
$
22,574
$
259,111
$
75,626
LTSPCs
91,215
(40,962
)
159,065
(11,210
)
USDA Guarantees:
USDA Securities
38,296
(39,644
)
89,232
9,307
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
18,927
8,803
34,293
30,218
Rural Utilities:
Loans
546,198
490,258
8,645
(32,814
)
LTSPCs
—
(7,660
)
—
(120,022
)
Institutional Credit:
AgVantage securities
825,417
349,018
813,337
421,027
Total purchases, guarantees, LTSPCs, and AgVantage securities
$
1,723,209
$
782,387
$
1,363,683
$
372,132
During first quarter 2019, we purchased 466 Farm & Ranch term loans and revolving line of credit draws. These purchases consisted of 194 term loans with an average unpaid principal balance of $660,000 and 272 revolving line of credit draws with an average unpaid principal balance of $276,000. During first quarter 2018, we purchased 575 Farm & Ranch term loans and revolving line of credit draws. These purchases consisted of 295 term loans with an average unpaid principal balance of $762,000 and 280 revolving line of credit draws with an average unpaid principal balance of $126,000.
Farmer Mac either retains the loans it purchases or securitizes them and retains or sells Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities backed by those loans. The weighted-average age of the Farm & Ranch non-delinquent eligible loans purchased and retained (excluding the purchases of defaulted loans) during both first quarter
2019
and
2018
was
less than one year
. Of those loans,
65%
and
68%
had principal amortization periods longer than the maturity date, resulting in balloon payments at maturity, with a weighted-average remaining term to maturity of
18.8
years and
22.0
years, respectively.
During first quarter
2019
and
2018
, Farmer Mac securitized some of the Farm & Ranch loans it had purchased and sold the resulting Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, as shown below. Farmer Mac consolidates these loans and presents them as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost" on the consolidated balance sheets. In first quarter 2019 and 2018,
$63.1 million
and
$29.8 million
, respectively, of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities were sold to Zions First National Bank, which is a related party to Farmer Mac.
65
The following table sets forth information about the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issued during the periods indicated:
Table 10
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Loans securitized and sold as Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities
$
97,780
$
96,909
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
18,928
34,293
AgVantage securities
825,417
813,337
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issuances
$
942,125
$
944,539
The following table sets forth information about outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of the dates indicated:
Table 11
Lines of Business - Outstanding Business Volume
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
Loans
$
3,044,567
$
3,071,222
Loans held in trusts:
Beneficial interests owned by third party investors
1,566,330
1,517,101
LTSPCs
2,476,467
2,509,787
Guaranteed Securities
128,221
135,862
USDA Guarantees:
USDA Securities
2,081,498
2,120,553
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
403,281
395,067
Rural Utilities:
Loans
1,429,101
938,843
LTSPCs
(1)
645,613
653,272
Institutional Credit
AgVantage Securities
8,431,835
8,082,817
Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility
(2)
300,000
300,000
Total
$
20,506,913
$
19,724,524
(1)
As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, includes
$20.0 million
and
$17.0 million
, respectively, related to one-year loan purchase commitments on which Farmer Mac receives a nominal unused commitment fee.
(2)
During
first quarter 2019
,
$100.0 million
of this facility was drawn and later repaid. During first quarter
2018
, this facility was not utilized. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility. If the counterparty draws on the facility, the amounts drawn will be in the form of AgVantage securities, and Farmer Mac will earn interest income on those securities.
66
The following table summarizes by maturity date the scheduled principal amortization of loans held, loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) and LTSPCs, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities as of
March 31, 2019
:
Table 12
Schedule of Principal Amortization as of March 31, 2019
Loans Held
Loans Underlying Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs
USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
Total
(in thousands)
2019
$
171,579
$
183,307
$
78,710
$
433,596
2020
257,086
243,592
114,487
615,165
2021
316,532
271,347
111,069
698,948
2022
249,537
208,539
114,578
572,654
2023
261,623
195,688
119,170
576,481
Thereafter
4,783,641
2,147,828
1,946,765
8,878,234
Total
$
6,039,998
$
3,250,301
$
2,484,779
$
11,775,078
Of the
$20.5 billion
outstanding principal balance of volume included in Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of
March 31, 2019
,
$8.7 billion
were AgVantage securities included in the Institutional Credit line of business. Unlike business volume in the form of purchased loans, USDA Securities, and loans underlying LTSPCs and non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, most AgVantage securities do not require periodic payments of principal based on amortization schedules and instead have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligation is due. The following table summarizes by maturity date the outstanding principal amount of both on- and off-balance sheet AgVantage securities as of
March 31, 2019
:
Table 13
AgVantage Balances by Year of Maturity
As of
March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
2019
$
1,087,811
2020
1,328,822
2021
1,593,980
2022
1,039,944
2023
(1)
1,098,402
Thereafter
(2)
2,582,876
Total
$
8,731,835
(1)
Includes the expiration of the $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility.
(2)
Includes various maturities ranging from 2024 to 2044.
The weighted-average remaining maturity of the outstanding AgVantage securities shown in the table above was
5.4
years as of
March 31, 2019
.
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Outlook
Farmer Mac continues to provide a stable source of liquidity, capital, and risk management tools as the secondary market that helps meet the financing needs of rural America. While the pace of Farmer Mac's growth will depend on the capital and liquidity needs of the participants in the rural financing business, Farmer Mac foresees opportunities for continued growth across our lines of business, driven by several key factors:
•
As agricultural and rural utilities lenders seek to manage equity capital and return on equity capital requirements or seek to reduce exposure due to lending limits or concentration limits, Farmer Mac can provide relief for those institutions through loan purchases, participations, guarantees, LTSPCs, or wholesale funding.
•
Overall loan growth within the rural utilities industry appears to be modest in the near term due to generally flat demand for capital. Future growth opportunities for Farmer Mac related to this industry through its Rural Utilities and Institutional Credit lines of business may arise from transacting business with a new counterparty for Farmer Mac and may include new types of loan products. However, Farmer Mac's growth may be impacted by sector growth, credit quality, and the competitiveness of Farmer Mac's products.
•
As a result of business development efforts, targeted marketing and brand awareness initiatives, product development efforts, and continued interest in the agricultural asset class from institutional investors, Farmer Mac's customer base and product set continue to expand, which may generate more demand for Farmer Mac's products from new sources.
•
Consolidation, expansion, and vertical integration occurring across many sectors of the agricultural industry and in agricultural finance, coupled with Farmer Mac's relationships with larger regional and national lenders, continues to provide opportunities that could influence Farmer Mac's loan demand and the average transaction size within Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch line of business.
We believe that these growth opportunities will be important in replacing income earned on our loans and other assets as they mature, pay down, or are reinvested at potentially lower spreads.
Expense Outlook
.
Farmer Mac continues to expand its investments in human capital, technology, and business infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency as it seeks to accommodate its growth opportunities and achieve its long-term strategic objectives. Accordingly, Farmer Mac expects the annual increases in its operating expenses to be above historical averages over the next several years. Specifically, Farmer Mac believes that aggregate operating expenses – compensation and employee benefits, general and administrative expenses, and regulatory fees – will increase by approximately 8% to 9% in 2019 relative to 2018, depending on the execution of various growth and strategic initiatives.
Agricultural Industry
. The agricultural industry includes many diverse sectors that respond in different ways to changes in economic conditions. Those individual sectors often are affected differently, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively, by prevailing domestic and global economic factors and regional weather conditions. This results in cycles where one or more sectors may be under stress while others are not. The profitability of agricultural sectors is also affected by the demand for and supply of agricultural commodities and products on a domestic and global basis, which can vary largely as a result of global production trends, international trade policies, weather patterns, access to water supply, and harvest conditions.
68
Net cash income, one of the USDA's benchmark measures of economic activity in the agricultural industry, has declined significantly since reaching a cyclical peak in 2013. However, changes in farm income levels are largely localized and depend on producer region and commodity production type. The USDA forecasts that aggregate net cash income levels decreased year-over-year in 2018 due to rising farm production expenses that were not entirely offset by higher revenues. The USDA projects net cash income growth will rebound to 4.7% in 2019 due to slight improvements in commodity prices and moderating cash farm expenses. Farmland values appear to have held steady in 2018, even in the Midwest region where producers are most exposed to changes in the grain markets. Data released by the USDA indicates an average increase in farm real estate values of 2.7% in 2018 in Corn Belt states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio), but a decline of 1.4% in Northern Plains states (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). In all other regions, farmland value averages are reported to be flat to increasing. While regional averages for farmland values provide a good barometer for the overall movement in U.S. farmland values, economic forces affecting land markets are highly localized and some markets may experience greater volatility than state or national averages indicate.
Over the past few decades, the U.S. agricultural industry has become increasingly connected to global trade, and agricultural export demand depends significantly on trading relationships in numerous foreign markets, as well as on foreign exchange rates. A slowdown in global economic growth or a tightening in trade policies and agreements could also adversely affect the demand for certain U.S. agricultural exports, which may result in downward pressure on commodity prices. For example, the series of reciprocal import tariffs placed on various agricultural products by China and the U.S. during 2018 has materially affected the export sales for these products, particularly soybeans produced in the U.S. Tariffs placed on imports of U.S. agricultural products into Mexico have also dampened price outlooks for other agricultural products, such as pork and dairy. In August 2018, the USDA released initial details on a potential $12 billion aid package for U.S. agricultural producers designed to help offset expected market losses resulting from trade disruptions. The USDA reports making initial payments to affected producers of nearly $5.9 billion, more than half of which is anticipated to assist soybean growers in the form of cash payments in late 2018 and early 2019 through the USDA's Market Facilitation Program. The USDA announced in December 2018 that a final round of payments for the roughly $6 billion remaining in aid is expected to be delivered throughout the spring months of 2019. If fully realized, the Market Facilitation Program payments would constitute approximately 13% of 2018 net cash income, which equates to approximately three-quarters of the expected decline in net cash income forecasted for 2018. Coincident with the trade stresses, the U.S. dollar (as measured by the U.S. Dollar Index) strengthened by approximately 5% during 2018. This decreased the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural exports and thereby diminished their global demand and contributed to reduced producer profitability. Through first quarter 2019, the U.S. dollar strength remained relatively unchanged from late 2018. We believe that our portfolio is sufficiently diverse by product and production region to be able to withstand any short-term market volatility that may arise because of changes in trade policy or sentiment. However, a prolonged trade dispute between one or more primary agricultural markets without substantial offsetting relief could put significant financial stress on the U.S. agricultural industry, which could have an adverse effect on Farmer Mac's portfolio.
In recent years, the 90-day delinquencies and credit losses in Farmer Mac's portfolio have remained low compared to historical averages. However, some indications of stress have emerged, as the volume of Farmer Mac's substandard assets has generally increased since 2015. To date, the fluctuations in 90-day delinquencies and the increase in substandard assets have not yet translated into rising credit losses. Farmer Mac believes that any losses associated with the current agricultural credit cycle will be moderated by the strength and diversity of its portfolio, which Farmer Mac believes is adequately collateralized. Farmer Mac believes that its portfolio remains sufficiently diversified, both geographically and by
69
commodity, and that its portfolio has been underwritten to high credit quality standards. Farmer Mac therefore believes that its portfolio is well-positioned to endure reasonably foreseeable volatility in farmland values and commodity prices. Farmer Mac also continues to closely monitor sector profitability, economic and weather conditions, and agricultural land value and geographic trends to tailor underwriting practices to changing conditions. For example, Farmer Mac is closely monitoring the impacts of spring storms and flooding on producers in the western Corn Belt region. To date, the impact on the loan repayment ability of affected borrowers has been minimal, but the lasting effects of the flooding and other adverse weather conditions could change borrowers' financial outlook and production decisions. For more information about the loan balances, loan-to-value ratios, 90-day delinquencies, and substandard asset rate for the Farm & Ranch loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio as of
March 31, 2019
, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
Farmer Mac continues to monitor the establishment and evolution of legislation and regulations, as well as the status of various international trade agreements and partnerships, that could affect farmers, ranchers, rural lenders, and rural America in general. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also referred to as the "Farm Bill," was signed into law in December 2018. Many provisions in the new Farm Bill are a continuation of existing federal agricultural policies in effect under the previous Farm Bill, including those affecting crop insurance, commodity support programs, and other aspects of agricultural production. We will continue to monitor the effects of any altered federal agricultural policies as the USDA adopts final regulations implementing the new Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill also contains a provision that amends Farmer Mac's charter to expand the acreage exception to the loan amount limitation on Farm & Ranch loans from 1,000 acres to 2,000 acres, subject to FCA's assessment of the feasibility of the change. FCA's assessment must be submitted to Congress no later than June 18, 2019, and the amendment will become effective one year after this assessment is submitted if FCA indicates that the change is feasible. We will continue to evaluate the effect that the potential increase in acreage limitation may have on our business in the future.
Under the Farm Bill, the authorized limit for the amount of new guarantees issued by the USDA under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, which are eligible for Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business, was increased from $3.026 billion to $7.0 billion for each government fiscal year through September 2023. Also, the limit for the size of individual loans to which these guarantees are applied was increased from $1.399 million to $1.75 million, which thereby increases the authorized amount of the USDA-guaranteed portion for an individual loan. These higher loan limits could result in increased new business volume in our USDA Guarantees line of business, and we have already purchased USDA-guaranteed portions allowed under the raised individual loan limit. However, the effects of the new limits may be offset by a continued slowdown in the issuance of new guarantees by the USDA, which could be further exacerbated by the U.S. federal government shutdown that lasted for several weeks in early 2019 or any future shutdowns.
Other legislation and regulations focused on groundwater management practices, including in California, may result in tighter restrictions on groundwater usage that could negatively affect agricultural producers in the future. As the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress continue their review of existing regulations and promote new legislative or regulatory proposals and policies, Farmer Mac will monitor the effects that any changes in legislation or regulation could have on Farmer Mac or its customers.
70
Farmer Mac's marketing and brand awareness initiatives directed towards the Farm & Ranch line of business focus on lenders that have demonstrated a commitment to agricultural lending based on their lending history. Farmer Mac conducts its outreach efforts to these lenders through direct personal contact, which is facilitated through Farmer Mac's frequent participation in state and national banking conferences, its alliances with the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America, and its business relationships with members of the Farm Credit System. Farmer Mac's initiatives to increase the awareness of Farmer Mac and its products within the agricultural lender community and the larger agricultural industry have included hosting events on relevant agricultural lending topics, participating on speaker panels at agriculture-related regional and national conferences, and distributing original content about conditions in the agricultural economy. Demand for Farmer Mac's secondary market tools also depends on the fluctuating needs of rural lenders as they seek to maintain liquidity and adequate capital levels.
Farmer Mac also directs marketing efforts towards the agricultural industry by trying to identify and develop relationships with potential issuers of AgVantage securities, including insurance company agricultural lenders, agricultural finance companies, and bank and non-bank agricultural lenders such as agricultural mortgage funds, all of whom can pledge loans as collateral to obtain financing as part of Farmer Mac's Institutional Credit line of business. As part of these efforts, Farmer Mac has increased its focus on wholesale financing for institutional investors in agricultural assets that qualify as eligible collateral under Farmer Mac's charter. Farmer Mac has tailored a version of its AgVantage product to this type of issuer, which is referred to as the Farm Equity AgVantage product. Farmer Mac also offers other AgVantage products tailored to fund investors in agricultural mortgages. Farmer Mac directs its outreach efforts to these potential issuers through its business relationships within the agricultural community and through executive outreach to institutions whose profile presents an opportunity to benefit from wholesale financing. As institutional investment in agricultural assets continues to grow, Farmer Mac believes that it is in a unique position to help increase access to capital for these types of counterparties and thereby provide a new source of capital to benefit rural America. Farmer Mac believes there is opportunity to expand this type of business as both the trend toward institutional investment in agricultural assets and awareness of Farmer Mac's AgVantage product offerings continue to grow.
For more information about the AgVantage products, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Institutional."
Rural Utilities Industry
. Prospects for loan growth within the rural utilities industry appear to be modest in the near term due to generally flat demand for capital, as capital expenditures for large generation assets have decreased and increased revenues for electrical cooperatives have driven a de-leveraging trend. Future growth opportunities within the rural utilities industry may be impacted by the demand for electric power in rural areas, capital expenditures by electric cooperatives driven by regulatory or technological changes, and competitive dynamics within the rural utilities cooperative finance industry. In the coming years, the retirement of coal generation assets, the growth in renewable energy generation, the deployment of energy storage technologies, and the deepening of relationships with new and existing counterparties, may provide new business opportunities for Farmer Mac.
Balance Sheet Review
Assets
. Farmer Mac's total assets as of
March 31, 2019
were
$19.8 billion
, compared to
$18.7 billion
as of
December 31, 2018
. The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to the purchase of a portfolio of Rural Utilities loan participations from CoBank in the amount of $546.2 million and net growth of $349.0 million in our Institutional Credit line of business.
71
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had
$0.4 billion
of cash and cash equivalents and
$2.5 billion
of investment securities, compared to
$0.4 billion
of cash and cash equivalents and
$2.3 billion
of investment securities as of December 31, 2018. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had
$8.5 billion
of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities,
$6.0 billion
of loans, net of allowance, and
$2.1 billion
of USDA Securities. This compares to
$8.1 billion
of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities,
$5.5 billion
of loans, net of allowance, and
$2.2 billion
of USDA Securities as of
December 31, 2018
.
Liabilities
. Farmer Mac's total liabilities were
$19.0 billion
as of
March 31, 2019
, compared to
$17.9 billion
as of December 31, 2018. The
increase
in total liabilities was primarily attributable to an increase in total notes payable.
Equity
. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had total equity of
$763.3 million
, compared to
$752.6 million
as of
December 31, 2018
. The increase in total equity was a result of an increase in retained earnings.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Farmer Mac offers approved lenders two credit enhancement alternatives to increase their liquidity or lending capacity while retaining the cash flow benefits of their loans: (1) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which are available through each of the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit lines of business; and (2) LTSPCs, which are available through the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities lines of business. For securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary, the trust assets and liabilities are included on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheet. For securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is not the primary beneficiary and in the event of de-consolidation, both of these alternatives create off-balance sheet obligations for Farmer Mac. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about consolidation and Farmer Mac's off-balance sheet business activities.
Risk Management
Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees
.
Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of
March 31, 2019
was
$7.2 billion
across 48 states. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Farm & Ranch loans, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Underwriting and Collateral Valuation (Appraisal) Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to Rural Utilities loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs as of
March 31, 2019
was
$2.1 billion
across 43 states, of which
$1.7 billion
were loans to electric distribution cooperatives and
$0.4 billion
were loans to Generation & Transmission cooperatives. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Rural Utilities loans, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Underwriting" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019. As of
March 31, 2019
, there were no delinquencies in Farmer Mac's portfolio of Rural Utilities loans, and Farmer Mac has not experienced any credit losses on Rural Utilities loans since Congress authorized Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities line of business in 2008. Based on this performance, Farmer Mac excludes the loans in the Rural Utilities line of business from the credit risk metrics it discloses.
72
Farmer Mac has indirect credit exposure to the Farm & Ranch loans and Rural Utilities loans that secure AgVantage securities included in the Institutional Credit line of business. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Institutional Credit securities, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Institutional Credit" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had not experienced any credit losses on any AgVantage securities and does not expect to incur any such losses in the future. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Institutional" for more information about Farmer Mac's credit risk on AgVantage securities.
The credit exposure on USDA Securities, including those underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities, is covered by the full faith and credit of the United States. Therefore, Farmer Mac believes that we have little or no credit risk exposure in the USDA Guarantees line of business because of the USDA guarantee. As of
March 31, 2019
, we have not experienced any credit losses on any business under the USDA Guarantees line of business, and do not expect to incur any such losses in the future.
Farmer Mac considers a loan's original loan-to-value ratio as one of many factors in evaluating loss severity. Loan-to-value ratios depend on the market value of a property, as determined in accordance with Farmer Mac's collateral valuation standards. As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, the average unpaid loan balances for loans outstanding in the Farm & Ranch line of business was
$633,000
and
$640,000
, respectively. Farmer Mac calculates the original loan-to-value ratio of a loan by dividing the original loan principal balance by the original appraised property value. This calculation does not reflect any amortization of the original loan balance or any adjustment to the original appraised value to provide a current market value. The original loan-to-value ratio of any cross-collateralized loans is calculated on a consolidated basis rather than on a loan-by-loan basis. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for Farm & Ranch loans purchased during first quarter 2019 was
48%
, compared to
54%
for loans purchased during first quarter 2018. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for all Farm & Ranch loans held and all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was approximately
51%
as of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for all 90-day delinquencies was
54%
and
52%
as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively.
The weighted-average current loan-to-value ratio (the loan-to-value ratio based on original appraised value adjusted to reflect loan amortization since purchase) for Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was approximately
44%
and
45%
as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively.
For more information about the credit quality of Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch portfolio and the associated allowance for losses please refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
Activity affecting the allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses is discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Provision for and Release of Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses."
Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency measure includes loans 90 days or more past due, as well as loans in foreclosure and non-performing loans where the borrower is in bankruptcy. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were
$52.4 million
(
0.73%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to
$26.9 million
(
0.37%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of
December 31, 2018
and
$47.6
73
million
(
0.69%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of
March 31, 2018
. Those 90-day delinquencies were comprised of
71
delinquent loans as of
March 31, 2019
, compared to
47
delinquent loans as of December 31, 2018 and
65
delinquent loans as of
March 31, 2018
. The sequential increase is primarily due to seasonal delinquencies associated with loans that have annual (January 1st) and semi-annual (January 1st and July 1st) payment terms, which account for most of the loans in the Farm & Ranch portfolio. As of March 31, 2019, 90-day delinquencies have improved across all major commodity groups other than crops. Although the 90-day delinquency rate for crops remains elevated relative to other commodity groups, idiosyncratic factors also played a significant role in the higher 90-day delinquency rate for crops for first quarter 2019. Specifically, four large delinquent crop loans account for nearly 45% of all crop delinquencies during the quarter. Those four loans relate to the alfalfa, barley, peanut and cotton commodities and not to corn or soybeans, which have experienced continued downward pricing pressures from trade disruptions and increased production.
Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies have historically fluctuated from quarter to quarter, both in dollars and as a percentage of the outstanding Farm & Ranch portfolio, with higher levels generally observed at the end of the first and third quarters and lower levels generally observed at the end of the second and fourth quarters of each year as a result of the annual (January 1st) and semi-annual (January 1st and July 1st) payment terms of most Farm & Ranch loans. Farmer Mac believes that it remains adequately collateralized on its delinquent loans. Farmer Mac expects that over time its 90-day delinquency rate will revert closer to Farmer Mac's historical average, and possibly exceed it (which it did in third quarter 2017), due to macroeconomic factors and the cyclical nature of the agricultural economy. Farmer Mac's average 90-day delinquency rate as a percentage of its Farm & Ranch portfolio over the last 15 years is approximately 1%. The highest 90-day delinquency rate observed during that period occurred in 2009 at approximately 2%, which coincided with increased delinquencies in loans within Farmer Mac's then-held ethanol loan portfolio that Farmer Mac no longer holds.
The following table presents historical information about Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies in the Farm & Ranch line of business compared to the principal balance of all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs:
Table 14
Farm & Ranch Line of Business
90-Day
Delinquencies
Percentage
(dollars in thousands)
As of:
March 31, 2019
$
7,215,585
$
52,366
0.73
%
December 31, 2018
7,233,971
26,881
0.37
%
September 30, 2018
7,072,018
37,545
0.53
%
June 30, 2018
7,045,397
43,076
0.61
%
March 31, 2018
6,932,002
47,560
0.69
%
December 31, 2017
6,867,586
48,444
0.71
%
September 30, 2017
6,557,030
66,381
1.01
%
June 30, 2017
6,426,518
41,901
0.65
%
March 31, 2017
6,240,467
50,807
0.81
%
When analyzing the overall risk profile of its lines of business, Farmer Mac considers more than the Farm & Ranch loan delinquency percentages provided above. The lines of business also include AgVantage securities and Rural Utilities loans held and underlying LTSPCs, neither of which have any delinquencies, and USDA Securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
74
Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented
0.26%
of total outstanding business volume as of
March 31, 2019
, compared to
0.14%
as of
December 31, 2018
and
0.25%
as of March 31, 2018. The following table presents outstanding Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and 90-day delinquencies as of
March 31, 2019
by year of origination, geographic region, commodity/collateral type, original loan-to-value ratio, and range in the size of borrower exposure:
75
Table 15
Farm & Ranch 90-Day Delinquencies as of March 31, 2019
Distribution of Farm & Ranch Line of Business
Farm & Ranch Line of Business
90-Day Delinquencies
(1)
Percentage
(dollars in thousands)
By year of origination:
2009 and prior
11
%
$
771,650
$
6,354
0.82
%
2010
2
%
139,978
130
0.09
%
2011
3
%
208,418
2,740
1.31
%
2012
7
%
500,647
529
0.11
%
2013
10
%
699,694
3,322
0.47
%
2014
8
%
566,143
2,239
0.40
%
2015
10
%
737,940
5,511
0.75
%
2016
15
%
1,084,657
10,052
0.93
%
2017
17
%
1,274,934
15,089
1.18
%
2018
15
%
1,062,886
6,400
0.60
%
2019
2
%
168,638
—
—
%
Total
100
%
$
7,215,585
$
52,366
0.73
%
By geographic region
(2)
:
Northwest
12
%
$
847,896
$
11,862
1.40
%
Southwest
31
%
2,282,664
4,336
0.19
%
Mid-North
32
%
2,287,199
15,827
0.69
%
Mid-South
12
%
893,639
2,369
0.27
%
Northeast
5
%
337,019
4,128
1.22
%
Southeast
8
%
567,168
13,844
2.44
%
Total
100
%
$
7,215,585
$
52,366
0.73
%
By commodity/collateral type:
Crops
52
%
$
3,763,456
$
34,509
0.92
%
Permanent plantings
21
%
1,492,359
8,125
0.54
%
Livestock
19
%
1,350,610
6,845
0.51
%
Part-time farm
7
%
517,110
2,887
0.56
%
Ag. Storage and Processing
1
%
84,321
—
—
%
Other
—
7,729
—
—
%
Total
100
%
$
7,215,585
$
52,366
0.73
%
By original loan-to-value ratio:
0.00% to 40.00%
19
%
$
1,304,411
$
4,615
0.35
%
40.01% to 50.00%
25
%
1,831,552
8,941
0.49
%
50.01% to 60.00%
35
%
2,506,962
26,018
1.04
%
60.01% to 70.00%
17
%
1,250,982
11,678
0.93
%
70.01% to 80.00%
(3)
4
%
298,001
725
0.24
%
80.01% to 90.00%
(3)
—
%
23,677
389
1.64
%
Total
100
%
$
7,215,585
$
52,366
0.73
%
By size of borrower exposure
(4)
:
Less than $1,000,000
34
%
$
2,446,989
$
14,470
0.59
%
$1,000,000 to $4,999,999
38
%
2,736,397
31,496
1.15
%
$5,000,000 to $9,999,999
12
%
881,847
6,400
0.73
%
$10,000,000 to $24,999,999
8
%
604,712
—
—
%
$25,000,000 and greater
8
%
545,640
—
—
%
Total
100
%
$
7,215,585
$
52,366
0.73
%
(1)
Includes loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
(2)
Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
(3)
Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with an original loan-to-value ratio of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance.
(4)
Includes aggregated loans to single borrowers or borrower-related entities.
76
Another indicator that Farmer Mac considers in analyzing the credit quality of its Farm & Ranch portfolio is the level of internally-rated "substandard" assets, both in dollars and as a percentage of the outstanding Farm & Ranch portfolio. Assets categorized as "substandard" have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses, and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were
$246.7 million
(
3.4%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to
$232.7 million
(
3.2%
of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of
December 31, 2018
. Those substandard assets were comprised of
336
loans as of
March 31, 2019
and
318
loans as of December 31, 2018. The $14.0 million increase in substandard assets in first quarter 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 was due to the downgrade of more assets into the substandard category than those that paid off or migrated to a more favorable category. Of the assets that were downgraded into the substandard category, most consisted of crop and livestock loans, specifically in the corn and soybean, peanut, and cattle and calves commodity sub-groups. As of March 31, 2019, substandard asset volume included several large exposures and represents a relatively diverse set of commodities. Farmer Mac did not experience a significant change in the concentration of its substandard assets among commodities during first quarter 2019 compared to December 31, 2018. Feed grains, oilseeds, and cattle and calves continue to be the top three commodity sub-groups represented in the substandard asset category, comprising 59% of substandard assets as of March 31, 2019.
Farmer Mac's average substandard assets as a percentage of its Farm & Ranch portfolio over the last 15 years is approximately 4%. Due to macroeconomic factors and the cyclical nature of the agricultural economy, Farmer Mac expects that over time its substandard asset rate will eventually revert closer to, and possibly exceed, Farmer Mac's historical average. The highest substandard asset rate observed during that period occurred in 2010 at approximately 8%, which coincided with an increase in substandard loans within Farmer Mac's then-held ethanol portfolio that Farmer Mac no longer holds. If Farmer Mac's substandard asset rate increases from current levels, it is likely that Farmer Mac's provision to the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for losses will also increase.
Although some credit losses are inherent to the business of agricultural lending, Farmer Mac believes that any losses associated with the current agricultural credit cycle will be moderated by the strength and diversity of its portfolio, which Farmer Mac believes is adequately collateralized.
77
The following table presents Farmer Mac's cumulative net credit losses relative to the cumulative original balance for all Farm & Ranch loans purchased and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of
March 31, 2019
by year of origination, geographic region, and commodity/collateral type. The purpose of this information is to present information about losses relative to original Farm & Ranch purchases, guarantees, and commitments.
Table 16
Farm & Ranch Credit Losses Relative to Cumulative
Original Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2019
Cumulative Original Loans, Guarantees and LTSPCs
Cumulative Net Credit Losses/(Recoveries)
Cumulative Loss Rate
(dollars in thousands)
By year of origination:
2009 and prior
$
14,670,933
$
30,082
0.21
%
2010
664,111
5
—
%
2011
778,334
3,661
0.47
%
2012
1,153,073
—
—
%
2013
1,420,260
—
—
%
2014
982,847
—
—
%
2015
1,110,900
(540
)
(0.05
)%
2016
1,415,678
—
—
%
2017
1,514,386
—
—
%
2018
1,229,681
—
—
%
2019
209,654
—
—
%
Total
$
25,149,857
$
33,208
0.13
%
By geographic region
(1)
:
Northwest
$
3,316,276
$
11,191
0.34
%
Southwest
8,826,542
8,167
0.09
%
Mid-North
6,321,895
12,830
0.20
%
Mid-South
2,996,959
(211
)
(0.01
)%
Northeast
1,481,385
259
0.02
%
Southeast
2,206,800
972
0.04
%
Total
$
25,149,857
$
33,208
0.13
%
By commodity/collateral type:
Crops
$
11,514,650
$
2,887
0.03
%
Permanent plantings
5,462,591
9,368
0.17
%
Livestock
5,826,982
3,877
0.07
%
Part-time farm
1,477,112
1,403
0.09
%
Ag. Storage and Processing
712,496
15,673
2.20
%
Other
156,026
—
—
%
Total
$
25,149,857
$
33,208
0.13
%
(1)
Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
78
Analysis of portfolio performance indicates that commodity type is the primary determinant of Farmer Mac's exposure to loss on a given loan. The following tables present concentrations of Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities by commodity type within geographic region and cumulative credit losses by origination year and commodity type:
Table 17
As of March 31, 2019
Farm & Ranch Concentrations by Commodity Type within Geographic Region
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Other
Total
(dollars in thousands)
By geographic region
(1)
:
Northwest
$
396,218
$
133,210
$
239,356
$
78,715
$
—
$
397
$
847,896
5.5
%
1.9
%
3.3
%
1.1
%
—
%
—
%
11.8
%
Southwest
533,595
1,157,741
443,238
87,650
56,440
4,000
2,282,664
7.3
%
16.0
%
6.0
%
1.2
%
0.8
%
0.1
%
31.4
%
Mid-North
1,933,568
16,534
186,573
139,889
8,121
2,514
2,287,199
26.8
%
0.2
%
2.6
%
1.9
%
0.1
%
—
%
31.6
%
Mid-South
554,740
6,884
261,911
60,909
8,837
358
893,639
7.7
%
0.1
%
3.6
%
0.8
%
0.2
%
—
%
12.4
%
Northeast
163,248
24,217
70,078
75,170
4,306
—
337,019
2.4
%
0.3
%
1.0
%
1.1
%
0.1
%
—
%
4.9
%
Southeast
182,087
153,773
149,454
74,777
6,617
460
567,168
2.5
%
2.1
%
2.1
%
1.1
%
0.1
%
—
%
7.9
%
Total
$
3,763,456
$
1,492,359
$
1,350,610
$
517,110
$
84,321
$
7,729
$
7,215,585
52.2
%
20.6
%
18.6
%
7.2
%
1.3
%
0.1
%
100.0
%
(1)
Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
79
Table 18
As of March 31, 2019
Farm & Ranch Cumulative Credit Losses by Origination Year and Commodity Type
Crops
Permanent
Plantings
Livestock
Part-time
Farm
Ag. Storage and
Processing
Total
(in thousands)
By year of origination:
2009 and Prior
$
3,427
$
9,368
$
3,872
$
1,403
$
12,012
$
30,082
2010
—
—
5
—
—
5
2011
—
—
—
—
3,661
3,661
2012
—
—
—
—
—
—
2013
—
—
—
—
—
—
2014
—
—
—
—
—
—
2015
(540
)
—
—
—
—
(540
)
2016
—
—
—
—
—
—
2017
—
—
—
—
—
—
2018
—
—
—
—
—
—
2019
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total
$
2,887
$
9,368
$
3,877
$
1,403
$
15,673
$
33,208
Farmer Mac requires approved lenders to make representations and warranties about the conformity of eligible agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans to Farmer Mac's standards, the accuracy of loan data provided to Farmer Mac, and other requirements related to the loans. Sellers are responsible to Farmer Mac for breaches of those representations and warranties, and Farmer Mac has the ability to require a seller to cure, replace, or repurchase a loan sold or transferred to Farmer Mac if any breach of a representation or warranty is discovered that was material to Farmer Mac's decision to purchase the loan or that directly or indirectly causes a default or potential loss on a loan sold or transferred by the seller to Farmer Mac. During the previous three years ended March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac has required one seller to repurchase a total of two loans aggregating $0.8 million for breaches of representations and warranties made about those two loans, both of which repurchases occurred during first quarter 2016. In addition to relying on the representations and warranties of lenders, Farmer Mac also underwrites all of the agricultural real estate mortgage loans (other than rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans) and rural utilities loans that it holds in its portfolio. For rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans, Farmer Mac relies on representations and warranties from the seller that those loans conform to Farmer Mac's specified underwriting criteria without exception. For more information about Farmer Mac's loan eligibility requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Loan Eligibility" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Loan Eligibility" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
Under contracts with Farmer Mac and in consideration for servicing fees, Farmer Mac-approved central servicers service loans in accordance with Farmer Mac's requirements. Central servicers are responsible to Farmer Mac for serious errors in the servicing of those loans. If a central servicer materially breaches the terms of its servicing agreement with Farmer Mac, such as failing to forward payments received or releasing collateral without Farmer Mac's consent, or experiences insolvency or bankruptcy, Farmer Mac has the right to terminate the servicing relationship for a particular loan or the entire portfolio serviced by the central servicer. Farmer Mac also can proceed against the central servicer in arbitration or exercise any remedies available to it under law. During the previous three years ended March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had not exercised any remedies or taken any formal action against any central servicers. For more
80
information about Farmer Mac's servicing requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Servicing" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Servicing" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
Credit Risk – Institutional
. Farmer Mac is exposed to credit risk arising from its business relationships with other institutions including:
•
issuers of AgVantage securities;
•
approved lenders and servicers; and
•
interest rate swap counterparties.
Farmer Mac approves AgVantage counterparties and manages institutional credit risk related to those AgVantage counterparties by requiring them to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness for the particular counterparty and transaction. The required collateralization level is established when the AgVantage facility is entered into with the counterparty and does not change during the life of the AgVantage securities issued under the facility unless mutually agreed by Farmer Mac and the counterparty. In AgVantage transactions, the corporate obligor is required to remove from the pool of pledged collateral any loan that becomes more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of principal or interest and to substitute an eligible loan that is current in payment to maintain the minimum required collateralization level. In the event of a default on the general obligation, Farmer Mac would have recourse to the pledged collateral and have rights to the ongoing borrower payments of principal and interest. For Farm Equity AgVantage counterparties and smaller financial funds or entities, Farmer Mac also requires that the counterparty generally (1) maintain a higher collateralization level, through lower loan-to-value ratio thresholds and higher overcollateralization than required for traditional AgVantage securities and (2) comply with specified financial covenants for the life of the related AgVantage security to avoid default. For a more detailed description of AgVantage securities, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Institutional Credit—AgVantage Securities" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
The unpaid principal balance of outstanding on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by loans eligible for the Farm & Ranch line of business totaled
$5.3 billion
as of
March 31, 2019
and
$5.3 billion
as of
December 31, 2018
. The unpaid principal balance of on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by loans eligible for the Rural Utilities line of business totaled
$3.1 billion
as of
March 31, 2019
and
$2.8 billion
as of
December 31, 2018
. The unpaid principal balance of outstanding off-balance sheet AgVantage securities totaled
$0.3 billion
as of
March 31, 2019
and
$0.3 billion
as of December 31,
2018
.
81
The following table provides information about the issuers of AgVantage securities, as well as the required collateralization levels for those transactions as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31,
2018
:
Table 19
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
Counterparty
Balance
Credit Rating
Required Collateralization
Balance
Credit Rating
Required Collateralization
(dollars in thousands)
AgVantage:
CFC
(1)
$
3,379,212
A
100%
$
3,070,455
A
100%
MetLife
2,550,000
AA-
103%
2,550,000
AA-
103%
Rabo AgriFinance
2,100,000
None
110%
2,075,000
None
110%
Other
(2)
423,207
(3)
106% to 125%
407,572
(3)
106% to 125%
Farm Equity AgVantage
(4)
279,416
None
110%
279,790
None
110%
Total outstanding
$
8,731,835
$
8,382,817
(1)
Includes $300.0 million related to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.
(2)
Consists of AgVantage securities issued by
6
different issuers as of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018.
(3)
Consists of AgVantage securities from
6
different issuers without a credit rating as of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018.
(4)
Consists of AgVantage securities from
5
different issuers as of both
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018.
Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to lenders and servicers by requiring those institutions to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness. Farmer Mac monitors the financial condition of those institutions by evaluating financial statements and bank credit rating agency reports. For more information about Farmer Mac's lender eligibility requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Approved Lenders" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Approved Lenders" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to its interest rate swap counterparties through collateralization provisions contained in each of its swap agreements that varies based on the market value of its swaps portfolio with each counterparty. Furthermore, Farmer Mac and its interest rate swap counterparties are required to fully collateralize their derivatives positions without any minimum threshold for cleared swap transactions, as well as for non-cleared swap transactions entered into after March 1, 2017 (the effective date of new rules that established zero threshold requirements for the exchange of variation margin between Farmer Mac and its swap dealer counterparties in such transactions). Farmer Mac transacts interest rate swaps with multiple counterparties to reduce any counterparty credit exposure concentration. Farmer Mac also uses the clearing process for cleared swap transactions as another mechanism for managing its derivative counterparty risk. Credit risk related to interest rate swap contracts is discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Credit Risk
–
Other Investments
. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had
$0.4 billion
of cash and cash equivalents and
$2.5 billion
of investment securities. The management of the credit risk inherent in these investments is governed by Farmer Mac's internal policies as well as the Liquidity and Investment Regulations, which establish criteria for investments that are eligible for Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, including limitations on asset class, dollar amount, issuer concentration, and credit quality. In addition to establishing a portfolio of highly liquid investments as an available source of cash, the goals of Farmer Mac's investment policies are designed to minimize Farmer Mac's exposure to financial market volatility, preserve capital, and support Farmer Mac's access to the debt markets.
82
The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's internal policies require that investments held in Farmer Mac's investment portfolio meet the following creditworthiness standards: (1) at a minimum, at least one obligor of the investment must have a very strong capacity to meet financial commitments for the life of the investment, even under severely adverse or stressful conditions, and generally present a very low risk of default; (2) if the obligor whose capacity to meet financial commitments is being relied upon to meet the standard set forth in subparagraph (1) is located outside of the United States, the investment must also be fully guaranteed by a U.S. government agency; and (3) the investment must exhibit low credit risk and other risk characteristics consistent with the purpose or purposes for which it is held.
The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's internal policies also establish concentration limits, which are intended to limit exposure to any single entity, issuer, or obligor. The Liquidity and Investment Regulations limit Farmer Mac's total credit exposure to any single entity, issuer, or obligor of securities to 10% of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital (
$75.1 million
as of
March 31, 2019
). However, Farmer Mac's current policy limits this total credit exposure to 5% of its regulatory capital (
$37.5 million
as of
March 31, 2019
). These exposure limits do not apply to obligations of U.S. government agencies or GSEs, although Farmer Mac's current policy restricts investing more than 100% of regulatory capital in the senior non-convertible debt securities of any one GSE.
Although the Liquidity and Investments Regulations do not establish limits on the maximum amount, expressed as a percentage of Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, that can be invested in each eligible asset class, Farmer Mac's internal policies set forth asset class limits as part of Farmer Mac's overall risk management framework.
Interest Rate Risk
. Farmer Mac is subject to interest rate risk on all assets retained on its balance sheet because of possible timing differences in the cash flows of the assets and related liabilities. This risk is primarily related to loans held, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities), and USDA Securities due to the ability of borrowers to prepay their loans before the scheduled maturities, thereby increasing the risk of asset and liability cash flow mismatches. Cash flow mismatches in a changing interest rate environment can reduce the earnings of Farmer Mac if assets repay sooner than expected and the resulting cash flows must be reinvested in lower-yielding investments when Farmer Mac's funding costs cannot be correspondingly reduced, or if assets repay more slowly than expected and the associated debt must be replaced by higher-cost debt. As discussed below, Farmer Mac manages this interest rate risk by funding assets purchased with liabilities matching the duration and cash flow characteristics of the assets purchased.
Interest Rate Risk Management
The goal of interest rate risk management at Farmer Mac is to create and maintain a portfolio that generates stable earnings and value across a variety of interest rate environments. Recognizing that interest rate sensitivity may change with the passage of time and as interest rates change, Farmer Mac assesses this exposure regularly and, if necessary, readjusts its portfolio of assets and liabilities by:
•
purchasing assets in the ordinary course of business;
•
refinancing existing liabilities; or
•
using financial derivatives to alter the characteristics of existing assets or liabilities.
83
Farmer Mac's primary strategy for managing interest rate risk is to fund asset purchases with liabilities that have similar duration and cash flow characteristics so that they will perform similarly as interest rates change. To match these characteristics, Farmer Mac issues discount notes and both callable and non-callable medium-term notes across a spectrum of maturities. Farmer Mac issues callable debt to offset the prepayment risk associated with some loans. By using a blend of liabilities that includes callable debt, the interest rate sensitivities of the liabilities tend to increase or decrease as interest rates change in a manner similar to changes in the interest rate sensitivities of the assets. Farmer Mac also uses financial derivatives to better match the durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities, thereby reducing overall interest rate sensitivity.
Taking into consideration the prepayment provisions and the default probabilities associated with its loan assets, Farmer Mac uses prepayment models when projecting and valuing cash flows associated with these assets. Because borrowers' behaviors in various interest rate environments may change over time, Farmer Mac periodically evaluates the effectiveness of these models compared to actual prepayment experience and adjusts and refines the models as necessary to improve the precision of future prepayment forecasts.
Generally, the values of Farmer Mac's eligible loan assets, and the debt issued to fund these assets, increase when interest rates decline, and their values decrease as interest rates rise. Furthermore, changes in interest rates may affect loan prepayment rates which may, in turn, affect durations and values of the loans. Declining interest rates generally increase prepayment rates, which shortens the duration of these assets, while rising interest rates tend to slow loan prepayments, thereby extending the duration of the loans.
Farmer Mac is also subject to interest rate risk on loans that Farmer Mac has committed to acquire but has not yet purchased, other than delinquent loans purchased through LTSPCs or loans designated for securitization under a forward purchase agreement. When Farmer Mac commits to purchase these loans, it is exposed to interest rate risk between the time it commits to purchase the loans and the time it issues debt to fund the purchase of those loans.
Farmer Mac manages the interest rate risk related to these loans by using futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities and/or forward sale contracts on the debt securities of other GSEs. Farmer Mac uses U.S. Treasury futures contracts as a hedge against the level of interest rates, while forward sale contracts on GSE securities reduce its interest rate exposure to changes in both U.S. Treasury rates and spreads on Farmer Mac debt and certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Issuing debt to fund the loans as investments does not fully eliminate interest rate risk due to the possible timing differences in the cash flows of the assets and related liabilities, as discussed above.
Farmer Mac's
$0.4 billion
of cash and cash equivalents mature within three months and are funded with discount notes having similar maturities. As of
March 31, 2019
,
$2.39 billion
of the $
2.50 billion
of investment securities (
96%
) were floating rate securities with rates that adjust within one year or fixed rate securities with original maturities between three months and one year. Those securities are funded with effectively floating rate debt that closely matches the rate adjustment dates of the associated investments.
Interest Rate Risk Metrics
Farmer Mac regularly stress tests its portfolio for interest rate risk and uses a variety of metrics to quantify and manage its interest rate risk. These metrics include sensitivity to interest rate movements of market value of equity ("MVE") and projected net effective spread ("NES") as well as duration gap analysis.
84
MVE represents management's estimate of the present value of all future cash flows from on- and off-balance sheet assets, liabilities, and financial derivatives, discounted at current interest rates and appropriate spreads. However, MVE is not indicative of the market value of Farmer Mac as a going concern because these market values are theoretical and do not reflect future business activities. MVE sensitivity analysis is used to measure the degree to which the market values of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities change for a given change in interest rates. Because this analysis evaluates the impact of interest rate movements on the value of all future cash flows, this measure provides an evaluation of Farmer Mac's long-term interest rate risk.
Farmer Mac's NES simulation represents the difference between projected income from interest-earning assets and interest expense produced by the related funding, including associated derivatives. Farmer Mac's NES may be affected by changes in market interest rates resulting from timing differences between maturities and re-pricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. The direction and magnitude of any such effect depends on the direction and magnitude of the change in interest rates as well as the composition of Farmer Mac's portfolio. The NES forecast represents an estimate of the net effective spread income that Farmer Mac's current portfolio is expected to produce over a twelve-month horizon. As a result, NES sensitivity statistics provide a short-term view of Farmer Mac's interest rate sensitivity.
Duration is a measure of a financial instrument's sensitivity to small changes in interest rates. Duration gap is the difference between the estimated durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities. Because duration is a measure of market value sensitivity, duration gap summarizes the extent to which estimated market value sensitivities for assets and liabilities are matched. Duration gap provides a relatively concise measure of the interest rate risk inherent in Farmer Mac's outstanding portfolio.
A positive duration gap denotes that the duration of Farmer Mac's assets is greater than the duration of its liabilities. A positive duration gap indicates that the market value of Farmer Mac's assets is more sensitive to small interest rate movements than is the market value of its liabilities. Conversely, a negative duration gap indicates that Farmer Mac's assets are less sensitive to small interest rate movements than are its liabilities.
Each of the metrics is produced using asset/liability models and is derived based on management's best estimates of factors such as projected interest rates, interest rate volatility, and prepayment speeds. Accordingly, these metrics should be understood as estimates rather than as precise measurements. Actual results may differ to the extent there are material changes to Farmer Mac's portfolio or changes in strategies undertaken to mitigate unfavorable sensitivities to interest rate changes.
85
The following schedule summarizes the results of Farmer Mac's MVE and NES sensitivity analysis as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018 to an immediate and instantaneous uniform or "parallel" shift in the yield curve:
Table 20
Percentage Change in MVE from Base Case
Interest Rate Scenario
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
+100 basis points
1.4
%
(0.7
)%
-100 basis points
(8.9
)%
(5.9
)%
Percentage Change in NES from Base Case
Interest Rate Scenario
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
+100 basis points
1.4
%
3.0
%
-100 basis points
(1.8
)%
(3.0
)%
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac's effective duration gap was negative
1.9 months
, compared to negative
0.8 months
as of
December 31, 2018
. During first quarter 2019, interest rates decreased significantly. This rate movement reduced the duration of Farmer Mac's assets relative to its liabilities, thereby widening Farmer Mac's duration gap.
Financial Derivatives Transactions
The economic effects of financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's MVE, NES, and duration gap analyses. Farmer Mac enters into the following financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of assets, future cash flows, credit exposure, and debt issuance, not for trading or speculative purposes:
•
"pay-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac pays fixed rates of interest to, and receives floating rates of interest from, counterparties;
•
"receive-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac receives fixed rates of interest from, and pays floating rates of interest to, counterparties; and
•
"basis swaps," in which Farmer Mac pays variable rates of interest based on one index to, and receives variable rates of interest based on another index from, counterparties.
As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had
$11.8 billion
combined notional amount of interest rate swaps, with terms ranging from less than one year to thirty years, of which
$4.8 billion
were pay-fixed interest rate swaps,
$5.0 billion
were receive-fixed interest rate swaps, and
$2.0 billion
were basis swaps.
Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swap contracts to synthetically adjust the characteristics of its debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its loans and other assets, thereby reducing interest rate risk and often deriving an overall lower effective cost of borrowing than would otherwise be available to Farmer Mac in the conventional debt market. Specifically, interest rate swaps synthetically convert the variable cash flows related to the forecasted issuance of short-term debt into effectively fixed rate medium-term notes that match the anticipated duration and interest rate characteristics of the corresponding assets. Farmer Mac evaluates the overall cost of using the swap market as a funding alternative and uses interest rate swaps to manage specific interest rate risks for specific transactions. Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets
86
classified as available for sale or liabilities to protect against fair value changes in the assets or liabilities related to a benchmark interest rate (e.g., LIBOR). Furthermore, certain financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt.
As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, all financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as derivative assets or as derivative liabilities. Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives are reported in "
Losses on financial derivatives
" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items, primarily fixed rate AgVantage securities and fixed rate medium-term notes, related to the risk being hedged are reported in "
Net interest income
" in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships are also recorded in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income. Because the hedging instrument is an interest rate swap and the hedged forecasted transactions are future interest payments on variable rate debt, amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to "Total interest expense" in conjunction with the recognition of interest expense on the debt. All of Farmer Mac's financial derivatives transactions are conducted under standard collateralized agreements that limit Farmer Mac's potential credit exposure to any counterparty. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac had
$0.2 million
of uncollateralized net exposures to
four
counterparties. As of
December 31, 2018
, Farmer Mac had uncollateralized net exposures of
$1.4 million
to
three
counterparties.
Basis Risk
In addition to being exposed to the risk of asset and liability cash flow mismatches, Farmer Mac is exposed to the risk related to changes in its cost of funds relative to floating rate market indexes (such as LIBOR) on some of the floating rate assets it holds. This exposure is referred to as "basis risk." Some of Farmer Mac's floating rate assets reset on rate adjustment dates based on a floating rate market index, while the related debt that Farmer Mac issued to fund those assets until their maturities may be refinanced based on Farmer Mac’s cost of funds at a particular time. Basis risk arises from the potential variability between the rates at which those floating rate assets reset and the rates at which Farmer Mac can issue debt to fund those assets. Farmer Mac can fund these floating rate assets in several ways, including:
•
issuing short-term discount notes with maturities that match the reset period of the assets;
•
issuing floating rate medium-term notes with maturities that match the maturities of the assets;
•
issuing non-maturity matched, floating rate medium-term notes; or
•
issuing non-maturity matched, fixed-rate discount notes or medium-term notes swapped to match the interest rate reset dates of the assets as an alternative source of effectively floating rate funding.
Farmer Mac primarily uses the last two options identified in the list above to fund these floating rate assets because this funding strategy is usually the most effective way to provide an interest rate match, maintain a suitable liquidity profile, and lower Farmer Mac’s cost of funds. As funding for these floating rate assets matures, Farmer Mac seeks to refinance the debt associated with these assets in a similar fashion to achieve an appropriate interest rate match for the remaining life of the assets. However, for example, if the rates on Farmer Mac’s discount notes or medium-term notes deteriorate relative to LIBOR during the time between when these floating rate assets were first funded and when Farmer Mac refinances the associated debt, Farmer Mac is exposed to a commensurate reduction in its net effective spread on the associated
87
assets. Conversely, if the rates on Farmer Mac’s discount notes or medium-term notes improve relative to LIBOR during that time, Farmer Mac would benefit from a commensurate increase in its net effective spread on those assets.
Farmer Mac is also subject to basis risk on some of its fixed rate assets as a result of its use of pay-fixed interest rate swaps, combined with a series of discount note or medium-term note issuances, as an alternative source of effectively fixed rate funding. This risk arises because the rates at which Farmer Mac refinances its funding for some fixed rate assets through the issuance of discount notes or medium-term notes may vary from the agreed-upon rates based on the floating rate market index received by Farmer Mac on the associated swaps. In these cases, for example, if the rates on Farmer Mac's discount notes or medium-term notes were to deteriorate relative to LIBOR, Farmer Mac would be exposed to a commensurate reduction in its net interest income and net effective spread. Conversely, if the rates on Farmer Mac's discount notes or medium-term notes were to improve relative to LIBOR, Farmer Mac would benefit from a commensurate increase in its net interest income and net effective spread.
To mitigate this basis risk, Farmer Mac seeks to issue debt of sufficient maturity to reduce the frequency of required refinancing of that debt over the life of the associated asset. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac held
$6.1 billion
of floating rate assets in its lines of business and its investment portfolio that reset based on floating rate market indexes, primarily one-month and three-month LIBOR. As of the same date, Farmer Mac also had
$4.8 billion
of interest rate swaps outstanding where Farmer Mac pays a fixed rate of interest and receives a floating rate of interest.
Farmer Mac's short-term funding costs relative to LIBOR have varied throughout 2018. For the first half of the year, funding costs relative to LIBOR were at levels generally more favorable than Farmer Mac’s historical experience. During first quarter 2019, these levels had deteriorated to levels less favorable than Farmer Mac's historical experience. Farmer Mac adjusts its funding strategies to mitigate the effects of this variability from time to time and seeks to maintain an effective funding cost.
Discontinuation of LIBOR
As described in "Risk Factors—Market Risk," Farmer Mac faces risks associated with the reform, replacement, or discontinuation of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate and the transition to an alternative benchmark interest rate. We are currently evaluating the potential effect on our business of the replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, including the possibility of SOFR as a dominant replacement. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac held
$5.1 billion
of floating rate assets in its lines of business and its investment portfolio,
$3.7 billion
rate debt, and
$11.7 billion
notional amount of interest rate swaps, each of which reset based on LIBOR. The market transition away from LIBOR and towards SOFR, or any other alternative benchmark interest rate that may be developed, is expected to be complicated and require significant work, possibly requiring the development of term and credit adjustments to accommodate for differences between the benchmark interest rates. The transition may also result in different financial performance for previously booked transactions, require different hedging strategies, or require renegotiation of previously booked transactions. In first quarter 2019, we issued our first SOFR-based medium-term note, which was an $80.0 million one-year note.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Farmer Mac's primary sources of funds to meet its liquidity and funding needs are the proceeds of its debt issuances, guarantee and commitment fees, net effective spread, loan repayments, and maturities of
88
AgVantage securities. Farmer Mac regularly accesses the capital markets for funding, and Farmer Mac has maintained access to the capital markets at favorable rates throughout 2018 and 2019. Farmer Mac funds its purchases of eligible loan assets, USDA Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and investment assets and finances its operations primarily by issuing debt obligations of various maturities in the public capital markets. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had outstanding discount notes of
$1.8 billion
, medium-term notes that mature within one year of
$6.8 billion
, and medium-term notes that mature after one year of
$8.7 billion
. Farmer Mac's board of directors has authorized the issuance of up to $20.0 billion of discount notes and medium-term notes (of which $17.3 billion was outstanding as of March 31, 2019).
Assuming continued access to the capital markets, Farmer Mac believes it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources to support its operations for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. Farmer Mac also has a liquidity contingency plan to manage unanticipated disruptions in its access to the capital markets. That plan involves borrowing through repurchase agreement arrangements and the sale of liquid assets. Farmer Mac must maintain a minimum of 90 days of liquidity under the Liquidity and Investment Regulations. Under the methodology for calculating available days of liquidity prescribed by those regulations, Farmer Mac maintained an average of
194
days of liquidity during first quarter
2019
and had
175
days of liquidity as of
March 31, 2019
.
Farmer Mac maintains cash, cash equivalents (including U.S. Treasury securities and other short-term money market instruments), and other investment securities that can be drawn upon for liquidity needs. The following table presents these assets as of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Table 21
As of March 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
376,122
$
425,256
Investment securities:
Guaranteed by U.S. Government and its agencies
1,431,914
1,216,911
Guaranteed by GSEs
1,038,743
1,013,281
Asset-backed securities
32,353
32,692
Total
$
2,879,132
$
2,688,140
Capital Requirements
. Farmer Mac is subject to the following statutory capital requirements – minimum, critical, and risk-based. Farmer Mac must comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its statutory capital requirements and was classified as within "level I" (the highest compliance level).
In accordance with FCA's rule on capital planning, Farmer Mac's board of directors has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of "Tier 1" capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in capital, common stock, and qualifying preferred stock). That policy restricts Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments if Tier 1 capital falls below specified thresholds. As of
March 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's Tier 1 capital ratio was
13.2%
and
13.4%
, respectively, as growth in risk-weighted assets outpaced capital growth during first quarter 2019. As of
March 31, 2019
, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its capital adequacy policy.
For more information about the capital requirements applicable to Farmer Mac, its capital adequacy policy, and FCA's rule on capital planning, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements and
89
"Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019 for more information on the capital requirements applicable to Farmer Mac.
Regulatory Matters
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, known as the "Farm Bill," was signed into law on December 20, 2018 and contains provisions that affect or may affect Farmer Mac, as discussed in more detail in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019. The Farm Bill requires FCA to prepare a study with two components related to Farmer Mac: (1) an assessment of the feasibility of an increase to the acreage limitation applicable to Farmer Mac's maximum loan size that includes FCA's opinion on alternatives other than the current acreage limitation to adequately address any safety and soundness issues; and (2) an analysis and comparison of the financial risks inherent in loans made, held, securitized, or purchased by Farm Credit System banks and associations and Farmer Mac, and how those risks are required to be capitalized under statutes and regulations currently in effect. As of the date of this report, FCA had not yet submitted its study to Congress. We will continue to monitor any developments that could affect Farmer Mac as a result of the completion of the study, which is due by June 18, 2019.
Other Matters
Common Stock Dividends
. For first quarter 2019, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2018, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share on all classes of its common stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on common stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. See "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Capital Standards—Enforcement Levels" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
Preferred Stock Dividends
.
For first quarter 2019 and for each quarter of 2018, Farmer Mac paid the following quarterly dividends on its outstanding preferred stock:
•
$0.3672 per share on its 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A;
•
$0.4297 per share on its 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B; and
•
$0.3750 per share on its 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C.
90
Supplemental Information
The following tables present quarterly and annual information about new business volume, repayments, and outstanding business volume:
Table 22
New Business Volume
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural Utilities
Institutional Credit
Loans
LTSPCs
USDA Securities
Loans
LTSPCs
AgVantage
Total
(in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
March 31, 2019
$
203,156
$
91,215
$
57,223
$
546,198
$
—
$
825,417
$
1,723,209
December 31, 2018
285,008
80,840
90,297
3,000
—
585,814
1,044,959
September 30, 2018
192,628
64,100
116,339
—
—
1,085,953
1,459,020
June 30, 2018
224,101
126,066
129,960
—
—
825,203
1,305,330
March 31, 2018
259,111
159,065
123,525
8,645
—
813,337
1,363,683
December 31, 2017
204,917
282,809
100,024
15,000
—
234,753
837,503
September 30, 2017
298,274
102,774
131,298
70,000
—
290,995
893,341
June 30, 2017
312,217
55,899
169,261
25,000
—
1,296,757
1,859,134
March 31, 2017
314,137
113,261
131,101
27,341
—
561,407
1,147,247
For the year ended:
December 31, 2018
960,848
430,071
460,121
11,645
—
3,310,307
5,172,992
December 31, 2017
1,129,545
554,743
531,684
137,341
—
2,383,912
4,737,225
91
Table 23
Repayments of Assets by Line of Business
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural Utilities
Institutional Credit
Loans
Guaranteed Securities
LTSPCs
USDA Securities
Loans
LTSPCs
AgVantage
Total
(in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
Scheduled
$
112,973
$
5,843
$
74,054
$
41,266
$
31,492
$
7,660
$
470,812
$
744,100
Unscheduled
67,608
1,798
50,482
46,798
24,448
—
5,587
196,721
March 31, 2019
$
180,581
$
7,641
$
124,536
$
88,064
$
55,940
$
7,660
$
476,399
$
940,821
Scheduled
$
36,006
$
8,331
$
35,682
$
24,793
$
6,321
$
16,062
$
568,277
$
695,472
Unscheduled
56,299
9,257
33,319
21,135
20,538
—
—
140,548
December 31, 2018
$
92,305
$
17,588
$
69,001
$
45,928
$
26,859
$
16,062
$
568,277
$
836,020
Scheduled
$
73,476
$
5,677
$
21,742
$
28,135
$
25,640
$
8,286
$
1,102,798
$
1,265,754
Unscheduled
77,492
4,562
47,159
35,068
3,476
—
9,760
177,517
September 30, 2018
$
150,968
$
10,239
$
68,901
$
63,203
$
29,116
$
8,286
$
1,112,558
$
1,443,271
Scheduled
$
33,075
$
8,391
$
31,067
$
36,983
$
353
$
8,699
$
759,223
$
877,791
Unscheduled
86,426
8,273
69,539
66,601
51,306
—
—
282,145
June 30, 2018
$
119,501
$
16,664
$
100,606
$
103,584
$
51,659
$
8,699
$
759,223
$
1,159,936
Scheduled
$
110,733
$
14,085
$
70,057
$
40,811
$
26,507
$
—
$
392,310
$
654,503
Unscheduled
73,502
4,929
81,204
43,189
14,952
120,022
—
337,798
March 31, 2018
$
184,235
$
19,014
$
151,261
$
84,000
$
41,459
$
120,022
$
392,310
$
992,301
Scheduled
$
25,848
$
14,371
$
36,806
$
22,381
$
315
$
13,621
$
231,717
$
345,059
Unscheduled
49,229
6,941
43,975
24,385
4,876
—
—
129,406
December 31, 2017
$
75,077
$
21,312
$
80,781
$
46,766
$
5,191
$
13,621
$
231,717
$
474,465
Scheduled
$
61,961
$
6,735
$
21,409
$
24,163
$
27,191
$
39,816
$
100,571
$
281,846
Unscheduled
49,894
5,861
124,676
45,192
457
—
—
226,080
September 30, 2017
$
111,855
$
12,596
$
146,085
$
69,355
$
27,648
$
39,816
$
100,571
$
507,926
Scheduled
$
21,687
$
9,116
$
41,821
$
35,169
$
—
$
9,885
$
1,166,922
$
1,284,600
Unscheduled
51,442
10,737
47,262
46,776
—
—
4,000
160,217
June 30, 2017
$
73,129
$
19,853
$
89,083
$
81,945
$
—
$
9,885
$
1,170,922
$
1,444,817
Scheduled
$
70,394
$
16,184
$
48,375
$
36,322
$
26,909
$
8,934
$
161,451
$
368,569
Unscheduled
114,811
11,985
64,486
39,457
814
—
102,059
333,612
March 31, 2017
$
185,205
$
28,169
$
112,861
$
75,779
$
27,723
$
8,934
$
263,510
$
702,181
For the year ended:
Scheduled
$
253,290
$
36,484
$
158,548
$
130,722
$
58,821
$
33,047
$
2,822,608
$
3,493,520
Unscheduled
293,719
27,021
231,221
165,993
90,272
120,022
9,760
938,008
December 31, 2018
$
547,009
$
63,505
$
389,769
$
296,715
$
149,093
$
153,069
$
2,832,368
$
4,431,528
Scheduled
$
179,890
$
46,406
$
148,411
$
118,035
$
54,415
$
72,256
$
1,660,661
$
2,280,074
Unscheduled
265,376
35,524
280,399
155,810
6,147
—
106,059
849,315
December 31, 2017
$
445,266
$
81,930
$
428,810
$
273,845
$
60,562
$
72,256
$
1,766,720
$
3,129,389
92
Table 24
Lines of Business - Outstanding Business Volume
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural Utilities
Institutional Credit
Loans
Guaranteed Securities
LTSPCs
USDA Securities
Loans
LTSPCs
AgVantage
Total
(in thousands)
As of:
March 31, 2019
$
4,610,897
$
128,221
$
2,476,467
$
2,484,779
$
1,429,101
$
645,613
$
8,731,835
$
20,506,913
December 31, 2018
4,588,322
135,862
2,509,787
2,515,620
938,843
653,273
8,382,817
19,724,524
September 30, 2018
4,420,619
287,594
2,363,805
2,471,251
962,702
669,335
8,365,280
19,540,586
June 30, 2018
4,378,958
297,833
2,368,606
2,418,115
991,819
677,621
8,391,885
19,524,837
March 31, 2018
4,274,359
314,497
2,343,146
2,391,739
1,043,477
686,320
8,325,905
19,379,443
December 31, 2017
4,198,733
333,511
2,335,342
2,352,214
1,076,291
806,342
7,904,878
19,007,311
September 30, 2017
4,068,893
354,823
2,133,314
2,298,956
1,066,482
819,963
7,901,842
18,644,273
June 30, 2017
3,882,474
367,419
2,176,625
2,237,013
1,024,130
859,779
7,711,418
18,258,858
March 31, 2017
3,643,386
387,272
2,209,809
2,149,697
999,130
869,664
7,585,583
17,844,541
Table 25
On-Balance Sheet Outstanding Business Volume
Fixed Rate
5- to 10-Year ARMs & Resets
1-Month to 3-Year ARMs
Total Held in Portfolio
(in thousands)
As of:
March 31, 2019
$
9,206,082
$
2,720,639
$
4,643,506
$
16,570,227
December 31, 2018
8,325,347
2,717,505
4,705,169
15,748,021
September 30, 2018
7,945,007
2,629,612
4,986,987
15,561,606
June 30, 2018
7,551,149
2,594,399
5,398,021
15,543,569
March 31, 2018
7,507,581
2,498,985
5,432,923
15,439,489
December 31, 2017
7,158,014
2,499,203
5,309,126
14,966,343
September 30, 2017
6,921,477
2,447,923
5,426,757
14,796,157
June 30, 2017
6,722,463
2,406,120
5,226,982
14,355,565
March 31, 2017
5,373,283
2,330,819
5,255,146
12,959,248
93
The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread (a non-GAAP measure) by segment:
Table 26
Net Effective Spread by Line of Business
Farm & Ranch
USDA Guarantees
Rural Utilities
Institutional Credit
Corporate
Net Effective Spread
Dollars
Yield
Dollars
Yield
Dollars
Yield
Dollars
Yield
Dollars
Yield
Dollars
Yield
(dollars in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
March 31, 2019
(1)
$
12,737
1.70
%
$
3,964
0.74
%
$
3,233
1.12
%
$
16,373
0.79
%
$
2,494
0.35
%
$
38,801
0.89
%
December 31, 2018
13,288
1.79
%
4,630
0.85
%
2,833
1.19
%
15,751
0.80
%
2,353
0.36
%
38,855
0.93
%
September 30, 2018
13,887
1.91
%
4,627
0.86
%
2,877
1.18
%
15,642
0.78
%
2,044
0.30
%
39,077
0.93
%
June 30, 2018
13,347
1.86
%
4,398
0.83
%
2,923
1.15
%
15,220
0.76
%
274
0.04
%
36,162
0.86
%
March 31, 2018
(1)
12,540
1.80
%
4,400
0.82
%
2,950
1.12
%
14,824
0.78
%
2,387
0.36
%
37,101
0.91
%
December 31, 2017
12,396
1.80
%
4,979
0.93
%
3,057
1.14
%
14,800
0.78
%
2,235
0.35
%
37,467
0.93
%
September 30, 2017
11,303
1.73
%
4,728
0.90
%
2,765
1.07
%
14,455
0.78
%
2,725
0.41
%
35,976
0.91
%
June 30, 2017
11,158
1.77
%
4,551
0.87
%
2,669
1.06
%
14,467
0.81
%
2,489
0.36
%
35,334
0.91
%
March 31, 2017
10,511
1.77
%
4,561
0.89
%
2,568
1.04
%
12,615
0.82
%
2,271
0.32
%
32,526
0.90
%
(1)
See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of GAAP net interest income by line of business to net effective spread by line of business for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
94
The following table presents quarterly core earnings (a non-GAAP measure) reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders:
Table 27
Core Earnings by Quarter End
March 2019
December 2018
September 2018
June 2018
March 2018
December 2017
September 2017
June 2017
March 2017
Revenues:
Net effective spread
$
38,801
$
38,855
$
39,077
$
36,162
$
37,101
$
37,467
$
35,976
$
35,334
$
32,526
Guarantee and commitment fees
5,419
5,309
5,170
5,171
5,083
5,157
4,935
4,942
5,316
Other
509
(129
)
110
111
428
69
274
107
485
Total revenues
44,729
44,035
44,357
41,444
42,612
42,693
41,185
40,383
38,327
Credit related (income)/expense:
(Release of)/provision for losses
(393
)
166
(3
)
582
(410
)
464
384
466
444
REO operating expenses
—
—
—
—
16
—
—
23
—
Losses/(gains) on sale of REO
—
—
41
(34
)
—
(964
)
(32
)
(757
)
5
Total credit related (income)/expense
(393
)
166
38
548
(394
)
(500
)
352
(268
)
449
Operating expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits
7,606
7,167
6,777
6,936
6,654
5,247
5,987
6,682
6,317
General and administrative
4,596
5,829
4,350
5,202
4,326
4,348
3,890
3,921
3,800
Regulatory fees
688
687
625
625
625
625
625
625
625
Total operating expenses
12,890
13,683
11,752
12,763
11,605
10,220
10,502
11,228
10,742
Net earnings
32,232
30,186
32,567
28,133
31,401
32,973
30,331
29,423
27,136
Income tax expense
6,715
6,431
6,891
5,477
6,259
11,796
10,268
10,307
8,844
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(1)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(150
)
(15
)
Preferred stock dividends
3,296
3,296
3,295
3,296
3,295
3,296
3,295
3,296
3,295
Core earnings
$
22,221
$
20,459
$
22,381
$
19,360
$
21,847
$
17,881
$
16,768
$
15,970
$
15,012
Reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
2,240
(96
)
3,625
6,709
(2,279
)
(261
)
995
801
8,683
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(2,817
)
(853
)
1,051
1,687
2,564
(3
)
1,742
1,420
(3,878
)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading assets
44
57
(3
)
11
16
60
—
(2
)
(82
)
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(16
)
67
(38
)
196
(686
)
(129
)
(954
)
(117
)
(127
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
110
(312
)
546
232
1,242
632
862
232
948
Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation
—
—
—
—
—
(1,365
)
—
—
—
Income tax effect related to reconciling items
92
238
(1,088
)
(1,855
)
(180
)
(105
)
(926
)
(816
)
(1,941
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874
$
19,560
$
26,474
$
26,340
$
22,524
$
16,710
$
18,487
$
17,488
$
18,615
(1)
As of May 1, 2017, Farmer Mac transferred its entire 65% ownership interest in AgVisory back to the limited liability company.
95
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Farmer Mac is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Farmer Mac manages this market risk by entering into various financial transactions, including financial derivatives, and by monitoring and measuring its exposure to changes in interest rates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" for more information about Farmer Mac's exposure to interest rate risk and its strategies to manage that risk. For information about Farmer Mac's use of financial derivatives and related accounting policies, see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Management's Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
. Farmer Mac maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Farmer Mac's management on a timely basis to allow decisions about required disclosure. Management, including Farmer Mac's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of
March 31, 2019
.
Farmer Mac carried out the evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of
March 31, 2019
.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
. There were no changes in Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended
March 31, 2019
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
96
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a)
Farmer Mac is a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States whose debt and equity securities are exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. During first quarter 2019, the following transactions occurred related to Farmer Mac's equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and were not otherwise reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K:
Class C Non-Voting Common Stock
. Under Farmer Mac's policy that permits directors of Farmer Mac to elect to receive shares of Class C Non-Voting Common Stock in lieu of their cash retainers, Farmer Mac issued an aggregate of 60 shares of its Class C Non-Voting Common Stock on January 7, 2019 to the three directors who elected to receive stock in lieu of their cash retainers. Farmer Mac calculated the number of shares issued to the directors based on a price of $60.44 per share, which was the closing price of the Class C Non-Voting Common Stock on December 31, 2018 (the last trading day of the year) as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
(b)
Not applicable.
(c)
None.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
(a) None.
(b) None.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
97
Item 5. Other Information
(a) None.
(b) None.
Item 6. Exhibits
*
3.1
—
Title VIII of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as most recently amended by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-K filed February 21, 2019)
.
*
3.2
—
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed August 2, 2018).
*
4.1
—
Specimen Certificate for Farmer Mac Class A Voting Common Stock (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2003).
*
4.2
—
Specimen Certificate for Farmer Mac Class B Voting Common Stock (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2003).
*
4.3
—
Specimen Certificate for Farmer Mac Class C Non-Voting Common Stock (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2003).
*
4.4
—
Specimen Certificate for 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.4.1 to Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2013).
*
4.4.1
—
Certificate of Designation of Terms and Conditions of 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-A filed January 17, 2013).
*
4.5
—
Specimen Certificate for 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2014).
*
4.5.1
—
Certificate of Designation of Terms and Conditions of 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-A filed March 25, 2014).
*
4.6
—
Specimen Certificate for 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.6 to Form 10-Q filed August 11, 2014).
*
4.6.1
—
Certificate of Designation of Terms and Conditions of 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-A filed June 20, 2014).
*
10.1
—
Master Non-Recourse Loan Participation Agreement between CoBank, ACB, CoBank, FCB, and the Registrant, dated as of February 13, 2019 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed February 20, 2019).
*
10.2
—
Loan Participation Servicing Agreement between CoBank, ACB and the Registrant, dated as of February 13, 2019 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed February 20, 2019).
**
31.1
—
Certification of Registrant's principal executive officer relating to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
**
31.2
—
Certification of Registrant's principal financial officer relating to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
**
32
—
Certification of Registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer relating to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*
Incorporated by reference to the indicated prior filing.
**
Filed with this report.
98
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
/s/ Bradford T. Nordholm
May 2, 2019
By:
Bradford T. Nordholm
Date
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ R. Dale Lynch
May 2, 2019
By:
R. Dale Lynch
Date
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
99