v3.10.0.1
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Feb. 19, 2019
Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information      
Entity Registrant Name Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp    
Entity Central Index Key 0001529377    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2018    
Amendment Flag false    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   28,755,665  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Public Float     $ 351,140,658
v3.10.0.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,089 $ 28,343
Restricted cash 379 379
Loans held for investment ($289,576 and $341,158 related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 1,524,873 1,726,283
Other assets ($843 and $945 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively; $51,582 of other receivables related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2018) 66,983 15,214
Total assets 1,603,324 1,770,219
LIABILITIES    
Secured funding agreements 777,974 957,960
Secured term loan 108,345 107,595
Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIE) 270,737 271,211
Due to affiliate 3,163 2,628
Dividends payable 8,914 7,722
Other liabilities ($541 and $414 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 8,604 3,933
Total liabilities 1,177,737 1,351,049
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and 28,755,665 and 28,598,916 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively 283 283
Additional paid-in capital 421,739 420,637
Accumulated earnings (deficit) 3,565 (1,750)
Total stockholders' equity 425,587 419,170
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,603,324 $ 1,770,219
v3.10.0.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Loans held for investment related to consolidated VIE $ 289,576 $ 341,158
Other assets, interest receivable related to consolidated VIE 843 945
Other assets, certificates receivable related to consolidated VIE 51,582 0
Other liabilities, interest payable related to consolidated VIE $ 541 $ 414
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized 450,000,000 450,000,000
Common stock, shares issued 28,755,665 28,598,916
Common stock, shares outstanding 28,755,665 28,598,916
v3.10.0.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Net interest margin:      
Interest income from loans held for investment $ 118,284 $ 97,541 $ 81,963
Interest expense (63,002) (51,193) (36,856)
Net interest margin 55,282 46,348 45,107
Expenses:      
Management and incentive fees to affiliate 7,418 6,569 5,956
Professional fees 1,945 1,674 2,228
General and administrative expenses 3,307 2,828 2,801
General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate 3,570 3,899 3,441
Total expenses 16,240 14,970 14,426
Early extinguishment of debt costs 0 (768) 0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 39,042 30,610 30,681
Income tax expense, including excise tax 446 178 230
Net income from continuing operations 38,596 30,432 30,451
Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes 0 0 4,221
Gain on sale of discontinued operations 0 0 10,196
Net income attributable to ACRE 38,596 30,432 44,868
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 0 (25) (4,532)
Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 38,596 $ 30,407 $ 40,336
Basic earnings per common share:      
Continuing operations (in dollars per share) $ 1.35 $ 1.07 $ 0.91
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) 0.00 0.00 0.51
Net income (in dollars per share) 1.35 1.07 1.42
Diluted earnings per common share:      
Continuing operations (in dollars per share) 1.35 1.07 0.91
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) 0.00 0.00 0.51
Net income (in dollars per share) $ 1.35 $ 1.07 $ 1.41
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:      
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (shares) 28,529,439 28,478,237 28,461,853
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (shares) 28,656,660 28,550,945 28,523,306
v3.10.0.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Non-Controlling Interests
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015   28,609,650        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 456,488 $ 284 $ 421,179 $ (11,992) $ 409,471 $ 47,017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Stock-based compensation (in shares)   3,022        
Stock‑based compensation $ 312   312   312  
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares (129,916) (129,916)        
Stock repurchased and retired during period, value $ (1,436) $ (1) (1,435)   (1,436)  
Net income 44,868     40,336 40,336 4,532
Dividends declared (29,654)     (29,654) (29,654)  
Contributions from non-controlling interests 11         11
Distributions to non-controlling interests (40,916)         (40,916)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016   28,482,756        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 429,673 $ 283 420,056 (1,310) 419,029 10,644
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Stock-based compensation (in shares)   116,160        
Stock‑based compensation $ 581   581   581  
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares 0          
Net income $ 30,432     30,407 30,407 25
Dividends declared (30,847)     (30,847) (30,847)  
Contributions from non-controlling interests 12         12
Distributions to non-controlling interests $ (10,681)         (10,681)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017 28,598,916 28,598,916        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 419,170 $ 283 420,637 (1,750) 419,170 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Stock-based compensation (in shares)   156,749        
Stock‑based compensation $ 1,102   1,102   1,102  
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares 0          
Net income $ 38,596     38,596 38,596 0
Dividends declared $ (33,281)     (33,281) (33,281)  
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018 28,755,665 28,755,665        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018 $ 425,587 $ 283 $ 421,739 $ 3,565 $ 425,587 $ 0
v3.10.0.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Operating activities:      
Net income $ 38,596 $ 30,432 $ 44,868
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (inclusive of amounts related to discontinued operations):      
Amortization of deferred financing costs 5,720 7,608 6,439
Change in mortgage banking activities 0 0 (10,386)
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights 0 0 6,457
Accretion of deferred loan origination fees and costs (6,949) (6,578) (5,924)
Provision for loss sharing 0 0 (146)
Cash paid to settle loss sharing obligations 0 0 (681)
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale 0 0 (639,413)
Sale of mortgage loans held for sale to third parties 0 0 571,714
Stock-based compensation 1,102 581 312
Early extinguishment of debt costs 0 768 0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations   0 (10,196)
Depreciation expense 0 0 167
Deferred tax expense 0 0 2,049
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Other assets 198 (2,530) 40,016
Due to affiliate 535 (71) 380
Other liabilities 16 1,066 (10,146)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 39,218 31,276 (4,490)
Investing activities:      
Issuance of and fundings on loans held for investment (543,077) (900,289) (861,444)
Principal repayment of loans held for investment 695,183 411,298 721,684
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale 0 73,900 0
Receipt of origination fees 5,818 9,323 6,813
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net of cash and restricted cash sold   0 (73,004)
Purchases of other assets 0 0 (354)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 157,924 (405,768) (60,297)
Financing activities:      
Proceeds from secured funding agreements 642,241 923,882 1,288,698
Repayments of secured funding agreements (822,227) (746,635) (1,030,760)
Payment of secured funding costs (2,322) (8,405) (5,563)
Proceeds from issuance of debt of consolidated VIEs   272,927 0
Repayments of debt of consolidated VIEs 0 0 (255,275)
Proceeds from warehouse lines of credit 0 0 863,382
Repayments of warehouse lines of credit 0 0 (795,684)
Proceeds from secured term loan 0 0 80,000
Repayments of secured term loan 0 (45,000) 0
Repurchase of common stock 0 0 (1,436)
Dividends paid (32,088) (30,531) (29,400)
Contributions from non-controlling interests 0 12 11
Distributions to non-controlling interests 0 (10,681) (40,916)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (214,396) 355,569 73,057
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (17,254) (18,923) 8,270
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations, beginning of period 28,722 47,645 18,149
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations, beginning of period 0 0 21,226
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period 11,468 28,722 47,645
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations, end of period 11,468 28,722 47,645
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations, end of period 0 0 0
Supplemental Information:      
Interest paid during the period 56,719 41,891 30,066
Income taxes paid during the period 360 240 0
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:      
Dividends declared, but not yet paid 8,914 7,722 7,406
Other receivables related to consolidated VIEs $ 51,582 $ 0 $ 0
v3.10.0.1
ORGANIZATION
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
ORGANIZATION
 ORGANIZATION

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “ACRE”) is a specialty finance company primarily engaged in originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments. Through Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC (“ACREM” or the Company’s “Manager”), a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) (“Ares Management” or “Ares”), a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager, it has investment professionals strategically located across the United States and Europe who directly source new loan opportunities for the Company with owners, operators and sponsors of commercial real estate (“CRE”) properties. The Company was formed and commenced operations in late 2011. The Company is a Maryland corporation and completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”) in May 2012. The Company is externally managed by its Manager, pursuant to the terms of a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”).
 
The Company is primarily focused on directly originating and managing a diversified portfolio of CRE debt-related investments for the Company’s own account. The Company’s target investments include senior mortgage loans, subordinated debt, preferred equity, mezzanine loans and other CRE investments, including commercial mortgage backed securities. These investments are generally held for investment and are secured, directly or indirectly, by office, multifamily, retail, industrial, lodging, senior-living, self storage, student housing, residential and other commercial real estate properties, or by ownership interests therein.

The Company has elected and qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2012. The Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, to the extent that it annually distributes all of its REIT taxable income to stockholders and complies with various other requirements as a REIT.
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company, the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that the Company controls and of which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition as of and for the periods presented. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Discontinued Operations

On June 28, 2016, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (as amended, the “Agreement”) with Barings Real Estate Advisers LLC (formerly known as Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Buyer”), to sell ACRE Capital Holdings LLC (“TRS Holdings”), the holding company that owned the Company’s mortgage banking subsidiary, ACRE Capital LLC (“ACRE Capital”). Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement, on September 30, 2016, the Buyer purchased from the Company all of the outstanding common units of TRS Holdings (the “ACRE Capital Sale”). ACRE Capital primarily originated, sold and serviced multifamily and senior-living related loans under programs offered by government-sponsored enterprises and by government agencies. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Buyer paid approximately $93 million in cash as consideration for the ACRE Capital Sale.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations, defines the criteria required for a disposal transaction to qualify for reporting as a discontinued operation. The Company determined that the ACRE Capital Sale met the criteria for discontinued operations. As a result, the operating results of ACRE Capital, which formerly comprised the mortgage banking segment, are presented separately in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The operating results of discontinued operations are included in the line item “Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes” in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Summarized financial information for the discontinued mortgage banking segment is shown in Note 13 included in these consolidated financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation. When the Company’s interests are determined to be variable interests, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, defines the primary beneficiary as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant. The Company considers its variable interests, as well as any variable interests of its related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and it consolidates the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and it does not consolidate the VIE.
 
To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.

To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that the Company applies judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by the Company.
 
For VIEs of which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, all of the underlying assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses of the structures are consolidated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company performs an ongoing reassessment of: (1) whether any entities previously evaluated under the majority voting interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore are subject to the VIE consolidation framework, and (2) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding its involvement with a VIE cause the Company’s consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 12 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company’s VIEs.
 
Segment Reporting

The Company previously had two reportable business segments: principal lending and mortgage banking. As a result of the ACRE Capital Sale, the operations of the mortgage banking segment have been reclassified as discontinued operations in all periods presented. The Company now conducts and manages its business as one operating segment, rather than multiple operating segments; therefore, the Company no longer provides segment reporting. See Note 13 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the sale of the mortgage banking segment.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include funds on deposit with financial institutions, including demand deposits with financial institutions. Cash and short‑term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows.

Restricted cash includes deposits required under certain Secured Funding Agreements (each individually defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements).

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash and cash equivalents
$
11,089

 
$
28,343

 
$
47,270

Restricted cash
379

 
379

 
375

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows
$
11,468

 
$
28,722

 
$
47,645



Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, loans held for investment and interest receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held may exceed the FDIC‑insured limit. The Company has exposure to credit risk on its loans held for investment. The Company and the Company’s Manager seek to manage credit risk by performing due diligence prior to origination or acquisition and through the use of non‑recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate.

Loans Held for Investment

The Company originates CRE debt and related instruments generally to be held for investment. Loans that are held for investment are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs, unless the loans are deemed impaired. Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. If a loan is considered to be impaired, the Company will record an allowance to reduce the carrying value of the loan to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective rate.

Each loan classified as held for investment is evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis. Loans are generally collateralized by real estate. The extent of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral property and the financial and operating capability of the borrower could impact the expected amounts received. The Company monitors performance of its investment portfolio under the following methodology: (1) borrower review, which analyzes the borrower’s ability to execute on its original business plan, reviews its financial condition, assesses pending litigation and considers its general level of responsiveness and cooperation; (2) economic review, which considers underlying collateral (i.e. leasing performance, unit sales and cash flow of the collateral and its ability to cover debt service, as well as the residual loan balance at maturity); (3) property review, which considers current environmental risks, changes in insurance costs or coverage, current site visibility, capital expenditures and market perception; and (4) market review, which analyzes the collateral from a supply and demand perspective of similar property types, as well as from a capital markets perspective. Such impairment analyses are completed and reviewed by asset management and finance personnel who utilize various data sources, including periodic financial data such as property occupancy, tenant profile, rental rates, operating expenses, and the borrower’s exit plan, among other factors.

In addition, the Company evaluates the entire portfolio to determine whether the portfolio has any impairment that requires a valuation allowance on the remainder of the loan portfolio. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges with respect to its loans held for investment.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed against interest income in the period the loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding the borrower’s ability to make pending principal and interest payments. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest are paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to placing a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.
 
Preferred equity investments, which are subordinate to any loans but senior to common equity, are accounted for as loans held for investment and are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs, unless the loans are deemed impaired, and are included within loans held for investment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company accretes or amortizes any discounts or premiums over the life of the related loan held for investment utilizing the effective interest method.
 
Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs under the Company’s indebtedness are capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective debt instrument. Unamortized debt issuance costs are expensed when the associated debt is repaid prior to maturity. Debt issuance costs related to debt securitizations are capitalized and amortized over the term of the underlying loans using the effective interest method. When an underlying loan is prepaid in a debt securitization and the outstanding principal balance of the securitization debt is reduced, the related unamortized debt issuance costs are charged to expense based on a pro‑rata share of the debt issuance costs being allocated to the specific loans that were prepaid. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations while the unamortized balance on (i) Secured Funding Agreements (each individually defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements) is included within other assets and (ii) the Secured Term Loan (defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements) and debt securitizations are both included as a reduction to the carrying amount of the liability, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The original issue discount (“OID”) on amounts drawn under the Company’s Secured Term Loan represents a discount to the face amount of the drawn debt obligations. The OID is amortized over the term of the Secured Term Loan using the effective interest method and is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations while the unamortized balance is included as a reduction to the carrying amount of the Secured Term Loan in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income from loans held for investment is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of each loan. For loans held for investment, origination fees, contractual exit fees and direct loan origination costs are also recognized in interest income from loans held for investment over the initial loan term as a yield adjustment using the effective interest method.

A reconciliation of the Company’s interest income from loans held for investment, excluding non-controlling interests, to the Company’s interest income from loans held for investment as included within its consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows ($ in thousands):

 
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income from loans held for investment, excluding non-controlling interests
 
$
118,284

 
$
97,506

 
$
77,424

Interest income from non-controlling interest investment held by third parties
 

 
35

 
4,539

Interest income from loans held for investment
 
$
118,284

 
$
97,541

 
$
81,963



Net Interest Margin and Interest Expense

Net interest margin in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations serves to measure the performance of the Company’s loans held for investment as compared to its use of debt leverage. The Company includes interest income from its loans held for investment and interest expense related to its Secured Funding Agreements, securitizations debt and the Secured Term Loan (individually defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements) in net interest margin. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, interest expense is comprised of the following ($ in thousands):
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Secured funding agreements and securitizations debt
$
54,473

 
$
37,602

 
$
27,856

Secured term loan
8,529

 
13,591

 
9,000

Interest expense
$
63,002

 
$
51,193

 
$
36,856



Income Taxes

The Company has elected and qualified for taxation as a REIT commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2012. As a result of the Company’s REIT qualification and its distribution policy, the Company does not generally pay U.S. federal corporate level income taxes. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. To continue to qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that the Company distributes annually to its stockholders at least 90% of the Company’s REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. To the extent that the Company distributes less than 100% of its REIT taxable income in any tax year (taking into account any distributions made in a subsequent tax year under Sections 857(b)(9) or 858 of the Code), the Company will pay tax at regular corporate rates on that undistributed portion. Furthermore, if a REIT distributes less than the sum of 85% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 95% of its capital gain net income for the calendar year plus any undistributed shortfall from its prior calendar year (the “Required Distribution”) to its stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then it is required to pay a non-deductible excise tax equal to 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. The 90% distribution requirement does not require the distribution of net capital gains. However, if a REIT elects to retain any of its net capital gain for any tax year, it must notify its stockholders and pay tax at regular corporate rates on the retained net capital gain. The stockholders must include their proportionate share of the retained net capital gain in their taxable income for the tax year, and they are deemed to have paid the REIT’s tax on their proportionate share of the retained capital gain. Furthermore, such retained capital gain may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax. If it is determined that the Company’s estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions (including capital gain dividend) for the current year from such income, the Company accrues excise tax on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. The annual expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations. Excise tax expense is included in the line item income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax in the consolidated statements of operations included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

The Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, ACRC Lender W TRS LLC (“ACRC W TRS”), in December 2013 in order to issue and hold certain loans intended for sale. The Company also formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, ACRC 2017-FL3 TRS LLC (“FL3 TRS”), in March 2017 in order to hold a portion of the CLO Securitization (as defined below) to the extent it generates excess inclusion income. Entity classification elections to be taxed as a corporation and taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) elections were made with respect to ACRC W TRS and FL3 TRS. A TRS is an entity taxed as a corporation that has not elected to be taxed as a REIT, in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds equity, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a TRS. A TRS generally may engage in any business, including investing in assets and engaging in activities that could not be held or conducted directly by the Company without jeopardizing its qualification as a REIT. A TRS is subject to applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax on its taxable income. In addition, as a REIT, the Company also may be subject to a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between it and its TRS that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. For financial reporting purposes, a provision for current and deferred taxes has been established for the portion of the Company’s GAAP consolidated earnings recognized by ACRC W TRS and FL3 TRS. The income tax provision is included in the line item income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax in the consolidated statements of operations included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has analyzed its various federal and state filing positions and believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions are well documented and supported. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, based on the Company’s evaluation, there is no reserve for any uncertain income tax positions. ACRC W TRS and FL3 TRS recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate consolidated statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Stock‑Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of stock‑based compensation, which is included within general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the time vested restricted stock or restricted stock units granted is recorded to expense on a straight‑line basis over the vesting period for the award, with an offsetting increase in stockholders’ equity. For grants to directors and officers and employees of the Manager, the fair value is determined based upon the market price of the stock on the grant date.

Earnings per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for that period after consideration of the earnings (loss) allocated to the Company’s restricted stock, which are participating securities as defined in GAAP. Diluted earnings (loss) per share takes into effect any dilutive instruments, such as restricted stock and convertible debt, except when doing so would be anti‑dilutive. The Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share amounts for continuing operations and discontinued operations. See Note 7 included in these consolidated financial statements for the earnings per share calculations.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
    
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU No. 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company has assessed and determined that the application of this guidance does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, primarily because the majority of the Company’s revenue is accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310, Receivables, which is scoped out of this standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard will replace the incurred loss impairment methodology pursuant to GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which intends to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues and clarifies that in the absence of specific guidance, an entity should classify each separately identifiable cash source and use on the basis of the nature of the underlying cash flows. For cash flows with aspects of more than one class that cannot be separated, the classification should be based on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flow. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company has assessed and determined that the application of this guidance does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-18 and applied the guidance retrospectively to the prior period consolidated statements of cash flows.

SEC Disclosure Update and Simplification

In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity and noncontrolling interests presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The Company plans to use the new presentation of consolidated statement of stockholders' equity beginning in 2019. The final rule became effective on November 5, 2018.
v3.10.0.1
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]  
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT

As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s portfolio included 44 loans held for investment, excluding 76 loans that were repaid or sold since inception. The aggregate originated commitment under these loans at closing was approximately $1.7 billion and outstanding principal was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company funded approximately $544.2 million of outstanding principal and received repayments of $746.8 million of outstanding principal, as described in more detail in the tables below. Such investments are referred to herein as the Company’s “investment portfolio.” As of December 31, 2018, 89.8% of the Company’s loans have London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) floors, with a weighted average floor of 1.38%, calculated based on loans with LIBOR floors. References to LIBOR or “L” are to 30-day LIBOR (unless otherwise specifically stated).
 
The Company’s investments in loans held for investment are accounted for at amortized cost. The following tables summarize the Company’s loans held for investment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands):

 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Outstanding Principal (1)
 
Weighted Average Minimum Loan Borrowing Spread (2)
 
Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield (3)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Senior mortgage loans
$
1,489,708

 
$
1,498,530

 
5.2
%
 
7.0
%
 
1.7
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments
35,165

 
36,213

 
12.7
%
 
14.9
%
 
4.3
Total loans held for investment portfolio
$
1,524,873

 
$
1,534,743

 
5.4
%
 
7.1
%
 
1.8

 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Outstanding Principal (1)
 
Weighted Average Minimum Loan Borrowing Spread (2)
 
Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield (3)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Senior mortgage loans
$
1,674,169

 
$
1,684,439

 
4.8
%
 
6.2
%
 
1.9
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments
52,114

 
52,847

 
9.5
%
 
10.8
%
 
3.4
Total loans held for investment portfolio
$
1,726,283

 
$
1,737,286

 
5.0
%
 
6.3
%
 
2.0
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The difference between the Carrying Amount and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discount, deferred loan fees and loan origination costs.
(2)
Minimum Loan Borrowing Spread is equal to (a) for floating rate loans, the margin above the applicable index rate (e.g., LIBOR) plus floors, if any, on such applicable index rates, and (b) for fixed rate loans, the applicable interest rate.
(3)
Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.

A more detailed listing of the Company’s investment portfolio based on information available as of December 31, 2018 is as follows ($ in millions, except percentages):

Loan Type
 
Location
 
Outstanding Principal (1)
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Interest Rate
 
Unleveraged Effective Yield (2)
 
Maturity Date (3)
 
Payment Terms (4)
 
Senior Mortgage Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multifamily

FL

$89.7

$89.5

L+4.75%

7.8%

 Sep 2019

I/O

Hotel

Diversified

68.0

67.4

L+3.60%

6.6%

Sep 2021

I/O

Office

TX

67.2

66.8

L+3.60%

6.6%

July 2020

I/O

Hotel

OR/WA

64.1

63.6

L+3.45%

6.5%

May 2021

I/O

Multifamily

UT

63.5

63.2

L+3.25%

6.0%

Dec 2020

I/O

Office

IL

63.2

63.1

L+3.99%

6.9%

 Aug 2019

I/O

Office

IL

61.2

60.8

L+3.75%

6.8%

Dec 2020

I/O

Office

NJ

54.5

54.2

L+4.65%

7.7%

July 2020

I/O

Office

IL

54.1

53.8

L+3.95%

6.8%

June 2021

I/O

Industrial

MN

52.0

51.7

L+3.15%

6.1%

Dec 2020

I/O

Mixed-use

CA

49.0

48.7

L+4.00%

6.9%

Apr 2021

I/O

Multifamily

FL

45.4

45.3

L+4.75%

7.8%

 Sep 2019

I/O

Multifamily

TX

42.7

42.5

L+3.30%

6.2%

Dec 2020

I/O

Student Housing

CA

41.8

41.5

L+3.95%

7.0%

July 2020

I/O

Multifamily

FL

41.2

40.8

L+2.60%

5.7%

Jan 2022

I/O

Student Housing

TX

41.0

40.7

L+4.75%

7.8%

Jan 2021

I/O

Hotel

CA

40.0

39.7

L+4.12%

7.0%

Jan 2021

I/O

Multifamily

SC

38.9

38.7

L+3.36%

6.3%

May 2021

I/O

Student Housing

NC

38.7

38.7

L+4.00%

7.5%

Feb 2019

I/O

Hotel

NY

38.6

38.6

L+4.75%

7.3%

Dec 2018
(5)
I/O

Multifamily

IL

37.0

36.6

L+3.50%

6.7%

Nov 2020

I/O

Hotel

MI

35.2

35.2

L+4.15%

6.7%

July 2019
(6)
I/O

Hotel

MN

31.5

31.2

L+3.55%

6.4%

Aug 2021

I/O

Multifamily

NY

30.1

30.0

L+3.20%

6.1%

Dec 2020

I/O

Multifamily

PA

29.4

29.1

L+3.00%

6.1%

Dec 2021

I/O

Office

CO

27.6

27.3

L+4.15%

7.1%

June 2021

I/O

Multifamily

TX

27.5

27.4

L+3.20%

6.2%

Oct 2020

I/O

Multifamily

CA

26.8

26.7

L+3.85%

6.8%

July 2020

I/O

Student Housing

AL

24.1

24.0

L+4.45%

7.5%

 Feb 2020

I/O

Student Housing

TX

24.0

23.8

L+4.10%

7.1%

Jan 2021

I/O

Hotel

IL

21.4

21.2

L+4.40%

7.5%

May 2021

I/O

Multifamily

CA

19.8

19.6

L+3.30%

6.2%

Feb 2021

I/O

Office

PA

19.6

19.5

L+4.70%

7.7%

 Mar 2020

I/O

Multifamily

FL

19.2

19.1

L+4.00%

6.9%

Nov 2020

I/O

Office

FL

18.4

18.3

L+4.30%

7.4%

Apr 2020

I/O

Residential Condominium

FL

17.5

17.4

L+8.00%

11.9%

Apr 2020

I/O

Office

CA

17.5

17.3

L+3.40%

6.5%

Nov 2021

I/O

Residential

CA

9.1

8.8

12.00%

14.8%

Feb 2020

I/O

Office

NC

8.0

7.9

L+4.00%

7.1%

Nov 2022

I/O

Subordinated Debt and Preferred Equity Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office

NJ

17.0

16.4

12.00%

12.8%

 Jan 2026

I/O
(7)
Residential Condominium

NY

10.8

10.6

L+14.00%

17.5%

May 2021

I/O

Residential Condominium

HI

4.7

4.7

14.00%

19.1%

Apr 2019

I/O

Office

CA

2.7

2.7

L+8.25%

10.9%

Nov 2021

I/O

Mixed-use

IL

1.0

0.8

L+12.25%

15.7%

Nov 2021

I/O

Total/Weighted Average
 
 
 
$1,534.7
 
$1,524.9
 
 
 
7.1%
 
 
 
 
 
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The difference between the Carrying Amount and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discount, deferred loan fees and loan origination costs. For the loans held for investment that represent co-investments with other investment vehicles managed by Ares Management (see Note 10 included in these consolidated financial statements for additional information on co-investments), only the portion of Carrying Amount and Outstanding Principal held by the Company is reflected.
(2)
Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. Unleveraged Effective Yield for each loan is calculated based on LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 or the LIBOR floor, as applicable. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by the Company as of December 31, 2018 as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.
(3)
Certain loans are subject to contractual extension options that generally vary between one and two 12-month extensions and may be subject to performance based or other conditions as stipulated in the loan agreement. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities stated herein as certain borrowers may have the right to prepay with or without paying a prepayment penalty. The Company may also extend contractual maturities and amend other terms of the loans in connection with loan modifications.
(4)
I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest.
(5)
As of December 31, 2018, the $38.6 million senior mortgage loan, which is collateralized by a hotel property located in New York, is in maturity default. See below in this Note 3 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of this loan.
(6)
In June 2018, the borrower exercised a one-year extension option in accordance with the loan agreement, which extended the maturity date on the senior Michigan loan to July 2019.
(7)
In February 2021, amortization will begin on the subordinated New Jersey loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $17.0 million as of December 31, 2018. The remainder of the loans in the Company’s portfolio are non-amortizing through their primary terms.

The Company has made, and may continue to make, modifications to loans, including loans that are in default. Loan terms that may be modified include interest rates, required prepayments, asset release prices, maturity dates, covenants, principal amounts and other loan terms. The terms and conditions of each modification vary based on individual circumstances and will be determined on a case by case basis.
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the activity in the Company’s loan portfolio was as follows ($ in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
1,313,937

Initial funding
878,834

Origination fees and discounts, net of costs
(9,323
)
Additional funding
21,455

Amortizing payments
(509
)
Loan payoffs
(410,789
)
Loans sold to third parties (1)
(73,900
)
Origination fee accretion
6,578

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
1,726,283

Initial funding
510,529

Origination fees and discounts, net of costs
(5,816
)
Additional funding
33,693

Amortizing payments
(645
)
Loan payoffs
(746,120
)
Origination fee accretion
6,949

Balance at December 31, 2018
$
1,524,873

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
In December 2017, the Company sold a senior mortgage loan and a B-Note mortgage loan with outstanding principal of $63.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, which were both collateralized by an office property located in Texas, to a third party. Both loans were previously classified as held for investment and were sold in order to rebalance and optimize the Company’s loan portfolio. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale.

As of December 31, 2018, the $38.6 million senior mortgage loan, which is collateralized by a hotel property located in New York, was in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the December 2018 maturity date. The Company evaluated this loan for impairment and concluded that no impairment charge should be recognized as of December 31, 2018 and that this loan should not be placed on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2018. This conclusion was based in part on (1) the current estimated fair market value of the underlying collateral property and applicable reserves and (2) cash flows from operations of the underlying collateral property. The estimated fair market value of the underlying collateral property was determined using the income and market approach. As of December 31, 2018, the loan is current on its regular interest payments.

Except as described above, as of December 31, 2018, all loans were paying in accordance with their contractual terms. No impairment charges have been recognized during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
v3.10.0.1
DEBT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT
DEBT

Financing Agreements

The Company borrows funds, as applicable in a given period, under the Wells Fargo Facility, the Citibank Facility, the BAML Facility, the CNB Facility, the MetLife Facility, the UBS Facility and the U.S. Bank Facility (individually defined below and collectively, the “Secured Funding Agreements”) and the Secured Term Loan (as defined below). The Company refers to the Secured Funding Agreements and the Secured Term Loan as the “Financing Agreements.” The outstanding balance of the Financing Agreements in the table below are presented gross of debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding balances and total commitments under the Financing Agreements consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Outstanding Balance
 
Total
Commitment
 
Outstanding Balance
 
Total
Commitment
 
Wells Fargo Facility
$
274,071

 
$
500,000

 
$
407,853

 
$
500,000

 
Citibank Facility
184,003

 
325,000

(1)
175,651

 
250,000

(1)
BAML Facility
36,280

 
125,000

 
78,320

 
125,000

 
CNB Facility

 
50,000

 

 
50,000

 
MetLife Facility
135,145

 
180,000

 
101,131

 
180,000

 
UBS Facility

 

(2)
34,000

 
140,000

 
U.S. Bank Facility
148,475

 
185,989

 
161,005

 
185,989

 
Secured Term Loan
110,000

 
110,000

 
110,000

 
110,000

 
   Total
$
887,974

 
$
1,475,989

 
$
1,067,960

 
$
1,540,989

 
______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of December 31, 2017, the Citibank Facility (as defined below) had an accordion feature that provided for an increase in the $250.0 million commitment amount with respect to approved assets, as determined by Citibank, N.A. in its sole discretion. In December 2018, the Company amended the Citibank Facility to, among other things, increase the facility’s commitment amount from $250.0 million to $325.0 million and remove the accordion feature.
(2)
In October 2018, the UBS Facility (as defined below) matured. The UBS Facility had been repaid in full and its term was not extended.
    
Some of the Company’s Financing Agreements are collateralized by (i) assignments of specific loans, preferred equity or a pool of loans held for investment or loans held for sale owned by the Company, (ii) interests in the subordinated portion of the Company’s securitization debt, or (iii) interests in wholly-owned entity subsidiaries that hold the Company’s loans held for investment. The Company is the borrower or guarantor under each of the Financing Agreements. Generally, the Company partially offsets interest rate risk by matching the interest index of loans held for investment with the Secured Funding Agreements used to fund them. The Company’s Financing Agreements contain various affirmative and negative covenants, including negative pledges, and provisions regarding events of default that are normal and customary for similar financing arrangements.

Wells Fargo Facility
 
The Company is party to a master repurchase funding facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”) (the “Wells Fargo Facility”), which allows the Company to borrow up to $500.0 million. Under the Wells Fargo Facility, the Company is permitted to sell, and later repurchase, certain qualifying senior commercial mortgage loans, A-Notes, pari-passu participations in commercial mortgage loans and mezzanine loans under certain circumstances, subject to available collateral approved by Wells Fargo in its sole discretion. In December 2018, the Company amended the Wells Fargo Facility to extend the initial maturity date to December 14, 2020. The initial maturity date of the Wells Fargo Facility is subject to three 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at the Company’s option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an extension fee, which, if all three were exercised, would extend the maturity date of the Wells Fargo Facility to December 14, 2023. In addition, in December 2018, the Company amended the Wells Fargo Facility to decrease the interest rate on advances from a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a pricing margin range of 1.75% to 2.35% to a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a pricing margin range of 1.50% to 2.25%. The Company incurs a non-utilization fee of 25 basis points per annum on the average daily available balance of the Wells Fargo Facility to the extent less than 75% of the Wells Fargo Facility is utilized. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $149 thousand, $362 thousand and $340 thousand, respectively. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Wells Fargo Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar repurchase facilities, including the following: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (b) limitations on how borrowed funds may be used, (c) limitations on certain distributions and dividend payments in excess of the minimum amount necessary to continue to qualify as a REIT and avoid the payment of income and excise taxes, (d) maintenance of adequate capital, (e) limitations on change of control, (f) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (g) maintaining a ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (h) maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), as defined, to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last date of the applicable reporting period to be at least 1.25 to 1.00, (i) maintaining a tangible net worth of at least the sum of (1) approximately $135.5 million, plus (2) 80% of the net proceeds raised in all future equity issuances by the Company and (j) if certain specific debt yield, loan to value or other credit based tests are not met with respect to assets on the Wells Fargo Facility, the Company may be required to repay certain amounts under the Wells Fargo Facility. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Wells Fargo Facility.
 
Citibank Facility

The Company is party to a $325.0 million master repurchase facility with Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) (the “Citibank Facility”). Under the Citibank Facility, the Company is permitted to sell and later repurchase certain qualifying senior commercial mortgage loans and A-Notes approved by Citibank in its sole discretion. In December 2018, the Company amended the Citibank Facility to increase the facility’s commitment amount from $250.0 million to $325.0 million and extend the initial maturity date to December 13, 2021. The initial maturity date of the Citibank Facility is subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at the Company’s option assuming no existing defaults under the Citibank Facility and applicable extension fees being paid, which, if both were exercised, would extend the maturity date of the Citibank Facility to December 13, 2023. In addition, in December 2018, the Company amended the Citibank Facility to decrease the interest rate on advances from a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus an indicative pricing margin range of 2.25% to 2.50%, subject to certain exceptions, to a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus an indicative pricing margin range of 1.50% to 2.25%, subject to certain exceptions. Subsequent to the December 2018 amendment to the Citibank Facility, the Company incurs a non-utilization fee of 25 basis points per annum on the average daily available balance of the Citibank Facility to the extent less than 75% of the Citibank Facility is utilized. Prior to December 2018, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of 25 basis points per annum on the average daily available balance of the Citibank Facility. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $143 thousand, $165 thousand and $93 thousand, respectively. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Citibank Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar repurchase facilities, including the following: (a) maintaining tangible net worth of at least the sum of (1) 80% of the Company’s tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013, plus (2) 80% of the total net capital raised in all future equity issuances by the Company, (b) maintaining liquidity in an amount not less than the greater of (1) $5.0 million or (2) 5% of the Company’s recourse indebtedness, not to exceed $10.0 million (provided that in the event the Company’s total liquidity equals or exceeds $5.0 million, the Company may satisfy the difference between the minimum total liquidity requirement and the Company’s total liquidity with available borrowing capacity), (c) maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), as defined, to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last date of the applicable reporting period to be at least 1.25 to 1.00, (d) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (e) maintaining a ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00 and (f) if certain specific debt yield and loan to value tests are not met with respect to assets on the Citibank Facility, the Company may be required to repay certain amounts under the Citibank Facility. The Citibank Facility also prohibits the Company from amending the management agreement with its Manager in a material respect without the prior consent of the lender. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Citibank Facility.

BAML Facility

The Company is party to a $125.0 million Bridge Loan Warehousing Credit and Security Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”) (the “BAML Facility”). Under the BAML Facility, the Company may obtain advances secured by eligible commercial mortgage loans collateralized by multifamily properties. Bank of America may approve the loans on which advances are made under the BAML Facility in its sole discretion. In May 2018, the Company amended the BAML Facility to extend the period during which the Company may request individual loans under the facility to May 23, 2019. Individual advances under the BAML Facility generally have a two-year maturity, subject to one 12-month extension at the Company’s option upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and applicable extension fees being paid. In addition, in May 2018, the final maturity date of individual loans under the BAML Facility was extended to May 23, 2022. Since October 2, 2017, advances under the BAML Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 2.00%, subject to certain exceptions. Prior to and including October 1, 2017, advances under the BAML Facility accrued interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.25% to 2.75% depending upon the type of asset securing such advance. The Company incurs a non-utilization fee of 12.5 basis points per annum on the average daily available balance of the BAML Facility to the extent less than 50% of the BAML Facility is utilized. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $21 thousand, $52 thousand and $52 thousand, respectively. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The BAML Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar financing facilities, including the following: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (b) limitations on how borrowed funds may be used, (c) limitations on certain distributions and dividend payments following a default or event of default, (d) limitations on dispositions of assets and (e) prohibitions of certain change of control events.  The agreements governing the BAML Facility also impose certain covenants on the Company, including the following: (i) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (ii) maintaining a ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (iii) maintaining a tangible net worth of at least 80% of the Company’s net worth as of September 30, 2013, plus 80% of the net cash proceeds raised in equity issuances by the Company after September 30, 2013, (iv) maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), as defined, to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last date of the applicable reporting period of at least 1.25 to 1.00, (v) limitations on mergers, consolidations, transfers of assets and similar transactions and (vi) maintaining its status as a REIT. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the BAML Facility.

CNB Facility

The Company is party to a $50.0 million secured revolving funding facility with City National Bank (the “CNB Facility”). The Company is permitted to borrow funds under the CNB Facility to finance investments and for other working capital and general corporate needs. In February 2018, the Company exercised a 12-month extension option on the CNB Facility to extend the initial maturity date to March 10, 2019. The Company has one additional 12-month extension, which may be exercised at the Company’s option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an extension fee, which, if exercised, would extend the maturity date of the CNB Facility to March 10, 2020. Advances under the CNB Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of, at the Company’s option, either (a) LIBOR for a one, two, three, six or, if available to all lenders, 12-month interest period plus 3.00% or (b) a base rate (which is the highest of a prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or the sum of one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%) plus 1.25%; provided that in no event shall the interest rate be less than 3.00%. Unless at least 75% of the CNB Facility is used on average, unused commitments under the CNB Facility accrue non-utilization fees at the rate of 0.375% per annum. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $166 thousand, $184 thousand and $122 thousand, respectively. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
    
The CNB Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar financing facilities, including the following: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (b) limitations on how borrowed funds may be used, (c) limitations on certain distributions and dividend payments following a default or event of default, (d) limitations on dispositions of assets, (e) maintenance of minimum total asset value by the borrower under the CNB Facility and its subsidiaries and (f) prohibitions of certain change of control events.  The agreements governing the CNB Facility also impose certain covenants on the Company, including the following: (i) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (ii) maintaining a ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (iii) maintaining a tangible net worth of at least 80% of the Company’s net worth as of September 30, 2013, plus 80% of the net cash proceeds raised in equity issuances by the Company after March 12, 2014, (iv) maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), as defined, to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last date of the applicable reporting period of at least 1.25 to 1.00, (v) limitations on mergers, consolidations, transfers of assets and similar transactions and (vi) maintaining its status as a REIT. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the CNB Facility.
    
MetLife Facility    

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are party to a $180.0 million revolving master repurchase facility with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”) (the “MetLife Facility”), pursuant to which the Company may sell, and later repurchase, commercial mortgage loans meeting defined eligibility criteria which are approved by MetLife in its sole discretion. The initial maturity date of the MetLife Facility is August 12, 2020, subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at the Company’s option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an extension fee, which, if both were exercised, would extend the maturity date of the MetLife Facility to August 12, 2022. Since August 4, 2017, advances under the MetLife Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 2.30%. Prior to and including August 3, 2017, advances under the MetLife Facility accrued interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 2.35%. Effective in February 2018, the Company began incurring a non-utilization fee of 25 basis points per annum on the average daily available balance of the MetLife Facility to the extent less than 65% of the MetLife Facility is utilized. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $7 thousand. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The MetLife Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar repurchase facilities, including the following: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (b) limitations on how borrowed funds may be used, (c) limitations on certain distributions and dividend payments following a default or event of default and (d) limitations on dispositions of assets.  The agreements governing the MetLife Facility also impose certain covenants on the Company, including the following: (i) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (ii) maintaining a ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (iii) maintaining a tangible net worth of at least 80% of the Company’s net worth as of September 30, 2013, plus 80% of the net cash proceeds raised in equity issuances by the Company after August 13, 2014, (iv) maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), as defined, to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last date of the applicable reporting period of at least 1.25 to 1.00, and (v) if certain specific debt yield, loan to value or other credit based tests are not met with respect to assets on the MetLife Facility, the Company may be required to repay certain amounts under the MetLife Facility. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the MetLife Facility.

UBS Facility

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries were party to a $140.0 million revolving master repurchase facility with UBS Real Estate Securities Inc. (“UBS”) (the “UBS Facility”), pursuant to which the Company could have sold, and later repurchased, commercial mortgage loans and, under certain circumstances, other assets meeting defined eligibility criteria that were approved by UBS in its sole discretion. In October 2018, the UBS Facility matured. The UBS Facility had been repaid in full and its term was not extended. The interest rate on advances under the UBS Facility was the sum of one-month LIBOR plus (a) 1.88% per annum, for assets that were subject to an advance for one year or less, (b) 2.08% per annum, for assets that were subject to an advance in excess of one year but less than two years and (c) 2.28% per annum, for assets that were subject to an advance for greater than two years.
 
The UBS Facility contained margin call provisions that provided UBS with certain rights if the applicable percentage of the aggregate asset value of the purchased assets under the UBS Facility was less than the aggregate purchase price for such assets. The UBS Facility was fully guaranteed by the Company and required the Company to maintain certain financial and other covenants including the following: (a) maintain a ratio of (i) total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00 and (ii) recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (b) maintain a tangible net worth of at least 80% of the Company’s net worth as of September 30, 2013, plus 80% of net cash proceeds received from all subsequent equity issuances by the Company and (c) maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of adjusted-EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization) to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last day of the applicable reporting period of at least 1.25 to 1.00. In addition, the UBS Facility contained certain affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that were normal and customary for similar repurchase facilities.

U.S. Bank Facility

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are party to a $186.0 million master repurchase and securities contract with U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”) (the “U.S. Bank Facility”). Pursuant to the U.S. Bank Facility, the Company is permitted to sell, and later repurchase, eligible commercial mortgage loans collateralized by retail, office, mixed-use, multifamily, industrial, hospitality, student housing, manufactured housing or self storage properties. U.S. Bank may approve the mortgage loans that are subject to the U.S. Bank Facility in its sole discretion. The initial maturity date of the U.S. Bank Facility is July 31, 2020, subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at the Company’s option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an extension fee, which, if both were exercised, would extend the maturity date of the U.S. Bank Facility to July 31, 2022. Advances under the U.S. Bank Facility generally accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 2.25%, unless otherwise agreed between U.S. Bank and the Company, depending upon the mortgage loan sold to U.S. Bank in the applicable transaction. The Company incurs a non-utilization fee of 25 basis points per annum on the average daily available balance of the U.S. Bank Facility to the extent less than 50% of the U.S. Bank Facility is utilized. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not incur a non-utilization fee. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $83 thousand and $77 thousand, respectively. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The U.S. Bank Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar repurchase facilities, including the following: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (b) limitations on how borrowed funds may be used, (c) limitations on certain distributions and dividend payments in excess of the minimum amount necessary to continue to qualify as a REIT and avoid the payment of income and excise taxes, (d) maintenance of adequate capital, (e) limitations on change of control, (f) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (g) maintaining a ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (h) maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio (expressed as the ratio of EBITDA (net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), as defined, to fixed charges) for the immediately preceding 12-month period ending on the last date of the applicable reporting period to be at least 1.25 to 1.00, (i) maintaining a tangible net worth of at least 80% of the Company’s net worth as of September 30, 2013, plus 80% of the net cash proceeds raised in equity issuances by the Company after September 30, 2013, (j) if certain specific debt yield, loan to value or other credit based tests are not met with respect to assets on the U.S. Bank Facility, the Company may be required to repay certain amounts under the U.S. Bank Facility and (k) maintaining liquidity in an amount not less than the greater of (1) $5.0 million or (2) 5% of the Company’s recourse indebtedness, not to exceed $10.0 million (provided that in the event the Company’s total liquidity equals or exceeds $5.0 million, the Company may satisfy the difference between the minimum total liquidity requirement and the Company’s total liquidity with available borrowing capacity). As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the U.S. Bank Facility.

Secured Term Loan

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are party to a $110.0 million Credit and Guaranty Agreement with the lenders referred to therein and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders (the “Secured Term Loan”). The initial maturity date of the Secured Term Loan is December 22, 2020, subject to one 12-month extension, which may be exercised at the Company’s option, provided there are no existing events of default under the Secured Term Loan, which, if exercised, would extend the maturity date of the Secured Term Loan to December 22, 2021. During the extension period, the spread on advances under the Secured Term Loan increases every three months by 0.125%, 0.375% and 0.750% per annum, respectively, beginning after the third-month of the extension period. Since December 22, 2017, advances under the Secured Term Loan accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of, at the Company’s option, one, two, three or six-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.00%. Prior to and including December 21, 2017, advances under the Secured Term Loan accrued interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 6.00% (with a 1.00% LIBOR floor). In December 2017, the Company voluntarily elected to repay $45.0 million of outstanding principal on the Secured Term Loan prior to the scheduled maturity as permitted by the contractual terms of the Secured Term Loan. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred early extinguishment of debt costs of $768 thousand in connection with the $45.0 million repayment of outstanding principal on the Secured Term Loan, which was comprised of the pro-rata share of the unamortized deferred debt issuance costs and original issue discounts being allocated to the outstanding principal that was repaid. The costs are included within early extinguishment of debt costs in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Company made an initial draw of $75.0 million on December 9, 2015, the closing date. The Company drew the remaining $80.0 million of the Secured Term Loan on September 9, 2016. The Company was subject to a monthly non-utilization fee equal to 1.0% per annum on the unused commitment amount during the nine-month commitment period following the closing date for which the $80.0 million of the Secured Term Loan was not utilized. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not incur a non-utilization fee. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $560 thousand. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The total original issue discount on the Secured Term Loan draws was $2.6 million, which represents a discount to the debt cost to be amortized into interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the Secured Term Loan. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the estimated per annum effective interest rate of the Secured Term Loan, which is equal to LIBOR plus the spread plus the accretion of the original issue discount and associated costs, was 7.6%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the estimated per annum effective interest rate of the Secured Term Loan was 8.7% prior to and including December 21, 2017 and 7.2% subsequent to December 21, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the estimated per annum effective interest rate was 8.5%.
        
The Company's obligations under the Secured Term Loan are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. Certain subsidiaries of the Company entered into a Pledge and Security Agreement with the collateral agent under the Secured Term Loan, pursuant to which the obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors under the Secured Term Loan are each secured by equity interests in certain of the Company's indirect subsidiaries and other assets. In addition, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Negative Pledge Agreement with the collateral agent under the Secured Term Loan, which prohibits pledging or otherwise encumbering, subject to permitted encumbrances, certain of the assets which were not subject to the Pledge and Security Agreement.

The Secured Term Loan contains various affirmative and negative covenants and provisions regarding events of default that are applicable to the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, which are normal and customary for similar financing agreements, including the following: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, (b) limitations on how borrowed funds may be used, (c) limitations on certain distributions and dividend payments following a default or event of default, (d) limitations on dispositions of assets and (e) prohibitions of certain change of control events. The agreements governing the Secured Term Loan also impose certain covenants on the Company, including the following: (i) maintaining a ratio of total debt to tangible net worth of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, (ii) maintaining a tangible net worth of at least 80% of the Company’s net worth as of September 30, 2015, plus 80% of the net cash proceeds raised in subsequent equity issuances by the Company, (iii) maintaining an asset coverage ratio greater than 110%, (iv) maintaining an unencumbered asset ratio greater than 120%, (v) limitations on mergers, consolidations, transfers of assets and similar transactions, (vi) maintaining its status as a REIT and (vii) maintaining at least 65% of loans held for investment as senior commercial real estate loans, as measured by the average daily outstanding principal balance of all loans held for investment during a fiscal quarter and as adjusted for non-controlling interests. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Secured Term Loan.
 
Financing Agreements Maturities

At December 31, 2018, approximate principal maturities of the Company’s Financing Agreements are as follows ($ in thousands):


Wells Fargo
Facility
 
Citibank
Facility
 
BAML Facility
 
CNB
Facility
 
MetLife Facility
 
U.S. Bank Facility
 
Secured Term Loan
 
Total
2019
$

 
$

 
$
36,280

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
36,280

2020
274,071

 

 

 

 
135,145

 
148,475

 
110,000

 
667,691

2021

 
184,003

 

 

 

 

 

 
184,003

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


$
274,071

 
$
184,003

 
$
36,280

 
$

 
$
135,145

 
$
148,475

 
$
110,000

 
$
887,974

v3.10.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had the following commitments to fund various senior mortgage loans, subordinated debt investments, as well as preferred equity investments accounted for as loans held for investment ($ in thousands):
 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Total commitments
$
1,677,615

 
$
1,847,534

Less: funded commitments
(1,534,743
)
 
(1,737,286
)
Total unfunded commitments
$
142,872

 
$
110,248



The Company from time to time may be party to litigation relating to claims arising in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2018, the Company is not aware of any legal claims that could materially impact its business, financial condition or results of operations.
v3.10.0.1
EQUITY
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
EQUITY
EQUITY

Stock Buyback Program

In May 2015, the Company announced that the Company’s board of directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $20.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock over a period of one year (the “Stock Buyback Program”). In February 2016, the Company’s board of directors increased the size of the existing $20.0 million Stock Buyback Program to $30.0 million and extended the Stock Buyback Program through March 31, 2017. The Stock Buyback Program was not extended after March 31, 2017. Purchases made pursuant to the Stock Buyback Program could have been made in either the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time and as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. In connection with this Stock Buyback Program, in March 2016, the Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 plan to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock in accordance with certain parameters set forth in the Stock Buyback Program. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, no shares of the Company’s common stock were repurchased. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of 129,916 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.4 million, including expenses paid. The shares were repurchased at an average price of $11.06 per share, including expenses paid.

Common Stock

There were no shares issued in public or private offerings for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. See “Equity Incentive Plan” below for shares issued under the plan.

Equity Incentive Plan
 
On April 23, 2012, the Company adopted an equity incentive plan. In April 2018, the Company’s board of directors authorized, and in June 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved, an amended and restated equity incentive plan that increased the total amount of shares of common stock the Company may grant thereunder to 1,390,000 shares (the “Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan”). Pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company may grant awards consisting of restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted stock units and/or other equity-based awards to the Company’s outside directors, employees of the Manager, officers, ACREM and other eligible awardees under the plan. Any restricted shares of the Company’s common stock and restricted stock units will be accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, resulting in stock-based compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value of the underlying restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units.
 
Restricted stock grants generally vest ratably over a one to four year period from the vesting start date. The grantee receives additional compensation for each outstanding restricted stock grant, classified as dividends paid, equal to the per-share dividends received by common stockholders.

The following table details the restricted stock grants awarded as of December 31, 2018:

Grant Date
 
Vesting Start Date
 
Shares Granted
May 1, 2012
 
July 1, 2012
 
35,135
June 18, 2012
 
July 1, 2012
 
7,027
July 9, 2012
 
October 1, 2012
 
25,000
June 26, 2013
 
July 1, 2013
 
22,526
November 25, 2013
 
November 25, 2016
 
30,381
January 31, 2014
 
August 31, 2015
 
48,273
February 26, 2014
 
February 26, 2014
 
12,030
February 27, 2014
 
August 27, 2014
 
22,354
June 24, 2014
 
June 24, 2014
 
17,658
June 24, 2015
 
July 1, 2015
 
25,555
April 25, 2016
 
July 1, 2016
 
10,000
June 27, 2016
 
July 1, 2016
 
24,680
April 25, 2017
 
April 25, 2018
 
81,710
June 7, 2017
 
July 1, 2017
 
18,224
October 17, 2017
 
January 2, 2018
 
7,278
December 15, 2017
 
January 2, 2018
 
8,948
May 14, 2018
 
July 2, 2018
 
31,766
June 26, 2018
 
July 1, 2019
 
67,918
December 14, 2018
 
March 31, 2019
 
57,065
Total
 
 
 
553,528


The following tables summarize the (i) non-vested shares of restricted stock and (ii) the vesting schedule of shares of restricted stock for the Company’s directors and officers and employees of the Manager as of December 31, 2018:

Schedule of Non-Vested Share and Share Equivalents

 
 Restricted Stock Grants—Directors
 
Restricted Stock Grants—Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
21,394

 
90,658

 
112,052

Granted
31,766

 
124,983

 
156,749

Vested
(30,606
)
 
(36,185
)
 
(66,791
)
Forfeited

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018
22,554

 
179,456

 
202,010



Future Anticipated Vesting Schedule

 
Restricted Stock Grants—Directors
 
Restricted Stock Grants—Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Total
2019
18,384

 
62,303

 
80,687

2020
3,336

 
65,313

 
68,649

2021
834

 
38,072

 
38,906

2022

 
13,768

 
13,768

2023

 

 

Total
22,554

 
179,456

 
202,010


The following table summarizes the restricted stock compensation expense included within general and administrative expenses for ACRE and compensation and benefits for ACRE Capital (which is included within net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations), the total fair value of shares vested and the weighted average grant date fair value of the restricted stock granted to the Company’s directors and officers, employees of the Manager and employees of ACRE Capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
Directors
 
Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Employees
 
Total
 
Directors
 
Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Employees
 
Total
 
Directors
 
Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Employees
 
Total
Compensation expense (1)
$
427

 
$
675

 
$

 
$
1,102

 
$
317

 
$
264

 
$

 
$
581

 
$
355

 
$
53

 
$
(96
)
 
$
312

Total fair value of shares vested (2)
405

 
449

 

 
854

 
347

 

 

 
347

 
342

 
54

 
383

 
779

Weighted average grant date fair value
427

 
1,759

 

 
2,186

 
338

 
1,254

 

 
1,592

 
412

 

 

 
412

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Compensation expense for ACRE Capital employees is included within compensation and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 in the reconciliation of net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes. See Note 13 included in these consolidated financial statements for more information.
(2)
Based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on each vesting date.

As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized totaled $2.3 million, $1.2 million and $180 thousand, respectively, and the weighted average period over which the non-vested awards are expected to be recognized is 2.10 years, 1.95 years and 1.02 years, respectively.

Non-Controlling Interests

The non-controlling interests held by third parties in the Company's consolidated balance sheets represented the equity interests in a limited liability company, ACRC KA Investor LLC (“ACRC KA”) that were not owned by the Company. A portion of ACRC KA's consolidated equity and net income were allocated to these non-controlling interests held by third parties based on their pro-rata ownership of ACRC KA. As of December 31, 2017, the equity interests in ACRC KA held by the Company and third parties had been repaid in full and as such, there was no equity outstanding that was allocated to non-controlling interests held by third parties. As of December 31, 2016, ACRC KA’s total equity was $21.7 million, of which $11.1 million was owned by the Company and $10.6 million was allocated to non-controlling interests held by third parties. See Note 12 included in these consolidated financial statements for more information on ACRC KA.
v3.10.0.1
EARNINGS PER SHARE
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
EARNINGS PER SHARE
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following information sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations and discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands, except share and per share data):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net income from continuing operations, less non-controlling interests
$
38,596

 
$
30,407

 
$
25,919

Net income from discontinued operations, including gain on sale of discontinued operations
$

 
$

 
$
14,417

Divided by:


 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
28,529,439

 
28,478,237

 
28,461,853

Weighted average non-vested restricted stock
127,221

 
72,708

 
61,453

Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
28,656,660

 
28,550,945

 
28,523,306

Basic earnings per common share:


 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.91

Discontinued operations

 

 
0.51

Net income
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.42

Diluted earnings per common share:


 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.91

Discontinued operations

 

 
0.51

Net income
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.41

v3.10.0.1
INCOME TAX
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAX
INCOME TAX

The Company wholly-owns ACRC Lender W TRS LLC, which is a TRS formed in order to issue and hold certain loans intended for sale. The Company also wholly-owns ACRC 2017-FL3 TRS LLC, which is a TRS formed in order to hold a portion of the CLO Securitization (as defined below) to the extent it generates excess inclusion income.

The income tax provision for the Company and the TRSs consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current
$
84

 
$
25

 
$
21

Deferred

 

 

Excise tax
362

 
153

 
209

   Total income tax expense, including excise tax
$
446

 
$
178

 
$
230



For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred an expense of $362 thousand, $153 thousand and $209 thousand, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax. Excise tax represents a 4% tax on the sum of a portion of the Company’s ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the calendar year (including any distribution declared in the fourth quarter and paid following January) plus any prior year shortfall. If it is determined that an excise tax liability exists for the current year, the Company will accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. The annual expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

The TRSs recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2018, tax years 2015 through 2018 remain subject to examination by taxing authorities. The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits and the Company does not expect that to change in the next 12 months.
v3.10.0.1
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820-10”), which expands the application of fair value accounting. ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for a financial instrument in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820-10 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the inputs used in measuring fair value.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, the inputs used to measure fair value are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1-Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2-Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs are inputs that other market participants would use in pricing a security. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others.

Level 3-Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used.

GAAP requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the financial statements, for which it is practical to estimate the value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based upon the application of discount rates to estimated future cash flows using market yields, or other valuation methodologies. Any changes to the valuation methodology will be reviewed by the Company’s management to ensure the changes are appropriate. The methods used may produce a fair value calculation that is not indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company anticipates that the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may fall within periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.
 
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost are as follows ($ in thousands):

 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Level in Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair
Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Loans held for investment
3
 
$
1,524,873

 
$
1,534,743

 
$
1,726,283

 
$
1,737,286

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Secured funding agreements
2
 
$
777,974

 
$
777,974

 
$
957,960

 
$
957,960

   Secured term loan
2
 
108,345

 
110,000

 
107,595

 
110,000

Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIE)
3
 
270,737

 
272,927

 
271,211

 
272,927



The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, interest receivable, due to affiliate liability and accrued expenses, which are all categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.
     
Loans held for investment are recorded at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs and net of an allowance for loan losses. The Company may record fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis when it has determined that it is necessary to record a specific reserve against a loan and the Company measures such specific reserve using the fair value of the loan’s collateral. To determine the fair value of the collateral, the Company may employ different approaches depending on the type of collateral. The Financing Agreements and collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) securitization debt are recorded at outstanding principal, which is the Company’s best estimate of the fair value.
v3.10.0.1
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Management Agreement

The Company is party to a Management Agreement under which ACREM, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Company’s board of directors, is responsible for, among other duties, (a) performing all of the Company’s day-to-day functions, (b) determining the Company’s investment strategy and guidelines in conjunction with the Company’s board of directors, (c) sourcing, analyzing and executing investments, asset sales and financing, and (d) performing portfolio management duties. In addition, ACREM has an Investment Committee that oversees compliance with the Company’s investment strategy and guidelines, investment portfolio holdings and financing strategy.
 
In exchange for its services, ACREM is entitled to receive a base management fee, an incentive fee, expense reimbursements, grants of equity-based awards pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and a termination fee, if applicable.
 
The base management fee is equal to 1.5% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity per annum, which is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in cash. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, stockholders’ equity means: (a) the sum of (i) the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company’s equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro-rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus (ii) the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter determined in accordance with GAAP (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods); less (b) (x) any amount that the Company has paid to repurchase the Company’s common stock since inception, (y) any unrealized gains and losses and other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (z) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain non-cash items not otherwise described above, in each case after discussions between ACREM and the Company’s independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. As a result, the Company’s stockholders’ equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
The incentive fee is an amount, not less than zero, equal to the difference between: (a) the product of (i) 20% and (ii) the difference between (A) the Company’s Core Earnings (as defined below) for the previous 12-month period, and (B) the product of (1) the weighted average of the issue price per share of the Company’s common stock of all of the Company’s public offerings of common stock multiplied by the weighted average number of all shares of common stock outstanding including any restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted stock units or any shares of the Company’s common stock not yet issued, but underlying other awards granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (see Note 6 included in these consolidated financial statements) in the previous 12-month period, and (2) 8%; and (b) the sum of any incentive fees earned by ACREM with respect to the first three fiscal quarters of such previous 12-month period; provided, however, that no incentive fee is payable with respect to any fiscal quarter unless cumulative Core Earnings for the 12 most recently completed fiscal quarters is greater than zero. “Core Earnings” is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as GAAP net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fee, depreciation and amortization (to the extent that any of the Company’s target investments are structured as debt and the Company forecloses on any properties underlying such debt), any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income (loss), and one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between ACREM and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, $1.2 million, $381 thousand and $348 thousand of incentive fees were incurred, respectively.
 
The Company reimburses ACREM at cost for operating expenses that ACREM incurs on the Company’s behalf, including expenses relating to legal, financial, accounting, servicing, due diligence and other services.
 
The Company will not reimburse ACREM for the salaries and other compensation of its personnel, except for the allocable share of the salaries and other compensation of the Company’s (a) Chief Financial Officer, based on the percentage of his time spent on the Company’s affairs and (b) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal, risk management, operations, compliance and other non-investment professional personnel of ACREM or its affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs based on the percentage of their time spent on the Company’s affairs. The Company is also required to pay its pro-rata portion of rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of ACREM and its affiliates that are required for the Company’s operations. The term of the Management Agreement ends on May 1, 2019, with automatic one-year renewal terms thereafter. Except under limited circumstances, upon a termination of the Management Agreement, the Company will pay ACREM a termination fee equal to three times the average annual base management fee and incentive fee received by ACREM during the 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the date of termination, each as described above.
 
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, along with the Company’s lenders under certain of the Company’s Secured Funding Agreements, as well as under the CLO transaction have entered into various servicing agreements with ACREM’s subsidiary servicer, Ares Commercial Real Estate Servicer LLC (“ACRES”). The Company’s Manager will specially service, as needed, certain of the Company’s investments. Effective May 1, 2012, ACRES agreed that no servicing fees pursuant to these servicing agreements would be charged to the Company or its subsidiaries by ACRES or the Manager for so long as the Management Agreement remains in effect, but that ACRES will continue to receive reimbursement for overhead related to servicing and operational activities pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement.
  
The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company related to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and amounts payable to the Company’s Manager as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands):

 
Incurred
 
Payable
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
Affiliate Payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
$
6,268

 
$
6,188

 
$
5,608

 
$
1,576

 
$
1,549

Incentive fees
1,150

 
381

 
348

 
540

 

General and administrative expenses
3,570

 
3,899

 
3,441

 
996

 
1,016

Direct costs
224

(1)
304

(1)
848

(2)
51

 
63

Total
$
11,212

 
$
10,772

 
$
10,245

 
$
3,163

 
$
2,628

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
(2)
For the year ended December 31, 2016, direct costs incurred are included within (i) general and administrative expenses of $486 thousand and (ii) interest expense of $362 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in Loans

From time to time, the Company may co-invest with other investment vehicles managed by Ares Management or its affiliates, including the Manager, and their portfolio companies, including by means of splitting investments, participating in investments or other means of syndication of investments. For such co-investments, the Company expects to act as the administrative agent for the holders of such investments provided that the Company maintains a majority of the aggregate investment. No fees will be received by the Company for performing such service. The Company will be responsible for its pro-rata share of costs and expenses for such co-investments, including due diligence costs for transactions which fail to close. The Company’s investment in such co-investments are made on a pari-passu basis with the other Ares managed investment vehicles and the Company is not obligated to provide, nor has it provided, any financial support to the other Ares managed investment vehicles. As such, the Company’s risk is limited to the carrying value of its investment and the Company recognizes only the carrying value of its investment in its consolidated balance sheets.

In May 2018, the Company participated in originating a $25.0 million mezzanine loan commitment on a property with in-place development rights for the construction of a mixed-use property located in Illinois, with a participation interest of $15.3 million held by the Company and $9.7 million held by other Ares managed investment vehicles. As of December 31, 2018, the total outstanding principal balance on the participation interest held by the Company was $974 thousand.

In August 2018, the Company participated in originating a $12.0 million pre-construction mezzanine loan commitment on a property with in-place development rights for a residential condominium project located in Hawaii. The mezzanine loan was split into separate notes with an $8.0 million note held by the Company and $4.0 million of notes held by other Ares managed investment vehicles. As of December 31, 2018, the total outstanding principal balance on the note held by the Company was $4.7 million.

In October 2018, the Company participated in originating a $22.0 million pre-construction senior mortgage loan commitment on a property with in-place development rights for a residential condominium project located in Florida. The senior mortgage loan was split into separate notes with a $17.5 million note held by the Company and $4.5 million of notes held by other Ares managed investment vehicles. As of December 31, 2018, the total outstanding principal balance on the note held by the Company was $17.5 million.

In October 2018, the Company participated in originating a $23.3 million mezzanine loan commitment on a property with in-place development rights for a residential condominium conversion project located in New York. The mezzanine loan was split into separate notes with a $14.0 million note held by the Company and $9.3 million of notes held by other Ares managed investment vehicles. As of December 31, 2018, the total outstanding principal balance on the note held by the Company was $10.8 million.

Credit Support Fee Agreement

In July 2014, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Credit Support Fee Agreement with Ares Management under which the Company agreed to pay Ares Management a credit support fee in an amount equal to 1.50% per annum times the average amount of the loans outstanding under the $75.0 million revolving funding facility (the “July 2014 CNB Facility”) with City National Bank and to reimburse Ares Management for its out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with the transaction. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company incurred a credit support fee of $362 thousand under the July 2014 CNB Facility which is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. On September 30, 2016, the July 2014 CNB Facility was repaid in full and its terms were not extended. In conjunction with the repayment in full of the July 2014 CNB Facility, the Credit Support Fee Agreement was terminated.
v3.10.0.1
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The following table summarizes the Company’s dividends declared during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands, except per share data):

Date Declared
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Per Share Amount
 
Total Amount
October 30, 2018
 
December 28, 2018
 
January 15, 2019
 
$
0.31

 
$
8,914

July 26, 2018
 
September 28, 2018
 
October 16, 2018
 
0.29

 
8,323

May 1, 2018
 
June 29, 2018
 
July 17, 2018
 
0.28

 
8,036

March 1, 2018
 
March 29, 2018
 
April 17, 2018
 
0.28

 
8,008

Total cash dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.16

 
$
33,281

November 1, 2017
 
December 29, 2017
 
January 16, 2018
 
$
0.27

 
$
7,722

August 3, 2017
 
September 29, 2017
 
October 16, 2017
 
0.27

 
7,717

May 2, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
July 17, 2017
 
0.27

 
7,718

March 7, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
April 17, 2017
 
0.27

 
7,690

Total cash dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.08

 
$
30,847

November 3, 2016
 
December 30, 2016
 
January 17, 2017
 
$
0.26

 
$
7,406

August 4, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
October 17, 2016
 
0.26

 
7,406

May 5, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
July 15, 2016
 
0.26

 
7,413

March 1, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
 
April 15, 2016
 
0.26

 
7,429

Total cash dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.04

 
$
29,654

v3.10.0.1
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES  
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
 VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Consolidated VIEs

As discussed in Note 2, the Company evaluates all of its investments and other interests in entities for consolidation, including its investments in: (a) the CLO Securitization (as defined below) and (b) a preferred equity investment in a LLC entity (discussed below), all of which are generally considered to be variable interests in a VIE.
 
CLO Securitization

On March 2, 2017, ACRE Commercial Mortgage 2017-FL3 Ltd. (the “Issuer”) and ACRE Commercial Mortgage 2017-FL3 LLC (the “Co-Issuer”), both wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company, entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as advancing agent and note administrator, and Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, which governs the issuance of approximately $308.8 million principal balance secured floating rate notes (the “Notes”) and $32.4 million of preferred equity in the Issuer (the “CLO Securitization”).
        
As of December 31, 2018, the Notes were collateralized by interests in a pool of eleven mortgage assets having a total principal balance of approximately $289.6 million (the “Mortgage Assets”) that were originated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and approximately $51.6 million of receivables related to repayments of outstanding principal on previous mortgage assets. As of December 31, 2017, the Notes were collateralized by interests in a pool of thirteen mortgage assets having a total principal balance of approximately $341.2 million that were originated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. During the reinvestment period ending on March 15, 2019, the Company may direct the Issuer to acquire additional mortgage assets meeting applicable reinvestment criteria using the principal repayments from the Mortgage Assets, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including receipt of a Rating Agency Confirmation and investor approval of the new mortgage assets.

The contribution of the Mortgage Assets to the Issuer is governed by a Mortgage Asset Purchase Agreement between ACRC Lender LLC (the “Seller”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Issuer, and acknowledged by the Company solely for purposes of confirming its status as a REIT, in which the Seller made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants.

In connection with the securitization, the Issuer and Co-Issuer offered and issued the following classes of Notes: Class A, Class A-S, Class B, Class C and Class D Notes (collectively, the “Offered Notes”) to a third party. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company retained approximately $35.8 million of the Notes and all of the $32.4 million of preferred equity in the Issuer, which totaled $68.2 million. The Company, as the holder of the subordinated Notes and all of the preferred equity in the Issuer, has the obligation to absorb losses of the CLO, since the Company has a first loss position in the capital structure of the CLO.

After March 15, 2021, the Issuer may redeem the Offered Notes subject to paying a make whole prepayment fee of 1.0% of the then outstanding balance of the Offered Notes. In addition, once the Class A Notes, Class A-S Notes, Class B Notes and Class C Notes have been repaid in full, the Issuer has the right to redeem the Class D Notes, subject to paying a make whole prepayment fee of 1.0% on the Class D Notes.
 
As the directing holder of the CLO Securitization, the Company has the ability to direct activities that could significantly impact the CLO Securitization’s economic performance. ACRES is designated as special servicer of the CLO Securitization and has the power to direct activities during the loan workout process on defaulted and delinquent loans, which is the activity that most significantly impacts the CLO Securitization’s economic performance. ACRES did not waive the special servicing fee, and the Company pays its overhead costs. If an unrelated third party had the right to unilaterally remove the special servicer, then the Company would not have the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the CLO Securitization’s economic performance. In addition, there were no substantive kick-out rights of any unrelated third party to remove the special servicer without cause. The Company’s subsidiaries, as directing holders, have the ability to remove the special servicer without cause. Based on these factors, the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the CLO Securitization; thus, the CLO Securitization is consolidated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The CLO Securitization is consolidated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 810 and is structured as a pass through entity that receives principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distributes those payments to the note holders, as applicable. The assets and other instruments held by the CLO Securitization are restricted and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the CLO Securitization. Additionally, the obligations of the CLO Securitization do not have any recourse to the general credit of any other consolidated entities, nor to the Company as the primary beneficiary.

The inclusion of the assets and liabilities of the CLO Securitization of which the Company is deemed the primary beneficiary has no economic effect on the Company. The Company’s exposure to the obligations of the CLO Securitization is generally limited to its investment in the entity. The Company is not obligated to provide, nor has it provided, any financial support for the consolidated structure. As such, the risk associated with the Company’s involvement in the CLO Securitization is limited to the carrying value of its investment in the entity. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s maximum risk of loss was $68.2 million, which represents the carrying value of its investment in the CLO Securitization. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred interest expense related to the CLO Securitization of $10.5 million, $6.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Interest expense related to the CLO Securitization is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. See Note 15 included in these consolidated financial statements for a subsequent event related to the CLO Securitization.

Investment in VIE

On December 19, 2014, the Company and third party institutional investors formed a limited liability company, ACRC KA, which acquired $170.0 million of preferred equity in a REIT whose assets were comprised of a portfolio of 22 multifamily, student housing, medical office and self storage properties managed by its sponsor. The Company’s investment in ACRC KA was considered to be an investment in a VIE. As of December 31, 2016, the Company owned a controlling financial interest of 51.0% of the equity shares in the VIE and the third party institutional investors owned the remaining 49.0% minority financial interest. The preferred equity shares were entitled to a preferred monthly return over the term of the investment at a fixed rate of 10.95% per annum. In January 2017, the Company’s investment in ACRC KA was repaid in full. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s investment was no longer outstanding.
    
ACREM was the non-member manager of the VIE. Based on the terms of the ACRC KA LLC agreement, ACREM had the ability to direct activities that could significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. There were no substantive kick-out rights held by the third party institutional investors to remove ACREM as the non-member manager without cause. As ACREM served as the manager of the Company, the Company had the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant. As such, the Company was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and the party that was most closely associated with the VIE. Thus, the VIE was consolidated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the preferred equity interests owned by the third party institutional investors were reflected as a non-controlling interest held by third parties in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
v3.10.0.1
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]  
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

ACRE Capital primarily originated, sold and serviced multifamily and senior-living related loans under programs offered by government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and by government agencies, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (together with Ginnie Mae, “HUD”). ACRE Capital was approved as a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing lender, a Freddie Mac Program Plus® Seller/Servicer, a Multifamily Accelerated Processing and Section 232 LEAN lender for HUD, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. While ACRE Capital earned little interest income from these activities because it generally only held loans for short periods, ACRE Capital received origination fees when it closed loans and sale premiums when it sold loans. ACRE Capital also retained the rights to service the loans, which were known as mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), and received fees for such servicing during the life of the loans, which generally lasted 10 years or more.

On September 30, 2016, the Company closed the ACRE Capital Sale for a purchase price of approximately $93 million in accordance with the Agreement dated June 28, 2016.

Discontinued Operations - Financial Summary

The following information reconciles the net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, that is presented separately in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Mortgage banking revenue:
 
Servicing fees, net
$
11,081

Gains from mortgage banking activities
24,034

Provision for loss sharing
146

Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights
(6,457
)
Mortgage banking revenue
28,804

Expenses:
 
Management fees to affiliate
446

Professional fees
718

Compensation and benefits
18,108

Transaction costs
797

General and administrative expenses
3,049

General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate
622

Total expenses
23,740

Income from operations before income taxes
5,064

Income tax expense
843

Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
$
4,221



Revenue Recognition

Servicing fees were earned for servicing mortgage loans, including all activities related to servicing the loans, and were recognized as services were provided over the life of the related mortgage loan. Also included in servicing fees were the net fees earned on borrower prepayment penalties and interest earned on borrowers’ escrow payments and interim cash balances, along with other ancillary fees and reduced by write-offs of MSRs for loans that were prepaid, changes in the fair value of the servicing fee payable (as defined below) and interest expense related to escrow accounts. ACRE Capital provided additional payments to certain personnel by providing them with a percentage of the servicing fee revenue that was earned by ACRE Capital, which was initially recorded as a liability when ACRE Capital committed to make a loan to a borrower (the “servicing fee payable”). Servicing fees, net are included within net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
Gains from mortgage banking activities included the initial fair value of MSRs, loan origination fees, gain on the sale of loans originated, interest income and fees earned on loans held for sale, changes to the fair value of derivative financial instruments attributable to the loan commitments and forward sale commitments and reduced by the expense related to the initial fair value of the servicing fee payable and the interest expense related to the Warehouse Lines of Credit (as defined below). The initial fair value of MSRs, loan origination fees, gain on the sale of loans originated, certain direct loan origination costs for loans held for sale and the expenses related to the initial fair value of the servicing fee payable were recognized when ACRE Capital committed to make a loan to a borrower. When ACRE Capital settled a sale agreement and transferred the mortgage loan to the buyer, ACRE Capital recognized a MSR asset equal to the present value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of loans sold. Gains from mortgage banking activities are included within net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Derivatives

Non-designated Hedges
 
Derivatives not designated as hedges were derivatives that did not meet the criteria for hedge accounting under GAAP or for which ACRE Capital had not elected to designate as hedges.
 
Loan commitments and forward sale commitments
 
ACRE Capital entered into loan commitments with borrowers on loan originations whereby the interest rate on the prospective loan was determined prior to funding. In general, ACRE Capital simultaneously entered into forward sale commitments with investors in order to hedge against the interest rate exposure on loan commitments. The forward sale commitment with the investor locked in an interest rate and price for the sale of the loan. The terms of the loan commitment with the borrower and the forward sale commitment with the investor were matched with the objective of hedging interest rate risk. Loan commitments and forward sale commitments were considered undesignated derivative instruments. Accordingly, such commitments, along with any related fees received from potential borrowers, were recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2016, ACRE Capital entered into 49 loan commitments and 49 forward sale commitments.

Income Tax

The Company established a TRS, TRS Holdings, in connection with the acquisition of ACRE Capital. TRS Holdings’ income tax provision consisted of the following for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Current
$
(1,206
)
Deferred
2,049

   Total income tax expense
$
843



Deferred income taxes reflected the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. TRS Holdings was not subject to tax in any foreign tax jurisdiction.

TRS Holdings recognized interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The following table is a reconciliation of TRS Holdings’ statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to TRS Holdings’ effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016:

Federal statutory rate
35.0
 %
State income taxes
4.4
 %
Federal benefit of state tax deduction
(1.5
)%
Effective tax rate
37.9
 %


As of December 31, 2018, tax years 2015 and 2016 remained subject to examination by taxing authorities. TRS Holdings did not have any unrecognized tax benefits.

Intercompany Notes

In connection with the acquisition of ACRE Capital, the Company partially capitalized TRS Holdings with a $44.0 million note. In October 2014, the Company entered into an $8.0 million revolving promissory note with TRS Holdings (collectively, the two intercompany notes described above are referred to as the “Intercompany Notes”). In connection with the ACRE Capital Sale, the Intercompany Notes were repaid in full with the proceeds from the sale on September 30, 2016. At the time of the closing of the ACRE Capital Sale, the outstanding principal balance of the Intercompany Notes was $51.9 million. The income statement effects of the Intercompany Notes were eliminated in consolidation for financial reporting purposes, but the interest income and expense from the Intercompany Notes affected the taxable income of the Company and TRS Holdings.

Related Party Transactions

The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Affiliate Payments
 
Management fees (1)
$
446

General and administrative expenses (1)
622

Direct costs (1)
68

Total
$
1,136


(1)
Management fees incurred are included within management fees to affiliate, general and administrative expenses incurred are included within general and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate and direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 in the reconciliation of net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes.
v3.10.0.1
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]  
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes the Company’s quarterly financial results for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands, except per share data):

 
For the three month period ended,
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
$
13,137

 
$
13,636

 
$
13,984

 
$
14,525

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
9,318

 
$
9,303

 
$
9,957

 
$
10,018

Net income per common share-Basic and Diluted
$
0.33

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.35

2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
$
10,339

 
$
10,411

 
$
14,726

 
$
10,872

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
6,453

 
$
6,713

 
$
11,058

 
$
6,183

Net income per common share-Basic and Diluted
$
0.23

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.22

v3.10.0.1
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company’s management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included herein. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this Form 10-K or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, except as disclosed below.

On January 11, 2019, the Issuer and Co-Issuer entered into an Amended and Restated Indenture (the “Amended Indenture”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as advancing agent and note administrator, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, which governs the approximately $504.1 million principal balance of secured floating rate notes issued by the Issuer and $52.9 million of preferred equity in the Issuer (the “2019 FL3 CLO Securitization”). The Amended Indenture amends and restates, and replaces in its entirety, the indenture for the CLO Securitization issued in March 2017, which governed the issuance of approximately $308.8 million principal balance of secured floating rate notes and $32.4 million of preferred equity in the Issuer. After giving effect to the 2019 FL3 CLO Securitization, the Company retained (through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries) approximately $58.5 million of the non-investment grade notes and all of the $52.9 million of preferred equity in the Issuer, which notes and preferred equity were not offered to investors. The secured floating rate notes are collateralized by interests in a pool of 17 mortgage assets having an aggregate principal balance of $557.0 million.

On February 6, 2019, the Company originated and fully funded a $30.0 million senior mortgage loan on a student housing property located in North Carolina. The loan has a per annum interest rate of LIBOR plus a spread of 3.15% (plus fees) and an initial term of three years.

On February 14, 2019, the Company originated a $100.6 million senior mortgage loan on a mixed-use property located in Florida. At closing, the outstanding principal balance was approximately $37.0 million. The loan has a per annum interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.25% (plus fees) and an initial term of two years.
    
On February 21, 2019, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.33 per common share for the first quarter of 2019. The first quarter 2019 dividend is payable on April 16, 2019 to common stockholders of record as of March 29, 2019.
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company, the consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that the Company controls and of which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition as of and for the periods presented. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations

On June 28, 2016, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (as amended, the “Agreement”) with Barings Real Estate Advisers LLC (formerly known as Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Buyer”), to sell ACRE Capital Holdings LLC (“TRS Holdings”), the holding company that owned the Company’s mortgage banking subsidiary, ACRE Capital LLC (“ACRE Capital”). Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement, on September 30, 2016, the Buyer purchased from the Company all of the outstanding common units of TRS Holdings (the “ACRE Capital Sale”). ACRE Capital primarily originated, sold and serviced multifamily and senior-living related loans under programs offered by government-sponsored enterprises and by government agencies. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Buyer paid approximately $93 million in cash as consideration for the ACRE Capital Sale.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations, defines the criteria required for a disposal transaction to qualify for reporting as a discontinued operation. The Company determined that the ACRE Capital Sale met the criteria for discontinued operations. As a result, the operating results of ACRE Capital, which formerly comprised the mortgage banking segment, are presented separately in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The operating results of discontinued operations are included in the line item “Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes” in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Summarized financial information for the discontinued mortgage banking segment is shown in Note 13 included in these consolidated financial statements.
Variable Interest Entities
Variable Interest Entities

The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation. When the Company’s interests are determined to be variable interests, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, defines the primary beneficiary as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant. The Company considers its variable interests, as well as any variable interests of its related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and it consolidates the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and it does not consolidate the VIE.
 
To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.

To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that the Company applies judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by the Company.
 
For VIEs of which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, all of the underlying assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses of the structures are consolidated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company performs an ongoing reassessment of: (1) whether any entities previously evaluated under the majority voting interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore are subject to the VIE consolidation framework, and (2) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding its involvement with a VIE cause the Company’s consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 12 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company’s VIEs.
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting

The Company previously had two reportable business segments: principal lending and mortgage banking. As a result of the ACRE Capital Sale, the operations of the mortgage banking segment have been reclassified as discontinued operations in all periods presented. The Company now conducts and manages its business as one operating segment, rather than multiple operating segments; therefore, the Company no longer provides segment reporting. See Note 13 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the sale of the mortgage banking segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include funds on deposit with financial institutions, including demand deposits with financial institutions. Cash and short‑term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes deposits required under certain Secured Funding Agreements (each individually defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements).

Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, loans held for investment and interest receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held may exceed the FDIC‑insured limit. The Company has exposure to credit risk on its loans held for investment. The Company and the Company’s Manager seek to manage credit risk by performing due diligence prior to origination or acquisition and through the use of non‑recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate.
Loans Held for Investment
Loans Held for Investment

The Company originates CRE debt and related instruments generally to be held for investment. Loans that are held for investment are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs, unless the loans are deemed impaired. Impairment occurs when it is deemed probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. If a loan is considered to be impaired, the Company will record an allowance to reduce the carrying value of the loan to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective rate.

Each loan classified as held for investment is evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis. Loans are generally collateralized by real estate. The extent of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral property and the financial and operating capability of the borrower could impact the expected amounts received. The Company monitors performance of its investment portfolio under the following methodology: (1) borrower review, which analyzes the borrower’s ability to execute on its original business plan, reviews its financial condition, assesses pending litigation and considers its general level of responsiveness and cooperation; (2) economic review, which considers underlying collateral (i.e. leasing performance, unit sales and cash flow of the collateral and its ability to cover debt service, as well as the residual loan balance at maturity); (3) property review, which considers current environmental risks, changes in insurance costs or coverage, current site visibility, capital expenditures and market perception; and (4) market review, which analyzes the collateral from a supply and demand perspective of similar property types, as well as from a capital markets perspective. Such impairment analyses are completed and reviewed by asset management and finance personnel who utilize various data sources, including periodic financial data such as property occupancy, tenant profile, rental rates, operating expenses, and the borrower’s exit plan, among other factors.

In addition, the Company evaluates the entire portfolio to determine whether the portfolio has any impairment that requires a valuation allowance on the remainder of the loan portfolio. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges with respect to its loans held for investment.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed against interest income in the period the loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding the borrower’s ability to make pending principal and interest payments. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest are paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to placing a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.
 
Preferred equity investments, which are subordinate to any loans but senior to common equity, are accounted for as loans held for investment and are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs, unless the loans are deemed impaired, and are included within loans held for investment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company accretes or amortizes any discounts or premiums over the life of the related loan held for investment utilizing the effective interest method.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs under the Company’s indebtedness are capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective debt instrument. Unamortized debt issuance costs are expensed when the associated debt is repaid prior to maturity. Debt issuance costs related to debt securitizations are capitalized and amortized over the term of the underlying loans using the effective interest method. When an underlying loan is prepaid in a debt securitization and the outstanding principal balance of the securitization debt is reduced, the related unamortized debt issuance costs are charged to expense based on a pro‑rata share of the debt issuance costs being allocated to the specific loans that were prepaid. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations while the unamortized balance on (i) Secured Funding Agreements (each individually defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements) is included within other assets and (ii) the Secured Term Loan (defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements) and debt securitizations are both included as a reduction to the carrying amount of the liability, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The original issue discount (“OID”) on amounts drawn under the Company’s Secured Term Loan represents a discount to the face amount of the drawn debt obligations. The OID is amortized over the term of the Secured Term Loan using the effective interest method and is included within interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations while the unamortized balance is included as a reduction to the carrying amount of the Secured Term Loan in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition

Interest income from loans held for investment is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of each loan. For loans held for investment, origination fees, contractual exit fees and direct loan origination costs are also recognized in interest income from loans held for investment over the initial loan term as a yield adjustment using the effective interest method.
Net Interest Margin and Interest Expense
Net Interest Margin and Interest Expense

Net interest margin in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations serves to measure the performance of the Company’s loans held for investment as compared to its use of debt leverage. The Company includes interest income from its loans held for investment and interest expense related to its Secured Funding Agreements, securitizations debt and the Secured Term Loan (individually defined in Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements) in net interest margin.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

The Company has elected and qualified for taxation as a REIT commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2012. As a result of the Company’s REIT qualification and its distribution policy, the Company does not generally pay U.S. federal corporate level income taxes. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. To continue to qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that the Company distributes annually to its stockholders at least 90% of the Company’s REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. To the extent that the Company distributes less than 100% of its REIT taxable income in any tax year (taking into account any distributions made in a subsequent tax year under Sections 857(b)(9) or 858 of the Code), the Company will pay tax at regular corporate rates on that undistributed portion. Furthermore, if a REIT distributes less than the sum of 85% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 95% of its capital gain net income for the calendar year plus any undistributed shortfall from its prior calendar year (the “Required Distribution”) to its stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then it is required to pay a non-deductible excise tax equal to 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. The 90% distribution requirement does not require the distribution of net capital gains. However, if a REIT elects to retain any of its net capital gain for any tax year, it must notify its stockholders and pay tax at regular corporate rates on the retained net capital gain. The stockholders must include their proportionate share of the retained net capital gain in their taxable income for the tax year, and they are deemed to have paid the REIT’s tax on their proportionate share of the retained capital gain. Furthermore, such retained capital gain may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax. If it is determined that the Company’s estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions (including capital gain dividend) for the current year from such income, the Company accrues excise tax on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. The annual expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations. Excise tax expense is included in the line item income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax in the consolidated statements of operations included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

The Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, ACRC Lender W TRS LLC (“ACRC W TRS”), in December 2013 in order to issue and hold certain loans intended for sale. The Company also formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, ACRC 2017-FL3 TRS LLC (“FL3 TRS”), in March 2017 in order to hold a portion of the CLO Securitization (as defined below) to the extent it generates excess inclusion income. Entity classification elections to be taxed as a corporation and taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) elections were made with respect to ACRC W TRS and FL3 TRS. A TRS is an entity taxed as a corporation that has not elected to be taxed as a REIT, in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds equity, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a TRS. A TRS generally may engage in any business, including investing in assets and engaging in activities that could not be held or conducted directly by the Company without jeopardizing its qualification as a REIT. A TRS is subject to applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax on its taxable income. In addition, as a REIT, the Company also may be subject to a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between it and its TRS that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. For financial reporting purposes, a provision for current and deferred taxes has been established for the portion of the Company’s GAAP consolidated earnings recognized by ACRC W TRS and FL3 TRS. The income tax provision is included in the line item income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax in the consolidated statements of operations included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has analyzed its various federal and state filing positions and believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions are well documented and supported. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, based on the Company’s evaluation, there is no reserve for any uncertain income tax positions. ACRC W TRS and FL3 TRS recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate consolidated statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock‑Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of stock‑based compensation, which is included within general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the time vested restricted stock or restricted stock units granted is recorded to expense on a straight‑line basis over the vesting period for the award, with an offsetting increase in stockholders’ equity. For grants to directors and officers and employees of the Manager, the fair value is determined based upon the market price of the stock on the grant date.
Earnings per Share
Earnings per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for that period after consideration of the earnings (loss) allocated to the Company’s restricted stock, which are participating securities as defined in GAAP. Diluted earnings (loss) per share takes into effect any dilutive instruments, such as restricted stock and convertible debt, except when doing so would be anti‑dilutive.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
    
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU No. 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company has assessed and determined that the application of this guidance does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, primarily because the majority of the Company’s revenue is accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310, Receivables, which is scoped out of this standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard will replace the incurred loss impairment methodology pursuant to GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which intends to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues and clarifies that in the absence of specific guidance, an entity should classify each separately identifiable cash source and use on the basis of the nature of the underlying cash flows. For cash flows with aspects of more than one class that cannot be separated, the classification should be based on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flow. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company has assessed and determined that the application of this guidance does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-18 and applied the guidance retrospectively to the prior period consolidated statements of cash flows.

SEC Disclosure Update and Simplification

In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity and noncontrolling interests presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The Company plans to use the new presentation of consolidated statement of stockholders' equity beginning in 2019. The final rule became effective on November 5, 2018.
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash and cash equivalents
$
11,089

 
$
28,343

 
$
47,270

Restricted cash
379

 
379

 
375

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows
$
11,468

 
$
28,722

 
$
47,645

Reconciliation of interest income from loan held for investment
A reconciliation of the Company’s interest income from loans held for investment, excluding non-controlling interests, to the Company’s interest income from loans held for investment as included within its consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows ($ in thousands):

 
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income from loans held for investment, excluding non-controlling interests
 
$
118,284

 
$
97,506

 
$
77,424

Interest income from non-controlling interest investment held by third parties
 

 
35

 
4,539

Interest income from loans held for investment
 
$
118,284

 
$
97,541

 
$
81,963

Schedule of interest expense
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, interest expense is comprised of the following ($ in thousands):
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Secured funding agreements and securitizations debt
$
54,473

 
$
37,602

 
$
27,856

Secured term loan
8,529

 
13,591

 
9,000

Interest expense
$
63,002

 
$
51,193

 
$
36,856

v3.10.0.1
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]  
Schedule of loans held for investments
The Company’s investments in loans held for investment are accounted for at amortized cost. The following tables summarize the Company’s loans held for investment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands):

 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Outstanding Principal (1)
 
Weighted Average Minimum Loan Borrowing Spread (2)
 
Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield (3)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Senior mortgage loans
$
1,489,708

 
$
1,498,530

 
5.2
%
 
7.0
%
 
1.7
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments
35,165

 
36,213

 
12.7
%
 
14.9
%
 
4.3
Total loans held for investment portfolio
$
1,524,873

 
$
1,534,743

 
5.4
%
 
7.1
%
 
1.8

 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Outstanding Principal (1)
 
Weighted Average Minimum Loan Borrowing Spread (2)
 
Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield (3)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Senior mortgage loans
$
1,674,169

 
$
1,684,439

 
4.8
%
 
6.2
%
 
1.9
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments
52,114

 
52,847

 
9.5
%
 
10.8
%
 
3.4
Total loans held for investment portfolio
$
1,726,283

 
$
1,737,286

 
5.0
%
 
6.3
%
 
2.0
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The difference between the Carrying Amount and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discount, deferred loan fees and loan origination costs.
(2)
Minimum Loan Borrowing Spread is equal to (a) for floating rate loans, the margin above the applicable index rate (e.g., LIBOR) plus floors, if any, on such applicable index rates, and (b) for fixed rate loans, the applicable interest rate.
(3)
Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.

Schedule of current investment portfolio and Outstanding Principal
A more detailed listing of the Company’s investment portfolio based on information available as of December 31, 2018 is as follows ($ in millions, except percentages):

Loan Type
 
Location
 
Outstanding Principal (1)
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Interest Rate
 
Unleveraged Effective Yield (2)
 
Maturity Date (3)
 
Payment Terms (4)
 
Senior Mortgage Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multifamily

FL

$89.7

$89.5

L+4.75%

7.8%

 Sep 2019

I/O

Hotel

Diversified

68.0

67.4

L+3.60%

6.6%

Sep 2021

I/O

Office

TX

67.2

66.8

L+3.60%

6.6%

July 2020

I/O

Hotel

OR/WA

64.1

63.6

L+3.45%

6.5%

May 2021

I/O

Multifamily

UT

63.5

63.2

L+3.25%

6.0%

Dec 2020

I/O

Office

IL

63.2

63.1

L+3.99%

6.9%

 Aug 2019

I/O

Office

IL

61.2

60.8

L+3.75%

6.8%

Dec 2020

I/O

Office

NJ

54.5

54.2

L+4.65%

7.7%

July 2020

I/O

Office

IL

54.1

53.8

L+3.95%

6.8%

June 2021

I/O

Industrial

MN

52.0

51.7

L+3.15%

6.1%

Dec 2020

I/O

Mixed-use

CA

49.0

48.7

L+4.00%

6.9%

Apr 2021

I/O

Multifamily

FL

45.4

45.3

L+4.75%

7.8%

 Sep 2019

I/O

Multifamily

TX

42.7

42.5

L+3.30%

6.2%

Dec 2020

I/O

Student Housing

CA

41.8

41.5

L+3.95%

7.0%

July 2020

I/O

Multifamily

FL

41.2

40.8

L+2.60%

5.7%

Jan 2022

I/O

Student Housing

TX

41.0

40.7

L+4.75%

7.8%

Jan 2021

I/O

Hotel

CA

40.0

39.7

L+4.12%

7.0%

Jan 2021

I/O

Multifamily

SC

38.9

38.7

L+3.36%

6.3%

May 2021

I/O

Student Housing

NC

38.7

38.7

L+4.00%

7.5%

Feb 2019

I/O

Hotel

NY

38.6

38.6

L+4.75%

7.3%

Dec 2018
(5)
I/O

Multifamily

IL

37.0

36.6

L+3.50%

6.7%

Nov 2020

I/O

Hotel

MI

35.2

35.2

L+4.15%

6.7%

July 2019
(6)
I/O

Hotel

MN

31.5

31.2

L+3.55%

6.4%

Aug 2021

I/O

Multifamily

NY

30.1

30.0

L+3.20%

6.1%

Dec 2020

I/O

Multifamily

PA

29.4

29.1

L+3.00%

6.1%

Dec 2021

I/O

Office

CO

27.6

27.3

L+4.15%

7.1%

June 2021

I/O

Multifamily

TX

27.5

27.4

L+3.20%

6.2%

Oct 2020

I/O

Multifamily

CA

26.8

26.7

L+3.85%

6.8%

July 2020

I/O

Student Housing

AL

24.1

24.0

L+4.45%

7.5%

 Feb 2020

I/O

Student Housing

TX

24.0

23.8

L+4.10%

7.1%

Jan 2021

I/O

Hotel

IL

21.4

21.2

L+4.40%

7.5%

May 2021

I/O

Multifamily

CA

19.8

19.6

L+3.30%

6.2%

Feb 2021

I/O

Office

PA

19.6

19.5

L+4.70%

7.7%

 Mar 2020

I/O

Multifamily

FL

19.2

19.1

L+4.00%

6.9%

Nov 2020

I/O

Office

FL

18.4

18.3

L+4.30%

7.4%

Apr 2020

I/O

Residential Condominium

FL

17.5

17.4

L+8.00%

11.9%

Apr 2020

I/O

Office

CA

17.5

17.3

L+3.40%

6.5%

Nov 2021

I/O

Residential

CA

9.1

8.8

12.00%

14.8%

Feb 2020

I/O

Office

NC

8.0

7.9

L+4.00%

7.1%

Nov 2022

I/O

Subordinated Debt and Preferred Equity Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office

NJ

17.0

16.4

12.00%

12.8%

 Jan 2026

I/O
(7)
Residential Condominium

NY

10.8

10.6

L+14.00%

17.5%

May 2021

I/O

Residential Condominium

HI

4.7

4.7

14.00%

19.1%

Apr 2019

I/O

Office

CA

2.7

2.7

L+8.25%

10.9%

Nov 2021

I/O

Mixed-use

IL

1.0

0.8

L+12.25%

15.7%

Nov 2021

I/O

Total/Weighted Average
 
 
 
$1,534.7
 
$1,524.9
 
 
 
7.1%
 
 
 
 
 
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The difference between the Carrying Amount and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discount, deferred loan fees and loan origination costs. For the loans held for investment that represent co-investments with other investment vehicles managed by Ares Management (see Note 10 included in these consolidated financial statements for additional information on co-investments), only the portion of Carrying Amount and Outstanding Principal held by the Company is reflected.
(2)
Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. Unleveraged Effective Yield for each loan is calculated based on LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 or the LIBOR floor, as applicable. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by the Company as of December 31, 2018 as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.
(3)
Certain loans are subject to contractual extension options that generally vary between one and two 12-month extensions and may be subject to performance based or other conditions as stipulated in the loan agreement. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities stated herein as certain borrowers may have the right to prepay with or without paying a prepayment penalty. The Company may also extend contractual maturities and amend other terms of the loans in connection with loan modifications.
(4)
I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest.
(5)
As of December 31, 2018, the $38.6 million senior mortgage loan, which is collateralized by a hotel property located in New York, is in maturity default. See below in this Note 3 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of this loan.
(6)
In June 2018, the borrower exercised a one-year extension option in accordance with the loan agreement, which extended the maturity date on the senior Michigan loan to July 2019.
(7)
In February 2021, amortization will begin on the subordinated New Jersey loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $17.0 million as of December 31, 2018. The remainder of the loans in the Company’s portfolio are non-amortizing through their primary terms.

Schedule of activity in loan portfolio
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the activity in the Company’s loan portfolio was as follows ($ in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
1,313,937

Initial funding
878,834

Origination fees and discounts, net of costs
(9,323
)
Additional funding
21,455

Amortizing payments
(509
)
Loan payoffs
(410,789
)
Loans sold to third parties (1)
(73,900
)
Origination fee accretion
6,578

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
1,726,283

Initial funding
510,529

Origination fees and discounts, net of costs
(5,816
)
Additional funding
33,693

Amortizing payments
(645
)
Loan payoffs
(746,120
)
Origination fee accretion
6,949

Balance at December 31, 2018
$
1,524,873

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
In December 2017, the Company sold a senior mortgage loan and a B-Note mortgage loan with outstanding principal of $63.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, which were both collateralized by an office property located in Texas, to a third party. Both loans were previously classified as held for investment and were sold in order to rebalance and optimize the Company’s loan portfolio. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale.

v3.10.0.1
DEBT (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of outstanding balances and total commitments under the Funding Agreements
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding balances and total commitments under the Financing Agreements consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Outstanding Balance
 
Total
Commitment
 
Outstanding Balance
 
Total
Commitment
 
Wells Fargo Facility
$
274,071

 
$
500,000

 
$
407,853

 
$
500,000

 
Citibank Facility
184,003

 
325,000

(1)
175,651

 
250,000

(1)
BAML Facility
36,280

 
125,000

 
78,320

 
125,000

 
CNB Facility

 
50,000

 

 
50,000

 
MetLife Facility
135,145

 
180,000

 
101,131

 
180,000

 
UBS Facility

 

(2)
34,000

 
140,000

 
U.S. Bank Facility
148,475

 
185,989

 
161,005

 
185,989

 
Secured Term Loan
110,000

 
110,000

 
110,000

 
110,000

 
   Total
$
887,974

 
$
1,475,989

 
$
1,067,960

 
$
1,540,989

 
______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of December 31, 2017, the Citibank Facility (as defined below) had an accordion feature that provided for an increase in the $250.0 million commitment amount with respect to approved assets, as determined by Citibank, N.A. in its sole discretion. In December 2018, the Company amended the Citibank Facility to, among other things, increase the facility’s commitment amount from $250.0 million to $325.0 million and remove the accordion feature.
(2)
In October 2018, the UBS Facility (as defined below) matured. The UBS Facility had been repaid in full and its term was not extended.
Schedule of principal maturities of the Company's secured funding agreements and the 2015 Convertible Notes
At December 31, 2018, approximate principal maturities of the Company’s Financing Agreements are as follows ($ in thousands):


Wells Fargo
Facility
 
Citibank
Facility
 
BAML Facility
 
CNB
Facility
 
MetLife Facility
 
U.S. Bank Facility
 
Secured Term Loan
 
Total
2019
$

 
$

 
$
36,280

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
36,280

2020
274,071

 

 

 

 
135,145

 
148,475

 
110,000

 
667,691

2021

 
184,003

 

 

 

 

 

 
184,003

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


$
274,071

 
$
184,003

 
$
36,280

 
$

 
$
135,145

 
$
148,475

 
$
110,000

 
$
887,974

v3.10.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of loan commitments
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had the following commitments to fund various senior mortgage loans, subordinated debt investments, as well as preferred equity investments accounted for as loans held for investment ($ in thousands):
 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Total commitments
$
1,677,615

 
$
1,847,534

Less: funded commitments
(1,534,743
)
 
(1,737,286
)
Total unfunded commitments
$
142,872

 
$
110,248

v3.10.0.1
EQUITY (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Schedule of restricted stock grants awarded
The following table details the restricted stock grants awarded as of December 31, 2018:

Grant Date
 
Vesting Start Date
 
Shares Granted
May 1, 2012
 
July 1, 2012
 
35,135
June 18, 2012
 
July 1, 2012
 
7,027
July 9, 2012
 
October 1, 2012
 
25,000
June 26, 2013
 
July 1, 2013
 
22,526
November 25, 2013
 
November 25, 2016
 
30,381
January 31, 2014
 
August 31, 2015
 
48,273
February 26, 2014
 
February 26, 2014
 
12,030
February 27, 2014
 
August 27, 2014
 
22,354
June 24, 2014
 
June 24, 2014
 
17,658
June 24, 2015
 
July 1, 2015
 
25,555
April 25, 2016
 
July 1, 2016
 
10,000
June 27, 2016
 
July 1, 2016
 
24,680
April 25, 2017
 
April 25, 2018
 
81,710
June 7, 2017
 
July 1, 2017
 
18,224
October 17, 2017
 
January 2, 2018
 
7,278
December 15, 2017
 
January 2, 2018
 
8,948
May 14, 2018
 
July 2, 2018
 
31,766
June 26, 2018
 
July 1, 2019
 
67,918
December 14, 2018
 
March 31, 2019
 
57,065
Total
 
 
 
553,528
Schedule of restricted stock award activity
Schedule of Non-Vested Share and Share Equivalents

 
 Restricted Stock Grants—Directors
 
Restricted Stock Grants—Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
21,394

 
90,658

 
112,052

Granted
31,766

 
124,983

 
156,749

Vested
(30,606
)
 
(36,185
)
 
(66,791
)
Forfeited

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018
22,554

 
179,456

 
202,010

Future anticipated vesting schedule of restricted stock awards
Future Anticipated Vesting Schedule

 
Restricted Stock Grants—Directors
 
Restricted Stock Grants—Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Total
2019
18,384

 
62,303

 
80,687

2020
3,336

 
65,313

 
68,649

2021
834

 
38,072

 
38,906

2022

 
13,768

 
13,768

2023

 

 

Total
22,554

 
179,456

 
202,010


Summary of activity in the Company's vested and nonvested shares of restricted stock
The following table summarizes the restricted stock compensation expense included within general and administrative expenses for ACRE and compensation and benefits for ACRE Capital (which is included within net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations), the total fair value of shares vested and the weighted average grant date fair value of the restricted stock granted to the Company’s directors and officers, employees of the Manager and employees of ACRE Capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
Directors
 
Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Employees
 
Total
 
Directors
 
Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Employees
 
Total
 
Directors
 
Officers and Employees of the Manager
 
Employees
 
Total
Compensation expense (1)
$
427

 
$
675

 
$

 
$
1,102

 
$
317

 
$
264

 
$

 
$
581

 
$
355

 
$
53

 
$
(96
)
 
$
312

Total fair value of shares vested (2)
405

 
449

 

 
854

 
347

 

 

 
347

 
342

 
54

 
383

 
779

Weighted average grant date fair value
427

 
1,759

 

 
2,186

 
338

 
1,254

 

 
1,592

 
412

 

 

 
412

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Compensation expense for ACRE Capital employees is included within compensation and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 in the reconciliation of net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes. See Note 13 included in these consolidated financial statements for more information.
(2)
Based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on each vesting date.

v3.10.0.1
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of computations of basic and diluted earnings per share
The following information sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations and discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands, except share and per share data):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net income from continuing operations, less non-controlling interests
$
38,596

 
$
30,407

 
$
25,919

Net income from discontinued operations, including gain on sale of discontinued operations
$

 
$

 
$
14,417

Divided by:


 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
28,529,439

 
28,478,237

 
28,461,853

Weighted average non-vested restricted stock
127,221

 
72,708

 
61,453

Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
28,656,660

 
28,550,945

 
28,523,306

Basic earnings per common share:


 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.91

Discontinued operations

 

 
0.51

Net income
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.42

Diluted earnings per common share:


 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.91

Discontinued operations

 

 
0.51

Net income
$
1.35

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.41

v3.10.0.1
INCOME TAX (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of components of the TRS's income tax provision
The income tax provision for the Company and the TRSs consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current
$
84

 
$
25

 
$
21

Deferred

 

 

Excise tax
362

 
153

 
209

   Total income tax expense, including excise tax
$
446

 
$
178

 
$
230

The Company established a TRS, TRS Holdings, in connection with the acquisition of ACRE Capital. TRS Holdings’ income tax provision consisted of the following for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Current
$
(1,206
)
Deferred
2,049

   Total income tax expense
$
843

v3.10.0.1
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments not carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost are as follows ($ in thousands):

 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Level in Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair
Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Loans held for investment
3
 
$
1,524,873

 
$
1,534,743

 
$
1,726,283

 
$
1,737,286

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Secured funding agreements
2
 
$
777,974

 
$
777,974

 
$
957,960

 
$
957,960

   Secured term loan
2
 
108,345

 
110,000

 
107,595

 
110,000

Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIE)
3
 
270,737

 
272,927

 
271,211

 
272,927

v3.10.0.1
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Summary of related-party costs incurred by the Company and amounts payable to the Manager
The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company related to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and amounts payable to the Company’s Manager as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands):

 
Incurred
 
Payable
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
Affiliate Payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
$
6,268

 
$
6,188

 
$
5,608

 
$
1,576

 
$
1,549

Incentive fees
1,150

 
381

 
348

 
540

 

General and administrative expenses
3,570

 
3,899

 
3,441

 
996

 
1,016

Direct costs
224

(1)
304

(1)
848

(2)
51

 
63

Total
$
11,212

 
$
10,772

 
$
10,245

 
$
3,163

 
$
2,628

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
(2)
For the year ended December 31, 2016, direct costs incurred are included within (i) general and administrative expenses of $486 thousand and (ii) interest expense of $362 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Affiliate Payments
 
Management fees (1)
$
446

General and administrative expenses (1)
622

Direct costs (1)
68

Total
$
1,136


(1)
Management fees incurred are included within management fees to affiliate, general and administrative expenses incurred are included within general and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate and direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 in the reconciliation of net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes.

v3.10.0.1
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  
Summary of the Company's dividends declared
The following table summarizes the Company’s dividends declared during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands, except per share data):

Date Declared
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Per Share Amount
 
Total Amount
October 30, 2018
 
December 28, 2018
 
January 15, 2019
 
$
0.31

 
$
8,914

July 26, 2018
 
September 28, 2018
 
October 16, 2018
 
0.29

 
8,323

May 1, 2018
 
June 29, 2018
 
July 17, 2018
 
0.28

 
8,036

March 1, 2018
 
March 29, 2018
 
April 17, 2018
 
0.28

 
8,008

Total cash dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.16

 
$
33,281

November 1, 2017
 
December 29, 2017
 
January 16, 2018
 
$
0.27

 
$
7,722

August 3, 2017
 
September 29, 2017
 
October 16, 2017
 
0.27

 
7,717

May 2, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
July 17, 2017
 
0.27

 
7,718

March 7, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
April 17, 2017
 
0.27

 
7,690

Total cash dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.08

 
$
30,847

November 3, 2016
 
December 30, 2016
 
January 17, 2017
 
$
0.26

 
$
7,406

August 4, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
October 17, 2016
 
0.26

 
7,406

May 5, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
July 15, 2016
 
0.26

 
7,413

March 1, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
 
April 15, 2016
 
0.26

 
7,429

Total cash dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.04

 
$
29,654

v3.10.0.1
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]  
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations
The following information reconciles the net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes, that is presented separately in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Mortgage banking revenue:
 
Servicing fees, net
$
11,081

Gains from mortgage banking activities
24,034

Provision for loss sharing
146

Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights
(6,457
)
Mortgage banking revenue
28,804

Expenses:
 
Management fees to affiliate
446

Professional fees
718

Compensation and benefits
18,108

Transaction costs
797

General and administrative expenses
3,049

General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate
622

Total expenses
23,740

Income from operations before income taxes
5,064

Income tax expense
843

Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
$
4,221

Schedule of components of income tax expense
The income tax provision for the Company and the TRSs consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 ($ in thousands):

 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current
$
84

 
$
25

 
$
21

Deferred

 

 

Excise tax
362

 
153

 
209

   Total income tax expense, including excise tax
$
446

 
$
178

 
$
230

The Company established a TRS, TRS Holdings, in connection with the acquisition of ACRE Capital. TRS Holdings’ income tax provision consisted of the following for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Current
$
(1,206
)
Deferred
2,049

   Total income tax expense
$
843

Schedule of effective tax rate reconciliation
The following table is a reconciliation of TRS Holdings’ statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to TRS Holdings’ effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016:

Federal statutory rate
35.0
 %
State income taxes
4.4
 %
Federal benefit of state tax deduction
(1.5
)%
Effective tax rate
37.9
 %
Summary of related-party transactions
The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company related to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and amounts payable to the Company’s Manager as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands):

 
Incurred
 
Payable
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
Affiliate Payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
$
6,268

 
$
6,188

 
$
5,608

 
$
1,576

 
$
1,549

Incentive fees
1,150

 
381

 
348

 
540

 

General and administrative expenses
3,570

 
3,899

 
3,441

 
996

 
1,016

Direct costs
224

(1)
304

(1)
848

(2)
51

 
63

Total
$
11,212

 
$
10,772

 
$
10,245

 
$
3,163

 
$
2,628

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
(2)
For the year ended December 31, 2016, direct costs incurred are included within (i) general and administrative expenses of $486 thousand and (ii) interest expense of $362 thousand in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 ($ in thousands):

Affiliate Payments
 
Management fees (1)
$
446

General and administrative expenses (1)
622

Direct costs (1)
68

Total
$
1,136


(1)
Management fees incurred are included within management fees to affiliate, general and administrative expenses incurred are included within general and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate and direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 in the reconciliation of net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes.

v3.10.0.1
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]  
Summary of the entity's quarterly financial results
The following table summarizes the Company’s quarterly financial results for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 ($ in thousands, except per share data):

 
For the three month period ended,
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
$
13,137

 
$
13,636

 
$
13,984

 
$
14,525

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
9,318

 
$
9,303

 
$
9,957

 
$
10,018

Net income per common share-Basic and Diluted
$
0.33

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.35

2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
$
10,339

 
$
10,411

 
$
14,726

 
$
10,872

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
6,453

 
$
6,713

 
$
11,058

 
$
6,183

Net income per common share-Basic and Diluted
$
0.23

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.22



v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 28, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
segment
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]          
Number of reportable segments as a result of the Acquisition | segment     2    
Impairments of loan held for investment     $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Minimum period of past due loans to be placed on non accrual     30 days    
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | ACRE Capital Sale          
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]          
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses $ 93,000,000 $ 93,000,000      
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,089 $ 28,343 $ 47,270  
Restricted cash 379 379 375  
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows $ 11,468 $ 28,722 $ 47,645 $ 18,149
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Interest Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Interest income from loans held for investment, excluding non-controlling interests   $ 97,506 $ 77,424
Interest income from non-controlling interest investment held by third parties $ 0 35 4,539
Interest and Fee Income, Loans and Leases Held-in-portfolio $ 118,284 $ 97,541 $ 81,963
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Interest expense $ 63,002 $ 51,193 $ 36,856
Secured funding agreements and securitizations debt      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Interest expense 54,473 37,602 27,856
Secured term loan      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Interest expense $ 8,529 $ 13,591 $ 9,000
v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Income Taxes (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax [Line Items]  
Excise tax rate 4.00%
ACRC Lender UTRS LLC  
Income Tax [Line Items]  
Excise tax rate 100.00%
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries 100.00%
ACRC Lender WTRS LLC | ACRE Capital  
Income Tax [Line Items]  
Excise tax rate 100.00%
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries 100.00%
v3.10.0.1
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Loan
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]      
Number of loans originated or co-originated | Loan 44    
Number of loans repaid or sold | Loan 76    
Total Commitment $ 1,700,000,000    
Loans held for investment, Carrying Amount 1,524,873,000 $ 1,726,283,000 $ 1,313,937,000
Amount funded 544,200,000    
Amount of repayments, excluding non-controlling interests held by third parties $ 746,800,000    
Percentage of Loans Held for Investment Having LIBOR Floors 89.80%    
Weighted average floor (as a percent) 1.38%    
Unleveraged effective yield dispositions, early prepayments or defaults $ 0    
Mortgage loans on real estate impairment charges recognized $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
v3.10.0.1
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Loans Held for Investment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]    
Loans held for investment $ 1,524,873 $ 1,726,283
Outstanding Principal $ 1,534,743 $ 1,737,286
Weighted Average Interest Rate 5.40% 5.00%
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.10% 6.30%
Weighted Average Remaining Life 1 year 9 months 18 days 2 years
Senior mortgage loans    
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]    
Loans held for investment $ 1,489,708 $ 1,674,169
Outstanding Principal $ 1,498,530 $ 1,684,439
Weighted Average Interest Rate 5.20% 4.80%
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.00% 6.20%
Weighted Average Remaining Life 1 year 8 months 12 days 1 year 10 months 24 days
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments    
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]    
Loans held for investment $ 35,165 $ 52,114
Outstanding Principal $ 36,213 $ 52,847
Weighted Average Interest Rate 12.70% 9.50%
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 14.90% 10.80%
Weighted Average Remaining Life 4 years 3 months 18 days 3 years 4 months 24 days
v3.10.0.1
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Investment Portfolio (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
extension_option
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 1,534,743,000 $ 1,737,286,000  
Loans held for investment $ 1,524,873,000 $ 1,726,283,000  
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.10% 6.30%  
Stated interest rate 5.40% 5.00%  
Minimum      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Number of extension pptions | extension_option 1    
Maximum      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Number of extension pptions | extension_option 2    
Extension period of maturity date 12 months    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal     $ 22,000,000.0
Loans held for investment $ 17,500,000    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due September 2019, Instrument 1 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal 89,700,000    
Loans held for investment $ 89,500,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due September 2019, Instrument 1 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.75%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due September 2019, Instrument 2 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 45,400,000    
Loans held for investment $ 45,300,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due September 2019, Instrument 2 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.75%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 2.60%, Due January 2022 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 41,200,000    
Loans held for investment $ 40,800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 5.70%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 2.60%, Due January 2022 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 2.60%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due November 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 19,200,000    
Loans held for investment $ 19,100,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.90%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due November 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.30%, Due April 2020 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 18,400,000    
Loans held for investment $ 18,300,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.40%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 4.30%, Due April 2020 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.30%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 8.00%, Due April 2020 | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 17,500,000    
Loans held for investment $ 17,400,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 11.90%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | FLORIDA | LIBOR Plus 8.00%, Due April 2020 | LIBOR | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 8.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | Diversified | LIBOR Plus 3.60%, Due September 2021 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 68,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 67,400,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.60%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | Diversified | LIBOR Plus 3.60%, Due September 2021 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.60%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 3.60%, Due July 2020 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 67,200,000    
Loans held for investment $ 66,800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.60%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 3.60%, Due July 2020 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.60%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 3.30%, Due December 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 42,700,000    
Loans held for investment $ 42,500,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.20%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 3.30%, Due December 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.30%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due Jan 2021 | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 41,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 40,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due Jan 2021 | LIBOR | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.75%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 3.20%, Due October 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 27,500,000    
Loans held for investment $ 27,400,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.20%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 3.20%, Due October 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.20%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 4.10%, Due January 2021 | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 24,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 23,800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | TEXAS | LIBOR Plus 4.10%, Due January 2021 | LIBOR | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | OREGON/WASHINGTON | LIBOR Plus 3.45%, Due May 2021 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 64,100,000    
Loans held for investment $ 63,600,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.50%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | OREGON/WASHINGTON | LIBOR Plus 3.45%, Due May 2021 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.45%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NEW YORK | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due December 2018 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 38,600,000    
Loans held for investment $ 38,600,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.30%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NEW YORK | LIBOR Plus 4.75%, Due December 2018 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.75%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NEW YORK | LIBOR Plus 3.20%, Due December 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 30,100,000    
Loans held for investment $ 30,000,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NEW YORK | LIBOR Plus 3.20%, Due December 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.20%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | UTAH | LIBOR Plus 3.25%, Due December 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 63,500,000    
Loans held for investment $ 63,200,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | UTAH | LIBOR Plus 3.25%, Due December 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.25%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.99%, Due August 2019 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 63,200,000    
Loans held for investment $ 63,100,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.90%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.99%, Due August 2019 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.99%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.75%, Due December 2020 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 61,200,000    
Loans held for investment $ 60,800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.75%, Due December 2020 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.75%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.95%, Due June 2021 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 54,100,000    
Loans held for investment $ 53,800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.95%, Due June 2021 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.95%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.50%, Due November 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 37,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 36,600,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.70%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 3.50%, Due November 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.50%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 4.40%, Due May 2021 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 21,400,000    
Loans held for investment $ 21,200,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.50%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 4.40%, Due May 2021 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.40%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 9,100,000    
Loans held for investment $ 8,800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 14.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 12.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due April 2021 | Mixed-use      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 49,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 48,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.90%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due April 2021 | LIBOR | Mixed-use      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.95%, Due July 2020 | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 41,800,000    
Loans held for investment $ 41,500,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.95%, Due July 2020 | LIBOR | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.95%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 4.12%, Due January 2021 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 40,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 39,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 4.12%, Due January 2021 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.12%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.85%, Due July 2020 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 26,800,000    
Loans held for investment $ 26,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.80%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.85%, Due July 2020 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.85%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.30%, Due February 2021 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 19,800,000    
Loans held for investment $ 19,600,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.20%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.30%, Due February 2021 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.30%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.40%, Due November 2021 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 17,500,000    
Loans held for investment $ 17,300,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.50%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 3.40%, Due November 2021 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.40%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | SOUTH CAROLINA | LIBOR Plus 3.36%, Due May 2021 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 38,900,000    
Loans held for investment $ 38,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.30%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | SOUTH CAROLINA | LIBOR Plus 3.36%, Due May 2021 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.36%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | COLORADO | LIBOR Plus 4.15%, Due June 2021 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 27,600,000    
Loans held for investment $ 27,300,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | COLORADO | LIBOR Plus 4.15%, Due June 2021 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.15%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | MINNESOTA | LIBOR Plus 3.15%, Due December 2020 | Industrial      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 52,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 51,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | MINNESOTA | LIBOR Plus 3.15%, Due December 2020 | LIBOR | Industrial      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.15%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | MINNESOTA | LIBOR Plus 3.55%, Due August 2021 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 31,500,000    
Loans held for investment $ 31,200,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.40%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | MINNESOTA | LIBOR Plus 3.55%, Due August 2021 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.55%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NEW JERSEY | LIBOR Plus 4.65%, Due July 2020 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 54,500,000    
Loans held for investment $ 54,200,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.70%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NEW JERSEY | LIBOR Plus 4.65%, Due July 2020 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.65%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NORTH CAROLINA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due February 2019 | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 38,700,000    
Loans held for investment $ 38,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.50%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NORTH CAROLINA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due February 2019 | LIBOR | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NORTH CAROLINA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due November 2022 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 8,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 7,900,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | NORTH CAROLINA | LIBOR Plus 4.00%, Due November 2022 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | MICHIGAN | LIBOR Plus 4.15%, Due July 2019 | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 35,200,000    
Loans held for investment $ 35,200,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.70%    
Amount of delinquent loans $ 38,600,000    
Senior Mortgage Loans | MICHIGAN | LIBOR Plus 4.15%, Due July 2019 | LIBOR | Hotel      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.15%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ALABAMA | LIBOR Plus 4.55%, Due February 2020 | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 24,100,000    
Loans held for investment $ 24,000,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.50%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | ALABAMA | LIBOR Plus 4.55%, Due February 2020 | LIBOR | Student Housing      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.45%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | PENNSYLVANIA | LIBOR Plus 3.00%, Due December 2021 | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 29,400,000    
Loans held for investment $ 29,100,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 6.10%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | PENNSYLVANIA | LIBOR Plus 3.00%, Due December 2021 | LIBOR | Multifamily      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 3.00%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | PENNSYLVANIA | LIBOR Plus 4.70%, Due March 2020 | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 19,600,000    
Loans held for investment $ 19,500,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 7.70%    
Senior Mortgage Loans | PENNSYLVANIA | LIBOR Plus 4.70%, Due March 2020 | LIBOR | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Basis spread on variable interest rate 4.70%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | NEW YORK | LIBOR Plus 14.00%, Due May 2021 | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 10,800,000    
Loans held for investment $ 10,600,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 17.50%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | NEW YORK | LIBOR Plus 14.00%, Due May 2021 | LIBOR | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Stated interest rate 14.00%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 12.25%, Due November 2021 | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 1,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 800,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 15.70%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | ILLINOIS | LIBOR Plus 12.25%, Due November 2021 | LIBOR | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Stated interest rate 12.25%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 8.25%, Due November 2021 | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 2,700,000    
Loans held for investment $ 2,700,000    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 10.90%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | CALIFORNIA | LIBOR Plus 8.25%, Due November 2021 | LIBOR | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Stated interest rate 8.25%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | NEW JERSEY | Office      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 17,000,000    
Loans held for investment $ 16,400,000    
Basis spread on variable interest rate 12.00%    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 12.80%    
Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | HAWAII | Residential      
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]      
Outstanding Principal $ 4,700,000    
Loans held for investment $ 4,700,000    
Basis spread on variable interest rate 14.00%    
Unleveraged effective yield (as a percent) 19.10%    
v3.10.0.1
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT - Portfolio Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Change in the activity of loan portfolio      
Balance at the beginning of the period $ 1,726,283 $ 1,313,937  
Initial funding 510,529 878,834  
Receipt of origination fees, net of costs (5,816) (9,323)  
Additional funding 33,693 21,455  
Amortizing payments (645) (509)  
Loan payoffs (746,120) (410,789)  
Loans sold to third parties   (73,900)  
Origination fee accretion 6,949 6,578 $ 5,924
Balance at the end of the period 1,524,873 $ 1,726,283 $ 1,313,937
Senior mortgage loans      
Change in the activity of loan portfolio      
Loans sold to third parties (63,900)    
B Note Mortgage Loan      
Change in the activity of loan portfolio      
Loans sold to third parties $ (10,000)    
v3.10.0.1
DEBT - Schedule of outstanding balances and total commitments under Financing Agreements (Details) - USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
May 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance $ 887,974,000   $ 1,067,960,000  
Total Commitment 1,475,989,000   1,540,989,000  
Secured term loan        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 110,000,000   110,000,000  
Total Commitment 110,000,000   110,000,000  
Wells Fargo Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 274,071,000   407,853,000  
Total Commitment 500,000,000   500,000,000 $ 500,000,000
Wells Fargo Facility | Secured revolving funding facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Total Commitment 0.02      
Citibank Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 184,003,000   175,651,000  
Total Commitment 325,000,000   250,000,000  
Citibank Facility | Secured revolving funding facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Total Commitment 325,000,000 $ 250,000,000.0 250,000,000.0  
BAML Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 36,280,000   78,320,000  
Total Commitment 125,000,000   125,000,000  
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 0   0  
Total Commitment 50,000,000   50,000,000  
MetLife Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 135,145,000   101,131,000  
Total Commitment 180,000,000   180,000,000  
April 2014 UBS Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 0   34,000,000  
Total Commitment 0   140,000,000  
U.S. Bank Facility        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding Balance 148,475,000   161,005,000  
Total Commitment $ 185,989,000   $ 185,989,000  
v3.10.0.1
DEBT - Narrative Disclosures (Details)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 5 Months Ended 7 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 11 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 09, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 14, 2015
Dec. 09, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
extension
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2019
Sep. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
extension
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Aug. 03, 2017
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 08, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
extension
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
May 30, 2017
USD ($)
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 887,974,000 $ 1,067,960,000 $ 1,067,960,000         $ 887,974,000 $ 1,067,960,000       $ 887,974,000 $ 1,067,960,000      
Total Commitment       1,475,989,000 1,540,989,000 1,540,989,000         1,475,989,000 1,540,989,000       1,475,989,000 1,540,989,000      
Early extinguishment of debt costs                               0 (768,000) $ 0    
Initial amount withdrawn from the maximum borrowing capacity                               0 0 $ 80,000,000    
Amount of debt discount on the initial draw down amount                               $ 2,600,000        
Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Secured term loan                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       110,000,000 110,000,000 110,000,000         110,000,000 110,000,000       $ 110,000,000 110,000,000      
Total Commitment       $ 110,000,000 $ 110,000,000 110,000,000         $ 110,000,000 110,000,000       $ 110,000,000 $ 110,000,000      
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       1             1         1        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Non-utilization threshold percentage (as a percent)       1.00%             1.00%         1.00%        
Non-utilization/commitment fee $ 560,000                                      
Aggregate principal amount       $ 110,000,000             $ 110,000,000         $ 110,000,000        
Initial amount withdrawn from the maximum borrowing capacity $ 80,000,000   $ 75,000,000                                  
Secured term loan | LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)         7.20%                   8.70% 5.00% 6.00%      
Repayments of Debt           45,000,000                            
Early extinguishment of debt costs                               $ 768,000        
LIBOR floor (as a percent)       1.00%             1.00%         1.00%        
Percentage of accretion of Original issue discount and associated costs       7.60%     8.50%       7.60%         7.60%   8.50%    
Secured term loan | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Net Proceeds Raised in Future Equity Issuances Used for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               80.00%        
Percentage of tangible net worth required to be maintained (as a percent)                               65.00%        
Asset coverage ratio                               110.00%        
Unencumbered asset ratio                               120.00%        
Secured term loan | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument Covenant Ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth                               4        
U.S. Bank Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 148,475,000 $ 161,005,000 161,005,000         $ 148,475,000 161,005,000       $ 148,475,000 $ 161,005,000      
Total Commitment       $ 185,989,000 185,989,000 185,989,000         $ 185,989,000 185,989,000       $ 185,989,000 185,989,000      
U.S. Bank Facility | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Total Commitment                                     $ 186,000,000  
U.S. Bank Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       2             2         2        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
U.S. Bank Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               0.00%        
Non-utilization/commitment fee                                 83,000 $ 77,000    
U.S. Bank Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               2.25%        
Wells Fargo Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 274,071,000 407,853,000 407,853,000         $ 274,071,000 407,853,000       $ 274,071,000 407,853,000      
Total Commitment       500,000,000 500,000,000 500,000,000         500,000,000 500,000,000       500,000,000 500,000,000     $ 500,000,000
Wells Fargo Facility | Secured revolving funding facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Total Commitment       $ 0.02             $ 0.02         $ 0.02        
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       3             3         3        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Non-utilization threshold percentage (as a percent)       75.00%             75.00%         75.00%        
Non-utilization/commitment fee                               $ 149,000 362,000 340,000    
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                               0.25%        
Wells Fargo Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges                               1.25        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Specified Amount for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               $ 135,500,000        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Net Proceeds Raised in Future Equity Issuances Used for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               80.00%        
Wells Fargo Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Minimum | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)   1.75%   1.50%                                
Wells Fargo Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument Covenant Ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth                               4        
Ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth                               3        
Wells Fargo Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Maximum | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)   2.35%   2.25%                                
Citibank Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 184,003,000 175,651,000 175,651,000         $ 184,003,000 175,651,000       $ 184,003,000 175,651,000      
Total Commitment       325,000,000 250,000,000 250,000,000         325,000,000 250,000,000       325,000,000 250,000,000      
Citibank Facility | Secured revolving funding facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Total Commitment       $ 325,000,000 250,000,000.0 250,000,000.0         $ 325,000,000 250,000,000.0   $ 250,000,000.0   $ 325,000,000 250,000,000.0      
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       2             2         2        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Non-utilization/commitment fee                               $ 143,000 165,000 93,000    
Liquidity to be maintained as a percentage of recourse indebtedness                               5.00%        
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                               0.25%        
Citibank Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Amount of liquidity to be maintained                               $ 5,000,000        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Net Proceeds Raised in Future Equity Issuances Used for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               80.00%        
Citibank Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Minimum | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)             400.00%       1.50%     2.25%            
Citibank Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument Covenant Ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth                               4        
Ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth                               3        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges                               1.25        
Amount of liquidity to be maintained                               $ 10,000,000        
Citibank Facility | Secured revolving funding facility | Maximum | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)             100.00%       2.25%     2.50%            
BAML Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 36,280,000 78,320,000 78,320,000         $ 36,280,000 78,320,000       36,280,000 78,320,000      
Total Commitment       125,000,000 125,000,000 125,000,000         125,000,000 125,000,000       $ 125,000,000 125,000,000      
Period immediately preceding on the last date of the applicable reporting period for maintaining fixed charge coverage ratio                               12 months        
BAML Facility | Secured revolving funding facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                               0.125%        
BAML Facility | Secured funding facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Total Commitment       $ 125,000,000             $ 125,000,000         $ 125,000,000        
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       1             1         1        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Facility used on average (as a percent)                               50.00%        
Non-utilization/commitment fee                               $ 21,000 52,000 52,000    
Term of debt                               2 years        
BAML Facility | Secured funding facility | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges                               1.25        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Net Proceeds Raised in Future Equity Issuances Used for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               80.00%        
BAML Facility | Secured funding facility | Minimum | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               2.25%        
BAML Facility | Secured funding facility | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument Covenant Ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth                               4        
Ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth                               3        
BAML Facility | Secured funding facility | Maximum | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               2.75%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 0 0 0         $ 0 0       $ 0 0      
Total Commitment       $ 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000         $ 50,000,000 50,000,000       $ 50,000,000 50,000,000      
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       1             1         1        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Non-utilization/commitment fee                               $ 166,000 184,000 $ 122,000    
Period immediately preceding on the last date of the applicable reporting period for maintaining fixed charge coverage ratio                               12 months        
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                               0.375%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility | One, two, three or six month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               3.00%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility | Federal funds rate                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               0.50%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               1.00%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility | Base rate                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               1.25%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate (as a percent)       3.00%             3.00%         3.00%        
Facility used on average (as a percent)                               75.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges                               1.25        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Net Proceeds Raised in Future Equity Issuances Used for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               80.00%        
City National Bank Facility | CNB Facility | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth                               3        
MetLife Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 135,145,000 101,131,000 101,131,000         $ 135,145,000 101,131,000       $ 135,145,000 101,131,000      
Total Commitment       $ 180,000,000 180,000,000 180,000,000         $ 180,000,000 $ 180,000,000       $ 180,000,000 180,000,000      
MetLife Facility | Secured revolving funding facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Non-utilization threshold percentage (as a percent)       65.00%             65.00%         65.00%        
Non-utilization/commitment fee                               $ 7,000        
MetLife Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Total Commitment       $ 180,000,000             $ 180,000,000         $ 180,000,000        
Number of extension periods available for maturity date | extension       2             2         2        
Extension period of maturity date                               12 months        
Period immediately preceding on the last date of the applicable reporting period for maintaining fixed charge coverage ratio                               12 months        
MetLife Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | 30 day LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                       2.30% 2.35%              
MetLife Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges                               1.25        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
MetLife Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument Covenant Ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth                               4        
Ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth                               3        
April 2014 UBS Facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Outstanding Balance       $ 0 34,000,000 34,000,000         $ 0 $ 34,000,000       $ 0 34,000,000      
Total Commitment       0 $ 140,000,000 $ 140,000,000         0 $ 140,000,000       0 $ 140,000,000      
April 2014 UBS Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Total Commitment       $ 140,000,000             $ 140,000,000         $ 140,000,000        
Period immediately preceding on the last date of the applicable reporting period for maintaining fixed charge coverage ratio                               12 months        
April 2014 UBS Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Minimum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges                               1.25        
Percentage of tangible net worth as of September 30, 2013 used for computing the tangible net worth to be maintained                               80.00%        
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Net Proceeds Raised in Future Equity Issuances Used for Computing Tangible Net Worth to be Maintained                               80.00%        
April 2014 UBS Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Maximum                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument Covenant Ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth                               4        
Ratio of recourse debt to tangible net worth                               3        
April 2014 UBS Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Assets subject to an advance for one year or less | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               1.88%        
April 2014 UBS Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Assets subject to an advance in excess of one year but less than two years | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               2.08%        
April 2014 UBS Facility | Revolving master repurchase facility | Assets subject to an advance for greater than two years | One-month LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Interest rate margin (as a percent)                               2.28%        
Forecast | Secured term loan | LIBOR                                        
Funding agreements                                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)               0.75% 0.375% 0.125%                    
v3.10.0.1
DEBT - Maturity Schedule (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2019 $ 36,280
2020 667,691
2021 184,003
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total 887,974
Secured term loan  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2019 0
2020 110,000
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total 110,000
Wells Fargo Facility  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2020 274,071
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total 274,071
Citibank Facility  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2019 0
2021 184,003
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total 184,003
BAML Facility  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2019 36,280
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total 36,280
CNB Facility  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
MetLife Facility  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2020 135,145
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total 135,145
U.S. Bank Facility  
Principal maturities of secured funding agreements and unsecured debt  
2019 0
2020 148,475
2022 0
2023 0
Thereafter 0
Total $ 148,475
v3.10.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Commitments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]    
Total commitments $ 1,677,615 $ 1,847,534
Less: funded commitments (1,534,743) (1,737,286)
Total unfunded commitments $ 142,872 $ 110,248
v3.10.0.1
EQUITY - Stock Buyback Program and Public Offering (Details) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
May 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Feb. 29, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]          
Stock repurchase agreement, authorized amount $ 20,000,000       $ 30,000,000
Period in force 1 year        
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares   0 0 (129,916)  
Stock repurchased and retired during period, value       $ (1,436,000)  
Average price per share       $ 11.06  
Subscription agreement shares issued   0 0 0  
v3.10.0.1
EQUITY - Disclosures (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Jun. 30, 2018
Equity Incentive Plan        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized       1,390,000
Restricted stock activity        
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares) 112,052      
Granted (in shares) 156,749      
Vested (in shares) (66,791)      
Forfeited (in shares) 0      
Balance at the end of the period (in shares) 202,010 112,052    
Activity in the Company's vested and nonvested shares of restricted stock        
Compensation expense included in compensation and benefits $ 1,102 $ 581 $ 312  
Total fair value of shares vested 854 347 779  
Weighted average grant date fair value 2,186 1,592 412  
Total compensation cost related to non-vested awards that have not yet been recognized $ 2,300 $ 1,200 $ 180  
Weighted-average period over which non-vested awards are expected to be recognized 2 years 1 month 6 days 1 year 11 months 11 days 1 year 7 days  
Directors        
Activity in the Company's vested and nonvested shares of restricted stock        
Compensation expense included in compensation and benefits $ 427 $ 317 $ 355  
Total fair value of shares vested 405 347 342  
Weighted average grant date fair value 427 338 412  
Officer        
Activity in the Company's vested and nonvested shares of restricted stock        
Compensation expense included in compensation and benefits 675 264 53  
Total fair value of shares vested 449 0 54  
Weighted average grant date fair value 1,759 1,254 0  
Employees        
Activity in the Company's vested and nonvested shares of restricted stock        
Compensation expense included in compensation and benefits 0 0 (96)  
Total fair value of shares vested 0 0 383  
Weighted average grant date fair value $ 0 $ 0 0  
ACRC KA Investor LLC        
Non-controlling interest        
Total equity of VIE     21,700  
VIE equity owned by the company     11,100  
Amount allocated to non-controlling interest     $ 10,600  
Restricted stock        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 553,528      
Future Anticipated Vesting Schedule        
2019 (in shares) 80,687      
2020 (in shares) 68,649      
2021 (in shares) 38,906      
2022 (in shares) 13,768      
2023 (in shares) 0      
Total (in shares) 202,010      
Restricted stock | Maximum        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Award vesting period 4 years      
Restricted stock | Minimum        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Award vesting period 1 year      
Restricted stock | Directors        
Restricted stock activity        
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares) 21,394      
Granted (in shares) 31,766      
Vested (in shares) (30,606)      
Forfeited (in shares) 0      
Balance at the end of the period (in shares) 22,554 21,394    
Future Anticipated Vesting Schedule        
2019 (in shares) 18,384      
2020 (in shares) 3,336      
2021 (in shares) 834      
2022 (in shares) 0      
2023 (in shares) 0      
Total (in shares) 22,554      
Restricted stock | Officer        
Restricted stock activity        
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares) 90,658      
Granted (in shares) 124,983      
Vested (in shares) (36,185)      
Forfeited (in shares) 0      
Balance at the end of the period (in shares) 179,456 90,658    
Future Anticipated Vesting Schedule        
2019 (in shares) 62,303      
2020 (in shares) 65,313      
2021 (in shares) 38,072      
2022 (in shares) 13,768      
2023 (in shares) 0      
Total (in shares) 179,456      
Restricted stock | May 1, 2012        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 35,135      
Restricted stock | June 18, 2012        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 7,027      
Restricted stock | July 9, 2012        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 25,000      
Restricted stock | June 26, 2013        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 22,526      
Restricted stock | November 25, 2013        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 30,381      
Restricted stock | January 31, 2014        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 48,273      
Restricted stock | February 26, 2014        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 12,030      
Restricted stock | February 27, 2014        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 22,354      
Restricted stock | June 24, 2014        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 17,658      
Restricted stock | June 24, 2015        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 25,555      
Restricted stock | April 25, 2016        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 10,000      
Restricted stock | June 27, 2016        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 24,680      
Restricted stock | April 25, 2017        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 81,710      
Restricted stock | June 7, 2017        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 18,224      
Restricted stock | October 17, 2017        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 7,278      
Restricted stock | December 15, 2017        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 8,948      
Restricted stock | May 14, 2018        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 31,766      
Restricted stock | June 26, 2018        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 67,918      
Restricted stock | December 14, 2018        
Equity Incentive Plan        
Shares granted 57,065      
v3.10.0.1
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]      
Net income from continuing operations, less non-controlling interests $ 38,596 $ 30,407 $ 25,919
Net income from discontinued operations, including gain on sale of discontinued operations $ 0 $ 0 $ 14,417
Divided by:      
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (shares) 28,529,439 28,478,237 28,461,853
Non-vested restricted stock (shares) 127,221 72,708 61,453
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: (shares) 28,656,660 28,550,945 28,523,306
Basic earnings per common share:      
Continuing operations (in dollars per share) $ 1.35 $ 1.07 $ 0.91
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) 0.00 0.00 0.51
Net income (in dollars per share) 1.35 1.07 1.42
Diluted earnings per common share:      
Continuing operations (in dollars per share) 1.35 1.07 0.91
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) 0.00 0.00 0.51
Net income (in dollars per share) $ 1.35 $ 1.07 $ 1.41
v3.10.0.1
INCOME TAX (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Components of the company's income tax provision      
Deferred $ 0 $ 0 $ 2,049
Excise tax   153 209
Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 446 178 230
Excise tax rate 4.00%    
ACRE Capital Sale      
Components of the company's income tax provision      
Current $ 84 25 21
Deferred 0 0 0
Excise tax 362 153 209
Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 446 $ 178 $ 230
v3.10.0.1
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying value and estimated fair value of the financial assets on the consolidated balance sheet    
Loans held for investment $ 1,524,873 $ 1,726,283
Carrying Value    
Carrying value and estimated fair value of the financial assets on the consolidated balance sheet    
Loans held for investment 1,524,873 1,726,283
Financial Liabilities:    
Secured funding agreements 777,974 957,960
Secured term loan 108,345 107,595
Debt issued by consolidated VIE 270,737 271,211
Fair Value | Level II    
Financial Liabilities:    
Secured funding agreements 777,974 957,960
Secured term loan 110,000 110,000
Fair Value | Level III    
Carrying value and estimated fair value of the financial assets on the consolidated balance sheet    
Loans held for investment 1,534,743 1,737,286
Financial Liabilities:    
Debt issued by consolidated VIE $ 272,927 $ 272,927
v3.10.0.1
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Oct. 31, 2018
Aug. 31, 2018
May 31, 2018
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Related Party Transactions, Management Fee Renewal Term 1 year          
Related Party Transactions, Management Fee Look Back Period 24 months          
Outstanding Principal $ 1,534,743,000 $ 1,737,286,000        
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net $ 1,524,873,000 1,726,283,000        
Credit support fee, percent     1.50%      
Credit surrport fee, Average outstanding amount threshold     $ 75,000,000      
Ares Management            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Credit support fee incurred     362,000      
Affiliated Entity            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Base management fees as a percentage of stockholders' equity per annum 1.50%          
Incentive fee payable $ 0          
Percentage multiplied to arrive at first value affecting calculation of incentive fees 20.00%          
Previous period for which core earnings are considered to arrive at first value affecting calculation of incentive fees 12 months          
Previous period for product of weighted average price per share and weighted average number of shares of common stock and other shares 12 months          
Percentage multiplied to arrive at difference of first value affecting calculation of incentive fees 8.00%          
Period whose fiscal quarters are considered to arrive at first value affecting calculation of incentive fees 12 months          
Minimum cumulative core earnings $ 0          
Revenue from Related Parties 1,200,000 $ 381,000 $ 348,000      
ILLINOIS | Mezzanine Loan | Mixed-use            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal           $ 25,000,000.0
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net 974,000          
ILLINOIS | Mezzanine Loan | Mixed-use | Ares Management            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal           15,300,000.0
ILLINOIS | Mezzanine Loan | Mixed-use | Affiliated Entity            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal           $ 9,700,000.0
HAWAII | Pre-Constructions Mezzanine Loan | Residential            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal         $ 12,000,000.0  
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net 4,700,000          
HAWAII | Pre-Constructions Mezzanine Loan | Residential | Ares Management            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal         8,000,000.0  
HAWAII | Pre-Constructions Mezzanine Loan | Residential | Affiliated Entity            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal         $ 4,000,000.0  
FLORIDA | Residential | Senior Mortgage Loans            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal       $ 22,000,000.0    
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net 17,500,000          
FLORIDA | Residential | Senior Mortgage Loans | Ares Management            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal       17,500,000.0    
FLORIDA | Residential | Senior Mortgage Loans | Affiliated Entity            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal       4,500,000.0    
NEW YORK | Mezzanine Loan | Residential            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal       23,300,000.0    
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net $ 10,800,000          
NEW YORK | Mezzanine Loan | Residential | Ares Management            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal       14,000,000.0    
NEW YORK | Mezzanine Loan | Residential | Affiliated Entity            
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]            
Outstanding Principal       $ 9,300,000.0    
v3.10.0.1
RELATED PATY TRANSACTIONS - Related Party Costs Incurred (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Payable $ 3,163 $ 2,628  
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred 11,212 10,772 $ 10,245
Payable 3,163 2,628  
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity | Management fees      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred 6,268 6,188 5,608
Payable 1,576 1,549  
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity | Incentive Fees      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred 1,150 381 348
Payable 540 0  
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity | General and administrative expenses      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred 3,570 3,899 3,441
Payable 996 1,016  
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity | Direct costs      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred 224 304 848
Payable $ 51 $ 63  
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity | Direct costs | General and administrative expenses      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred     486
Continuing Operations | Affiliated Entity | Direct costs | Interest Expense      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Incurred     $ 362
v3.10.0.1
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS                              
Dividends per share amount paid (in dollars per share) $ 0.31 $ 0.29 $ 0.28 $ 0.28 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 1.16 $ 1.08 $ 1.04
Total cash dividends $ 8,914 $ 8,323 $ 8,036 $ 8,008 $ 7,722 $ 7,717 $ 7,718 $ 7,690 $ 7,406 $ 7,406 $ 7,413 $ 7,429 $ 33,281 $ 30,847 $ 29,654
v3.10.0.1
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details)
12 Months Ended
Mar. 02, 2017
USD ($)
Loan
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Loan
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 19, 2014
USD ($)
property
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Loans held for investment   $ 1,524,873,000 $ 1,726,283,000    
Primary beneficiary          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Maximum exposure to loss   68,200,000      
Floating Rate Notes, Weighted Average Coupon Rate, LIBOR Plus 1.85%          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Number of properties collateralized for mortgage loan | Loan 11   13    
Collateral amount $ 289,600,000   $ 341,200,000    
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross, Consumer, Mortgage   $ 51,600,000      
Offered Certificates          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Fee, Percent   1.00%      
Offered Notes          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Fee, Percent   1.00%      
Interest expense   $ 10,500,000 $ 6,800,000 $ 3,200,000  
Parent Company | Offered Certificates          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Preferred equity fully funded amount 32,400,000        
Parent Company | Secured funding agreements and securitizations debt          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Loans held for investment 68,200,000        
Holdco | Offered Notes          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Principal amount of certificates retained by wholly owned subsidiary of the entity 35,800,000        
ACRE Commercial Mortgage 2017-FL3 Ltd And ACRE Commercial Mortgage 2017-FL3 LLC | Floating Rate Notes, Weighted Average Coupon Rate, LIBOR Plus 1.85%          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Loans held for investment $ 308,800,000        
ACRC KA Investor LLC          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Preferred equity fully funded amount         $ 170,000,000
Number of properties | property         22
Fixed rate of return on investment     10.95%    
Parent Company | ACRC KA Investor LLC          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Controlling financial interest held by parent     51.00%    
Third Party Institutional Investors | ACRC KA Investor LLC          
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]          
Controlling financial interest held by third party institutional investors     49.00%    
v3.10.0.1
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 28, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
forward_sale_commitments
loan_commitments
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2014
USD ($)
note
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Number of Loan Commitments Entered | loan_commitments       49    
Secured funding agreements     $ 777,974,000   $ 957,960,000  
Number of Forward Sale Commitments | forward_sale_commitments       49    
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | ACRE Capital Sale | Notes One            
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Aggregate principal amount     $ 44,000,000.0      
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | ACRE Capital Sale | Revolving Promissory Note            
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Aggregate principal amount           $ 8,000,000.0
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | ACRE Capital Sale | Notes Receivable And Revolving Promissory Note Receivable            
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Secured funding agreements         $ 51,900,000  
Notes | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | ACRE Capital Sale            
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Number of notes | note           2
ACRE Capital Sale | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale            
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses $ 93,000,000 $ 93,000,000        
Minimum            
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]            
Amortization Period of Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSRs) (in years)     10 years      
v3.10.0.1
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Net Income of Discontinued Operations Held for Sale (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]      
Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes $ 0 $ 0 $ 4,221
ACRE Capital Sale | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale      
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]      
Servicing fees, net 11,081    
Gains from mortgage banking activities 24,034    
Provision for loss sharing 146    
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights (6,457)    
Mortgage banking revenue 28,804    
Management fees to affiliate 446    
Professional fees 718    
Compensation and benefits 18,108    
Transaction costs 797    
General and administrative expenses 3,049    
General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate 622    
Total expenses 23,740    
Income from operations before income taxes 5,064    
Income tax expense (benefit) 843    
Net income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes $ 4,221    
v3.10.0.1
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Income Tax (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Expense [Abstract]      
Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 446 $ 178 $ 230
ACRE Capital Sale      
Income Tax Expense [Abstract]      
Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 446 178 $ 230
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | ACRE Capital Sale      
Income Tax Expense [Abstract]      
Current   (1,206)  
Deferred   2,049  
Total income tax expense (benefit)   $ 843  
Reconciliation of the Company's effective tax rate to the Company's statutory federal income tax rate      
Federal statutory rate (as a percent)   35.00%  
State income taxes   4.40%  
Federal benefit of state tax deduction (as a percent)   (1.50%)  
Effective tax rate   37.90%  
v3.10.0.1
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Related Party Transactions (Details) - ACRE Capital Sale - Discontinued Operations - Affiliated Entity
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]  
Incurred $ 1,136
Management fees  
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]  
Incurred 446
General and administrative expenses  
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]  
Incurred 622
Direct costs  
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]  
Incurred $ 68
v3.10.0.1
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]                      
Net interest margin $ 14,525 $ 13,984 $ 13,636 $ 13,137 $ 10,872 $ 14,726 $ 10,411 $ 10,339      
Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 10,018 $ 9,957 $ 9,303 $ 9,318 $ 6,183 $ 11,058 $ 6,713 $ 6,453 $ 38,596 $ 30,432 $ 44,868
Net income per common share-Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.22 $ 0.39 $ 0.24 $ 0.23      
v3.10.0.1
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - USD ($)
Feb. 21, 2019
Feb. 14, 2019
Feb. 06, 2019
Jan. 11, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events              
Total Commitment         $ 887,974,000    
Outstanding Principal         1,534,743,000 $ 1,737,286,000  
Loans held for investment         1,524,873,000 $ 1,726,283,000  
Wells Fargo Bank, NA              
Subsequent Events              
Total Commitment         $ 274,071,000    
Subsequent event              
Subsequent Events              
Dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share) $ 0.33            
Subsequent event | Senior Mortgage Loans, LIBOR Plus 3.15% | Student Housing | NORTH CAROLINA | Senior Mortgage Loans              
Subsequent Events              
Outstanding Principal     $ 30,000,000.0        
Basis spread on variable interest rate     3.15%        
Term of debt     3 years        
Subsequent event | Senior Mortgage Loans, LIBOR Plus 4.25% | Mixed-use | FLORIDA | Senior Mortgage Loans              
Subsequent Events              
Outstanding Principal   $ 100,600,000.0          
Loans held for investment   $ 37,000,000.0          
Basis spread on variable interest rate   4.25%          
Term of debt   2 years          
Wells Fargo Bank, NA              
Subsequent Events              
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component             $ 32,400,000
Wells Fargo Bank, NA | Subsequent event | 2019 FL3 CLO Securitization              
Subsequent Events              
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component       $ 52,900,000      
Notes Payable to Banks | Wells Fargo Bank, NA              
Subsequent Events              
Total Commitment             $ 308,800,000
Notes Payable to Banks | Subsequent event | Wells Fargo Bank, NA | 2019 FL3 CLO Securitization              
Subsequent Events              
Total Commitment       504,100,000      
Collateral amount       557,000,000      
Affiliated Entity | Wells Fargo Bank, NA | Subsequent event | 2019 FL3 CLO Securitization              
Subsequent Events              
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component       52,900,000      
Affiliated Entity | Notes Payable to Banks | Subsequent event | Wells Fargo Bank, NA | 2019 FL3 CLO Securitization              
Subsequent Events              
Total Commitment       $ 58,500,000