false0001529377 0001529377 2020-08-06 2020-08-06


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_____________________________________________________________________ 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 6, 2020
ACRE05.JPG
ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Maryland
 
001-35517
 
45-3148087
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
245 Park Avenue,
42nd Floor,
New York,
NY
10167
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212750-7300
 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
ACRE
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 





Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On August 6, 2020, the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. A copy of the summary press release and the earnings presentation are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
The information disclosed under this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)          Exhibits:
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Press Release, dated August 6, 2020
 
Presentation of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, dated August 6, 2020






SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 6, 2020
By:
/s/ Tae-Sik Yoon
 
 
Name:
Tae-Sik Yoon
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer





Exhibit 99.1

ACRE05.JPG
ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION REPORTS
SECOND QUARTER 2020 RESULTS

Second quarter GAAP net income of $9.8 million or $0.29 per diluted common share and Core Earnings(1) of $10.7 million or $0.32 per diluted common share

NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”) (NYSE:ACRE), a specialty finance company engaged in originating and investing in commercial real estate assets, reported generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) net income of $9.8 million or $0.29 per diluted common share and Core Earnings(1) of $10.7 million or $0.32 per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2020.

“Despite overall volatile market conditions, our Core Earnings remained consistent and our credit quality showed further improvement through active asset management during the second quarter,” said Bryan Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of ACRE. “Our portfolio, which is focused on multifamily, office and industrial properties, remains well positioned for the current low interest rate environment with 95% of our portfolio in senior loans and 96% with LIBOR floors or are fixed rate.”            

“Our portfolio continues to perform well with 100% of our loans held for investment making their contractual debt service payments through the July 2020 payment date,” said Tae-Sik Yoon, Chief Financial Officer of ACRE. “We also further enhanced our liquidity by recently selling or partly monetizing five loans totaling $238 million in outstanding principal balance.”


_________________________________
(1) Core Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Schedule I for further details.

















1


COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND

On June 19, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.33 per common share for the second quarter of 2020. The second quarter 2020 dividend was paid on July 15, 2020 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2020.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company issued a presentation of its second quarter 2020 results, which can be viewed at www.arescre.com on the Investor Resources section of our home page under Events and Presentations. The presentation is titled “Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Presentation.” The Company also filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2020.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

On Thursday, August 6, 2020, the Company invites all interested persons to attend its webcast/conference call at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its second quarter 2020 financial results.

All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website at http://www.arescre.com. Please visit the website to test your connection before the webcast. Domestic callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (888) 317-6003. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (412) 317-6061. All callers will need to enter the Participant Elite Entry Number 2260614 followed by the # sign and reference “Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation” once connected with the operator. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call will be available through August 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic callers by dialing +1 (877) 344-7529 and to international callers by dialing +1 (412) 317-0088. For all replays, please reference conference number 10146422. An archived replay will also be available through August 20, 2020 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website.

ABOUT ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation is a specialty finance company primarily engaged in originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments. Through its national direct origination platform, the Company provides a broad offering of flexible and reliable financing solutions for commercial real estate owners and operators. The Company originates senior mortgage loans, as well as subordinate financings, mezzanine debt and preferred equity, with an emphasis on providing value added financing on a variety of properties located in liquid markets across the United States. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation elected and qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and is externally managed by a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation. For more information, please visit www.arescre.com. The contents of such website are not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein or on the webcast / conference call may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which relate to future events or the Company’s future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the returns on current and future investments, rates of repayments and prepayments on the Company’s mortgage loans, availability of investment opportunities, the Company’s ability to originate additional investments and completion of pending investments, the availability of capital, the availability and cost of financing, market trends and conditions in the Company’s industry and the general economy, the level of lending and borrowing spreads and interest rates, commercial real estate loan volumes, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic's impact on the U.S. and global economy, and the risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including, but not limited to, the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2020, and the risk factors described in Part II - Other Information, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2020. Any forward-looking statement, including any contained herein, speaks only as of the time of this press release and Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein or on the webcast/conference call. Projections and forward-looking statements are based on management’s good faith and reasonable assumptions, including the assumptions described herein.

2



INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS
 
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation
Carl Drake or Veronica Mendiola Mayer
(888) 818-5298
[email protected]


3


ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
As of
 
June 30, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
72,987

 
$
5,256

Restricted cash

 
379

Loans held for investment ($525,817 and $515,896 related to consolidated VIEs, respectively)
1,794,049

 
1,682,498

Current expected credit loss reserve
(26,063
)
 

Loans held for investment, net of current expected credit loss reserve
1,767,986

 
1,682,498

Loans held for sale, at fair value
96,404

 

Real estate owned, net
37,693

 
37,901

Other assets ($996 and $1,309 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively; $31,183 and $41,104 of other receivables related to consolidated VIEs, respectively)
46,163

 
58,100

Total assets
$
2,021,233

 
$
1,784,134

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Secured funding agreements
$
876,842

 
$
728,589

Notes payable
54,819

 
54,708

Secured term loan
109,588

 
109,149

Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIE)
443,467

 
443,177

Secured borrowings
47,533

 

Due to affiliate
3,217

 
2,761

Dividends payable
11,072

 
9,546

Other liabilities ($371 and $718 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively)
9,569

 
9,865

Total liabilities
1,556,107

 
1,357,795

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and 33,441,937 and 28,865,610 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
329

 
283

Additional paid-in capital
497,054

 
423,619

Accumulated earnings (deficit)
(32,257
)
 
2,437

Total stockholders' equity
465,126

 
426,339

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
2,021,233

 
$
1,784,134



4


ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
For the three months ended June 30,
 
For the six months ended June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income from loans held for investment
$
29,835

 
$
29,993

 
$
61,283

 
$
57,979

Interest expense
(13,042
)
 
(16,675
)
 
(28,576
)
 
(32,415
)
Net interest margin
16,793

 
13,318

 
32,707

 
25,564

Revenue from real estate owned
1,189

 
8,357

 
6,409

 
10,267

Total revenue
17,982

 
21,675

 
39,116

 
35,831

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management and incentive fees to affiliate
2,152

 
2,252

 
3,924

 
3,826

Professional fees
660

 
532

 
1,563

 
1,011

General and administrative expenses
959

 
1,029

 
1,827

 
2,148

General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate
1,038

 
771

 
2,089

 
1,430

Expenses from real estate owned
3,254

 
7,118

 
9,930

 
8,806

Total expenses
8,063

 
11,702

 
19,333

 
17,221

  Provision for current expected credit losses
(4,007
)
 

 
23,111

 

  Unrealized losses on loans held for sale
3,998

 

 
3,998

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
9,928

 
9,973

 
(7,326
)
 
18,610

Income tax expense, including excise tax
160

 
218

 
169

 
314

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
9,768

 
$
9,755

 
$
(7,495
)
 
$
18,296

Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.29

 
$
0.34

 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
0.64

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
$
0.29

 
$
0.34

 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
0.63

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
33,316,933

 
28,599,282

 
32,607,442

 
28,580,658

Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
33,539,580

 
28,863,765

 
32,607,442

 
28,822,601

Dividends declared per share of common stock (1)
$
0.33

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.66

 
$
0.66




(1) There is no assurance dividends will continue at these levels or at all.


5


SCHEDULE I

Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Core Earnings

The Company believes the disclosure of Core Earnings provides useful information to investors regarding the calculation of incentive fees the Company pays to its manager, Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC, and the Company’s financial performance. Core Earnings is an adjusted non-GAAP measure that helps the Company evaluate its financial performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that it believes are not necessarily indicative of its current loan origination portfolio and operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Core Earnings is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as 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), one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between the Company’s external manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors.

Reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Core Earnings is set forth in the table below for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2020 ($ in thousands):
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2020
For the twelve months ended June 30, 2020
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
9,768

 
$
11,199

Stock-based compensation
365

 
1,551

Incentive fees to affiliate
303

 
680

Depreciation of real estate owned
224

 
870

Provision for current expected credit losses
(4,007
)
 
23,111

Unrealized losses on loans held for sale
3,998

 
3,998

Core Earnings
$
10,651

 
$
41,409

 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
0.29

 
$
0.37

Stock-based compensation
0.01

 
0.05

Incentive fees to affiliate
0.01

 
0.02

Depreciation of real estate owned
0.01

 
0.03

Provision for current expected credit losses
(0.12
)
 
0.75

Unrealized losses on loans held for sale
0.12

 
0.13

Basic Core Earnings per common share
$
0.32

 
$
1.35

 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
0.29

 
$
0.36

Stock-based compensation
0.01

 
0.05

Incentive fees to affiliate
0.01

 
0.02

Depreciation of real estate owned
0.01

 
0.03

Provision for current expected credit losses
(0.12
)
 
0.75

Unrealized losses on loans held for sale
0.12

 
0.13

Diluted Core Earnings per common share
$
0.32

 
$
1.34




6
Exhibit 99.2 Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Presentation


 
Important Notice Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which may relate to future events or the future performance or financial condition of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation ("ACRE" or the "Company"), its external manager, Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC ("ACREM"), a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation ("Ares Corp."), Ares Corp., certain of their respective subsidiaries and certain funds and accounts managed by ACREM and/or their subsidiaries. These statements are not guarantees of future results or financial condition and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and conditions may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in ACRE’s and/or Ares Corp.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Any such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions available under applicable securities laws. For a discussion regarding the potential risks and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ACRE, see Part I., Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" and Part II., Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in ACRE's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.   Ares Corp. is the parent to several registered investment advisers, including Ares Management LLC ("Ares Management") and ACREM. Collectively, Ares Corp., its affiliated entities, and all underlying subsidiary entities shall be referred to as “Ares” unless specifically noted otherwise.   The information contained in this presentation is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of ACRE’s SEC filings and other public announcements that ACRE or Ares may make, by press release or otherwise, from time to time. ACRE and Ares undertake no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements or other information contained in this presentation. These materials contain information about ACRE and Ares, and certain of their respective personnel and affiliates, information about their respective historical performance and general information about the market. You should not view information related to the past performance of ACRE or Ares or information about the market, as indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured.   Nothing in these materials should be construed as a recommendation to invest in any securities that may be issued by ACRE or any other fund or account managed by Ares, or as legal, accounting or tax advice. None of ACRE or Ares makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein and nothing contained herein shall be relied upon as a promise or representation whether as to the past or future performance. Certain information set forth herein includes estimates and projections and involves significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis. Further, such information, unless otherwise stated, is before giving effect to management and incentive fees and deductions for taxes. No representations are made as to the accuracy of such estimates or projections or that all assumptions relating to such estimates or projections have been considered or stated or that such estimates or projections will be realized.   These materials may contain confidential and proprietary information, and their distribution or the divulgence of any of their contents to any person, other than the person to whom they were originally delivered and such person’s advisers, without the prior consent of ACRE or Ares, as applicable, is prohibited. You are advised that United States securities laws restrict any person who has material, non-public information about a company from purchasing or selling securities of such company (and options, warrants and rights relating thereto) and from communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell such securities. You agree not to purchase or sell such securities in violation of any such laws.   These materials are not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security, the offer and/or sale of which can only be made by definitive offering documentation. Any offer or solicitation with respect to any securities that may be issued by ACRE will be made only by means of definitive offering memoranda or prospectus, which will be provided to prospective investors and will contain material information that is not set forth herein, including risk factors relating to any such investment.   This may contain information obtained from third parties, including ratings from credit ratings agencies such as Standard & Poor’s. Such information has not been independently verified and, accordingly, ACRE makes no representation or warranty in respect of this information. Reproduction and distribution of third party content in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of the related third party. Third party content providers do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of any information, including ratings, and are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of such content. THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS GIVE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, COMPENSATORY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, LEGAL FEES, OR LOSSES (INCLUDING LOST INCOME OR PROFITS AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS OR LOSSES CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE) IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THEIR CONTENT, INCLUDING RATINGS. Credit ratings are statements of opinions and are not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold or sell securities. They do not address the suitability of securities or the suitability of securities for investment purposes, and should not be relied on as investment advice.   1


 
Business Highlights Diversified Portfolio Supported Earnings Enhanced Liquidity Active Balance Sheet Positioning Power Position Management 96% of loans are floating Borrowings diversified 95% senior loans; no liquid rate with LIBOR floors Unrestricted cash of $80 (2) across 8 different or marketable securities currently in the money or million (3) sources of financing fixed rate(1) Reduced borrowing costs 62% of loans backed by Additional cash capacity 2.9x Debt to Equity due to decreasing LIBOR multifamily, office and under FL-3 Securitization (1.9x recourse Debt to and deleveraging of balance (2)(4) industrial properties and Ares Warehouse(2) Equity) sheet • 100% of loans held for investment made contractual debt service payments through the July 2020 payment date(5) • Non-accruing loans declined from 6% of outstanding principal balance to 4% quarter over Positive Progress on quarter, including the removal of one hotel loan Credit Quality • Portfolio risk ratings improved with 91% of loans held for investment rated a 3 or higher compared to 84% in prior quarter(6) • Subsequent to quarter end, decreased hotel loan exposure by $31 million Note: As of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. See footnotes on page 15. 2


 
Second Quarter 2020 Results (7) Financial • GAAP net income of $9.8 million or $0.29 per diluted common share • Core Earnings of $10.7 million or $0.32 per diluted common share(8) Results • Book value per diluted common share of $13.91 or $14.75, excluding CECL reserve • Refinanced two existing senior loans totaling $137.5 million in outstanding principal; transferred $37.5 Portfolio million in junior subordinated participations to a third party generating additional liquidity • $23.5 million in outstanding principal funded on previously originated commitments Activity • Three loans with $100.8 million of outstanding principal transferred to held for sale (subsequently sold post quarter end) Total Loans • 50 loans held for investment Held for • $2.1 billion in originated commitments at closing and $1.8 billion in outstanding principal Investment • Weighted average unleveraged effective yield of 6.7%(9) Dividends • Common stock dividend of $0.33 per common share for Q2-20 paid in cash on July 15, 2020(10) Subsequent • Closed the sale of three senior mortgage loans with aggregate outstanding principal of $100.8 million • U.S. Bank facility repaid in full and term was not extended Events • Amended MetLife Facility to, among other things, extend the initial maturity date to August 13, 2022 Note: As of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. See footnotes on page 15. 3


 
Total Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Key Statistics Loan Portfolio Characteristics(13) ($ in millions) Total loan commitments $2,058.8 Outstanding principal balance $1,806.3 Mid-Atlantic/Northeast 10% Weighted average unpaid principal balance of loan portfolio(11) $1,889.9 Total number of loans held for investment 50 Southwest Percentage of floating rate loans based on outstanding principal 12% balance 98% Southeast 40% Percentage of senior loans based on outstanding principal balance 95% Weighted average remaining life of loan portfolio 1.5 years Weighted average remaining life of senior loans 1.5 years Midwest Weighted average remaining life of subordinated debt and 18% preferred equity investments 2.3 years (12) Unleveraged Effective Yield West 20% 8% 7.2% 6.9% (9) 6.8% 6.6% 6.7% Self Storage 1% 6% Residential/Condominium 2% Multifamily 25% 4% Industrial 9% 2% 0% Q2-19 Q3-19 Q4-19 Q1-20 Q2-20 Student Housing 10% Senior loans 6.9% 6.5% 6.5% 6.2% 6.3%(9) Sub. debt and pref. equity investments 14.7% 15.0% 15.1% 13.5% 13.6% Mixed-use 12% Office 28% Note: As of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. See footnotes on page 15. Hotel 13% 4


 
Interest Rate Sensitivity(13) • 98% of the loan portfolio is floating rate and 2% is fixed rate • 96% of the loan portfolio is either floating rate with a LIBOR floor (94%) or fixed rate (2%) ◦ For the floating rate loans with LIBOR floors, the weighted average LIBOR floor is 1.77% • 96% of the loan portfolio is either fixed rate or floating rate with a LIBOR floor of 0.16% or higher • 100% of outstanding financing is floating rate ◦ 14% have a LIBOR floor with a weighted average LIBOR floor of 0.96% Total Loan Portfolio by LIBOR Floor Levels Net Income Sensitivity to USD LIBOR Changes(14) Annual estimated increase/(decrease) in net income (loss) ($ in millions) (per diluted common share basis) (15) Outstanding LIBOR Floor Range Principal % Total Cumulative % $0.60 Fixed rate $ 43.9 2% 2% 2.25% - 2.50% 378.9 21% 23% $0.40 2.00% - 2.24% 187.9 10% 34% t c $0.20 a $0.06 1.75% - 1.99% 408.1 23% 56% p m 1.50% - 1.74% 339.8 19% 75% I $0.00 S P 1.25% - 1.49% 139.8 8% 83% E -$0.20 1.00% - 1.24% 70.1 4% 87% $(0.19) -$0.40 <1.00% 161.6 9% 96% $(0.36) No floor 76.2 4% 100% -$0.60 Total $ 1,806.3 100% LIBOR at Zero 0.00% 0.50% 1.00% Change in LIBOR from June 30, 2020 Spot Rate Note: As of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. See footnotes on page 15. 5


 
Financing Sources Overview Financing Sources Composition(13) Financing Sources Detail ($ in millions) Secured Funding Total (18) Outstanding Financing Sources Commitments Interest Rate Balance Term Loan Agreements 59% Notes Payable Secured Funding 4% Agreements Wells Fargo Facility $ 500.0 LIBOR+1.45 to 2.25% $ 465.4 Secured 2017-FL3 Securitization Term Loan 7% Citibank Facility 325.0 LIBOR+1.50 to 2.50% 120.5 CNB Facility 50.0 LIBOR+2.65% 50.0 U.S. Bank Facility 186.0 LIBOR+1.65 to 2.25% 39.2 Stockholders Morgan Stanley Facility 150.0 LIBOR+1.75 to 2.85% 117.2 Equity MetLife Facility 180.0 LIBOR+2.10 to 2.30% 84.5 2017-FL3 Securitization Subtotal $ 1,391.0 $ 876.8 30% Asset Level Financing Notes Payable $ 84.2 LIBOR+2.50 to 3.75% $ 56.2 Debt to equity ratio excluding CECL reserve(16) 3.0x Capital Markets Loans held for investment weighted average remaining Secured Term Loan $ 110.0 LIBOR+5.00% $ 110.0 life 1.5 years 2017-FL3 Securitization 445.6 LIBOR + 1.70% 445.6 Weighted average remaining term of financing Subtotal $ 555.6 $ 555.6 agreements(17) 3.0 years Q2-20 weighted average borrowings(11) $1,563.4 million Total Debt $ 2,030.8 $ 1,488.6 Note: As of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. See footnotes on page 15. 6


 
Current Expected Credit Losses - Additional Information Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve by Property Type ($ in thousands) Self Storage 1% Office 23% Balance at 3/31/20 $ 32,168 Provision for CECL (4,007) Industrial 3% Write-offs — Student Recoveries — Housing 10% Balance at 6/30/20 $ 28,161 • Cumulative CECL reserve of $28.2 million reflects macroeconomic Hotel 24% environment from COVID-19 Mixed-use 11% • Provision for CECL reduced by $4.0 million bifurcated between funded commitments of $3.1 million and unfunded commitments of $0.9 million Residential/Condominium • No specific loan impairments on loan portfolio 17% Multifamily 11% • Weighted average risk rating of 3.0 on a scale of 1.0 (lowest risk) to 5.0 Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve (6) (highest risk) by Loan Type • Reduction in provision for CECL in part attributed to: Senior Loans ◦ Loans transferred to held for sale ($1.2 million) 74% ◦ Loan payoff ($0.5 million) Sub.Debt & Pref. Equity Note: As of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. Investments See footnotes on page 15. 26% 7


 
Appendix 8


 
Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details ($ in millions) Origination Current Loan Outstanding LIBOR Unleveraged (12) Payment # Loan Type Location Date Commitment Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate Floor Effective Yield Maturity Date Terms (19) Office Loans: 1 Senior Diversified Jan 2020 $132.6 $107.9 $107.4 L+3.65% 1.6% 5.7% Jan 2023 I/O 2 Senior IL Nov 2017 82.0 69.6 69.5 L+3.75% 1.3% 5.6% Dec 2020 I/O 3 Senior NC Mar 2019 84.0 59.4 59.1 L+4.25% 2.4% 8.4% Mar 2021 I/O 4 Senior IL May 2018 59.6 57.3 57.2 L+3.95% 2.0% 6.3% June 2021 I/O 5 Senior GA Nov 2019 56.2 38.6 38.2 L+3.05% 2.0% 5.8% Dec 2022 I/O 6 Senior CA Oct 2019 37.2 31.1 30.8 L+3.35% 2.0% 6.0% Nov 2022 I/O 7 Subordinated IL Mar 2020 37.6 29.7 29.4 L+8.00% 1.5% 10.1% Mar 2023 I/O 8 Senior IL Dec 2019 41.9 28.0 27.7 L+3.80% 1.8% 6.2% Jan 2023 I/O 9 Senior CA Nov 2018 22.8 18.0 17.9 L+3.40% 2.3% 6.3% Nov 2021 I/O 10 Subordinated NJ Mar 2016 17.0 17.0 16.4 12.00% —% 12.8% Jan 2026 I/O 11 Senior TX Apr 2019 28.2 14.7 14.5 L+4.05% 2.5% 7.6% Nov 2021 I/O 12 Senior NC Apr 2019 30.5 13.3 12.7 L+3.53% 2.3% 7.7% May 2023 I/O 13 Senior NC Oct 2018 13.5 8.6 8.5 L+4.00% 2.1% 6.7% Nov 2022 I/O 14 Subordinated CA Nov 2017 3.1 2.9 2.9 L+8.25% 1.3% 9.7% Nov 2021 I/O Total Office $646.2 $496.1 $492.2 Multifamily Loans: 15 Senior FL June 2020 $91.8 $91.3 $90.6 L+5.00% 0.8% 6.7% Jun 2022 I/O 16 Senior TX Sep 2019 75.0 75.0 74.7 L+2.85% 2.0% 5.0% Oct 2022 I/O 17 Senior FL June 2020 46.7 46.2 46.0 L+5.00% 0.8% 6.6% Jun 2022 I/O 18 Senior FL Dec 2018 43.5 43.1 42.8 L+2.60% 2.4% 5.5% Jan 2022 I/O 19 Senior NJ Mar 2020 41.0 41.0 40.7 L+3.05% 1.5% 4.9% Mar 2022 I/O 20 Senior KS Oct 2019 35.8 35.8 35.5 L+3.25% 1.9% 5.5% Nov 2022 I/O 21 Senior NY Dec 2017 30.2 30.2 30.1 L+3.20% 1.4% 4.9% Dec 2020 I/O 22 Senior PA Dec 2018 30.2 29.3 29.2 L+3.00% 2.4% 5.9% Dec 2021 I/O 23 Senior TX Sep 2017 27.5 27.5 27.5 L+3.20% 1.2% 4.9% Oct 2020 I/O 24 Senior WA Feb 2020 19.0 18.6 18.4 L+3.00% 1.7% 5.1% Mar 2023 I/O 25 Senior SC Aug 2019 34.6 2.1 1.8 L+6.50% 2.2% 14.2% Sep 2022 I/O Total Multifamily $475.3 $440.1 $437.3 See footnotes on page 15. 9


 
Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details ($ in millions) Origination Current Loan Outstanding LIBOR Unleveraged Payment # Loan Type Location Date Commitment Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate Floor Effective Yield(12) Maturity Date Terms(19) Hotel Loans: 26 Senior OR/WA May 2018 $68.1 $68.1 $67.7 L+3.45% 1.9% 4.6% (20) May 2021 I/O 27 Senior Diversified Sep 2018 64.3 60.8 60.6 L+3.60% 2.1% 6.2% Sep 2021 I/O 28 Senior CA Dec 2017 40.0 40.0 39.9 L+4.12% 1.4% 5.9% Jan 2021 I/O 29 Senior MI Nov 2015 35.2 35.2 35.2 L+4.40% —% 4.6% July 2020 I/O 30 Senior IL Apr 2018 32.9 32.9 32.6 L+4.40% 1.9% —%(21) May 2021 I/O Total Hotel $240.5 $237.0 $236.0 Mixed-Use Loans: 31 Senior FL Feb 2019 $100.6 $100.6 $100.2 L+4.25% 2.5% 7.8% Feb 2021 I/O 32 Senior CA Mar 2018 56.1 50.9 50.6 L+4.00% 1.9% 6.2% Apr 2022 I/O 33 Senior TX Sep 2019 42.2 34.7 34.4 L+3.75% 2.3% 6.7% Sep 2022 I/O 34 Senior CA Feb 2020 39.6 20.8 20.4 L+4.10% 1.7% 6.4% Mar 2023 I/O 35 Subordinated IL May 2018 15.5 15.5 15.3 L+12.25% 1.5% 14.5% Nov 2021 I/O Total Mixed-Use $254.0 $222.5 $220.9 Student Housing Loans: 36 Senior TX Dec 2017 $41.0 $41.0 $40.9 L+4.75% —% 5.5% Jan 2021 I/O 37 Senior CA June 2017 41.0 39.7 39.7 L+3.95% 1.2% 5.2% July 2021 I/O 38 Senior NC Feb 2019 30.0 30.0 29.9 L+3.15% 2.3% 5.9% Feb 2022 I/O 39 Senior TX Dec 2017 25.1 24.6 24.3 L+3.45% 1.6% 5.5% Feb 2023 I/O 40 Senior AL Feb 2017 24.1 24.1 23.3 L+4.45% 0.8% —%(21) Aug 2020 I/O 41 Senior FL Jul 2019 22.0 22.0 21.8 L+3.25% 2.3% 5.9% Aug 2022 I/O Total Student Housing $183.2 $181.4 $179.9 See footnotes on page 15. 10


 
Loans Held for Investment Portfolio Details ($ in millions) Origination Current Loan Outstanding LIBOR Unleveraged Payment # Loan Type Location Date Commitment Principal Carrying Value Interest Rate Floor Effective Yield(12) Maturity Date Terms(19) Industrial Loans: 42 Senior FL Oct 2019 $52.5 $52.5 $52.1 L+6.10% 2.1% 8.8% Oct 2022 I/O 43 Senior NY Jan 2020 56.5 46.9 46.5 L+5.00% 1.6% 8.3% Feb 2021 I/O 44 Senior NC May 2019 40.5 34.8 34.6 L+4.05% 1.6% 5.9% Mar 2024 I/O 45 Senior CA Nov 2019 26.6 21.5 21.3 L+4.50% 1.9% 7.3% Dec 2021 I/O 46 Senior CA Aug 2019 19.6 13.2 13.1 L+3.75% 2.0% 6.3% Mar 2023 I/O Total Industrial $195.7 $168.9 $167.6 Residential/Condominium Loans: 47 Senior CA Jan 2018 $16.7 $13.1 $13.1 13.00% —% 14.4% Aug 2020 I/O 48 Subordinated NY Oct 2018 16.2 16.2 16.1 L+14.00% 2.3% 18.0% May 2021 I/O 49 Subordinated HI Aug 2018 11.5 11.5 11.5 14.00% —% 17.0% Oct 2020 I/O Total Residential/Condominium $44.4 $40.8 $40.7 Self Storage Loans: 50 Senior FL Feb 2019 $19.5 $19.5 $19.4 L+3.50% 2.0% 6.0% Mar 2022 I/O Total Self Storage $19.5 $19.5 $19.4 Loan Portfolio Total/Weighted Average $2,058.8 $1,806.3 $1,794.0 1.8%(22) 6.4% See footnotes on page 15. 11


 
Consolidated Balance Sheets As of June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (unaudited) ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 72,987 $ 5,256 Restricted cash — 379 Loans held for investment ($525,817 and $515,896 related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 1,794,049 1,682,498 Current expected credit loss reserve (26,063) — Loans held for investment, net of current expected credit loss reserve 1,767,986 1,682,498 Loans held for sale, at fair value 96,404 — Real estate owned, net 37,693 37,901 Other assets ($996 and $1,309 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively; $31,183 and $41,104 of other receivables related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 46,163 58,100 Total assets $ 2,021,233 $ 1,784,134 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Secured funding agreements $ 876,842 $ 728,589 Notes payable 54,819 54,708 Secured term loan 109,588 109,149 Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIE) 443,467 443,177 Secured borrowings 47,533 — Due to affiliate 3,217 2,761 Dividends payable 11,072 9,546 Other liabilities ($371 and $718 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs, respectively) 9,569 9,865 Total liabilities 1,556,107 1,357,795 Commitments and contingencies STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and 33,441,937 and 28,865,610 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively 329 283 Additional paid-in capital 497,054 423,619 Accumulated earnings (deficit) (32,257) 2,437 Total stockholders' equity 465,126 426,339 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,021,233 $ 1,784,134 12


 
Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Three Months Ended ($ in thousands, except share and per share data) 6/30/2020 3/31/2020 12/31/2019 9/30/2019 6/30/2019 Revenue: Interest income from loans held for investment $ 29,835 $ 31,448 $ 28,536 $ 28,269 $ 29,993 Interest expense (13,042) (15,534) (15,044) (15,124) (16,675) Net interest margin 16,793 15,914 13,492 13,145 13,318 Revenue from real estate owned 1,189 5,220 8,088 6,702 8,357 Total revenue 17,982 21,134 21,580 19,847 21,675 Expenses: Management and incentive fees to affiliate 2,152 1,773 1,959 1,578 2,252 Professional fees 660 903 641 542 532 General and administrative expenses 959 868 1,035 1,005 1,029 General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate 1,038 1,051 764 831 771 Expenses from real estate owned 3,254 6,676 7,338 6,838 7,118 Total expenses 8,063 11,271 11,737 10,794 11,702 Provision for current expected credit losses (4,007) 27,117 — — — Unrealized losses on loans held for sale 3,998 — — — — Income (loss) before income taxes 9,928 (17,254) 9,843 9,053 9,973 Income tax expense, including excise tax 160 9 183 19 218 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 9,768 $ (17,263) $ 9,660 $ 9,034 $ 9,755 Earnings (loss) per common share: Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.29 $ (0.54) $ 0.34 $ 0.32 $ 0.34 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.29 $ (0.54) $ 0.33 $ 0.31 $ 0.34 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 33,316,933 31,897,952 28,640,363 28,634,514 28,599,282 Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 33,539,580 31,897,952 28,872,975 28,867,603 28,863,765 Dividends declared per share of common stock(10) $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 See footnotes on page 15. 13


 
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Core Earnings(8) For the Three Months Ended ($ in thousands, except per share data) 6/30/2020 3/31/2020 12/31/2019 9/30/2019 6/30/2019 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 9,768 $ (17,263) $ 9,660 $ 9,034 $ 9,755 Stock-based compensation 365 225 482 479 427 Incentive fees to affiliate 303 — 378 — 674 Depreciation of real estate owned 224 221 219 207 188 Provision for current expected credit losses (4,007) 27,117 — — — Unrealized losses on loans held for sale 3,998 — — — — Core Earnings $ 10,651 $ 10,300 $ 10,739 $ 9,720 $ 11,044 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 0.29 $ (0.54) $ 0.34 $ 0.32 $ 0.34 Stock-based compensation 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 Incentive fees to affiliate 0.01 — 0.01 — 0.02 Depreciation of real estate owned 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Provision for current expected credit losses (0.12) 0.85 — — — Unrealized losses on loans held for sale 0.12 — — — — Basic Core Earnings per common share $ 0.32 $ 0.32 $ 0.38 $ 0.34 $ 0.39 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 0.29 $ (0.54) $ 0.33 $ 0.31 $ 0.34 Stock-based compensation 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 Incentive fees to affiliate 0.01 — 0.01 — 0.02 Depreciation of real estate owned 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Provision for current expected credit losses (0.12) 0.84 — — — Unrealized losses on loans held for sale 0.12 — — — — Diluted Core Earnings per common share $ 0.32 $ 0.32 $ 0.37 $ 0.34 $ 0.38 See footnotes on page 15. 14


 
Footnotes 1. Based on June 30, 2020 ending spot one month LIBOR rate of 0.16%. 2. As of August 5, 2020. 3. Excludes the U.S. Bank facility, which subsequent to quarter end was repaid in full and its term was not extended. 4. Excluding the CECL reserve. 5. Includes loans on non-accrual. 2% of loans held for investment are under forbearance agreements. 6. The portfolio assessment and risk levels have been classified according to the Company's proprietary methodology on a scale of 1.0 (lowest risk) to 5.0 (highest risk). The assumptions underlying this proprietary methodology are subject to change, may not prove to be true and actual risks may be different than the classifications presented herein. Accordingly, no representation or warranty is made in respect of this information. 7. Inclusive of $4.0 million or $0.12 per diluted common share current expected credit losses ("CECL") benefit offset by $4.0 million or $0.12 per diluted common share unrealized loss on loans transferred to held for sale. 8. The Company believes the disclosure of Core Earnings provides useful information to investors regarding the calculation of incentive fees the Company pays to its manager, Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC, and the Company’s financial performance. Core Earnings is an adjusted non-GAAP measure that helps the Company evaluate its financial performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that it believes are not necessarily indicative of its current loan origination portfolio and operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Core Earnings is defined as 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), one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between the Company’s manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. 9. Excludes impact of loans on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2020. Including non-accrual loans, total weighted average Unleveraged Effective Yield for total loans held for investment and senior loans would be 6.4% and 6.0%, respectively. 10. There is no assurance dividends will continue at these levels or at all. 11. During the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Includes loans held for sale as of June 30, 2020. 12. 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 for investment by the Company as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan. 13. Based on outstanding principal balance of loans held for investment. 14. Represents the estimated hypothetical increases/(decreases) in net income (loss) per diluted common share for a twelve month period, assuming (1) an immediate increase or decrease in 30-day LIBOR as of June 30, 2020 and (2) no change in the outstanding principal balance of the Company's loans held for investment portfolio and borrowings as of June 30, 2020. The analysis detailed herein represents the Company’s perspective and is merely a mathematical illustration. These metrics are shown for illustrative purposes only and the terms and characteristics of such transactions are not necessarily indicative of every type of transaction entered into or arranged by the Company. Any future results may differ from those discussed herein. Accordingly, no representation or warranty is made in respect of this information. 15. Per diluted weighted average common shares of 33.540 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. 16. Debt to equity ratio of 3.2x including CECL reserve. 17. Assumes exercise of extension options. 18. Represents total commitments. Ability to draw on available capacity is subject to available collateral and lender approvals. 19. I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest. 20. At origination, the Oregon/Washington loan was structured as both a senior and mezzanine loan with the Company holding both positions. The mezzanine position of this loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $13.1 million as of June 30, 2020, was on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2020 and therefore, the Unleveraged Effective Yield presented is for the senior position only as the mezzanine position is non-interest accruing. 21. Loan was on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2020 and therefore, there is no Unleveraged Effective Yield as the loan is non-interest accruing. 22. The weighted average floor is calculated based on loans with LIBOR floors. 15