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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)


ý

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

OR


o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                               to                             

Commission File No. 1-15371


iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland   95-6881527
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, NY

 

10036
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 930-9400


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class: Name of Exchange on which registered:   Name of Exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, $0.001 par value   New York Stock Exchange
9.375% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
  New York Stock Exchange
9.200% Series C Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
  New York Stock Exchange
8.000% Series D Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
  New York Stock Exchange
7.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
  New York Stock Exchange
7.800% Series F Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
  New York Stock Exchange
7.650% Series G Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
  New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (i) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (ii) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12-b-2). Yes ý No o

        As of June 30, 2003 the aggregate market value of the common stock, $0.001 par value per share of iStar Financial Inc. ("Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates(1) of the registrant was approximately $3.8 billion, based upon the closing price of $36.50 on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape on such date.

        As of March 1, 2004, there were 107,393,300 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

(1)
For purposes of this Annual Report only, includes all outstanding Common Stock other than Common Stock held directly by the registrant's directors and executive officers.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1.
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the registrant's 2004 Annual Meeting, to be filed within 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.





TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page
PART I    
Item 1. Business   2
Item 2. Properties   19
Item 3. Legal Proceedings   19
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   19

PART II

 

 
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Equity and Related Share Matters   20
Item 6. Selected Financial Data   22
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   25
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   47
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data   50
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   106
Item 9a. Controls and Procedures   106

PART III

 

 
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant   106
Item 11. Executive Compensation   106
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   106
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   106
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services   106

PART IV

 

 
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K   107

SIGNATURES

 

111


PART I

Item 1. Business

Explanatory Note for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor Provisions" of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are included with respect to, among other things, iStar Financial Inc.'s (the "Company's") current business plan, business strategy and portfolio management. The Company's actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those anticipated. Important factors that the Company believes might cause such differences are discussed in the cautionary statements presented under the caption "Factors That May Affect the Company's Business Strategy" in Item 1 of this Form 10-K or otherwise accompany the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K. In assessing all forward-looking statements, readers are urged to read carefully all cautionary statements contained in this Form 10-K.

Code of Conduct

        The Company has adopted a code of business conduct for all of its employees and directors, including the Company's chief executive officer, chief financial officer, other executive officers and personnel. A copy of the Company's code of conduct is attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 10.7 and is also available on the Company's website at www.istarfinancial.com. The Company intends to post on its website material changes to, or waivers from, its code of conduct, if any, within two days of any such event. As of December 31, 2003, there were no such changes or waivers.

Overview

        The Company is the leading publicly-traded finance company focused on the commercial real estate industry. The Company provides custom-tailored financing to private and corporate owners of real estate nationwide, including senior and junior mortgage debt, senior, mezzanine and subordinated corporate capital, and corporate net lease financing. The Company, which is taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), seeks to deliver strong dividends and superior risk-adjusted returns on equity to shareholders by providing innovative and value-added financing solutions to its customers.

        The Company's primary product lines include:

2


        As more fully discussed in Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company began its business in 1993 through private investment funds formed to capitalize on inefficiencies in the real estate finance market. In March 1998, these funds contributed their approximately $1.1 billion of assets to the Company's predecessor in exchange for a controlling interest in that company. Since that time, the Company has grown by originating new lending and leasing transactions, as well as through corporate acquisitions.

        Specifically, in September 1998, the Company acquired the loan origination and servicing business of a major insurance company, and in December 1998, the Company acquired the mortgage and mezzanine loan portfolio of its largest private competitor. Additionally, in November 1999, the Company acquired TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc., then the largest publicly-traded company specializing in corporate sale/leaseback transactions for office and industrial facilities. The acquisition of TriNet was structured as a stock-for-stock merger of TriNet with a subsidiary of the Company. Throughout this Report, the Company refers to TriNet as TriNet or the Leasing Subsidiary and refers to the acquisition of TriNet as the TriNet Acquisition.

        Concurrent with the TriNet Acquisition, the Company also acquired its former external advisor in exchange for shares of the Company's Common Stock and converted its organizational form to a Maryland corporation. As part of the conversion to a Maryland corporation, the Company replaced its former dual class common share structure with a single class of Common Stock. The Company's Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 4, 1999. Prior to this date, the Company's common shares were traded on the American Stock Exchange.

3


Investment Strategy

        The Company's investment strategy targets specific sectors of the real estate credit markets in which it believes it can deliver value-added, flexible financial solutions to its customers, thereby differentiating its financial products from those offered by other capital providers.

        The Company has implemented its investment strategy by:

        The Company intends to continue to emphasize a mix of portfolio financing transactions to create asset diversification and single-asset financings for properties with strong, long-term competitive market positions. The Company's credit process will continue to focus on:

        As of December 31, 2003, based on current gross carrying values, the Company's business consists of the following product lines:


Product Line

         GRAPHIC

4


        The Company seeks to maintain an investment portfolio which is diversified by asset type, underlying property type and geography. As of December 31, 2003, based on current gross carrying values, the Company's total investment portfolio has the following characteristics:


Asset Type

 
   
GRAPHIC

Property Type

         GRAPHIC

Geography

GRAPHIC
        

5


The Company's Underwriting Process

        The Company discusses and analyzes investment opportunities during regular weekly meetings which are attended by all of its investment professionals, as well as representatives from its legal, risk management and capital markets areas. The Company has developed a process for screening potential investments called the Six Point Methodologysm. Through this process the Company evaluates an investment opportunity prior to beginning its formal commitment process by: (1) evaluating the source of the opportunity; (2) evaluating the quality of the collateral or corporate credit, as well as its market or industry dynamics; (3) evaluating the equity or corporate sponsor; (4) determining whether it can implement an appropriate legal and financial structure for the transaction given its risk profile; (5) performing an alternative investment test; and (6) evaluating the liquidity of the investment and its ability to match fund the asset.

        The Company has an intensive underwriting process in place for all potential investments. This process provides for comprehensive feedback and review by all disciplines within the Company, including investments, credit, risk management, legal/structuring and capital markets. Participation is encouraged from all professionals throughout the entire origination process, from the initial consideration of the opportunity, through the Six Point Methodologysm and into the preparation and distribution of a comprehensive memorandum for the Company's internal and Board of Directors investment committees.

        Commitments of less than $40.0 million require the unanimous consent of the Company's internal investment committee, consisting of senior management representatives from each of the Company's key disciplines. For commitments between $40.0 million and $75.0 million, the further approval of the Company's Board of Directors' investment committee is also required. All commitments of $75.0 million or more must be approved by the Company's full Board of Directors.

Financing Strategy

        The Company has access to a wide range of debt and equity capital resources to finance its investment and growth strategies. At December 31, 2003, the Company had over $2.4 billion of tangible book equity capital and a total market capitalization of approximately $8.7 billion. The Company believes that its size, diversification, investor sponsorship and track record are competitive advantages in obtaining attractive financing for its businesses.

        The Company seeks to maximize risk-adjusted returns on equity and financial flexibility by accessing a variety of public and private debt and equity capital sources, including:

        The Company's business model is premised on significantly lower leverage than many other commercial finance companies. In this regard, the Company seeks to:


        The Company has not historically utilized, and does not currently plan to utilize, "off-balance sheet" financing vehicles other than normal corporate tenant leasing joint ventures with unrelated third parties,

6


which may be accounted for under the equity method due to the existence of provisions providing for a sharing of control with the venture partners. Detailed information on the Company's three remaining joint ventures in which the Company currently has investments/operations, which totaled approximately $25.0 million at December 31, 2003, including information on the Company's share of the joint ventures' non-recourse debt, is provided in Item 7–"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources," and in Note 6 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        A more detailed discussion of the Company's current capital resources is provided in Item 7–"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources."

Hedging Strategy

        The Company has variable-rate lending assets and variable-rate debt obligations. These assets and liabilities create a natural hedge against changes in variable interest rates. This means that as interest rates increase, the Company earns more on its variable-rate lending assets and pays more on its variable-rate debt obligations and, conversely, as interest rates decrease, the Company earns less on its variable-rate lending assets and pays less on its variable-rate debt obligations. When the Company's variable-rate debt obligations exceed its variable-rate lending assets, the Company utilizes derivative instruments to limit the impact of changing interest rates on its net income. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge assets or for speculative purposes. The derivative instruments the Company uses are typically in the form of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps. Interest rate swaps effectively change variable-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate debt obligations. Interest rate caps effectively limit the maximum interest rate on variable-rate debt obligations.

        In addition, when appropriate the Company enters into interest rate swaps that convert fixed-rate debt to variable rate in order to mitigate the risk of changes in fair value of the fixed-rate debt obligations.

        The primary risks from the Company's use of derivative instruments is the risk that a counterparty to a hedging arrangement could default on its obligation and the risk that the Company may have to pay certain costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs, if a hedging arrangement is terminated by it. As a matter of policy, the Company enters into hedging arrangements with counterparties that are large, creditworthy financial institutions typically rated at least "A/A2" by Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service, respectively. The Company's hedging strategy is monitored by its Audit Committee on behalf of its Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval.

        Developing an effective strategy for dealing with movements in interest rates is complex and no strategy can completely insulate the Company from risks associated with such fluctuations. There can be no assurance that the Company's hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on its results of operations or financial condition.


Business

Real Estate Lending:

        The Company provides structured financing to private and corporate owners of real estate nationwide, including senior and junior mortgage debt, senior mezzanine and subordinated corporate capital.

7



        Set forth below is information regarding the Company's primary real estate lending product lines as of December 31, 2003:

 
  Current
Carrying
Value

  %
of Total

 
 
  (In thousands)

   
 
Structured finance   $ 1,729,765   46.30 %
Portfolio finance     1,031,538   27.61 %
Corporate finance     552,443   14.79 %
Loan acquisition     422,364   11.30 %
   
 
 
  Gross carrying value   $ 3,736,110   100.00 %
         
 
  Provision for loan losses     (33,436 )    
   
     
  Total carrying value, net   $ 3,702,674      
   
     

        As more fully discussed in Note 3 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company continually monitors borrower performance and completes a detailed, loan-by-loan formal credit review on a quarterly basis. After having originated or acquired over $9 billion of investment transactions, the Company and its private investment fund predecessors have experienced minimal actual losses on their lending investments.

        Despite the Company's historical track record of having minimal credit losses and loans on non-accrual status, the Company considers it prudent to reflect provisions for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company's assessment of general market conditions, the Company's internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company's assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Accordingly, since its first full quarter operating its current business as a public company (the quarter ended June 30, 1998), management has reflected quarterly provisions for loan losses in its operating results.

8


Summary of Interest Characteristics

        As more fully discussed in Item 7–"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources" as well as in Item 7a.–"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," the Company utilizes certain interest rate risk management techniques, including both asset/liability matching and certain other hedging techniques, in order to mitigate the Company's exposure to interest rate risks.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's Lending Business portfolio has the following interest rate characteristics:

 
  Current
Carrying
Value

  %
of Total

 
 
  (In thousands)

   
 
Fixed-rate loans   $ 1,450,534   38.82 %
Variable-rate loans     2,285,576   61.18 %
   
 
 
Gross carrying value   $ 3,736,110   100.00 %
   
 
 

Summary of Prepayment Terms

        The Company is exposed to risks of prepayment on its loan assets, and generally seeks to protect itself from such risks by structuring its loans with prepayment restrictions and/or penalties.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's Lending Business portfolio has the following call protection characteristics:

 
  Current
Carrying
Value

  %
of Total

 
 
  (In thousands)

   
 
Fixed prepayment penalties   $ 1,262,420   33.79 %
Substantial lock-out for original term     1,134,223   30.36 %
Currently open to prepayment with no penalty     890,100   23.82 %
Yield maintenance     256,701   6.87 %
Other     192,666   5.16 %
   
 
 
Gross carrying value   $ 3,736,110   100.00 %
   
 
 

9


Summary of Lending Business Maturities

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's Lending Business portfolio has the following maturity characteristics:

Year of Maturity

  Number of
Transactions
Maturing

  Current
Carrying
Value

  %
of Total

 
 
  (In thousands)

 
2004   16   $ 352,267   9.43 %
2005   29     1,008,448   26.99 %
2006   21     757,524   20.28 %
2007   11     353,896   9.47 %
2008   15     420,419   11.25 %
2009   8     305,569   8.18 %
2010   2     37,334   1.00 %
2011   7     222,337   5.95 %
2012   1     7,800   0.21 %
2013   8     155,736   4.17 %
2014 and thereafter   7     114,780   3.07 %
       
 
 
Gross carrying value       $ 3,736,110   100.00 %
       
 
 
Weighted average maturity         3.72 years      
       
     

Structured Finance

        The Company provides custom-tailored senior and subordinated loans that typically range in size from $20 million to $100 million. These loans may be either fixed or variable rate and are structured to meet the specific financing needs of the borrowers, including the acquisition or financing of large, quality real estate. The Company offers borrowers a wide range of structured finance options, including first mortgages, second mortgages, partnership loans, participating debt and interim facilities. The Company's structured finance transactions have maturities generally ranging from three to ten years.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's structured finance investments have the following characteristics:

Investment Class

  Collateral Types
  # of
Loans
In Class

  Current
Carrying
Value(1)

  Current
Principal
Balance
Outstanding

  Weighted
Average
Stated
Pay Rate(2)

  Weighted
Average First
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(3)

  Weighted
Average Last
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(4)

 
First Mortgages   Office/Residential/
Industrial, R&D/Conference
Center/Mixed Use/
Hotel/Entertainment,
Leisure
  33   $ 1,262,732   $ 1,269,024   5.88 % 0 % 64 %
Junior First Mortgages(5)   Office/Residential/Mixed
Use/Hotel
  10     200,943     207,088   9.76 % 61 % 78 %
Second Mortgages   Office/Mixed Use/Hotel   7     122,139     117,963   9.88 % 47 % 66 %
Corporate Loans/Other   Office/Residential/Industrial,
R&D/Mixed
Use/Hotel
  13     143,951     143,506   10.84 % 58 % 73 %
       
 
 
             
Total       63   $ 1,729,765   $ 1,737,581              
       
 
 
             

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Where Current Carrying Value differs from Current Principal Balance Outstanding, the difference represents unamortized amount of acquired premiums, discounts or deferred loan fees.

(2)
All variable-rate loans assume a one-month LIBOR rate of 1.12% (the actual one-month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2003). As of December 31, 2003, five loans with a combined carrying value of $95.9 million have a stated accrual rate that exceeds the stated pay rate.

10


(3)
Weighted average ratio of first dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(4)
Weighted average ratio of last dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(5)
Junior first mortgages represent promissory notes secured by first mortgages which are junior to other promissory notes secured by the same first mortgage.

Portfolio Finance

        The Company provides funding to regional and national borrowers who own multiple facilities in geographically diverse portfolios. Loans are cross-collateralized to give the Company the benefit of all available collateral and underwritten to recognize inherent portfolio diversification. Property types include multifamily, suburban office, hotels and other property types where individual property values are less than $20 million on average. Loan terms are structured to meet the specific requirements of the borrower and typically range in size from $25 million to $150 million. The Company's portfolio finance transactions have maturities generally ranging from three to ten years.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's portfolio finance investments have the following characteristics:

Investment Class

  Collateral Types
  # of
Loans
In Class

  Current
Carrying
Value(1)

  Current
Principal
Balance
Outstanding

  Weighted
Average
Stated
Pay Rate(2)

  Weighted
Average First
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(3)

  Weighted
Average Last
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(4)

 
First Mortgages   Residential/Mixed
Use/Hotel/
Entertainment, Leisure
  8   $ 399,418   $ 402,056   7.04 % 0 % 63 %
Junior First Mortgages(5)   Office/Hotel
Entertainment, Leisure
  5     167,811     168,532   6.79 % 55 % 64 %
Second Mortgages   Hotel   1     29,955     29,294   12.22 % 74 % 94 %
Corporate Loans/Other   Office/Residential/Mixed
Use/Hotel/
Entertainment, Leisure
  13     434,354     441,078   9.32 % 55 % 70 %
       
 
 
             
Total       27   $ 1,031,538   $ 1,040,960              
       
 
 
             

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Where Current Carrying Value differs from Current Principal Balance Outstanding, the difference represents unamortized amount of acquired premiums, discounts or deferred loan fees.

(2)
All variable-rate loans assume a one-month LIBOR rate of 1.12% (the actual one-month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2003).

(3)
Weighted average ratio of first dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(4)
Weighted average ratio of last dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(5)
Junior first mortgages represent promissory notes secured by first mortgages which are junior to other promissory notes secured by the same first mortgage.

11


Corporate Finance

        The Company provides senior and subordinated capital to corporations engaged in real estate or real estate-related businesses. Financings may be either secured or unsecured and typically range in size from $20 million to $150 million. The Company's corporate finance transactions have maturities generally ranging from five to ten years.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's corporate finance investments have the following characteristics:

Investment Class

  Collateral Types
  # of
Loans
In Class

  Current
Carrying
Value(1)

  Current
Principal
Balance
Outstanding

  Weighted
Average
Stated
Pay Rate(2)

  Weighted
Average First
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(3)

  Weighted
Average Last
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(4)

 
First Mortgages   Industrial, R&D/Hotel/
Entertainment, Leisure
  7   $ 196,532   $ 210,579   7.44 % 11 % 60 %
Junior First Mortgages(5)   Office/Retail/Hotel
Entertainment, Leisure/Other
  6     127,753     127,481   7.37 % 49 % 63 %
Corporate Loans/Other   Office/Residential/Retail/Industrial, R&D/Other   10     228,158     242,702   8.56 % 62 % 72 %
       
 
 
             
Total       23   $ 552,443   $ 580,762              
       
 
 
             

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Where Current Carrying Value differs from Current Principal Balance Outstanding, the difference represents unamortized amount of acquired premiums, discounts or deferred loan fees.

(2)
All variable-rate loans assume a one-month LIBOR rate of 1.12% (the actual one-month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2003).

(3)
Weighted average ratio of first dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(4)
Weighted average ratio of last dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(5)
Junior first mortgages represent promissory notes secured by first mortgages which are junior to other promissory notes secured by the same first mortgage.

Loan Acquisition

        The Company acquires whole loans and loan participations which represent attractive risk-reward opportunities. Loans are generally acquired at a small discount to the principal balance outstanding. Loan acquisitions typically range in size from $5 million to $100 million and are collateralized by all major property types. The Company's loan acquisition transactions have maturities generally ranging from three to ten years.

        For accounting purposes, these loans are initially reflected at the Company's acquisition cost which represents the outstanding balance net of the acquisition discount or premium. The Company amortizes such discounts or premiums as an adjustment to increase or decrease the yield, respectively, realized on these loans using the effective interest method. As such, differences between carrying value and principal balances outstanding do not represent embedded losses or gains as the Company generally plans to hold such loans to maturity.

12



        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's loan acquisition investments have the following characteristics:

Investment Class

  Collateral Types
  # of
Loans
In Class

  Current
Carrying
Value(1)

  Current
Principal
Balance
Outstanding

  Weighted
Average
Stated
Pay Rate(2)

  Weighted
Average First
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(3)

  Weighted
Average Last
Dollar
Current
Loan-to-
Value(4)

 
First Mortgages   Office/Retail/Other   4   $ 314,098   $ 327,658   7.98 % 0 % 82 %
Second Mortgages   Other   3     18,848     25,905   6.75 % 59 % 66 %
Corporate Loans/Other   Hotel   5     89,418     112,769   7.54 % 64 % 81 %
       
 
 
             
Total       12   $ 422,364   $ 466,332              
       
 
 
             

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Where Current Carrying Value differs from Current Principal Balance Outstanding, the difference represents unamortized amount of acquired premiums, discounts or deferred loan fees.

(2)
All variable-rate loans assume a one-month LIBOR rate of 1.12% (the actual one-month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2003).

(3)
Weighted average ratio of first dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

(4)
Weighted average ratio of last dollar current loan carrying value to underlying collateral value using third-party appraisal or the Company's internal valuation.

Corporate Tenant Leasing:

        The Company, directly and through its Leasing Subsidiary, provides capital to corporations and borrowers who control facilities leased to single creditworthy tenants. The Company's net leased assets are generally mission-critical headquarters or distribution facilities that are subject to long-term leases with rated corporate credit tenants, and which provide for all expenses at the property to be paid by the corporate tenant on a triple net lease basis. CTL transactions have terms generally ranging from ten to 20 years and typically range in size from $20 million to $150 million.

        The Company pursues the origination of CTL transactions by structuring purchase/leasebacks and by acquiring facilities subject to existing long-term net leases. In a typical purchase/leaseback transaction, the Company purchases a corporation's facility and leases it back to that corporation subject to a long-term net lease. This structure allows the corporate customer to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of its facilities into its core business, while the Company capitalizes on its structured financing expertise.

        The Company generally intends to hold its CTL assets for long-term investment. However, subject to certain tax restrictions, the Company may dispose of an asset if it deems the disposition to be in the Company's best interests and may either reinvest the disposition proceeds, use the proceeds to reduce debt, or distribute the proceeds to shareholders.

        The Company's CTL investments primarily represent a diversified portfolio of mission-critical headquarters or distribution facilities subject to net lease agreements with creditworthy corporate tenants. The Company generally seeks general-purpose real estate with residual values that represent a discount to current market values and replacement costs. Under a typical net lease agreement, the corporate customer agrees to pay a base monthly operating lease payment and all facility operating expenses (including taxes, maintenance and insurance).

        The Company generally seeks corporate tenants with the following characteristics:

13


        As of December 31, 2003, the Company had 160 corporate customers operating in more than 23 major industry sectors, including aerospace, energy, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, technology and telecommunications. The majority of these customers represent well-recognized national and international companies, such as Federal Express, IBM, Nike, Nokia, the U.S. Government and Verizon.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company's CTL portfolio has the following tenant credit characteristics:

 
  Annualized In-Place
Operating
Lease Income(3)

  % of In-Place
Operating
Lease Income

 
 
  (In thousands)

   
 
Investment grade(1)   $ 124,140   42.27 %
Implied investment grade(2)     41,847   14.25 %
Non-investment grade     43,215   14.71 %
Unrated     84,504   28.77 %
   
 
 
    $ 293,706   100.00 %
   
 
 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
A customer's credit rating is considered "Investment Grade" if the tenants' or its guarantor has a published senior unsecured credit rating of Baa3/BBB- or above by one or more of the three national rating agencies. Where a customer's credit is rated investment grade by one agency and non-investment grade by another, the Company only classifies the credit "Investment Grade" if the agency rating the credit investment grade is Standard & Poor's or Moody's Investors Service.

(2)
A customer's credit rating is considered "Implied Investment Grade" if it is 100.00% owned by an investment-grade parent or it has no published ratings, but has credit characteristics that the Company believes warrant an investment grade senior unsecured credit rating. Examples at December 31, 2003 include Cisco Systems Inc., Northrop Grumman Information and Volkswagen of America, Inc.

(3)
Reflects annualized GAAP operating lease income for leases in place at December 31, 2003. The operating lease income includes the Company's pro rata share from facilities owned by the Company's joint ventures.

        Risk Management Strategies.    The Company believes that diligent risk management of its CTL assets is an essential component of its long-term strategy. There are several ways to optimize the performance and maximize the value of CTL assets. The Company monitors its portfolio for changes that could affect the performance of the markets, credits and industries in which it has invested. As part of this monitoring, the Company's risk management group reviews market, customer and industry data and frequently inspects its facilities. In addition, the Company attempts to develop strong relationships with its large corporate customers, which provide a source of information concerning the customers' facilities needs. These relationships allow the Company to be proactive in obtaining early lease renewals and in conducting early marketing of assets where the customer has decided not to renew.

14



        As of December 31, 2003, the Company owned 162 office and industrial facilities principally subject to net leases to 159 customers, comprising 26.3 million square feet in 28 states. The Company also has a portfolio of 17 hotels under a long-term master lease with a single customer. Information regarding the Company's CTL assets as of December 31, 2003 is set forth below:

SIC Code

  # of
Leases

  % of In-Place
Operating
Lease Income(1)

  % of Total
Revenue(2)

73   Business Services   20   14.82 % 6.63%
48   Communications   24   8.93 % 3.99%
70   Hotels, Rooming, Housing & Lodging   3   8.73 % 3.90%
35   Industrial/Commercial Machinery, incl. Computers   17   8.64 % 3.86%
62   Security and Commodity Brokers   5   7.37 % 3.30%
37   Transportation Equipment   7   6.83 % 3.05%
36   Electronic & Other Elec. Equipment   16   6.13 % 2.74%
30   Rubber and Misc. Plastics Products   2   5.96 % 2.66%
49   Electric, Gas and Sanitary Services   3   2.96 % 1.33%
64   Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service   5   2.48 % 1.11%
63   Insurance Carriers   7   2.38 % 1.06%
50   Wholesale Trade-Durable Goods   7   2.30 % 1.03%
91   Executive, Legislative and General Gov't.   5   2.09 % 0.93%
42   Motor Freight Transp. & Warehousing   2   2.05 % 0.92%
58   Eating and Drinking Places   13   2.02 % 0.90%
79   Amusement and Recreation Services   2   1.50 % 0.67%
60   Depository Institutions   3   1.46 % 0.65%
87   Engineering, Accounting & Research Services   7   1.46 % 0.65%
38   Measuring & Analyzing Instruments   5   1.33 % 0.60%
51   Wholesale Trade-Non-Durable Goods   4   1.24 % 0.55%
45   Airports, Flying Fields & Terminal Services   1   1.18 % 0.53%
29   Petroleum Refining   1   1.14 % 0.51%
23   Apparel and Other Finished Products   2   1.07 % 0.48%
    Various   28   5.93 %  
       
 
   
    Total   189   100.00 %  
       
 
   

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Reflects annualized GAAP operating lease income for leases in place at December 31, 2003. The operating lease income includes the Company's pro rata share from facilities owned by the Company's joint ventures.

(2)
Reflects annualized GAAP operating lease income for leases in place at December 31, 2003 as a percentage of annualized total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

15


        As of December 31, 2003, lease expirations on the Company's CTL assets, including facilities owned by the Company's joint ventures, are as follows:

Year of Lease Expiration

  Number of Leases Expiring
  Annualized In-Place Operating
Lease Income(1)

  % of In-Place Operating Lease Income
  % of Total
Revenue(2)

 
 
   
  (In thousands)

   
   
 
2004   20   $ 19,599   6.67 % 2.98 %
2005   16     10,723   3.65 % 1.63 %
2006   27     30,073   10.24 % 4.58 %
2007   23     18,448   6.28 % 2.81 %
2008   17     13,714   4.67 % 2.09 %
2009   12     13,478   4.59 % 2.05 %
2010   6     8,557   2.91 % 1.30 %
2011   7     6,131   2.09 % 0.93 %
2012   11     17,367   5.91 % 2.64 %
2013   5     6,816   2.32 % 1.04 %
2014 and thereafter   45     148,800   50.67 % 22.65 %
   
 
 
     
  Total   189   $ 293,706   100.00 %    
   
 
 
     

Weighted average remaining lease term

 

 

 

 

9.93 years

 

 

 

 

 
       
         

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Reflects annualized GAAP operating lease income for leases in place at December 31, 2003. The operating lease income includes the Company's pro rata share from facilities owned by the Company's joint ventures.

(2)
Reflects annualized GAAP operating lease income for leases in place at December 31, 2003 as a percentage of annualized total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

Policies with Respect to Other Activities

        The Company's investment, financing and conflicts of interests policies are managed under the ultimate supervision of the Company's Board of Directors. The Board can amend, revise or eliminate these policies at any time without a vote of shareholders. At all times, the Company intends to make investments in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Code for the Company to qualify as a REIT.

Investment Restrictions or Limitations

        The Company does not have any prescribed allocation among investments or product lines. Instead, the Company focuses on corporate and real estate credit underwriting to develop an in-depth analysis of the risk/reward ratios in determining the pricing and advisability of each particular transaction.

        The Company believes that it is not, and intends to conduct its operations so as not to become, regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act generally exempts entities that are "primarily engaged in purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate" (collectively, "Qualifying Interests"). The Company intends to rely on current interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission in an effort to qualify for this exemption. Based on these interpretations, the Company, among other things, must maintain at least 55.00% of its assets in Qualifying Interests and at least 25.00% of its assets in real estate-related assets (subject to reduction to the extent the Company invests more than 55.00% of its assets in Qualifying Interests). Generally, the Company's senior mortgages, CTL assets and certain of its subordinated mortgages constitute Qualifying Interests.

16



        Subject to the limitations on ownership of certain types of assets and the gross income tests imposed by the Code, the Company also may invest in the securities of other REITs, other entities engaged in real estate activities or other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities.

Competition

        The Company is engaged in a competitive business. In originating and acquiring assets, the Company competes with public and private companies, including other finance companies, mortgage banks, pension funds, savings and loan associations, insurance companies, institutional investors, investment banking firms and other lenders and industry participants, as well as individual investors. Existing industry participants and potential new entrants compete with the Company for the available supply of investments suitable for origination or acquisition, as well as for debt and equity capital. Certain of the Company's competitors are larger than the Company, have longer operating histories, may have access to greater capital and other resources, may have management personnel with more experience than the officers of the Company, and may have other advantages over the Company in conducting certain businesses and providing certain services.

Regulation

        The operations of the Company are subject, in certain instances, to supervision and regulation by state and federal governmental authorities and may be subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing various requirements and restrictions, which, among other things: (1) regulate credit granting activities; (2) establish maximum interest rates, finance charges and other charges; (3) require disclosures to customers; (4) govern secured transactions; and (5) set collection, foreclosure, repossession and claims-handling procedures and other trade practices. Although most states do not regulate commercial finance, certain states impose limitations on interest rates and other charges and on certain collection practices and creditor remedies and require licensing of lenders and financiers and adequate disclosure of certain contract terms. The Company is also required to comply with certain provisions of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act that are applicable to commercial loans.

        In the judgment of management, existing statutes and regulations have not had a material adverse effect on the business conducted by the Company. However, it is not possible to forecast the nature of future legislation, regulations, judicial decisions, orders or interpretations, nor their impact upon the future business, financial condition or results of operations or prospects of the Company.

        The Company has elected and expects to continue to make an election to be taxed as a REIT under Section 856 through 860 of the Code. As a REIT, the Company must currently distribute, at a minimum, an amount equal to 90.00% of its taxable income and must distribute 100.00% of its taxable income to avoid paying corporate federal income taxes. REITs are also subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements in order to elect and maintain REIT status. These requirements include specific share ownership tests and assets and gross income composition tests. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Even if the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, the Company may be subject to state and local income taxes and to federal income tax and excise tax on its undistributed income.

Factors That May Affect the Company's Business Strategy

        The implementation of the Company's business strategy and investment policies are subject to certain risks, including the effect of economic and other conditions in the United States generally and in markets where the Companys' customers, collateral and corporate facilities are located. In addition, the following factors may affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations:

17


Environmental Matters

        Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner of real estate (including, in certain circumstances, a secured lender that succeeds to ownership or control of a property) may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, under or in its property. Those laws typically impose cleanup responsibility and liability without regard to whether the owner or control party knew of or was responsible for the release or presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. The costs of investigation, remediation or removal of those substances may be substantial. The owner or control party of a site may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from a site. Certain environmental laws also impose liability in connection with the handling of or exposure to asbestos-containing materials, pursuant to which third parties may seek recovery from owners of real properties for personal injuries associated with asbestos-containing materials. Absent succeeding to ownership or control of real property, a secured lender is not likely to be subject to any of these forms of environmental liability. The Company is not currently aware of any environmental issues which could materially affect the Company.

Employees

        As of March 1, 2004, the Company had 155 employees and believes its relationships with its employees to be good. The Company's employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

Website Access to Reports

        The Company maintains a website at www.istarfinancial.com. Effective as of January 1, 2003, through the Company's website, the Company makes available free of charge its annual proxy statement, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those Reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.

18



Item 2.    Properties

        The Company's principal executive and administrative offices are located at 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. Its telephone number, general facsimile number and web address are (212) 930-9400, (212) 930-9494 and www.istarfinancial.com, respectively. The lease for the Company's primary corporate office space expires in February 2010. The Company believes that this office space is suitable for its operations for the foreseeable future. The Company also maintains super-regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Hartford, Connecticut; and San Francisco, California, as well as regional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; and Denver, Colorado.

        See Item 1—"Corporate Tenant Leasing" for a discussion of CTL facilities held by the Company and its Leasing Subsidiary for investment purposes and Item 8—"Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation" for a detailed listing of such facilities.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

        The Company is not a party to any material litigation or legal proceedings, or to the best of its knowledge, any threatened litigation or legal proceedings which, in the opinion of management, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2003.

19



PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Equity and Related Share Matters

        The Company's Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "SFI."

        The high and low sales prices per share of Common Stock are set forth below for the periods indicated.

Quarter Ended

  High
  Low
2002            
March 31, 2002   $ 28.90   $ 24.59
June 30, 2002   $ 31.45   $ 28.50
September 30, 2002   $ 29.55   $ 25.30
December 31, 2002   $ 28.40   $ 25.90

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 
March 31, 2003   $ 29.90   $ 27.05
June 30, 2003   $ 36.60   $ 29.68
September 30, 2003   $ 38.95   $ 35.00
December 31, 2003   $ 40.00   $ 37.25

        On March 1, 2004, the closing sale price of the Common Stock as reported by the NYSE was $42.50. The Company had 2,980 holders of record of Common Stock as of March 1, 2004.

        At December 31, 2003, the Company had six series of preferred stock outstanding: 9.375% Series B Preferred Stock, 9.200% Series C Preferred Stock, 8.000% Series D Preferred Stock, 7.875% Series E Preferred Stock, 7.800% Series F Preferred Stock and 7.650% Series G Preferred Stock. Each of the Series B, C, D, E, F and G preferred stock is publicly traded.

Dividends

        The Company's management expects that any taxable income remaining after the distribution of preferred dividends and the regular quarterly or other dividends on its Common Stock will be distributed annually to the holders of the Common Stock on or prior to the date of the first regular quarterly dividend payment date of the following taxable year. The dividend policy with respect to the Common Stock is subject to revision by the Board of Directors. All distributions in excess of dividends on preferred stock or those required for the Company to maintain its REIT status will be made by the Company at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the taxable earnings of the Company, the financial condition of the Company, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. The Board of Directors has not established any minimum distribution level. In order to maintain its qualifications as a REIT, the Company intends to make regular quarterly dividends to its shareholders that, on an annual basis, will represent at least 90.00% of its taxable income (which may not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains.

        Holders of Common Stock will be entitled to receive distributions if, as and when the Board of Directors authorizes and declares distributions. However, rights to distributions may be subordinated to the rights of holders of preferred stock, when preferred stock is issued and outstanding. In addition, most of the Company's borrowings contain covenants that limit the Company's ability to pay distributions on its capital stock based upon the Company's adjusted earnings provided however, that these borrowings generally permit the Company to pay the minimum amount of distributions necessary to maintain the Company's REIT status.In any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each outstanding share of Common Stock will entitle its holder to a proportionate share of the assets that remain after the Company pays its liabilities and any preferential distributions owed to preferred shareholders.

20


        The following table sets forth the dividends paid or declared by the Company on its Common Stock:

Quarter Ended

  Shareholder
Record Date

  Dividend/
Share

2002(1)          
March 31, 2002   April 15, 2002   $ 0.6300
June 30, 2002   July 15, 2002   $ 0.6300
September 30, 2002   October 15, 2002   $ 0.6300
December 31, 2002   December 16, 2002   $ 0.6300

2003(2)

 

 

 

 

 
March 31, 2003   April 15, 2003   $ 0.6625
June 30, 2003   July 15, 2003   $ 0.6625
September 30, 2003   October 15, 2003   $ 0.6625
December 31, 2003   December 15, 2003   $ 0.6625

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
For tax reporting purposes, the 2002 dividends were classified as 87.61% ($2.2078) ordinary income, 1.80% ($0.0454) 20.00% capital gain and 10.59% ($0.2668) return of capital for those shareholders who held shares of the Company for the entire year.

(2)
For tax reporting purposes, the 2003 dividends were classified as 68.90% ($1.8258) ordinary income, 2.46% ($0.0651) 20.00% capital gain, 1.90% ($0.0503) 15.00% capital gain (post May 5, 2003), 2.67% ($0.0709) 25.00% Section 1250 capital gain and 24.08% ($0.6380) return of capital for those shareholders who held shares of the Company for the entire year.

        The Company declared dividends aggregating $14.3 million, $4.7 million, $3.0 million, $8.0 million $4.9 million, $1.7 million, and $170,000, respectively, on its Series A, B, C, D, E, F and G preferred stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2003. There are no dividend arrearages on any of the preferred shares currently outstanding.

        Distributions to shareholders will generally be taxable as ordinary income, although a portion of such dividends may be designated by the Company as capital gain or may constitute a tax-free return of capital. The Company annually furnishes to each of its shareholders a statement setting forth the distributions paid during the preceding year and their characterization as ordinary income, capital gain or return of capital.

        The Company intends to continue to declare quarterly distributions on its Common Stock. No assurance, however, can be given as to the amounts or timing of future distributions, as such distributions are subject to the Company's earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, debt covenants and such other factors as the Company's Board of Directors deems relevant. On February 11, 2004, the Company announced that, effective April 1, 2004, its Board of Directors approved an increase in the regular quarterly dividend on its Common Stock for 2004 to $0.6975 per share, representing $2.79 per share on an annualized basis.

21


Disclosure of Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan category

  (a)
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

  (b)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

  (c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders-stock options(1)   2,870,138   $ 18.59   1,880,530
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders-restricted stock awards(2)   2,422,037     N/A   N/A
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders-high performance units(3)       N/A   N/A
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders        
   
 
 
Total   5,292,175   $ 18.59   1,880,530
   
 
 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Stock Options—As more fully discussed in Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, there were approximately 2.9 million stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2003. These 2.9 million options, together with their weighted-average exercise price, have been included in columns (a) and (b), above. The 1.9 million figure in column (c) represents the aggregate amount of stock options or restricted stock awards that could be granted under compensation plans approved by the Company's security holders after giving effect to previously issued awards of stock options, shares of restricted stock and other performance awards.

(2)
Restricted Stock—As of December 31, 2003, the Company has issued 933,475 shares of restricted stock. The restrictions on 422,037 of such shares primarily relate to the passage of time for vesting periods which have not lapsed, and are thus not included in the Company's outstanding share balance. These shares have been included in column (a), above.

Phantom Shares—As more fully discussed in Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has granted 2.0 million unvested phantom shares, each of which represents one share of the Company's Common Stock. As of December 31, 2003, all of these shares have contingently vested. These shares have been included in column (a), above. Shares that have contingently vested generally are not expected to become fully vested until March 30, 2004.

(3)
High Performance Unit Program—In May 2002, the Company's shareholders approved the iStar Financial High Performance Unit Program. The Program is more fully described in the Company's proxy statement dated April 8, 2002 and in Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The program entitles the employee participants to receive cash distributions in the nature of common stock dividends if the total rate of return on the Company's Common Stock exceeds certain performance levels. The first and second tranches of the program were completed on December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively. As a result of the Company's superior performance during the valuation period for both tranches, the program participants are entitled to share in cash distributions equivalent to dividends payable on 819,254 shares and 987,149 shares of the Company's Common Stock, in the aggregate, as and when such dividends are paid by the Company for the 2002 and the 2003 plan, respectively. Such dividend payments for the first tranche began with the first quarter 2003 dividend and those for the second tranche will begin with the first quarter 2004 dividend and will reduce net income allocable to common stockholders when paid. No shares of the Company's Common Stock will be issued in connection with this program and thus no effect has been reflected in the above table.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

        The following table sets forth selected financial data on a consolidated historical basis for the Company. On November 4, 1999, the Company acquired TriNet, which increased the size of the Company's operations, and also acquired its former external advisor. Operating results for the year ended December 31, 1999 reflect only the effects of these transactions subsequent to their consummation.

22


        Accordingly, the results of operations for the Company for the year ended December 31, 1999, does not reflect the current operations of the Company as a well capitalized, internally-managed finance company operating in the commercial real estate industry. For these reasons, the Company believes that the information should be read in conjunction with the discussions set forth in Item 7—"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 presentation.

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,

 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
 
 
  (In thousands, except per share data and ratios)

 
OPERATING DATA:                                
Interest income   $ 304,394   $ 255,631   $ 254,119   $ 268,011   $ 209,848  
Operating lease income     265,478     236,643     179,279     171,247     40,633  
Other income     36,677     27,993     31,000     17,902     12,900  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total revenue     606,549     520,267     464,398     457,160     263,381  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense     194,999     185,375     169,974     173,549     91,112  
Operating costs-corporate tenant lease assets     17,371     13,202     12,029     12,230     2,111  
Depreciation and amortization     55,286     46,948     34,573     33,529     10,219  
General and administrative     38,153     30,449     24,151     25,706     6,269  
General and administrative-stock-based compensation     3,633     17,998     3,574     2,864     412  
Provision for loan losses     7,500     8,250     7,000     6,500     4,750  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt         12,166     1,620     705      
Advisory fees                     16,193  
Costs incurred in acquiring former external advisor(1)                     94,476  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total costs and expenses     316,942     314,388     252,921     255,083     225,542  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income before equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries, minority interest and other items     289,607     205,879     211,477     202,077     37,839  
Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries     (4,284 )   1,222     7,361     4,796     235  
Minority interest in consolidated entities     (249 )   (162 )   (218 )   (195 )   (41 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle(2)             (282 )        
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations     285,074     206,939     218,338     206,678     38,033  
Income from discontinued operations     1,916     7,614     10,429     7,960     853  
Gain from discontinued operations     5,167     717     1,145     2,948      
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income   $ 292,157   $ 215,270   $ 229,912   $ 217,586   $ 38,886  
Preferred dividend requirements     (36,908 )   (36,908 )   (36,908 )   (36,908 )   (23,843 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(3)   $ 255,249   $ 178,362   $ 193,004   $ 180,678   $ 15,043  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earning per common share(4)(5)   $ 2.52   $ 1.98   $ 2.24   $ 2.11   $ 0.25  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share(5)(6)   $ 2.43   $ 1.93   $ 2.19   $ 2.10   $ 0.25  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share(7)   $ 2.65   $ 2.52   $ 2.45   $ 2.40   $ 1.86  
   
 
 
 
 
 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(8)(10)   $ 341,177   $ 277,736   $ 254,095   $ 230,371   $ 127,798  
EBITDA(9)(10)   $ 535,608   $ 439,424   $ 423,385   $ 413,951   $ 233,881  
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense(11)     2.75x     2.37x     2.49x     2.39x     2.57x  
Ratio of EBITDA to combined fixed charges(12)     2.31x     1.98x     2.05x     1.97x     2.03x  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(13)     2.49x     2.14x     2.25x     2.18x     2.45x  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(13)     2.10x     1.78x     1.86x     1.80x     1.94x  
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic     100,314     89,886     86,349     85,441     57,749  
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted     104,101     92,649     88,234     86,151     60,393  
Cash flows from:                                
  Operating activities   $ 338,262   $ 348,793   $ 293,260   $ 219,868   $ 119,625  
  Investing activities     (974,354 )   (1,149,070 )   (349,525 )   (193,805 )   (143,911 )
  Financing activities     700,248     800,541     49,183     (37,719 )   48,584  

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Loans and other lending investments, net     3,702,674     3,050,342     2,377,763     2,227,083     2,003,506  
Corporate tenant lease assets, net     2,535,885     2,291,805     1,781,565     1,592,087     1,654,300  
Total assets     6,660,590     5,611,697     4,380,640     4,034,775     3,813,552  
Debt obligations     4,113,732     3,461,590     2,495,369     2,131,967     1,901,204  
Minority interest in consolidated entities     5,106     2,581     2,650     6,224     2,565  
Shareholders' equity     2,415,228     2,025,300     1,787,778     1,787,885     1,801,343  

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total debt to shareholders' equity     1.7x     1.7x     1.4x     1.2x     1.1x  

23


Explanatory Notes:


(1)
This amount represents a non-recurring, non-cash charge of approximately $94.5 million relating to the acquisition of the Company's formal external advisor in November 1999.

(2)
Represents one-time effect of adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as of January 1, 2001.

(3)
HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company's High Performance Unit Program.

(4)
Prior to November 1999, earnings per common share excludes 1.00% of net income allocable to the Company's former class B shares. The former class B shares were exchanged for Common Stock in connection with the acquisition of TriNet and other related transactions on November 4, 1999. As a result, the Company now has a single class of Common Stock outstanding.

(5)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $2,006 and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(6)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per diluted common share includes joint venture income of $167.

(7)
The Company generally declares common and preferred dividends in the month subsequent to the end of the quarter.

(8)
Adjusted earnings represents net income to common shareholders and HPU holders computed in accordance with GAAP, before depreciation, amortization, gain from discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. For the year ended December 31, 2002, adjusted earnings excludes the $15.0 million charge related to the performance based vesting of restricted shares granted under the Company's long-term incentive plan and includes $3.9 million of cash paid for prepayment penalties associated with early extinguishment of debt. For the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, adjusted earnings includes $1.0 million and $317,000 of cash paid for prepayment penalties associated with early extinguishment of debt. For the year ended December 31, 1999, adjusted earnings excludes the non-recurring, non-cash cost incurred in acquiring the Company's former external advisor. (See reconciliation in Item 7—"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations").

(9)
EBITDA is calculated as net income plus the sum of interest expense, depreciation and amortization, minority interest in consolidated entities, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and costs incurred in acquiring former advisor minus income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations.

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,

 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
 
 
  (In thousands)

 
Net income   $ 292,157   $ 215,270   $ 229,912   $ 217,586   $ 38,886  
Add: Interest expense     194,999     185,375     169,974     173,549     91,112  
Add: Depreciation and amortization     55,286     46,948     34,573     33,529     10,219  
Add: Minority interest in consolidated entities     249     162     218     195     41  
Add: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle             282          
Add: Costs incurred in acquiring former advisor                     94,476  
Less: Income from discontinued operations     (1,916 )   (7,614 )   (10,429 )   (7,960 )   (853 )
Less: Gain from discontinued operations     (5,167 )   (717 )   (1,145 )   (2,948 )    
   
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA   $ 535,608   $ 439,424   $ 423,385   $ 413,951   $ 233,881  
   
 
 
 
 
 
(10)
Each of adjusted earnings and EBITDA should be examined in conjunction with net income as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Neither adjusted earnings nor EBITDA should be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of the Company's performance, or to cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of the Company's liquidity, nor is either measure indicative of funds available to fund the Company's cash needs or available for distribution to shareholders. The Company's management believes that adjusted earnings and EBITDA more closely approximate operating cash flow and are useful measures for investors to consider, in conjunction with net income and other GAAP measures. This is because, as a commercial finance company that focuses on real estate lending and corporate tenant leasing; therefore, the Company's net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) reflects significant non-cash depreciation expense on CTL assets and significant deferred financing costs. Several of the Company's material borrowing arrangements contain covenants based on adjusted earnings, therefore, the Company must monitor adjusted earnings in order to ensure compliance with these covenants. It should be noted that the Company's manner of calculating adjusted earnings and EBITDA may differ from the calculations of similarly-titled measures by other companies.

(11)
The 1999 EBITDA to interest expense ratio on a pro forma basis would have been 2.83x.

(12)
Combined fixed charges are comprised of interest expense, capitalized interest, amortization of loan costs and preferred stock dividend requirements. The 1999 EBITDA to combined fixed charges ratio on a pro forma basis would have been 2.23x.

(13)
For the purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" consist of income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries, or income or loss from equity investees, income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle plus "fixed charges" and certain other adjustments. "Fixed charges" consist of interest incurred on all indebtedness related to continuing operations (including amortization of original issue discount) and the implied interest component of the Company's rent obligations in the years presented. For 1999, these ratios exclude the effect of a non-recurring, non-cash charge in the amount of approximately $94.5 million relating to the November 1999 acquisition of the former external advisor to the Company. Including the effect of this non-recurring, non-cash charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for that period would have been 1.4x and the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends would have been 1.1x.

24


Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

        The Company is in the business of providing custom-tailored financing solutions to private and corporate owners of real estate nationwide. Depending upon market conditions and the Company's views about the United States economy generally and the real estate markets specifically, the Company will adjust its investment focus from time to time and emphasize certain products, industries and geographic markets over others.

        The Company began its business in 1993 through private investment funds formed to take advantage of the lack of well-capitalized lenders capable of servicing the needs of customers in its markets. In March 1998, the private investment funds contributed their approximately $1.1 billion of assets to the Company's predecessor in exchange for a controlling interest in that public company. In November 1999, the Company acquired its leasing subsidiary, TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. ("TriNet" or the "Leasing Subsidiary"), which was then the largest publicly-traded company specializing in corporate sale/leaseback for office and industrial facilities (the "TriNet Acquisition"). Concurrent with the TriNet Acquisition, the Company also acquired its former external advisor in exchange for shares of its Common Stock and converted its organizational form to a Maryland corporation. The Company's Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SFI" in November 1999.

        The Company has experienced significant growth since its first quarter as a public company in 1998. Transaction volume for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 was $2.2 billion, compared to $1.7 billion in 2002 and $1.1 billion in 2001. The Company completed 60 financing commitments in 2003, compared to 41 in 2002 and 35 in 2001. Repeat customer business has become a key source of transaction volume for the Company, accounting for approximately 55.00% of the Company's cumulative volume through the end of 2003. Based upon feedback from its customers, the Company believes that greater recognition of the Company and its reputation for completing highly structured transactions in an efficient manner have also contributed to increases in its transaction volume. The benefits of higher investment volumes were mitigated to an extent by the extremely low interest rate environment in 2002 and 2003. Low interest rates benefit the Company in that its borrowing costs decrease, but similarly, earnings on its variable-rate lending investments also decrease.

        During the difficult economic and real estate market conditions of 2002 and 2003, the Company focused its investment activity on lower risk investments such as first mortgages and corporate tenant lease transactions that met its risk adjusted return standards. The Company has experienced minimal losses on its lending investments. In 2003, the Company also focused on re-leasing space at its corporate tenant lease facilities under longer term leases in an effort to reduce the impact of lease expirations on the Company's earnings.

        The Company has continued to broaden its sources of capital and was particularly active in the capital markets in 2003. The Company's strong performance and the low interest rate environment enabled the Company to issue equity and debt securities in 2003 (and in early 2004) on attractive pricing terms. The Company used the proceeds from the issuances to repay secured indebtedness and to refinance higher cost capital. The Company made significant progress in 2003 in migrating its debt obligations from secured debt towards unsecured debt. While the Company considers it prudent to have a broad array of sources of capital, including secured financing arrangements, the Company will continue to seek to reduce its use of secured debt and increase its use of unsecured debt.

25



Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

        Interest income—Interest income increased by $48.8 million to $304.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 from $255.6 million for the same period in 2002. This increase was primarily due to $102.3 million of interest income on new originations or additional fundings, offset by a $51.2 million decrease from the repayment of loans and other lending investments. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on the Company's variable-rate lending investments as a result of lower average one-month LIBOR rates of 1.21% in 2003, compared to 1.77% in 2002.

        Operating lease income—Operating lease income increased by $28.9 million to $265.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 from $236.6 million for the same period in 2002. Of this increase, $36.6 million was attributable to new CTL investments. This increase was partially offset by $7.0 million of lower operating lease income due to vacancies on certain CTL assets.

        Other income—Other income generally consists of prepayment penalties and realized gains from the early repayment of loans and other lending investments, financial advisory and asset management fees, lease termination fees, mortgage servicing fees, loan participation payments and dividends on certain investments. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, other income included realized gains on sale of lending investments of $16.3 million, income from loan repayments and prepayment penalties of $17.3 million, asset management, mortgage servicing and other fees of approximately $2.6 million and other miscellaneous income such as dividend payments of $489,000.

        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, other income included prepayment penalties and realized gains on loan repayments of $12.6 million, asset management, mortgage servicing, and other fees of approximately $9.0 million, lease termination fees of $2.9 million, loan participation payments of $3.3 million and other miscellaneous income such as dividend payments and insurance claims of $994,000.

        Interest expense—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, interest expense increased by $9.6 million to $195.0 million from $185.4 million for the same period in 2002. This increase was primarily due to higher average borrowings on the Company's debt obligations, term loans and secured notes. This increase was partially offset by lower average one-month LIBOR rates, which averaged 1.21% in 2003 compared to 1.77% in 2002 on the unhedged portion of the Company's variable-rate debt and by a $4.5 million decrease in amortization of deferred financing costs on the Company's debt obligations in 2003 compared to the same period in 2002.

        Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, operating costs increased by approximately $4.2 million from $13.2 million to $17.4 million for the same period in 2002. This increase is primarily related to new CTL investments and higher unrecoverable operating costs due to vacancies on certain CTL assets.

        Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization increased by $8.4 million to $55.3 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 from $46.9 million for the same period in 2002. This increase is primarily due to depreciation on new CTL investments.

        General and administrative—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, general and administrative expenses increased by $7.8 million to $38.2 million, compared to $30.4 million for the same period in 2002. This increase is primarily due to the consolidation of iStar Operating and the result of compensation expense recognized for dividends paid on the Chief Executive Officer's contingently vested phantom shares (see Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

26



        General and administrative—stock-based compensation—General and administrative-stock-based compensation decreased by $14.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. In 2002, the Company recognized a charge of approximately $15.0 million related to the performance-based vesting of 500,000 restricted shares granted under the Company's long-term incentive plan in 2002 (see Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

        Provision for loan losses—The Company's charge for provision for loan losses decreased to $7.5 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 compared to $8.3 million in the same period in 2002. As more fully discussed in Note 4 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has experienced minimal actual losses on its loan investments to date. The Company considers it prudent to reflect provisions for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company's assessment of general market conditions, the Company's internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company's assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Accordingly, since its first full quarter operating its current business as a public company (the quarter ended June 30, 1998), management has reflected quarterly provisions for loan losses in its operating results.

        Loss on early extinguishment of debt—During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company had no losses on early extinguishment of debt.

        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, the Company had $12.2 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the prepayment penalties and amortization of deferred financing fess related to the repayment of the STARs, Series 2000-1 bonds. This loss of $12.2 million represented approximately $8.2 million in unamortized deferred financing costs and approximately $4.0 million in prepayment penalties. In accordance with SFAS No. 145 these costs were reclassified from "Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt" into continuing operations for comparative purposes for financial statements for periods after January 1, 2003.

        Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries decreased by $5.5 million to $(4.3) million from $1.2 million for the same period in 2002. This decrease is primarily due to certain lease terminations in one of the Company's CTL joint venture investments. (see Note 6 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

        Income from discontinued operations—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, operating income earned by the Company on CTL assets sold (prior to their sale) and assets held for sale of approximately $1.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively, is classified as "discontinued operations," even though such income was recognized by the Company prior to the asset dispositions or classification as "Assets held for sale" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        Gain from discontinued operations—During 2003, the Company disposed of nine CTL assets for net proceeds of $47.6 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $5.2 million.

        During 2002, the Company disposed of one CTL asset for net proceeds of $3.7 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $595,000. In addition, one of the Company's customers exercised an option to terminate its lease on 50.00% of the land leased from the Company. In connection with this termination, the Company realized $17.5 million in cash lease termination payments, offset by a $17.4 million impairment change in connection with the termination, resulting in a net gain of approximately $123,000.

27



Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001

        Interest income—Interest income increased by $1.5 million to $255.6 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 from $254.1 million for the same period in 2001. This increase was primarily due to $72.5 million of interest income on new originations or additional fundings, offset by a $50.5 million decrease from the repayment of loans and other lending investments. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on the Company's variable-rate lending investments as the result of lower average one-month LIBOR rates of 1.77% in 2002, compared to 3.88% in 2001.

        Operating lease income—Operating lease income increased by $57.3 million to $236.6 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 from $179.3 million for the same period in 2001. Of this increase, $59.6 million was attributable to new CTL investments. This increase was partially offset by CTL dispositions and lower operating lease income due to vacancies on certain CTL assets.

        Other income—Other income generally consists of prepayment penalties and realized gains from the early repayment of loans and other lending investments, financial advisory and asset management fees, lease termination fees, mortgage servicing fees, loan participation payments and dividends on certain investments. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, other income included prepayment penalties and realized gains on loan repayments of $12.6 million, asset management, mortgage servicing and other fees of approximately $9.0 million, lease termination fees of $2.9 million, loan participation payments of $3.3 million, and other miscellaneous income such as dividend payments and insurance claims of $994,000.

        During the 12 months ended December 30, 2001, other income included loan participation payments of $13.1 million, prepayment penalties and gains on loan repayments of $13.0 million and financial advisory, lease termination, asset management and mortgage servicing fees of $5.3 million.

        Interest expense—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, interest expense increased by $15.4 million to $185.4 million from $170.0 million for the same period in 2001. This increase was primarily due to the higher average borrowings on the Company's debt obligations, term loans and secured notes, and by approximately $2.7 million due to additional amortization of deferred financing costs on the Company's debt obligations in 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. This increase was partially offset by lower average one-month LIBOR rates on the Company's variable-rate debt of 1.77% in 2002, compared to 3.88% in 2001.

        Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, operating costs increased by approximately $1.2 million from $12.0 million to $13.2 million for the same period in 2001. This increase is primarily related to new CTL investments and higher operating costs on certain CTL assets, partially offset by CTL dispositions.

        Depreciation and amortization—Depreciation and amortization increased by $12.3 million to $46.9 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 from $34.6 million for the same period in 2001. This increase is primarily due to new CTL investments.

        General and administrative—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, general and administrative expenses increased by $6.2 million to $30.4 million, compared to $24.2 million for the same period in 2001. This increase is primarily the result of an increase in personnel and related costs.

        General and administrative—stock-based compensation—General and administrative-stock-based compensation increased by $14.4 million primarily due to a charge related to the performance-based vesting of 500,000 restricted shares granted under the Company's long-term incentive plan and tied to overall shareholder performance (see Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

28



        Provision for loan losses—The Company's charge for provision for loan losses increased to $8.3 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 compared to $7.0 million for the same period in 2001. As more fully discussed in Note 4 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has experienced minimal actual losses on its loan investments to date. The Company considers it prudent to reflect provisions for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company's assessment of general market conditions, the Company's internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company's assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Accordingly, since its first full quarter operating its current business as a public company (the quarter ended June 30, 1998), management has reflected quarterly provisions for loan losses in its operating results.

        Loss on early extinguishment of debt—During the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, the Company had $12.2 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt associated with the prepayment penalties and amortization of deferred financing fess related to the repayment of the STARs, Series 2000-1 bonds. This loss of $12.2 million, represented approximately $8.2 million in unamortized deferred financing costs and approximately $4.0 million in prepayment penalties. In accordance with SFAS No. 145 these costs were reclassified from "Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt" into continuing operations for comparative purposes for financial statements for periods after January 1, 2003.

        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2001, the Company repaid a secured term loan, which had an original maturity date of December 2004. In addition, the Company prepaid an unsecured revolving credit facility, which had an original maturity date of May 2002. In connection with these prepayments, the Company expensed the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs and incurred certain prepayment penalties, which resulted in a loss of approximately $1.6 million. In accordance with SFAS No. 145 these costs were reclassified from "Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt" into continuing operations for comparative purposes for financial statements for periods after January 1, 2003.

        Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries—During the 12 months ended December 31, 2002, equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries decreased by approximately $6.2 million to $1.2 million from $7.4 million for the same period in 2001. This decrease is primarily due to the consolidation of one of the Company's CTL joint venture investments (see Note 6 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

        Income from discontinued operations—For the 12 months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, operating income earned by the Company on CTL assets sold (prior to their sale) and assets held for sale of approximately $7.6 million and $10.4 million, respectively, is classified as "discontinued operations," even though such income was recognized by the Company prior to the asset dispositions or classification as "Assets held for sale" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        Gain from discontinued operations—During 2002, the Company disposed of one CTL asset for net proceeds of $3.7 million, and recognized a gain of approximately $595,000. In addition, one of the Company's customers exercised an option to terminate its lease on 50.00% of the land leased from the Company. In connection with this termination, the Company realized $17.5 million in cash lease termination payments, offset by a $17.4 million impairment change in connection with the termination, resulting in a net gain of approximately $123,000.

        During 2001, the Company disposed of four CTL assets for net proceeds of $26.3 million, and recognized net gains of $1.1 million.

29


Adjusted Earnings

        Adjusted earnings represents net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders computed in accordance with GAAP, before depreciation, amortization, gain from discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures reflect the Company's share of adjusted earnings calculated on the same basis.

        The Company believes that to facilitate a clear understanding of the historical operating results of the Company, adjusted earnings should be examined in conjunction with net income as shown in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Adjusted earnings should not be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of the Company's performance, or to cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of the Company's liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund the Company's cash needs or available for distribution to the Company's shareholders. The Company's management believes that adjusted earnings more closely approximates operating cash flow and is a useful measure for investors to consider, in conjunction with net income and other GAAP measures, in evaluating the Company's financial performance. This is primarily because the Company is a commercial finance company that focuses on real estate lending and corporate tenant leasing; therefore, the Company's net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) reflects significant non-cash depreciation expense on CTL assets and significant deferred financing costs. In addition, several of the Company's material borrowing arrangements contain covenants based on adjusted earnings, therefore, the Company must monitor adjusted earnings in order to ensure compliance with these covenants. It should be noted that the Company's manner of calculating adjusted earnings may differ from the calculation of similarly-titled measures by other companies.

30


 
  For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
 
 
  (In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Adjusted earnings:                                
  Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders   $ 255,249   $ 178,362   $ 193,004   $ 180,678   $ 15,043  
  Add: Joint venture income     593     991     965     937     1,603  
  Add: Depreciation     55,905     48,041     35,642     34,514     11,016  
  Add: Joint venture depreciation and amortization     7,417     4,433     4,044     3,662     365  
  Add: Amortization of deferred financing costs     27,180     31,676     21,303     13,528     6,121  
  Less: Gains from discontinued operations     (5,167 )   (717 )   (1,145 )   (2,948 )    
  Add: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle(1)             282          
  Less: Net income allocable to class B shares(2)                     (826 )
  Add: Cost incurred in acquiring former external advisor                     94,476  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(3)(4)(5)   $ 341,177   $ 262,786   $ 254,095   $ 230,371   $ 127,798  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding(6)     104,248     93,020     88,606     86,523     61,750  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Represents one-time effect of adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as of January 1, 2001.

(2)
Prior to November 1999, adjusted earnings per common share excludes 1.00% of net income allocable to the Company's former class B shares. The former class B shares were exchanged for Common Stock in connection with the acquisition of TriNet and other related transactions on November 4, 1999. As a result, the Company now has a single class of Common Stock outstanding.

(3)
For the year ended December 31, 2003, adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders includes $2,659 of adjusted earnings allocable to HPU holders.

(4)
For years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, adjusted diluted earnings allocable to common shareholders includes $3,950, $1,037 and $317 of cash paid for prepayment penalties associated with early extinguishment of debt.

(5)
Includes a $15.0 million charge related to performance-based vesting of restricted shares granted under the Company's long-term incentive plan for the 12 months ended December 31, 2002.

(6)
In addition to the GAAP defined weighted average diluted shares outstanding these balances include an additional 147,000 shares, 371,000 shares, 372,000 shares, 372,000 shares and 1.4 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, relating to the additional dilution of joint venture shares.

Risk Management

        First Dollar and Last Dollar Exposure—One component of the Company's risk management assessment is an analysis of the Company's first and last dollar loan-to-value percentage with respect to the facilities or companies the Company finances. First dollar loan-to-value represents the weighted average beginning point for the Company's lending exposure in the aggregate capitalization of the underlying facilities or companies it finances. Last dollar loan-to-value represents the weighted average ending point for the Company's lending exposure in the aggregate capitalization of the underlying facilities or companies it finances.

31



        Non-Accrual Loans—The Company transfers loans to non-accrual status at such time as: (1) management believes that the potential risk exists that scheduled debt service payments will not be met within the coming 12 months; (2) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; (3) management determines the borrower is incapable of, or ceased efforts toward, curing the cause of an impairment; or (4) the net realizable value of the loan's underlying collateral approximates the Company's carrying value of such loan. Interest income is recognized only upon actual cash receipt for loans on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had three assets on non-accrual status with an aggregate carrying value of $40.3 million, or 0.62% of the gross book value of the Company's investments. Management believes there is adequate collateral to support the book values of the assets.

        The first non-accrual loan is a $12.8 million junior participation in a first mortgage loan secured by a hotel facility in New York, New York. This loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.91% and matures in June 2006. The borrower remains current on all of its debt service payments to the Company and has continued to invest additional equity to fund on-going capital improvements at the facility. Management believes there is adequate collateral to support the book value of the asset. However, due to poor operating performance, this loan was transferred to non-accrual effective July 1, 2003.

        The second non-accrual loan is a partnership loan with a balance of $349,000 as of December 31, 2003. The loan is presently secured by a partnership interest in a partnership owning facilities in Colorado leased to the U.S. Government. The loan bears interest at LIBOR + 3.50%, with a LIBOR floor of 3.00%. The loan matured on March 29, 2003 and therefore is currently in default. In April 2003 and November 2003, the Company received $1.2 million and $4.2 million of principal repayments, respectively. The borrower remains current on its regular interest obligations to the Company. However, as a result of the maturity default and the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the completion, sale or refinancing of the facilities, the loan remains on non-accrual status.

        The third non-accrual loan is a $27.1 million, 90.00% participating interest in a loan secured by a class A office building located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The loan was acquired at a premium to its principal balance as a part of the Company's acquisition of Lazard Freres' structured finance portfolio in 1998. Lazard continues to retain a 10.00% interest in the loan. The loan matures in March 2008 and bears interest at 17.50%, 11.00% of which is due currently and 6.50% of which is accrued. In August 2003 the borrower stopped making debt service payments due to insufficient cash flow caused by vacancies at the facility. Management believes the underlying collateral value supports its basis in the outstanding principal balance of the loan. During the third quarter of 2003, management determined that an acquisition premium on the loan with an unamortized balance of $3.3 million was impaired. As a result in the third quarter of 2003, the Company took a $3.3 million impairment charge against its loan loss reserve, bringing the carrying value of the loan to $27.1 million.

        Watch List Assets—The Company conducts a quarterly comprehensive credit review, resulting in an individual risk rating being assigned to each asset. This review is designed to enable management to evaluate and proactively manage asset-specific credit issues and identify credit trends on a portfolio-wide basis as an "early warning system." As of December 31, 2003, the Company has five loans that are on its credit watch list, including the three non-accrual loans mentioned above.

        One of the watch list loans not on non-accrual is a $35.8 million junior interest in a $103.1 million first mortgage loan secured by a super regional mall in Chicago, Illinois. The whole loan bears interest at 8.88%. Cash flow at the mall has been negatively impacted by the departure of an anchor tenant; however, mall management has been actively negotiating to reconfigure the space for an existing anchor. To provide for the repositioning of the center and ultimate refinancing of the loan, the maturity of the loan was extended for two years to January 1, 2006. The loan is not open for prepayment until January 1, 2005, at which time it may be repaid in full at a 3.00% premium for six months and then may be repaid at par for the six months prior to maturity. The borrower has made significant equity investments in the facility, with over $19.0 million invested in the past three years. The borrower remains current on all of its debt service

32



payments. Management believes the collateral value remains adequate to support the book value of the asset.

        The other watch list loan not on non-accrual is a $27.2 million first mortgage secured by an office facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The whole loan bears interest at LIBOR + 4.50% and matures in April, 2004. On October 14, 2003, the Company acquired the senior trust certificate from a financial institution. The facility is experiencing near-term tenant rollover in a soft local real estate market; however, management believes its last dollar exposure is below replacement cost, and the loan remains current through December 31, 2003. Management believes that there is adequate collateral to support the book value of the asset.

        The table below summarizes the Company's loans and other lending investments that are more than 60-days past due in scheduled payments and details the provision for loan losses associated with the Company's lending investments for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands):

 
  As of December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
 
  $
  %
  $
  %
 
Carrying value of loans past due 60 days or more/
As a percentage of loans and other lending investments
  $ 27,480   0.74 % $    

Provision for loan losses/
As a percentage of loans and other lending investments

 

 

33,436

 

0.89

%

 

29,250

 

0.95

%

Net charge-offs/
As a percentage of loans and other lending investments

 

 

3,314

 

0.09

%

 


 


 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The Company requires significant capital to fund its investment activities and operating expenses. The Company has sufficient access to capital resources to fund its existing business plan, which includes the expansion of its real estate lending and corporate tenant leasing businesses. The Company's capital sources include cash flow from operations, borrowings under lines of credit, additional term borrowings, long-term financing secured by the Company's assets, unsecured financing and the issuance of common, convertible and/or preferred equity securities. Further, the Company may acquire other businesses or assets using its capital stock, cash or a combination thereof.

        The distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code limit the Company's ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital committed to its operations. However, the Company believes that its access to significant capital resources and financing will enable the Company to meet current and anticipated capital requirements.

        The Company believes that its existing sources of funds will be adequate for purposes of meeting its short- and long-term liquidity needs. The Company's ability to meet its long-term (i.e., beyond one year) liquidity requirements is subject to obtaining additional debt and equity financing. Any decision by the Company's lenders and investors to provide the Company with financing will depend upon a number of factors, such as the Company's compliance with the terms of its existing credit arrangements, the Company's financial performance, industry or market trends, the general availability of and rates applicable to financing transactions, such lenders' and investors' resources and policies concerning the terms under which they make capital commitments and the relative attractiveness of alternative investment or lending opportunities.

33



        The following table outlines the contractual obligations related to the Company's long-term debt agreements and operating lease obligations. There are no other long-term liabilities of the Company that would constitute a contractual obligation.

 
   
  Principal Payments Due By Period(1)
 
  Total
  Less Than
1 Year

  2 - 3
Years

  4 - 5
Years

  6 - 10
Years

  After 10
Years

 
   
  (In thousands)

Long-Term Debt Obligations:                                    
Secured revolving credit facilities   $ 696,591   $   $ 386,227   $ 310,364   $   $
Unsecured revolving credit facilities     130,000     130,000                
Secured term loans     808,128     60,000     273,805     185,852     236,847     51,624
iStar Asset Receivables secured notes(2)     1,311,314     40,010     235,808         1,035,496    
Unsecured notes     1,185,000         50,000     535,000     500,000     100,000
Other debt obligations     34,148     34,148                
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total     4,165,181     264,158     945,840     1,031,216     1,772,343     151,624
Operating Lease Obligations:(3)     16,067     2,879     5,878     4,761     2,549    
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Total   $ 4,181,248   $ 267,037   $ 951,718   $ 1,035,977   $ 1,774,892   $ 151,624
   
 
 
 
 
 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Assumes exercise of extensions on the Company's long-term debt obligations to the extent such extensions are at the Company's option.

(2)
Based on expected proceeds from principal payments received on loan assets collateralizing such notes.

(3)
The Company also has a $1.0 million letter of credit outstanding as security for its primary corporate office lease.

        The Company has four LIBOR-based secured revolving credit facilities with an aggregate maximum capacity of $2.4 billion, of which $696.6 million was drawn as of December 31, 2003 (see Note 7 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements). Availability under these facilities is based on collateral provided under a borrowing base calculation. At December 31, 2003, the Company also had an unsecured credit facility totaling $300.0 million which bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125% per annum and matures in July 2004. At December 31, 2003, the Company had drawn $130.0 million under this facility.

        Unencumbered Assets/Unsecured Debt—The Company has made and will continue to make progress in migrating its balance sheet towards more unsecured debt, which results in a corresponding reduction of secured debt and an increase in unencumbered assets. The exact timing in which the Company will issue or borrow unsecured debt will be subject to market conditions. The following table shows the ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt at December 31, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands):

 
  As of December 31,
 
  2003
  2002
Total Unencumbered Assets   $ 2,167,388   $ 1,366,909
Total Unsecured Debt(1)   $ 1,315,000   $ 625,000
Unencumbered Assets/Unsecured Debt(2)     165%     219%

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
See Note 7 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of the Company's unsecured debt.

(2)
At December 31, 2003, the Company had assets with an aggregate book value of $346.6 million pledged as collateral to its secured revolving credit facilities for which there were no amounts drawn. If these assets had been released from the credit facilities, unencumbered assets/unsecured debt would have been 191% at December 31, 2003.

        Capital Markets Financings—The Company was an active issuer in the capital markets in 2003 and the beginning of 2004. The continued strength of the Company's stock price and the low interest rate environment provided the Company with the opportunity to issue equity and debt securities on attractive pricing terms. In 2003 and through March 15, 2004, the Company issued $1,285.0 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates ranging from 4.875% to 7.00%

34



and maturing between 2008 and 2014 and $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of floating-rate Senior Notes bearing interest at annual rates of three-month LIBOR+1.25% and maturing in 2007. The Company issued 21.1 million shares of preferred stock in five series with cumulative annual dividend rates ranging from 7.50% to 7.875%. All of the shares of preferred stock have a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The Company also issued 5.0 million shares of Common Stock in 2003 at a price to the public of $38.50 per share.

        The Company primarily used the proceeds from the issuances of securities described above to repay secured indebtedness as it migrates its balance sheet towards more unsecured debt and to refinance higher yielding obligations. In 2003 and January 2004, the Company retired all of its 4.0 million shares of 9.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, its 3.3 million shares of Series H Variable Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and the 6.75% Dealer Remarketable Securities of its Leasing Subsidiary. The Company called for redemption all of its 2.0 million shares of 9.375% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and all of its 1.3 million shares of 9.20% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.

        On November 14, 2002, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 8.0 million primary shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company received approximately $202.9 million from the offering and used these proceeds to repay a portion of its secured debt.

        On August 9, 2001, the Company issued $350.0 million of 8.75% Senior Notes due in 2008. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Company used the net proceeds to partially repay outstanding borrowings under its secured credit facilities.

        Other Financing Activities—Subsequent to year-end, on January 13, 2004, the Company closed $200.0 million of term financing with a leading financial institution that is secured by certain corporate bond investments and other lending securities. A number of these investments were previously financed under existing credit facilities. The new facility bears interest at LIBOR + 1.05%–1.50% and has a final maturity date of January 2006.

        On November 4, 2003, one of the Company's $500.0 million secured facilities was amended to include subordinate and mezzanine lending investments as collateral at stated interest rates of LIBOR + 2.15%–2.25%.

        On October 31, 2003, the Company's $50.0 million term loan bearing interest at LIBOR + 0.60% matured and was repaid.

        On September 29, 2003, the Company closed a $135.0 million term loan secured by a CTL asset it acquired the same day. The loan has a five-year term and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.75%.

        On July 24, 2003, the Company closed a $48.0 million term loan secured by a corporate lending investment it originated in the third quarter of 2003. The loan has a three-year primary term and two one-year extension options, and bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125%.

        On May 21, 2003, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company issued iStar Asset Receivables ("STARs"), Series 2003-1, the Company's proprietary match funding program, consisting of $645.8 million of investment-grade bonds secured by the subsidiary's structured finance and CTL assets, which had an aggregate carrying value of approximately $738.1 million at inception. Principal payments received on the assets will be utilized to repay the most senior class of the bonds then outstanding. The maturity of the bonds match funds the maturity of the underlying assets financed under the program. The weighted average interest rate on the bonds, on an all-floating rate basis, was approximately LIBOR + 0.47% at inception. For accounting purposes, this transaction was treated as a secured financing: the underlying assets and STARs liabilities remained on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and no gain on sale was recognized.

        On May 14, 2003, the Company extended the maturity on its $300.0 million unsecured facility to July 2004.

35



        On May 8, 2003, the Company extended the maturity on its $60.0 million term loan to June 2004.

        On April 9, 2003, the Company repaid the existing term loan financing a $75.0 million term preferred investment in a publicly-traded real estate company and simultaneously entered into another $50.0 million term loan with a leading financial institution. The new term loan bears interest at LIBOR + 0.60% and has a final maturity date of October 2003 with amortization payments in July 2003 and October 2003.

        On January 27, 2003, the Company extended the maturity on one of its $700.0 million secured facilities to January 2007, which includes a one-year "term-out" at the Company's option.

        On December 11, 2002, the Company closed a $61.5 million term loan financing with a leading financial institution. The proceeds were used to fund a portion of an $82.1 million CTL investment. The non-recourse loan is fixed rate and bears interest at 6.412%, has a maturity date of December 2012 and amortizes over a 30-year schedule.

        On September 30, 2002, the Company closed a $500.0 million secured revolving credit facility with a leading financial institution. The facility has a three-year term and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.50% to 2.25%, depending upon the collateral contributed to the borrowing base. The facility accepts a broad range of structured finance and corporate tenant assets and has a final maturity date of September 2005.

        On July 2, 2002, the Company purchased the remaining interest in the Milpitas joint venture from the former Milpitas external member for $27.9 million. Upon purchase of the interest, the Milpitas joint venture became fully consolidated for accounting purposes and approximately $79.1 million of secured term debt is reflected on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        On May 28, 2002, the Company repaid the then remaining $446.2 million of bonds outstanding under its STARs, Series 2000-1 financing. Simultaneously, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company issued STARs, Series 2002-1, consisting of $885.1 million of investment-grade bonds secured by the subsidiary's structured finance and CTL assets, which had an aggregate outstanding carrying value of approximately $1.1 billion at inception. Principal payments received on the assets will be utilized to repay the most senior class of the bonds then outstanding. The maturity of the bonds match funds the maturity of the underlying assets financed under the program. The weighted average interest rate on the bonds, on an all-floating rate basis, is approximately LIBOR + 0.56% at inception. For accounting purposes, this transaction was treated as a secured financing: the underlying assets and STARs liabilities remained on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and no gain on sale was recognized.

        On March 29, 2002, the Company extended the maturity of its $500.0 million secured facility to August 2005, which includes a one-year "term-out" extension at the Company's option.

        On July 27, 2001, the Company completed a $300.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of leading financial institutions. The facility has an initial maturity of July 2003, with a one-year extension at the Company's option and another one-year extension at the lenders' option. This facility replaces two prior credit facilities maturing in 2002 and 2003, and bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125%. On May 14, 2003, the Company extended the maturity of this facility to July 2004.

        On July 6, 2001, the Company financed a $75.0 million structured finance asset with a $50.0 million term loan bearing interest at LIBOR + 2.50%. The loan has a maturity of July 2006, including a one-year extension at the Company's option. This investment is a $75.0 million term preferred investment in a publicly-traded real estate company. The Company's investment carries an initial current yield of 10.50%, with annual increases of 0.50% in each of the next two years. In addition, the Company's investment is convertible into the customer's common stock at a strike price of $25.00 per share. The investment is callable by the customer between months 13 and 30 of the term at a yield maintenance premium, and after month 30, at a premium sufficient to generate a 14.62% internal rate of return on the Company's investment. The investment is putable by the Company to the customer for cash after five years. On April 9, 2003, the Company repaid this term loan and simultaneously entered into another $50.0 million term loan bearing interest at LIBOR + 0.60% and with a final maturity of October 2003.

36



        On June 14, 2001, the Company closed $193.0 million of term loan financing secured by 15 CTL assets. The variable-rate loan bears interest at LIBOR + 1.85% (not to exceed 10.00% in aggregate) and has two one-year extensions at the Company's option. The Company used these proceeds to repay a $77.8 million secured term loan maturing in June 2001 and to pay down a portion of its revolving credit facilities. In addition, the Company extended the maturity of its $500.0 million secured revolving credit facility to August 2003. On March 29, 2002, the Company again extended the final maturity of this facility to August 2005, which includes a one-year "term-out" extension at the Company's option.

        On May 15, 2001, the Company repaid its $100.0 million 7.30% unsecured notes. These notes were senior unsecured obligations of the Leasing Subsidiary and ranked equally with the Leasing Subsidiary's other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

        On February 22, 2001, the Company extended the maturity of its $350.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility to May 2002. On July 27, 2001, the Company repaid this facility and replaced it with a new $300.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility.

        On January 11, 2001, the Company closed a $700.0 million secured revolving credit facility which is led by a major commercial bank. The facility has a three-year primary term and one-year "term-out" extension option, and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.40% to 2.15%, depending upon the collateral contributed to the borrowing base. This facility accepts a broad range of structured finance assets and has a final maturity of January 2005. On January 27, 2003, the Company extended the final maturity on this facility to January 2007.

        Hedging Activities—The Company has variable-rate lending assets and variable-rate debt obligations. These assets and liabilities create a natural hedge against changes in variable interest rates. This means that as interest rates increase, the Company earns more on its variable-rate lending assets and pays more on its variable-rate debt obligations and, conversely, as interest rates decrease, the Company earns less on its variable-rate lending assets and pays less on its variable-rate debt obligations. When the amount of the Company's variable-rate debt obligations exceeds the amount of its variable-rate lending assets, the Company utilizes derivative instruments to limit the impact of changing interest rates on its net income. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge assets or for speculative purposes. The derivative instruments the Company uses are typically in the form of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps. Interest rate swaps effectively change variable-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate debt obligations. Interest rate caps effectively limit the maximum interest rate on variable-rate debt obligations.

        In addition, when appropriate the Company enters into interest rate swaps that convert fixed-rate debt to variable rate in order to mitigate the risk of changes in fair value of the fixed-rate debt obligations.

        The primary risks from the Company's use of derivative instruments is the risk that a counterparty to a hedging arrangement could default on its obligation and the risk that the Company may have to pay certain costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs, if a hedging arrangement is terminated by the Company. As a matter of policy, the Company enters into hedging arrangements with counterparties that are large, creditworthy financial institutions typically rated at least "A" by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") and "A2" by Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's"). The Company's hedging strategy is approved and monitored by the Company's Audit Committee on behalf of its Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval.

37



        The Company has entered into the following cash flow and fair value hedges that are outstanding as of December 31, 2003. The net value (liability) associated with these hedges is reflected on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands).

Type of
Hedge

  Notional
Amount

  Strike
Price or
Swap Rate

  Trade
Date

  Maturity
Date

  Estimated
Value at
December 31, 2003

 
Pay-Fixed Swap   $ 125,000   2.885 % 1/23/03   6/25/06   $ (1,632 )
Pay-Fixed Swap     125,000   2.838 % 2/11/03   6/25/06     (1,486 )
Pay-Fixed Swap     75,000   5.580 % 11/4/99 (1) 12/1/04     (3,227 )
Pay-Floating Swap     200,000   4.381 % 12/17/03   12/15/10     (1,472 )
Pay-Floating Swap     100,000   4.345 % 12/17/03   12/15/10     (958 )
Pay-Floating Swap     100,000   3.878 % 11/27/02   8/15/08     2,681  
Pay-Floating Swap     50,000   3.810 % 11/27/02   8/15/08     1,183  
Pay-Floating Swap     50,000   4.290 % 12/17/03   12/15/10     (649 )
LIBOR Cap     345,000   8.000 % 5/22/02   5/28/14     11,648  
LIBOR Cap     135,000   6.000 % 9/29/03   10/15/06     418  
LIBOR Cap     75,000   7.750 % 11/4/99 (1) 12/1/04      
LIBOR Cap     35,000   7.750 % 11/4/99 (1) 12/1/04  
 
Total Estimated Value   6,506
 

Explanatory Note:


(1)
Acquired in connection with the TriNet Acquisition (see Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

        Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003, the Company also had outstanding the following cash flow hedges that have expired or been settled (in thousands):

Type of
Hedge

  Notional
Amount

  Strike
Price or
Swap Rate

  Trade
Date

  Maturity
Date

Pay-Fixed Swap   $ 125,000   7.058 % 6/15/00   6/25/03
Pay-Fixed Swap     125,000   7.055 % 6/15/00   6/25/03
Pay-Fixed Swap     100,000   4.139 % 9/29/03   1/2/11
Pay-Fixed Swap     100,000   4.643 % 9/29/03   1/2/14

        During 2003, the Company entered into two 90-day forward starting swaps each having a $100.0 million notional amount. These pay-fixed swaps which were effective in September 2003, had rates of 4.139% and 4.643%, had seven-year and 10-year terms, respectively, and were used to lock-in swap rates related to a portion of planned future corporate unsecured fixed-rate bond issuances. These two swaps were settled in connection with the Company's issuance of $350.0 million of seven-year Senior Notes and $150.0 million of 10-year Senior Notes. In addition, effective in September 2003, the Company entered into a $135.0 million cap with a rate of 6.00% to hedge the Company's current outstanding floating-rate debt. This cap has a three-year term. Further, the Company entered into two $125.0 million forward starting swaps. These pay-fixed swaps were effective in June 2003 and replaced the two $125.0 million pay-fixed swaps mentioned above. The two new pay-fixed swaps have a three-year term and expire on June 25, 2006.

        In addition, in connection with a portion of the Company's fixed-rate corporate bonds, the Company entered into three pay-floating interest rate swaps in December 2003 struck at 4.381%, 4.345% and 4.29% with notional amounts of $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and maturing on December 15, 2010 and entered into two pay-floating interest rate swaps in November 2002 struck at 3.8775% and 3.81% with notional amounts of $100.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and maturing on August 15, 2008. The Company pays six-month LIBOR on the swaps entered into in December 2003 and one-month LIBOR on the swaps entered into in November 2002 and receives the stated fixed rate in return. These swaps mitigate the risk of changes in the fair value of $350.0 million of seven-year Senior

38



Notes and $150.0 million of 10-year Senior Notes attributable to changes in LIBOR. For accounting purposes, the difference between the fixed rate received and the LIBOR rate paid on the notional amount of the swap is recorded as "Interest expense" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the Company adjusts the value of the swap to its fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged liability by an offsetting amount on a quarterly basis.

        In connection with STARs, Series 2003-1 in May 2003, the Company entered into a LIBOR interest rate cap struck at 6.95% in the notional amount of $270.6 million, and simultaneously sold a LIBOR interest rate cap with the same terms. Since these instruments do not change the Company's net interest rate risk exposure, they do not qualify as hedges and changes in their respective values are charged to earnings. As the terms of these arrangements are substantially the same, the effects of a revaluation of these two instruments substantially offset one another.

        In connection with STARs, Series 2002-1 in May 2002, the Company entered into a LIBOR interest rate cap struck at 8.00% in the notional amount of $345.0 million. The Company utilizes the provisions of SFAS No. 133 with respect to such instruments. SFAS No. 133 provides that the up-front fees paid on option-based products such as caps should be expensed into earnings based on the allocation of the premium to the affected periods as if the agreement were a series of "caplets." These allocated premiums are then reflected as a charge to income (as part of interest expense) in the affected period. On May 28, 2002, in connection with the STARs, Series 2002-1 transaction, the Company paid a premium of $13.7 million for this interest rate cap. Using the "caplet" methodology discussed above, amortization of the cap premium is dependent upon the actual value of the caplets at inception.

        During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company refinanced its $125.0 million term loan maturing March 15, 1999 with a $155.4 million term loan maturing March 5, 2009. The term loan bears interest at 7.44% per annum, payable monthly, and amortizes over an approximately 22-year schedule. The term loan represented forecasted transactions for which the Company had previously entered into U.S. Treasury-based hedging transactions. The net $3.4 million cost of the settlement of such hedges has been deferred and is being amortized as an increase to the effective financing cost of the term loan over its effective ten-year term.

        Certain of the Company's CTL joint ventures, have hedging activities which are more fully described in Note 6 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        Off-Balance Sheet Transactions—The Company is not dependent on the use of any off-balance sheet financing arrangements for liquidity. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had investments in three CTL joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, which had total debt obligations outstanding of approximately $175.3 million. The Company's pro rata share of the ventures' third-party debt was approximately $76.7 million (see Note 6 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements). These ventures were formed for the purpose of operating, acquiring and in certain cases, developing CTL facilities. The debt obligations of these joint ventures are non-recourse to the ventures and the Company, and mature between fiscal years 2004 and 2011. As of December 31, 2003, the debt obligations consisted of six term loans bearing fixed rates per annum ranging from 7.61% to 8.43% and one variable-rate term loan with a rate of LIBOR + 1.25% per annum.

        The Company's STARs securitizations are all on-balance sheet financings.

        The Company has certain discretionary and non-discretionary unfunded commitments related to its loans and other lending investments that it may need to, or choose to, fund in the future. Discretionary commitments are those under which the Company has sole discretion with respect to future funding. Non-discretionary commitments are those under which the Company is generally obligated to fund at the request of the borrower or upon the occurrence of events outside of the Company's direct control. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had 18 loans with unfunded commitments totaling $208.6 million, of which $80.2 million was discretionary and $128.4 million was non-discretionary.

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        Ratings Triggers—On July 27, 2001, the Company completed a $300.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of leading financial institutions. The facility has an initial maturity of July 2003 with a one-year extension at the Company's option and another one-year extension at the lenders' option. On May 14, 2003, the Company extended the final maturity to July 2004. This facility replaces two prior credit facilities maturing in 2002 and 2003, and bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125% per annum based on the Company's senior unsecured credit ratings of BB+ from S&P, Ba1 from Moody's and BBB- from Fitch Ratings. If the Company achieves a higher rating from either S&P or Moody's, the facility's interest rate will improve to LIBOR + 2.00% per annum. If the Company's credit rating is downgraded by any of the rating agencies (regardless of how far), the facility's interest rate will increase to LIBOR + 2.25% per annum. In the event the Company receives two credit ratings that are not equivalent, the spread over LIBOR shall be determined by the lower of the two such ratings. As of December 31, 2003, $130.0 million was outstanding on this facility. Accordingly, management does not believe any rating changes would have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations. There are no other ratings triggers in any of the Company's debt instruments or other operating or financial agreements.

        On July 30, 2002, the Company's senior unsecured credit rating was upgraded to an investment grade rating of BBB- from BB+ by Fitch Ratings. In addition, Moody's and S&P raised their ratings outlook for the Company's senior unsecured credit rating to "positive." On October 22, 2003, Moody's confirmed its rating of Ba1 and its ratings outlook of "positive" for the Company. On November 20, 2003, S&P also reaffirmed its rating of BB+ and its ratings outlook of "positive" for the Company.

        Transactions with Related Parties—The Company has an investment in iStar Operating Inc. ("iStar Operating"), a taxable subsidiary that, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, services the Company's loans and certain loan portfolios owned by third parties. The Company owns all of the non-voting preferred stock and a 95.00% economic interest in iStar Operating. The common shareholder, an entity controlled by a former director of the Company, is the owner of all the voting common stock and a 5.00% economic interest in iStar Operating. As of December 31, 2003, there have never been any distributions to the common shareholder, nor does the Company expect to make any in the future. At any time, the Company has the right to acquire all of the common stock of iStar Operating at fair market value, which the Company believes to be nominal.

        iStar Operating has elected to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary for purposes of maintaining compliance with the REIT provisions of the Code and prior to July 1, 2003 was accounted for under the equity method for financial statement reporting purposes and was presented in "Investments in and advances to joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of July 1, 2003, the Company consolidates this entity as a VIE (see Note 3 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements) with no material impact. Prior to its consolidation, the Company charged an allocated portion of its general overhead expenses to iStar Operating based on the number of employees at iStar Operating as a percentage of the Company's total employees. These general overhead expenses were in addition to the direct general and administrative costs of iStar Operating. As of December 31, 2003, iStar Operating had no debt obligations.

        In addition, the Company had an investment in TriNet Management Operating Company, Inc. ("TMOC"), an entity originally formed to make a $2.0 million investment in the convertible debt securities of a real estate company which trades on the Mexican Stock Exchange. This investment was made by TriNet prior to its acquisition by the Company in 1999. Prior to March 29, 2003, the Company owned 95.00% of the outstanding voting and non-voting common stock (representing 1.00% voting power and 95.00% of the economic interest) in TMOC. The owners of the remaining TMOC stock were two executives of the Company. On March 29, 2003, the Company purchased the remaining 5.00% interest from the executives for approximately $2,000, an amount that was equal to the carrying value, which was less than their original investment. Following this purchase, the Company owned 100.00% of TMOC and therefore consolidated the entity for accounting purposes. On June 30, 2003, the $2.0 million investment was fully repaid and prior to December 31, 2003, the entity was liquidated.

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        The Company entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer as of March 31, 2001. In addition to the salary and bonus provisions of the agreement, the agreement provides for an award of 2.0 million phantom units to the executive, each of which notionally represents one share of the Company's Common Stock. Portions of these phantom units will vest on a contingent basis if the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock achieves certain levels (ranging from $25.00 to $37.00 per share) for 60 consecutive calendar days. The total rate of return (share price appreciation plus the reinvestment of dividends at market price on the date of distribution) from December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2003 was 155.10%. Contingently vested units will become fully vested, meaning that they are no longer subject to forfeiture, if the executive remains employed through March 30, 2004, or earlier upon certain change of control and termination events. When and if contingently vested phantom units become fully vested units, the Company must deliver to the executive either a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of fully vested units or an amount of cash equal to the then fair market value of that number of shares of Common Stock. If shares were unavailable under the Company's then long-term incentive plans, this obligation could require the Company to make a substantial cash payment to the executive. See "Critical Accounting Policies-Executive Compensation" below for a discussion of the accounting treatment applicable to the compensation awarded to the Chief Executive Officer under this agreement.

        As more fully described in Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements certain affiliates of SOF IV and the Company's Executive Officer have agreed to reimburse the Company for the value of restricted shares awarded to the former President in excess of 350,000 shares.

        DRIP/Stock Purchase Plan—The Company maintains a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. Under the dividend reinvestment component of the plan, the Company's shareholders may purchase additional shares of Common Stock without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges by automatically reinvesting all or a portion of their Common Stock cash dividends. Under the direct stock purchase component of the plan, the Company's shareholders and new investors may purchase shares of Common Stock directly from the Company without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges. All purchases of shares in excess of $10,000 per month pursuant to the direct purchase component are at the Company's sole discretion. Shares issued under the plan may reflect a discount of up to 3.00% from the prevailing market price of the Company's Common Stock. The Company is authorized to issue up to 8.0 million shares of Common Stock pursuant to the dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company issued a total of approximately 2.6 million and 1.6 million shares of its Common Stock, respectively, through the direct stock purchase component of the plan. Net proceeds during the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were approximately $89.1 million and $44.4 million, respectively. There are approximately 3.6 million shares available for issuance under the plan as of December 31, 2003.

        Stock Repurchase Program—The Board of Directors approved, and the Company has implemented, a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 5.0 million shares of its Common Stock from time to time, primarily using proceeds from the disposition of assets or loan repayments and excess cash flow from operations, but also using borrowings under its credit facilities if the Company determines that it is advantageous to do so. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 2.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.7 million. The Company has not repurchased any shares under the stock repurchase program since November 2000.

Critical Accounting Policies

        The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the

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financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. The Company does not believe that there is a great likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported related to the accounting policies described below. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

        Management has the obligation to ensure that its policies and methodologies are in accordance with GAAP. During 2003, management reviewed and evaluated its critical accounting policies and believes them to be appropriate. The Company's accounting policies are described in Note 3 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. Management believes the more significant of these to be as follows:

        Revenue Recognition—The most significant sources of the Company's revenue come from its lending operations and its CTL operations. For its lending operations, the Company reflects income using the effective yield method, which recognizes periodic income over the expected term of the investment on a constant yield basis. For CTL assets, the Company recognizes income on the straight-line method, which effectively recognizes contractual lease payments to be received by the Company evenly over the term of the lease. Management believes the Company's revenue recognition policies are appropriate to reflect the substance of the underlying transactions.

        Provision for Loan Losses—The Company's accounting policies require that an allowance for estimated credit losses be reflected in the financial statements based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks in its private lending assets. While the Company and its private predecessors have experienced minimal actual losses on their lending investments, management considers it prudent to reflect provisions for loan losses on a portfolio basis based upon the Company's assessment of general market conditions, the Company's internal risk management policies and credit risk rating system, industry loss experience, the Company's assessment of the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults, and the value of the collateral underlying its investments. Actual losses, if any, could ultimately differ from these estimates.

        Allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company's accounting policy requires a reserve on the Company's accrued operating lease income receivable balances and on the deferred operating lease income receivable balances. The reserve covers asset specific problems (e.g., bankruptcy) as they arise, as well as, a portfolio reserve based on management's evaluation of the credit risks associated with these receivables.

        Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—CTL assets represent "long-lived" assets for accounting purposes. The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets to be held and used in its leasing operations for impairment in value whenever any events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. In management's opinion, based on this analysis, CTL assets to be held and used are not carried at amounts in excess of their estimated recoverable amounts.

        Risk Management and Financial Instrument—The Company has historically utilized derivative financial instruments only as a means to help to manage its interest rate risk exposure on a portion of its variable-rate debt obligations (i.e., as cash flow hedges). The instruments utilized are generally either pay-fixed swaps or LIBOR-based interest rate caps which are widely used in the industry and typically with major financial institutions. The Company's accounting policies generally reflect these instruments at their fair value with unrealized changes in fair value reflected in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Realized effects on the Company's cash flows are generally recognized currently in income.

        However, when appropriate the Company enters into interest rate swaps that convert fixed-rate debt to variable rate in order to mitigate the risk of changes in fair value of its fixed-rate debt obligations. The Company reflects these instruments at their fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged liability by an offsetting amount.

        Income Taxes—The Company's financial results generally do not reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes. Management believes that the Company has and intends to continue to operate in a

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manner that will continue to allow it to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, does not expect to pay substantial corporate-level taxes. Many of these requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, the Company would be subject to Federal income tax.

        Executive Compensation—The Company's accounting policies generally provide cash compensation to be estimated and recognized over the period of service. With respect to stock-based compensation arrangements, as of July 1, 2002 (with retroactive application to the beginning of the calendar year), the Company has adopted the fair value method allowed under SFAS No. 123 on a prospective basis, which values options on the date of grant and recognizes an expense equal to the fair value of the option multiplied by the number of options granted over the related service period. Prior to the third quarter 2002, the Company elected to use APB 25 accounting, which measured the compensation charges based on the intrinsic value of such securities when they become fixed and determinable, and recognized such expense over the related service period. These arrangements are often complex and generally structured to align the interests of management with those of the Company's shareholders. See Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of such arrangements and the related accounting effects.

        During 2001, the Company entered into three-year employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer and its former President. In addition, during 2002 the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its Chief Financial Officer. See Note 10 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed description of these employment agreements.

        The following is a hypothetical illustration of the effects on the Company's net income and adjusted earnings of the full vesting of phantom units under the employment agreement with the Chief Executive Officer. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, 2.0 million of the phantom shares awarded to the Chief Executive Officer were contingently vested. Absent an earlier change of control or termination of employment, these 2.0 million shares will not become fully vested until March 30, 2004. Assuming that the market price of the Common Stock on March 30, 2004 is $38.90 (which was the market price of the Common Stock on December 31, 2003), the Company would incur a one-time charge to earnings at that time of approximately $77.8 million (the fair market value of the 2.0 million shares at $38.90 per share) subject to the availability of 2.0 million shares under the Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

        On April 29, 2002, the 500,000 unvested restricted shares awarded to the President became contingently vested as the total shareholder return exceeded 60.00% and became fully vested on September 30, 2002 as all employment contingencies were met. The Company incurred a charge of approximately $15.0 million related to these vested shares, recognized ratably over the service period from the date of contingent vesting through September 30, 2002.

        New CEO Employment Agreement—The March 2001 employment agreement with the Company's Chief Executive Officer expires on March 30, 2004. Subsequent to December 31, 2003, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer which will take effect upon the expiration of the old agreement. The new agreement has an initial term of three years and provides for the following compensation:

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        In addition, the Chief Executive Officer will purchase an 80.00% interest in the Company's 2006 High Performance Unit Program for directors and executive officers. This performance program was approved by the Company's shareholders in 2003 and is described in detail in the Company's 2003 annual proxy statement. The purchase price to be paid by the Chief Executive Officer will be based upon a valuation prepared by an independent investment-banking firm. The interests purchased by the Chief Executive Officer will only have nominal value to him unless the Company achieves total shareholder returns in excess of those achieved by peer group indices, all as more fully described in the Company's 2003 annual proxy statement.

New Accounting Standards

        In December 2003, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 ("SAB 104"), "Revenue Recognition" which supercedes SAB 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements." SAB 104's primary purpose is to rescind the accounting guidance contained in SAB 101 related to multiple element revenue arrangements, superceded as a result of the issuance of EITF 00-21. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement immediately, as required, and it did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        EITF 00-21, "Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables," issued during the third quarter of 2003, provides guidance on revenue recognition for revenues derived from a single contract that contain multiple products or services. EITF 00-21 also provides additional requirements to determine when these revenues may be recorded separately for accounting purposes. The Company adopted EITF 00-21 on July 1, 2003, as required, and it did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150 ("SFAS No. 150"), "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity." This standard requires issuers to classify as liabilities the following three types of freestanding financial instruments: (1) mandatorily redeemable financial instruments, (2) obligations to repurchase the issuer's equity shares by transferring assets; and (3) certain obligations to issue a variable number of shares. The FASB recently issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") 150-3, which defers the provisions of paragraphs 9 and 10 of SFAS No. 150 indefinitely as they apply to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests associated with finite-lived entities. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement, as required, on July 1, 2003, and it did not have a significant financial impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," an interpretation of ARB 51. FIN 46 provides guidance on identifying entities for which control is achieved through means other than through voting rights (a "variable interest entity" or "VIE"), and how to determine when and which business enterprise should consolidate a VIE. In addition, FIN 46 requires that both the primary beneficiary and all other enterprises with a significant variable interest in a VIE make additional disclosures. The transitional disclosure requirements took effect immediately and were required for all financial statements initially issued or modified after January 31, 2003. Immediate consolidation is required for VIEs entered into or modified after February 1, 2003 in which the Company is deemed the primary beneficiary. For VIEs in which the Company entered into prior to February 1, 2003 the FASB recently issued FSP to defer FIN 46 for those older entities to the reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of the additional consolidation provisions of FIN 46 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 ("SFAS No. 148"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure," an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"). This statement provides alternative transition

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methods for a voluntary change to the fair value basis of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. However, this Statement does not permit the use of the original SFAS No. 123 prospective method of transition for changes to the fair value based method made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003. In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, description of transition method utilized and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company adopted SFAS No. 148 with retroactive application to grants made subsequent to January 1, 2002 with no material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN 45"), "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others," an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5 ("SFAS No. 5"), "Accounting for Contingencies," Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 57, "Related Party Disclosures," Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments" and rescinds FASB Interpretation No. 34, "Disclosure of Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an Interpretation of SFAS No. 5." It requires that upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee regardless if the Company receives separately identifiable consideration (e.g., a premium). The disclosure requirements are effective December 31, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, nor is it expected to have a material impact in the future.

        In September 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 147 ("SFAS No. 147"), "Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions," an amendment of FASB Statements No. 72 and 144 and FASB Interpretation No. 9. SFAS No. 147 provides guidance on the accounting for the acquisitions of financial institutions, except those acquisitions between two or more mutual enterprises. SFAS No. 147 removes acquisitions of financial institutions from the scope of both FASB No. 72, "Accounting for Certain Acquisitions of Banking or Thrift Institutions," and FASB Interpretation No. 9, Applying APB Opinions No. 16 and 17, "When a Savings and Loan Association or a Similar Institution is Acquired in a Business Combination Accounted for by the Purchase Method," and requires that those transactions be accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 147 also amends SFAS No. 144 to include in its scope long-term, customer-relationship intangible assets of financial institutions such as depositor-relationship and borrower-relationship intangible assets and credit cardholder intangible assets. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement, as required, on October 1, 2002, and it did not have a significant financial impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146 ("SFAS No. 146"), "Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities," to address significant issues regarding the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs that are associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructuring activities that are currently accounted for pursuant to the guidance that the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") has set forth in EITF Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." The scope of SFAS No. 146 also includes: (1) costs related to terminating a contract that is not a capital lease; and (2) termination benefits received by employees involuntarily terminated under the terms of a one-time benefit arrangement that is not an on-going benefit arrangement or an individual deferred-compensation contract. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 146 on December 31, 2002, as required, and it did not have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

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        In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145 ("SFAS No. 145"), "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." SFAS No. 145 rescinds both FASB Statements No. 4 ("SFAS No. 4"), "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt," and the amendment to SFAS No. 4, FASB Statement No. 64 ("SFAS No. 64"), "Extinguishments of Debt Made to Satisfy Sinking-Fund Requirements." Through this rescission, SFAS No. 145 eliminates the requirement (in both SFAS No. 4 and SFAS No. 64) that gains and losses from the extinguishment of debt be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of the related income tax effect. An entity is not prohibited from classifying such gains and losses as extraordinary items, so long as they meet the criteria in paragraph 20 of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 ("APB 30"), "Reporting the Results of Operations—Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions"; however, due to the nature of the Company's operations, such treatment may not be available to the Company. Any gains or losses on extinguishments of debt that were previously classified as extraordinary items in prior periods presented that do not meet the criteria in APB 30 for classification as an extraordinary item will be reclassified to income from continuing operations. The provisions of SFAS No. 145 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement, as required, on January 1, 2003. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company reclassified $12.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively from "Extraordinary loss from early extinguishment of debt" into "Loss on early extinguishment of debt" in income from continuing operations on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        In October 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 ("SFAS No. 144"), "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 provides guidance on the recognition of impairment losses on long-lived assets to be held and used or to be disposed of, and also broadens the definition of what constitutes a discontinued operation and how the results of a discontinued operation are to be measured and presented. SFAS No. 144 requires that current operations prior to the disposition of CTL assets and prior period results of such operations be presented in discontinued operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The provisions of SFAS No. 144 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and must be applied at the beginning of a fiscal year. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement on January 1, 2002, as required, and it did not have a significant financial impact on the Company.

        In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 ("SFAS No. 141"), "Business Combinations" and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 ("SFAS No. 142"), "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 141 requires the purchase method of accounting to be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 141 also addresses the initial recognition and measurement of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in business combinations and requires intangible assets to be recognized apart from goodwill if certain tests are met. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill not be amortized but instead be measured for impairment at least annually, or when events indicate that there may be an impairment. The Company adopted the provisions of both statements for transactions initiated after June 30, 2001, as required, and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company.

        In July 2001, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 102 ("SAB 102"), "Selected Loan Loss Allowance and Documentation Issues." SAB 102 summarizes certain of the SEC's views on the development, documentation and application of a systematic methodology for determining allowances for loan and lease losses. Adoption of SAB 102 by the Company did not have a significant impact on the Company.

        In September 2000, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140 ("SFAS No. 140"), "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities."

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This statement is applicable for transfers of assets and extinguishments of liabilities occurring after June 30, 2001. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement as required for all transactions entered into on or after April 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 140 did not have a significant impact on the Company.

Item 7a.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risks

        Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. In pursuing its business plan, the primary market risk to which the Company is exposed is interest rate risk. Consistent with its liability management objectives, the Company has implemented an interest rate risk management policy based on match funding, with the objective that variable-rate assets be primarily financed by variable-rate liabilities and fixed-rate assets be primarily financed by fixed-rate liabilities.

        The Company's operating results will depend in part on the difference between the interest and related income earned on its assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with its interest-bearing liabilities. Competition from other providers of real estate financing may lead to a decrease in the interest rate earned on the Company's interest-bearing assets, which the Company may not be able to offset by obtaining lower interest costs on its borrowings. Changes in the general level of interest rates prevailing in the financial markets may affect the spread (the difference in the principal amount outstanding) between the Company's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Any significant compression of the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, an increase in interest rates could, among other things, reduce the value of the Company's interest-bearing assets and its ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets, and a decrease in interest rates could reduce the average life of the Company's interest-earning assets.

        A substantial portion of the Company's loan investments are subject to significant prepayment protection in the form of lock-outs, yield maintenance provisions or other prepayment premiums which provide substantial yield protection to the Company. Those assets generally not subject to prepayment penalties include: (1) variable-rate loans based on LIBOR, originated or acquired at par, which would not result in any gain or loss upon repayment; and (2) discount loans and loan participations acquired at discounts to face values, which would result in gains upon repayment. Further, while the Company generally seeks to enter into loan investments which provide for substantial prepayment protection, in the event of declining interest rates, the Company could receive such prepayments and may not be able to reinvest such proceeds at favorable returns. Such prepayments could have an adverse effect on the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

        While the Company has not experienced any significant credit losses, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, defaults could increase and result in credit losses to the Company which adversely affect its liquidity and operating results. Further, such delinquencies or defaults could have an adverse effect on the spreads between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

        Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions, and other factors beyond the control of the Company. As more fully discussed in Note 9 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company employs match funding-based hedging strategies to limit the effects of changes in interest rates on its operations, including engaging in interest rate caps, floors, swaps, futures and other interest rate-related derivative contracts. These strategies are specifically designed to reduce the Company's exposure, on specific transactions or on a portfolio basis, to changes in cash flows as a result of interest rate

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movements in the market. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes nor as a hedge against changes in credit risk of its borrowers or of the Company itself.

        Each interest rate cap or floor agreement is a legal contract between the Company and a third party (the "counterparty"). When the Company purchases a cap or floor contract, the Company makes an up-front payment to the counterparty and the counterparty agrees to make payments to the Company in the future should the reference rate (typically one- or three-month LIBOR) rise above (cap agreements) or fall below (floor agreements) the "strike" rate specified in the contract. Each contract has a notional face amount. Should the reference rate rise above the contractual strike rate in a cap, the Company will earn cap income. Should the reference rate fall below the contractual strike rate in a floor, the Company will earn floor income. Payments on an annualized basis will equal the contractual notional face amount multiplied by the difference between the actual reference rate and the contracted strike rate. The Company utilizes the provisions of SFAS No. 133 with respect to such instruments. SFAS No. 133 provides that the up-front fees paid on option-based products such as caps be expensed into earnings based on the allocation of the premium to the affected periods as if the agreement were a series of "caplets." These allocated premiums are then reflected as a charge to income and are included in "Interest expense" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations in the affected period.

        Interest rate swaps are agreements in which a series of interest rate flows are exchanged over a prescribed period. The notional amount on which swaps are based is not exchanged. In general, the Company's swaps are "pay fixed" swaps involving the exchange of variable-rate interest payments from the counterparty for fixed interest payments from the Company. However, when appropriate the Company enters into "pay floating" swaps involving the exchange of fixed-rate interest payments from the counterparty for variable-rate interest payments from the Company, which mitigates the risk of changes in fair value of the Company's fixed-rate debt obligations.

        Interest rate futures are contracts, generally settled in cash, in which the seller agrees to deliver on a specified future date the cash equivalent of the difference between the specified price or yield indicated in the contract and the value of the specified instrument (i.e., U.S. Treasury securities) upon settlement. Under these agreements, the Company would generally receive additional cash flow at settlement if interest rates rise and pay cash if interest rates fall. The effects of such receipts or payments would be deferred and amortized over the term of the specific related fixed-rate borrowings. In the event that, in the opinion of management, it is no longer probable that a forecasted transaction will occur under terms substantially equivalent to those projected, the Company would cease recognizing such transactions as hedges and immediately recognize related gains or losses based on actual settlement or estimated settlement value.

        While a REIT may freely utilize derivative instruments to hedge interest rate risk on its liabilities, the use of derivatives for other purposes, including hedging asset-related risks such as credit, prepayment or interest rate exposure on the Company's loan assets, could generate income which is not qualified income for purposes of maintaining REIT status. As a consequence, the Company may only engage in such instruments to hedge such risks on a limited basis.

        There can be no assurance that the Company's profitability will not be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates. In addition, hedging transactions using derivative instruments involve certain additional risks such as counterparty credit risk, legal enforceability of hedging contracts and the risk that unanticipated and significant changes in interest rates will cause a significant loss of basis in the contract. With regard to loss of basis in a hedging contract, indices upon which contracts are based may be more or less variable than the indices upon which the hedged assets or liabilities are based, thereby making the hedge less effective. The counterparties to these contractual arrangements are major financial institutions with which the Company and its affiliates may also have other financial relationships. The Company is potentially exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However, because of their high credit ratings, the Company does not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able

48



to adequately protect against the foregoing risks and that the Company will ultimately realize an economic benefit from any hedging contract it enters into which exceeds the related costs incurred in connection with engaging in such hedges.

        The following table quantifies the potential changes in net investment income and net fair value of financial instruments should interest rates increase or decrease 25, 50, 100 or 200 basis points, assuming no change in the shape of the yield curve (i.e., relative interest rates). Net investment income is calculated as revenue from loans and other lending investments and operating leases (as of December 31, 2003), less related interest expense and operating costs on CTL assets, for the year ended December 31, 2003. Net fair value of financial instruments is calculated as the sum of the value of derivative instruments and the present value of cash in-flows generated from interest-earning assets, less cash out-flows in respect of interest-bearing liabilities as of December 31, 2003. The cash flows associated with the Company's assets are calculated based on management's best estimate of expected payments for each loan based on loan characteristics such as loan-to-value ratio, interest rate, credit history, prepayment penalty, term and collateral type. Most of the Company's loans are protected from prepayment as a result of prepayment penalties and contractual terms which prohibit prepayments during specified periods. However, for those loans where prepayments are not currently precluded by contract, declines in interest rates may increase prepayment speeds. The base interest rate scenario assumes the one-month LIBOR rate of 1.12% as of December 31, 2003. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the table.


Estimated Percentage Change In

Change in Interest Rates

  Net Investment Income(1)
  Net Fair Value of
Financial Instruments(2)

 
-50 Basis Points   2.37 % 2.53 %
-25 Basis Points   1.19 % 1.23 %
Base Interest Rate   0.00 % 0.00 %
+100 Basis Points   (3.81 )% (1.58 )%
+200 Basis Points   (5.52 )% 7.43 %

Explanatory Note:


(1)
At December 31, 2003, the pro forma estimated percentage changes in net investment income for a decrease of 25 and 50 basis points and an increase of 100 and 200 basis points, giving effect to the $635.0 million pay-fixed swaps entered into in March 2004, are 0.74%, 1.48%, (2.03)% and (1.97)%, respectively (see Note 17 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements).

(2)
Amounts exclude fair values of non-financial investments, primarily CTL assets and certain forms of corporate finance investments.

49


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

Index to Financial Statements

 
  Page
Financial Statements:    
 
Report of Independent Auditors

 

51
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2003 and 2002   52
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003   53
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003   54
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003   55
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   56

Financial Statement Schedules:

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2003:

 

 
  Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves   98
  Schedule III-Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation   99
  Schedule IV-Loans and Other Lending Investments   105

        All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

        Financial statements of five owned companies or joint ventures accounted for under the equity method have been omitted because the Company's proportionate share of the income from continuing operations before income taxes is less than 20.00% of the respective consolidated amount and the investments in and advances to each company are less than 20.00% of consolidated total assets.

50



Report of Independent Auditors

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of iStar Financial Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of iStar Financial Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, NY
February 20, 2004, except for Note 17, which is as of March 12, 2004

51



iStar Financial Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

 
  As of December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
                            ASSETS              
Loans and other lending investments, net   $ 3,702,674   $ 3,050,342  
Corporate tenant lease assets, net     2,535,885     2,291,805  
Investments in and advances to joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries     25,019     30,611  
Assets held for sale     24,800     28,501  
Cash and cash equivalents     80,090     15,934  
Restricted cash     57,665     40,211  
Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable     26,076     26,804  
Deferred operating lease income receivable     51,447     36,739  
Deferred expenses and other assets     156,934     90,750  
   
 
 
  Total assets   $ 6,660,590   $ 5,611,697  
   
 
 

                            
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Liabilities:              
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities   $ 126,524   $ 117,001  
Dividends payable         5,225  
Debt obligations     4,113,732     3,461,590  
   
 
 
  Total liabilities     4,240,256     3,583,816  
   
 
 
Commitments and contingencies          

Minority interest in consolidated entities

 

 

5,106

 

 

2,581

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $50.00 per share, 0 and 4,400 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively         4  
Series B Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 2,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002     2     2  
Series C Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 1,300 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002     1     1  
Series D Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 4,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002     4     4  
Series E Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 5,600 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively     6      
Series F Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 4,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively     4      
Series G Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, 3,200 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively     3      
High Performance Units     5,131     1,359  
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 107,215 and 98,114 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively     107     98  
Warrants and options     20,695     20,322  
Additional paid-in capital     2,678,772     2,281,636  
Retained earnings (deficit)     (242,449 )   (227,769 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) (See Note 12)     1,008     (2,301 )
Treasury stock (at cost)     (48,056 )   (48,056 )
   
 
 
  Total shareholders' equity     2,415,228     2,025,300  
   
 
 
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 6,660,590   $ 5,611,697  
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

52



iStar Financial Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002*
  2001*
 
Revenue:                    
  Interest income   $ 304,394   $ 255,631   $ 254,119  
  Operating lease income     265,478     236,643     179,279  
  Other income     36,677     27,993     31,000  
   
 
 
 
    Total revenue     606,549     520,267     464,398  
   
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:                    
  Interest expense     194,999     185,375     169,974  
  Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets     17,371     13,202     12,029  
  Depreciation and amortization     55,286     46,948     34,573  
  General and administrative     38,153     30,449     24,151  
  General and administrative—stock-based compensation expense     3,633     17,998     3,574  
  Provision for loan losses     7,500     8,250     7,000  
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt         12,166     1,620  
   
 
 
 
    Total costs and expenses     316,942     314,388     252,921  
   
 
 
 
Net income before equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries, minority interest and other items     289,607     205,879     211,477  
Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries     (4,284 )   1,222     7,361  
Minority interest in consolidated entities     (249 )   (162 )   (218 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (See Note 3)             (282 )
   
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations     285,074     206,939     218,338  
Income from discontinued operations     1,916     7,614     10,429  
Gain from discontinued operations     5,167     717     1,145  
   
 
 
 
Net income     292,157     215,270     229,912  
Preferred dividend requirements     (36,908 )   (36,908 )   (36,908 )
   
 
 
 
Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(1)   $ 255,249   $ 178,362   $ 193,004  
   
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share(2)   $ 2.52   $ 1.98   $ 2.24  
   
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share(2)(3)   $ 2.43   $ 1.93   $ 2.19  
   
 
 
 

*
Reclassified to conform to 2003 presentation.

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company's High Performance Unit Program.

(2)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $2,066 and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(3)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per diluted common share includes joint venture income of $167.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

53


iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(In thousands)

 
  Series A Preferred Stock
  Series B Preferred Stock
  Series C Preferred Stock
  Series D Preferred Stock
  Series E Preferred Stock
  Series F Preferred Stock
  Series G Preferred Stock
  High Performance Units
  Common Stock at Par
  Warrants and Options
  Additional Paid-In Capital
  Retained Earnings (Deficit)
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Losses)
  Treasury Stock
  Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2000   $ 4   $ 2   $ 1   $ 4   $   $   $   $   $ 85   $ 16,943   $ 1,966,396   $ (154,789 ) $ (20 ) $ (40,741 ) $ 1,787,885  
Exercise of options                                     2     (835 )   22,550                 21,717  
Dividends declared-preferred                                             330     (36,908 )           (36,578 )
Dividends declared-common                                                 (213,089 )           (213,089 )
Acquisition of ACRE Partners                                             1,219                 1,219  
Restricted stock units issued to employees in lieu of cash bonuses                                             1,478                 1,478  
Restricted stock units granted to employees                                             1,250                 1,250  
Options granted to employees                                         4,348                     4,348  
Issuance of stock-DRIP plan                                             4,708                 4,708  
Net income for the period                                                 229,912             229,912  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                                                     (9,445 )       (9,445 )
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income                                                     (5,627 )       (5,627 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2001   $ 4   $ 2   $ 1   $ 4   $   $   $   $   $ 87   $ 20,456   $ 1,997,931   $ (174,874 ) $ (15,092 ) $ (40,741 ) $ 1,787,778  
Exercise of options                                     2     (443 )   16,170                 15,729  
Proceeds from equity offering                                     8         202,891                 202,899  
Dividends declared-preferred                                             330     (36,908 )           (36,578 )
Dividends declared-common                                                 (231,257 )           (231,257 )
Restricted stock units granted to employees                                             19,048                 19,048  
Options granted to employees                                         309                     309  
High performance units sold to employees                                 1,359                             1,359  
Contributions from significant shareholder                                             506                 506  
Issuance of stock-DRIP plan                                     1         44,426                 44,427  
Purchase of treasury shares                                             334             (7,315 )   (6,981 )
Net income for the period                                                 215,270             215,270  
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income                                                     12,791         12,791  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2002   $ 4   $ 2   $ 1   $ 4   $   $   $   $ 1,359   $ 98   $ 20,322   $ 2,281,636   $ (227,769 ) $ (2,301 ) $ (48,056 ) $ 2,025,300  
Exercise of options                                     1     373     27,754                 28,128  
Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange     (4 )               6     4     3                 87,900                 87,909  
Proceeds from equity offering                                     5         190,931                 190,936  
Dividends declared-preferred                                             195     (36,908 )           (36,713 )
Dividends declared-common                                                 (267,785 )           (267,785 )
Dividends declared- HPU's                                                 (2,144 )           (2,144 )
Restricted stock units granted to employees                                             1,339                 1,339  
Options granted to employees                                             82                 82  
High performance units sold to employees                                 3,772                             3,772  
Issuance of stock-DRIP/Stock purchase plan                                     3         88,935                 88,938  
Net income for the period                                                 292,157             292,157  
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)                                                     3,309         3,309  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2003   $   $ 2   $ 1   $ 4   $ 6   $ 4   $ 3   $ 5,131   $ 107   $ 20,695   $ 2,678,772   $ (242,449 ) $ 1,008   $ (48,056 ) $ 2,415,228  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

54



iStar Financial Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002*
  2001*
 
Cash flows from operating activities:                    
Net income   $ 292,157   $ 215,270   $ 229,912  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:                    
  Minority interest in consolidated entities     249     162     218  
  Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation     3,781     18,059     3,574  
  Depreciation and amortization     55,286     46,948     34,573  
  Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations     793     1,093     1,069  
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     27,180     23,460     20,720  
  Amortization of discounts/premiums, deferred interest and costs on lending investments     (54,799 )   (33,086 )   (41,067 )
  Discounts, loan fees and deferred interest received     36,063     36,714     28,425  
  Equity in earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries     4,284     (1,222 )   (7,361 )
  Distributions from operations of joint ventures     2,839     5,802     4,802  
  Loss on early extinguishment of debt         12,166     1,620  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle             282  
  Deferred operating lease income receivable     (15,366 )   (15,265 )   (10,923 )
  Gain from discontinued operations     (5,167 )   (717 )   (1,145 )
  Provision for loan losses     7,500     8,250     7,000  
  Change in investments in and advances to joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries     (2,877 )   (6,598 )   (2,568 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:                    
    (Increase) decrease in accrued interest and operating lease income receivable     (647 )   3,809     5,083  
    (Increase) decrease in deferred expenses and other assets     (20,690 )   1,763     (519 )
    Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities     7,676     32,185     19,565  
   
 
 
 
    Cash flows provided by operating activities     338,262     348,793     293,260  
   
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:                    
  New investment originations     (2,086,890 )   (1,812,993 )   (924,455 )
  Add-on fundings under existing loan commitments     (46,164 )   (21,619 )   (99,626 )
  Net proceeds from sale of corporate tenant lease assets     47,569     3,702     26,306  
  Net proceeds from discontinued operations         17,500      
  Repayments of and principal collections on loans and other lending investments     1,119,743     671,965     650,970  
  Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures         (127 )   (1,601 )
  Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures             24,265  
  Capital improvements for build-to-suit projects         (1,064 )   (14,266 )
  Capital improvement projects on corporate tenant lease assets     (3,487 )   (2,277 )   (6,629 )
  Other capital expenditures on corporate tenant lease assets     (5,125 )   (4,157 )   (4,489 )
   
 
 
 
    Cash flows used in investing activities     (974,354 )   (1,149,070 )   (349,525 )
   
 
 
 
  Cash flows from financing activities:                    
  Borrowings under secured revolving credit facilities     1,643,552     2,496,200     2,420,638  
  Repayments under secured revolving credit facilities     (2,220,715 )   (2,122,994 )   (2,285,892 )
  Borrowings under unsecured revolving credit facilities     130,000          
  Borrowings under term loans     233,000     115,099     277,664  
  Repayments under term loans     (107,723 )   (18,279 )   (120,333 )
  Borrowings under unsecured bond offerings     526,966         350,000  
  Repayments under unsecured notes             (100,000 )
  Borrowings under secured bond offerings     645,822     885,079      
  Repayments under secured bond offerings     (210,876 )   (475,679 )   (125,962 )
  Borrowings under other debt obligations     25,251     1,094     279  
  Repayments under other debt obligations     (7,064 )   (1,668 )   (56,008 )
  Contribution from minority interest partner     2,522          
  (Increase) decrease in restricted cash held in connection with debt obligations     (17,454 )   (22,359 )   2,590  
  Prepayment penalty on early extinguishment of debt         (3,950 )   (1,037 )
  Payments for deferred financing costs     (35,609 )   (45,702 )   (30,382 )
  Distributions to minority interest in consolidated entities     (159 )   (231 )   (3,794 )
  Net proceeds from preferred offering/exchange     87,909          
  Common dividends paid(1)     (267,785 )   (231,257 )   (264,527 )
  Preferred dividends paid     (36,713 )   (36,578 )   (36,578 )
  Dividends on HPUs     (2,144 )        
  HPUs issued     3,772     1,359      
  Purchase of treasury stock         (6,981 )    
  Proceeds from equity offering     190,936     202,899      
  Contribution from significant shareholder         506      
  Proceeds from exercise of options and issuance of DRIP/Stock purchase shares     116,760     63,983     22,525  
   
 
 
 
    Cash flows provided by financing activities     700,248     800,541     49,183  
   
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     64,156     264     (7,082 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     15,934     15,670     22,752  
   
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 80,090   $ 15,934   $ 15,670  
   
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                    
  Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amount capitalized   $ 165,757   $ 157,618   $ 141,271  
   
 
 
 

*
Reclassified to conform to 2003 presentation. 

Explanatory Note:

(1)
For the year ended December 31, 2001, the $264.5 million of common dividends shown in the table represents five quarters of dividends, of which $51.4 million relates to the fourth quarter 2000 dividend (paid in January 2001).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

55



iStar Financial Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1—Business and Organization.

        Business—iStar Financial Inc. (the "Company") is the leading publicly-traded finance company focused on the commercial real estate industry. The Company provides custom-tailored financing to private and corporate owners of real estate nationwide, including senior and junior mortgage debt, senior, mezzanine and subordinated corporate capital, and corporate net lease financing. The Company, which is taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), seeks to deliver strong dividends and superior risk-adjusted returns on equity to shareholders by providing innovative and value-added financing solutions to its customers.

        The Company's primary product lines include:

56


        The Company's investment strategy targets specific sectors of the real estate credit markets in which it believes it can deliver value-added, flexible financial solutions to its customers, thereby differentiating its financial products from those offered by other capital providers.

        The Company has implemented its investment strategy by:

        Organization—The Company began its business in 1993 through private investment funds formed to capitalize on inefficiencies in the real estate finance market. In March 1998, these funds contributed their approximately $1.1 billion of assets to the Company's predecessor in exchange for a controlling interest in that company. Since that time, the Company has grown by originating new lending and leasing transactions, as well as through corporate acquisitions.

        Specifically, in September 1998, the Company acquired the loan origination and servicing business of a major insurance company, and in December 1998, the Company acquired the mortgage and mezzanine loan portfolio of its largest private competitor. Additionally, in November 1999, the Company acquired TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. ("TriNet" or the "Leasing Subsidiary"), then the largest publicly-traded company specializing in corporate sale/leaseback transactions for office and industrial facilities (the "TriNet Acquisition"). The TriNet Acquisition was structured as a stock-for-stock merger of TriNet with a subsidiary of the Company.

        Concurrent with the TriNet Acquisition, the Company also acquired its former external advisor in exchange for shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock") and converted its organizational form to a Maryland corporation. As part of the conversion to a Maryland corporation, the Company replaced its former dual class common share structure with a single class of Common Stock. The Company's Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 4, 1999. Prior to this date, the Company's common shares were traded on the American Stock Exchange.

Note 2—Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") for complete

57



financial statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its qualified REIT subsidiaries, and its majority- owned and controlled partnerships.

        Certain other investments in partnerships or joint ventures which the Company does not control are accounted for under the equity method (see Notes 5 and 6). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Note 3—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        Loans and other lending investments, net—As described in Note 4, "Loans and Other Lending Investments" includes the following investments: senior mortgages, subordinate mortgages, corporate/partnership loans, other lending investments-loans and other lending investments-securities. Management considers nearly all of its loans and other lending investments to be held-to-maturity, although a small number of investments may be classified as available-for-sale. Items classified as held-to-maturity are reflected at amortized historical cost. Items classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair values with unrealized gains and losses included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in the Company's net income.

        Corporate tenant lease assets and depreciation—CTL assets are generally recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Certain improvements and replacements are capitalized when they extend the useful life, increase capacity or improve the efficiency of the asset. Repairs and maintenance items are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method of cost recovery over estimated useful lives of 40.0 years for facilities, five years for furniture and equipment, the shorter of the remaining lease term or expected life for tenant improvements and the remaining life of the facility for facility improvements.

        CTL assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company also periodically reviews long-lived assets to be held and used for an impairment in value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. In management's opinion, CTL assets to be held and used are not carried at amounts in excess of their estimated recoverable amounts.

        In accordance with the recent adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 ("SFAS No. 141"), "Business Combinations" regarding the Company's acquisition of facilities, purchase costs will be allocated to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values. The value of the tangible assets, consisting of land, buildings and tenant improvements, will be determined as if vacant, that is, at replacement cost. Intangible assets including the above-market or below-market value of leases, the value of in-place leases and the value of customer relationships will be recorded at their relative fair values.

        Above-market and below-market in-place lease values for owned CTL assets will be recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate reflecting the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between: (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the leases negotiated and in-place at the time of acquisition of the facilities; and (2) management's estimate of fair market lease rates for the facility or equivalent facility, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The capitalized above-market (or below-market) lease value will be amortized as a reduction of (or, increase to) operating lease income over the remaining non-cancelable term of each lease plus any renewal periods with fixed rental terms that are considered to be below-market.

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        The total amount of other intangible assets will be allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship intangible values based on management's evaluation of the specific characteristics of each customer's lease and the Company's overall relationship with each customer. Characteristics to be considered in allocating these values include the nature and extent of the existing relationship with the customer, prospects for developing new business with the customer, the customer's credit quality and the expectation of lease renewals among other factors. Factors considered by management's analysis include the estimated carrying costs of the facility during a hypothetical expected lease-up period, current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. Management will also consider information obtained about a property in connection with its pre-acquisition due diligence. Estimated carrying costs will include real estate taxes, insurance, other property operating costs and estimates of lost operating lease income at market rates during the hypothetical expected lease-up periods, based on management's assessment of specific market conditions. Management will estimate costs to execute leases including commissions and legal costs to the extent that such costs are not already incurred with a new lease that has been negotiated in connection with the purchase of the facility. Management's estimates will be used to determine these values. These intangible assets are included in "Deferred expenses and other assets" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        The value of above-market or below-market in-place leases will be amortized to expense over the remaining initial term of each lease. The value of customer relationship intangibles will be amortized to expense over the initial and renewal terms of the leases, but no amortization period for intangible assets will exceed the remaining depreciable life of the building. In the event that a customer terminates its lease, the unamortized portion of each intangible, including market rate adjustments, lease origination costs, in-place lease values and customer relationship values, would be charged to expense.

        Capitalized interest—The Company capitalizes interest costs incurred during the construction period on qualified build-to-suit projects for corporate tenants, including investments in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method. No interest was capitalized during the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and approximately $70,000 was capitalized during the 12 months ended December 31, 2002.

        Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in banks or invested in money market funds with original maturity terms of less than 90 days.

        Restricted cash—Restricted cash represents amounts required to be maintained in escrow under certain of the Company's debt obligations and leasing transactions.

        Revenue recognition—The Company's revenue recognition policies are as follows:

        Loans and other lending investments:    Management considers nearly all of its loans and other lending investments to be held-to-maturity, although a small number of investments may be classified as available-for-sale. The Company reflects held-to-maturity investments at amortized cost less allowance for loan losses, acquisition premiums or discounts, deferred loan fees and undisbursed loan funds. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in the Company's net income. On occasion, the Company may acquire loans at small premiums or discounts based on the credit characteristics of such loans. These premiums or discounts are recognized as yield adjustments over the lives of the related loans. Loan origination or exit fees, as well as direct loan origination costs, are also deferred and recognized over the lives of the related loans as a yield adjustment. If loans with premiums, discounts, loan origination or exit fees are prepaid, the Company immediately recognizes the unamortized

59



portion as a decrease or increase in the prepayment gain or loss. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method applied on a loan-by-loan basis.

        A small number of the Company's loans provide for accrual of interest at specified rates which differ from current payment terms. Interest is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to management's determination that accrued interest and outstanding principal are ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and operations of the borrower.

        Prepayment penalties or yield maintenance payments from borrowers are recognized as additional income when received. Certain of the Company's loan investments provide for additional interest based on the borrower's operating cash flow or appreciation of the underlying collateral. Such amounts are considered contingent interest and are reflected as income only upon certainty of collection.

        Leasing investments:    Operating lease revenue is recognized on the straight-line method of accounting from the later of the date of the origination of the lease or the date of acquisition of the facility subject to existing leases. Accordingly, contractual lease payment increases are recognized evenly over the term of the lease. The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under this method and contractual lease payment terms is recorded as "Deferred operating lease income receivable" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        Provision for loan losses—The Company's accounting policies require that an allowance for estimated loan losses be maintained at a level that management, based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks in the portfolio, considers adequate to provide for loan losses. In establishing loan loss provisions, management periodically evaluates and analyzes the Company's assets, historical and industry loss experience, economic conditions and trends, collateral values and quality, and other relevant factors. Specific valuation allowances are established for impaired loans in the amount by which the carrying value, before allowance for estimated losses, exceeds the fair value of collateral less disposition costs on an individual loan basis. Management considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement on a timely basis. Management measures these impaired loans at the fair value of the loans' underlying collateral less estimated disposition costs. Impaired loans may be left on accrual status during the period the Company is pursuing repayment of the loan; however, these loans are placed on non-accrual status at such time as: (1) management believes that the potential risk exists that scheduled debt service payments will not be met within the coming 12 months; (2) the loans become 90 days delinquent; (3) management determines the borrower is incapable of, or has ceased efforts toward, curing the cause of the impairment; or (4) the net realizable value of the loan's underlying collateral approximates the Company's carrying value of such loan. While on non-accrual status, interest income is recognized only upon actual receipt. Impairment losses are recognized as direct write-downs of the related loan with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. Charge-offs occur when loans, or a portion thereof, are considered uncollectible and of such little value that further pursuit of collection is not warranted. Management also provides a loan portfolio reserve based upon its periodic evaluation and analysis of the portfolio, historical and industry loss experience, economic conditions and trends, collateral values and quality, and other relevant factors.

        The Company's loans are generally secured by real estate assets or are corporate lending arrangements to entities with significant rental real estate operations (e.g., an unsecured loan to a company which operates residential apartments or retail, industrial or office facilities as rental real estate). While the underlying real estate assets for the corporate lending instruments may not serve as collateral for the Company's investments in all cases, the Company evaluates the underlying real estate assets when

60



estimating loan loss exposure because the Company's loans generally have preclusions as to how much senior and/or secured debt the customer may borrow ahead of the Company's position.

        Allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company has recently developed an accounting policy that requires a reserve on the Company's accrued operating lease income receivable balances and on the deferred operating lease income receivable balances. The reserve covers asset specific problems (e.g., bankruptcy) as they arise, as well as, a portfolio reserve based on management's evaluation of the credit risks associated with these receivables.

        Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activity—In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 ("SFAS No. 133"), "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 137 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity—Deferral of the Effective date of FASB 133," Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 138 "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities—an Amendment of FASB Statement 133" and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149 "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instrument and Hedging Activities," the Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measures those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as: (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment; (2) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction; or (3) in certain circumstances, a hedge of a foreign currency exposure.

        Upon adoption, on January 1, 2001, the Company recognized a charge to net income of approximately $282,000 and an additional charge of $9.4 million to "Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)," on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets representing the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle.

        Income taxes—The Company is subject to federal income taxation at corporate rates on its "REIT taxable income"; however, the Company is allowed a deduction for the amount of dividends paid to its shareholders, thereby subjecting the distributed net income of the Company to taxation at the shareholder level only. In addition, the Company is allowed several other deductions in computing its "REIT taxable income," including non-cash items such as depreciation expense. These deductions allow the Company to shelter a portion of its operating cash flow from its dividend payout requirement under federal tax laws. The Company intends to operate in a manner consistent with and to elect to be treated as a REIT for tax purposes. iStar Operating Inc. ("iStar Operating") and TriNet Management Operating Company, Inc. ("TMOC"), the Company's REIT taxable subsidiaries, are not consolidated for federal income tax purposes and are taxed as corporations. For financial reporting purposes, current and deferred taxes are provided for in the portion of earnings recognized by the Company with respect to its interest in iStar Operating and TMOC. Accordingly, except for the Company's taxable subsidiaries, no current or deferred taxes are provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Prior to December 31, 2003, TMOC was liquidated. See Note 6 for a detailed discussion on the ownership structure and operations of iStar Operating and TMOC.

        Earnings per common share—In accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 ("SFAS No. 128"), "Earning per Share," the Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"). Basic earnings per share ("Basic EPS") excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income allocable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share ("Diluted EPS") reflects the potential dilution that could occur if

61



securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, where such exercise or conversion would result in a lower earnings per share amount.

        Reclassifications—Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes to conform to the 2003 presentation.

        Use of estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

        New accounting standards—In December 2003, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 ("SAB 104"), "Revenue Recognition" which supercedes SAB 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements." SAB 104's primary purpose is to rescind the accounting guidance contained in SAB 101 related to multiple element revenue arrangements, superceded as a result of the issuance of EITF 00-21. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement immediately, as required, and it did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        EITF 00-21, "Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables," issued during the third quarter of 2003, provides guidance on revenue recognition for revenues derived from a single contract that contain multiple products or services. EITF 00-21 also provides additional requirements to determine when these revenues may be recorded separately for accounting purposes. The Company adopted EITF 00-21 on July 1, 2003, as required, and it did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150 ("SFAS No. 150"), "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity." This standard requires issuers to classify as liabilities the following three types of freestanding financial instruments: (1) mandatorily redeemable financial instruments, (2) obligations to repurchase the issuer's equity shares by transferring assets; and (3) certain obligations to issue a variable number of shares. The FASB recently issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") 150-3, which defers the provisions of paragraphs 9 and 10 of SFAS No. 150 indefinitely as they apply to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests associated with finite-lived entities. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement, as required, on July 1, 2003, and it did not have a significant financial impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," an interpretation of ARB 51. FIN 46 provides guidance on identifying entities for which control is achieved through means other than through voting rights (a "variable interest entity" or "VIE"), and how to determine when and which business enterprise should consolidate a VIE. In addition, FIN 46 requires that both the primary beneficiary and all other enterprises with a significant variable interest in a VIE make additional disclosures. The transitional disclosure requirements took effect immediately and were required for all financial statements initially issued or modified after January 31, 2003. Immediate consolidation is required for VIEs entered into or modified after February 1, 2003 in which the Company is deemed the primary beneficiary. For VIEs in which the Company entered into prior to February 1, 2003, the FASB recently issued FSP to defer FIN 46 for those older entities to the reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of the additional consolidation provisions of FIN 46 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

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        In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 ("SFAS No. 148"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure," an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"). This statement provides alternative transition methods for a voluntary change to the fair value basis of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. However, this Statement does not permit the use of the original SFAS No. 123 prospective method of transition for changes to the fair value based method made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003. In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, description of transition method utilized and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company adopted SFAS No. 148 with retroactive application to grants made subsequent to January 1, 2002 with no material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        SFAS No. 148 disclosure requirements, including the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value-based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested stock awards in each period, are presented below (in thousands except per share amounts):

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
Basic EPS

  2002
Basic EPS

  2001
Basic EPS

 
Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders, as reported (1)   $ 255,249   $ 178,362   $ 193,004  
Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value-based method for all awards, net of related tax effects     (289 )   (565 )   (705 )
   
 
 
 
Pro forma net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders   $ 254,960   $ 177,797   $ 192,299  
   
 
 
 
Earnings per share:                    
Basic—as reported (2)   $ 2.52   $ 1.98   $ 2.24  
Basic—pro forma (2)     2.52     1.98     2.23  

Diluted—as reported (2)(3)

 

$

2.43

 

$

1.93

 

$

2.19

 
Diluted—pro forma (2)(3)     2.43     1.92     2.18  

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company's High Performance Unit Program.

(2)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $2,066 and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(3)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per diluted common share includes joint venture income of $167.

        In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN 45"), "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others," an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5 ("SFAS No. 5"), "Accounting for Contingencies," Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 57, "Related Party Disclosures," Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments" and rescinds FASB Interpretation No. 34, "Disclosure of Indirect Guarantees of

63


Indebtedness of Others, an Interpretation of SFAS No. 5." It requires that upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee regardless if the Company receives separately identifiable consideration (e.g., a premium). The disclosure requirements became effective December 31, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, nor is it expected to have a material impact in the future.

        In September 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 147 ("SFAS No. 147"), "Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions," an amendment of FASB Statements No. 72 and 144 and FASB Interpretation No. 9. SFAS No. 147 provides guidance on the accounting for the acquisitions of financial institutions, except those acquisitions between two or more mutual enterprises. SFAS No. 147 removes acquisitions of financial institutions from the scope of both FASB No. 72, "Accounting for Certain Acquisitions of Banking or Thrift Institutions," and FASB Interpretation No. 9, Applying APB Opinions No. 16 and 17, "When a Savings and Loan Association or a Similar Institution is Acquired in a Business Combination Accounted for by the Purchase Method," and requires that those transactions be accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 147 also amends SFAS No. 144 to include in its scope long-term, customer-relationship intangible assets of financial institutions such as depositor-relationship and borrower-relationship intangible assets and credit cardholder intangible assets. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement, as required, on October 1, 2002, and it did not have a significant financial impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146 ("SFAS No. 146"), "Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities," to address significant issues regarding the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs that are associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructuring activities that are currently accounted for pursuant to the guidance that the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") has set forth in EITF Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." The scope of SFAS No. 146 also includes: (1) costs related to terminating a contract that is not a capital lease; and (2) termination benefits received by employees involuntarily terminated under the terms of a one-time benefit arrangement that is not an on-going benefit arrangement or an individual deferred-compensation contract. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 146 on December 31, 2002, as required, and it did not have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

        In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145 ("SFAS No. 145"), "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." SFAS No. 145 rescinds both FASB Statements No. 4 ("SFAS No. 4"), "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt," and the amendment to SFAS No. 4, FASB Statement No. 64 ("SFAS No. 64"), "Extinguishments of Debt Made to Satisfy Sinking-Fund Requirements." Through this rescission, SFAS No. 145 eliminates the requirement (in both SFAS No. 4 and SFAS No. 64) that gains and losses from the extinguishment of debt be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of the related income tax effect. An entity is not prohibited from classifying such gains and losses as extraordinary items, so long as they meet the criteria in paragraph 20 of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 ("APB 30"), "Reporting the Results of Operations—Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions"; however, due to the nature of the Company's operations, such treatment may not be available to the Company. Any gains or losses on extinguishments of debt that were previously classified as extraordinary items in prior periods presented that do not meet the criteria in APB 30 for

64



classification as an extraordinary item will be reclassified to income from continuing operations. The provisions of SFAS No. 145 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement, as required, on January 1, 2003. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company reclassified $12.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively from "Extraordinary loss from early extinguishment of debt" into "Loss on early extinguishment of debt" in income from continuing operations on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        In October 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 ("SFAS No. 144"), "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 provides guidance on the recognition of impairment losses on long-lived assets to be held and used or to be disposed of, and also broadens the definition of what constitutes a discontinued operation and how the results of a discontinued operation are to be measured and presented. SFAS No. 144 requires that current operations prior to the disposition of CTL assets and prior period results of such operations be presented in discontinued operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The provisions of SFAS No. 144 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and must be applied at the beginning of a fiscal year. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement on January 1, 2002, as required, and it did not have a significant financial impact on the Company.

        In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 ("SFAS No. 142"), "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 141 requires the purchase method of accounting to be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 141 also addresses the initial recognition and measurement of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in business combinations and requires intangible assets to be recognized apart from goodwill if certain tests are met. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill not be amortized but instead be measured for impairment at least annually, or when events indicate that there may be an impairment. The Company adopted the provisions of both statements for transactions initiated after June 30, 2001, as required, and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company.

        In July 2001, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 102 ("SAB 102"), "Selected Loan Loss Allowance and Documentation Issues." SAB 102 summarizes certain of the SEC's views on the development, documentation and application of a systematic methodology for determining allowances for loan and lease losses. Adoption of SAB 102 by the Company did not have a significant impact on the Company.

        In September 2000, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140 ("SFAS No. 140"), "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." This statement is applicable for transfers of assets and extinguishments of liabilities occurring after June 30, 2001. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement as required for all transactions entered into on or after April 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 140 did not have a significant impact on the Company.

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iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 4—Loans and Other Lending Investments

        The following is a summary description of the Company's loans and other lending investments (in thousands)(1):

 
   
   
   
  Carrying Value as of
   
   
   
   
   
Type of Investment

  Underlying Property Type
  # of Borrowers In Class
  Principal Balances Outstanding
  December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  Effective Maturity Dates
  Contractual Interest Payment Rates(2)
  Contractual Interest
Accrual Rates(2)

  Principal Amortization
  Participation Features
Senior Mortgages(3)   Office/Residential/ Retail/Industrial, R&D/ Conference Center/ Mixed Use/Hotel/ Entertainment, Leisure/Other   41   $ 2,143,326   $ 2,106,791   $ 1,675,797   2004 to 2022   Fixed: 7.03% to 12.00% Variable: LIBOR + 1.50% to LIBOR + 6.50%   Fixed: 7.03% to 12.00% Variable: LIBOR + 1.50% to LIBOR + 6.50%   Yes(4)   No

Subordinate Mortgages

 

Office/Residential/ Retail/Mixed Use/ Hotel

 

21

 

 

551,634

 

 

550,572

 

 

629,486

 

2004 to 2013

 

Fixed: 7.00% to 18.00% Variable: LIBOR + 1.79% to LIBOR + 7.47%

 

Fixed: 7.32% to 18.00% Variable: LIBOR + 1.79% to LIBOR + 7.47%

 

Yes(4)

 

No

Corporate/Partnership Loans

 

Office/Residential/Retail/Industrial, R&D/ Mixed Use/Hotel/Entertainment, Leisure/Other

 

27

 

 

740,529

 

 

710,469

 

 

441,028

 

2004 to 2013

 

Fixed: 6.00% to 15.00% Variable: LIBOR + 3.50% to LIBOR + 12.77%

 

Fixed: 7.33% to 17.50% Variable: LIBOR + 3.50% to LIBOR + 12.77%

 

Yes(4)

 

Yes(5)

Other Lending Investments—Loans

 

Office/Mixed Use/Hotel/Other

 

5

 

 

26,096

 

 

23,767

 

 

23,167

 

2004 to 2008

 

Fixed: 10.00% to 15.00% Variable: LIBOR + 4.75%

 

Fixed: 15.00% to 17.50% Variable: LIBOR + 4.75%

 

No

 

Yes(5)

Other Lending Investments—Securities(6)

 

Residential/Industrial, R&D/ Hotel/ Entertainment, Leisure/Other

 

11

 

 

364,050

 

 

344,511

 

 

310,114

 

2005 to 2030

 

Fixed: 6.75% to 10.00% Variable: LIBOR + 2.82% to LIBOR + 5.00%

 

Fixed: 6.75% to 10.00% Variable: LIBOR +2.82% to LIBOR + 5.00%

 

Yes(4)

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Carrying Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,736,110

 

$

3,079,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(33,436

)

 

(29,250

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,702,674

 

$

3,050,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Details are for loans outstanding as of December 31, 2003.

(2)
Substantially all variable-rate loans are based on 30-day LIBOR and reprice monthly. The 30-day LIBOR on December 31, 2003 was 1.12%. As of December 31, 2003, five loans with a combined carrying value of $95.9 million have a stated accrual rate that exceeds the stated pay rate, however, one of these loans, with a carrying value of $27.1 million, has been placed on non-accrual status and the Company is only recognizing income based on cash received for interest.

(3)
Includes a participation interest in a first mortgage.

(4)
The loans require fixed payments of principal and interest resulting in partial principal amortization over the term of the loan with the remaining principal due at maturity.

(5)
Under some of the loans, the lender receives additional payments representing additional interest from participation in available cash flow from operations of the property.

(6)
Generally consists of term preferred stock or debt interests that are specifically originated or structured to meet customer financing requirements and the Company's investment criteria. These investments do not typically consist of securities purchased in the open market or as part of broadly-distributed offerings.

66


        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, the Company and its affiliated ventures originated or acquired an aggregate of approximately $1,735.4 million and $1,403.8 million in loans and other lending investments, funded $46.1 million and $21.6 million under existing loan commitments, and received principal repayments of $1,120.0 million and $672.0 million.

        As of December 31, 2003, the Company had 18 loans with unfunded commitments. The total unfunded commitment amount was approximately $208.6 million, of which $80.2 million was discretionary and $128.4 million was non-discretionary.

        A portion of the Company's loans and other lending investments are pledged as collateral under either the iStar Asset Receivables secured notes, the secured revolving credit facilities or secured term loans (see Note 7 for a description of the Company's secured and unsecured debt).

        The Company has reflected provisions for loan losses of approximately $7.5 million, $8.3 million and $7.0 million in its results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. These provisions represent loan portfolio reserves based on management's evaluation of general market conditions, the Company's internal risk management policies and credit risk ratings system, industry loss experience, the likelihood of delinquencies or defaults and the credit quality of the underlying collateral. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company took a $3.3 million direct impairment on a $30.4 million partnership loan on a class A building located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In August 2003 the borrower stopped making its debt service payments due to insufficient cash flow caused by vacancies at the property. After taking the impairment charge and lowering the book value of the asset to $27.1 million, management believes there is adequate collateral to support the book value of the asset.

        Changes in the Company's provision for loan losses were as follows:

Provision for loan losses, December 31, 2000   $ 14,000  
Additional provision for loan losses     7,000  
   
 
Provision for loan losses, December 31, 2001     21,000  
Additional provision for loan losses     8,250  
   
 
Provision for loan losses, December 31, 2002     29,250  
Additional provision for loan losses     7,500  
Impairment on loans     (3,314 )
   
 
Provision for loan losses, December 31, 2003   $ 33,436  
   
 

Note 5—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets

        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, the Company acquired an aggregate of approximately $351.4 million and $409.1 million in CTL assets and disposed of CTL assets for net proceeds of approximately $47.6 million and $3.7 million.

        The Company's investments in CTL assets, at cost, were as follows (in thousands):

 
  December 31,
2003

  December 31,
2002

 
Facilities and improvements   $ 2,210,592   $ 1,959,309  
Land and land improvements     468,708     428,365  
Direct financing lease     35,472     32,640  
Less: accumulated depreciation     (178,887 )   (128,509 )
   
 
 
  Corporate tenant lease assets, net   $ 2,535,885   $ 2,291,805  
   
 
 

67


        The Company's CTL assets are leased to customers with initial term expiration dates from 2004 to 2023. Future operating lease payments under non-cancelable leases, excluding customer reimbursements of expenses, in effect at December 31, 2003, are approximately as follows (in thousands):

Year

  Amount
2004   $ 261,913
2005     253,886
2006     241,324
2007     219,331
2008     203,201
Thereafter     1,742,962

        Under certain leases, the Company is entitled to receive additional participating lease payments to the extent gross revenues of the corporate tenant exceed a base amount. The Company earned $0, $0 and $0.4 million of such additional participating lease payments on these leases in the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In addition, the Company also receives reimbursements from customers for certain facility operating expenses including common area costs, insurance and real estate taxes. Customer expense reimbursements for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were approximately $31.9 million, $29.7 million and $25.2 million, respectively, and are included as a reduction of "Operating costs—corporate tenant lease assets" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        The Company is subject to expansion option agreements with two existing customers which could require the Company to fund and to construct up to 161,000 square feet of additional adjacent space on which the Company would receive additional operating lease income under the terms of the option agreements. In addition, upon exercise of such expansion option agreements, the corporate tenants would be required to simultaneously extend their existing lease terms for additional periods ranging from six to ten years.

        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company sold nine CTL assets for net proceeds of approximately $47.6 million, and realized a gain of approximately $5.2 million.

        As of December 31, 2003, there was one CTL asset with a book value of $24.8 million classified as "Assets held for sale" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        The results of operations from CTL assets sold or held for sale in the current and prior periods are classified in "Income from discontinued operations" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations even though such income was actually recognized by the Company prior to the asset sale. Gains from the sale of CTL assets are classified as "Gain from discontinued operations" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        On September 30, 2002, one of the Company's customers exercised an option to terminate its lease on 50.00% of the land leased from the Company. In connection with this termination, the Company realized $17.5 million in cash lease termination payments, offset by a $17.4 million impairment charge in connection with the termination, resulting in a net gain of approximately $123,000. In the fourth quarter of 2002, the customer completed a recapitalization transaction that significantly enhanced its credit. In connection with this recapitalization, the Company agreed to amend the customer's lease, effective October 1, 2002. In the lease amendment, the Company received $12.5 million in cash as prepaid lease payments and the customer agreed to fixed minimum increases on future lease payments. In exchange, the Company agreed to reduce the customer's lease obligations for a period not to exceed nine quarters.

68



Following the reduction period, the customer is required to make additional lease payments over a 10-year period sufficient to reimburse the Company for a portion of the temporary reduction in lease payments.

        On May 30, 2002, the Company sold one CTL asset for net proceeds of $3.7 million, and realized a gain of approximately $595,000. As of December 31, 2002, there were two CTL assets with a combined book value of $28.5 million classified as "Assets held for sale" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 6—Joint Ventures, Unconsolidated Subsidiaries and Minority Interest

        Income or loss generated from the Company's joint venture investments and unconsolidated subsidiaries is included in "Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        The Company's ownership percentages, its investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures and subsidiaries, the Company's pro rata share of its ventures' third-party, non-recourse debt as of December 31, 2003 and its respective income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2003 are presented below (in thousands):

 
   
   
  JV Income (Loss) for the Year Ended December 31, 2003
  Pro Rata
Share of
Third-Party
Non-Recourse
Debt(1)

  Third-Party Debt
 
  Ownership
%

  Equity
Investment

  Interest
Rate

  Scheduled
Maturity Date

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures:                              
  Sunnyvale   44.70 % $ 11,815   $ 1,740   $ 10,728   LIBOR + 1.25%   November 2004(2)
  CTC I   50.00 %   8,178     (3,903 )   59,578   7.66% – 7.87%   Various through 2011
  ACRE Simon   20.00 %   5,026     144     6,438   7.61% – 8.43%   Various through 2011
Unconsolidated Subsidiaries:                              
  iStar Operating   95.00 %   N/A     (2,252 )   N/A   N/A   N/A
  TMOC   95.00 %   N/A     (13 )   N/A   N/A   N/A
       
 
 
       
    Total       $ 25,019   $ (4,284 ) $ 76,744        
       
 
 
       

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
The Company reflects its pro rata share of third-party, non-recourse debt, rather than the total amount of the joint venture debt, because the third-party, non-recourse debt held by the joint ventures is not guaranteed by the Company nor does the Company have any additional commitments to fund such debt obligations.

(2)
On October 13, 2003, the venture extended the final maturity of the loan to November 2004.

        Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures:    At December 31, 2003, the Company had investments in three unconsolidated joint ventures: (1) TriNet Sunnyvale Partners L.P. ("Sunnyvale"), whose external partners are John D. O'Donnell, Trustee, John W. Hopkins, and Donald S. Grant, Trustee; (2) Corporate Technology Centre Associates, LLC ("CTC I"), whose external member is Corporate Technology Centre Partners, LLC; and (3) ACRE Simon, LLC ("ACRE"), whose external partner is William E. Simon & Sons Realty Partners, L.P. These ventures were formed for the purpose of operating, acquiring and, in certain cases, developing CTL facilities.

        At December 31, 2003, the ventures comprised 12 net leased facilities. The Company's combined investment in these joint ventures at December 31, 2003 was $25.0 million. The joint ventures' carrying value for the 12 facilities owned at December 31, 2003 was $193.1 million. In aggregate, the joint ventures

69



had total assets of $221.2 million and total liabilities of $180.6 million as of December 31, 2003, and a net loss of approximately $4.4 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, respectively. The Company accounts for these investments under the equity method because the Company's joint venture partners have certain participating rights giving them shared control over the ventures.

        On July 2, 2002, the Company paid approximately $27.9 million in cash to the former member of TriNet Milpitas Associates ("Milpitas") joint venture in exchange for its 50.00% ownership interest. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, the former external member had the right to convert its interest into 984,476 shares of Common Stock of the Company at any time during the period February 1, 2002 through January 31, 2003. On May 2, 2002, the former Milpitas external member exercised this right. Upon the external member's exercise of its conversion right, the Company had the option to acquire the partner's interest for cash, instead of shares, for a payment equal to the value of 984,476 shares of Common Stock multiplied by the ten-day average closing stock price as of the transaction date. The Company made such election and, as of July 2, 2002, owns 100.00% of Milpitas, and therefore consolidates these assets for accounting purposes. The Company accounted for the acquisition of the external interest using the purchase method.

        On April 1, 2002, the former Sierra Land Ventures ("Sierra") joint venture partner assigned its 50.00% ownership interest in Sierra to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. There was no cash or shares exchanged in this transaction. As of April 1, 2002, the Company owns 100.00% of the CTL asset previously held by Sierra and therefore consolidates this asset for accounting purposes.

        Effective September 29, 2000, iStar Sunnyvale Partners, LP, which is wholly owned by Sunnyvale, entered into an interest rate cap agreement limiting the venture's exposure to interest rate movements on its $24.0 million LIBOR-based mortgage loan to an interest rate of 9.00% through November 9, 2003. On September 29, 2003, in connection with the extension of the ventures' debt, the venture extended the cap through November 9, 2004. Currently, the limited partners of Sunnyvale have the option to convert their partnership interest into cash; however, the Company may elect to deliver 297,728 shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash.

        Investments in and advances to unconsolidated subsidiaries:    The Company has an investment in iStar Operating, a taxable subsidiary that, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, services the Company's loans and certain loan portfolios owned by third parties. The Company owns all of the non-voting preferred stock and a 95.00% economic interest in iStar Operating. The common shareholder, an entity controlled by a former director of the Company, is the owner of all the voting common stock and a 5.00% economic interest in iStar Operating. As of December 31, 2003, there have never been any distributions to the common shareholder, nor does the Company expect to make any in the future. At any time, the Company has the right to acquire all of the common stock of iStar Operating at fair market value, which the Company believes to be nominal.

        iStar Operating has elected to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary for purposes of maintaining compliance with the REIT provisions of the Code and prior to July 1, 2003 was accounted for under the equity method for financial statement reporting purposes and was presented in "Investments in and advances to joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of July 1, 2003, the Company consolidates this entity as a VIE (see Note 3) with no material impact. Prior to its consolidation, the Company charged an allocated portion of its general overhead expenses to iStar Operating based on the number of employees at iStar Operating as a percentage of the Company's total employees. These general overhead expenses were in addition to the direct general and administrative costs of iStar Operating. As of December 31, 2003, iStar Operating had no debt obligations.

70



        In addition, the Company had an investment in TMOC, an entity originally formed to make a $2.0 million investment in the convertible debt securities of a real estate company which trades on the Mexican Stock Exchange. This investment was made by TriNet prior to its acquisition by the Company in 1999. Prior to March 29, 2003, the Company owned 95.00% of the outstanding voting and non-voting common stock (representing 1.00% voting power and 95.00% of the economic interest) in TMOC. The owners of the remaining TMOC stock were two executives of the Company. On March 29, 2003, the Company purchased the remaining 5.00% interest from the executives for approximately $2,000, an amount that was equal to the carrying value, which was less than their original investment. Following this purchase, the Company owned 100.00% of TMOC and therefore consolidated the entity for accounting purposes. On June 30, 2003, the $2.0 million investment was fully repaid and prior to December 31, 2003, the entity was liquidated.

        Minority Interest:    On September 29, 2003 the Company acquired a 96.00% interest in iStar Harborside LLC, an infinite life partnership, with the external partner holding the remaining 4.00% interest. The Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in "Minority interest in consolidated entities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        The Company also holds a 98.00% interest in TriNet Property Partners, L.P with the external partners holding the remaining 2.00% interest. As of August 1999, the external partners have the option to convert their partnership interest into cash; however, the Company may elect to deliver 72,819 shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash. The Company consolidates this partnership for financial statement purposes and records the minority interest of the external partner in "Minority interest in consolidated entities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

71


Note 7—Debt Obligations

        As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company has debt obligations under various arrangements with financial institutions as follows (in thousands):

 
   
  Carrying Value as of
   
   
 
  Maximum
Amount
Available

  December 31,
2003

  December 31,
2002

  Stated
Interest
Rates(1)

  Scheduled
Maturity
Date

Secured revolving credit facilities:                          
    Line of credit   $ 700,000   $ 88,640   $ 412,550   LIBOR + 1.75% — 2.25%   March 2005 (2)
    Line of credit     700,000     310,364     462,920   LIBOR + 1.40% — 2.15%   January 2007 (2)
    Line of credit     500,000     117,211     283,884   LIBOR + 1.75% — 2.25%   August 2005 (2) (3)
    Line of credit     500,000     180,376     114,400   LIBOR + 1.50% — 2.25%   September 2005

Unsecured revolving credit facilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    Line of credit     300,000     130,000       LIBOR + 2.125%   July 2004 (4)
   
 
 
       
    Total revolving credit facilities   $ 2,700,000   $ 826,591   $ 1,273,754        
   
                   
Secured term loans:                          
    Secured by corporate tenant lease assets     193,000     193,000   LIBOR + 1.85%   July 2006 (5)
    Secured by corporate tenant lease assets     140,440     144,114   7.44%   March 2009
    Secured by corporate tenant lease assets     135,000       LIBOR + 1.75%   October 2008 (6)
    Secured by corporate tenant lease assets     92,876     95,074   6.00% — 11.38%   Various through 2022
    Secured by corporate lending investments     77,938     79,126   6.55%   November 2005
    Secured by corporate lending investments     60,874     61,537   6.41%   January 2013
    Secured by corporate lending investments     60,000     60,000   LIBOR + 2.50%   June 2004 (7)
    Secured by corporate lending investments         50,000   LIBOR + 0.60%   October 2003 (8)
    Secured by corporate lending investments     48,000       LIBOR + 2.125%   July 2008 (9)
         
 
       
    Total term loans     808,128     682,851        
    Less: debt discount     (128 )   (236 )      
         
 
       
    Total secured term loans     808,000     682,615        

iStar Asset Receivables secured notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  STARs Series 2002-1:                    
    Class A1     40,011     236,694   LIBOR + 0.26%   June 2004 (10)
    Class A2     381,296     381,296   LIBOR + 0.38%   December 2009 (10)
    Class B     39,955     39,955   LIBOR + 0.65%   April 2011 (10)
    Class C     26,637     26,637   LIBOR + 0.75%   May 2011(10)
    Class D     21,310     21,310   LIBOR + 0.85%   January 2012(10)
    Class E     42,619     42,619   LIBOR + 1.235%   January 2012(10)
    Class F     26,637     26,637   LIBOR + 1.335%   January 2012(10)
    Class G     21,309     21,309   LIBOR + 1.435%   January 2012(10)
    Class H     26,637     26,637   6.35%   January 2012(10)
    Class J     26,637     26,637   6.35%   May 2012(10)
    Class K     26,637     26,637   6.35%   May 2012(10)
         
 
       
    Total STARs Series 2002-1     679,685     876,368        
    Less: debt discount     (4,090 )   (4,425 )      
         
 
       
  STARs Series 2003-1:                          
    Class A1     235,808       LIBOR + 0.25%   October 28, 2005(11)
    Class A2     248,206       LIBOR +0.35%   August 28, 2010(11)
    Class B     18,452       LIBOR + 0.55%   July 28, 2011(11)
    Class C     20,297       LIBOR + 0.65%   April 28, 2012(11)
    Class D     12,916       LIBOR + 0.75%   October 28, 2012(11)
    Class E     14,762       LIBOR + 1.05%   May 28, 2013(11)
    Class F     14,762       LIBOR + 1.10%   June 28, 2013(11)
    Class G     12,916       LIBOR + 1.25%   June 28, 2013(11)
    Class H     12,916       4.97%   June 28, 2013(11)
    Class J     14,761       5.07%   June 28, 2013(11)
    Class K     25,833       5.56%   June 28, 2013(11)
         
 
       
    Total STARS Series 2003-1     631,629            
         
 
       
    Total iStar Asset Receivables secured notes     1.307,224     871,943        
Unsecured notes:                          
    6.00% Senior Notes (12)     350,000       6.10%   December 2010
    6.50% Senior Notes (12)     150,000       6.60%   December 2013
    6.75% Dealer Remarketable Securities (13)(14)(15)         125,000   6.75%   March 2013
    7.00% Senior Notes (14)     185,000       7.00%   March 2008
    7.70% Notes (13)(15)     100,000     100,000   7.70%   July 2017
    7.95% Notes (13)(15)     50,000     50,000   7.95%   May 2006
    8.75% Notes     350,000     350,000   8.75%   August 2008
         
 
       
    Total unsecured notes     1,185,000     625,000        
    Less: debt discount     (47,921 )   (11,603 )      
    Plus: impact of pay-floating swap agreements(16)     690     3,920        
         
 
       
    Total unsecured notes     1,137,769     617,317        
Other debt obligations     34,148     15,961   Various   Various
         
 
       
Total debt obligations   $ 4,113,732   $ 3,461,590        
         
 
       

72


Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Substantially all variable-rate debt obligations are based on 30-day LIBOR and reprice monthly. The 30-day LIBOR rate on December 31, 2003 was 1.12% per annum.

(2)
Maturity date reflects a one-year "term-out" extension at the Company's option.

(3)
On November 4, 2003, this secured facility was amended to include subordinate and mezzanine lending investments as collateral at stated interest rates of LIBOR + 2.15%—2.25%. First mortgages remained at a stated interest rate of LIBOR + 1.75%.

(4)
On May 14, 2003, the Company extended the final maturity on this facility to July 2004.

(5)
Maturity date reflects two one-year extensions at the Company's option.

(6)
On September 29, 2003, the Company closed a $135.0 million term loan secured by a CTL asset it acquired the same day. The loan has a five-year term and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.75%.

(7)
On May 8, 2003, the Company extended the final maturity on this facility to June 2004.

(8)
On April 9, 2003, the Company repaid the existing term loan financing a $75.0 million term preferred investment in a publicly-traded real estate company and simultaneously entered into another $50.0 million term loan with a leading financial institution. The new term loan bore interest at LIBOR + 0.60% and matured in October 2003.

(9)
On July 24, 2003, the Company closed a $48.0 million term loan secured by a corporate lending investment it originated in the third quarter of 2003. The loan has a three-year primary term and two one-year extension options, and bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125%.

(10)
Principal payments on these bonds are a function of the principal repayments on loan or CTL assets which collateralize these obligations. The dates indicated above represent the expected date on which the final payment would occur for such class based on the assumptions that the loans which collateralize the obligations are not voluntarily prepaid, the loans are paid on their effective maturity dates and no extensions of the effective maturity dates of any of the loans are granted. The final maturity date for the underlying indenture on class A1 is May 28, 2017 and the final maturity date for classes A2, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J and K is May 28, 2020.

(11)
Principal payments on these bonds are a function of the principal repayments on loan or CTL assets which collateralize these obligations. The dates indicated above represent the expected date on which the final payment would occur for such class based on the assumptions that the loans which collateralize the obligations are not voluntarily prepaid, the loans are paid on their effective maturity dates and no extensions of the effective maturity dates of any of the loans are granted. The final maturity date for the underlying indenture is August 28, 2022.

(12)
On December 5, 2003, the Company issued $350.0 million of 6.00% Senior Notes due in 2010 and $150.0 million of 6.50% Senior Notes due in 2013. The Notes due 2010 were sold at 99.44% of their principal amount and the Notes due 2013 were sold at 99.23% of their principal amount.

(13)
The Notes are callable by the Company at any time for an amount equal to the total of principal outstanding, accrued interest and the applicable make-whole prepayment premium.

(14)
On March 14, 2003, the Company retired the 6.75% Dealer Remarketable Securities of its Leasing Subsidiary by exchanging those securities for newly issued $150.0 million 7.00% Senior Notes due March 2008. The covenants in the Senior Notes due 2008 are substantially identical to the covenants contained in the Company's 8.75% Notes. On April 8, 2003, the Company issued an additional $35.0 million of Senior Notes bringing the aggregate principal of the Senior Notes to $185.0 million. The additional $35.0 million of Senior Notes has identical terms to the Senior Notes issued on March 14, 2003, but were issued at 102.75% of their principal amount to yield 6.34% per annum.

(15)
These obligations were assumed as part of the acquisition of TriNet. As part of the accounting for the purchase, these fixed-rate obligations were considered to have stated interest rates which were below the then-prevailing market rates at which the Leasing Subsidiary could issue new debt obligations and, accordingly, the Company ascribed a market discount to each obligation. Such discounts are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method over the related term of the obligations. As adjusted, the effective annual interest rates on these obligations were 8.81%, 9.51% and 9.04% for the 6.75% Dealer Remarketable Securities, 7.70% Notes and 7.95% Notes, respectively.

(16)
On December 19, 2003, the Company entered into three pay-floating interest rate swaps struck at 4.381%, 4.345% and 4.29% in the notional amounts of $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively. On November 27, 2002, the Company entered into two pay-floating interest rate swaps struck at 3.8775% and 3.81% in the notional amounts of $100.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively. These swaps are intended to mitigate the risk of changes in the fair value of $350.0 million of 7-year Senior Notes and $150.0 million of 10-year Senior Notes attributable to changes in LIBOR. For accounting purposes, quarterly the Company adjusts the value of the swap to its fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged liability by an offsetting amount.

73


        Availability of amounts under the secured revolving credit facilities are based on percentage borrowing base calculations. In addition, certain of the Company's debt obligations contain covenants. These covenants are both financial and non-financial in nature. Significant financial covenants include limitations on the Company's ability to incur indebtedness beyond specified levels, restrictions on the Company's ability to incur liens on assets and limitations on the amount and type of restricted payments, such as repurchases of its own equity securities, that the Company makes. Significant non-financial covenants include a requirement in its publicly-held debt securities that the Company offer to repurchase those securities at a premium if the Company undergoes a change of control. As of December 31, 2003, the Company believes it is in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants on its debt obligations.

        Subsequent to December 31, 2003, the Company issued $175.0 million of Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2007 which bear interest at three-month LIBOR + 1.25% and $250.0 million of 5.70% Senior Notes due 2014 (see Note 17).

        In addition, on January 23, 2004, the Company issued $350.0 million of 4.875% Senior Notes due in 2009. The Notes were sold at 99.89% of their principal amount to yield 4.90%. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Company used the proceeds to repay outstanding secured borrowings.

        Further, on January 13, 2004, the Company closed $200.0 million of term financing with a leading financial institution that is secured by certain corporate bond investments and other lending securities. A number of these investments were previously financed under existing credit facilities. The new facility bears interest at LIBOR + 1.05%–1.50% and has a final maturity date of January 2006.

        On December 5, 2003, the Company issued $350.0 million of 6.00% Senior Notes due in 2010 and $150.0 million of 6.50% Senior Notes due in 2013. The Notes due 2010 were sold at 99.44% of their principal amount and the Notes due 2013 were sold at 99.23% of their principal amount. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Company used the net proceeds to partially repay outstanding borrowings under its secured credit facilities.

        On November 4, 2003, one of the Company's $500.0 million secured facilities was amended to include subordinate and mezzanine leanding investments as collateral at stated interest rates of LIBOR+2.15%–2.25%.

        On October 31, 2003, the Company's $50.0 million term loan bearing interest at LIBOR + 0.60% matured and was repaid.

        On September 29, 2003, the Company closed a $135.0 million term loan secured by a CTL asset it acquired the same day. The loan has a five-year term and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.75%.

        On July 24, 2003, the Company closed a $48.0 million term loan secured by a corporate lending investment it originated in the third quarter of 2003. The loan has a three-year primary term and two one-year extension options, and bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125%.

        On May 21, 2003, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company issued iStar Asset Receivables ("STARs"), Series 2003-1, the Company's proprietary match funding program, consisting of $645.8 million of investment-grade bonds secured by the subsidiary's structured finance and CTL assets, which had an aggregate outstanding carrying value of approximately $738.1 million at inception. Principal payments received on the assets will be utilized to repay the most senior class of the bonds then outstanding. The maturity of the bonds match funds the maturity of the underlying assets financed under the program. The weighted average interest rate on the bonds, on an all-floating rate basis, was approximately LIBOR + 0.47% at inception. For accounting purposes, this transaction was treated as a secured

74



financing: the underlying assets and STARs liabilities remained on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and no gain on sale was recognized.

        On May 14, 2003, the Company extended the maturity on its $300.0 million unsecured facility to July 2004.

        On May 8, 2003, the Company extended the maturity on its $60.0 million term loan to June 2004.

        On April 9, 2003, the Company repaid the existing term loan financing a $75.0 million term preferred investment in a publicly-traded real estate company and simultaneously entered into another $50.0 million term loan with a leading financial institution. The new term loan bears interest at LIBOR + 0.60% and has a final maturity date of October 2003 with amortization payments in July 2003 and October 2003.

        On April 8, 2003, the Company issued an additional $35.0 million of 7.00% Senior Notes due March 2008, bringing the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to $185.0 million. The add-on Notes have identical terms to the Senior Notes issued in March 2003, although they were issued at 102.75% of their principal amount, to yield 6.34% per annum.

        On March 14, 2003, the Company retired the 6.75% Dealer Remarketable Securities of its Leasing Subsidiary by exchanging those securities for newly issued $150.0 million 7.00% Senior Notes due March 2008.

        On January 27, 2003, the Company extended the maturity on one of its $700.0 million secured facilities to January 2007, which includes a one-year "term-out" at the Company's option.

        On December 11, 2002, the Company closed a $61.5 million term loan financing with a leading financial institution. The proceeds were used to fund a portion of an $82.1 million CTL investment. The non-recourse loan is fixed rate and bears interest at 6.412%, has a maturity date of December 2012 and amortizes over a 30-year schedule.

        On September 30, 2002, the Company closed a $500.0 million secured revolving credit facility with a leading financial institution. The facility has a three-year term and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.50% to 2.25%, depending upon the collateral contributed to the borrowing base. The facility accepts a broad range of structured finance and corporate tenant assets and has a final maturity date of September 2005.

        On July 2, 2002, the Company purchased the remaining interest in the Milpitas joint venture from the former Milpitas external member for $27.9 million. Upon purchase of the interest, the Milpitas joint venture became fully consolidated for accounting purposes and approximately $79.1 million of secured term debt is reflected on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        On May 28, 2002, the Company fully repaid the remaining $446.2 million of bonds outstanding under STARs, Series 2000-1. Simultaneously, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company issued STARs, Series 2002-1, consisting of $885.1 million of investment-grade bonds secured by the subsidiary's structured finance and CTL assets, which had an aggregate outstanding carrying value of approximately $1.1 billion at inception. Principal payments received on the assets will be utilized to repay the most senior class of the bonds then outstanding. The maturity of the bonds match funds the maturity of the underlying assets financed under the program. The weighted average interest rate on the bonds, on an all-floating rate basis, was approximately LIBOR + 0.56% at inception. For accounting purposes, this transaction was treated as a secured financing: the underlying assets and STARs liabilities remained on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and no gain on sale was recognized.

        On March 29, 2002, the Company extended the maturity of its $500.0 million secured facility to August 2005, which includes a one-year "term-out" extension at the Company's option.

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        On August 9, 2001, the Company issued $350.0 million of 8.75% Senior Notes due in 2008. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Company used the net proceeds to repay outstanding borrowings under its secured credit facilities.

        On July 27, 2001, the Company completed a $300.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of leading financial institutions. The facility has an initial maturity of July 2003, with a one-year extension at the Company's option and another one-year extension at the lenders' option. The facility replaces two prior credit facilities maturing in 2002 and 2003, and bears interest at LIBOR + 2.125%. On May 14, 2003, the Company extended the maturity of this facility to July 2004.

        On July 6, 2001, the Company financed a $75.0 million structured finance asset with a $50.0 million term loan bearing interest at LIBOR + 2.50%. The loan has a maturity of July 2006, including a one-year extension at the Company's option. This investment is a $75.0 million term preferred investment in a publicly-traded real estate company. The Company's investment carries an initial current yield of 10.50%, with annual increases of 0.50% in each of the next two years. In addition, the Company's investment is convertible into the customer's common stock at a strike price of $25.00 per share. The investment is callable by the customer between months 13 and 30 of the term at a yield maintenance premium, and after month 30, at a premium sufficient to generate a 14.62% internal rate of return on the Company's investment. The investment is putable by the Company to the customer for cash after five years. On April 9, 2003, the Company repaid this term loan and simultaneously entered into another $50.0 million term loan bearing interest at LIBOR + 0.60% and with a final maturity of October 2003.

        On June 14, 2001, the Company closed $193.0 million of term loan financing secured by 15 CTL assets. The variable-rate loan bears interest at LIBOR + 1.85% (not to exceed 10.00% in aggregate) and has two one-year extensions at the Company's option. The Company used these proceeds to repay a $77.8 million secured term loan maturing in June 2001 and to pay down a portion of its revolving credit facilities. In addition, the Company extended the maturity of its $500.0 million secured revolving credit facility to August 2003. On March 29, 2002, the Company again extended the final maturity of this facility to August 2005, which includes a one-year "term-out" extension at the Company's option.

        On May 15, 2001, the Company repaid its $100.0 million 7.30% unsecured notes. These notes were senior unsecured obligations of the Leasing Subsidiary and ranked equally with the Leasing Subsidiary's other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

        On February 22, 2001, the Company extended the maturity of its $350.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility to May 2002. On July 27, 2001, the Company repaid this facility and replaced it with a $300.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility.

        On January 11, 2001, the Company closed a $700.0 million secured revolving credit facility which is led by a major commercial bank. The facility has a three-year primary term and one-year "term-out" extension option, and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.40% to 2.15%, depending upon the collateral contributed to the borrowing base. The facility accepts a broad range of structured finance assets and has a final maturity of January 2005. On January 27, 2003, the Company extended the final maturity on this facility to January 2007.

        During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company incurred an extraordinary loss of approximately $0, $12.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, as a result of the early retirement of certain debt obligations. On January 1, 2003, in accordance with SFAS No. 145, these costs were reclassified from "Extraordinary loss on early extinguishments of debt" into income from continuing operations.

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        As of December 31, 2003, future expected/scheduled maturities of outstanding long-term debt obligations are as follows (in thousands)(1):

 
   
 
2004   $ 264,158  
2005     702,840  
2006     243,000  
2007     313,216  
2008     718,000  
Thereafter     1,923,967  
   
 
Total principal maturities     4,165,181  
Net unamortized debt discounts     (52,139 )
Impact of pay-floating swap agreement     690  
   
 
Total debt obligations   $ 4,113,732  
   
 

Explanatory Note:


(1)
Assumes exercise of extensions to the extent such extensions are at the Company's option.

Note 8—Shareholders' Equity

      The Company's charter provides for the issuance of up to 200.0 million shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 30.0 million shares of preferred stock. The Company has 2.3 million shares of 9.375% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 1.5 million shares of 9.20% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 4.6 million shares of 8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 5.6 million shares of 7.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 4.0 million shares of 7.80% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and 3.2 million shares of 7.65% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The Series B, C, D, E, F and G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are redeemable without premium at the option of the Company at their respective liquidation preferences beginning on June 15, 2001, August 15, 2001, October 8, 2002, July 18, 2008, September 29, 2008 and December 19, 2008, respectively.

        In December 2003, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5.0 million primary shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company received approximately $191.1 million from the offering and used these proceeds to repay a portion of its secured debt.

        In December 2003, the Company redeemed 1.6 million shares of the Company's 9.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share by exchanging those securities for newly issued 3.2 million shares of 7.65% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning on December 19, 2008. Immediately following this transaction the Company no longer had any Series A Preferred Stock outstanding. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds from the offering.

        In September 2003, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 4.0 million shares of its 7.80% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning on September 29, 2008. The Company used the proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of its secured debt.

        In July 2003, the Company redeemed 2.8 million shares of the Company's 9.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share by exchanging those securities for newly issued 5.6 million shares of 7.875% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,

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having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning on July 18, 2008. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds from the offering.

        On November 14, 2002, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 8.0 million primary shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company received approximately $202.9 million from the offering and used these proceeds to repay a portion of its secured debt.

        On December 15, 1998, the Company issued warrants to acquire 6.1 million shares of Common Stock, as adjusted for dilution, at $34.35 per share. The warrants are exercisable on or after December 15, 1999 at a price of $34.35 per share and expire on December 15, 2005.

        Concentration of Shareholder Ownership— On October 30, 2001, SOFI IV SMT Holdings, L.P. ("SOFI IV") and certain of its affiliates sold 18.975 million shares of Common Stock owned by them (including the subsequently-exercised 2.475 million share over-allotment option granted to the underwriters). In addition, on May 15, 2002, SOFI IV sold 10.808 million shares of Common Stock owned by them (including the subsequently-exercised 808,200 share over-allotment option granted to the underwriters). Further, on November 14, 2002, SOFI IV sold 3.5 million shares of Common Stock owned by them (including the subsequently-exercised 1.5 million over-allotment option granted to the underwriters). Lastly, on May 13, 2003, SOFI IV distributed approximately 15.9 million shares to its limited and general partners. Some of the partners then elected to sell 6.9 million of the shares distributed to them. Immediately following the secondary offerings and the distribution, SOFI IV owned approximately 3.88% of the Company's Common Stock (based on the diluted sharecount as of December 31, 2003). The Company did not sell any shares in the offerings, other than the November 2002 offering, in which the Company sold 8.0 million primary shares and received net proceeds of approximately $202.9 million.

        DRIP/Stock Purchase Plan— The Company maintains a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. Under the dividend reinvestment component of the plan, the Company's shareholders may purchase additional shares of Common Stock without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges by automatically reinvesting all or a portion of their Common Stock cash dividends. Under the direct stock purchase component of the plan, the Company's shareholders and new investors may purchase shares of Common Stock directly from the Company without payment of brokerage commissions or service charges. All purchases of shares in excess of $10,000 per month pursuant to the direct purchase component are at the Company's sole discretion. Shares issued under the plan may reflect a discount of up to 3.00% from the prevailing market price of the Company's Common Stock. The Company is authorized to issue up to 8.0 million shares of Common Stock pursuant to the dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company issued a total of approximately 2.6 million and 1.6 million shares of its Common Stock, respectively, through the direct stock purchase component of the plan. Net proceeds during the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were approximately $89.1 million and $44.4 million, respectively. There are approximately 3.6 million shares available for issuance under the plan as of December 31, 2003.

        Stock Repurchase Program—The Board of Directors approved, and the Company has implemented, a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 5.0 million shares of its Common Stock from time to time, primarily using proceeds from the disposition of assets or loan repayments and excess cash flow from operations, but also using borrowings under its credit facilities if the Company determines that it is advantageous to do so. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 2.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.7 million. The Company has not repurchased any shares under the stock repurchase program since November 2000.

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Note 9—Risk Management and Use of Financial Instruments

        Risk management—In the normal course of its on-going business operations, the Company encounters economic risk. There are three main components of economic risk: interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice at different speeds, or different bases, than its interest-earning assets. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company's lending investments that results from a property's, borrower's or corporate tenant's inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of loans due to changes in interest rates or other market factors, including the rate of prepayments of principal and the value of the collateral underlying loans and the valuation of CTL facilities held by the Company.

        Use of derivative financial instruments—The Company's use of derivative financial instruments is primarily limited to the utilization of interest rate agreements or other instruments to manage interest rate risk exposure. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with the Company's operating and financial structure as well as to hedge specific anticipated transactions. The counterparties to these contractual arrangements are major financial institutions with which the Company and its affiliates may also have other financial relationships. The Company is potentially exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However, because of their high credit ratings, the Company does not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge credit/market risk or for speculative purposes.

        The Company has entered into the following cash flow and fair value hedges that are outstanding as of December 31, 2003. The net value (liability) associated with these hedges is reflected on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands).

Type of Hedge

  Notional
Amount

  Strike
Price or
Swap Rate

  Trade
Date

  Maturity
Date

  Estimated
Value at
December 31, 2003

 
Pay-Fixed Swap   $ 125,000   2.885 % 1/23/03   6/25/06   $ (1,632 )
Pay-Fixed Swap     125,000   2.838 % 2/11/03   6/25/06     (1,486 )
Pay-Fixed Swap     75,000   5.580 % 11/4/99 (1) 12/1/04     (3,227 )
Pay-Floating Swap     200,000   4.381 % 12/17/03   12/15/10     (1,472 )
Pay-Floating Swap     100,000   4.345 % 12/17/03   12/15/10     (958 )
Pay-Floating Swap     100,000   3.878 % 11/27/02   8/15/08     2,681  
Pay-Floating Swap     50,000   3.810 % 11/27/02   8/15/08     1,183  
Pay-Floating Swap     50,000   4.290 % 12/17/03   12/15/10     (649 )
LIBOR Cap     345,000   8.000 % 5/22/02   5/28/14     11,648  
LIBOR Cap     135,000   6.000 % 9/29/03   10/15/06     418  
LIBOR Cap     75,000   7.750 % 11/4/99 (1) 12/1/04      
LIBOR Cap     35,000   7.750 % 11/4/99 (1) 12/1/04      
                     
 
Total Estimated Value   $ 6,506  
                     
 

Explanatory Note:


(1)
Acquired in connection with the TriNet Acquisition (see Note 1).

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        Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003, the Company also had outstanding the following cash flow hedges that have expired or been settled (in thousands):

Type of
Hedge

  Notional
Amount

  Strike
Price or
Swap Rate

  Trade
Date

  Maturity
Date

Pay-Fixed Swap   $ 125,000   7.058 % 6/15/00   6/25/03
Pay-Fixed Swap     125,000   7.055 % 6/15/00   6/25/03
Pay-Fixed Swap     100,000   4.139 % 9/29/03   1/2/11
Pay-Fixed Swap     100,000   4.643 % 9/29/03   1/2/14

        During 2003, the Company entered into two 90-day forward starting swaps each having a $100.0 million notional amount. These pay-fixed swaps which were effective in September 2003, had rates of 4.139% and 4.643%, had seven-year and 10-year terms, respectively, and were used to lock-in swap rates related to a portion of planned future corporate unsecured fixed-rate bond issuances. These two swaps were settled in connection with the Company's issuance of $350.0 million of seven-year Senior Notes and $150.0 million of 10-year Senior Notes. In addition, effective in September 2003, the Company entered into a $135.0 million cap with a rate of 6.00% to hedge the Company's current outstanding floating-rate debt. This cap has a three-year term. Further, the Company entered into two $125.0 million forward starting swaps. These pay-fixed swaps were effective in June 2003 and replaced the two $125.0 million pay-fixed swaps mentioned above. The two new pay-fixed swaps have a three-year term and expire on June 25, 2006.

        In addition, in connection with a portion of the Company's fixed-rate corporate bonds, the Company entered into three pay-floating interest rate swaps in December 2003 struck at 4.381%, 4.345% and 4.29% with notional amounts of $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and maturing on December 15, 2010 and also entered into two pay-floating interest rate swaps in November 2002 struck at 3.8775% and 3.81% with notional amounts of $100.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and maturing on August 15, 2008. The Company pays six-month LIBOR on the swaps entered into in December 2003 and one-month LIBOR on the swaps entered into in November 2002 and receives the stated fixed rate in return. These swaps mitigate the risk of changes in the fair value of $350.0 million of seven-year Senior Notes and $150.0 million of 10-year Senior Notes attributable to changes in LIBOR. For accounting purposes, the difference between the fixed rate received and the LIBOR rate paid on the notional amount of the swap is recorded as "Interest expense" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the Company adjusts the value of the swap to its fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the hedged liability by an offsetting amount on a quarterly basis.

        In connection with STARs, Series 2003-1 in May 2003, the Company entered into a LIBOR interest rate cap struck at 6.95% in the notional amount of $270.6 million, and simultaneously sold a LIBOR interest rate cap with the same terms. Since these instruments do not change the Company's net interest rate risk exposure, they do not qualify as hedges and changes in their respective values are charged to earnings. As the terms of these arrangements are substantially the same, the effects of a revaluation of these two instruments substantially offset one another.

        In connection with STARs, Series 2002-1 in May 2002, the Company entered into a LIBOR interest rate cap struck at 8.00% in the notional amount of $345.0 million. The Company utilizes the provisions of SFAS No. 133 with respect to such instruments. SFAS No. 133 provides that the up-front fees paid on option-based products such as caps should be expensed into earnings based on the allocation of the

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premium to the affected periods as if the agreement were a series of "caplets." These allocated premiums are then reflected as a charge to income (as part of interest expense) in the affected period. On May 28, 2002, in connection with the STARs, Series 2002-1 transaction, the Company paid a premium of $13.7 million for this interest rate cap. Using the "caplet" methodology discussed above, amortization of the cap premium is dependent upon the actual value of the caplets at inception.

        During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company refinanced its $125.0 million term loan maturing March 15, 1999 with a $155.4 million term loan maturing March 5, 2009. The term loan bears interest at 7.44% per annum, payable monthly, and amortizes over an approximately 22-year schedule. The term loan represented forecasted transactions for which the Company had previously entered into U.S. Treasury-based hedging transactions. The net $3.4 million cost of the settlement of such hedges has been deferred and is being amortized as an increase to the effective financing cost of the term loan over its effective ten-year term.

        Credit risk concentrations—Concentrations of credit risks arise when a number of borrowers or customers related to the Company's investments are engaged in similar business activities, or activities in the same geographic region, or have similar economic features that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations, including those to the Company, to be similarly affected by changes in economic conditions. The Company regularly monitors various segments of its portfolio to assess potential concentrations of credit risks. Management believes the current credit risk portfolio is reasonably well diversified and does not contain any unusual concentration of credit risks.

        All of the Company's CTL assets (including those held by joint ventures) and loans and other lending investments are collateralized by facilities located in the United States, with significant concentrations (i.e., greater than 10.00%) as of December 31, 2003 in California (19.39%) and New York (11.99%). As of December 31, 2003, the Company's investments also contain greater than 10.00% concentrations in the following asset types: office-CTL (27.48%), office-lending (17.16%), industrial (13.99%) and hotel-lending (12.06%).

        The Company underwrites the credit of prospective borrowers and customers and often requires them to provide some form of credit support such as corporate guarantees, letters of credit and/or cash security deposits. Although the Company's loans and other lending investments and corporate customer lease assets are geographically diverse and the borrowers and customers operate in a variety of industries, to the extent the Company has a significant concentration of interest or operating lease revenues from any single borrower or customer, the inability of that borrower or customer to make its payment could have an adverse effect on the Company. As of December 31, 2003, the Company's five largest borrowers or corporate tenants collectively accounted for approximately 15.51% of the Company's aggregate annualized interest and operating lease revenue of which no single customer accounts for more than 3.84%.

Note 10—Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefits

        The Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is designed to provide incentive compensation for officers, other key employees and directors of the Company. The Plan provides for awards of stock options and shares of restricted stock and other performance awards. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for awards under the Plan is 9.00% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, calculated on a fully diluted basis, from time to time; provided that the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for grants of options designated as incentive stock options is 5.0 million, subject to certain antidilution provisions in the Plan. All awards under the Plan, other than automatic

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awards to non-employee directors, are at the discretion of the Board or a committee of the Board. At December 31, 2003, a total of approximately 10.1 million shares of Common Stock were available for awards under the Plan, of which options to purchase approximately 2.9 million shares of Common Stock were outstanding and approximately 422,000 shares of restricted stock were outstanding. A total of 1.9 million shares remain available for awards under the Plan as of December 31, 2003.

        In March 1998, the Company issued approximately 2.5 million (as adjusted) fully vested and immediately exercisable options to purchase shares of Common Stock at $14.72 per share (as adjusted) to its former advisor with a term of ten years. The former advisor granted a portion of these options to its employees and the remainder was allocated to an affiliate. Upon the Company's acquisition of its former advisor, these individuals became employees of the Company. In general, the grants to these employees provided for scheduled vesting over a predefined service period of three to five years and, under certain conditions, provide for accelerated vesting. These options expire on March 15, 2008.

        Changes in options outstanding during each of fiscal 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows:

 
  Number of Shares
   
 
  Weighted
Average
Strike
Price

 
  Employees
  Non-Employee
Directors

  Other
Options outstanding, December 31, 2000   3,259,761   520,432   946,168   $ 18.97
  Granted in 2001   1,617,401   90,000   100,000   $ 20.31
  Exercised in 2001   (1,131,595 ) (26,900 ) (149,492 ) $ 16.48
  Forfeited in 2001   (100,509 )     $ 27.27
   
 
 
     
Options outstanding, December 31, 2001   3,645,058   583,532   896,676   $ 18.98
  Granted in 2002     80,000     $ 27.83
  Exercised in 2002   (488,674 ) (190,650 ) (164,683 ) $ 18.63
  Forfeited in 2002   (16,907 ) (4,600 )   $ 24.87
   
 
 
     
Options outstanding, December 31, 2002   3,139,477   468,282   731,993   $ 18.77
  Granted in 2003   15,500       $ 14.72
  Exercised in 2003   (843,624 ) (235,746 ) (389,594 ) $ 18.99
  Forfeited in 2003   (2,300 ) (13,850 )   $ 26.14
  Transferred in 2003(1)     (63,692 ) 63,692   $ 27.15
   
 
 
     
Options outstanding, December 31, 2003   2,309,053   154,994   406,091   $ 18.59
   
 
 
     

Explanatory Note:


(1)
Transfer of shares due to the down-size of Board of Directors on June 2, 2003.

82


        The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2003:

 
  OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
  OPTIONS
EXERCISABLE

Exercise Price Range

  Options
Outstanding

  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

  Currently
Exercisable

  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$14.72—$15.00(1)   657,493   4.93   $ 14.72   641,993   $ 14.72
$16.69—$16.88   477,071   6.01   $ 16.88   477,071   $ 16.88
$17.38—$17.56   151,068   6.21   $ 17.38   151,068   $ 17.38
$19.63—$19.69   1,308,522   7.10   $ 19.69   754,929   $ 19.69
$20.00—$21.44   50,333   6.68   $ 20.94   50,333   $ 20.94
$23.32—$23.64   28,499   0.36   $ 23.53   28,499   $ 23.53
$24.13—$24.94   67,566   6.77   $ 24.86   67,233   $ 24.86
$25.10—$26.09   13,800   2.41   $ 26.09   13,800   $ 26.09
$26.30—$26.97   8,900   2.02   $ 26.45   8,234   $ 26.41
$27.00   25,000   7.48   $ 27.00   16,667   $ 27.00
$28.54—$29.82   76,792   8.05   $ 29.71   76,792   $ 29.71
$55.39   5,094   5.42   $ 55.39   5,094   $ 55.39
   
 
 
 
 
    2,870,138   6.28   $ 18.59   2,291,713   $ 18.32
   
 
 
 
 

Explanatory Note:


(1)
Includes approximately 764,000 options which were granted, on a fully exercisable basis, in March 1998, and which are now held by an affiliate of SOFI IV. Beneficial interests in these options were subsequently regranted by that affiliate to employees of it and its affiliates, subject to vesting requirements. In the event that these employees forfeit such options, they revert to an affiliate of SOFI IV, which may regrant them at its discretion. As of December 31, 2003, approximately 727,000 of these options were exercisable by the beneficial owners and approximately 539,000 have been exercised.

        In the third quarter 2002 (with retroactive application to the beginning of the calendar year), the Company adopted the fair value method for accounting for options issued to employees or directors, as allowed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Accordingly, the Company recognizes a charge equal to the fair value of these options at the date of grant multiplied by the number of options issued. This charge will be amortized over the related remaining vesting terms to individual employees as additional compensation. There were 15,500 options issued during the 12 months ended December 31, 2003 with a strike price of $14.72.

        Prior to the third quarter 2002, the Company had elected to use the intrinsic method for accounting for options issued to employees or directors, as allowed under SFAS No. 123 and, accordingly, recognized no expense in connection with these options to the extent that the options' exercise prices equaled or exceeded the quoted prices of the Company's shares of Common Stock on the grant or investment dates. However, in connection with the acquisition of the Company's former external advisor, the Company recognized a deferred stock-based compensation charge of approximately $5.1 million. This deferred charge represents the difference between the Company's closing stock price on the date it acquired its former external advisor (which was $20.25), and the strike price of $14.72 per share (as adjusted) for the unvested portion of the options granted to the former external advisor's employees, who are now employees of the Company. This deferred charge is being amortized over the related remaining vesting terms to the individual employees as an additional expense under "General and administrative—stock-based compensation" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

83



        If the Company's compensation costs had been determined using the fair value method of accounting for stock options issued under the Plan to employees and directors prescribed by SFAS No. 123 prior to 2002, the Company's net income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, would have been reduced on a pro forma basis by approximately $289,000, $565,000 and $705,000, respectively. This would not have significantly impacted the Company's earnings per share.

        The fair value of each significant option grant is estimated on the date of grant (January 10, 2003 for the 2003 options) using the Black-Scholes model. For the above SFAS No. 123 calculation, the following assumptions were used for the Company's fair value calculations of stock options:

 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Expected life (in years)     5     5     5  
Risk-free interest rate     3.13 %   4.38 %   4.96 %
Volatility     17.64 %   16.23 %   20.83 %
Dividend yield     9.57 %   8.45 %   12.00 %
Weighted average grant date fair value   $ 5.26   $ 1.38   $ 0.76  

        Future charges may be taken to the extent of additional option grants, which are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

        During the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, the Company granted 40,050 restricted shares to employees that vest proportionately over three years on the anniversary date of the initial grant of which 35,675 remain outstanding.

        During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company granted 199,350 restricted shares to employees. Of these shares, 44,350 will vest proportionately over three years on the anniversary date of the initial grant. Of the 44,350 shares granted, 22,382 remain outstanding as of December 31, 2003. The balance of 155,000 restricted shares granted to several employees will vest on March 31, 2004 if: (1) the employee remains employed until that date; and (2) the 60-day average closing price of the Company's Common Stock equals or exceeds a set floor price as of such date. Dividends will be paid on the restricted shares as dividends are paid on shares of the Company's Common Stock. Assuming the shares become fully vested on March 31, 2004 and the market price of the stock is $38.90 (which was the market price of the Common Stock on December 31, 2003), the Company would incur a one-time charge to earnings at that time of approximately $6.0 million (the fair market value of the 155,000 shares at $38.90 per share). During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company also granted 208,980 restricted shares to its Chief Financial Officer (see detailed information below).

        During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company granted 94,943 restricted shares to employees in lieu of cash bonuses for the year ended December 31, 2000 at the employees' election. These restricted shares were immediately vested on the date of grant and were not transferable for a period of one year following vesting.

        For accounting purposes, the Company measures compensation costs for these shares, not including the contingently issuable shares, as of the date of the grant and expenses such amounts against earnings, either at the grant date (if no vesting period exists) or ratably over the respective vesting/service period. Such amounts appear on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations under "General and administrative—stock-based compensation expense."

84



        During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its new Chief Financial Officer. Under the agreement, the Chief Financial Officer receives an annual base salary of $225,000. She may also receive a bonus, which is targeted to be $325,000, subject to an annual review for upward or downward adjustment. In addition, the Company granted the Chief Financial Officer 108,980 contingently vested restricted stock awards. These awards become vested on December 31, 2005 if the executive's employment with the Company has not terminated before such date. Dividends will be paid on the restricted shares as dividends are paid on shares of the Company's Common Stock. These dividends are accounted for in a manner consistent with the Company's Common Stock dividends, as a reduction to retained earnings. For accounting purposes, the Company will take a total charge of approximately $3.0 million related to the restricted stock awards, which will be amortized over the period from November 6, 2002 through December 31, 2005. This charge is reflected on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations under "General and administrative—stock-based compensation."

        Further, the Company granted the Chief Financial Officer 100,000 restricted shares which vest in whole or in part if the Company's shareholders realize certain total rates of return (dividends since November 6, 2002 plus share price appreciation since January 2, 2003), as of January 31, 2004. Vested shares would be subject to forfeiture if the executive's employment with the Company terminated under certain circumstances. The shares became fully vested on January 31, 2004 and the market price of the stock was $40.02, therefore; the Company will incur a one-time charge to earnings during the first quarter 2004 of approximately $4.0 million (the fair market value of the 100,000 shares at $40.02 per share). For accounting purposes, the employment arrangement described above is treated as a contingent, variable plan until January 31, 2004.

        During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer. Under the agreement, the Chief Executive Officer receives an annual base salary of $1.0 million. He may also receive a bonus, which is targeted to be an amount equal to his base salary, if the Company achieves certain performance targets set by the Compensation Committee. The bonus award may be increased or reduced from the target depending upon the degree to which the performance goals are exceeded or are not met, and may not exceed 200.00% of his base salary. The bonus is reduced by the amount of any dividends paid to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of phantom shares (described below) which are awarded to him and have contingently vested. The Chief Executive Officer received approximately $2.1 million in such dividends in 2002 and $4.4 million in 2003. As such, no additional bonus was paid in either year. As part of this agreement, the Company confirmed a prior grant of 750,000 stock options made to the executive on March 2, 2001 with an exercise price of $19.69, which represented the market price at the date of the original contingent grant. However, because the grant required further approval by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors, no measurement date occurred for accounting purposes until such approvals were made, at which point the market price of the Company's Common Stock was $24.90. Accordingly, an aggregate charge of approximately $3.9 million is being recognized with respect to these options over the term of this agreement and is reflected on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations under "General and administrative—stock-based compensation." These options will vest in three equal annual installments of 250,000 shares in each successive January beginning in January 2002.

        The Company also granted the executive 2.0 million unvested phantom shares, each of which represents one share of the Company's Common Stock. These shares will vest in installments of 350,000 shares, 650,000 shares, 600,000 shares and 400,000 shares on a contingent basis if the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock for a 60 calendar day period achieves thresholds of $25.00, $30.00,

85



$34.00 and $37.00, respectively. As of December 31, 2003 all thresholds have been attained, and a total of 2.0 million of these shares have contingently vested. Assuming that the market price of the Common Stock on March 30, 2004 is $38.90 (which was the market price of the Common Stock on December 31, 2003), the Company would incur a one-time charge to earnings in March 2004 of approximately $77.8 million (the fair market value of the 2.0 million shares at $38.90 per share). Shares that have contingently vested generally will not become fully vested until March 2004, except upon certain termination or change of control events. Further, if the average stock price drops below certain specified levels for a 60-day period prior to such date, such phantom shares would not fully vest and would be forfeited. If the Company is not authorized to issue shares to the executive upon full vesting of the phantom shares, then the vesting will be settled through a cash payment based upon the market price of the Common Stock during a recent trading period. The executive will receive dividends on shares that have contingently or fully vested and have not been forfeited under the terms of the agreement, if and when the Company declares and pays dividends on its Common Stock. Because no shares have been issued, dividends received on these phantom shares, if any, will be reflected as compensation expense by the Company. For accounting purposes, this arrangement will be treated as a contingent, variable plan and no additional compensation expense will be recognized until the shares, in whole or in part, become irrevocably vested, whereupon the Company will reflect a charge equal to the then fair value of the shares irrevocably vested.

        In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with its former President. Under the agreement, in lieu of salary and bonus, the Company granted the executive 500,000 restricted shares. These shares became fully-vested on September 30, 2002 as a result of the Company achieving a 60.00% total shareholder rate of return (dividends plus share price appreciation) since January 1, 2001. Upon the restricted shares becoming fully vested, the Company withheld 250,000 of such shares from the executive to cover the tax obligations associated with the vesting of such shares. These shares are reflected as "Treasury stock", at a cost of approximately $7.4 million, on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity. For accounting purposes, the employment arrangement described above was treated as a contingent, variable plan until the April 29, 2002 contingent vesting date. The Company incurred a total charge of approximately $15.0 million related to the vesting of the shares, recognized ratably over the period from April 29, 2002 through September 30, 2002. The executive received dividends on the share grant from the date of the agreement as and when the Company declared and paid dividends on its Common Stock. For financial statement purposes, such dividends were accounted for in a manner consistent with the Company's normal Common Stock dividends, as a reduction to retained earnings.

        Certain affiliates of SOFI IV and the Company's Chief Executive Officer have agreed to reimburse the Company for the value of restricted shares awarded to the former President in excess of 350,000 shares, net of tax benefits realized by the Company or its shareholders on account of compensation expense deductions. The reimbursement obligation arose once the restricted share award became fully vested on September 30, 2002. The Company's Chief Executive Officer fulfilled his reimbursement obligation through the delivery of shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by him. In the case of the SOFI IV affiliates, the reimbursement payment must be made through the delivery of approximately $2.4 million in cash or 131,250 shares of Common Stock. As of December 31, 2003, the SOFI IV affiliates have paid approximately $506,000 in cash. The approximately $1.9 million remaining balance of the SOFI IV affiliates' reimbursement obligation is due on or before March 31, 2004. These reimbursement payments are reflected as "Additional paid-in capital" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and not as an offset to the charge referenced above.

86



        On July 28, 2000, the Company granted to its employees profits interests in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company called iStar Venture Direct Holdings, LLC. As of December 31, 2003, iStar Venture Direct Holdings, LLC had written off all of its investments. The profits interests have three-year vesting schedules, and are subject to forfeiture in the event of termination of employment for cause or a voluntary resignation. The Company currently estimates that the profits interests have no value.

High Performance Unit Program

        In May 2002, the Company's shareholders approved the iStar Financial High Performance Unit ("HPU") Program. The program, as more fully described in the Company's annual proxy statement dated April 8, 2002, is a performance-based employee compensation plan that only has material value to the participants if the Company provides superior returns to its shareholders. The program entitles the employee participants ("HPU holders") to receive cash distributions in the nature of common stock dividends if the total rate of return on the Company's Common Stock (share price appreciation plus dividends) exceeds certain performance levels.

        Initially, there were three plans within the program: the 2002 plan, the 2003 plan, and the 2004 plan. Each plan has 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock associated with it. Each share of High Performance Common Stock carries 0.25 votes per share.

        For these three plans, the Company's performance is measured over a one-, two-, or three-year valuation period, beginning on January 1, 2002 and ending on December 31, 2002, December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The end of the valuation period (i.e., the "valuation date") will be accelerated if there is a change in control of the Company. The High Performance Common Stock has a nominal value unless the total rate of shareholder return for the relevant valuation period exceeds the greater of: (1) 10.00%, 20.00%, or 30.00% for the 2002 plan, the 2003 plan and the 2004 plan, respectively; and (2) a weighted industry index total rate of return consisting of equal weightings of the Russell 1000 Financial Index and the Morgan Stanley REIT Index for the relevant period.

        If the total rate of return on the Company's Common Stock exceeds the threshold performance levels for a particular plan, then distributions will be paid on the shares of High Performance Common Stock related to that plan in the same amounts and at the same times as distributions are paid on a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock equal to the following: 7.50% of the Company's excess total rate of return (over the higher of the two threshold performance levels) multiplied by the weighted average market value of the Company's common equity capitalization during the measurement period, all as divided by the average closing price of a share of the Company's Common Stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the applicable valuation date.

        If the total rate of return on the Company's Common Stock does not exceed the threshold performance levels for a particular plan, then the shares of High Performance Common Stock related to that plan will have only nominal value. In this event, each of the 5,000 shares will be entitled to dividends equal to 0.01 times the dividend paid on a share of Common Stock, if and when dividends are declared on the Common Stock.

        Regardless of how much the Company's total rate of return exceeds the threshold performance levels, the dilutive impact to the Company's shareholders resulting from distributions on High Performance Common Stock in each plan is limited to the equivalent of 1.00% of the average monthly number of fully diluted shares of the Company's Common Stock outstanding during the valuation period.

87



        The employee participants have purchased their interests in High Performance Common Stock through a limited liability company at purchase prices approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The Company's Board has established the prices of the High Performance Common Stock based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The aggregate initial purchase prices were set on June 25, 2002 and were approximately $2.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.3 million for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 plans, respectively. No employee is permitted to exchange his or her interest in the LLC for shares of High Performance Common Stock prior to the applicable valuation date.

        The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2002 plan was 21.94%, which exceeded both the fixed performance threshold of 10.00% and the industry index return of (5.83%). As a result of this superior performance, the participants in the 2002 plan are entitled to receive cash distributions equivalent to the amount of cash dividends payable on 819,254 shares of the Company's Common Stock, as and when such dividends are paid. Such dividend payments began with the first quarter 2003 dividend. The Company will pay dividends on the 2002 plan shares in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates that shares of the Company's Common Stock are paid. The Company has the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase at cost 50.00% of the interests earned by an employee in the 2002 plan if the employee breaches certain non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality covenants through January 1, 2005.

        The total shareholder return for the valuation period under the 2003 plan was 78.29%, which exceeded the fixed performance threshold of 20.00% and the industry index return of 24.66%. The plan was fully funded and was limited to 1.00% of the average monthly number of fully diluted shares of the Company's Common Stock during the valuation period. As a result of the Company's superior performance, the participants in the 2003 plan are entitled to receive cash distributions equivalent to the amount of cash dividends payable on 987,149 shares of the Company's Common Stock, as and when such dividends are paid. Such dividend payments will begin with the first quarter 2004 dividend. The Company will pay dividends on the 2003 plan shares in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates that shares of the Company's Common Stock are paid.

        A new 2005 plan has been established with a three-year valuation period ending December 31, 2005. Awards under the 2005 plan were approved on January 14, 2003. The 2005 plan has 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock with an aggregate initial purchase price of $573,000. The purchase price of the High Performance Common Stock was established by the Company's Board based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The provisions of the 2005 plan are substantially the same as the prior plans.

        A new 2006 plan has been established with a three-year valuation period ending December 31, 2006. Awards under the 2006 plan were approved on January 23, 2004. The 2006 plan had 5,000 shares of High Performance Common Stock with an aggregate initial puchase price of $714,700. The purchase price of the High Performance Common Stock was established by the Company's Board based upon, among other things, an independent valuation from a major securities firm. The provisions of the 2006 plan are substantially the same as the prior plans.

        The additional equity from the issuance of the High Performance Common Stock is recorded as a separate class of stock and included within shareholders' equity on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net income allocable to common shareholders will be reduced by the HPU holders' share of dividends paid and undistributed earnings, if any.

88


401(k) Plan

        Effective November 4, 1999, the Company implemented a savings and retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan"), which is a voluntary, defined contribution plan. All employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan following completion of three months of continuous service with the Company. Each participant may contribute on a pretax basis up to the maximum percentage of compensation and dollar amount permissible under Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code not to exceed the limits of Code Sections 401(k), 404 and 415. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Company may make matching contributions on the participant's behalf of up to 50.00% of the first 10.00% of the participant's annual compensation. The Company made gross contributions of approximately $424,000, $356,000, and $320,000 to the 401(k) Plan for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Note 11—Earnings Per Share

        The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively (in thousands, except per share data):

 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Numerator:                    
  Net income from continuing operations   $ 285,074   $ 206,939   $ 218,338  
  Preferred dividend requirements     (36,908 )   (36,908 )   (36,908 )
   
 
 
 
  Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders before income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations(1)     248,166     170,031     181,430  
  Income from discontinued operations     1,916     7,614     10,429  
  Gain from discontinued operations     5,167     717     1,145  
   
 
 
 
  Net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(1)   $ 255,249   $ 178,362   $ 193,004  
   
 
 
 
Denominator:                    
  Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share     100,314     89,886     86,349  
  Add: effect of assumed shares issued under treasury stock method for stock options, restricted shares and warrants     1,897     1,645     1,680  
  Add: effect of contingent shares     1,667     1,118     205  
  Add: effect of joint venture shares     223          
   
 
 
 
  Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per common share     104,101     92,649     88,234  
   
 
 
 
                     

89


Basic earnings per common share:                    
  Net income allocable to common shareholders before income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations(2)   $ 2.45   $ 1.89   $ 2.10  
  Income from discontinued operations     0.02     0.08     0.13  
  Gain from discontinued operations     0.05     0.01     0.01  
   
 
 
 
  Net income allocable to common shareholders(2)   $ 2.52   $ 1.98   $ 2.24  
   
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share:                    
  Net income allocable to common shareholders before income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations(2)(3)   $ 2.36   $ 1.84   $ 2.06  
  Income from discontinued operations     0.02     0.08     0.12  
  Gain from discontinued operations     0.05     0.01     0.01  
   
 
 
 
  Net income allocable to common shareholders(2)(3)   $ 2.43   $ 1.93   $ 2.19  
   
 
 
 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
HPU holders are Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company's High Performance Unit Program.

(2)
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per basic and diluted common share excludes $2,066 and $1,994 of net income allocable to HPU holders, respectively.

(3)
For the year ended December 31, 2003, net income used to calculate earnings per diluted common share includes joint venture income of $167.

        There were approximately 5,000, 167,000 and 261,000 stock options, 0, 6.1 million and 6.1 million warrants and 0, 371,000 and 373,000 joint venture shares that were antidilutive for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Note 12—Comprehensive Income

        In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 ("SFAS No. 130"), "Reporting Comprehensive Income" effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The statement changes the reporting of certain items currently reported as changes in the shareholders' equity section of the balance sheet and establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income shall be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Furthermore, a total amount for comprehensive income shall be displayed in the financial statements. The Company has adopted this standard effective January 1, 1998. Total comprehensive income was $295.5, $228.1 million and $214.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The primary components of comprehensive income other than net income consist of amounts attributable to the adoption and continued application of SFAS No. 133, to the Company's cash flow and fair value hedges and changes in the fair value of the Company's available-for-sale investments.

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        For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the change in fair market value of the Company's unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments and cash flow and fair value hedges was an increase of $3.3 million, an increase of $12.8 million and a decrease of $15.1 million, respectively, and was recorded as an adjustment to other comprehensive income. The reconciliation to other comprehensive income is as follows (in thousands):

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Net income   $ 292,157   $ 215,270   $ 229,912  
Other comprehensive income:                    
Reclassification of gains on securities into earnings upon realization     (12,031 )        
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments     8,103     7,601     5,709  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (SFAS No. 133) on other comprehensive income             (9,445 )
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow and fair value hedges     7,237     5,190     (11,336 )
   
 
 
 
Comprehensive income   $ 295,466   $ 228,061   $ 214,840  
   
 
 
 

        Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments and cash flow and fair value hedges are recorded as adjustments to shareholders' equity through "Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in adjusted earnings or net income unless realized.

        As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, accumulated other comprehensive income reflected in the Company's shareholders' equity is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 
  As of December 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments   $ 9,362   $ 13,290  
Unrealized losses on cash flow and fair value hedges     (8,354 )   (15,591 )
   
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)   $ 1,008   $ (2,301 )
   
 
 

        Over time, the unrealized gains and losses held in other comprehensive income will be reclassified to earnings in the same period(s) in which the hedged items are recognized in earnings. The current balance held in other comprehensive income is expected to be reclassified to earnings over the lives of the current hedging instruments, or for the realized losses on forecasted debt transactions, over the related term of the debt obligation, as applicable. The Company expects that $6.6 million will be reclassified into earnings as an increase in interest expense over the next 12 months.

Note 13—Dividends

        For the year ended December 31, 2003, total dividends declared by the Company aggregated $267.8 million, or $2.65 per share on Common Stock consisting of quarterly dividends of $0.6625 per share which were declared on April 1, 2003, July 1, 2003, October 1, 2003 and December 1, 2003. The Company also declared dividends aggregating $14.3 million, $4.7 million, $3.0 million, $8.0 million, $4.9 million,

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$1.7 million and $170,000, respectively, on its Series A, B, C, D, E, F and G preferred stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2003. There are no divided arrearages on any of the preferred shares currently outstanding.

        The Series A preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share and carries an initial dividend yield of 9.50% per annum. The dividend rate on the preferred shares will increase to 9.75% on December 15, 2005, to 10.00% on December 15, 2006 and to 10.25% on December 15, 2007 and thereafter. Dividends on the Series A preferred shares are payable quarterly in arrears and are cumulative. As of December 31, 2003, all Series A preferred shares have been exchanged for either Series E preferred stock or Series G preferred stock and therefore the Company will no longer pay dividends on the Series A preferred stock.

        Holders of shares of the Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 9.375% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $2.34 per share. Dividends are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears on or before the 15th day of each March, June, September and December or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day. Any dividend payable on the Series B preferred stock for any partial dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as of the close of business on the first day of the calendar month in which the applicable dividend payment date falls or on another date designated by the Board of Directors of the Company for the payment of dividends that is not more than 30 nor less than ten days prior to the dividend payment date.

        Holders of shares of the Series C preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 9.20% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $2.30 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series C preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series B preferred stock described above.

        Holders of shares of the Series D preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 8.00% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $2.00 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series D preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series B preferred stock described above.

        Holders of shares of the Series E preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.875% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.97 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series E preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series B preferred stock described above.

        Holders of shares of the Series F preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.80% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.95 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series F preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series B preferred stock described above.

92



        Holders of shares of the Series G preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 7.65% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, equivalent to a fixed annual rate of $1.91 per share. The remaining terms relating to dividends of the Series G preferred stock are substantially identical to the terms of the Series B preferred stock described above.

        The 2002 and 2003 High Performance Unit Program reached their valuation dates on December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Based on the Company's 2002 and 2003 total rate of return, the participants are entitled to receive cash dividends on 819,254 shares and 987,149 shares, respectively, of the Company's Common Stock. The Company will pay dividends on these units in the same amount per equivalent share and on the same distribution dates as shares of the Company's Common Stock. Such dividend payments for the 2002 plan began with the first quarter 2003 dividend and such dividends for the 2003 plan will begin with the first quarter 2004 dividend. All dividends to HPU holders will reduce net income allocable to common shareholders when paid. Additionally, net income allocable to common shareholders will be reduced by the HPU holders' share of undistributed earnings, if any.

        The exact amount of future quarterly dividends to common shareholders will be determined by the Board of Directors based on the Company's actual and expected operations for the fiscal year and the Company's overall liquidity position.

Note 14—Fair Values of Financial Instruments

        SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments" ("SFAS No. 107"), requires the disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial instruments. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Quoted market prices, if available, are utilized as estimates of the fair values of financial instruments. Because no quoted market prices exist for a significant part of the Company's financial instruments, the fair values of such instruments have been derived based on management's assumptions, the amount and timing of future cash flows and estimated discount rates. The estimation methods for individual classifications of financial instruments are described more fully below. Different assumptions could significantly affect these estimates. Accordingly, the net realizable values could be materially different from the estimates presented below. The provisions of SFAS No. 107 do not require the disclosure of the fair value of non-financial instruments, including intangible assets or the Company's CTL assets.

        In addition, the estimates are only indicative of the value of individual financial instruments and should not be considered an indication of the fair value of the Company as an operating business.

        Short-term financial instruments—The carrying values of short-term financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments approximate the fair values of these instruments. These financial instruments generally expose the Company to limited credit risk and have no stated maturities, or have an average maturity of less than 90 days and carry interest rates which approximate market.

        Loans and other lending investments—For the Company's interests in loans and other lending investments, the fair values were estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows (excluding participation interests in the sale or refinancing proceeds of the underlying collateral) using estimated

93



current market rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings for the same remaining maturities.

        Marketable securities—Securities held for investment, securities available for sale, loans held for sale, trading account instruments, long-term debt and trust preferred securities traded actively in the secondary market have been valued using quoted market prices.

        Other financial instruments—The carrying value of other financial instruments including, restricted cash, accrued interest receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate the fair values of the instruments.

        Debt obligations—A portion of the Company's existing debt obligations bear interest at fixed margins over LIBOR. Such margins may be higher or lower than those at which the Company could currently replace the related financing arrangements. Other obligations of the Company bear interest at fixed rates, which may differ from prevailing market interest rates. As a result, the fair values of the Company's debt obligations were estimated by discounting current debt balances from December 31, 2003 and 2002 to maturity using estimated current market rates at which the Company could enter into similar financing arrangements.

        Interest rate protection agreements—The fair value of interest rate protection agreements such as interest rate caps, floors, collars and swaps used for hedging purposes (see Note 9) is the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and current creditworthiness of the respective counterparties.

        The book and fair values of financial instruments as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 were (in thousands):

 
  2003
  2002
 
 
  Book
Value

  Fair
Value

  Book
Value

  Fair
Value

 
Financial assets:                          
  Loans and other lending investments   $ 3,736,110   $ 3,978,715   $ 3,079,592   $ 3,301,452  
  Marketable securities     20,265     20,265     35     35  
  Provision for loan losses     (33,436 )   (33,436 )   (29,250 )   (29,250 )
Financial liabilities:                          
  Debt obligations     4,113,732     4,253,279     3,461,590   $ 3,500,927  
  Interest rate protection agreements     6,506     6,506     3,145     3,145  

Note 15—Segment Reporting

        Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 131 ("SFAS No. 131") establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected financial information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders.

        The Company has two reportable segments: Real Estate Lending and Corporate Tenant Leasing. The Company does not have any foreign operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 3. The Company has no single customer that accounts for more than 3.51% of revenues (see Note 9 for other information regarding concentrations of credit risk).

94



        The Company evaluates performance based on the following financial measures for each segment:

 
  Real Estate
Lending

  Corporate
Tenant
Leasing

  Corporate/
Other(1)

  Company
Total

 
 
  (In thousands)

 
2003:                          
Total revenues(2):   $ 338,946   $ 267,740   $ (137 ) $ 606,549  
Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconcolidated subsidiaries:         (2,019 )   (2,265 )   (4,284 )
Total operating and interest expense(3):     90,648     127,568     98,726     316,942  
Net operating income(4):     248,298     138,153     (101,128 )   285,323  
Total long-lived assets(5):     3,702,674     2,535,885     N/A     6,238,559  
Total assets:     3,810,679     2,729,716     120,195     6,660,590  
2002:                          
Total revenues(2):   $ 279,159   $ 241,432   $ (324 ) $ 520,267  
Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries:         5,081     (3,859 )   1,222  
Total operating and interest expense(3):     94,273     104,182     115,933     314,388  
Net operating income(4):     184,886     142,331     (120,116 )   207,101  
Total long-lived assets(5):     3,050,342     2,291,805     N/A     5,342,147  
Total assets:     3,126,219     2,442,087     43,391     5,611,697  
2001:                          
Total revenues(2):   $ 282,802   $ 181,967   $ (371 ) $ 464,398  
Equity in (loss) earnings from joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries:         9,617     (2,256 )   7,361  
Total operating and interest expense(3):     109,569     75,889     67,463     252,921  
Net operating income(4):     173,233     115,695     (70,090 )   218,838  
Total long-lived assets(5):     2,377,763     1,781,565     N/A     4,159,328  
Total assets:     2,448,493     1,889,879     42,268     4,380,640  

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Corporate and Other represents all corporate level items, including general and administrative expenses and any intercompany eliminations necessary to reconcile to the consolidated Company totals. This caption also includes the Company's servicing business, which is not considered a material separate segment.

(2)
Total revenues represents all revenues earned during the period from the assets in each segment. Revenue from the Real Estate Lending business primarily represents interest income and revenue from the Corporate Tenant Leasing business primarily represents operating lease income.

(3)
Total operating and interest expense represents provision for loan losses, loss on early extinguishment of debt for the Real Estate Lending business and operating costs on CTL assets for the Corporate Tenant Leasing business, as well as interest expense specifically related to each segment. Interest expense on unsecured notes, general and administrative expense and general and administrative-stock-based compensation is included in Corporate and Other for all periods. Depreciation and amortization of $55.3 million, $46.9 million and $34.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, are included in the amounts presented above.

(4)
Net operating income represents net income before minority interest, income from discontinued operations and gain from discontinued operations.

(5)
Total long-lived assets is comprised of Loans and Other Lending Investments, net and Corporate Tenant Lease Assets, net, for each respective segment.

95


Note 16—Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

      The following table sets forth the selected quarterly financial data for the Company (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 
  Quarter Ended
 
  December 31,
  September 30,
  June 30,
  March 31,
2003:                        
Revenue   $ 164,268   $ 152,057   $ 148,203   $ 142,021
Net income     79,580     74,878     69,746     67,953
Net income allocable to common shares     68,835     66,082     60,025     58,241
Net income per common share-basic   $ 0.67   $ 0.66   $ 0.60   $ 0.59
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic     102,603     100,687     99,445     98,472

2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Revenue   $ 139,908   $ 132,943   $ 129,651   $ 117,765
Net income     62,976     52,670     42,513     57,111
Net income allocable to common shares     53,749     43,443     33,286     47,884
Net income per common share-basic   $ 0.57   $ 0.49   $ 0.38   $ 0.55
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic     93,671     89,431     88,656     87,724

Note 17—Subsequent Events

        Financing Transactions—On January 13, 2004, the Company closed $200.0 million of term financing with a leading financial institution that is secured by certain corporate bond investments and other lending securities. A number of these investments were previously financed under existing credit facilities. The new facility bears interest at LIBOR + 1.05%-1.50% and has a final maturity date of January 2006.

        Hedging Transactions—On March 11, 2004, the Company entered into $635.0 million of pay-fixed interest rate swaps at a weighted average fixed rate of 1.14% and maturing September 2004.

        On January 23, 2004, in connection with the Company's fixed-rate corporate bonds, the Company entered into four pay-floating interest rate swaps struck at 3.678%, 3.713%, 3.686% and 3.684% with notional amounts of $105.0 million, $100.0 million, $100.0 million and $45.0 million, respectively, and maturing on January 15, 2009. The Company pays six-month LIBOR and receives the stated fixed rate in return. These swaps mitigate the risk of changes in the fair value of $350.0 million of five-year Senior Notes attributable to changes in LIBOR.

        In addition, on January 15, 2004, the Company entered into three forward starting swaps all with 10-year terms and rates of 4.484%, 4.502% and 4.500% and notional amounts of $100.0 million, $50.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and were used to lock-in swap rates related to a portion of planned future corporate unsecured fixed-rate bond issuances. These three swaps were settled in connection with the Company's issuance of $250.0 million of 10-year Senior Notes in March 2004 (see discussion below).

        Capital Market Transactions—On March 12, 2004, the Company issued $175.0 million of Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2007. The Notes will bear interest at three-month LIBOR + 1.25%. The Company used the net proceeds to repay secured indebtedness.

        On March 2, 2004, the Company issued $250.0 million of 5.70% Senior Notes due 2014. The Notes were sold at 99.66% of their principal amount to yield 5.75%. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations

96



of the Company. The Company used the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including to repay secured indebtedness and to fund investment activity.

        On February 25, 2004, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5.0 million shares of its 7.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and a redemption date beginning March 1, 2009. The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering of $121.0 million to redeem approximately $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008 at a price of 108.75% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

        On January 23, 2004, the Company issued $350.0 million of 4.875% Senior Notes due in 2009. The Notes were sold at 99.89% of their principal amount to yield 4.90%. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Company used the proceeds to repay outstanding secured borrowings.

        On January 22, 2004, the Company completed a private placement of 3.3 million shares of its Series H Variable Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share and redeemable at par at any time from the purchase date through the first four months. The dividends on the Series H Preferred Stock will accrue at 7.65%, 8.15%, 8.65%, 9.15% and 9.65% for month one, two, three, four, five and thereafter, respectively. The Company specifically used the proceeds from this offering to redeem the Series B and C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock on February 23, 2004. On January 27, 2004, the Company redeemed all Series H Preferred Stock using excess liquidity from its secured credit facilities.

        New CEO Employment Agreement—The March 2001 employment agreement with the Company's Chief Executive Officer expires on March 30, 2004. Subsequent to December 31, 2003, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer which will take effect upon the expiration of the old agreement. The new agreement has an initial term of three years and provides for the following compensation:

        In addition, the Chief Executive Officer will purchase an 80.00% interest in the Company's 2006 high performance unit program for directors and executive officers. This performance program was approved by the Company's shareholders in 2003 and is described in detail in the Company's 2003 annual proxy statement. The purchase price to be paid by the Chief Executive Officer will be based upon a valuation prepared by an independent investment-banking firm. The interests purchased by the Chief Executive Officer will have no value to him unless the Company achieves total shareholder returns in excess of those achieved by peer group indices, all as more fully described in the Company's 2003 annual proxy statement.

97


Description

  Balance at
Beginning
of Period

  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

  Additions
Charges to
Other
Accounts

  Deductions
  Balance at
End
of Period

For the Year Ended December 31, 2001                              
  Provision for loan losses(1)   $ 14,000   $ 7,000   $   $   $ 21,000
  Allowance for doubtful accounts(2)     165     158             323
   
 
 
 
 
    $ 14,165   $ 7,158   $   $   $ 21,323
For the Year Ended December 31, 2002                              
  Provision for loan losses(1)   $ 21,000   $ 8,250   $   $   $ 29,250
  Allowance for doubtful accounts(2)     323     284             607
   
 
 
 
 
    $ 21,323   $ 8,534   $   $   $ 29,857
For the Year Ended December 31, 2003                              
  Provision for loan losses(1)   $ 29,250   $ 7,500   $   $ (3,314 ) $ 33,436
  Allowance for doubtful accounts(2)     607     193             800
   
 
 
 
 
    $ 29,857   $ 7,693   $   $ (3,314 ) $ 34,236

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
See Note 4 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)
See Note 3 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

98


iStar Financial Inc.
Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation
As of December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amount Carried
at Close of Period

   
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost to Company
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
  Cost
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition

   
   
   
Location

  State
  Encumbrances
  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Total
  Accumulated
Depreciation

  Date
Acquired

  Depreciable
Life
(Years)

OFFICE FACILITIES:                                                            
Tempe   AZ   $   $ 1,512   $ 9,731   $   $ 1,512   $ 9,731   $ 11,243   $ 1,014   1999   40.0
Tempe   AZ         1,033     6,652         1,033     6,652     7,685     693   1999   40.0
Tempe   AZ         1,033     6,652     205     1,033     6,857     7,890     698   1999   40.0
Tempe   AZ         1,033     6,652         1,033     6,652     7,685     693   1999   40.0
Tempe   AZ     3,534     701     4,339         701     4,339     5,040     452   1999   40.0
Anaheim   CA     12,879     3,512     13,379     45     3,512     13,424     16,936     1,398   1999   40.0
Commerce   CA     9,693     3,454     12,915         3,454     12,915     16,369     1,345   1999   40.0
Cupertino   CA     17,093     7,994     19,037     2     7,994     19,039     27,033     1,983   1999   40.0
Dublin   CA     69,066     17,040     84,549         17,040     84,549     101,589     3,982   2002   40.0
Fremont   CA         880     4,846         880     4,846     5,726     505   1999   40.0
Milpitas   CA     8,516     9,526     11,655     785     9,526     12,440     21,966     792   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA     5,418     4,139     5,064     529     4,139     5,593     9,732     509   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA     19,939     9,802     12,116     115     9,802     12,231     22,033     856   2002   40.0
Mountain View   CA         12,834     28,158         12,834     28,158     40,992     2,933   1999   40.0
Mountain View   CA         5,798     12,720         5,798     12,720     18,518     1,325   1999   40.0
Palo Alto   CA     9,011         19,168     37         19,205     19,205     1,999   1999   40.0
Redondo Beach   CA     8,331     2,598     9,212         2,598     9,212     11,810     960   1999   40.0
San Diego   CA     3,572     1,530     3,060         1,530     3,060     4,590     319   1999   40.0
Thousand Oaks   CA     16,991     4,563     24,911         4,563     24,911     29,474     2,595   1999   40.0
Aurora   CO     2,928     580     3,677         580     3,677     4,257     184   2001   40.0
Englewood   CO         1,757     16,930     619     1,757     17,549     19,306     1,883   1999   40.0
Englewood   CO         2,967     15,008     7     2,967     15,015     17,982     1,563   1999   40.0
Englewood   CO         8,536     27,428     7,596     8,536     35,024     43,560     3,222   1999   40.0
Ft. Collins   CO     12,323         16,752             16,752     16,752     737   2002   40.0
Westminster   CO         307     3,524         307     3,524     3,831     367   1999   40.0
Westminster   CO         616     7,290         616     7,290     7,906     759   1999   40.0
Jacksonville   FL         1,384     3,911         1,384     3,911     5,295     407   1999   40.0
Jacksonville   FL     2,323     877     2,237     445     877     2,682     3,559     259   1999   40.0
Jacksonville   FL     6,279     2,366     6,072     1,095     2,366     7,167     9,533     692   1999   40.0
Plantation   FL         7,118     23,648         7,118     23,648     30,766     2   2003   40.0
Tampa   FL     11,367     1,920     18,435         1,920     18,435     20,355     909   2002   40.0
Alpharetta   GA         905     6,744     18     905     6,762     7,667     707   1999   40.0
Atlanta   GA     36,243     5,709     49,091     6,932     5,709     56,023     61,732     6,159   1999   40.0
Duluth   GA     7,612     1,655     14,484     48     1,655     14,532     16,187     1,513   1999   40.0
Lisle   IL         6,153     14,993         6,153     14,993     21,146     1,562   1999   40.0
Vernon Hills   IL     8,999     1,400     12,597         1,400     12,597     13,997     1,312   1999   40.0

99


iStar Financial Inc.
Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Continued)
As of December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amount Carried at
Close of Period

   
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost to Company
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
  Cost
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition

   
   
   
Location

  State
  Encumbrances
  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Total
  Accumulated
Depreciation

  Date
Acquired

  Depreciable
Life
(Years)

OFFICE FACILITIES (Continued):                                            
New Orleans   LA     1,427   24,252   1,905   1,427   26,157   27,584   3,014   1999   40.0
New Orleans   LA   52,439   1,665   16,653   2,539   1,665   19,192   20,857   2,084   1999   40.0
Andover   MA     639   7,176   9   639   7,185   7,824   748   1999   40.0
Andover   MA     1,787   8,486     1,787   8,486   10,273   884   1999   40.0
Braintree   MA     792   4,929   44   792   4,973   5,765   517   1999   40.0
Braintree   MA     2,225   7,403   148   2,225   7,551   9,776   777   1999   40.0
Canton   MA     742   3,155   103   742   3,258   4,000   336   1999   40.0
Canton   MA     1,409   3,890   41   1,409   3,931   5,340   408   1999   40.0
Canton   MA     1,077   2,746   80   1,077   2,826   3,903   297   1999   40.0
Chelmsford   MA   20,451   1,600   21,947   24   1,600   21,971   23,571   966   2002   40.0
Concord   MA   11,019   1,656     8,476   1,656   8,476   10,132   839   1999   40.0
Concord   MA   8,218   1,852   10,839   622   2,303   11,010   13,313   1,139   1999   40.0
Concord   MA   5,828   1,302   7,864   281   1,302   8,145   9,447   836   1999   40.0
Concord   MA   7,984   1,834   10,483   146   1,834   10,629   12,463   1,103   1999   40.0
Concord   MA     1,928   8,218   1,251   1,928   9,469   11,397   954   1999   40.0
Foxborough   MA   2,852   1,218   3,756   1   1,218   3,757   4,975   391   1999   40.0
Mansfield   MA   719   584   1,443   42   584   1,485   2,069   153   1999   40.0
Norwell   MA     1,140   1,658   32   1,140   1,690   2,830   176   1999   40.0
Norwell   MA   1,797   506   2,277   522   506   2,799   3,305   369   1999   40.0
Quincy   MA   13,118   3,562   23,420   290   3,562   23,710   27,272   2,460   1999   40.0
Rockland   MA     2,011   11,761   83   2,011   11,844   13,855   1,229   1999   40.0
Westborough   MA   7,265   1,651   10,758     1,651   10,758   12,409   1,121   1999   40.0
Lanham   MD   10,435   2,486   12,047   164   2,486   12,211   14,697   1,271   1999   40.0
Largo   MD   18,851   1,800   18,706   21   1,800   18,727   20,527   742   2002   40.0
Arden Hills   MN     719   6,541   236   719   6,777   7,496   703   1999   40.0
Roseville   MN   3,533   1,113   4,452   157   1,113   4,609   5,722   480   1999   40.0
Jersey City   NJ   135,000   15,667   162,583   2   15,667   162,585   178,252   1,041   2003   40.0
Mt. Laurel   NJ   60,874   7,726   74,429   10   7,726   74,439   82,165   1,976   2002   40.0
Parsippany   NJ   26,640   8,242   31,758     8,242   31,758   40,000   610   2003   40.0
Las Vegas (1)   NV   26,249   2,103   32,640   729   2,103   33,369   35,472     2002  
Columbus   OH   8,433   1,275   10,326   13   1,275   10,339   11,614   584   2001   40.0
Harrisburg   PA   17,261   690   26,098     690   26,098   26,788   1,489   2001   40.0
Spartanburg   SC   7,067   800   11,192   5   800   11,197   11,997   573   2001   40.0
Memphis   TN   17,387   2,702   25,129     2,702   25,129   27,831   2,618   1999   40.0
Dallas   TX   4,467   1,918   4,632     1,918   4,632   6,550   483   1999   40.0

100


iStar Financial Inc.
Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Continued)
As of December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amount Carried at
Close of Period

   
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost to Company
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
  Cost
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition

   
   
   
Location

  State
  Encumbrances
  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Total
  Accumulated
Depreciation

  Date
Acquired

  Depreciable
Life
(Years)

OFFICE FACILITIES (Continued):                                            
Houston   TX   19,595   2,500   25,743     2,500   25,743   28,243   1,288   2001   40.0
Irving   TX     6,083   42,016     6,083   42,016   48,099   4,377   1999   40.0
Irving   TX     1,364   10,628   1,007   2,371   10,628   12,999   1,107   1999   40.0
Irving   TX     1,804   5,815   547   1,804   6,362   8,166   633   1999   40.0
Irving   TX   17,307   3,363   21,376     3,363   21,376   24,739   2,227   1999   40.0
Richardson   TX     1,233   15,160   36   1,233   15,196   16,429   1,296   1999   40.0
Richardson   TX     2,932   31,235     2,932   31,235   34,167   3,254   1999   40.0
Richardson   TX     1,230   5,660   256   1,230   5,916   7,146   598   1999   40.0
Salt Lake City   UT     1,179   12,861     1,179   12,861   14,040   1,340   1999   40.0
Dulles   VA   9,867   2,647   14,817     2,647   14,817   17,464   282   2003   40.0
McLean   VA   106,558   20,110   125,516   95   20,110   125,611   145,721   5,123   2002   40.0
Reston   VA     4,436   22,362   1,859   4,436   24,221   28,657   2,354   1999   40.0
Milwaukee   WI   10,833   1,875   13,914     1,875   13,914   15,789   1,449   1999   40.0
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Subtotal       904,164   263,836   1,498,387   40,254   265,294   1,537,183   1,802,477   105,987        
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES:                                            
Burlingame   CA     1,219   3,470     1,219   3,470   4,689   361   1999   40.0
City of Industry   CA     5,002   11,766     5,002   11,766   16,768   1,226   1999   40.0
East Los Angeles   CA     9,334   12,501     9,334   12,501   21,835   1,302   1999   40.0
Millbrae   CA     741   2,107     741   2,107   2,848   219   1999   40.0
Fremont   CA     1,086   7,964     1,086   7,964   9,050   830   1999   40.0
Fremont   CA     654   4,591     654   4,591   5,245   478   1999   40.0
Milpitas   CA   6,537   5,051   6,170   328   5,051   6,498   11,549   456   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA   8,572   6,856   8,378     6,856   8,378   15,234   587   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA   2,213   2,633   3,219   279   2,633   3,498   6,131   245   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA   3,676   4,119   5,034     4,119   5,034   9,153   350   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA   2,664   3,044   3,716   590   3,044   4,306   7,350   484   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA   9,227   4,095   8,323   567   4,095   8,890   12,985   889   1999   40.0
Milpitas   CA   9,815   5,617   6,877   618   5,617   7,495   13,112   562   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA     4,880   12,367   1,498   4,880   13,865   18,745   1,906   1999   40.0
Milpitas   CA   7,530   4,600   5,627   201   4,600   5,828   10,428   443   2002   40.0
Milpitas   CA   3,057   3,000   3,669     3,000   3,669   6,669   260   2002   40.0
San Jose   CA     9,677   23,288   661   9,677   23,949   33,626   2,429   1999   40.0
Walnut Creek   CA   8,175   808   8,306   552   808   8,858   9,666   958   1999   40.0
Walnut Creek   CA     571   5,874     571   5,874   6,445   612   1999   40.0
Jacksonville   FL     2,310   5,435     2,310   5,435   7,745   566   1999   40.0
Miami   FL     3,048   8,676     3,048   8,676   11,724   904   1999   40.0

101


iStar Financial Inc.
Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Continued)
As of December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amount Carried at
Close of Period

   
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost to Company
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
  Cost
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition

   
   
   
Location

  State
  Encumbrances
  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Total
  Accumulated
Depreciation

  Date
Acquired

  Depreciable
Life
(Years)

INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES (Continued):                                            
Miami   FL     1,394   3,967     1,394   3,967   5,361   413   1999   40.0
Miami   FL     1,612   4,586     1,612   4,586   6,198   478   1999   40.0
Orlando   FL     1,475   4,198     1,475   4,198   5,673   437   1999   40.0
McDonough   GA   12,059   1,900   14,318     1,900   14,318   16,218   724   2001   40.0
Stockbridge   GA   14,681   1,350   18,393     1,350   18,393   19,743   929   2001   40.0
DeKalb   IL   22,021   1,600   28,015     1,600   28,015   29,615   1,416   2001   40.0
Dixon   IL   13,620   519   15,363     519   15,363   15,882   97   2003   40.0
Lincolnshire   IL     3,192   7,508     3,192   7,508   10,700   782   1999   40.0
Marion   IN   2,581   131   4,254     131   4,254   4,385   443   1999   40.0
Seymour   IN   16,376   550   22,240   120   550   22,360   22,910   1,680   2000   40.0
South Bend   IN     140   4,640     140   4,640   4,780   483   1999   40.0
Wichita   KS     213   3,189     213   3,189   3,402   332   1999   40.0
Campbellsville   KY   15,027   400   17,219   45   400   17,264   17,664   477   2002   40.0
Lakeville   MA   4,328   1,012   4,048     1,012   4,048   5,060   422   1999   40.0
Randolph   MA   2,247   615   3,471     615   3,471   4,086   362   1999   40.0
Baltimore   MD   5,740   1,535   9,324   124   1,535   9,448   10,983   979   1999   40.0
Bloomington   MN     403   1,147     403   1,147   1,550   119   1999   40.0
O'Fallon   MO     1,388   12,700     1,388   12,700   14,088   1,323   1999   40.0
Reno   NV     248   707     248   707   955   74   1999   40.0
Astoria   NY     897   2,555     897   2,555   3,452   266   1999   40.0
Astoria   NY     1,796   5,109     1,796   5,109   6,905   532   1999   40.0
Garden City   NY   11,100   8,400   6,430     8,400   6,430   14,830   40   2003   40.0
Lockbourne   OH   14,366   2,000   17,320     2,000   17,320   19,320   875   2001   40.0
Richfield   OH   11,775   2,327     12,210   2,327   12,210   14,537   678   2000   40.0
Philadelphia   PA     620   1,765     620   1,765   2,385   184   1999   40.0
York   PA   24,957   2,850   30,713     2,850   30,713   33,563   1,552   2001   40.0
Spartanburg   SC     943   16,836     943   16,836   17,779   1,754   1999   40.0
Memphis   TN   15,495   1,486   23,279   100   1,486   23,379   24,865   2,426   1999   40.0
Allen   TX     1,238   9,224     1,238   9,224   10,462   961   1999   40.0
Farmers Branch   TX   6,935   1,314   8,903   18   1,314   8,921   10,235   928   1999   40.0
Richardson   TX   6,803   858   8,556     858   8,556   9,414   891   1999   40.0
Terrell   TX   16,778   400   22,163     400   22,163   22,563   1,120   2001   40.0
Seattle   WA     828   2,355     828   2,355   3,183   245   1999   40.0
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Subtotal       278,355   123,979   491,853   17,911   123,979   509,764   633,743   40,489        
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       

102


iStar Financial Inc.
Schedule III—Corporate Tenant Lease Assets and Accumulated Depreciation (Continued)
As of December 31, 2002
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amount Carried at
Close of Period

   
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost to Company
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
  Cost
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition

   
   
   
Location

  State
  Encumbrances
  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Land
  Building and
Improvements

  Total
  Accumulated
Depreciation

  Date
Acquired

  Depreciable
Life
(Years)

GROUND LEASE:                                                            
San Jose   CA         82,212         (41,106 )   41,106         41,106       2000    

LAND:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Concord   MA         1,267             1,267         1,267       1999    
Irving   TX         5,243             5,243         5,243       2002    
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Subtotal           6,510             6,510         6,510              
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
PARKING GARAGE:                                                            
New Orleans   LA         4,241     6,462     4     4,241     6,466     10,707     677   1999   40.0

ENTERTAINMENT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
San Diego   CA             18,000             18,000     18,000     101   2003   40.0
Quincy   WA         1,500     6,500         1,500     6,500     8,000     37   2003   40.0
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Subtotal             1,500     24,500         1,500     24,500     26,000     138        
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
HOTEL:                                                            
Sacramento   CA     140,440     1,281     9,809         1,281     9,809     11,090     1,804   1998   40.0
San Diego   CA         4,394     27,030         4,394     27,030     31,424     5,112   1998   40.0
Sonoma   CA         3,308     20,623         3,308     20,623     23,931     3,893   1998   40.0
Durango   CO         1,242     7,865         1,242     7,865     9,107     1,482   1998   40.0
Boise   ID         968     6,405         968     6,405     7,373     1,199   1998   40.0
Missoula   MT         210     1,607         210     1,607     1,817     296   1998   40.0
Astoria   OR         269     2,043         269     2,043     2,312     376   1998   40.0
Bend   OR         233     1,726         233     1,726     1,959     319   1998   40.0
Coos Bay   OR         404     3,049         404     3,049     3,453     562   1998   40.0
Eugene   OR         361     2,721         361     2,721     3,082     501   1998   40.0
Medford   OR         609     4,668         609     4,668     5,277     858   1998   40.0
Pendleton   OR         556     4,245         556     4,245     4,801     781   1998   40.0
Salt Lake City   UT         5,620     32,695         5,620     32,695     38,315     6,233   1998   40.0
Kelso   WA         502     3,779         502     3,779     4,281     696   1998   40.0
Seattle   WA         5,101     32,080         5,101     32,080     37,181     6,048   1998   40.0
Vancouver   WA         507     3,981         507     3,981     4,488     730   1998   40.0
Wenatchee   WA         513     3,825         513     3,825     4,338     706   1998   40.0
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Subtotal         140,440     26,078     168,151         26,078     168,151     194,229     31,596        
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Total corporate tenant lease assets       $ 1,322,959   $ 508,356   $ 2,189,353   $ 17,063   $ 468,708   $ 2,246,064   $ 2,714,772   $ 178,887        
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       

Explanatory Note:


(1)
Represents Direct Financing Lease

103


iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Schedule III
December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

1. Reconciliation of Corporate Tenant Lease Assets:

        The following table reconciles CTL assets from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003:

 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Balance at January 1   $ 2,420,314   $ 1,861,786   $ 1,639,062  
Additions     335,776     606,653     248,804  
Dispositions     (41,318 )   (3,106 )   (26,080 )
Assets classified as held for sale         (45,019 )    
   
 
 
 
Balance at December 31   $ 2,714,772   $ 2,420,314   $ 1,861,786  
   
 
 
 

2. Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation:

        The following table reconciles Accumulated Depreciation from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003:

 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Balance at January 1   $ (128,509 ) $ (80,221 ) $ (46,975 )
Additions     (53,777 )   (48,615 )   (33,898 )
Dispositions     3,399     131     652  
Assets classified as held for sale         196      
   
 
 
 
Balance at December 31   $ (178,887 ) $ (128,509 ) $ (80,221 )
   
 
 
 

104


iStar Financial Inc.
Schedule IV-Loans and Other Lending Investments
As of December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

Type of Loan/Borrower

  Description/Location
  Interest Accrual
Rates

  Interest Payment
Rates

  Final Maturity
Date

  Periodic
Payment
Terms(1)

  Prior
Liens(2)

  Face
Amount
of Loans

  Carrying
Amount of
Loans

 
Senior Mortgages:                                        
  Borrower A(3)   Office, Detroit, MI   7.03%   7.03%   9/11/09   P&I   $   $ 174,881   $ 160,410  
All other senior mortgages individually < 3%                             1,968,445     1,946,381  
                       
 
 
 
                              2,143,326     2,106,791  
                       
 
 
 
Subordinate Mortgages:                                        
Subordinate mortgages individually < 3%                         1,924,773     551,634     550,572  
                       
 
 
 
                          1,924,773     551,634     550,572  
                       
 
 
 

Corporate/Partnership Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Borrower A(3)   Office, Detroit, MI   12.67%   12.67%   9/11/09   IO         6,729     6,617  
  Borrower B(3)   Residential, Various States   LIBOR + 5.00%   LIBOR + 5.00%   3/01/05   IO     672,720     30,716     30,716  
All other corporate/partnership loans individually < 3%                         3,627,366     703,084     673,136  
                       
 
 
 
                          4,300,086     740,529     710,469  
                       
 
 
 
Other Lending Investments-Loans:                                        
Other lending investments-loans individually < 3%                         63,000     26,096     23,767  
                       
 
 
 
                          63,000     26,096     23,767  
                       
 
 
 

Other Lending Investments-Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Borrower B(3)   Residential, Various States   10.00%   10.00%   8/15/05   IO         150,000     138,189  
All other lending investments-securities individually < 3%                         4,908,669     214,050     206,322  
                       
 
 
 
                          4,908,669     364,050     344,511  
                       
 
 
 
Subtotal                         11,196,528     3,825,635     3,736,110  
                       
 
 
 
Provision for Loan Losses                             & #151;   (33,436 )
                       
 
 
 
Total:                       $ 11,196,528   $ 3,825,635   $ 3,702,674  
                       
 
 
 

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
P&I = principal and interest, IO = interest only.
(2)
Represents only third-party liens and excludes senior loans held by the Company from the same borrower on the same collateral.
(3)
Loan is a part of a common borrowing provided by the Company (see corresponding letter reference).

105


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

        None.

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures

        The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company has formed a disclosure committee that is responsible for considering the materiality of information and determining the disclosure obligations of the Company on a timely basis. The disclosure committee reports directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer is currently a member of the disclosure committee.

        As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the disclosure committee and other members of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to timely alert them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's Exchange Act filings.

        There have been no significant changes during the last fiscal quarter in the Company's internal controls that could significantly affect internal controls.


PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

        Portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

        Portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        Portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

        Portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accountants Fees and Services

        Portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year are incorporated herein by reference.

106



PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

107



INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

  Document Description
1.1   Underwriting Agreement dated August 9, 2001 relating to the Company's 83/4% Senior Notes due 2008. (9)
1.2   Purchase Agreement dated November 14, 2002. (13)
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 15, 1999, by and among Starwood Financial Trust, ST Merger Sub, Inc. and TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. (4)
2.2   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 15, 1999, by and among Starwood Financial Trust, Starwood Financial, Inc. and to the extent described therein, TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. (4)
2.3   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 15, 1999, by and among Starwood Financial Trust, SA Merger Sub, Inc., STW Holdings I, Inc., the Stockholders named therein, Starwood Capital Group, L.L.C. and, to the extent described therein, TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. (4)
3.1   Amended and Restated Charter of the Company (including the Articles Supplementary for the Series A, B, C and D Preferred Stock). (6)
3.2   Bylaws of the Company. (7)
3.3   Articles Supplementary for the High Performance Common Stock—Series 1. (12)
3.4   Articles Supplementary for the High Performance Common Stock—Series 2. (12)
3.5   Articles Supplementary for the High Performance Common Stock—Series 3. (12)
3.6   Articles Supplementary for the High Performance Common Stock—Series 4.
3.7   Articles Supplementary relating to the Series E Preferred Stock. (16)
3.8   Articles Supplementary relating to the Series F Preferred Stock. (17)
3.9   Articles Supplementary relating to the Series G Preferred Stock. (18)
3.10   Articles Supplementary relating to the Series H Preferred Stock.
4.1   Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated March 18, 1998 among Starwood Financial Trust and Starwood Mezzanine Investors, L.P., SAHI Partners and SOFI-IV SMT Holdings, L.L.C. (2)
4.2   Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 1998 among Starwood Financial Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, Starwood Mezzanine Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, SOFI-IV SMT Holdings, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, B Holdings, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and Lazard Freres Real Estate Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Lazard Freres Real Estate Offshore Fund II L.P., a Delaware limited Partnership, and LF Mortgage REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust. (3)
4.3   Form of warrant certificates. (3)
4.4   Form of stock certificate for the Company's Common Stock. (5)
4.5   Form of certificate for Series A Preferred Shares of beneficial interest. (3)
4.6   Form of Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2001. (9)
4.7   Form of Global Note evidencing 83/4% Senior Notes 2008. (9)
     

108


4.8   Registration Rights Agreement dated March 24, 2003 between iStar Financial Inc. and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. (15)
4.9   Form of 77/8% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate. (16)
4.10   Registration Rights Agreement dated January 22, 2004 between iStar Financial Inc. and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
4.11   Form of 7.8% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate. (17)
4.12   Form of 7.65% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate. (18)
4.13   Form of Variable Rate Series H Preferred Stock Certificate.
10.1   Starwood Financial Trust 1996 Share Incentive Plan. (2)
10.2   Second Amended and Restated Shareholder's Agreement dated March 18, 1998 among B Holdings, L.L.C., SAHI Partners, Starwood Mezzanine Investors, L.P., SOFI-IV SMT Holdings, L.L.C., and Starwood Financial Trust. (2)
10.3   Indenture, dated May 17, 2000, among iStar Asset Receivables Trust, La Salle Bank National Association and ABN AMRO BANK N.V.(8)
10.4   Purchase Agreement dated October 14, 2001. (10)
10.5   Master Agreement between iStar DB Seller, LLC, Seller and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, Buyer dated January 11, 2001. (11)
10.6   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2002, by and between iStar Financial Inc. and Catherine D. Rice. (14)
10.7   iStar Financial Inc. Code of Conduct.
10.8   Employment Agreement dated February 11, 2004, by and between iStar Financial Inc. and Jay Sugarman.
10.9   Performance Retention Grant Agreement dated February 11, 2004.
10.10   Purchase Agreement dated January 22, 2004 by and between iStar Financial Inc. and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
12.1   Computation of Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense.
12.2   Computation of Ratio of EBITDA to combined fixed charges.
12.3   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to fixed charges and Earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
31.0   Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
32.0   Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Explanatory Notes:


(1)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on May 12, 1998.

(2)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 1997 filed on April 2, 1998.

(3)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-K filed on December 23, 1998.

109


(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 1999.

(5)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 filed on March 30, 2000.

(6)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 filed on May 15, 2000.

(7)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 filed on August 14, 2000.

(8)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 filed on March 30, 2001.

(9)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 filed on November 14, 2001.

(10)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 5, 2001.

(11)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 filed on May 15, 2001.

(12)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

(13)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2002.

(14)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed on March 30, 2003.

(15)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

(16)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-A filed on July 8, 2003.

(17)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-A filed on September 25, 2003.

(18)
Incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-A filed on December 10, 2003.

110



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.
Registrant

Date: March 15, 2004

/s/  
JAY SUGARMAN      
Jay Sugarman
Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 15, 2004

/s/  
CATHERINE D. RICE      
Catherine D. Rice
Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following person on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


 

 

 
Date: March 15, 2004   /s/  JAY SUGARMAN      
Jay Sugarman
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
WILLIS ANDERSEN JR.      
Willis Andersen Jr.
Director

Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
ROBERT W. HOLMAN, JR.      
Robert W. Holman, Jr.
Director

Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
ROBIN JOSEPHS      
Robin Josephs
Director

Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
MATTHEW J. LUSTIG      
Matthew J. Lustig
Director
     

111



Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
JOHN G. MCDONALD      
John G. McDonald
Director

Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
GEORGE R. PUSKAR      
George R. Puskar
Director

Date: March 15, 2004

 

/s/  
JEFFREY WEBER      
Jeffrey Weber
Director

112




QuickLinks

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Product Line
Asset Type
Business
PART II
Estimated Percentage Change In
Report of Independent Auditors
iStar Financial Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except per share data)
iStar Financial Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data)
iStar Financial Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands)
iStar Financial Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PART III
PART IV
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
SIGNATURES