ISTAR INC. - FORM 10-Q - May 4, 2015

Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - ISTAR INC.Financial_Report.xls
EX-32.0 - EXHIBIT 32.0 - ISTAR INC.star-03312015xex320.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - ISTAR INC.star-03312015xex101.htm
EX-31.0 - EXHIBIT 31.0 - ISTAR INC.star-03312015xex310.htm
EX-10.2 - EXHIBIT 10.2 - ISTAR INC.star-03312015xex102.htm

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
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
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
95-6881527
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 39th Floor
 
 
New York, NY
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
10036
(Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 930-9400
_______________________________________________________________________________
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 twelve 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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý    No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ý
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 (Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No ý
As of April 30, 2015, there were 85,519,852 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of iStar Financial Inc. ("Common Stock") outstanding.
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 



PART I. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements
iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
As of
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Real estate
 
 
 
Real estate, at cost
$
2,988,670

 
$
3,145,563

Less: accumulated depreciation
(452,397
)
 
(468,849
)
Real estate, net
2,536,273

 
2,676,714

Real estate available and held for sale
292,608

 
285,982

Total real estate
2,828,881

 
2,962,696

Loans receivable and other lending investments, net
1,537,846

 
1,377,843

Other investments
341,549

 
354,119

Cash and cash equivalents
625,352

 
472,061

Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net
18,450

 
16,367

Deferred operating lease income receivable
96,279

 
98,262

Deferred expenses and other assets, net
204,223

 
181,785

Total assets
$
5,652,580

 
$
5,463,133

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
158,251

 
$
180,902

Debt obligations, net
4,261,528

 
4,022,684

Total liabilities
4,419,779

 
4,203,586

Commitments and contingencies
—

 
—

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
13,203

 
11,199

Equity:
 
 
 
iStar Financial Inc. shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Series D, E, F, G and I, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (see Note 11)
22

 
22

Convertible Preferred Stock Series J, liquidation preference $50.00 per share (see Note 11)
4

 
4

High Performance Units
9,800

 
9,800

Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 146,181 issued and 85,520 outstanding at March 31, 2015 and 145,807 issued and 85,191 outstanding at December 31, 2014
146

 
146

Additional paid-in capital
4,007,540

 
4,007,514

Retained earnings (deficit)
(2,579,771
)
 
(2,556,469
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (see Note 11)
(5,116
)
 
(971
)
Treasury stock, at cost, $0.001 par value, 60,661 shares at March 31, 2015 and 60,617 shares at December 31, 2014
(263,512
)
 
(262,954
)
Total iStar Financial Inc. shareholders' equity
1,169,113

 
1,197,092

Noncontrolling interests
50,485

 
51,256

Total equity
1,219,598

 
1,248,348

Total liabilities and equity
$
5,652,580

 
$
5,463,133

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

1

iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
Operating lease income
$
59,139

 
$
62,108

Interest income
34,896

 
27,914

Other income
10,564

 
14,584

Land development revenue
8,258

 
4,143

Total revenues
112,857

 
108,749

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Interest expense
54,632

 
57,456

Real estate expense
39,634

 
42,613

Land development cost of sales
6,891

 
3,654

Depreciation and amortization
18,501

 
18,613

General and administrative
20,753

 
19,788

Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
4,293

 
(3,400
)
Impairment of assets
—

 
2,979

Other expense
2,123

 
221

Total costs and expenses
146,827

 
141,924

Income (loss) before earnings from equity method investments and other items
(33,970
)
 
(33,175
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
(168
)
 
(1,180
)
Earnings from equity method investments
6,547

 
3,177

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(27,591
)
 
(31,178
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,878
)
 
507

Income (loss) from continuing operations(1)
(33,469
)
 
(30,671
)
Income from sales of real estate
21,156

 
16,494

Net income (loss)
(12,313
)
 
(14,177
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,841

 
(454
)
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 
(10,472
)
 
(14,631
)
Preferred dividends
(12,830
)
 
(12,830
)
Net (income) loss allocable to HPU holders and Participating Security holders(2)(3)
749

 
889

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders
$
(22,553
)
 
$
(26,572
)
Per common share data(1):
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. from continuing operations—Basic and diluted
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(0.31
)
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc.—Basic and diluted
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(0.31
)
Weighted average number of common shares—Basic and diluted
85,497

 
84,819

Per HPU share data(1)(2):
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. from continuing operations—Basic and diluted
$
(49.93
)
 
$
(59.27
)
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc.—Basic and diluted
$
(49.93
)
 
$
(59.27
)
Weighted average number of HPU share—Basic and diluted
15

 
15

Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. was $(31.6) million and $(31.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 13 for details on the calculation of earnings per share.
(2)
HPU holders are current and former Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company's High Performance Unit Program.
(3)
Participating Security holders are non-employee directors who hold common stock equivalents and restricted stock awards granted under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plans that are eligible to participate in dividends (see Note 12 and Note 13).

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

2

iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
(12,313
)
 
$
(14,177
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Reclassification of (gains)/losses on available-for-sale securities into earnings upon realization(1)
(2,531
)
 
—

Reclassification of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges into earnings upon realization(2)
150

 
135

Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities
(575
)
 
68

Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
(945
)
 
(1,762
)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cumulative translation adjustment
(244
)
 
163

Other comprehensive income (loss)
(4,145
)
 
(1,396
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
(16,458
)
 
(15,573
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,844

 
(454
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 
$
(14,614
)
 
$
(16,027
)
Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Included in "Other income" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, $35 and $135, respectively, are included in "Interest expense" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, $115 is included in "Earnings from equity method investments" on the Company Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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

3

iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
(In thousands)
(unaudited)



 
 
iStar Financial Inc. Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred
Stock(1)
 
Preferred Stock Series J(1)
 
HPU's
 
Common
Stock at
Par
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock at
Cost
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
22

 
$
4

 
$
9,800

 
$
146

 
$
4,007,514

 
$
(2,556,469
)
 
$
(971
)
 
$
(262,954
)
 
$
51,256

 
$
1,248,348

Dividends declared—preferred
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,830
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,830
)
Issuance of stock/restricted stock unit amortization, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,054

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,054

Net income (loss) for the period(2)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(10,472
)
 
—

 
—

 
(819
)
 
(11,291
)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(4,145
)
 
—

 
—

 
(4,145
)
Repurchase of stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(558
)
 
—

 
(558
)
Change in additional paid in capital attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,028
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,028
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
52

 
52

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$
22

 
$
4

 
$
9,800

 
$
146

 
$
4,007,540

 
$
(2,579,771
)
 
$
(5,116
)
 
$
(263,512
)
 
$
50,485

 
$
1,219,598



4

iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
(In thousands)
(unaudited)


 
 
iStar Financial Inc. Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred
Stock(1)
 
Preferred Stock Series J(1)
 
HPU's
 
Common
Stock at
Par
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock at
Cost
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
22

 
$
4

 
$
9,800

 
$
144

 
$
4,022,138

 
$
(2,521,618
)
 
$
(4,276
)
 
$
(262,954
)
 
$
58,205

 
$
1,301,465

Dividends declared—preferred
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,830
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,830
)
Issuance of stock/restricted stock unit amortization, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
(8,589
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(8,588
)
Net income (loss) for the period(2)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(14,631
)
 
—

 
—

 
938

 
(13,693
)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,396
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,396
)
Change in additional paid in capital attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(246
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(246
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,595
)
 
(2,595
)
Balance at March 31, 2014
 
$
22

 
$
4

 
$
9,800

 
$
145

 
$
4,013,303

 
$
(2,549,079
)
 
$
(5,672
)
 
$
(262,954
)
 
$
56,548

 
$
1,262,117


Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
See Note 11 for details on the Company's Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
(2)
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, net income (loss) shown above excludes $(1,022) and $(484) of net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

5

iStar Financial Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(12,313
)
 
$
(14,177
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
4,293

 
(3,400
)
Impairment of assets
—

 
2,979

Depreciation and amortization
18,501

 
18,613

Payments for withholding taxes upon vesting of stock-based compensation
(1,683
)
 
(13,456
)
Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation
3,238

 
2,075

Amortization of discounts/premiums and deferred financing costs on debt
4,025

 
4,668

Amortization of discounts/premiums and deferred interest on loans
(19,303
)
 
(12,527
)
Earnings from equity method investments
(6,547
)
 
(3,177
)
Distributions from operations of equity method investments
3,946

 
8,630

Deferred operating lease income
(1,796
)
 
(2,691
)
Income from sales of real estate and land development
(22,523
)
 
(16,983
)
Other operating activities, net
2,463

 
1,725

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Changes in accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net
(2,083
)
 
(804
)
Changes in deferred expenses and other assets, net
5,229

 
6,418

Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
(27,801
)
 
(42,714
)
Cash flows from operating activities
(52,354
)
 
(64,821
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Investment originations and fundings
(188,044
)
 
(193,943
)
Capital expenditures on real estate assets
(34,669
)
 
(27,902
)
Acquisitions of real estate assets
—

 
(2,412
)
Repayments of and principal collections on loans
34,992

 
102,928

Net proceeds from sales of loans
5,595

 
—

Net proceeds from sales of real estate
155,372

 
161,233

Distributions from other investments
4,260

 
19,558

Contributions to other investments
(1,231
)
 
(22,978
)
Other investing activities, net
7,671

 
(1,023
)
Cash flows from investing activities
(16,054
)
 
35,461

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings from debt obligations
250,000

 
2,067

Repayments of debt obligations
(12,328
)
 
(60,863
)
Preferred dividends paid
(12,830
)
 
(12,830
)
Other financing activities, net
(3,143
)
 
(2,984
)
Cash flows from financing activities
221,699

 
(74,610
)
Changes in cash and cash equivalents
153,291

 
(103,970
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
472,061

 
513,568

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
625,352

 
$
409,598

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

6
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)





Note 1—Business and Organization

Business—iStar Financial Inc., or the "Company," is a fully-integrated finance and investment company focused on the commercial real estate industry. The Company provides custom-tailored investment capital to high-end private and corporate owners of real estate and invests directly across a range of real estate sectors. The Company, which is taxed as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT," has invested more than $35 billion over the past two decades. The Company's primary business segments are real estate finance, net lease, operating properties and land (see Note 15).

Organization—The Company began its business in 1993 through the management of private investment funds and became publicly traded in 1998. Since that time, the Company has grown through the origination of new investments, as well as through corporate acquisitions.

Note 2—Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as amended on Form 10-K/A on March 27, 2015 (the "2014 Annual Report").
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.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such operating results may not be indicative of the expected results for any other interim periods or the entire year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes to conform to the 2015 presentation.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company determined that its classification of proceeds received from land sales for the quarterly periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2014 was incorrectly classified as a component of cash flows from operating activities rather than cash flows from investing activities. The Company evaluated the impact on the previously issued statements of cash flows for the aforementioned periods and concluded that it was not material. However, in order to correctly present such cash flows, the Company will revise the amounts as those financial statements are presented in the respective 2015 quarterly filings. The impact of the correction for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:
 
 
As Previously Reported
 
Change
 
As Revised
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
 
$
(60,678
)
 
$
(4,143
)
 
$
(64,821
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
 
$
31,318

 
$
4,143

 
$
35,461

Principles of Consolidation—The Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, controlled partnerships and variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's involvement with VIEs affects its financial performance and cash flows primarily through amounts recorded in "Operating lease income," "Earnings from equity method investments," "Real estate expense" and "Interest expense" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has not provided financial support to those VIEs that it was not previously contractually required to provide.    

7
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Consolidated VIEs—As of March 31, 2015, the Company consolidated 4 VIEs for which it is considered the primary beneficiary. At March 31, 2015, the total assets of these consolidated VIEs were $162.7 million and total liabilities were $13.3 million. The classifications of these assets are primarily within "Real estate, net" and "Other investments" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The classifications of liabilities are primarily within "Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liabilities of these VIEs are non-recourse to the Company and can only be satisfied from each VIE's respective assets. The Company's total unfunded commitments related to consolidated VIEs was $38.8 million as of March 31, 2015.

Unconsolidated VIEs—As of March 31, 2015, 25 of the Company's investments were in VIEs where it is not the primary beneficiary and accordingly the VIEs have not been consolidated in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. As of March 31, 2015, the Company's maximum exposure to loss from these investments does not exceed the sum of the $166.3 million carrying value of the investments, which are classified in "Other investments" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and $22.7 million of related unfunded commitments.

Note 3—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As of March 31, 2015, the Company's significant accounting policies, which are detailed in the Company's 2014 Annual Report, have not changed materially.
New Accounting Pronouncements—In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09") which supersedes existing industry-specific guidance, including ASC 360-20, Real Estate Sales. The new standard is principles-based and requires more estimates and judgment than current guidance. Certain contracts with customers, including lease contracts and financial instruments and other contractual rights, are not within the scope of the new guidance. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. Management is evaluating the impact of the guidance on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period ("ASU 2014-12") which requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition in accordance with Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. ASU 2014-12 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15") which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt that the Company is able to continue operating as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. If there is substantial doubt, additional disclosure is required, including the principal condition or event that raised the substantial doubt, the Company's evaluation of the condition or event in relation to its ability to meet its obligations and the Company's plan to alleviate (or, which is intended to alleviate) the substantial doubt. ASU 2014-15 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity ("ASU 2014-16") which eliminates the diversity in practice for the accounting for hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share. ASU 2014-16 requires management to consider all terms and features, whether stated or implied, of a hybrid instrument when determining whether the nature of the instrument is more akin to a debt instrument or an equity instrument. Embedded derivative features, which are accounted for separately from host contracts, should also be considered in the analysis of the hybrid instrument. ASU 2014-16 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02") which updates the consolidation model for limited partnerships and similar legal entities. ASU 2015-02 includes the evaluation of fees paid to a decision maker as a variable interest and amends the effect of fee arrangements and related parties on the primary beneficiary determination. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015.

8
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Early adoption is permitted. Management is evaluating the impact of the guidance on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03") which requires debt issuance costs to be presented as a deduction from the carrying value of the related debt obligation in the balance sheet, which is consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not believe the guidance will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 4—Real Estate
The Company's real estate assets were comprised of the following ($ in thousands):
 
Net Lease
 
Operating
Properties
 
Land
 
Total
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land and land improvements
$
314,151

 
$
141,043

 
$
860,903

 
$
1,316,097

Buildings and improvements
1,234,104

 
438,469

 
—

 
1,672,573

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
(370,818
)
 
(72,822
)
 
(8,757
)
 
(452,397
)
Real estate, net
1,177,437

 
506,690

 
852,146

 
2,536,273

Real estate available and held for sale
11,307

 
139,853

 
141,448

 
292,608

Total real estate
$
1,188,744

 
$
646,543

 
$
993,594

 
$
2,828,881

As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land and land improvements
$
311,890

 
$
146,417

 
$
868,650

 
$
1,326,957

Buildings and improvements
1,240,593

 
578,013

 
—

 
1,818,606

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
(364,323
)
 
(96,159
)
 
(8,367
)
 
(468,849
)
Real estate, net
1,188,160

 
628,271

 
860,283

 
2,676,714

Real estate available and held for sale
4,521

 
162,782

 
118,679

 
285,982

Total real estate
$
1,192,681

 
$
791,053

 
$
978,962

 
$
2,962,696


Real Estate Available and Held for Sale—As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $132.9 million and $155.8 million, respectively, of residential properties available for sale in its operating properties portfolio.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reclassified residential units with a carrying value of $22.9 million to held for sale due to substantial completion of construction and active marketing of the units for sale. In addition, the Company reclassified net lease assets with a carrying value of $7.5 million, residential lots with a carrying value of $3.9 million and land with a carrying value of $2.8 million to held for sale due to executed contracts with third parties.

Acquisitions—The following acquisitions of real estate were reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 ($ in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Acquisitions of real estate assets
—

 
2,412

(1)

Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company purchased one condominium unit for $2.4 million.


9
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Dispositions—During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company sold residential condominiums for total net proceeds of $49.0 million and $47.7 million, respectively, and recorded income from sales of real estate totaling $17.6 million and $16.5 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold residential lots from three of its master planned community properties, condominium units from an infill property and residential lots from another infill property for proceeds of $8.3 million which had associated cost of sales of $6.9 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company sold residential lots from two of our master planned community properties for proceeds of $4.1 million and which had cost of sales of $3.7 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company, through a consolidated entity for which it has a 90% ownership interest, sold a leasehold interest in a commercial operating property for net proceeds of $93.5 million and simultaneously entered into a ground lease with an initial term of 99 years. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded a lease incentive asset of $38.1 million, which is included in "Deferred expenses and other assets, net" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and deferred a gain of $5.3 million, which is included in "Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold a net lease asset for net proceeds of $4.9 million resulting in a gain of $3.5 million. The gain was recorded in "Income from sale of real estate" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company sold a net lease asset for net proceeds of $93.7 million which approximated carrying value to a newly formed unconsolidated entity in which the Company has a noncontrolling equity interest of 51.9% (see Note 6).
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company sold properties with a carrying value of $6.7 million for proceeds that approximated carrying value. During the same period, the Company also sold a net lease asset for net proceeds of $7.8 million. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.0 million in connection with the sale.
Tenant Reimbursements—The Company receives reimbursements from tenants for certain facility operating expenses including common area costs, insurance, utilities and real estate taxes. Tenant expense reimbursements were $7.0 million and $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts are included in "Operating lease income" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest—The Company has redeemable noncontrolling interests for which it records changes in the fair value over the redemption periods. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the interest which is not currently redeemable had a carrying value of $9.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and an estimated redemption value of $23.6 million at both dates.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the allowance for doubtful accounts related to real estate tenant receivables was $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and the allowance for doubtful accounts related to deferred operating lease income was $2.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

10
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Note 5—Loans Receivable and Other Lending Investments, net

The following is a summary of the Company's loans receivable and other lending investments by class ($ in thousands):
 
As of
Type of Investment
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Senior mortgages
$
876,765

 
$
737,535

Corporate/Partnership loans
548,115

 
497,796

Subordinate mortgages
27,822

 
53,331

Total gross carrying value of loans
1,452,702

 
1,288,662

Reserves for loan losses
(102,783
)
 
(98,490
)
Total loans receivable, net
1,349,919

 
1,190,172

Other lending investments—securities
187,927

 
187,671

Total loans receivable and other lending investments, net(1)
$
1,537,846

 
$
1,377,843


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The Company's recorded investment in loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 includes accrued interest of $8.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, which are included in "Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold a loan with a carrying value of $5.5 million. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of the transaction. Gains and losses on sales of loans are included in "Other income" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Reserve for Loan Losses—Changes in the Company's reserve for loan losses were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Reserve for loan losses at beginning of period
$
98,490

 
$
377,204

Provision for (recovery of) loan losses(1)
4,293

 
(3,400
)
Charge-offs
—

 
(3,728
)
Reserve for loan losses at end of period
$
102,783

 
$
370,076


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the provision for loan losses includes recoveries of previously recorded loan loss reserves of $0.2 million and $5.2 million, respectively.


11
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


The Company's recorded investment in loans (comprised of a loan's carrying value plus accrued interest) and the associated reserve for loan losses were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Individually
Evaluated for
Impairment(1)
 
Collectively
Evaluated for
Impairment(2)
 
Total
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
137,045

 
$
1,324,454

 
$
1,461,499

Less: Reserve for loan losses
(64,783
)
 
(38,000
)
 
(102,783
)
Total
$
72,262

 
$
1,286,454

 
$
1,358,716

As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
139,672

 
$
1,156,031

 
$
1,295,703

Less: Reserve for loan losses
(64,990
)
 
(33,500
)
 
(98,490
)
Total
$
74,682

 
$
1,122,531

 
$
1,197,213


Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The carrying value of these loans include unamortized discounts, premiums, deferred fees and costs aggregating to a net discount of $0.2 million and $0.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company's loans individually evaluated for impairment primarily represent loans on non-accrual status and therefore, the unamortized amounts associated with these loans are not currently being amortized into income.
(2)
The carrying value of these loans include unamortized discounts, premiums, deferred fees and costs aggregating to a net discount of $11.5 million and $10.6 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Credit Characteristics—As part of the Company's process for monitoring the credit quality of its loans, it performs a quarterly loan portfolio assessment and assigns risk ratings to each of its performing loans. Risk ratings are based on judgments which are inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that actual performance will be similar to current expectation.

The Company's recorded investment in performing loans, presented by class and by credit quality, as indicated by risk rating, was as follows ($ in thousands):
 
As of March 31, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Performing
Loans
 
Weighted
Average
Risk Ratings
 
Performing
Loans
 
Weighted
Average
Risk Ratings
Senior mortgages
$
751,828

 
2.80

 
$
611,009

 
2.73

Corporate/Partnership loans
552,601

 
3.83

 
501,620

 
3.88

Subordinate mortgages
28,129

 
3.61

 
53,836

 
2.87

  Total
$
1,332,558

 
3.24

 
$
1,166,465

 
3.23


As of March 31, 2015, the Company's recorded investment in loans, aged by payment status and presented by class, were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Current
 
Less Than
and Equal
to 90 Days
 
Greater
Than
90 Days(1)
 
Total
Past Due
 
Total
Senior mortgages
$
764,062

 
$
20,693

 
$
96,014

 
$
116,707

 
$
880,769

Corporate/Partnership loans
552,601

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
552,601

Subordinate mortgages
28,129

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
28,129

Total
$
1,344,792

 
$
20,693

 
$
96,014

 
$
116,707

 
$
1,461,499


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of March 31, 2015, the Company had 3 loans which were greater than 90 days delinquent and were in various stages of resolution, including legal proceedings, environmental concerns and foreclosure-related proceedings, and ranged from 5.0 to 6.0 years outstanding.

12
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Impaired Loans—The Company's recorded investment in impaired loans, presented by class, were as follows ($ in thousands)(1):
 
As of March 31, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior mortgages
130,336

 
129,428

 
(64,440
)
 
130,645

 
129,744

 
(64,440
)
Corporate/Partnership loans
6,709

 
6,736

 
(343
)
 
9,027

 
9,057

 
(550
)
Total
137,045

 
136,164

 
(64,783
)
 
139,672

 
138,801

 
(64,990
)

Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
All of the Company's non-accrual loans are considered impaired and included in the table above. In addition, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, certain loans modified through troubled debt restructurings with a recorded investment of $8.1 million and $10.4 million, respectively, are also included as impaired loans in accordance with GAAP although they are performing and on accrual status. The Company did not have impaired loans with no related allowance recorded.

The Company's average recorded investment in impaired loans and interest income recognized, presented by class, were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior mortgages
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
48,512

 
$
501

Subtotal
—

 
—

 
48,512

 
501

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior mortgages
130,491

 
17

 
578,041

 
53

Corporate/Partnership loans
7,868

 
9

 
93,565

 
65

Subtotal
138,359

 
26

 
671,606

 
118

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior mortgages
130,491

 
17

 
626,553

 
554

Corporate/Partnership loans
7,868

 
9

 
93,565

 
65

Total
$
138,359

 
$
26

 
$
720,118

 
$
619


Troubled Debt Restructurings—During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not modify any loans that were determined to be troubled debt restructurings.
Generally when granting concessions, the Company will seek to protect its position by requiring incremental pay downs, additional collateral or guarantees and in some cases lookback features or equity kickers to offset concessions granted should conditions impacting the loan improve. The Company's determination of credit losses is impacted by troubled debt restructurings whereby loans that have gone through troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired, assessed for specific reserves, and are not included in the Company's assessment of general loan loss reserves. Loans previously restructured under troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default are reassessed to incorporate the Company's current assumptions on expected cash flows and additional provision expense is recorded to the extent necessary. As of March 31, 2015, there were no unfunded commitments associated with modified loans considered troubled debt restructurings.

13
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Securities—Other lending investments—securities includes the following ($ in thousands):
 
Face Value
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Net Carrying Value
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal debt securities
$
1,010

 
$
1,010

 
$
153

 
$
1,163

 
$
1,163

Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
174,227

 
186,764

 
—

 
193,045

 
186,764

Total
$
175,237

 
$
187,774

 
$
153

 
$
194,208

 
$
187,927

As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal debt securities
$
1,020

 
$
1,020

 
$
147

 
$
1,167

 
$
1,167

Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
176,254

 
186,504

 
—

 
190,199

 
186,504

Total
$
177,274

 
$
187,524

 
$
147

 
$
191,366

 
$
187,671


Note 6—Other Investments

The Company's other investments and its proportionate share of results from equity method investments were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Carrying Value as of
 
Equity in Earnings for the
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
2015
 
2014
iStar Net Lease I LLC ("Net Lease Venture")
$
124,464

 
$
125,361

 
$
1,633

 
$
(362
)
Other real estate equity investments
86,166

 
88,848

 
(1,302
)
 
934

Other investments
50,725

 
63,262

 
1,733

 
3,334

Madison Funds
44,997

 
45,971

 
(37
)
 
(402
)
Marina Palms, LLC ("Marina Palms")
35,197

 
30,677

 
4,520

 
(327
)
Total other investments
341,549

 
354,119

 
$
6,547

 
$
3,177


Net Lease Venture—During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company partnered with a sovereign wealth fund to form a new unconsolidated entity in which the Company has a noncontrolling equity interest of approximately 51.9%. This entity is not a VIE and the Company does not have controlling interest due to the substantive participating rights of its partner. The partners plan to contribute up to an aggregate $500 million of equity to acquire and develop net lease assets over time. The Company is responsible for sourcing new opportunities and managing the venture and its assets in exchange for a promote and management fee. Several of the Company's officers whose time is substantially devoted to the net lease venture own a total of 0.6% equity ownership in the venture via co-investment. These officers are also entitled to an amount equal to 50% of any promote payment received based on the 47.5% partner's interest. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company sold a net lease asset for net proceeds of $93.7 million, which approximated carrying value, to the venture. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the venture's carrying value of total assets was $346.8 million and $348.1 million, respectively.
Marina Palms—As of March 31, 2015, the Company owned a 47.5% equity interest and a $10.0 million preferred partnership interest in Marina Palms. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the venture's carrying value of total assets was $275.8 million and $265.7 million, respectively.
Other real estate equity investments—As of March 31, 2015, the Company's other real estate equity investments included equity interests in real estate ventures ranging from 16% to 86%, comprised of investments of $12.3 million in operating properties and $73.7 million in land assets. As of December 31, 2014, the Company's real estate equity investments included $13.2 million in operating properties and $75.5 million in land assets.

14
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Madison Funds—As of March 31, 2015, the Company owned a 29.5% interest in Madison International Real Estate Fund II, LP ("MIRELF II"), a 32.9% interest in Madison International Real Estate Liquidity Fund III, LP ("MIRELF III"), a 32.9% interest in Madison International Real Estate Liquidity Fund III AIV, LP ("MIRELF III AIV") and a 29.5% interest in Madison GP1 Investors, LP (collectively, the "Madison Funds"). The Madison Funds invest in ownership positions of entities that own real estate assets. The Company determined that these entities are VIEs and that the Company is not the primary beneficiary.
Other investments—As of March 31, 2015, the Company also had smaller investments in real estate related funds and other strategic investments in several other entities that were accounted for under the equity method or cost method. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold available-for-sale securities for proceeds of $7.3 million for realized gains of $2.5 million, which is included in "Other income" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings was determined based on the specific identification method.
Summarized investee financial information—The following tables present the investee level summarized financial information of the Company's equity method investments, which were significant subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 ($ in thousands):
 
Revenues
 
Expenses
 
Net Income Attributable to Parent Entities
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Marina Palms
$
34,998

 
$
(22,638
)
 
$
12,360

Net Lease Venture
7,829

 
(4,546
)
 
3,146

 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Marina Palms
$
17

 
$
(710
)
 
$
(693
)
Net Lease Venture(1)
944

 
(1,642
)
 
(698
)

Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The Company began accounting for its investment in Net Lease Venture under the equity method of accounting on February 13, 2014, when the venture was formed. The amounts in the Company's financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are based on the balances and results from Net Lease Venture for the period from February 13, 2014 to March 31, 2014.

Note 7—Other Assets and Other Liabilities
Deferred expenses and other assets, net, consist of the following items ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Intangible assets, net(1)
$
80,429

 
$
50,088

Other assets
36,599

 
37,085

Deferred financing fees, net(2)
35,494

 
36,774

Restricted cash
19,124

 
19,283

Leasing costs, net(3)
16,662

 
20,031

Other receivables
10,802

 
13,115

Corporate furniture, fixtures and equipment, net(4)
5,113

 
5,409

Deferred expenses and other assets, net
$
204,223

 
$
181,785



15
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Intangible assets, net are primarily related to the acquisition of real estate assets. This balance also includes a lease incentive asset of $38.1 million (see Note 4). Accumulated amortization on intangible assets was $35.6 million and $45.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The amortization of above market leases decreased operating lease income on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations by $2.0 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amortization expense for other intangible assets was $1.5 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts are included in "Depreciation and amortization" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)
Accumulated amortization on deferred financing fees was $18.3 million and $15.4 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(3)
Accumulated amortization on leasing costs was $8.6 million and $9.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(4)
Accumulated depreciation on corporate furniture, fixtures and equipment was $7.3 million and $7.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following items ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Other liabilities(1)
$
58,353

 
$
48,256

Accrued interest payable
45,077

 
57,895

Accrued expenses
43,202

 
62,866

Intangible liabilities, net(2)
11,619

 
11,885

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
158,251

 
$
180,902


Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, "Other liabilities" includes $10.3 million and $6.8 million, respectively, related to a profit sharing payable to a developer for residential units sold. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, "Other liabilities" also includes $7.5 million and $7.7 million, respectively, related to tax increment financing ("TIF") bonds which were issued by a governmental entity to fund the installation of infrastructure within one of the Company's master planned community developments. The balance represents a special assessment associated with each individual land parcel, which will decrease as the Company sells parcels.
(2)
Intangible liabilities, net are primarily related to the acquisition of real estate assets. Accumulated amortization on intangible liabilities was $5.5 million and $6.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The amortization of intangible liabilities increased operating lease income on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations by $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities of the Company's TRS entities were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets(1)
$
57,053

 
$
54,318

Valuation allowance
(57,053
)
 
(54,318
)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
$
—

 
$
—

Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2015 include timing differences related primarily to real estate basis of $39.1 million, investment basis of $6.2 million, deferred expenses of $5.6 million, and net operating loss carryforwards of $3.9 million. Deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2014, include timing differences related primarily to real estate basis of $39.3 million, investment basis of $5.9 million, net operating loss carryforwards of $4.1 million, and deferred expenses of $2.7 million.


16
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Note 8—Debt Obligations, net

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company's debt obligations were as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Carrying Value as of
 
Stated
Interest Rates
 
Scheduled
Maturity Date
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Secured credit facilities and term loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 Tranche A-2 Facility
$
348,185

 
$
358,504

 
LIBOR + 5.75%

(1)
March 2017
2015 Revolving Credit Facility
250,000

 
—

 
Various
(2)
March 2018
Term loans collateralized by net lease assets
246,792

 
248,955

 
4.851% - 7.26%

(3)
Various through 2026
Total secured credit facilities and term loans
844,977

 
607,459

 
 

 
 
Unsecured notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.05% senior notes
105,765

 
105,765

 
6.05
%
 
April 2015
5.875% senior notes
261,403

 
261,403

 
5.875
%
 
March 2016
3.875% senior notes
265,000

 
265,000

 
3.875
%
 
July 2016
3.0% senior convertible notes(4)
200,000

 
200,000

 
3.0
%
 
November 2016
1.50% senior convertible notes(5)
200,000

 
200,000

 
1.50
%
 
November 2016
5.85% senior notes
99,722

 
99,722

 
5.85
%
 
March 2017
9.0% senior notes
275,000

 
275,000

 
9.0
%
 
June 2017
4.00% senior notes
550,000

 
550,000

 
4.00
%
 
November 2017
7.125% senior notes
300,000

 
300,000

 
7.125
%
 
February 2018
4.875% senior notes
300,000

 
300,000

 
4.875
%
 
July 2018
5.00% senior notes
770,000

 
770,000

 
5.00
%
 
July 2019
Total unsecured notes
3,326,890

 
3,326,890

 
 

 
 
Other debt obligations:

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other debt obligations
100,000

 
100,000

 
LIBOR + 1.50%

 
October 2035
Total debt obligations
4,271,867

 
4,034,349

 
 

 
 
Debt discounts, net
(10,339
)
 
(11,665
)
 
 

 
 
Total debt obligations, net
$
4,261,528

 
$
4,022,684

 
 

 
 

Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The loan has a LIBOR floor of 1.25%. As of March 31, 2015, inclusive of the floor, the 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility loan incurred interest at a rate of 7.00%.
(2)
The loan bears interest at the Company's election of either (i) a base rate, which is the greater of (a) prime, (b) federal funds plus 0.5% or (c) LIBOR plus 1.00% and subject to a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%, or (ii) LIBOR subject to a margin ranging from 2.25% to 2.75%. At maturity, the Company may convert outstanding borrowings to a one year term loan which matures in quarterly installments through March 2019.
(3)
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, includes a loan with a floating rate of LIBOR plus 2.00%. As of March 31, 2015, the weighted average interest rate of these loans is 5.3%.
(4)
The Company's 3.0% senior convertible fixed rate notes due November 2016 ("3.0% Convertible Notes") are convertible at the option of the holders, into 85.0 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 3.0% Convertible Notes, at $11.77 per share at any time prior to the close of business on November 14, 2016.
(5)
The Company's 1.50% senior convertible fixed rate notes due November 2016 ("1.50% Convertible Notes") are convertible at the option of the holders, into 57.8 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 1.50% Convertible Notes, at $17.29 per share at any time prior to the close of business on November 14, 2016.


17
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Future Scheduled Maturities—As of March 31, 2015, future scheduled maturities of outstanding long-term debt obligations are as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Unsecured Debt
 
Secured Debt
 
Total
2015 (remaining nine months)
$
105,765

 
$
—

 
$
105,765

2016
926,403

 
—

 
926,403

2017
924,722

 
348,185

 
1,272,907

2018
600,000

 
264,765

 
864,765

2019
770,000

 
31,936

 
801,936

Thereafter
100,000

 
200,091

 
300,091

Total principal maturities
3,426,890

 
844,977

 
4,271,867

Unamortized debt discounts, net
(7,656
)
 
(2,683
)
 
(10,339
)
Total long-term debt obligations, net
$
3,419,234

 
$
842,294

 
$
4,261,528


2015 Revolving Credit Facility—On March 27, 2015, the Company entered into a secured revolving credit facility with a maximum capacity of $250.0 million (the "2015 Revolving Credit Facility"). Borrowings under this credit facility bear interest at a floating rate indexed to one of several base rates plus a margin which adjusts upward or downward based upon the Company's corporate credit rating. Commitments under the revolving facility mature in March 2018. At maturity, the Company may convert outstanding borrowings to a one year term loan which matures in quarterly installments through March 2019. The facility is secured by a borrowing base of assets and there is no requirement that proceeds from the borrowing base be used to pay down outstanding borrowings.
2012 Secured Credit Facilities—In March 2012, the Company entered into an $880.0 million senior secured credit agreement providing for two tranches of term loans: a $410.0 million 2012 A-1 tranche due March 2016, which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR + 4.00% (the "2012 Tranche A-1 Facility"), and a $470.0 million 2012 A-2 tranche due March 2017, which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR + 5.75% (the "2012 Tranche A-2 Facility," together the "2012 Secured Credit Facilities"). The 2012 A-1 and A-2 tranches were issued at 98.0% of par and 98.5% of par, respectively, and both tranches include a LIBOR floor of 1.25%. Proceeds from the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities, together with cash on hand, were used to repurchase and repay at maturity $606.7 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's convertible notes due October 2012, to fully repay the $244.0 million balance on the Company's unsecured credit facility due June 2012, and to repay, upon maturity, $90.3 million outstanding principal balance of its 5.50% senior unsecured notes.

The 2012 Secured Credit Facilities are collateralized by a first lien on a fixed pool of assets. Proceeds from principal repayments and sales of collateral are applied to amortize the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities. Proceeds received for interest, rent, lease payments and fee income are retained by the Company. The Company may also make optional prepayments, subject to prepayment fees. The 2012 Tranche A-1 Facility was fully repaid in August 2013. Additionally, through March 31, 2015, the Company made cumulative amortization repayments of $121.8 million on the 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, repayments of the 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility prior to maturity resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to the accelerated amortization of discounts and unamortized deferred financing fees on the portion of the facility that was repaid. These amounts were included in "Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.


18
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Encumbered/Unencumbered Assets—As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of the Company's encumbered and unencumbered assets by asset type are as follows ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Encumbered Assets
 
Unencumbered Assets
 
Encumbered Assets
 
Unencumbered Assets
Real estate, net
$
886,114

 
$
1,650,159

 
$
620,378

 
$
2,056,336

Real estate available and held for sale
10,496

 
282,112

 
10,496

 
275,486

Loans receivable and other lending investments, net(1)
109,798

 
1,466,048

 
46,515

 
1,364,828

Other investments
16,367

 
325,182

 
17,708

 
336,411

Cash and other assets
—

 
944,304

 
—

 
768,475

Total
$
1,022,775

 
$
4,667,805

 
$
695,097

 
$
4,801,536


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the amounts presented exclude general reserves for loan losses of $38.0 million and $33.5 million, respectively.

Debt Covenants

The Company's outstanding unsecured debt securities contain corporate level covenants that include a covenant to maintain a ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured indebtedness of at least 1.2x and a covenant not to incur new indebtedness, if on a pro forma basis, the Company's fixed charge coverage ratio is 1.5x or lower, except for incurrences of permitted debt. If any of the Company's covenants are breached and not cured within applicable cure periods, the breach could result in acceleration of its debt securities unless a waiver or modification is agreed upon with the requisite percentage of the bondholders.

The Company's 2012 Secured Credit Facilities and the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility contain certain covenants, including covenants relating to collateral coverage, dividend payments, restrictions on fundamental changes, transactions with affiliates, matters relating to the liens granted to the lenders and the delivery of information to the lenders. In particular, the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities require the Company to maintain collateral coverage of at least 1.25x outstanding borrowings on the facilities. The 2015 Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain both collateral coverage of at least 1.5x outstanding borrowings on the facility and a consolidated ratio of cash flow to fixed charges of at least 1.5x. In addition, for so long as the Company maintains its qualification as a REIT, the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities and the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility permit the Company to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income on an annual basis (prior to deducting certain cumulative net operating loss carryforwards in the case of the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility). The Company may not pay common dividends if it ceases to qualify as a REIT.

The Company's 2012 Secured Credit Facilities and the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility contain cross default provisions that would allow the lenders to declare an event of default and accelerate the Company's indebtedness to them if the Company fails to pay amounts due in respect of its other recourse indebtedness in excess of specified thresholds or if the lenders under such other indebtedness are otherwise permitted to accelerate such indebtedness for any reason. The indentures governing the Company's unsecured public debt securities permit the bondholders to declare an event of default and accelerate the Company's indebtedness to them if the Company's other recourse indebtedness in excess of specified thresholds is not paid at final maturity or if such indebtedness is accelerated.

19
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies

Unfunded Commitments—The Company generally funds construction and development loans and build-outs of space in net lease assets over a period of time if and when the borrowers and tenants meet established milestones and other performance criteria. The Company refers to these arrangements as Performance-Based Commitments. In addition, the Company sometimes establishes a maximum amount of additional funding which it will make available to a borrower or tenant for an expansion or addition to a project if it approves of the expansion or addition in its sole discretion. The Company refers to these arrangements as Discretionary Fundings. Finally, the Company has committed to invest capital in several real estate funds and other ventures. These arrangements are referred to as Strategic Investments.

As of March 31, 2015, the maximum amount of fundings the Company may be required to make under each category, assuming all performance hurdles and milestones are met under the Performance-Based Commitments, that it approves all Discretionary Fundings and that 100% of its capital committed to Strategic Investments is drawn down, are as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Loans and Other Lending Investments
 
Real Estate
 
Other
Investments
 
Total
Performance-Based Commitments
$
600,213

 
$
12,081

 
$
27,221

 
$
639,515

Strategic Investments
—

 
—

 
45,762

 
45,762

Discretionary Fundings
18,065

 
—

 
—

 
18,065

Total
$
618,278

 
$
12,081

 
$
72,983

 
$
703,342


Legal Proceedings—The Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries is party to various pending litigation matters that are considered ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company's business as a finance and investment company focused on the commercial real estate industry, including loan foreclosure and foreclosure-related proceedings. In addition to such matters, the Company is a party to the following legal proceedings:

On March 7, 2014, a shareholder action purporting to assert derivative, class and individual claims was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland naming the Company, a number of its current and former senior executives (including its chief executive officer) and current and former directors as defendants.  The complaint sought unspecified damages and other relief and alleged breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and other causes of action arising out of shares of common stock issued by the Company to its senior executives pursuant to restricted stock unit awards granted in December 2008 and modified in July 2011. On October 30, 2014, the Court granted the defendants’ Motions to Dismiss and plaintiffs’ claims against all of the defendants in this action were dismissed. Plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal. On March 4, 2015, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals issued a notice docketing the appeal in that court and scheduling oral arguments for November 2015.

On January 22, 2015, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "Court") entered a judgment in favor of the Company in the matter of U.S. Home Corporation ("Lennar") v. Settlers Crossing, LLC, et al. (Civil Action No. DKC 08-1863). The litigation involved a dispute over the purchase and sale of approximately 1,250 acres of land in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Court found that the Company was entitled to specific performance and awarded damages to it in the aggregate amount of: (i) the remaining purchase price to be paid by Lennar of $114.0 million; plus (ii) interest on the unpaid amount at a rate of 12% per annum, calculated on a per diem basis, from May 27, 2008, until Lennar proceeds to settlement on the land; plus (iii) real estate taxes paid by the Company; plus (iv) actual and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred by the Company in connection with the litigation. The Court ordered Lennar to proceed to settlement on the land and to pay the total amounts awarded to the Company within 30 days of the judgment. A third party is entitled to a 15% participation interest in all proceeds. Lennar has filed a notice of appeal and other motions regarding the Court’s judgment, orders and rulings in the action. There can be no assurance as to the timing or actual receipt by the Company of amounts awarded by the Court or to the outcome of any appeal.

On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates developments in legal proceedings that could require a liability to be accrued and/or disclosed. Based on its current knowledge, and after consultation with legal counsel, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.


20
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Note 10—Derivatives
The Company's use of derivative financial instruments is primarily limited to the utilization of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and foreign exchange contracts. The principal objective of such financial instruments is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with the Company's operating and financial structure and to manage its exposure to interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company's exposure to interest rate movements, foreign exchange rate movements, and other identified risks, but may not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements.
The table below presents the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 ($ in thousands):
 
Derivative Assets as of
 
Derivative Liabilities as of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
Derivatives Designated in Hedging Relationships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
N/A
 
$
—

 
N/A
 
$
—

 
Other Liabilities
 
$
676

 
Other Liabilities
 
$
478

Interest rate swaps
N/A
 
—

 
Other Assets
 
52

 
Other Liabilities
 
234

 
N/A
 
—

Total
 
 
$
—

 
 
 
$
52

 
 
 
$
910

 
 
 
$
478

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not Designated in Hedging Relationships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Other Assets
 
$
2,180

 
Other Assets
 
$
1,534

 
N/A
 
$
—

 
N/A
 
$
—

Interest rate cap
Other Assets
 
2,739

 
Other Assets
 
4,775

 
N/A
 
—

 
N/A
 
—

Total
 
 
$
4,919

 
 
 
$
6,309

 
 
 
$
—

 
 
 
$
—

The tables below present the effect of the Company's derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 ($ in thousands):
Derivatives Designated in Hedging Relationships
 
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Earnings (Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Earnings
 (Ineffective Portion)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate cap
 
Interest Expense
 
$
—

 
$
(77
)
 
N/A
Interest rate cap
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
(7
)
 
—

 
N/A
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest Expense
 
(376
)
 
42

 
N/A
Interest rate swap
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
(364
)
 
(115
)
 
N/A
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
(198
)
 
—

 
N/A
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate cap
 
Interest Expense
 
(962
)
 
—

 
N/A
Interest rate swap
 
Interest Expense
 
(348
)
 
(135
)
 
N/A
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
(452
)
 
—

 
N/A

21
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
 
Location of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in
Income
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives not Designated in Hedging Relationships
 
2015
 
2014
Interest rate cap
 
Other Expense
 
$
(2,036
)
 
$
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other Expense
 
2,289

 
1,498

Foreign Exchange Contracts—The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments it holds in foreign entities. The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates on its foreign investments. Foreign exchange contracts involve fixing the U.S. dollar ("USD") to the respective foreign currency exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The foreign exchange contracts are typically cash settled in USD for their fair value at or close to their settlement date.
For derivatives designated as net investment hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. Amounts are reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into earnings when the hedged foreign entity is either sold or substantially liquidated. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding foreign currency derivatives that were used to hedge its net investments in foreign operations that were designated ($ and Rs in thousands):
Derivative Type
 
Notional
Amount
 
Notional
(USD Equivalent)
 
Maturity
Sells Indian rupee ("INR")/Buys USD Forward
 
₨
456,000

 
$
6,534

 
June 2015
For derivatives not designated as net investment hedges, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations within "Other Expense." As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding foreign currency derivatives that were used to hedge its net investments in foreign operations that were not designated ($, €, £ and C$ in thousands):
Derivative Type
 
Notional
Amount
 
Notional
(USD Equivalent)
 
Maturity
Sells euro ("EUR")/Buys USD Forward
 
€
13,000

 
$
15,482

 
April 2015
Sells pound sterling ("GBP")/Buys USD Forward
 
£
3,000

 
$
4,548

 
April 2015
Sells Canadian dollar ("CAD")/Buys USD Forward
 
C$
10,000

 
$
8,475

 
April 2015
The Company marks its foreign investments each quarter based on current exchange rates and records the gain or loss through "Other expense" on its Consolidated Statements of Operations for loan investments or "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)," on its Consolidated Balance Sheets for net investments in foreign subsidiaries. The Company recorded net gains (losses) related to foreign investments of $0.0 million and $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.  
Interest Rate Hedges—For derivatives designated as interest rate hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly within the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate swap that was used to hedge its variable rate debt that was designated ($ in thousands):
Derivative Type
 
Notional
Amount
 
Variable Rate
 
Fixed Rate
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity
Interest rate swap
 
$
27,324

 
LIBOR + 2.00%
 
3.47%
 
October 2012
 
November 2019
For derivatives not designated as interest rate hedges, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations within "Other Expense." As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate cap that was used to hedge its variable rate debt that was not designated ($ in thousands):

22
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Derivative Type
 
Notional
Amount
 
Variable Rate
 
Fixed Rate
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity
Interest rate cap
 
$
500,000

 
LIBOR
 
1.00%
 
July 2014
 
July 2017
Over the next 12 months, the Company expects that $0.2 million related to terminated cash flow hedges will be reclassified from "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" into interest expense and $0.7 million relating to other cash flow hedges will be reclassified from "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" into earnings.

Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features—The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company either defaults or is capable of being declared in default on any of its indebtedness, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

In connection with its foreign currency derivatives, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has posted collateral of $3.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, which is included in "Restricted cash" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 11—Equity

Preferred Stock—The Company had the following series of Cumulative Redeemable and Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative Preferential Cash
Dividends(1)(2)
Series
 
Shares Issued and
Outstanding
(in thousands)
 
Par Value
 
Liquidation Preference
 
Rate per Annum
 
Equivalent to
Fixed Annual
Rate (per share)
D
 
4,000

 
$
0.001

 
$
25.00

 
8.000
%
 
$
2.00

E
 
5,600

 
0.001

 
25.00

 
7.875
%
 
1.97

F
 
4,000

 
0.001

 
25.00

 
7.8
%
 
1.95

G
 
3,200

 
0.001

 
25.00

 
7.65
%
 
1.91

I
 
5,000

 
0.001

 
25.00

 
7.50
%
 
1.88

J
 
4,000

 
0.001

 
50.00

 
4.50
%
 
2.25

 
 
25,800

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 


Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Holders of shares of the Series D, E, F, G, I and J preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. 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 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 10 days prior to the dividend payment date.
(2)
The Company declared and paid dividends of $2.0 million, $2.8 million, $2.0 million, $1.5 million and $2.3 million on its Series D, E, F, G and I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company declared and paid dividends of $2.3 million on its Series J Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. All of the dividends qualified as return of capital for tax reporting purposes. There are no dividend arrearages on any of the preferred shares currently outstanding.

Dividends—In order to maintain its election to qualify as a REIT, the Company must currently distribute, at a minimum, an amount equal to 90% of its taxable income, excluding net capital gains, and must distribute 100% of its taxable income (including net capital gains) to avoid paying corporate federal income taxes. The Company has recorded net operating losses and may record net operating losses in the future, which may reduce its taxable income in future periods and lower or eliminate entirely the Company's obligation to pay dividends for such periods in order to maintain its REIT qualification. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $759.8 million of net operating loss carryforwards at the corporate REIT level that can generally be used to offset both ordinary and capital taxable income in future years and will expire through 2033 if unused. The amount of net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2014 will be determined upon finalization of the Company's 2014 tax return. Because taxable income differs from cash flow from operations due to non-cash revenues and expenses (such as depreciation and certain asset

23
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


impairments), in certain circumstances, the Company may generate operating cash flow in excess of its dividends or, alternatively, may need to make dividend payments in excess of operating cash flows. The Company's 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility and 2015 Revolving Credit Facility permit the Company to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income on an annual basis (prior to deducting certain cumulative net operating loss carryforwards in the case of the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility), for so long as the Company maintains its qualification as a REIT. The 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility and 2015 Revolving Credit Facility restrict the Company from paying any common dividends if it ceases to qualify as a REIT. The Company did not declare or pay any Common Stock dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Stock Repurchase Programs—In September 2013, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase in the repurchase limit under the Company's previously approved stock repurchase program to $50.0 million. The program authorizes the repurchase of Common Stock from time to time in open market and privately negotiated purchases, including pursuant to one or more trading plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 44,000 shares of its outstanding Common Stock for $0.6 million, at an average cost of $12.66 per share. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had up to $28.5 million of Common Stock available to repurchase under its Board authorized stock repurchase program.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" reflected in the Company's shareholders' equity is comprised of the following ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
$
(123
)
 
$
2,983

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
(1,204
)
 
(409
)
Unrealized losses on cumulative translation adjustment
(3,789
)
 
(3,545
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(5,116
)
 
$
(971
)

Note 12—Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefits

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $3.2 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in "General and administrative" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2015, there was $3.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested restricted stock units ("Units") that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining vesting/service period of 1.59 years. As of March 31, 2015, approximately $10.5 million of stock-based compensation was included in "Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of March 31, 2015, an aggregate of 3.8 million shares remain available for issuance pursuant to future awards under the Company's 2006 and 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plans.
2015 Activity—During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted 318,482 shares of our Common Stock to certain employees as part of annual incentive awards that included a mix of cash and equity awards. The shares are fully-vested and 189,241 shares were issued net of statutory minimum required tax withholdings. The employees are restricted from selling these shares for up to two years from the date of grant.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted new stock-based compensation awards to certain employees in the form of long-term incentive awards, comprised of the following:
•
64,196 service-based Units were granted on January 30, 2015, representing the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of our Common Stock (after deducting shares for minimum required statutory withholdings) if and when the Units vest. The Units will cliff vest in one installment on December 31, 2017, if the employee remains employed by the Company on the vesting date, subject to certain accelerated vesting rights. Dividends will accrue as and when dividends are declared by the Company on shares of its Common Stock, but will not be paid unless and until the Units vest and are settled. As of March 31, 2015, 64,196 of such service-based Units were outstanding.
•
49,650 target amount of performance-based Units were granted on January 30, 2015. The performance is based on the Company's total shareholder return, or TSR, measured over a performance period ending on December 31, 2017, which is the date the awards cliff vest. Vesting will range from 0% to 200% of the target amount of the award, depending on

24
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


the Company's TSR performance relative to the NAREIT All REITs Index (one-half of the target amount of the award) and the Russell 2000 Index (one-half of the target amount of the award) during the performance period. The Company, as well as any companies not included in each index at the beginning and end of the performance period, are excluded from calculation of the performance of such index. To the extent Units vest based on the Company's TSR performance, holders will receive an equivalent number of shares of our Common Stock (after deducting shares for minimum required statutory withholdings), if the employee remains employed by the Company on the vesting date, subject to certain accelerated vesting rights. Dividends will accrue as and when dividends are declared by the Company on shares of its Common Stock, but will not be paid unless and until the Units vest and are settled. The fair values of the performance-based Units were determined by utilizing a Monte Carlo model to simulate a range of possible future stock prices for the Company's Common Stock. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these performance-based awards were 0.75% for risk-free interest rate and 28.14% for expected stock price volatility. As of March 31, 2015, 49,650 of such performance-based Units were outstanding.
As of March 31, 2015, the Company had the following additional stock-based compensation awards outstanding:

•
64,552 service-based Units, granted on January 10, 2014, representing the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company's Common Stock (after deducting shares for minimum required statutory withholdings) if and when the Units vest. The Units will cliff vest in one installment on December 31, 2016, if the employee remains employed by the Company on the vesting date, subject to certain accelerated vesting rights. Dividends will accrue as and when dividends are declared by the Company on shares of its Common Stock, but will not be paid unless and until the Units vest and are settled.
•
50,116 target amount of performance-based Units, granted on January 10, 2014 representing the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company's Common Stock (after deducting shares for minimum required statutory withholdings) if and when the Units vest based on the Company’s TSR measured over a performance period ending on December 31, 2016, which is the date the awards cliff vest. Vesting will range from 0% to 200% of the target amount of the awards, depending on the Company’s TSR performance relative to the NAREIT All REITs Index (one-half of the target amount of the award) and the Russell 2000 Index (one-half of the target amount of the award). The Company, as well as any companies not included in the index at the beginning and end of the performance period, are excluded from calculation of the performance of such index. To the extent these Units vest based on the Company's TSR performance, holders will receive an equivalent number of shares of our Common Stock (after deducting shares for minimum required statutory withholdings), if the employee remains employed by the Company on the vesting date, subject to certain accelerated vesting rights. Dividends will accrue as and when dividends are declared by the Company on shares of its Common Stock, but will not be paid unless and until the Units vest and are settled. The fair values of the performance-based Units were determined by utilizing a Monte Carlo model to simulate a range of possible future stock prices for the Company's Common Stock. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these performance-based awards were 0.76% for risk-free interest rate and 44.84% for expected stock price volatility.
•
194,582 service-based Units, granted on February 1, 2013, representing the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company's Common Stock (after deducting shares for minimum required statutory withholdings) if and when the Units vest. The Units will cliff vest in one installment on February 1, 2016, if the employee remains employed by the Company on the vesting date, subject to certain accelerated vesting rights. Dividends will accrue as and when dividends are declared by the Company on shares of its Common Stock, but will not be paid unless and until the Units vest and are settled.
•
10,666 service-based Units granted on various dates to employees with an original vesting term of three years. Upon vesting of these units, holders will receive shares of the Company's Common Stock in the amount of the vested units, net of statutory minimum required tax withholdings. Dividends will accrue as and when dividends are declared by the Company on shares of its Common Stock, but will not be paid unless and until the Units vest and are settled.
Directors' Awards—As of March 31, 2015, a total of 278,471 common stock equivalents ("CSEs") and restricted shares of our Common Stock granted to members of the Company's Board of Directors remained outstanding under the Company's Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $3.6 million.

401(k) Plan—The Company made gross contributions of $0.6 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

25
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


Note 13—Earnings Per Share

EPS is calculated using the two-class method, which allocates earnings among common stock and participating securities to calculate EPS when an entity's capital structure includes either two or more classes of common stock or common stock and participating securities. HPU holders are current and former Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company's High Performance Unit (HPU) Program. These HPU units are treated as a separate class of common stock.
The following table presents a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations ($ in thousands, except for per share data):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(33,469
)
 
$
(30,671
)
Income from sales of real estate
21,156

 
16,494

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,841

 
(454
)
Preferred dividends
(12,830
)
 
(12,830
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders, HPU holders and Participating Security Holders
$
(23,302
)
 
$
(27,461
)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings allocable to common shares:
 
 
 
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders
$
(22,553
)
 
$
(26,572
)
Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per common share
85,497

 
84,819

Basic and diluted earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(0.31
)
 
 
 
 
Earnings allocable to High Performance Units:
 
 
 
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per HPU share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders
$
(749
)
 
$
(889
)
Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per HPU share:
 
 
 
Weighted average High Performance Units outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share
15

 
15

Basic and diluted earnings per HPU share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders
$
(49.93
)
 
$
(59.27
)


26
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the following shares were not included in the diluted EPS calculation because they were anti-dilutive (in thousands)(1):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Joint venture shares
298

 
298

3.00% convertible senior unsecured notes
16,992

 
16,992

Series J convertible perpetual preferred stock
15,635

 
15,635

1.50% convertible senior unsecured notes
11,567

 
11,567


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the effect of the Company's unvested Units, performance-based Units, CSEs and restricted stock awards were anti-dilutive.

Note 14—Fair Values
Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to be used in valuation techniques to measure fair value:
Level 1:    Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2:    Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3:    Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
Certain of the Company's assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value either on a recurring or non-recurring basis. Assets required to be marked-to-market and reported at fair value every reporting period are classified as being valued on a recurring basis. Assets not required to be recorded at fair value every period may be recorded at fair value if a specific provision or other impairment is recorded within the period to mark the carrying value of the asset to market as of the reporting date. Such assets are classified as being valued on a non-recurring basis.

27
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


The following fair value hierarchy table summarizes the Company's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis by the above categories ($ in thousands):
 
 
 
Fair Value Using
 
Total
 
Quoted market
prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
$
4,919

 
$
—

 
$
4,919

 
$
—

Derivative liabilities
910

 
—

 
910

 
—

Available-for-sale securities(1)
1,163

 
—

 
—

 
1,163

Non-recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans(2)
6,362

 
—

 
—

 
6,362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
$
6,361

 
$
—

 
$
6,361

 
$
—

Derivative liabilities
478

 
—

 
478

 
—

Available-for-sale securities
7,906

 
7,906

 
—

 
—

Non-recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
37,169

 
—

 
—

 
37,169

Impaired real estate
7,102

 
—

 
—

 
7,102

Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
The fair value of the Company's available-for-sale securities are based upon third-party broker quotes.
(2)
The Company recorded a recovery of loan losses on one loan with a fair value of $6.4 million based on the loan's remaining term of 1.25 years and interest rate of 4.7% using discounted cash flow analysis.

Fair values of financial instruments—The Company's estimated fair values of its loans receivable and other lending investments and debt obligations were $1.6 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively, as of March 31, 2015 and $1.4 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. The Company determined that the significant inputs used to value its loans receivable and other lending investments and debt obligations fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of other financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accrued interest receivable and accounts payable, approximate the fair values of the instruments. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash values are considered Level 1 on the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of other financial instruments, including derivative assets and liabilities, are included in the fair value hierarchy table above.
Note 15—Segment Reporting

The Company has determined that it has four reportable segments based on how management reviews and manages its business. These reportable segments include: Real Estate Finance, Net Lease, Operating Properties and Land. The Real Estate Finance segment includes all of the Company's activities related to senior and mezzanine real estate loans and real estate related securities. The Net Lease segment includes all of the Company's activities related to the ownership and leasing of corporate facilities. The Operating Properties segment includes all of the Company's activities and operations related to its commercial and residential properties. The Land segment includes the Company's activities related to its developable land portfolio.

28
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


The Company evaluates performance based on the following financial measures for each segment. The Company's segment information is as follows ($ in thousands):
 
Real Estate Finance
 
Net Lease
 
Operating Properties
 
Land
 
Corporate/Other(1)
 
Company Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating lease income
$
—

 
$
36,339

 
$
22,614

 
$
186

 
$
—

 
$
59,139

Interest income
34,896

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
34,896

Other income
48

 
3

 
8,876

 
633

 
1,004

 
10,564

Land development revenue
—

 
—

 
—

 
8,258

 
—

 
8,258

Earnings (loss) from equity method investments
—

 
1,633

 
535

 
2,609

 
1,770

 
6,547

Income from sales of real estate
—

 
3,527

 
17,629

 
—

 
—

 
21,156

Total revenue and other earnings
34,944

 
41,502

 
49,654

 
11,686

 
2,774

 
140,560

Real estate expense
—

 
(5,270
)
 
(27,424
)
 
(6,940
)
 
—

 
(39,634
)
Land development cost of sales
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6,891
)
 
—

 
(6,891
)
Other expense
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,124
)
 
(2,123
)
Allocated interest expense
(14,235
)
 
(16,835
)
 
(7,668
)
 
(7,544
)
 
(8,350
)
 
(54,632
)
Allocated general and administrative(2)
(3,094
)
 
(3,761
)
 
(1,828
)
 
(2,793
)
 
(6,039
)
 
(17,515
)
Segment profit (loss)(3)
$
17,616

 
$
15,636

 
$
12,734

 
$
(12,482
)
 
$
(13,739
)
 
$
19,765

Other significant non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
$
4,293

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
4,293

Depreciation and amortization
—

 
9,449

 
8,344

 
390

 
318

 
18,501

Capitalized expenditures
—

 
345

 
10,094

 
22,380

 
—

 
32,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating lease income
$
—

 
$
38,881

 
$
23,001

 
$
226

 
$
—

 
$
62,108

Interest income
27,914

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27,914

Other income
399

 
214

 
12,666

 
226

 
1,079

 
14,584

Land development revenue
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,143

 
—

 
4,143

Earnings (loss) from equity method investments
—

 
286

 
217

 
(258
)
 
2,932

 
3,177

Income from sales of real estate
—

 
—

 
16,494

 
—

 
—

 
16,494

Total revenue and other earnings
28,313

 
39,381

 
52,378

 
4,337

 
4,011

 
128,420

Real estate expense
—

 
(5,674
)
 
(28,614
)
 
(8,325
)
 
—

 
(42,613
)
Land development cost of sales
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,654
)
 
—

 
(3,654
)
Other expense
(430
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
209

 
(221
)
Allocated interest expense
(15,452
)
 
(18,610
)
 
(10,259
)
 
(7,159
)
 
(5,976
)
 
(57,456
)
Allocated general and administrative(2)
(3,090
)
 
(3,799
)
 
(2,189
)
 
(3,049
)
 
(5,586
)
 
(17,713
)
Segment profit (loss)(3)
$
9,341

 
$
11,298

 
$
11,316

 
$
(17,850
)
 
$
(7,342
)
 
$
6,763

Other significant non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
$
(3,400
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(3,400
)
Impairment of assets
—

 
2,979

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,979

Depreciation and amortization
—

 
10,128

 
7,864

 
304

 
317

 
18,613

Capitalized expenditures
—

 
(627
)
 
12,854

 
14,683

 
—

 
26,910


29
iStar Financial Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)


 
Real Estate Finance
 
Net Lease
 
Operating Properties
 
Land
 
Corporate/Other(1)
 
Company Total
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Real estate
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Real estate, net
—

 
1,177,437

 
506,690

 
852,146

 
—

 
2,536,273

Real estate available and held for sale
—

 
11,307

 
139,853

 
141,448

 
—

 
292,608

Total real estate
—

 
1,188,744

 
646,543

 
993,594

 
—

 
2,828,881

Loans receivable and other lending investments, net
1,537,846

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,537,846

Other investments
—

 
124,464

 
12,291

 
108,892

 
95,902

 
341,549

Total portfolio assets
$
1,537,846

 
$
1,313,208

 
$
658,834

 
$
1,102,486

 
$
95,902

 
4,708,276

Cash and other assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
944,304

Total assets


 


 


 


 


 
$
5,652,580

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Real estate, net
—

 
1,188,160

 
628,271

 
860,283

 
—

 
2,676,714

Real estate available and held for sale
—

 
4,521

 
162,782

 
118,679

 
—


285,982

Total real estate
—

 
1,192,681

 
791,053

 
978,962

 
—

 
2,962,696

Loans receivable and other lending investments, net
1,377,843

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,377,843

Other investments
—

 
125,360

 
13,220

 
106,155

 
109,384

 
354,119

Total portfolio assets
$
1,377,843

 
$
1,318,041

 
$
804,273

 
$
1,085,117

 
$
109,384

 
4,694,658

Cash and other assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
768,475

Total assets


 


 


 


 


 
$
5,463,133


Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Corporate/Other represents all corporate level and unallocated items including any intercompany eliminations necessary to reconcile to consolidated Company totals. This caption also includes the Company's joint venture investments and strategic investments that are not included in the other reportable segments above.
(2)
General and administrative excludes stock-based compensation expense of $3.2 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(3)
The following is a reconciliation of segment profit (loss) to net income (loss) ($ in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Segment profit (loss)
$
19,765

 
$
6,763

Less: (Provision for) recovery of loan losses
(4,293
)
 
3,400

Less: Impairment of assets
—

 
(2,979
)
Less: Stock-based compensation expense
(3,238
)
 
(2,075
)
Less: Depreciation and amortization
(18,501
)
 
(18,613
)
Less: Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,878
)
 
507

Less: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
(168
)
 
(1,180
)
Net income (loss)
$
(12,313
)
 
$
(14,177
)


30

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are included with respect to, among other things, iStar Financial Inc.'s (the "Company's") current business plan, business strategy, portfolio management, prospects and liquidity. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In assessing all forward-looking statements, readers are urged to read carefully all cautionary statements contained in this Form 10-Q and the uncertainties and risks described in Item 1A—"Risk Factors" in our 2014 Annual Report (as defined below), all of which could affect our future results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. For purposes of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the terms "we," "our" and "us" refer to iStar Financial Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
The discussion below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our 2014 Annual Report. These historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance. We have reclassified certain items in our consolidated financial statements of prior periods to conform to our current financial statements presentation.
Introduction
iStar Financial Inc. is a fully-integrated finance and investment company focused on the commercial real estate industry. We provide custom-tailored investment capital to high-end private and corporate owners of real estate and invest directly across a range of real estate sectors. We are taxed as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT," and have invested more than $35 billion over the past two decades. Our primary business segments are real estate finance, net lease, operating properties and land.
Executive Overview

In conjunction with improving economic and commercial real estate market conditions, we have continued to make meaningful progress towards achieving a number of our strategic corporate objectives. We have increased investment originations primarily within our core business segments of real estate finance and net lease, which we anticipate should drive future revenue growth. Through strategic ventures, we have partnered with other providers of capital within our net lease segment and with developers with specific product expertise within our land segment. In addition, we have made significant investments within our operating property and land portfolios in order to better position assets for sale.
Access to the capital markets has allowed us to extend our debt maturity profile, lower our cost of capital and become primarily an unsecured borrower. In 2014, we fully repaid our largest secured credit facility using proceeds from unsecured notes issuances. This repayment unencumbered $2.0 billion of collateral and provides us with additional liquidity as we now retain 100% of the proceeds from sales and repayments of these previously encumbered assets, rather than directing them to repay the facility. During the first quarter of 2015, we entered into a secured revolving credit facility with a maximum capacity of $250.0 million. At March 31, 2015, we had $625.4 million of cash, which we expect to be used primarily to fund future investment activities.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, three of our four business segments, including real estate finance, net lease and operating properties, contributed positively to our earnings. We continue to work on repositioning or redeveloping our transitional operating properties and progressing on the entitlement and development of our land assets in order to maximize their value. We intend to continue these efforts, with the objective of having these assets contribute positively to earnings in the future. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded net loss allocable to common shareholders of $(22.6) million, compared to a loss of $(26.6) million during the same period in the prior year. Adjusted income (loss) allocable to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was $8.5 million, compared to $(5.5) million during the same period in the prior year.

31

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Operating lease income
$
59,139

 
$
62,108

 
$
(2,969
)
 
(5
)%
Interest income
34,896

 
27,914

 
6,982

 
25
 %
Other income
10,564

 
14,584

 
(4,020
)
 
(28
)%
Land development sales revenue
8,258

 
4,143

 
4,115

 
99
 %
Total revenue
112,857

 
108,749

 
4,108

 
4
 %
Interest expense
54,632

 
57,456

 
(2,824
)
 
(5
)%
Real estate expenses
39,634

 
42,613

 
(2,979
)
 
(7
)%
Land development cost of sales
6,891

 
3,654

 
3,237

 
89
 %
Depreciation and amortization
18,501

 
18,613

 
(112
)
 
(1
)%
General and administrative
20,753

 
19,788

 
965

 
5
 %
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
4,293

 
(3,400
)
 
7,693

 
>100%

Impairment of assets
—

 
2,979

 
(2,979
)
 
(100
)%
Other expense
2,123

 
221

 
1,902

 
>100%

Total costs and expenses
146,827

 
141,924

 
4,903

 
3
 %
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
(168
)
 
(1,180
)
 
1,012

 
86
 %
Earnings from equity method investments
6,547

 
3,177

 
3,370

 
>100%

Income tax (expense) benefit
(5,878
)
 
507

 
(6,385
)
 
>(100)%

Income from sales of real estate
21,156

 
16,494

 
4,662

 
28
 %
Net income (loss)
$
(12,313
)
 
$
(14,177
)
 
$
1,864

 
13
 %

Revenue—Operating lease income, which primarily includes income from net lease assets and commercial operating properties, decreased to $59.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $62.1 million for the same period in 2014.

Operating lease income from net lease assets decreased to $36.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $38.9 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to the sale of two net lease assets in 2014. The net lease portfolio generated an unleveraged yield of 7.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 7.5% for the same period in 2014. Operating lease income for same store net lease assets, defined as net lease assets we owned on or prior to January 1, 2014 and were in service through March 31, 2015, was $36.4 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the same period in 2014. Rent per occupied square foot for same store net lease assets was $9.70 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $9.68 for the same period in 2014. The occupancy rate for same store net lease assets was 95.2% at March 31, 2015 as compared to 93.6% at March 31, 2014. We had two net lease assets which were sold to our Net Lease Venture in 2014 that, prior to their sale, contributed an additional $1.8 million of operating lease income during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Operating lease income from commercial operating properties increased to $22.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $21.7 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to the acquisition of commercial operating properties in 2014. Operating lease income for same store commercial operating properties, defined as commercial operating properties, excluding hotels, we owned on or prior to January 1, 2014 and were in service through March 31, 2015, decreased to $15.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $16.4 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to a decline in rent per occupied square foot for same store commercial operating properties, which was $23.70 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and $24.56 for the same period in 2014. The decline was also due to a decrease in occupancy rates for same store commercial operating properties, which decreased to 61.8% at March 31, 2015 from 62.1% at March 31, 2014. In addition, we acquired title to additional commercial operating properties in 2014, which contributed $2.1 million to operating lease income during the three months ended March 31, 2015. We also sold a commercial operating property in 2014 which contributed $0.6 million to operating lease income for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Ancillary operating lease income for residential operating properties

32

decreased by $1.2 million from the three months ended March 31, 2015 to the same period in 2014 due primarily to sales of residential units.

Interest income increased to $34.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $27.9 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to increases in the portfolio balance and interest rates on performing loans. New investment originations and additional fundings of existing loans raised our average balance of performing loans to $1.48 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $1.30 billion for the same period in 2014. The weighted average yield of our performing loans increased to 9.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 8.6% for the same period in 2014 due primarily to higher interest rates for new loan originations in 2014 and 2015 and payoffs of loans with lower interest rates.
Other income decreased to $10.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $14.6 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease was due to $5.3 million of income related to a lease modification received during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease was offset in part by $1.3 million of ancillary income from properties acquired since March 31, 2014.
Land development sales revenue and cost of sales—During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we sold residential lots from three of our master planned community properties, condominium units from an infill property and residential lots from another infill property for proceeds of $8.3 million which had associated cost of sales of $6.9 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we sold residential lots from two of our master planned community properties for proceeds of $4.1 million which had associated cost of sales of $3.7 million.
Costs and expenses—Interest expense decreased to $54.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $57.5 million for the same period in 2014 due to a lower average outstanding debt balance and a lower weighted average cost of debt. The average outstanding balance of our debt declined to $4.08 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $4.13 billion for the same period in 2014. Our weighted average effective cost of debt decreased to 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 5.6% for the same period in 2014.
Real estate expenses decreased to $39.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $42.6 million for the same period in 2014. Expenses for net lease assets decreased to $5.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $5.7 million for the same period in 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, expenses for same store net lease assets decreased to $5.3 million from $5.5 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to a new long-term triple net lease at a vacant property. Expenses for commercial operating properties increased to $22.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $22.3 million for the same period in 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, expenses for same store commercial operating properties, excluding hotels, decreased to $10.7 million from $11.8 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to an early lease termination in 2014. We acquired title to additional commercial operating properties since March 31, 2014, which contributed an additional $3.2 million to real estate expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Additionally, expenses for hotel properties decreased to $5.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $6.9 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to the conversion of hotel rooms to residential units being sold at a hotel property.
Expenses associated with residential units decreased to $4.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $6.3 million for the same period in 2014 due to the sale of residential units since March 31, 2014. Carry costs and other expenses on our land assets decreased to $6.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $8.3 million for the same period in 2014, primarily related to a decrease in costs incurred on certain land assets prior to development.
The net provision for loan losses was $4.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to a net recovery of loan losses of $3.4 million for the same period in 2014. Included in the net provision for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was an increase of $4.5 million in the general reserve due primarily to new investment originations offset by recoveries of previously recorded loan loss reserves of $0.2 million. Included in the net recovery for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were recoveries of previously recorded loan loss reserves of $5.2 million offset by an increase of $1.8 million in the general reserve due primarily to new investment originations.
Other expense increased to $2.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $0.2 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to a decrease in the fair value of an interest rate cap that is not designated as an interest rate hedge.

Earnings from equity method investments—Earnings from equity method investments increased to $6.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2014 due primarily to $4.5 million of earnings related to sales activity on a land development project venture.


33

Income tax (expense) benefit—Income taxes are primarily generated by assets held in our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS's”). Income tax expense of $(5.9) million was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to a net tax benefit of $0.5 million for the same period in 2014. The period to period difference was due primarily to tax expense generated from the sales of condominium units and sales of units at a land development project.

Income from sales of real estate—During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we sold residential condominiums for total net proceeds of $49.0 million and $47.7 million, respectively, that resulted in income of $17.6 million and $16.5 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we also sold a net lease asset for proceeds of $4.9 million resulting in a gain of $3.5 million.

Adjusted Income

In addition to net income (loss), we use Adjusted income to measure our operating performance. Adjusted income represents net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders, prior to the effect of depreciation and amortization, provision for (recovery of) loan losses, impairment of assets, stock-based compensation expense and the non-cash portion of gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt.

We believe Adjusted income is a useful measure to consider, in addition to net income (loss), as it may help investors evaluate our core operating performance prior to certain non-cash items.

Adjusted income should be examined in conjunction with net income (loss) as shown in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Adjusted income should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) (determined in accordance with GAAP), as an indicator of our performance, or to cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our liquidity, nor is Adjusted income indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs or available for distribution to shareholders. Rather, Adjusted income is an additional measure for us to use to analyze how our business is performing. It should be noted that our manner of calculating Adjusted income may differ from the calculations of similarly-titled measures by other companies.
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Adjusted income
 
 
 
Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders
$
(22,553
)
 
$
(26,572
)
Add: Depreciation and amortization(1)
20,072

 
18,895

Add/Less: Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
4,293

 
(3,400
)
Add: Impairment of assets(2)
4,337

 
2,979

Add: Stock-based compensation expense
3,238

 
2,075

Add: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
168

 
1,180

Less: HPU/Participating Security allocation
(1,032
)
 
(703
)
Adjusted income (loss) allocable to common shareholders
$
8,523

 
$
(5,546
)

Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Depreciation and amortization also includes our proportionate share of depreciation and amortization expense for equity method investments and excludes the portion of depreciation and amortization expense allocable to noncontrolling interests.
(2)
Impairment of assets includes impairments on cost and equity method investments recorded in "Other income" and "Earnings from equity method investments", respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.


34

Risk Management

Loan Credit Statistics—The table below summarizes our non-performing loans and the reserves for loan losses associated with our loans ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Non-performing loans
 
 
 
Carrying value(1)
$
64,750

 
$
65,047

As a percentage of total carrying value of loans
4.8
%
 
5.5
%
Reserve for loan losses
 
 
 
Asset-specific reserves for loan losses
$
64,783

 
$
64,990

As a percentage of gross carrying value of impaired loans
47.3
%
 
46.5
%
Total reserve for loan losses
$
102,783

 
$
98,490

As a percentage of total loans before loan loss reserves
7.1
%
 
7.6
%

Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, carrying values of non-performing loans are net of asset-specific reserves for loan losses of $64.2 million and $64.2 million, respectively.

Non-Performing Loans—We designate loans as non-performing at such time as: (1) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; (2) the loan has a maturity default; or (3) management determines it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. All non-performing loans are placed on non-accrual status and income is only recognized in certain cases upon actual cash receipt. As of March 31, 2015, we had non-performing loans with an aggregate carrying value of $64.8 million compared to non-performing loans of $65.0 million at December 31, 2014. We expect that our level of non-performing loans will fluctuate from period to period.

Reserve for Loan Losses—The reserve for loan losses was $102.8 million as of March 31, 2015, or 7.1% of total loans, compared to $98.5 million or 7.6% at December 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the provision for loan losses includes an increase of $4.5 million in the general reserve due primarily to new investment originations offset by recoveries of previously recorded loan loss reserves of $0.2 million. We expect that our level of reserve for loan losses will fluctuate from period to period. Due to the volatility of the commercial real estate market, the process of estimating collateral values and reserves requires the use of significant judgment. In addition, the process of estimating values and reserves for our European loan assets, which had a carrying value of $16.9 million as of March 31, 2015, is subject to additional risks related to the economic uncertainty in the Eurozone. We currently believe there are adequate collateral and reserves to support the carrying values of the loans.

The reserve for loan losses includes an asset-specific component and a formula-based component. An asset-specific reserve is established for an impaired loan when the estimated fair value of the loan's collateral less costs to sell is lower than the carrying value of the loan. As of March 31, 2015, asset-specific reserves decreased to $64.8 million compared to $65.0 million at December 31, 2014.

The formula-based general reserve is derived from estimated principal default probabilities and loss severities applied to groups of performing loans based upon risk ratings assigned to loans with similar risk characteristics during our quarterly loan portfolio assessment. During this assessment, we perform a comprehensive analysis of our loan portfolio and assign risk ratings to loans that incorporate management's current judgments about their credit quality based on all known and relevant factors that may affect collectability. We consider, among other things, payment status, lien position, borrower financial resources and investment in collateral, collateral type, project economics and geographical location as well as national and regional economic factors. This methodology results in loans being segmented by risk classification into risk rating categories that are associated with estimated probabilities of default and principal loss. We estimate loss rates based on historical realized losses experienced within our portfolio and take into account current economic conditions affecting the commercial real estate market when establishing appropriate time frames to evaluate loss experience.

The general reserve increased to $38.0 million or 2.9% of performing loans as of March 31, 2015, compared to $33.5 million or 2.9% of performing loans at December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the balance of performing loans, which was driven by new investment originations.


35

Risk concentrations—As of March 31, 2015, based on current gross carrying values, the Company's total investment portfolio has the following characteristics ($ in thousands)(1):
Property/Collateral Types
 
Real Estate Finance
 
Net Lease
 
Operating Properties
 
Land
 
Total
 
% of
Total
Office / Industrial
 
$
160,871

 
$
912,875

 
$
179,853

 
$
—

 
$
1,253,599

 
24.1
%
Land
 
27,729

 
—

 
—

 
1,111,243

 
1,138,972

 
21.9
%
Mixed Use / Mixed Collateral
 
444,624

 
—

 
244,816

 
—

 
689,440

 
13.3
%
Entertainment / Leisure
 
—

 
568,241

 
—

 
—

 
568,241

 
10.9
%
Hotel
 
330,686

 
136,080

 
54,147

 
—

 
520,913

 
10.0
%
Condominium
 
211,888

 
—

 
132,863

 
—

 
344,751

 
6.6
%
Other Property Types
 
288,457

 
9,482

 
—

 
—

 
297,939

 
5.7
%
Retail
 
111,591

 
57,348

 
119,977

 
—

 
288,916

 
5.6
%
Strategic Investments
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
95,902

 
1.9
%
Total
 
$
1,575,846

 
$
1,684,026

 
$
731,656

 
$
1,111,243

 
$
5,198,673

 
100.0
%
Geographic Region
 
Real Estate Finance
 
Net Lease
 
Operating Properties
 
Land
 
Total
 
% of
Total
Northeast
 
$
796,156

 
$
389,352

 
$
485

 
$
199,197

 
$
1,385,190

 
26.6
%
West
 
80,779

 
426,001

 
77,834

 
396,992

 
981,606

 
18.9
%
Mid-Atlantic
 
322,790

 
142,686

 
136,833

 
194,215

 
796,524

 
15.3
%
Southeast
 
79,857

 
254,901

 
279,062

 
150,636

 
764,456

 
14.7
%
Southwest
 
130,869

 
233,844

 
184,992

 
147,622

 
697,327

 
13.4
%
Central
 
111,463

 
92,700

 
50,658

 
8,972

 
263,793

 
5.1
%
Various
 
27,668

 
142,529

 
1,792

 
13,609

 
185,598

 
3.6
%
Strategic Investments(2)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
95,902

 
1.9
%
International(2)
 
26,264

 
2,013

 
—

 
—

 
28,277

 
0.5
%
Total
 
$
1,575,846

 
$
1,684,026

 
$
731,656

 
$
1,111,243

 
$
5,198,673

 
100.0
%
Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Based on the carrying value of our total investment portfolio gross of accumulated depreciation and general loan loss reserves.
(2)
Strategic investments include $14.9 million of international assets. Combined, international and strategic investments include $22.7 million of European assets, including $14.4 million in the United Kingdom and $8.3 million in Germany.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we committed to new investments totaling $274.0 million, of which we funded $163.2 million. In addition, we funded $61.5 million associated with ongoing developments and prior financing commitments. Total fundings of $224.7 million included $188.2 million in lending and other investments, $21.8 million to develop our land assets and $14.7 million of capital to reposition or redevelop our operating properties and invest in net lease assets. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2015, we generated $207.4 million of proceeds from loan repayments and asset sales within our portfolio, comprised of $143.7 million from operating properties, $40.6 million from real estate finance, $10.0 million from other investments, $8.2 million from land and $4.9 million from net lease assets. These amounts are inclusive of fundings and proceeds from both consolidated and equity method investments. As of March 31, 2015, we had unrestricted cash of $625.4 million.

36

The following table outlines our capital expenditures on real estate assets reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, by segment ($ in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Land
$
19,953

 
$
11,178

Operating Properties
13,824

 
13,885

Net Lease
892

 
2,839

Total capital expenditures on real estate assets
$
34,669

 
$
27,902

Our primary cash uses over the next 12 months are expected to be funding of investments, repayments of debt, capital expenditures and funding ongoing business operations. We repaid the $105.8 million outstanding balance of our 6.05% senior notes due April 2015 at their maturity. We have other debt maturities of $261.4 million due before March 31, 2016. Over the next 12 months, we currently expect to fund in the range of approximately $250 million to $325 million of capital expenditures within our portfolio. The majority of these amounts relate to our land, multifamily and residential development activities and operating properties. The amount spent will depend on the pace of our development activities as well as the extent to which we strategically partner with others to complete these projects. As of March 31, 2015, we also had approximately $703 million of maximum unfunded commitments associated with our investments, assuming borrowers and tenants meet all milestones and performance hurdles and all other conditions to fundings are met. See "Unfunded Commitments" below. Our capital sources to meet expected cash uses through the next 12 months will primarily include cash on hand, income from our portfolio, loan repayments from borrowers, proceeds from asset sales and capital raised through debt refinancings or equity capital transactions.
We cannot predict with certainty the specific transactions we will undertake to generate sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations as they come due. We will adjust our plans as appropriate in response to changes in our expectations and changes in market conditions. While economic trends have continued to improve, it is not possible for us to predict whether the improving trends will continue or to quantify the impact of these or other trends on our financial results.
Contractual Obligations—The following table outlines the contractual obligations related to our long-term debt agreements and operating lease obligations as of March 31, 2015 (see Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
Amounts Due By Period
 
Total

Less Than 1
Year

1 - 3
Years

3 - 5
Years

5 - 10
Years

After 10
Years
 
(in thousands)
Long-Term Debt Obligations:
 

 

 

 

 

 
Unsecured notes
$
3,326,890


$
367,168


$
1,889,722


$
1,070,000


$
—


$
—

Secured credit facilities
348,185


—


348,185


—


—


—

Revolving credit facility
250,000

 
—

 
250,000

 
—

 
—

 
—

Secured term loans
246,792


8,833


27,814


40,211


167,837


2,097

Other debt obligations
100,000


—


—


—


—


100,000

Total principal maturities
4,271,867


376,001


2,515,721


1,110,211


167,837


102,097

Interest Payable(1)
661,297


201,519


327,428


89,024


24,082


19,244

Operating Lease Obligations
30,821


5,504


10,461


7,268


6,131


1,457

Total(2)
$
4,963,985


$
583,024


$
2,853,610


$
1,206,503


$
198,050


$
122,798

Explanatory Notes:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
Variable-rate debt assumes 1-month LIBOR rate of 0.18%, 3-month LIBOR rate of 0.27% and 6-month LIBOR rate of 0.40%.
(2)
We also have issued letters of credit totaling $3.7 million in connection with our investments. See Unfunded Commitments below, for a discussion of certain unfunded commitments related to our lending and net lease businesses.

2015 Revolving Credit Facility—On March 27, 2015, we entered into a secured revolving credit facility with a maximum capacity of $250.0 million (the "2015 Revolving Credit Facility"). Borrowings under this credit facility bear interest at a floating rate indexed to one of several base rates plus a margin which adjusts upward or downward based upon our corporate credit rating. Commitments under the revolving facility mature in March 2018. At maturity, we may convert outstanding borrowings to a one-year term loan which matures in quarterly installments through March 2019. The facility is secured by a borrowing base of assets and there is no requirement that proceeds from the borrowing base be used to pay down outstanding borrowings.

37

2012 Secured Credit Facilities—In March 2012, we entered into an $880.0 million senior secured credit agreement providing for two tranches of term loans: a $410.0 million 2012 A-1 tranche due March 2016, which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR + 4.00% (the "2012 Tranche A-1 Facility"), and a $470.0 million 2012 A-2 tranche due March 2017, which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR + 5.75% (the "2012 Tranche A-2 Facility," together the "2012 Secured Credit Facilities"). The 2012 A-1 and A-2 tranches were issued at 98.0% of par and 98.5% of par, respectively, and both tranches include a LIBOR floor of 1.25%. Proceeds from the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities, together with cash on hand, were used to repurchase and repay at maturity $606.7 million aggregate principal amount of our convertible notes due October 2012, to fully repay the $244.0 million balance on our unsecured credit facility due June 2012, and to repay, upon maturity, $90.3 million outstanding principal balance of our 5.50% senior unsecured notes.
The 2012 Secured Credit Facilities are collateralized by a first lien on a fixed pool of assets. Proceeds from principal repayments and sales of collateral are applied to amortize the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities. Proceeds received for interest, rent, lease payments and fee income are retained by us. We may also make optional prepayments, subject to prepayment fees. The 2012 Tranche A-1 Facility was fully repaid in August 2013. Additionally, through March 31, 2015, we made cumulative amortization repayments of $121.8 million on the 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, repayments of the 2012 Tranche A-2 Facility prior to maturity resulted in losses on early extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to the accelerated amortization of discounts and unamortized deferred financing fees on the portion of the facility that was repaid. These amounts were included in "Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Encumbered/Unencumbered Assets—As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our encumbered and unencumbered assets by asset type are as follows ($ in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Encumbered Assets
 
Unencumbered Assets
 
Encumbered Assets
 
Unencumbered Assets
Real estate, net
$
886,114

 
$
1,650,159

 
$
620,378

 
$
2,056,336

Real estate available and held for sale
10,496

 
282,112

 
10,496

 
275,486

Loans receivable and other lending investments, net(1)
109,798

 
1,466,048

 
46,515

 
1,364,828

Other investments
16,367

 
325,182

 
17,708

 
336,411

Cash and other assets
—

 
944,304

 
—

 
768,475

Total
$
1,022,775

 
$
4,667,805

 
$
695,097

 
$
4,801,536


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the amounts presented exclude general reserves for loan losses of $38.0 million and $33.5 million, respectively.

Debt Covenants
Our outstanding unsecured debt securities contain corporate level covenants that include a covenant to maintain a ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured indebtedness of at least 1.2x and a covenant not to incur new indebtedness, if on a pro forma basis, our fixed charge coverage ratio is 1.5x or lower, except for incurrences of permitted debt. If any of our covenants are breached and not cured within applicable cure periods, the breach could result in acceleration of our debt securities unless a waiver or modification is agreed upon with the requisite percentage of the bondholders.

Our 2012 Secured Credit Facilities and the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility contain certain covenants, including covenants relating to collateral coverage, dividend payments, restrictions on fundamental changes, transactions with affiliates, matters relating to the liens granted to the lenders and the delivery of information to the lenders. In particular, the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities require us to maintain collateral coverage of at least 1.25x outstanding borrowings on the facilities. The 2015 Revolving Credit Facility requires us to maintain both collateral coverage of at least 1.5x outstanding borrowings on the facility and a consolidated ratio of cash flow to fixed charges of at least 1.5x. In addition, for so long as we maintain our qualification as a REIT, the 2012 Secured Credit Facilities and the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility permit us to distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income on an annual basis (prior to deducting certain cumulative net operating loss carryforwards in the case of the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility). We may not pay common dividends if we cease to qualify as a REIT.


38

Our 2012 Secured Credit Facilities and the 2015 Revolving Credit Facility contain cross default provisions that would allow the lenders to declare an event of default and accelerate our indebtedness to them if we fail to pay amounts due in respect of our other recourse indebtedness in excess of specified thresholds or if the lenders under such other indebtedness are otherwise permitted to accelerate such indebtedness for any reason. The indentures governing our unsecured public debt securities permit the bondholders to declare an event of default and accelerate our indebtedness to them if our other recourse indebtedness in excess of specified thresholds is not paid at final maturity or if such indebtedness is accelerated.
Derivatives—Our use of derivative financial instruments is primarily limited to the utilization of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps or other instruments to manage interest rate risk exposure and foreign exchange contracts to manage our risk to changes in foreign currencies. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements—We are not dependent on the use of any off-balance sheet financing arrangements for liquidity. We have made investments in various unconsolidated ventures. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of our unconsolidated investments. Our maximum exposure to loss from these investments is limited to the carrying value of our investments and any unfunded commitments (see below).

Unfunded Commitments—We generally fund construction and development loans and build-outs of space in net lease assets over a period of time if and when the borrowers and tenants meet established milestones and other performance criteria. We refer to these arrangements as Performance-Based Commitments. In addition, we sometimes establish a maximum amount of additional funding which we will make available to a borrower or tenant for an expansion or addition to a project if we approve of the expansion or addition in our sole discretion. We refer to these arrangements as Discretionary Fundings. Finally, we have committed to invest capital in several real estate funds and other ventures. These arrangements are referred to as Strategic Investments. As of March 31, 2015, the maximum amounts of the fundings we may make under each category, assuming all performance hurdles and milestones are met under the Performance-Based Commitments, that we approve all Discretionary Fundings and that 100% of our capital committed to Strategic Investments is drawn down, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Loans and Other Lending Investments
 
Real Estate
 
Other
Investments
 
Total
Performance-Based Commitments
$
600,213

 
$
12,081

 
$
27,221

 
$
639,515

Strategic Investments
—

 
—

 
45,762

 
45,762

Discretionary Fundings
18,065

 
—

 
—

 
18,065

Total
$
618,278

 
$
12,081

 
$
72,983

 
$
703,342


Stock Repurchase Programs—In September 2013, our Board of Directors approved an increase in the repurchase limit under our previously approved stock repurchase program to $50.0 million. The program authorizes the repurchase of Common Stock from time to time in open market and privately negotiated purchases, including pursuant to one or more trading plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased 44,000 shares of our outstanding Common Stock for $0.6 million, at an average cost of $12.66 per share. As of March 31, 2015, we had up to $28.5 million of Common Stock available to repurchase under our Board authorized stock repurchase program.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported as assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We have established detailed policies and control procedures intended to ensure that valuation methods, including any judgments made as part of such methods, are well controlled, reviewed and applied consistently from period to period. We base our estimates on historical corporate and industry experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be appropriate under the circumstances. For all of these estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and, therefore, routinely require adjustment.
A summary of our critical accounting estimates is included in our 2014 Annual Report in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates as of March 31, 2015.
New Accounting Pronouncements—For a discussion of the impact of new accounting pronouncements on our financial condition or results of operations, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There have been no material changes in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the disclosures included in our 2014 Annual Report. See discussion of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk under Item 7a—"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," included in our 2014 Annual Report.
Item 4.    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 Securities and Exchange Commission'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.
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 Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) or Rule 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
There have been no changes during the last fiscal quarter in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company's periodic reports.

40

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
The Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries is party to various pending litigation matters that are considered ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business as a finance and investment company focused on the commercial real estate industry, including loan foreclosure and foreclosure-related proceedings. In addition to such matters, the Company is a party to the following legal proceedings:
Shareholder Action
On March 7, 2014, a shareholder action purporting to assert derivative, class and individual claims was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland naming the Company, a number of our current and former senior executives (including our chief executive officer) and current and former directors as defendants.  The complaint sought unspecified damages and other relief and alleged breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and other causes of action arising out of shares of our common stock issued by the Company to our senior executives pursuant to restricted stock unit awards granted in December 2008 and modified in July 2011. On October 30, 2014, the Court granted the defendants’ Motions to Dismiss and plaintiffs’ claims against all of the defendants in this action were dismissed. Plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal. On March 4, 2015, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals issued a notice docketing the appeal in that court and scheduling oral arguments for November 2015.
U.S. Home Corporation ("Lennar") v. Settlers Crossing, LLC, et al. (Civil Action No. DKC 08-1863)
On January 22, 2015, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "Court") entered a judgment in favor of the Company in the matter of Lennar v. Settlers Crossing, LLC, et al. (Civil Action No. DKC 08-1863). The litigation involved a dispute over the purchase and sale of approximately 1,250 acres of land in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Court found that the Company was entitled to specific performance and awarded damages to it in the aggregate amount of: (i) the remaining purchase price to be paid by Lennar of $114.0 million; plus (ii) interest on the unpaid amount at a rate of 12% per annum, calculated on a per diem basis, from May 27, 2008, until Lennar proceeds to settlement on the land; plus (iii) real estate taxes paid by the Company; plus (iv) actual and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred by the Company in connection with the litigation. The Court ordered Lennar to proceed to settlement on the land and to pay the total amounts awarded to the Company within 30 days of the judgment. A third party is entitled to a 15% participation interest in all proceeds. Lennar has filed a notice of appeal and other motions regarding the Court’s judgment, orders and rulings in the action. There can be no assurance as to the timing or actual receipt by the Company of amounts awarded by the Court or to the outcome of any appeal.
Item 1a.    Risk Factors
See the Company's 2014 Annual Report.
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.    Other Information
None.

41

Item 6.    Exhibits
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Document Description
10.1
Credit Agreement, by and among iStar Financial Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, dated as of March 27, 2015.
10.2
Security Agreement, by and among iStar Financial Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, dated as of March 27, 2015.
31.0
Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
32.0
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
101
The following financial information from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015 is formatted in XBRL ("eXtensible Business Reporting Language"): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).*


Explanatory Note:
_______________________________________________________________________________
*
In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

42

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:
May 4, 2015
/s/ JAY SUGARMAN
 
 
Jay Sugarman
 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
 
 
iSTAR FINANCIAL INC.
 Registrant
Date:
May 4, 2015
/s/ DAVID DISTASO
 
 
David DiStaso
 Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and
accounting officer)


43

Stock widget

Investing forum

ISTAR INC. Reports

Also read