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Farmer Mac Reports Second Quarter 2017
Financial Results
Record Outstanding Business Volume of $18.3 Billion
WASHINGTON, August 9, 2017 The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A) today announced its results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, which included $414.3 million in net new business volume growth that brought total outstanding business volume to $18.3 billion as of June 30, 2017. Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for second quarter 2017 was $17.5 million ($1.62 per diluted common share), compared to $18.6 million ($1.73 per diluted common share) in first quarter 2017 and $12.0 million ($1.13 per diluted common share) in second quarter 2016. Farmer Mac's second quarter 2017 core earnings, a non-GAAP measure, were $16.0 million ($1.48 per diluted common share), compared to $15.6 million ($1.45 per diluted common share) in first quarter 2017 and $13.0 million ($1.23 per diluted common share) in second quarter 2016.
"We are proud to report another strong quarter, as outstanding business volume reached a new record high of $18.3 billion and core earnings grew by 22 percent year-over-year," said President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Buzby. "Our financial results reflect a continuation of the positive trends we've seen over the last several quarters, with new business volume growth, improvements in spreads, and strong profitability. The relative demand for our agricultural real estate financing products and solutions has increased significantly as more customers are recognizing the value Farmer Mac can provide and are choosing different products and solutions across our lines of business. This growth reflects our team's dedication to understanding our customers' needs and continuing to deliver upon our mission throughout agricultural economic cycles. Despite certain sectors of the agricultural economy remaining under

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pressure, our credit quality remains favorable and within our expectations despite showing signs of the expected normalization related to the current agricultural credit cycle. We believe our financial outlook is strong as we continue to expand our customer base and innovate our product set to meet the needs of our customers in a more challenging environment."
Earnings
Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for second quarter 2017 was $17.5 million ($1.62 per diluted common share), compared to $12.0 million ($1.13 per diluted common share) for second quarter 2016. The $5.5 million increase compared to second quarter 2016 was driven by an increase in net interest income of $3.5 million, after-tax. Also contributing to the year-over-year increase was the effect of fair value changes on financial derivatives and hedged assets, which was a $1.4 million after-tax gain in second quarter 2017 compared to a $1.3 million after-tax loss in second quarter 2016. The increase was offset in part by a $0.8 million after-tax increase in non-interest expense primarily attributable to higher compensation and employee benefits expenses.
Core earnings in second quarter 2017 were $16.0 million ($1.48 per diluted common share), compared to $15.6 million ($1.45 per diluted common share) in first quarter 2017 and $13.0 million ($1.23 per diluted common share) in second quarter 2016. The $0.4 million sequential increase in core earnings was attributable to a $1.8 million after-tax increase in net effective spread and an increase in net realized gains of $0.5 million after-tax on the sale of real estate owned properties. The increase was offset in part by (1) a $0.8 million after-tax decrease in other income, primarily driven by a decrease in fees received upon the inception of swaps and (2) a $0.5 million decrease in tax benefits recognized from stock-based awards. Other offsetting factors included: (1) a decrease of $0.2 million after-tax in guarantee and commitment fees driven by the refinancing during second quarter 2017 of a $1.0 billion AgVantage security reported as off-balance sheet business volume in the Institutional Credit line of business upon which Farmer Mac previously earned a guarantee fee to an on-balance sheet asset upon which Farmer Mac earns interest income and (2) an increase of $0.2 million after-tax in compensation and employee

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benefits expenses primarily due to higher payouts of variable incentive compensation during second quarter 2017 resulting from actual performance exceeding certain performance target amounts.
The $3.0 million year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily attributable to higher total revenues, which included (1) a $3.0 million after-tax increase in net effective spread and (2) a $0.1 million after-tax increase in guarantee and commitment fee income. Farmer Mac also realized net gains of $0.5 million after-tax in second quarter 2017 on the sale of real estate owned properties compared to no sales of real estate owned properties in second quarter 2016. Partially offsetting the year-over-year increase was a $0.7 million after-tax increase in compensation and employee benefit expenses due primarily to an increase in staffing, related employee health insurance costs and benefits, and higher payouts of variable incentive compensation resulting from actual performance exceeding certain performance target amounts.
See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" below for more information about core earnings, core earnings per share, and net effective spread and for a reconciliation of the comparable GAAP measures to these non-GAAP measures.
Business Volume Highlights    
During second quarter 2017, Farmer Mac added $1.9 billion of new business volume, compared to $1.3 billion in second quarter 2016. Specifically, Farmer Mac:
purchased $1.3 billion of AgVantage securities, including $36.7 million in AgVantage securities for smaller institutional customers;
purchased $312.2 million of newly originated Farm & Ranch loans;
purchased $115.8 million of USDA Securities;
added $55.9 million of Farm & Ranch loans under LTSPCs;
issued $53.5 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities; and
purchased $25.0 million of Rural Utilities loans.
After $1.4 billion of maturities and principal paydowns on existing business during second quarter 2017, Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume increased by $414.3 million from March 31, 2017 to $18.3 billion as of June 30, 2017. The increase in Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume was driven

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by broad-based portfolio growth across most of Farmer Mac's products and lines of business, including Farm & Ranch loans, AgVantage securities, USDA Securities, and Rural Utilities loans.
In April 2017, Farmer Mac purchased and retained $1.0 billion of AgVantage securities issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MetLife"). MetLife used the proceeds from Farmer Mac's purchase of $1.0 billion in AgVantage securities to refinance an AgVantage security of the same amount that matured in April 2017. Previously, Farmer Mac held $30.0 million of the $1.0 billion AgVantage security that matured in April 2017 on-balance sheet and earned a spread between the interest income earned on that portion of the security and the related funding costs. The remaining $970.0 million of the $1.0 billion AgVantage security that matured in April 2017 had previously been sold to third parties and reported as off-balance sheet business volume in the Institutional Credit line of business on which Farmer Mac earned a guarantee fee of approximately 0.15 percent on an annual basis. For the newly purchased $1.0 billion in AgVantage securities, which are now held entirely on-balance sheet, Farmer Mac will earn weighted average net effective spread income of approximately 0.42 percent on an annual basis. The newly purchased AgVantage securities are comprised of three maturities – $500.0 million of a one-year security, which is callable in six months, $250.0 million of a two-year security, and $250.0 million of a three-year security.
The new business volume in AgVantage securities for second quarter 2017 also included purchases of $250.0 million from Rabo Agrifinance, Inc. ("Rabo"). The AgVantage securities purchased from Rabo in second quarter 2017 included $150.0 million in AgVantage securities used to refinance AgVantage securities that matured in second quarter 2017 and $50.0 million in AgVantage securities that Rabo used to refinance an AgVantage security that matured in early July 2017. Farmer Mac also experienced net portfolio growth of $36.7 million in AgVantage securities for smaller institutional customers in second quarter 2017.

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Spreads
Net interest income was $39.7 million in second quarter 2017, compared to $34.4 million in second quarter 2016. In percentage terms, net interest income for second quarter 2017 was 0.95 percent, compared to 0.88 percent in second quarter 2016. The $5.3 million year-over-year increase in net interest income was driven by net growth in Farm & Ranch loans, USDA Securities, and on-balance sheet AgVantage Securities. Another factor contributing to the increase was the incremental effect of the Federal Reserve's decision to raise the target range for the federal funds rate in December 2016, March 2017, and June 2017, which affected assets and liabilities indexed to LIBOR. An increase in the net effect of consolidated trusts resulting from an increase in securitization of Farm & Ranch loans throughout 2016 and the first six months of 2017 also contributed to the year-over-year increase in net interest income. Farmer Mac earns the difference between the interest income recognized on loans in consolidated trusts and the related interest expense recognized on debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties. The increase in net interest income was offset in part by an increase in the application of hedge accounting, as funding expense from financial derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships is included in net interest income and a decrease in the amount of cash basis interest income recognized on nonaccrual Farm & Ranch loans. The 7 basis point year-over-year increase in net interest income in percentage terms was primarily attributable to a reduction in the average balance of lower-earning cash and cash equivalents.
Farmer Mac's net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, was $35.6 million in second quarter 2017, compared to $32.9 million in first quarter 2017 and $31.0 million in second quarter 2016. In percentage terms, net effective spread for second quarter 2017 was 0.92 percent, compared to 0.91 percent in first quarter 2017 and 0.84 percent in second quarter 2016. Farmer Mac uses net effective spread as an alternative measure to net interest income because management believes it is a useful metric that reflects the economics of the net spread between all the assets owned by Farmer Mac and all related funding, including any associated derivatives, some of which may not be included in net interest income.

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The $2.7 million sequential increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily attributable to (1) growth in on-balance sheet AgVantage securities, Farm & Ranch loans, and other business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $2.0 million; and (2) changes in Farmer Mac's funding strategies and LIBOR-based short-term funding costs for floating rate assets indexed to LIBOR that remained favorable throughout most of second quarter 2017, which added approximately $0.7 million. The one basis point sequential increase in net effective spread in percentage terms was primarily attributable to the effects of the changes in Farmer Mac's funding strategy noted above and a favorable LIBOR-based funding market, which added approximately 2 basis points. This increase was offset in part by the effect of the refinancing of a $1.0 billion AgVantage security into three new on-balance sheet AgVantage securities as described above, which resulted in an average spread that was less than the overall average net effective spread in percentage terms.
The $4.6 million year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily attributable to (1) growth in on-balance sheet AgVantage securities, Farm & Ranch loans, and other business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $3.4 million; and (2) changes in Farmer Mac's funding strategies and LIBOR-based short-term funding costs for floating rate assets indexed to LIBOR that remained favorable throughout most of second quarter 2017, which added approximately $2.0 million. The increase was offset in part by a decrease in the amount of cash basis interest income recognized on nonaccrual Farm & Ranch loans, which reduced net effective spread by $0.8 million. The 8 basis point year-over-year increase in net effective spread in percentage terms was primarily attributable to a significant reduction in the average balance of cash and cash equivalents, which added approximately 5 basis points to net effective spread. Also contributing to the increase were the effects of the changes in Farmer Mac's funding strategy and a favorable LIBOR-based funding market, which added approximately 5 basis points. The increase in percentage terms was offset in part by a decrease in the amount of cash basis interest income recognized on nonaccrual Farm & Ranch loans, which reduced net effective spread by approximately 2 basis points.

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Credit 
In the Farm & Ranch portfolio, 90-day delinquencies were $41.9 million (0.65 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of June 30, 2017, compared to $21.0 million (0.34 percent) as of December 31, 2016 and $22.1 million (0.38 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of June 30, 2016. Those 90-day delinquencies were comprised of 42 delinquent loans as of June 30, 2017, compared with 38 delinquent loans as of December 31, 2016 and 40 delinquent loans as of June 30, 2016. More than half of the net increase in Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies as a percentage of its Farm & Ranch portfolio from year-end resulted from the delinquency of a single borrower on two permanent planting loans to which Farmer Mac had $15.4 million of exposure as of June 30, 2017. That delinquency was due to factors specific to the borrower and not related to macroeconomic factors in the agricultural economy. Farmer Mac believes that it remains adequately collateralized on these loans. Farmer Mac expects that over time its 90-day delinquency rate will eventually revert closer to, and possibly exceed, Farmer Mac's historical average due to macroeconomic factors and the cyclical nature of the agricultural economy. Farmer Mac's average 90-day delinquency rate for the Farm & Ranch line of business over the last fifteen years is approximately one percent. The highest 90-day delinquency rate observed during that period occurred in 2009 at approximately 2 percent, which coincided with increased delinquencies in loans within Farmer Mac's then-held ethanol portfolio that Farmer Mac no longer holds.
For Farmer Mac's other lines of business, there are currently no delinquent AgVantage securities or Rural Utilities loans held or underlying LTSPCs, and USDA Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. As a result, across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.23 percent of total business volume as of June 30, 2017, compared to 0.12 percent as of December 31, 2016 and 0.13 percent as of the year-ago quarter.
Another indicator that Farmer Mac considers in analyzing the credit quality of its Farm & Ranch portfolio is the level of internally-rated "substandard" assets, both in dollars and as a percentage of the outstanding Farm & Ranch portfolio. Assets categorized as "substandard" have a well-defined weakness

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or weaknesses, and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. As of June 30, 2017, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were $192.1 million (3.0 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $165.2 million (2.7 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2016. Those substandard assets were comprised of 287 loans as of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The $26.9 million increase from year-end 2016 was primarily driven by credit downgrades in loans underlying LTSPCs. Farmer Mac expects that over time its substandard asset rate will eventually revert closer to, and possibly exceed, Farmer Mac's historical average due to macroeconomic factors and the cyclical nature of the agricultural economy. Farmer Mac's average substandard assets as a percentage of its Farm & Ranch portfolio over the last 15 years is approximately 4 percent. The highest substandard asset rate observed during that period occurred in 2010 at approximately 8 percent, which coincided with an increase in substandard loans within Farmer Mac's then-held ethanol portfolio that Farmer Mac no longer holds. If Farmer Mac's substandard asset rate continues to increase from current levels, it is likely that Farmer Mac's provision to the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for losses will also increase.
Although some credit losses are inherent to the business of agricultural lending, Farmer Mac believes that any losses associated with the current agricultural credit cycle will be moderated by the strength and diversity of its portfolio, which Farmer Mac believes is adequately collateralized.
Lines of Business
Farmer Mac's operations consist of four lines of business – Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit. Net interest income by business segment for second quarter 2017 was $13.3 million (143 basis points) for Farm & Ranch, $5.2 million (99 basis points) for USDA Guarantees, $3.0 million (119 basis points) for Rural Utilities, and $15.4 million (87 basis points) for Institutional Credit. Net effective spread by business segment for second quarter 2017 was $11.3 million (180 basis points) for Farm & Ranch, $4.7 million (90 basis points) for USDA Guarantees, $2.7 million (109 basis points) for Rural Utilities, and $14.4 million (81 basis points) for Institutional Credit.

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Liquidity and Capital
Farmer Mac's core capital totaled $638.5 million as of June 30, 2017, exceeding the statutory minimum capital requirement by $134.1 million, or 27 percent, compared to $609.7 million as of December 31, 2016, which was $143.2 million, or 31 percent, above the statutory minimum capital requirement. The decrease in capital in excess of the minimum capital level was due primarily to an increase in minimum capital required to support the growth of on-balance sheet assets during the first half of 2017, which was offset in part by an increase in retained earnings. In particular, the refinancing of a $1.0 billion AgVantage security that matured in April 2017 into three new on-balance sheet AgVantage securities significantly increased Farmer Mac's on-balance sheet assets because $970 million of the refinanced security was previously held by third party investors and reported as off-balance sheet business volume.
As of June 30, 2017, Farmer Mac's total stockholders' equity was $680.9 million, compared to $643.4 million as of December 31, 2016. The increase in total stockholders' equity was a result of an increase in retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income.
As prescribed by FCA regulations, Farmer Mac is required to maintain a minimum of 90 days of liquidity. In accordance with the methodology prescribed by those regulations, Farmer Mac maintained an average of 200 days of liquidity during second quarter 2017 and had 208 days of liquidity as of June 30, 2017.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In the analysis of its financial information, Farmer Mac sometimes uses "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). Specifically, Farmer Mac uses the following non-GAAP measures: "core earnings," "core earnings per share," and "net effective spread." Farmer Mac uses these non-GAAP measures to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, they are useful alternative measures in understanding Farmer Mac's

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economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends. The non-GAAP financial measures that Farmer Mac uses may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is intended to be supplemental in nature, and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Core Earnings and Core Earnings per Share
Core earnings and core earnings per share principally differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations. These fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is expected. Among other items, these fair value fluctuations have included unrealized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities. Variation margin is exchanged between Farmer Mac and its counterparties on both its cleared and non-cleared derivatives portfolios. Prior to first quarter 2017, Farmer Mac accounted for variation margin as collateral and associated unrealized gains or losses on its centrally cleared derivative contracts. However, beginning in first quarter 2017, the variation margin amounts exchanged between Farmer Mac and its counterparties on cleared derivatives are considered as settlement rather than collateral as a result of a change in variation margin rules implemented by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"), the central clearinghouse used by Farmer Mac. Specifically, effective January 3, 2017, CME began to deem the exchange of variation margin between derivatives counterparties as a partial settlement of each respective derivative contract rather than as collateral pledged by a counterparty. Accordingly, beginning in first quarter 2017, Farmer Mac presents its cleared derivatives portfolio net of variation margin payments on its consolidated balance sheets and recognizes realized gains or losses as a result of these payments on its consolidated statements of operations. However, Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the

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CME rule change, the economic character of these transactions remains the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in first quarter 2017, Farmer Mac excludes the effects of realized gains or losses resulting from the exchange of variation margin on its cleared derivatives portfolio in its calculations of core earnings and core earnings per share to present them on a consistent basis with quarters prior to 2017.
Core earnings and core earnings per share also differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. For example, the loss from retirement of the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock in first quarter 2015 was excluded from core earnings and core earnings per share because it was not a frequently occurring transaction and not indicative of future operating results. This is also consistent with Farmer Mac's previous treatment of these types of origination costs associated with securities underwriting that are capitalized and deferred during the life of the security. For a reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and of earnings per common share to core earnings per share, see the "Reconciliations" section below.

Net Effective Spread
Farmer Mac uses net effective spread to measure the net spread Farmer Mac earns between its interest-earning assets and the related net funding costs of these assets. Net effective spread differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it excludes (1) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value that are amortized as adjustments to yield in interest income over the contractual or estimated remaining lives of the underlying assets, and (2) interest income and

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interest expense related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, which are presented on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost." Farmer Mac excludes from net effective spread premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value because they either do not reflect actual cash premiums paid for the assets at acquisition or are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance if the assets are held to maturity, as is expected. Farmer Mac also excludes from net effective spread the interest income and interest expense associated with the consolidated trusts and the average balance of the loans underlying these trusts to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns on the related Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities owned by third parties is effectively a guarantee fee. Accordingly, the excluded interest income and interest expense associated with consolidated trusts is reclassified to guarantee and commitment fees for purposes of determining Farmer Mac's core earnings.
Net effective spread also principally differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships ("undesignated financial derivatives"). Farmer Mac uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk exposure by synthetically modifying the interest rate reset or maturity characteristics of certain assets and liabilities.  The accrual of the contractual amounts due on interest rate swaps designated in hedge accounting relationships is included as an adjustment to the yield or cost of the hedged item and is included in net interest income. For undesignated financial derivatives, Farmer Mac records the income or expense related to the accrual of the contractual amounts due in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated statements of operations.  However, the accrual of the contractual amounts due for undesignated financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's calculation of net effective spread, which is intended to reflect management's view of the net spread between an asset and all of its related funding, including any associated derivatives, whether or not they are in a hedge accounting relationship. For a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective

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spread, see the "Reconciliations" section below.
Forward-Looking Statements
Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve a number of assumptions and estimates and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties.  Various factors or events, both known and unknown, could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements herein, including uncertainties regarding:
 
the availability to Farmer Mac of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms;

legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac, its sources of business, or the agricultural or rural utilities industries;

fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries;

the rate and direction of development of the secondary market for agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans, including lender interest in Farmer Mac's products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac;

the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities indebtedness;

the effect of economic conditions, including the effects of drought and other weather-related conditions and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values, on agricultural mortgage lending and borrower repayment capacity;

developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;

changes in the level and direction of interest rates, which could, among other things, affect the value of collateral securing Farmer Mac's agricultural mortgage loan assets;

the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to basis risk, which results from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes such as LIBOR; and

volatility in commodity prices relative to costs of production and/or export demand for U.S. agricultural products.
Other risk factors are discussed in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 9, 2017 and in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended

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June 30, 2017 filed with the SEC earlier today. In light of these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this release.  The forward-looking statements contained in this release represent management's expectations as of the date of this release. Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements included in this release to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise mandated by the SEC. The information contained in this release is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Earnings Conference Call Information
The conference call to discuss Farmer Mac's second quarter 2017 financial results will be held beginning at 11:00 a.m. eastern time on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 and can be accessed by telephone or live webcast as follows:
Telephone (Domestic): (888) 346-2616
Telephone (International): (412) 902-4254
Webcast: https://www.farmermac.com/investors/events-presentations/
Presentation materials to be referenced during the call will be posted on the webpage that can be accessed by clicking on the link noted above. When dialing in to the call, please ask for the conference chairman Tim Buzby. The call can be heard live and will also be available for replay on Farmer Mac’s website for two weeks following the conclusion of the call.
More complete information about Farmer Mac's performance for second quarter 2017 is set forth in Farmer Mac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017 filed today with the SEC.
About Farmer Mac
Farmer Mac is a vital part of the agricultural credit markets and was created to increase access to and reduce the cost of capital for the benefit of American agricultural and rural communities. As the

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nation’s premier secondary market for agricultural credit, we provide financial solutions to a broad spectrum of the agricultural community, including agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, and other institutions that can benefit from access to flexible, low-cost financing and risk management tools. Farmer Mac‘s customers benefit from our low cost of funds, low overhead costs, and high operational efficiency. In fact, we are often able to provide the lowest cost of borrowing to agricultural and rural borrowers. For more than a quarter-century, Farmer Mac has been delivering the capital and commitment rural America deserves. Additional information about Farmer Mac (including the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q referenced above) is available on Farmer Mac's website at www.farmermac.com.

CONTACT:     Jalpa Nazareth, Investor Relations
Megan Murray-Pelaez, Media Inquiries
(202) 872-7700


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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
As of
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
319,993

 
$
265,229

Investment securities:
 

 
 

Available-for-sale, at fair value
2,363,805

 
2,515,851

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 

Available-for-sale, at fair value
5,282,562

 
4,853,685

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,137,786

 
1,149,231

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
7,420,348

 
6,002,916

USDA Securities:
 

 
 

Trading, at fair value
16,294

 
20,388

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,066,026

 
2,009,225

Total USDA Securities
2,082,320

 
2,029,613

Loans:
 

 
 

Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
3,665,984

 
3,379,884

Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
1,240,624

 
1,132,966

Allowance for loan losses
(6,138
)
 
(5,415
)
Total loans, net of allowance
4,900,470

 
4,507,435

Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value
1,374

 
1,528

Financial derivatives, at fair value
5,546

 
23,182

Interest receivable (includes $13,917 and $12,584, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
126,509

 
122,782

Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
37,083

 
38,871

Deferred tax asset, net
3,688

 
12,291

Prepaid expenses and other assets
6,249

 
86,322

Total Assets
$
17,267,385

 
$
15,606,020

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Equity:
 

 
 

Liabilities:
 

 
 

Notes payable:
 

 
 

Due within one year
$
7,859,059

 
$
8,440,123

Due after one year
7,281,509

 
5,222,977

Total notes payable
15,140,568

 
13,663,100

Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
1,249,627

 
1,142,704

Financial derivatives, at fair value
34,114

 
58,152

Accrued interest payable (includes $11,787 and $10,881, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
63,960

 
49,700

Guarantee and commitment obligation
35,814

 
37,282

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
60,407

 
9,415

Reserve for losses
1,966

 
2,020

Total Liabilities
16,586,456

 
14,962,373

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
 
 
 
Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock:
 

 
 

Series A, par value $25 per share, 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
58,333

 
58,333

Series B, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,044

 
73,044

      Series C, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,382

 
73,382

Common stock:
 

 
 

Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding
1,031

 
1,031

Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding
500

 
500

Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,072,644 shares and 9,007,481 shares outstanding, respectively
9,073

 
9,008

Additional paid-in capital
118,937

 
118,655

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
42,428

 
33,758

Retained earnings
304,201

 
275,714

Total Stockholders' Equity
680,929

 
643,425

Non-controlling interest

 
222

Total Equity
680,929

 
643,647

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
17,267,385

 
$
15,606,020






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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments and cash equivalents
$
8,368

 
$
6,560

 
$
15,611

 
$
13,241

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
50,106

 
37,299

 
92,628

 
72,809

Loans
39,573

 
33,377

 
76,425

 
65,077

Total interest income
98,047

 
77,236

 
184,664

 
151,127

Total interest expense
58,316

 
42,878

 
107,862

 
83,129

Net interest income
39,731

 
34,358

 
76,802

 
67,998

Provision for loan losses
(327
)
 
(364
)
 
(964
)
 
(413
)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
39,404

 
33,994

 
75,838

 
67,585

Non-interest income/(loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guarantee and commitment fees
3,472

 
3,655

 
7,316

 
7,281

(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities
(617
)
 
(4,696
)
 
1,869

 
(11,478
)
(Losses)/gains on trading securities
(2
)
 
394

 
(84
)
 
752

Losses on sale of available-for-sale investment securities

 

 

 
(9
)
Gains on sale of real estate owned
757

 

 
752

 

Other income
134

 
413

 
687

 
514

Non-interest income/(loss)
3,744

 
(234
)
 
10,540

 
(2,940
)
Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
6,682

 
5,611

 
12,999

 
11,385

General and administrative
3,921

 
3,757

 
7,721

 
7,283

Regulatory fees
625

 
612

 
1,250

 
1,225

Real estate owned operating costs, net
23

 

 
23

 
39

Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses
139

 
94

 
(54
)
 
108

Non-interest expense
11,390

 
10,074

 
21,939

 
20,040

Income before income taxes
31,758

 
23,686

 
64,439

 
44,605

Income tax expense
11,124

 
8,400

 
21,910

 
15,735

Net income
20,634

 
15,286

 
42,529

 
28,870

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
150

 
16

 
165

 
44

Net income attributable to Farmer Mac
20,784

 
15,302

 
42,694

 
28,914

Preferred stock dividends
(3,296
)
 
(3,296
)
 
(6,591
)
 
(6,591
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
17,488

 
$
12,006

 
$
36,103

 
$
22,323

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share and dividends:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.65

 
$
1.15

 
$
3.41

 
$
2.13

Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.62

 
$
1.13

 
$
3.35

 
$
2.07

Common stock dividends per common share
$
0.36

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.72

 
$
0.52







17



Reconciliations
A reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and core earnings per share are presented in the following tables along with a breakdown of the composition of core earnings for the periods indicated:
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
17,488

 
$
18,615

 
$
12,006

Less reconciling items:
 

 
 

 
 

Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities due to fair value changes
2,221

 
4,805

 
(2,076
)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on trading securities
(2
)
 
(82
)
 
394

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(117
)
 
(127
)
 
(371
)
Net effects of settlements on agency forward contracts
261

 
32

 
466

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
(827
)
 
(1,620
)
 
556

Sub-total
1,536

 
3,008

 
(1,031
)
Core earnings
$
15,952

 
$
15,607

 
$
13,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
Composition of Core Earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Net effective spread(1)
$
35,610

 
$
32,866

 
$
31,026

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
4,942

 
5,317

 
4,810

Other(3)
(197
)
 
1,061

 
(125
)
Total revenues
40,355

 
39,244

 
35,711

 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit related (income)/expense (GAAP):
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for losses
466

 
444

 
458

REO operating expenses
23

 

 

(Gains)/losses on sale of REO
(757
)
 
5

 

Total credit related (income)/expense
(268
)
 
449

 
458

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP):
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
6,682

 
6,317

 
5,611

General and administrative
3,921

 
3,800

 
3,757

Regulatory fees
625

 
625

 
612

Total operating expenses
11,228

 
10,742

 
9,980

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
29,395

 
28,053

 
25,273

Income tax expense(4)
10,297

 
9,166

 
8,956

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (GAAP)
(150
)
 
(15
)
 
(16
)
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

Core earnings
$
15,952

 
$
15,607

 
$
13,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
Core earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
1.50

 
$
1.48

 
$
1.25

  Diluted
1.48

 
1.45

 
1.23


18



(1) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See below for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.
(2) 
Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(3) 
Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and a reconciling adjustment to exclude the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. Second quarter 2017 includes $0.3 million of fees received upon the inception of swaps and $0.6 million of hedging losses, respectively, compared to $1.0 million of fees received upon the inception of swaps and $0.5 million of hedging losses, respectively, in first quarter 2017, and no fees received and $0.6 million of hedging losses, respectively, in second quarter 2016.
(4) 
Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings. First and second quarter 2017 includes $0.7 million and $0.2 million of tax benefits, respectively, upon the vesting of restricted stock and the exercise of SARs under new accounting guidance for stock-based awards that became effective in first quarter



19



Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
36,103

 
$
22,323

Less reconciling items:
 

 
 

Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities due to fair value changes
7,026

 
(5,065
)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on trading securities
(84
)
 
752

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(244
)
 
(652
)
Net effects of settlements on agency forward contracts
293

 
211

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
(2,447
)
 
1,665

Sub-total
4,544

 
(3,089
)
Core earnings
$
31,559

 
$
25,412

 
 
 
 
Composition of Core Earnings:
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
Net effective spread(1)
$
68,476

 
$
60,975

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
10,259

 
9,479

Other(3)
864

 
(642
)
Total revenues
79,599

 
69,812

 
 
 
 
Credit related expense (GAAP):
 
 
 
Provision for losses
910

 
521

REO operating expenses
23

 
39

Gains on sale of REO
(752
)
 

Total credit related expense
181

 
560

 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP):
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
12,999

 
11,385

General and administrative
7,721

 
7,283

Regulatory fees
1,250

 
1,225

Total operating expenses
21,970

 
19,893

 
 
 
 
Net earnings
57,448

 
49,359

Income tax expense(4)
19,463

 
17,400

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (GAAP)
(165
)
 
(44
)
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)
6,591

 
6,591

Core earnings
$
31,559

 
$
25,412

 
 
 
 
Core earnings per share:
 
 
 
  Basic
$
2.98

 
$
2.43

  Diluted
2.93

 
2.35

(1) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See below for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.
(2) 
Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(3) 
Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and a reconciling adjustment to exclude the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. The first six months of 2017 includes $1.3 million of fees received upon the inception of swaps and $1.1 million of hedging losses, compared to $0.1 million of fees received and $1.5 million of hedging losses, respectively, in the first six months of 2016.
(4) 
Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings. The first half of 2017 includes $0.8 million of tax benefits upon the vesting of restricted stock and the exercise of SARs under new accounting guidance for stock-based awards that became effective in first quarter 2017.


20



Reconciliation of GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings Basic Earnings Per Share
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
  
June 30, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Basic EPS
$
1.65

 
$
1.76

 
$
1.15

 
$
3.41

 
$
2.13

Less reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities due to fair value changes
0.22

 
0.45

 
(0.19
)
 
0.65

 
(0.49
)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on trading securities

 
(0.01
)
 
0.04

 
(0.01
)
 
0.07

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(0.06
)
Net effects of settlements on agency forward contracts
0.02

 

 
0.04

 
0.03

 
0.02

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
(0.08
)
 
(0.15
)
 
0.05

 
(0.23
)
 
0.16

Sub-total
0.15

 
0.28

 
(0.10
)
 
0.42

 
(0.30
)
Core Earnings - Basic EPS
$
1.50

 
$
1.48

 
$
1.25

 
$
2.99

 
$
2.43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,600

 
10,551

 
10,456

 
10,576

 
10,460


Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings Diluted Earnings Per Share
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
  
June 30, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Diluted EPS
$
1.62

 
$
1.73

 
$
1.13

 
$
3.35

 
$
2.07

Less reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities due to fair value changes
0.21

 
0.45

 
(0.20
)
 
0.65

 
(0.46
)
Unrealized (losses)/gains on trading securities

 
(0.01
)
 
0.04

 
(0.01
)
 
0.07

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(0.01
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(0.06
)
Net effects of settlements on agency forward contracts
0.02

 

 
0.04

 
0.03

 
0.02

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
(0.08
)
 
(0.15
)
 
0.05

 
(0.23
)
 
0.15

Sub-total
0.14

 
0.28

 
(0.10
)
 
0.42

 
(0.28
)
Core Earnings - Diluted EPS
$
1.48

 
$
1.45

 
$
1.23

 
$
2.93

 
$
2.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,783

 
10,782

 
10,614

 
10,783

 
10,808



21



The following table presents a reconciliation of net interest income and net yield to net effective spread for the periods indicated:

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Interest Income/Yield to Net Effective Spread
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2016
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net interest income/yield
$
39,731

 
0.95
 %
 
$
37,071

 
0.96
 %
 
$
34,358

 
0.88
 %
 
$
76,802

 
0.95
 %
 
$
67,998

 
0.88
 %
Net effects of consolidated trusts
(1,470
)
 
0.04
 %
 
(1,472
)
 
0.03
 %
 
(1,155
)
 
0.02
 %
 
(2,942
)
 
0.04
 %
 
(2,199
)
 
0.02
 %
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives
(2,775
)
 
(0.07
)%
 
(2,867
)
 
(0.08
)%
 
(2,509
)
 
(0.07
)%
 
(5,642
)
 
(0.07
)%
 
(5,178
)
 
(0.07
)%
Amortization of premiums/discounts on assets consolidated at fair value
124

 
 %
 
134

 
 %
 
332

 
0.01
 %
 
258

 
 %
 
354

 
 %
Net effective spread
$
35,610

 
0.92
 %
 
$
32,866

 
0.91
 %
 
$
31,026

 
0.84
 %
 
$
68,476

 
0.92
 %
 
$
60,975

 
0.83
 %
The following table presents core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2017:

Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural 
Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Reconciling
Adjustments
 
Consolidated Net Income
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
13,338

 
$
5,176

 
$
3,003

 
$
15,431

 
$
2,783

 
$

 
$
39,731

Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)
(2,007
)
 
(495
)
 
(267
)
 
(1,036
)
 
(316
)
 
4,121

 

Net effective spread
11,331

 
4,681

 
2,736

 
14,395

 
2,467

 
4,121

 

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
4,191

 
99

 
487

 
165

 

 
(1,470
)
 
3,472

Other income/(expense)(3)(4)
994

 
11

 
5

 

 
(450
)
 
(288
)
 
272

Non-interest income/(loss)
5,185

 
110

 
492

 
165

 
(450
)
 
(1,758
)
 
3,744

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
(327
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(327
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for reserve for losses
(139
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(139
)
Other non-interest expense
(4,446
)
 
(1,166
)
 
(643
)
 
(1,622
)
 
(3,374
)
 

 
(11,251
)
Non-interest expense(5)
(4,585
)
 
(1,166
)
 
(643
)
 
(1,622
)
 
(3,374
)
 

 
(11,390
)
Core earnings before income taxes
11,604

 
3,625

 
2,585

 
12,938

 
(1,357
)
 
2,363

(6) 
31,758

Income tax (expense)/benefit
(4,061
)
 
(1,269
)
 
(905
)
 
(4,528
)
 
466

 
(827
)
 
(11,124
)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest
7,543

 
2,356

 
1,680

 
8,410

 
(891
)
 
1,536

(6) 
20,634

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 
(3,296
)
 

 
(3,296
)
Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 
150

 

 
150

Segment core earnings/(losses)
$
7,543

 
$
2,356

 
$
1,680

 
$
8,410

 
$
(4,037
)
 
$
1,536

(6) 
$
17,488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets at carrying value
$
3,958,344

 
$
2,141,569

 
$
1,038,383

 
$
7,425,774

 
$
2,703,315

 
$

 
$
17,267,385

Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance
$
6,426,518

 
$
2,237,013

 
$
1,883,909

 
$
7,711,418

 
 
 

 
$
18,258,858

(1) 
Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.

22



(2) 
Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3) 
Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4) 
Includes reconciling adjustments for fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods.
(5) 
Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
(6) 
Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.





































23



Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of the dates indicated:

Lines of Business - Outstanding Business Volume
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
On-balance sheet:
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
Loans
$
2,641,850

 
$
2,381,488

Loans held in trusts:
 
 
 
Beneficial interests owned by third party investors
1,240,624

 
1,132,966

USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
USDA Securities
2,014,241

 
1,954,800

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
36,516

 
35,599

Rural Utilities:
 
 
 
Loans
1,024,130

 
999,512

Institutional Credit
 
 
 
AgVantage Securities(1)
7,398,204

 
6,004,472

Total on-balance sheet
$
14,355,565

 
$
12,508,837

Off-balance sheet:
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
LTSPCs
2,176,625

 
2,209,409

Guaranteed Securities
367,419

 
415,441

USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
186,256

 
103,976

Rural Utilities:
 
 
 
LTSPCs(2)
859,779

 
878,598

Institutional Credit:
 
 
 
AgVantage Securities(1)
13,214

 
983,214

AgVantage Revolving Line of Credit Facility(3)
300,000

 
300,000

Total off-balance sheet
$
3,903,293

 
$
4,890,638

Total
$
18,258,858

 
$
17,399,475

(1) 
In April 2017, Farmer Mac purchased and retained $1.0 billion in AgVantage securities from MetLife. MetLife used the proceeds from Farmer Mac's purchase of $1.0 billion in AgVantage securities to refinance an AgVantage security of the same amount that matured in April 2017. Previously, $970.0 million of the maturing $1.0 billion AgVantage security had been sold to third parties and reported as off-balance sheet business volume in the Institutional Credit line of business.
(2) 
As of both June 30, 2017 and December 31 2016, includes $20.0 million related to one-year loan purchase commitments on which Farmer Mac receives a nominal unused commitment fee.
(3) 
During the first half of 2017, $100.0 million of this facility was drawn and subsequently repaid. As of December 31, 2016, this facility had not been utilized. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility. If the counterparty draws on the facility, the amounts drawn will be in the form of AgVantage securities, and Farmer Mac will earn interest income on those securities.










24




The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread by segment:

 
Net Effective Spread by Line of Business
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Net Effective Spread
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2017(1)
$
11,331

 
1.80
%
 
$
4,681

 
0.90
%
 
$
2,736

 
1.09
%
 
$
14,395

 
0.81
%
 
$
2,467

 
0.35
%
 
$
35,610

 
0.92
%
March 31, 2017
10,684

 
1.80
%
 
4,703

 
0.91
%
 
2,639

 
1.06
%
 
12,581

 
0.82
%
 
2,259

 
0.32
%
 
32,866

 
0.91
%
December 31, 2016
10,349

 
1.78
%
 
5,334

 
1.08
%
 
2,623

 
1.05
%
 
11,627

 
0.78
%
 
1,995

 
0.26
%
 
31,928

 
0.89
%
September 30, 2016
10,703

 
1.90
%
 
5,189

 
1.07
%
 
2,643

 
1.05
%
 
11,427

 
0.75
%
 
2,237

 
0.24
%
 
32,199

 
0.86
%
June 30, 2016
9,875

 
1.78
%
 
4,588

 
0.96
%
 
2,562

 
1.03
%
 
11,407

 
0.77
%
 
2,594

 
0.29
%
 
31,026

 
0.84
%
March 31, 2016
9,461

 
1.71
%
 
4,308

 
0.91
%
 
2,538

 
1.02
%
 
11,090

 
0.80
%
 
2,552

 
0.26
%
 
29,949

 
0.82
%
December 31, 2015
9,381

 
1.72
%
 
4,518

 
0.96
%
 
2,845

 
1.14
%
 
10,899

 
0.80
%
 
2,306

 
0.26
%
 
29,949

 
0.85
%
September 30, 2015
9,628

 
1.80
%
 
4,630

 
0.99
%
 
2,907

 
1.18
%
 
11,271

 
0.81
%
 
1,951

 
0.25
%
 
30,387

 
0.88
%
June 30, 2015
9,681

 
1.82
%
 
4,466

 
0.98
%
 
2,838

 
1.18
%
 
10,860

 
0.78
%
 
1,942

 
0.25
%
 
29,787

 
0.88
%
(1) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Measures" for a reconciliation of GAAP net interest income by line of business to net effective spread by line of business.









25



The following table presents quarterly core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders:

Core Earnings by Quarter Ended
 
June 2017
 
March 2017
 
December 2016
 
September 2016
 
June 2016
 
March 2016
 
December 2015
 
September 2015
 
June 2015
 
(in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net effective spread
$
35,610

 
$
32,866

 
$
31,928

 
$
32,199

 
$
31,026

 
$
29,949

 
$
29,949

 
$
30,387

 
$
29,787

Guarantee and commitment fees
4,942

 
5,317

 
5,158

 
4,533

 
4,810

 
4,669

 
4,730

 
4,328

 
4,085

Other
(197
)
 
1,061

 
1,189

 
(32
)
 
(125
)
 
(517
)
 
(284
)
 
(93
)
 
(24
)
Total revenues
40,355

 
39,244

 
38,275

 
36,700

 
35,711

 
34,101

 
34,395

 
34,622

 
33,848

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit related (income)/expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for/(release of) losses
466

 
444

 
512

 
(31
)
 
458

 
63

 
(49
)
 
(303
)
 
1,256

REO operating expenses
23

 

 

 

 

 
39

 
44

 
48

 

(Gains)/losses on sale of REO
(757
)
 
5

 

 
(15
)
 

 

 

 

 

Total credit related (income)/expense
(268
)
 
449

 
512

 
(46
)
 
458

 
102

 
(5
)
 
(255
)
 
1,256

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
6,682

 
6,317

 
5,949

 
5,438

 
5,611

 
5,774

 
5,385

 
5,236

 
5,733

General and administrative
3,921

 
3,800

 
4,352

 
3,474

 
3,757

 
3,526

 
3,238

 
3,676

 
3,374

Regulatory fees
625

 
625

 
625

 
613

 
612

 
613

 
613

 
600

 
600

Total operating expenses
11,228

 
10,742

 
10,926

 
9,525

 
9,980

 
9,913

 
9,236

 
9,512

 
9,707

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
29,395

 
28,053

 
26,837

 
27,221

 
25,273

 
24,086

 
25,164

 
25,365

 
22,885

Income tax expense(1)
10,297

 
9,166

 
9,581

 
9,497

 
8,956

 
8,444

 
8,855

 
8,924

 
8,091

Net (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interest
(150
)
 
(15
)
 
28

 
(18
)
 
(16
)
 
(28
)
 
(60
)
 
(36
)
 
(119
)
Preferred stock dividends
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

Core earnings
$
15,952

 
$
15,607

 
$
13,932

 
$
14,447

 
$
13,037

 
$
12,375

 
$
13,073

 
$
13,182

 
$
11,617

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities due to fair value changes
2,221

 
4,805

 
17,233

 
1,460

 
(2,076
)
 
(2,989
)
 
2,743

 
(6,906
)
 
15,982

Unrealized (losses)/gains on trading assets
(2
)
 
(82
)
 
(474
)
 
1,182

 
394

 
358

 
696

 
(8
)
 
170

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(117
)
 
(127
)
 
(40
)
 
(157
)
 
(371
)
 
(281
)
 
(263
)
 
(117
)
 
(125
)
Net effects of settlements on agency forward contracts
261

 
32

 
1,024

 
464

 
466

 
(255
)
 
(162
)
 
(390
)
 
197

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
(827
)
 
(1,620
)
 
(6,210
)
 
(1,032
)
 
556

 
1,109

 
(1,055
)
 
2,598

 
(5,679
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
17,488

 
$
18,615

 
$
25,465

 
$
16,364

 
$
12,006

 
$
10,317

 
$
15,032

 
$
8,359

 
$
22,162

(1) 
First quarter 2017 includes $0.7 million of tax benefits upon the vesting of restricted stock and the exercise of SARs associated with new accounting guidance for stock-based awards that became effective in first quarter 2017.




26