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EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPa4q19equitypresentation.htm
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Farmer Mac Reports 2019 Results
- Grew Outstanding Business Volume to $21.1 Billion -
- - Announces 14% Dividend Increase -

WASHINGTON, February 25, 2020 The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A), the nation's secondary market provider that increases the availability and affordability of credit for the benefit of rural America, today announced its results for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights
Sequential net business volume growth of $185.6 million to total outstanding business volume of $21.1 billion, primarily driven by the Farm & Ranch line of business
Net income attributable to common stockholders grew 49% year-over-year to $29.1 million, or $2.70 per diluted common share
Core earnings, a non-GAAP measure, grew 20% year-over-year to $24.5 million, or $2.27 per diluted common share
Net interest income grew 17% year-over-year to $49.4 million
Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, increased 18% from the prior-year period to $46.0 million
90-day delinquencies were 0.78% of the $7.8 billion Farm & Ranch portfolio and 0.29% of total outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2019

Full Year 2019 Highlights
Net business volume growth year-over-year of $1.4 billion to total outstanding business volume of $21.1 billion, primarily driven by the Rural Utilities and Farm & Ranch lines of business
Net income attributable to common stockholders of $93.7 million, or $8.69 per diluted common share
Core earnings grew 12% year-over-year to $93.7 million, or $8.70 per diluted common share
Net interest income of $173.1 million, compared to $174.4 million for the prior year
Net effective spread increased 12% from the prior year to $168.6 million

Subsequent to December 31, 2019
On February 24, 2020, Farmer Mac's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.80 per common share for first quarter 2020
Reflects an increase of $0.10 per common share, or 14%, over the quarterly dividend payout in 2019

"We had an excellent fourth quarter 2019 from both a volume growth and core earnings standpoint, capping off a strong 2019 for Farmer Mac," said President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Nordholm. "Our growth and strong financial performance in 2019 can largely be attributed to closely aligning our
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business development efforts with our multi-year strategic plan. Entering 2020, Farmer Mac continues to be in excellent financial condition as we strategically focus on the execution of our mission to increase access of financing to rural America by more opportunistically expanding our business volume and market share through utilizing new, innovative solutions to acquire and retain customers. By executing upon our strategic plan with an increased emphasis on customer value and volume growth, we believe we will be well-positioned to further expand our bottom line, and successfully continue to execute upon our mission while delivering value for our shareholders."


Fourth Quarter 2019 Results

Business Volume

During fourth quarter 2019, Farmer Mac added $185.6 million net business volume growth. This increase was driven by net growth of $383.2 million in Farm & Ranch, $52.4 million in USDA Guarantees, and $48.0 million in Rural Utilities. The net growth in these lines of business were partially offset by a net business volume decline in the Institutional Credit line of business of $298.0 million.

The Farm & Ranch line of business experienced net growth of $383.2 million during fourth quarter 2019 attributable to $602.8 million of new loans purchased (including the purchase of a pool of 34 dairy loans in the aggregate amount of $98.1 million) and $65.6 million of new LTSPCs, offset in part by loan repayments of $163.2 million and LTSPC repayments of $122.0 million.

Net growth in Farm & Ranch loan purchases of $439.6 million increased 162% from fourth quarter 2018 primarily due to customer retention initiatives and an increased focus on product innovation, structure, and competitiveness.

Our USDA Guarantees line of business experienced net growth of $52.4 million during fourth quarter 2019, as $143.6 million of new business volume was offset in part by $91.2 million of maturities and repayments.

Outstanding business volume in our Rural Utilities line of business increased by $48.0 million during fourth quarter 2019, primarily due to $58.5 million of new loans purchased, including a $10.0 million participation interest in a solar project financing. This increase was offset by a $10.5 million net decrease in LTSPCs.

Our Institutional Credit line of business decreased by $298.0 million during fourth quarter 2019, due to the termination of a $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility.

Spreads

Net interest income for fourth quarter 2019 was $49.4 million, compared to $42.2 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by net growth in outstanding business volume. Net interest yield was 0.95% for fourth quarter 2019, as compared to 0.93% in fourth quarter 2018.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, for fourth quarter 2019 was $46.0 million, a $7.1 million increase from $38.9 million in the prior year period. This increase was primarily attributable to growth in outstanding business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $4.5 million. In
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percentage terms, net effective spread was 0.95% for fourth quarter 2019 and 0.93% for fourth quarter 2018.

Earnings

Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for fourth quarter 2019 were $29.1 million ($2.70 per diluted common share), a 49% increase from $19.6 million ($1.82 per diluted common share) in fourth quarter 2018. The $9.5 million increase was driven by a $5.7 million after-tax increase in net interest income and a $5.6 million after-tax increase in the fair value of undesignated financial derivatives due to fluctuations in long-term interest rates. These were partially offset by a $2.1 million after-tax increase in the provision for loan losses.

Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for fourth quarter 2019 was $24.5 million ($2.27 per diluted common share), a 20% increase from $20.5 million ($1.90 per diluted common share) in fourth quarter 2018. The $4.0 million year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a $5.6 million after-tax increase in net effective spread primarily resulting from an increase in outstanding business volume. The increase to core earnings was partially offset by a $2.1 million after-tax increase in the provision for loan losses.

Fiscal Year 2019 Results

Business Volume

Outstanding business volume was $21.1 billion as of December 31, 2019, which represents an increase of $1.4 billion from December 31, 2018 after taking into account all new business, maturities, and paydowns on existing assets. This increase was driven by net growth of $688.5 million in Rural Utilities, $543.0 million in Farm & Ranch, $104.6 million in USDA Guarantees, and $57.4 million in Institutional Credit.

The $688.5 million net growth in our Rural Utilities line of business during 2019 was primarily due to the purchase of a portfolio of participations in seasoned Rural Utilities loans in February of 2019 in the amount of $546.2 million.

The $543.0 million net increase in our Farm & Ranch line of business was comprised of a $688.2 million net increase in outstanding loan purchase volume, partially offset by a $145.3 million net decrease in loans under LTSPCs. Net growth of 15.0% in Farm & Ranch loan purchases over the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared favorably to the 2.3% net growth of the overall agricultural mortgage loan market over the twelve months ended September 30, 2019 (based on an analysis of bank and Farm Credit System call report data).

Our USDA Guarantees line of business grew by $104.6 million in 2019. This net portfolio growth was primarily due to product structure adjustments in the second half of 2019 to more effectively meet customer demands in an increasingly competitive environment and increased loan limits mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Our Institutional Credit line of business increased by $57.4 million in 2019. This increase was primarily driven by the purchase of a new $325.0 million AgVantage security in the rural utilities industry in first quarter 2019, offset by the termination of a $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility in fourth quarter 2019.


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Spreads

Net interest income was $173.1 million for 2019, compared to $174.4 million for 2018. The overall net interest yield was 0.87% for 2019, compared to 0.96% for 2018. The $1.3 million decrease in net interest income in 2019 compared to 2018 was due to a $12.8 million decrease in net fair value changes from fair value hedge accounting relationships and a $5.2 million increase in funding and liquidity costs. These factors were partially offset by $15.1 million in net new business volume across all lines of business and the composition of existing Institutional Credit business volume and $1.6 million in various interest income fluctuations primarily related to prepayment activity. The 9 basis point decrease was primarily attributable to a 6 basis point decrease in net fair value changes from fair value hedge accounting relationships and a 5 basis point increase in funding and liquidity costs, partially offset by a 1 basis point increase from business volume.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, increased 12% to $168.6 million in 2019, compared to $151.2 million in 2018. This improvement was primarily due to a $14.2 million increase from net new business volume across all lines of business and the composition of existing Institutional Credit business volume, a $1.6 million increase in various interest income fluctuations primarily related to prepayment activity, and a $1.6 million decrease in non-GAAP funding costs. In percentage terms, net effective spread was 0.91% for both 2019 and 2018 primarily because the narrower spreads on our liquidity investment securities in 2019 were approximately matched by the effect in 2018 of the prepayment and full amortization of an interest-only strip from our liquidity investment portfolio.

Earnings

Net income attributable to common stockholders for 2019 was $93.7 million ($8.69 per diluted common share), compared to $94.9 million ($8.83 per diluted common share) for 2018. The difference was primarily due to a $2.5 million after-tax increase in the provision for loan losses, a $1.6 million after-tax increase in operating expenses, a $1.0 million after-tax decrease in net interest income, and a $0.8 million increase in preferred stock dividends. These factors were partially offset by a $7.1 million after-tax increase in the fair value of undesignated financial derivatives due to fluctuations in long-term interest rates.

Non-GAAP core earnings for 2019 were $93.7 million ($8.70 per diluted common share), a 12% increase from $84.0 million ($7.82 per diluted common share) in 2018. The year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a $13.8 million after-tax increase in net effective spread driven by higher business volume, partially offset by a $2.5 million after-tax increase in the provision for loan losses and a $1.6 million after-tax increase in operating expenses related to continued investments in technology and business infrastructure as well as increases in compensation and employee benefits expenses.

See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" below for more information about core earnings, core earnings per share, and net effective spread and for reconciliations of the comparable GAAP measures to these non-GAAP measures.


Credit

As of December 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's allowance for losses was $12.6 million (0.16% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $9.2 million (0.13% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31,
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2018. The increase was primarily due to a specific reserve on a single specialized poultry loan, a decrease in overall credit quality, and net portfolio growth.

As of December 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were $310.0 million (4.0% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $232.7 million (3.2% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018. The increase of $77.3 million in substandard assets during 2019 reflected an overall deterioration in the credit quality of the portfolio with more loans migrating into the substandard classification than migrating or paying off from the substandard classification. The percentage of substandard assets within the portfolio was at the historical average as of December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were $61.0 million (0.78% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $26.9 million (0.37% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018. Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.29% of total outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2019, compared to 0.14% as of December 31, 2018. Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency rate remained below its historical average of 1.0% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio as of December 31, 2019.


Capital

As of December 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's core capital level was $815.4 million, which was $196.7 million above the minimum capital level required by our statutory charter. This compares to $727.6 million as of December 31, 2018, which was $182.6 million above the minimum capital requirement. Farmer Mac's Tier 1 capital ratio was 12.9% as of December 31, 2019. The increase in capital above the minimum capital level was due to the Board-authorized issuance of the Series D Preferred Stock in May 2019 and the increase in retained earnings partially offset by growth in our outstanding business volume and the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock in June 2019.


Dividends

On February 24, 2020, Farmer Mac's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share on all three classes of common stock – Class A voting common stock (NYSE: AGM.A), Class B voting common stock (not listed on any exchange), and Class C non-voting common stock (NYSE: AGM). This quarterly dividend will be payable on March 31, 2020 to holders of record of common stock as of March 16, 2020. This is the eighth consecutive year that Farmer Mac has increased its quarterly common stock dividend, and Farmer Mac believes that the most recent increase is supported by Farmer Mac's earnings potential and overall capital position.

Farmer Mac's board of directors also declared a dividend on each of Farmer Mac's three classes of preferred stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.3672 per share of 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (NYSE: AGM.PR.A), $0.375 per share of 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (NYSE: AGM.PR.C), and $0.35625 per share of 5.700% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D (NYSE: AGM.PR.D) is for the period from but not including January 17, 2020 to and including April 17, 2020. The preferred dividends will be payable on April 17, 2020 to holders of record as of April 1, 2020.


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Earnings Conference Call Information

The conference call to discuss Farmer Mac's 2019 financial results will be held beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 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/

When dialing in to the call, please ask for the "Farmer Mac Earnings Conference Call." 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 fourth quarter and full year 2019 is in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed today with the SEC.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In the accompanying analysis of its financial information, 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 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 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.

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, we have excluded from core earnings the loss on retirement of preferred stock and the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset.

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; (2) interest income and 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
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amortized cost"; and (3) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship.

Net effective spread also principally differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes: (1) 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"); and (2) the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. More information about Farmer Mac’s use of non-GAAP measures is available in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed today with the SEC.

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, and net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread, see "Reconciliations" below.

Forward-Looking Statements

Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve 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 in this release, including uncertainties about:

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 level of 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 and geopolitics on agricultural mortgage or rural utilities lending, borrower repayment capacity, or collateral values, including fluctuations in interest rates, changes in U.S. trade policies, fluctuations in export demand for U.S. agricultural products, and volatility in commodity prices;
the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to interest rate risk resulting from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes;
developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;
the effect of any changes in Farmer Mac's executive leadership; and
other factors that could have a negative effect on agricultural mortgage lending or borrower repayment capacity, including the effects of weather and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values.


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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, 2019. Considering 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 required by applicable law. The information in this release is not necessarily indicative of future results.

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 credit for the benefit of American agricultural and rural communities. As the nation’s 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. For more than thirty years, Farmer Mac has been delivering the capital and commitment rural America deserves. More information about Farmer Mac (including the Annual Report on Form 10-K 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

As of
 December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands)
Assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$604,381  $425,256  
Investment securities:  
Available-for-sale, at fair value2,959,843  2,217,852  
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost45,032  45,032  
Total Investment Securities3,004,875  2,262,884  
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:  
Available-for-sale, at fair value7,143,025  5,974,497  
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost1,447,451  2,096,618  
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities8,590,476  8,071,115  
USDA Securities:  
Trading, at fair value8,913  9,999  
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost2,232,160  2,166,174  
Total USDA Securities2,241,073  2,176,173  
Loans:  
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost5,390,977  4,004,968  
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost1,600,917  1,517,101  
Allowance for loan losses(10,454) (7,017) 
Total loans, net of allowance6,981,440  5,515,052  
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value1,770  128  
Financial derivatives, at fair value10,519  7,487  
Interest receivable (includes $20,568 and $19,783, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)199,195  180,080  
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable38,442  40,366  
Deferred tax asset, net16,510  6,369  
Prepaid expenses and other assets20,693  9,418  
Total Assets$21,709,374  $18,694,328  
Liabilities and Equity:  
Liabilities:  
Notes payable:  
Due within one year$10,019,082  $7,757,050  
Due after one year9,079,566  8,486,647  
Total notes payable19,098,648  16,243,697  
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties1,616,504  1,528,957  
Financial derivatives, at fair value27,042  19,633  
Accrued interest payable (includes $18,018 and $17,125, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)106,959  96,743  
Guarantee and commitment obligation36,700  38,683  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses22,081  11,891  
Reserve for losses2,164  2,167  
Total Liabilities20,910,098  17,941,771  
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity:  
Preferred stock:      
Series A, par value $25 per share, 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding58,333  58,333  
Series B, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 (redemption value $75,000,000)—  73,044  
      Series C, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding73,382  73,382  
Series D, par value $25 per share, 4,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding96,659  —  
Common stock:      
Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding1,031  1,031  
Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding500  500  
Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,180,744 shares and 9,137,550 shares outstanding, respectively9,181  9,138  
Additional paid-in capital119,304  118,822  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax(16,161) 24,956  
Retained earnings457,047  393,351  
Total Equity799,276  752,557  
Total Liabilities and Equity$21,709,374  $18,694,328  


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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
 December 31, 2019December 31, 2018December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents$19,804  $16,498  $81,522  $55,179  
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities81,267  77,474  333,896  290,953  
Loans61,883  52,481  229,675  198,152  
Total interest income162,954  146,453  645,093  544,284  
Total interest expense113,584  104,237  471,958  369,848  
Net interest income49,370  42,216  173,135  174,436  
Provision for loan losses(2,430) (146) (3,504) (238) 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses46,940  42,070  169,631  174,198  
Non-interest income:
Guarantee and commitment fees3,401  3,506  13,666  13,976  
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives4,089  (2,999) 5,282  (3,687) 
Gains on trading securities172  57  326  81  
Losses on sale of available-for-sale investment securities(236) —  (236) —  
Losses on sale of real estate owned—  —  —  (7) 
Other income526  118  1,904  1,377  
Non-interest income7,952  682  20,942  11,740  
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits6,732  7,167  28,762  27,534  
General and administrative5,773  5,829  20,311  19,707  
Regulatory fees725  687  2,788  2,562  
Real estate owned operating costs, net—  —  64  16  
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses421  20  (3) 97  
Non-interest expense13,651  13,703  51,922  49,916  
Income before income taxes41,241  29,049  138,651  136,022  
Income tax expense8,743  6,193  29,105  27,942  
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac32,498  22,856  109,546  108,080  
Preferred stock dividends(3,432) (3,296) (13,940) (13,182) 
Loss on retirement of preferred stock—  —  (1,956) —  
Net income attributable to common stockholders$29,066  $19,560  $93,650  $94,898  
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share$2.72  $1.84  $8.76  $8.91  
Diluted earnings per common share$2.70  $1.82  $8.69  $8.83  

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Reconciliations
Reconciliations 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 information about 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
 December 31, 2019September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders$29,066  $14,406  $19,560  
Less reconciling items:  
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes4,469  (7,117) (96) 
Losses on hedging activities due to fair value changes(220) (4,535) (853) 
Unrealized gains on trading securities172  49  57  
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value40  (7) 67  
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives1,339  232  (312) 
Issuance costs on the retirement of preferred stock—  —  —  
Income tax effect related to reconciling items(1,218) 2,389  238  
Sub-total4,582  (8,989) (899) 
Core earnings$24,484  $23,395  $20,459  
Composition of Core Earnings:
Revenues:
Net effective spread(1)
$45,991  $42,461  $38,855  
Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
5,432  5,208  5,309  
Other(3)
100  389  (129) 
Total revenues51,523  48,058  44,035  
Credit related expense/(income) (GAAP):
Provision for losses2,851  623  166  
REO operating expenses—  —  —  
Losses/(gains) on sale of REO—  —  —  
Total credit related expense/(income)2,851  623  166  
Operating expenses (GAAP):
Compensation and employee benefits6,732  7,654  7,167  
General and administrative5,773  5,253  5,829  
Regulatory fees725  688  687  
Total operating expenses13,230  13,595  13,683  
Net earnings35,442  33,840  30,186  
Income tax expense(4)
7,526  7,018  6,431  
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)3,432  3,427  3,296  
Core earnings$24,484  $23,395  $20,459  
Core earnings per share:
  Basic$2.29  $2.19  $1.92  
  Diluted2.27  2.17  1.90  
(1)Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" above for an explanation of net effective spread. See below for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.
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(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 terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(4)Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.


Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
 For the Year Ended
 December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders$93,650  $94,898  
Less reconciling items:  
Gains on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes10,077  7,959  
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes(9,010) 4,449  
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading securities326  81  
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value(122) (461) 
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives1,089  1,708  
Issuance costs on the retirement of preferred stock(1,956) —  
Income tax effect related to reconciling items(496) (2,885) 
Sub-total(92) 10,851  
Core earnings$93,742  $84,047  
Composition of Core Earnings:
Revenues:
Net effective spread(1)
$168,608  $151,195  
Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
21,335  20,733  
Other(3)
1,775  520  
Total revenues191,718  172,448  
Credit related expense (GAAP):
Provision for losses3,501  335  
REO operating expenses64  16  
Losses/(gains) on sale of REO—   
Total credit related expense3,565  358  
Operating expenses (GAAP):
Compensation and employee benefits28,762  27,534  
General and administrative20,311  19,707  
Regulatory fees2,788  2,562  
Total operating expenses51,861  49,803  
Net earnings136,292  122,287  
Income tax expense(4)
28,610  25,058  
Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)13,940  13,182  
Core earnings$93,742  $84,047  
Core earnings per share:
  Basic$8.76  $7.89  
  Diluted8.70  7.82  
(1)Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" above for an explanation of net effective spread. 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.
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(3)Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(4)Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.


Reconciliation of GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings Basic Earnings Per Share
  For the Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
  December 31, 2019September 30, 2019December 31, 2018December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Basic EPS$2.72  $1.34  $1.84  $8.76  $8.91  
Less reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes0.42  (0.66) (0.01) 0.94  0.75  
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes(0.02) (0.42) (0.08) (0.83) 0.41  
Unrealized gains on trading securities0.02  —  0.01  0.03  0.01  
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value—  —  0.01  (0.01) (0.04) 
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives0.13  0.02  (0.03) 0.10  0.16  
Issuance costs on the retirement of preferred stock—  —  —  (0.18) —  
Income tax effect related to reconciling items(0.12) 0.21  0.02  (0.05) (0.27) 
Sub-total0.43  (0.85) (0.08) —  1.02  
Core Earnings - Basic EPS$2.29  $2.19  $1.92  $8.76  $7.89  
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)10,711  10,706  10,669  10,696  10,654  

Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings Diluted Earnings Per Share
  For the Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
  December 31, 2019September 30, 2019December 31, 2018December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Diluted EPS$2.70  $1.33  $1.82  $8.69  $8.83  
Less reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes0.42  (0.66) (0.01) 0.93  0.74  
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes(0.02) (0.42) (0.08) (0.83) 0.41  
Unrealized gains on trading securities0.02  —  0.01  0.03  0.01  
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value—  —  0.01  (0.01) (0.04) 
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives0.12  0.02  (0.03) 0.10  0.16  
Issuance costs on the retirement of preferred stock—  —  —  (0.18) —  
Income tax effect related to reconciling items(0.11) 0.22  0.02  (0.05) (0.27) 
Sub-total0.43  (0.84) (0.08) (0.01) 1.01  
Core Earnings - Diluted EPS$2.27  $2.17  $1.90  $8.70  $7.82  
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)10,784  10,776  10,745  10,778  10,746  

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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 EndedFor the Year Ended
 December 31, 2019September 30, 2019December 31, 2018December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
 DollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYield
 (dollars in thousands)
Net interest income/yield$49,370  0.95 %$40,112  0.78 %$42,216  0.93 %$173,135  0.87 %$174,436  0.96 %
Net effects of consolidated trusts(2,031) 0.03 %(1,859) 0.02 %(1,804) 0.04 %(7,669) 0.03 %(6,757) 0.04 %
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives(725) (0.02)%(268) — %(2,161) (0.06)%(5,095) (0.03)%(11,685) (0.07)%
Amortization of premiums/discounts on assets consolidated at fair value58  — %28  — %(138) — %398  — %417  0.01 %
Amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives30  — %(42) — %(69) — %(68) — %(275) — %
Fair value changes on fair value hedge relationships(711) (0.01)%4,490  0.10 %811  0.02 %7,907  0.04 %(4,941) (0.03)%
Net effective spread$45,991  0.95 %$42,461  0.90 %$38,855  0.93 %$168,608  0.91 %$151,195  0.91 %


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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 December 31, 2019:
Core Earnings by Business Segment  
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
Farm & RanchUSDA Guarantees
Rural 
Utilities
Institutional CreditCorporateReconciling
Adjustments
Consolidated Net Income
 (in thousands)
Net interest income$18,674  $4,425  $4,195  $19,614  $2,462  $—   $49,370  
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)
(2,300) (62) 676  (1,606) (87) 3,379  —  
Net effective spread16,374  4,363  4,871  18,008  2,375  3,379  
Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
4,732  246  343  111  —  (2,031) 3,401  
Other income/(expense)(3)
339  82   —  (328) 4,451  4,551  
Non-interest income/(loss)5,071  328  350  111  (328) 2,420  7,952  
Provision for loan losses(2,430) —  —  —  —  —   (2,430) 
Release of reserve for losses(421) —  —  —  —  —   (421) 
Other non-interest expense(4,927) (1,478) (1,303) (1,920) (3,602) —   (13,230) 
Non-interest expense(4)
(5,348) (1,478) (1,303) (1,920) (3,602) —   (16,081) 
Core earnings before income taxes13,667  3,213  3,918  16,199  (1,555) 5,799  
(5)
41,241  
Income tax (expense)/benefit(2,870) (675) (823) (3,402) 244  (1,217) (8,743) 
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends10,797  2,538  3,095  12,797  (1,311) 4,582  
(5)
32,498  
Preferred stock dividends—  —  —  —  (3,432) —   (3,432) 
Segment core earnings/(losses)$10,797  $2,538  $3,095  $12,797  $(4,743) $4,582  
(5)
$29,066  
Total assets at carrying value$5,408,302  $2,311,932  $1,717,405  $8,606,912  $3,664,823  $—  $21,709,374  
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance$7,776,950  $2,620,175  $2,280,571  $8,440,246  $—  $—  $21,117,942  
(1)Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
(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 "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4)Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount.
(5)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 reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.

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Supplemental Information
The following table sets forth information about 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 December 31, 2019As of December 31, 2018
 (in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
Loans$3,675,640  $3,071,222  
Loans held in trusts:
Beneficial interests owned by third party investors1,600,917  1,517,101  
LTSPCs2,393,071  2,509,787  
Guaranteed Securities107,322  135,862  
USDA Guarantees:
USDA Securities2,199,072  2,120,553  
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities421,103  395,067  
Rural Utilities:
Loans1,671,293  938,843  
LTSPCs(1)
609,278  653,272  
Institutional Credit
AgVantage Securities8,440,246  8,082,817  
Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility(2)
—  300,000  
Total$21,117,942  $19,724,524  
(1)Includes $20.0 million and $17.0 million related to one-year loan purchase commitments on which Farmer Mac receives a nominal unused commitment fee as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2)During 2019, the facility was drawn on two separate occurrences for $100.0 million and $150.0 million and later repaid. During 2018, $100.0 million of this facility was drawn and later repaid. The facility was terminated during fourth quarter 2019.

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

Net Effective Spread by Line of Business
Farm & RanchUSDA GuaranteesRural UtilitiesInstitutional CreditCorporateNet Effective Spread
DollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYieldDollarsYield
(dollars in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
December 31, 2019(1)
$16,374  1.90 %$4,363  0.78 %$4,871  1.17 %$18,008  0.85 %$2,375  0.27 %$45,991  0.95 %
September 30, 201913,181  1.66 %4,314  0.79 %4,502  1.16 %17,807  0.84 %2,657  0.30 %42,461  0.90 %
June 30, 201913,335  1.72 %4,097  0.76 %3,996  1.10 %17,371  0.82 %2,556  0.34 %41,355  0.91 %
March 31, 201912,737  1.70 %3,964  0.74 %3,233  1.12 %16,373  0.79 %2,494  0.35 %38,801  0.89 %
December 31, 201813,288  1.79 %4,630  0.85 %2,833  1.19 %15,751  0.80 %2,353  0.36 %38,855  0.93 %
September 30, 201813,887  1.91 %4,627  0.86 %2,877  1.18 %15,642  0.78 %2,044  0.30 %39,077  0.93 %
June 30, 201813,347  1.86 %4,398  0.83 %2,923  1.15 %15,220  0.76 %274  0.04 %36,162  0.86 %
March 31, 201812,540  1.80 %4,400  0.82 %2,950  1.12 %14,824  0.78 %2,387  0.36 %37,101  0.91 %
December 31, 201712,396  1.80 %4,979  0.93 %3,057  1.14 %14,800  0.78 %2,235  0.35 %37,467  0.93 %
(1)See above for a reconciliation of GAAP net interest income by line of business to net effective spread by line of business for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
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The following table presents quarterly core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders:

Core Earnings by Quarter Ended
December 2019September 2019June 2019March 2019December 2018September 2018June 2018March 2018December 2017
(in thousands)
Revenues:
Net effective spread$45,991  $42,461  $41,355  $38,801  $38,855  $39,077  $36,162  $37,101  $37,467  
Guarantee and commitment fees5,432  5,208  5,276  5,419  5,309  5,170  5,171  5,083  5,157  
Other100  389  777  509  (129) 110  111  428  69  
Total revenues51,523  48,058  47,408  44,729  44,035  44,357  41,444  42,612  42,693  
Credit related expense/(income):
Provision for/(release of) losses2,851  623  420  (393) 166  (3) 582  (410) 464  
REO operating expenses—  —  64  —  —  —  —  16  —  
Losses/(gains) on sale of REO—  —  —  —  —  41  (34) —  (964) 
Total credit related expense/(income)2,851  623  484  (393) 166  38  548  (394) (500) 
Operating expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits6,732  7,654  6,770  7,606  7,167  6,777  6,936  6,654  5,247  
General and administrative5,773  5,253  4,689  4,596  5,829  4,350  5,202  4,326  4,348  
Regulatory fees725  688  687  688  687  625  625  625  625  
Total operating expenses13,230  13,595  12,146  12,890  13,683  11,752  12,763  11,605  10,220  
Net earnings35,442  33,840  34,778  32,232  30,186  32,567  28,133  31,401  32,973  
Income tax expense7,526  7,018  7,351  6,715  6,431  6,891  5,477  6,259  11,796  
Preferred stock dividends3,432  3,427  3,785  3,296  3,296  3,295  3,296  3,295  3,296  
Core earnings$24,484  $23,395  $23,642  $22,221  $20,459  $22,381  $19,360  $21,847  $17,881  
Reconciling items:
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes4,469  (7,117) 10,485  2,240  (96) 3,625  6,709  (2,279) (261) 
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes(220) (4,535) (1,438) (2,817) (853) 1,051  1,687  2,564  (3) 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading assets172  49  61  44  57  (3) 11  16  60  
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value40  (7) (139) (16) 67  (38) 196  (686) (129) 
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives1,339  232  (592) 110  (312) 546  232  1,242  632  
Issuance costs on the retirement of preferred stock—  —  (1,956) —  —  —  —  —  —  
Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  (1,365) 
Income tax effect related to reconciling items(1,218) 2,389  (1,759) 92  238  (1,088) (1,855) (180) (105) 
Net income attributable to common stockholders$29,066  $14,406  $28,304  $21,874  $19,560  $26,474  $26,340  $22,524  $16,710  

17