Unassociated Document
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2011 

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

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
 
Commission File Number 001-14951
 

FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Federally chartered instrumentality
of the United States
 
52-1578738
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. employer identification number)
     
1999 K Street, N.W. 4th Floor, Washington, DC
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
20006
(Zip code)

(202) 872-7700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

1133 Twenty-First Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
(Registrant’s former address)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes           x                                No           ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes           x                                No           ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
       
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes           ¨                                No           x

As of November 1, 2011, the registrant had 1,030,780 shares of Class A voting common stock, 500,301 shares of Class B voting common stock and 8,825,794 shares of Class C non-voting common stock outstanding.

 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The following information concerning Farmer Mac’s interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements is included in this report beginning on the pages listed below:

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
 
 
-2-

 

FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 825,014     $ 729,920  
                 
Investment securities:
               
Available-for-sale, at fair value
    1,830,155       1,677,233  
Trading, at fair value
    82,722       86,096  
Total investment securities
    1,912,877       1,763,329  
                 
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
               
Available-for-sale, at fair value
    4,300,000       2,907,264  
                 
USDA Guaranteed Securities:
               
Available-for-sale, at fair value
    1,193,015       1,005,679  
Trading, at fair value
    233,383       311,765  
Total USDA Guaranteed Securities
    1,426,398       1,317,444  
Loans:
               
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value
    479,690       1,212,065  
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
    1,189,224       90,674  
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
    1,138,317       1,265,663  
Allowance for loan losses
    (10,699 )     (9,803 )
Total loans, net of allowance
    2,796,532       2,558,599  
                 
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value
    3,898       1,992  
Financial derivatives, at fair value
    46,254       41,492  
Interest receivable (includes $10,650 and $22,845, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
    79,579       90,295  
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
    30,247       34,752  
Deferred tax asset, net
    -       14,530  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    9,708       20,297  
Total Assets
  $ 11,430,507     $ 9,479,914  
                 
Liabilities and Equity:
               
Liabilities:
               
Notes payable:
               
Due within one year
  $ 5,831,259     $ 4,509,419  
Due after one year
    4,060,382       3,430,656  
Total notes payable
    9,891,641       7,940,075  
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
    713,546       827,411  
Financial derivatives, at fair value
    166,633       113,687  
Accrued interest payable (includes $8,248 and $14,439, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
    48,998       57,131  
Guarantee and commitment obligation
    26,903       30,308  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    26,863       22,113  
Deferred tax liability, net
    1,871       -  
Reserve for losses
    6,991       10,312  
Total Liabilities
    10,883,446       9,001,037  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
               
                 
Equity:
               
Preferred stock:
               
Series C, par value $1,000 per share, 100,000 shares authorized, 57,578 shares issued and outstanding
    57,578       57,578  
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, 8,825,594 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and 8,752,711 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2010
    8,826       8,753  
Additional paid-in capital
    101,809       100,050  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    85,715       18,275  
Retained earnings
    49,749       50,837  
Total Stockholders' Equity
    305,208       237,024  
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock
    241,853       241,853  
Total Equity
    547,061       478,877  
Total Liabilities and Equity
  $ 11,430,507     $ 9,479,914  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
-3-

 

FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)

   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Interest income:
                       
Investments and cash equivalents
  $ 6,880     $ 6,430     $ 21,100     $ 19,303  
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities
    34,398       22,971       91,531       62,597  
Loans
    29,843       29,174       89,414       94,734  
Total interest income
    71,121       58,575       202,045       176,634  
Total interest expense
    39,412       33,526       114,105       106,360  
Net interest income
    31,709       25,049       87,940       70,274  
Release of/(provision for) loan losses
    349       (412 )     (1,092 )     (1,392 )
Net interest income after release of/(provision for) loan losses
    32,058       24,637       86,848       68,882  
                                 
Non-interest loss:
                               
Guarantee and commitment fees
    6,148       5,977       18,855       17,606  
Losses on financial derivatives
    (68,567 )     (6,864 )     (82,368 )     (28,508 )
(Losses)/gains on trading assets
    (3,633 )     (1,722 )     (354 )     6,703  
Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities
    74       24       269       264  
(Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned
    (4 )     -       720       -  
Lower of cost or fair value adjustment on loans held for sale
    9,851       (906 )     8,887       (3,090 )
Other income
    726       140       5,748       1,180  
Non-interest loss
    (55,405 )     (3,351 )     (48,243 )     (5,845 )
                                 
Non-interest expense:
                               
Compensation and employee benefits
    4,805       4,501       13,968       11,919  
General and administrative
    2,505       1,775       7,417       6,329  
Regulatory fees
    550       568       1,714       1,693  
Real estate owned operating costs, net
    142       1,189       741       1,497  
(Release of)/provision for losses
    (452 )     105       (3,321 )     1,680  
Other expense
    -       -       900       -  
Non-interest expense
    7,550       8,138       21,419       23,118  
(Loss)/income before income taxes
    (30,897 )     13,148       17,186       39,919  
Income tax (benefit)/expense
    (14,131 )     885       (2,075 )     5,977  
Net (loss)/income
    (16,766 )     12,263       19,261       33,942  
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest -  preferred stock dividends
    (5,547 )     (5,546 )     (16,641 )     (15,160 )
Net (loss)/income attributable to Farmer Mac
    (22,313 )     6,717       2,620       18,782  
Preferred stock dividends
    (719 )     (720 )     (2,159 )     (3,410 )
Loss on retirement of preferred stock
    -       -       -       (5,784 )
Net (loss)/income attributable to common stockholders
  $ (23,032 )   $ 5,997     $ 461     $ 9,588  
                                 
(Loss)/earnings per common share and dividends:
                               
Basic (loss)/earnings per common share
  $ (2.22 )   $ 0.58     $ 0.04     $ 0.94  
Diluted (loss)/earnings per common share
  $ (2.22 )   $ 0.56     $ 0.04     $ 0.91  
Common stock dividends per common share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.15     $ 0.15  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
-4-

 

FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(unaudited)

   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
    
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Preferred stock:
                       
Balance, beginning of period
    58     $ 57,578       58     $ 57,578  
Issuance of Series C preferred stock
    -       -       -       -  
Balance, end of period
    58     $ 57,578       58     $ 57,578  
Common stock:
                               
Balance, beginning of period
    10,284     $ 10,284       10,142     $ 10,142  
Issuance of Class C common stock
    59       59       122       122  
Exercise of stock options and SARs
    14       14       13       13  
Balance, end of period
    10,357     $ 10,357       10,277     $ 10,277  
Additional paid-in capital:
                               
Balance, beginning of period
          $ 100,050             $ 97,090  
Stock-based compensation expense
            2,254               2,187  
Issuance of Class C common stock
            19               33  
Exercise, vesting and cancellation of stock options,
                               
SARs and restricted stock
            (514 )             158  
Balance, end of period
          $ 101,809             $ 99,468  
Retained earnings:
                               
Balance, beginning of period
          $ 50,837             $ 28,127  
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac
            2,620               18,782  
Cash dividends:
                               
Preferred stock, Series B ($8.33 per share)
            -               (1,250 )
Preferred stock, Series C ($37.50 per share)
            (2,159 )             (2,160 )
Common stock ($0.15 per share)
            (1,549 )             (1,534 )
Loss on retirement of preferred stock
            -               (5,784 )
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard, net of tax
            -               2,679  
Balance, end of period
          $ 49,749             $ 38,860  
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
                               
Balance, beginning of period
          $ 18,275             $ 3,254  
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax and reclassification adjustments
            67,440               44,000  
Change in unrealized gain on financial derivatives, net of tax and reclassification adjustments
            -               78  
Balance, end of period
          $ 85,715             $ 47,332  
Total Stockholders' Equity
          $ 305,208             $ 253,515  
Non-controlling interest:
                               
Balance, beginning of period
          $ 241,853             $ -  
Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC
            -               241,853  
Balance, end of period
          $ 241,853             $ 241,853  
Total Equity
          $ 547,061             $ 495,368  
                                 
Comprehensive income:
                               
Net income
          $ 19,261             $ 33,942  
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
            67,440               44,078  
Comprehensive income
          $ 86,701             $ 78,020  
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest
            16,641               15,160  
Total comprehensive income
          $ 70,060             $ 62,860  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
-5-

 

FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
         
(restated)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 19,261     $ 33,942  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
               
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities
    13,923       8,421  
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs
    8,822       5,057  
Net change in fair value of trading securities, financial derivatives and loans held for sale
    48,538       (5,970 )
Amortization of deferred gains on certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities
    (4,216 )     -  
Gains on the sale of available-for-sale investment securities
    (269 )     (264 )
Gains on the sale of real estate owned
    (720 )     -  
Total (release of)/provision for losses
    (2,229 )     3,072  
Deferred income taxes
    (20,734 )     809  
Stock-based compensation expense
    2,254       2,188  
Proceeds from repayment and sale of trading investment securities
    686       586  
Purchases of loans held for sale
    (152,117 )     (404,072 )
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale
    83,361       32,506  
Net change in:
               
Interest receivable
    10,778       (246 )
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
    4,505       20,958  
Other assets
    2,269       642  
Accrued interest payable
    (8,133 )     5,532  
Other liabilities
    2,838       (17,865 )
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
    8,817       (314,704 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
    (1,276,131 )     (626,678 )
Purchases of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities
    (2,105,473 )     (1,151,375 )
Purchases of loans held for investment
    (398,050 )     (26,367 )
Purchases of defaulted loans
    (21,266 )     (5,317 )
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities
    675,566       213,315  
Proceeds from repayment of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities
    699,263       372,862  
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment
    251,471       246,906  
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities
    447,864       92,767  
Proceeds from sale of trading securities - fair value option
    -       5,013  
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
    13,869       18,860  
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
    1,361       -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (1,711,526 )     (860,014 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes
    52,174,214       50,774,678  
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes
    1,981,109       1,977,609  
Payments to redeem discount notes
    (51,185,913 )     (50,262,407 )
Payments to redeem medium-term notes
    (1,027,000 )     (1,441,590 )
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards
    243       747  
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts
    (124,521 )     (147,832 )
Proceeds from common stock issuance
    20       180  
Issuance costs on retirement of preferred stock
    -       (5,784 )
Proceeds from preferred stock issuance - Farmer Mac II LLC
    -       241,853  
Retirement of Series B preferred stock
    -       (144,216 )
Dividends paid - non-controlling interest - preferred stock
    (16,641 )     (15,097 )
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock
    (3,708 )     (4,944 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,797,803       973,197  
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    95,094       (201,521 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    729,920       654,794  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 825,014     $ 453,273  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
-6-

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Note 1.
Accounting Policies

The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac” or the “Corporation”) and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations.  On June 1, 2011, Farmer Mac filed with the SEC an amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 to correct prior misclassifications of proceeds from the repayments of certain loans between operating activities and investing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.  These misclassifications had no impact on the net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents as previously reported and had no effect on Farmer Mac’s previously issued condensed consolidated interim or annual consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations or statements of equity.   See Note 1(a) for further information.  The December 31, 2010 condensed consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from the Corporation’s audited 2010 consolidated financial statements.  Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the condensed consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented.  These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2010 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on March 16, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed on June 1, 2011.  Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year.  Below is a summary of Farmer Mac’s significant accounting policies.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation (“FMMSC”), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and to act as a registrant under registration statements filed with the SEC, and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the Farmer Mac II program – primarily the acquisition of the portions of loans (the “USDA-guaranteed portions”) guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) presented as “USDA Guaranteed Securities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Farmer Mac II LLC was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on December 10, 2009.  The business operations of Farmer Mac II LLC began in January 2010.  The condensed consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.  See Note 2(g) for more information on consolidated VIEs.

 
-7-

 

A Farmer Mac guarantee of timely payment of principal and interest is an explicit element of the terms of all Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  When Farmer Mac retains such securities in its portfolio, that guarantee is not extinguished.  For Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities in the Corporation’s portfolio, Farmer Mac has entered into guarantee arrangements with FMMSC.  The guarantee fee rate established between Farmer Mac and FMMSC is an element in determining the fair value of these Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and guarantee fees related to these securities are reflected in guarantee and commitment fees in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  These guarantee fees totaled $2.4 million and $6.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $1.5 million and $4.7 million for the same periods in 2010, respectively.  The corresponding expense of FMMSC has been eliminated against interest income in consolidation.  All other inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

(a)   Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows

Farmer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.  Changes in the balance of cash and cash equivalents are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.  The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
    
(in thousands)
 
Cash paid during the period for:
           
Interest
  $ 78,598     $ 57,746  
Income taxes
    20,568       12,500  
Non-cash activity:
               
Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation
    2,723       4,643  
Loans acquired and securitized as loans held for investment in consolidated trusts
    10,656       2,185  
Consolidation of Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts
    10,656       1,402,556  
Consolidation of Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
    10,656       1,402,556  
Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, upon the adoption of new consolidation guidance
    -       5,385  
Transfers of trading Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, upon the adoption of new consolidation guidance
    -       451,448  
Deconsolidation of loans held for investment in consolidated trusts - transferred to off-balance sheet Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities
    -       414,462  
Deconsolidation of debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties - transferred to off-balance sheet Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities
    -       414,462  
Transfers of loans held for sale to loans held for investment
    878,798       -  
 
 
-8-

 

Effective January 1, 2011, Farmer Mac transferred $878.8 million of loans in the Farmer Mac I program from held for sale to held for investment because Farmer Mac no longer has the intent to securitize or sell these loans in the foreseeable future.  Farmer Mac transferred these loans at their cost, which was lower than the estimated fair value at the time of transfer.

At the time of purchase, loans are classified as either held for sale or held for investment depending upon management’s intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future.  On two occasions, once in first quarter 2009 and again in first quarter 2011, consistent with a change in management’s intent, Farmer Mac reclassified loans from one classification to the other on the balance sheet.  Prior to first quarter 2011, cash receipts from the repayment of loans were classified within the statements of cash flows consistent with the then-current balance sheet classification as opposed to the original balance sheet classification assigned based on management’s intent upon purchase of the loan, as prescribed by accounting guidance related to the statement of cash flows.  As a result of these incorrect classifications, Farmer Mac restated its previously issued interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six and nine month periods ended June 30 and September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 by amending its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which included the interim periods, by filing Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A on June 1, 2011.  The restatements impacted only the classification of items in operating activities and investing activities and had no impact on the net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents as previously reported and had no effect on Farmer Mac’s previously issued condensed consolidated interim or annual consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations or statements of changes in equity.

(b)  Allowance for Losses

Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses to cover estimated probable losses on loans held (“allowance for loan losses”) and loans underlying Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments (“LTSPCs”) and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (“reserve for losses”) based on available information.  Farmer Mac’s methodology for determining the allowance for losses separately considers its portfolio segments – Farmer Mac I, Farmer Mac II, and Rural Utilities, and disaggregates its analysis, where relevant, into classes of financing receivables, which currently include loans and AgVantage securities.  Further disaggregation by commodity type is performed, where appropriate, in analyzing the need for an allowance for losses.

The allowance for losses is increased through periodic provisions for loan losses that are charged against net interest income and provisions for losses that are charged to non-interest expense and is reduced by charge-offs for actual losses, net of recoveries.  Negative provisions, or releases of allowance for losses, are generally recorded in the event that the estimate of probable losses as of the end of a period is lower than the estimate at the beginning of the period.

The total allowance for losses consists of a general allowance for losses and a specific allowance for impaired loans.

 
-9-

 

General Allowance for Losses

Farmer Mac I

Farmer Mac’s methodology for determining its allowance for losses incorporates the Corporation’s automated loan classification system.  That system scores loans based on criteria such as historical repayment performance, indicators of current financial condition, loan seasoning, loan size and loan-to-value ratio.  For the purposes of the loss allowance methodology, the loans in the Farmer Mac I portfolio and loans underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs have been scored and classified for each calendar quarter since first quarter 2000.  The allowance methodology captures the migration of loan scores across concurrent and overlapping three-year time horizons and calculates loss rates separately within each loan classification for (1) loans underlying LTSPCs and (2) loans held and loans underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities.  The calculated loss rates are applied to the current classification distribution of unimpaired loans in Farmer Mac’s portfolio to estimate inherent losses, on the assumption that the historical credit losses and trends used to calculate loss rates will continue in the future.  Management evaluates this assumption by taking into consideration factors, including:
 
 
·
economic conditions;
 
·
geographic and agricultural commodity/product concentrations in the portfolio;
 
·
the credit profile of the portfolio;
 
·
delinquency trends of the portfolio;
 
·
historical charge-off and recovery activities of the portfolio; and
 
·
other factors to capture current portfolio trends and characteristics that differ from historical experience.
 
Management believes that its use of this methodology produces a reasonable estimate of probable losses, as of the balance sheet date, for all loans held in the Farmer Mac I portfolio and loans underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.  There were no purchases or sales during the first nine months of 2011 that materially affected the credit profile of the Farmer Mac I portfolio.

Farmer Mac has not provided an allowance for losses for loans underlying Farmer Mac I AgVantage securities.  Each AgVantage security is a general obligation of an issuing institution approved by Farmer Mac and is collateralized by eligible loans in an amount at least equal to the outstanding principal amount of the security, with some level of overcollateralization also required for Farmer Mac I AgVantage securities.  Farmer Mac excludes the loans that secure AgVantage securities from the credit risk metrics it discloses because of the credit quality of the issuing institutions, the collateralization level for the securities, and because delinquent loans are required to be removed from the pool of pledged loans and replaced with current eligible loans.

Farmer Mac II

No allowance for losses has been provided for USDA Guaranteed Securities or Farmer Mac II Guaranteed Securities.  The USDA-guaranteed portions presented as “USDA Guaranteed Securities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as well as those that collateralize Farmer Mac II Guaranteed Securities, are guaranteed by the USDA.  Each USDA guarantee is an obligation backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.  Farmer Mac excludes these guaranteed portions from the credit risk metrics it discloses because of the USDA guarantee.

 
-10-

 

Rural Utilities

Farmer Mac separately evaluates the rural utilities loans it owns, as well as the lender obligations and loans underlying or securing its Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities – Rural Utilities, including AgVantage securities, to determine if there are probable losses inherent in those assets.  Each AgVantage security is a general obligation of an issuing institution approved by Farmer Mac and is collateralized by eligible loans in an amount at least equal to the outstanding principal amount of the security.  No allowance for losses has been provided for this portfolio segment based on the credit quality of the collateral supporting rural utilities assets and Farmer Mac’s counterparty risk analysis.  As of September 30, 2011, there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac’s rural utilities loans held or in any Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities – Rural Utilities.

Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans

Farmer Mac also analyzes assets in its portfolio for impairment in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard on measuring individual impairment of a loan.  Farmer Mac’s impaired assets generally include:
 
 
·
non-performing assets (loans 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured, in bankruptcy – including loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan);
 
·
loans for which Farmer Mac has adjusted the timing of borrowers’ payment schedules, but still expects to collect all amounts due and has not made economic concessions; and
 
·
additional performing loans that have previously been delinquent or are secured by real estate that produces agricultural commodities or products currently under stress.

For loans with an updated appraised value, other updated collateral valuation or management’s estimate of discounted collateral value, this analysis includes the measurement of the fair value of the underlying collateral for individual loans relative to the total recorded investment, including principal, interest and advances and net of any charge-offs.  In the event that the collateral value does not support the total recorded investment, Farmer Mac provides an allowance for the loan for the difference between the recorded investment and its fair value, less estimated costs to liquidate the collateral.  For the remaining impaired assets without updated valuations, this analysis is performed in the aggregate in consideration of the similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics.

 
-11-

 

A modification to the contractual terms of a loan that results in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).  Farmer Mac has granted a concession when, as a result of the restructuring, it does not expect to collect all amounts due, including interest accrued at the original contract rate.  Because the payment of principal at original maturity is primarily dependent on the value of the collateral, Farmer Mac considers the current value of the collateral in determining whether the principal will be paid.  In making its determination of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, Farmer Mac considers several factors, including (1) whether the borrower has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy, (2) there is substantial doubt as to whether the borrower will continue to be a going concern, and (3) whether the borrower can obtain funds from other sources at an effective interest rate at or near a current market interest rate for debt with similar risk characteristics.  Farmer Mac evaluates TDRs similarly to other impaired loans for purposes of the allowance for losses.  For both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, the recorded investment of loans determined to be TDRs was $0.4 million, both before and after restructuring.  The provision for loan losses related to TDRs was zero and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

           As of September 30, 2011 and 2010, Farmer Mac’s specific allowances for losses were $7.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

Allowance for Losses

The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

    
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
   
Allowance
         
Total
   
Allowance
         
Total
 
   
for Loan
   
Reserve
   
Allowance
   
for Loan
   
Reserve
   
Allowance
 
   
Losses
   
for Losses
   
for Losses
   
Losses
   
for Losses
   
for Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended:
                                   
Beginning Balance
  $ 11,053     $ 7,443     $ 18,496     $ 9,495     $ 9,470     $ 18,965  
(Release of)/provision for losses
    (349 )     (452 )     (801 )     412       105       517  
Charge-offs
    (5 )     -       (5 )     (465 )     -       (465 )
Recoveries
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Ending Balance
  $ 10,699     $ 6,991     $ 17,690     $ 9,442     $ 9,575     $ 19,017  
                                                 
For the Nine Months Ended:
                                               
Beginning Balance
  $ 9,803     $ 10,312     $ 20,115     $ 6,292     $ 7,895     $ 14,187  
Provision for/(release of) losses
    1,092       (3,321 )     (2,229 )     1,392       1,680       3,072  
Charge-offs
    (196 )     -       (196 )     (465 )     -       (465 )
Recoveries
    -       -       -       2,223       -       2,223  
Ending Balance
  $ 10,699     $ 6,991     $ 17,690     $ 9,442     $ 9,575     $ 19,017  

During third quarter 2011, Farmer Mac recorded releases from its allowance for loan losses and its reserve for losses of $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively.  The releases from the allowance for losses in third quarter 2011 were primarily due to a decline in estimated probable losses related to Farmer Mac’s exposure to the dairy industry.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $1.1 million and releases from its reserve for losses of $3.3 million, respectively.  In first quarter 2011, Farmer Mac purchased two defaulted loans pursuant to the terms of an LTSPC agreement.  This resulted in the reclassification of $1.8 million of specific allowance, which had been recorded in fourth quarter 2010, from the reserve for losses to the allowance for loan losses.  The provision for/(release of) losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 reflects this reclassification as well as the decline in estimated probable losses related to Farmer Mac’s exposure to the ethanol and dairy industries.

 
-12-

 

During third quarter 2010, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses and its reserve for losses of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  Farmer Mac also recorded charge-offs of $0.5 million to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses and its reserve for losses of $1.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  These amounts include the reclassification of $2.0 million from the reserve for losses to the allowance for loan losses upon adoption of new consolidation guidance in first quarter 2010.  Farmer Mac also recorded charge-offs of $0.5 million and recoveries of $2.2 million on a loan secured by an ethanol plant to its allowance for loan losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Farmer Mac’s reserve for losses for off-balance sheet Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of September 30, 2011 was $0.4 million and $6.6 million, respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2010.

 
-13-

 

The following tables present the ending balances of Farmer Mac I loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and the related allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and changes in the allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

    
As of September 30, 2011
 
                           
AgStorage and
             
                           
Processing
             
         
Permanent
         
Part-time
   
(including ethanol
             
   
Crops
   
Plantings
   
Livestock
   
Farm
   
facilities)
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Ending Balance:
                                         
Evaluated collectively for impairment
  $ 1,781,013     $ 809,383     $ 1,246,359     $ 244,587     $ 187,144     $ 20,318     $ 4,288,804  
Evaluated individually for impairment
    29,991       32,029       11,904       11,398       6,000       1,138       92,460  
    $ 1,811,004     $ 841,412     $ 1,258,263     $ 255,985     $ 193,144     $ 21,456     $ 4,381,264  
                                                         
Allowance for Losses:
                                                       
Evaluated collectively for impairment
  $ 1,818     $ 1,178     $ 164     $ 781     $ 6,252     $ 7     $ 10,200  
Evaluated individually for impairment
    2,041       2,610       695       293       1,850       1       7,490  
    $ 3,859     $ 3,788     $ 859     $ 1,074     $ 8,102     $ 8     $ 17,690  
                                                         
For the Three Months Ended:
                                                       
Beginning balance
  $ 3,715     $ 3,803     $ 1,774     $ 1,095     $ 8,100     $ 9     $ 18,496  
Provision for/(release of) losses
    144       (15 )     (915 )     (16 )     2       (1 )     (801 )
Charge-offs
    -       -       -       (5 )     -       -       (5 )
Ending balance
  $ 3,859     $ 3,788     $ 859     $ 1,074     $ 8,102     $ 8     $ 17,690  
                                                         
For the Nine Months Ended:
                                                       
Beginning balance
  $ 3,572     $ 3,537     $ 2,749     $ 445     $ 9,797     $ 15     $ 20,115  
Provision for/(release of) losses
    463       258       (1,882 )     634       (1,695 )     (7 )     (2,229 )
Charge-offs
    (176 )     (7 )     (8 )     (5 )     -       -       (196 )
Ending balance
  $ 3,859     $ 3,788     $ 859     $ 1,074     $ 8,102     $ 8     $ 17,690  
 
 
-14-

 
 
    
As of December 31, 2010
 
                           
AgStorage and
             
                           
Processing
             
         
Permanent
         
Part-time
   
(including ethanol
             
   
Crops
   
Plantings
   
Livestock
   
Farm
   
facilities)
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Ending Balance:
                                         
Evaluated collectively for impairment
  $ 1,699,477     $ 835,254     $ 1,130,466     $ 282,400     $ 239,933     $ 22,514     $ 4,210,044  
Evaluated individually for impairment
    31,903       30,221       15,992       8,745       6,790       425       94,076  
    $ 1,731,380     $ 865,475     $ 1,146,458     $ 291,145     $ 246,723     $ 22,939     $ 4,304,120  
                                                         
Allowance for Losses:
                                                       
Evaluated collectively for impairment
  $ 1,499     $ 783     $ 2,236     $ 222     $ 7,947     $ 13     $ 12,700  
Evaluated individually for impairment
    2,073       2,754       513       223       1,850       2       7,415  
    $ 3,572     $ 3,537     $ 2,749     $ 445     $ 9,797     $ 15     $ 20,115  

Farmer Mac recognized interest income of approximately $0.7 million and $2.1 million on impaired loans during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2010.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Farmer Mac’s average investment in impaired loans was $94.2 million and $90.9 million, respectively, compared to $125.4 million and $109.0 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2010.

The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans, the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 
-15-

 

    
As of September 30, 2011
 
                            
AgStorage and
             
                            
Processing
             
          
Permanent
         
Part-time
   
(including ethanol
             
    
Crops
   
Plantings
   
Livestock
   
Farm
   
facilities)
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired Loans:
                                         
With no specific allowance:
                                         
Recorded investment
  $ 13,274     $ 12,046     $ 4,460     $ 3,635     $ -     $ 970     $ 34,385  
Unpaid principal balance
    13,893       11,936       5,186       3,734       -       902       35,651  
                                                         
With a specific allowance:
                                                       
Recorded investment
    17,401       19,675       7,013       7,755       6,000       239       58,083  
Unpaid principal balance
    16,098       20,093       6,718       7,664       6,000       236       56,809  
Associated allowance
    2,041       2,610       695       293       1,850       1       7,490  
                                                         
Total:
                                                       
Recorded investment
    30,675       31,721       11,473       11,390       6,000       1,209       92,468  
Unpaid principal balance
    29,991       32,029       11,904       11,398       6,000       1,138       92,460  
Associated allowance
    2,041       2,610       695       293       1,850       1       7,490  
                                                         
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011:
                                                       
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
    31,639       31,299       12,371       11,511       6,158       1,207       94,185  
Income recognized on impaired loans
    120       480       42       63       -       -       705  
                                                         
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011:
                                                       
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
    30,546       30,070       13,344       9,753       6,439       771       90,923  
Income recognized on impaired loans
    432       857       343       125       382       -       2,139  
                                                         
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status:
    8,389       25,475       4,532       7,464       -       -       45,860  

    
As of December 31, 2010
 
                            
AgStorage and
             
                            
Processing
             
          
Permanent
         
Part-time
   
(including ethanol
             
    
Crops
   
Plantings
   
Livestock
   
Farm
   
facilities)
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired Loans:
                                         
With no specific allowance:
                                         
Recorded investment
  $ 16,015     $ 10,549     $ 6,873     $ 1,050     $ -     $ -     $ 34,487  
Unpaid principal balance
    17,274       10,895       7,087       1,072       -       -       36,328  
                                                         
With a specific allowance:
                                                       
Recorded investment
    15,414       18,949       9,052       7,788       6,839       430       58,472  
Unpaid principal balance
    14,630       19,326       8,905       7,672       6,790       425       57,748  
Associated allowance
    2,073       2,754       513       223       1,850       2       7,415  
                                                         
Total:
                                                       
Recorded investment
    31,429       29,498       15,925       8,838       6,839       430       92,959  
Unpaid principal balance
    31,904       30,221       15,992       8,744       6,790       425       94,076  
Associated allowance
    2,073       2,754       513       223       1,850       2       7,415  
                                                         
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status:
    13,828       8,793       3,267       4,380       8,796       -       39,064  
 
 
-16-

 

In accordance with the terms of all applicable trust agreements, Farmer Mac generally acquires all loans that collateralize Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that become and remain either 90 or 120 days or more past due (depending on the provisions of the applicable agreement) on the next subsequent loan payment date.  In accordance with the terms of all LTSPCs, Farmer Mac acquires loans that are either 90 days or 120 days delinquent (depending on the provisions of the applicable agreement) upon the request of the counterparty.

Farmer Mac records all such defaulted loans at their unpaid principal balance during the period in which Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the loans and therefore regains effective control over the transferred loans.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Farmer Mac purchased 5 defaulted loans having a cumulative unpaid principal balance of $2.9 million and 18 defaulted loans having a cumulative unpaid principal balance of $21.3 million, respectively, from pools underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, Farmer Mac purchased 9 defaulted loans having a cumulative unpaid principal balance of $1.9 million and 22 defaulted loans having a cumulative unpaid principal balance of $5.3 million, respectively, from pools underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.  The following table presents Farmer Mac’s purchases of defaulted loans underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.

   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
    
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Defaulted loans purchased underlying Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities
  $ 2,921     $ 1,133     $ 7,292     $ 3,456  
Defaulted loans purchased underlying LTSPCs
    -       781       13,974       1,861  
Total defaulted loan purchases
  $ 2,921     $ 1,914     $ 21,266     $ 5,317  
 
 
-17-

 

Credit Quality Indicators

The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farmer Mac I loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  Farmer Mac uses 90-day delinquency information to evaluate its credit risk exposure on these assets because historically it has been the best measure of borrower credit quality deterioration.  Most of the Farmer Mac I loans held and underlying LTSPCs and Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities have annual (January 1) or semi-annual (January 1 and July 1) payment dates and are supported by less frequent and less predictable revenue sources, such as the cash flows generated from the maturation of crops, sales of livestock and government farm support programs.  Taking into account the reduced frequency of payment due dates and revenue sources, Farmer Mac considers the 90-day delinquency point to be the most significant observation point when evaluating its credit risk exposure.

    
As of September 30, 2011
 
                           
AgStorage and
             
                           
Processing
             
         
Permanent
         
Part-time
   
(including ethanol
             
   
Crops
   
Plantings
   
Livestock
   
Farm
   
facilities)
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1)
                                         
Grade:
                                         
Acceptable
  $ 1,719,924     $ 757,635     $ 1,127,206     $ 226,887     $ 120,857     $ 19,043     $ 3,971,552  
Other assets especially mentioned ("OAEM") (2)
    49,594       27,808       74,443       10,143       45,229       1,054       208,271  
Substandard (2)
    41,486       55,969