BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES | BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization
Guild Holdings Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Guild” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on August 11, 2020 for the purpose of facilitating an initial public offering (“IPO”) of its Class A common stock and other related transactions in order to carry on the business of Guild Mortgage Company LLC (“GMC”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries. GMC was incorporated in California on August 10, 1960 and in October of 2020 was converted to a California limited liability company. On October 21, 2020 Guild completed its IPO.
The Company originates, sells, and services residential mortgage loans. The Company operates approximately 350 branches with licenses in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The Company’s residential mortgage originations are generated in 49 states from two channels of business: retail and correspondent. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the channel production was as follows: retail 95.0% and correspondent 5.0%. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the channel production was as follows: retail 96.0% and correspondent 4.0%.
The Company is certified with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and operates as a Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) non-supervised lender. In addition, the Company is an approved issuer with the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA” or “Ginnie Mae”), as well as an approved seller and servicer with the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA” or “Fannie Mae”, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”) and the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (“USDA”).
Properties securing the mortgage loans in the Company’s servicing portfolio are geographically dispersed throughout the United States; however, at December 31, 2023, approximately 12.4% of such properties were located in California, 10.1% were located in Texas, and 9.9% were located in Washington. At December 31, 2022, approximately 13.0% of such properties were located in California, 10.3% were located in Washington, and 10.2% were located in Texas. Loan production in Texas, California, and Washington represented 9.7%, 8.9%, and 8.7%, respectively, of the Company’s total loan production in 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2022, California, Washington and Texas represented 10.8%, 10.5%, and 8.8%, respectively, of the Company’s total loan production.
Principles of Consolidation
The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, GMC, and their consolidated subsidiaries, variable interest entities (“VIE”) of which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and joint ventures in which the Company has a majority voting interest and control.
The Company evaluates its relationships and investments to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Generally, a VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of the Company's investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Company or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to the Company's business activities and the business activities of the other investors.
The carrying amount of the consolidated VIEs' and consolidated joint ventures' assets and liabilities were immaterial as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The Company has investments in unconsolidated joint ventures involved in the mortgage lending business, which are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's investments in these unconsolidated joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the Company does not have a majority voting interest, operational control or financial control. As a result, the Company does not recognize the assets and liabilities of these unconsolidated joint ventures in its financial statements. The Company's share of the net earnings or losses of the investee are included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company classifies distributions received from its unconsolidated joint ventures using the cumulative earnings approach. Distributions received are considered returns on the investment and classified as cash inflows from operating activities. If, however, the investor’s cumulative distributions received, less distributions received in prior periods determined to be returns of investment, exceeds cumulative equity in earnings recognized, the excess is considered a return of investment and is classified as cash inflows from investing activities.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Although management is not currently aware of any factors that would significantly change its estimates and assumptions, actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
The following accounting policies, together with those disclosed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements, represent the significant accounting policies of the Company.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
For cash flow purposes, the Company considers cash and temporary investments with original maturities of three months or less, to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company typically maintains cash in financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of these financial institutions in determining the risk associated with these cash balances. The Company maintains cash balances that are restricted under the terms of its warehouse lines of credit.
The following table summarizes the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
The Company measures newly originated prime residential mortgage loans held for sale (“MLHS”) at fair value in accordance with ASC 825, Financial Instruments. Included in MLHS are loans originated as held for sale that are expected to be sold into the secondary market and loans that have been previously sold and repurchased from investors that management intends to resell into the secondary market, which are recorded at fair value.
The Company estimates fair value by evaluating a variety of market indicators, including recent trades and outstanding commitments, calculated on an individual loan basis and aggregated (see “Note 2—Fair Value Measurements”). Changes in the fair value of mortgage loans are recognized in current period income and are included in loan origination fees and gain on sale of loans, net. Fair value for mortgage loans covered by investor commitments is based on commitment prices. Fair value for uncommitted loans is based on current delivery prices. In accordance with ASC 825-10, the Company immediately recognizes loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs associated with these loans.
Loans are considered sold when the Company surrenders control over the financial assets. Control is considered to have been surrendered when the transferred assets have been isolated from the Company, beyond the reach of the Company and its creditors; the purchaser obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Company to repurchase or redeem the transferred assets before their maturity. The Company typically considers the above criteria to have been met upon acceptance and receipt of sales proceeds from the purchaser.
Reverse Mortgage Loans Held for Investment and HMBS-Related Borrowings, Net
In April 2023, the Company acquired certain assets of Cherry Creek Mortgage, LLC ("CCM") (see “Note 3 —Acquisitions), which expanded its range of services by offering reverse mortgages to its customers. Reverse mortgage loans are residential mortgage loans for which neither principal nor interest is due until the borrower dies, the home is sold, or other trigger events occur. Reverse mortgage loans can have either fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates. In the case of most fixed-rate reverse mortgage loans, the borrower must
draw the loan proceeds up front in one lump sum, while many adjustable-rate mortgage loans provide the borrower with a line of credit that can be drawn over time.
The Company has elected to measure these loans at fair value, on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded as a charge or credit to gain on reverse mortgage loans held for investment and HMBS-related borrowings, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company securitizes home equity conversion mortgages (“HECM”) into HMBS, which Ginnie Mae guarantees, and sells them in the secondary market while retaining the rights to service. The Company has determined that HECM loans transferred under the current Ginnie Mae HMBS securitization program do not meet the requirements for sale accounting under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, and are therefore not derecognized upon date of transfer. The Ginnie Mae HMBS securitization program includes certain terms that do not meet the participating interest requirements and require or provide an option for the Company to reacquire the loans prior to maturity. Due to these terms, the transfer of the loans does not meet the requirements of sale accounting. As a result, the Company accounts for HECM loans transferred into HMBS securitizations as secured borrowings and continues to recognize the loans as held for investment, along with the corresponding liability for the HMBS related obligations.
As an issuer of HMBS, the Company is required to repurchase reverse loans out of the Ginnie Mae securitization pools once the outstanding principal balance of the related HECM is equal to or greater than 98% of the maximum claim amount (“MCA”) (referred to as unpoolable loans). Performing repurchased loans are conveyed to the HUD and payment is received from HUD typically within 75 days of repurchase. Nonperforming repurchased loans are generally liquidated through foreclosure, subsequent sale of the real estate owned (“REO”) and claim submissions to HUD.
Gain on Reverse Mortgage Loans Held for Investment and HMBS-Related Borrowings, Net
The Company has elected to measure the HECM loans held for investment and HMBS-related borrowings at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value gains and losses of the HECM loans and HMBS-related borrowings and the gains and losses on tail securitization are included in gain on reverse mortgage loans held for investment and HMBS-related borrowings, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Tail securitizations are participations in previously securitized HECMs and are created by additions to principal for borrower draws on lines-of-credit (scheduled and unscheduled), interest, servicing fees, and mortgage insurance premiums. In addition, gain on reverse mortgage loans held for investment and HMBS-related borrowings, net includes interest income on the securitized HECM loans, interest expense on the HMBS-related borrowings, together with the realized cash gains or losses on tail securitization and the fair value changes related to new reverse mortgage loans through the securitization date. The reverse mortgage loan production activity is included in the Company's origination segment.
Ginnie Mae Loans Subject to Repurchase Right
In accordance with ASC 860-50, certain loans, as defined by the servicer guidelines, serviced by the Company on behalf of GNMA are recognized as an asset, and carried at the unpaid principal balance (“UPB”) of the loans. The Company has a right to repurchase any loans serviced on behalf of GNMA that are three or more consecutive payments delinquent (“GNMA Loan Inventory”). The Company recognizes a corresponding liability (“GNMA Loan Payable”) which is recorded at the unpaid principal balance, for loans in which the Company has not exercised the right to repurchase the loans. If the loan goes through foreclosure and is an FHA loan, HUD acts as the insurer for GNMA and reimburses the servicer for the UPB plus allowable interest and foreclosure fees. The Company reserves for unreimbursed interest and fees as part of the general foreclosure reserve. If the loan goes through foreclosure and is a VA loan, the VA acts as the insurer and reimburses the Company based on the net value of the underlying property. At the amount determined by the VA, the Company accounts for any loss on VA loans in its foreclosure loss reserve to a certain threshold with any excess charged to its investor reserves. If a foreclosure sale has been held on an FHA loan, the deed is transferred to the Company and the loan becomes a GNMA REO. These are foreclosed real estate properties securing GNMA loans. Both principal and interest for government insured/guaranteed loans secured by the foreclosed real estate properties are collectible because the loans are insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. The GNMA Loan Inventory and real estate owned is equal, and offsetting, to the GNMA Loan Payable.
Mortgage Servicing Rights
Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) are recognized as assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet when loans are sold, and the associated servicing rights are retained. The Company maintains one class of MSR asset and has elected the fair value option. To determine the fair value of the servicing right when created, the Company uses a valuation model that calculates the present value of future cash flows. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of contractual service fees, ancillary income and late fees, the cost of servicing, the discount rate, float value, the inflation rate, estimated prepayment speeds, and default rates.
Derivative Instruments
The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) and forward commitments to sell mortgage loans and to be announced mortgage-backed securities which are considered derivative financial instruments. These items are accounted for as free-standing derivatives and are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The Company treats all of its derivative instruments as economic hedges; therefore, none of its derivative instruments qualify for designation as accounting hedges.
The Company enters into IRLCs to originate residential mortgage loans at specified interest rates and within a specified period of time, with customers who have applied for a loan and meet certain credit and underwriting criteria. IRLCs on mortgage loans in process that have not closed, but are intended to be sold, are considered to be derivatives and changes in fair value are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of loan origination fees and gain on sale of loans, net. Fair value is based upon changes in the fair value of the underlying mortgages, estimated to be realizable upon sale into the secondary market, net of estimated incentive compensation expenses. Fair value estimates also consider loan commitments not expected to be exercised by customers for unforeseen reasons, commonly referred to as fallout.
IRLCs and uncommitted MLHS expose the Company to the risk that the value of the mortgage loans held and mortgage loans underlying the commitments may decline due to increases in mortgage interest rates during the life of the commitments. To protect against this risk the Company enters into derivative instruments such as forward loan sales commitments, mandatory delivery commitments, options and futures contracts. Management expects the changes in the fair value of these derivatives to have a negative correlation to the changes in fair value of the derivative loan commitments and MLHS, thereby reducing earnings volatility. The changes in fair value are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of loan origination fees and gain on sale of loans, net. The Company considers various factors and strategies in determining the portion of the mortgage pipeline and loans held for sale it wants to economically hedge.
The Company has elected to net derivative asset and liability positions, including cash collateral received from or paid to its counterparties when amounts are subject to legally enforceable master netting arrangements. IRLCs are not subject to master netting arrangements. Forward commitments include to be announced mortgage-backed securities that have been aggregated at the counterparty level for presentation and disclosure purposes. Counterparty agreements contain a legal right to offset amounts due to and from the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements to settle with the same counterparty, on a net basis, as well as the right to obtain cash collateral. Forward commitments also include commitments to sell loans to counterparties and to purchase loans from counterparties at determined prices. See “Note 2—Fair Value Measurements” and “Note 6—Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional information.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, usually three years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful life.
The Company recognizes internal-use software within property and equipment which consists of both internal and external costs incurred in the development, testing and implementation directly related to the new software. The internal-use software is amortized over a three-year period and begins amortization upon the “go-live” date of the software. The Company determines the “go-live” date as the date in which the software is readily available to be used companywide.
Acquisitions
When making an acquisition, the Company recognizes separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values under ASC 805, Business Combinations. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ from expectations. The Company may record measurement period adjustments during the measurement period (one year from the acquisition date) that result from obtaining additional information about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. If this additional information had been known, it would have affected the accounting for the business combination as of the acquisition date.
Accounting for business combinations requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date with respect to MSRs and contingent considerations. Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates it has made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain.
Intangible Assets, Net
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives in a manner that best reflects their economic benefit. All intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.
Goodwill
Goodwill is recorded at fair value and is tested for potential impairment at least annually. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1 or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
The Company’s goodwill is allocated by reporting unit and is evaluated for impairment by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative goodwill test is necessary. Qualitative factors include, among other things, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, financial performance of the respective reporting unit and other relevant entity and reporting-unit specific considerations. If it is determined, based on qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit may be more likely than not less than the carrying amount, or if significant adverse changes in the Company's future financial performance occur that could materially impact fair value, a quantitative goodwill impairment test would be required. A quantitative assessment for impairment requires the Company to use significant judgment and estimates, including, but not limited to, estimates of future cash flows, revenue growth rates, operating margins, and a discount rate. Such estimates are based upon assumptions which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable.
The fair value of goodwill is determined by assigning the fair value of the reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the amount of impairment expense is equal to the difference between the reporting unit’s fair value and the reporting unit’s carrying value. See “Note 11—Goodwill and Intangibles” for additional information.
Contingent Liabilities due to Acquisitions
The Company may be required to pay future consideration to the former shareholders of acquired companies, depending upon the terms of the applicable purchase agreement, which is contingent upon the achievement of certain financial and operating targets. The Company determines the fair value for its contingent consideration obligations using an income approach whereby the Company forecasts the cash outflows related to the earn-outs, which are based on a percentage of net income specified in the purchase agreements. The Company then discounts these expected payment amounts to calculate the fair value as of the valuation date. The Company’s management evaluates the underlying projections used in determining fair value each period and makes updates to these underlying projections when there have been significant changes in management’s expectations of the future business performance.
The principal significant unobservable input used in the valuations of the Company’s contingent consideration obligations is a risk-adjusted discount rate. Whereas management’s underlying projections adjust for market penetration and other economic expectations, the discount rate is risk-adjusted for key factors such as uncertainty in the mortgage banking industry due to its reliance on external influences (interest rates, regulatory changes, etc.), upfront payments, and credit risk. An increase in the discount rate will result in a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration. Conversely, a decrease in the discount rate will result in an increase in the fair value of contingent consideration.
At each reporting date, or whenever there are significant changes in underlying key assumptions, a review of these assumptions is performed and the contingent consideration liability is updated to its estimated fair value. If there are no significant changes in the assumptions, the quarterly determination of the fair value of contingent consideration reflects the implied interest for the passage of time. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in the terms of the contingent payments, changes in discount periods and rates and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the timing and likelihood of achieving the certain financial targets. Actual progress toward achieving the financial targets for the remaining measurement periods may be different than the Company’s expectations of future performance. The change in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration is included in general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception, which is the date on which the terms of the contract are agreed to and the agreement creates enforceable rights and obligations. The Company also considers whether its service arrangements include the right to control the use of an asset.
If an arrangement is determined to be a lease, the Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding operating lease liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheet based on the present value of
lease payments over the expected lease term, except leases with initial terms of 12 months or less. Lease payments may include fixed rent escalation clauses or payments that depend on an index or a rate (such as the consumer price index) measured using the index or applicable rate at lease commencement. Subsequent changes in the index or rate and any other variable payments, such as market-rate base rent adjustments, are recognized as variable lease expense in the period incurred. To determine the present value of lease payments, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, as the leases generally do not have a readily determinable implicit discount rate. The Company applies judgement in assessing factors such as Company-specific credit risk, lease term, nature and quality of the underlying collateral and the economic environment in determining the lease-specific incremental borrowing rate. The ROU assets are also adjusted for any initial direct costs incurred and lease payments made at or before the commencement date and are reduced by lease incentives.
The Company’s leases generally include a non-lease component representing additional services transferred to the Company, such as common area maintenance for real estate. The Company accounts for lease and non-lease components in its contracts as a single lease component for all asset classes. The non-lease components are usually variable in nature and recorded in variable lease expense in the period incurred.
The Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis excluding short-term and variable lease payments which are recognized as incurred. Short-term lease cost represents payments for leases with a lease term of 12 months or less, excluding leases with a term of one month or less.
Real Estate Owned
There are two types of REO properties held by the Company. The first is considered a traditional REO where the Company owns, markets, and sells the property. At the time of foreclosure, other real estate owned is recorded at the asset’s fair value less selling costs, which becomes the property’s new basis. After foreclosure, these assets are carried at the lower of their new cost basis or fair value less selling costs. Costs incurred in maintaining foreclosed real estate and subsequent write-downs to reflect declines in the fair value of the property are expensed as incurred. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $1.5 million and $0.3 million of traditional REOs, respectively.
The second type is foreclosed real estate securing GNMA loans in process of conveyance to HUD but insured by the FHA, where the Company is the controller of the deed for a period of time. For GNMA loans, the property becomes REO if not sold to a third party at its foreclosure sale. Both principal and debenture rate interest for government insured loans secured by the foreclosed real estate are collectible because the loans are insured by the FHA. This is valued at the UPB of the loan, which is considered to be fair value, as HUD reimburses the Company for the UPB plus debenture rate interest and fees. The Company reserves for unreimbursed interest in excess of the debenture rate and fees as part of the foreclosure loss reserve. The total REO property that will be conveyed to HUD was valued at $0.5 million at December 31, 2023 and the Company held no such REO property at December 31, 2022.
Revenue Recognition
Loan origination fees and gain on sale of loans, net — loan origination fees and gain on sale of loans, net includes all components related to the origination and sale of mortgage loans, including (1) net gain on sale of loans, which represents the premium the Company receives in excess of the loan principal amount and certain fees charged by investors upon sale of loans into the secondary market, (2) loan origination fees (credits), points and certain costs, (3) provision for or benefit from investor reserves, (4) the change in fair value of interest rate locks and MLHS, (5) the gain or loss on forward commitments hedging loans held for sale and IRLCs, and (6) the fair value of originated MSRs. An estimate of the gain on sale of loans, net is recognized at the time an IRLC is issued, net of a pull-through factor. Subsequent changes in the fair value of IRLCs and MLHS are recognized in current period earnings. When the mortgage loan is sold into the secondary market, any difference between the proceeds received and the current fair value of the loan is recognized in current period earnings. Included in gain on sale of loans, net is the fair value of originated MSRs, which represents the estimated fair value of MSRs related to loans which the Company has sold and retained the right to service. See sections “—Mortgage Loans Held for Sale”, “—Mortgage Servicing Rights,” and “—Derivative Instruments” under “Note 1—Business, Basis of Presentation, and Accounting Policies,” for more information related to fair value measurements of MLHS, the gain/(loss) on changes in the fair value of MSRs and the gain/(loss) on changes in the fair value of IRLCs, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, loan origination fees and gain on sale of loans were net of direct expenses of $112.7 million and $138.3 million, respectively.
Gain on reverse mortgage loans held for investment and HMBS-related borrowings, net — This represents certain cash and non-cash components recognized related to our reverse mortgage loans held for investment including the net fair value changes of securitized reverse mortgage loans and HMBS-related borrowings, fair value changes of unsecuritized reverse loans, and realized gains or losses on tail securitization. In addition, this includes interest income on the reverse mortgage loans held for investment and the interest expense on the HMBS-related borrowings.
Loan servicing and other fees — Loan servicing fees represent fees earned for servicing loans for various investors. The servicing fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal balance and recognized into revenue as the related mortgage payments are received. Loan servicing expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
Valuation adjustment of mortgage servicing rights — In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 860-50, Transfers and Servicing — Servicing Assets and Liabilities (“ASC 860-50”), the Company records MSRs as an asset, at fair value. The change in fair value is recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a monthly basis. See “Note 1—Business, Basis of Presentation, and Accounting Policies—Mortgage Servicing Rights,” for information related to the gain/(loss) on changes in the fair value of MSRs.
Interest income — interest income includes interest earned on MLHS and interest income earnings credit.
Interest expense — interest expense includes interest paid to the Company’s loan funding facilities and MSR facilities.
Investor Reserves
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has exposure to liabilities with respect to certain representations and warranties that we make to the investors who purchase the loans that we originate that under certain circumstances could require the Company to repurchase forward mortgage loans, or indemnify the purchaser of such loans for losses incurred, if there has been a breach of these representations and warranties, or in the case of early payment defaults. The estimation of the liability for probable losses related to the repurchase and indemnification obligation considers an estimate of probable future repurchase or indemnification obligations from breaches of representations and warranties. The liability related to specific non-performing loans is based on a loan-level analysis considering the current collateral value, estimated sales proceeds and selling costs. The liability related to probable future repurchase or indemnification obligations is segregated by year of origination and considers the amount of unresolved repurchase and indemnification requests, as well as an estimate of future repurchase demands. Future repurchase demands are estimated based upon recent and historical repurchase and indemnification experience, as well as the success rate in appealing repurchase requests and an estimated loss severity, based on current loss rates for similar loans. The Company also has exposure to early payment defaults (“EPD”) and/or early payoff fees (“EPO”). When the Company sells a loan to an investor and the loan either pays off or goes into default within a certain timeframe, the Company could be exposed to EPD and/or EPO fees in accordance with each investor’s contract. In addition, in the event of an early payment default, we are contractually obligated to refund certain premiums paid to us by the investors who purchased the related loan. The Company reserves for these fees by estimating early payment defaults and payoff fees based on prior loan activity and current loan origination volume.
Foreclosure Loss Reserve and Provision for Foreclosure Losses
The Company has exposure for losses associated with government loans in foreclosure related to nonrefundable interest and foreclosure servicing costs. The Company maintains a reserve for government loans currently in foreclosure based on historical loss experience. The Company also accrues for any additional known losses above the current loss per loan; for example, losses due to servicer delays.
Advertising
Advertising is expensed as incurred and amounted to $10.6 million and $11.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included within general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur and reverses previously recognized expense for the unvested portion of the forfeited shares. Stock-based compensation is included in salaries, incentive compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See “Note 17—Stock-based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information.
Earnings or Loss Per Share
The Company determines earnings or loss per share in accordance with the authoritative guidance in ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income or loss available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Diluted earnings or loss per share is computed in the same manner as
basic earnings per share, except that the number of shares is increased to assume the issuance of potentially dilutive shares using the treasury stock method, unless the effect of such increase would be anti-dilutive. Under the treasury stock method, the average amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized is assumed to be used to repurchase shares.
Common Stock Dividends
Dividends are recorded if and when declared by the board of directors. The ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants in connection with the Company’s indebtedness. Dividends are accrued as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets when declared and recorded as a decrease to retained earnings when paid.
Unvested RSUs under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) have rights to dividends, which entitle holders to the same dividend value per share as holders of shares of Class A common stock in the form of dividend equivalent units (“DEUs”). DEUs will be credited as additional RSUs on the dividend payment date and will vest on the same date as the underlying RSUs and are forfeited if the underlying RSUs forfeit prior to vesting. The number of additional RSUs credited will equal (1) the per share cash dividend amount, multiplied by (2) the number of RSUs, divided by (3) the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock on the last trading day before the date of the dividend payment, rounded up to the nearest whole number of RSUs.
The Company declared and paid a dividend of $0.50 per share on its Class A and Class B common stock during 2023 totaling $30.5 million and paid no such dividend in 2022. In conjunction with the payment of Guild's dividend in 2023, Guild issued 95,413 DEUs to holders of RSUs. Since the DEUs are forfeitable, the value of the DEUs was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings and a credit to additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more-likely than-not to be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and records penalties as a component of income taxes.
Escrow and Fiduciary Funds
As a loan servicer, the Company maintains segregated bank accounts in trust for investors and escrow balances for mortgagors, which are excluded from the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. These accounts totaled $646.5 million and $580.2 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Risks and Uncertainties
In the normal course of business, companies in the mortgage banking industry encounter certain economic, liquidity, and regulatory risks. Economic risk includes interest rate risk and credit risk.
Interest rate risk
The Company’s MLHS, commitments to originate loans, and MSRs are subject to interest rate risk. For MLHS and commitments to originate loans, to the extent that a rising interest rate environment exists, the Company may experience a decrease in loan production and decreases in value, which may negatively impact the Company’s operations. To mitigate this risk, the Company uses hedging strategies designed to ensure any fluctuations in rates would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position. For the Company’s MSRs, the fair value generally decreases in periods where interest rates are declining and as prepayments speeds are increasing. The fair value generally increases in periods where interest rates are increasing and as prepayments speeds are decreasing. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company experienced an increase and a decrease, respectively, in the valuation of its MSR portfolio. Since the Company also has a large origination platform the Company believes it was able to mitigate this risk by recapturing a significant portion of the runoff through refinances.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of default that may result from borrowers’ inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments during the period in which loans are being held for sale. The Company considers credit risk associated with these loans to be insignificant as it holds the loans for a short period of time, typically less than a month, and historically the Company has not experienced any material losses due to credit risk on loans held for sale.
The Company sells loans to investors without recourse. As such, the investors have assumed the risk of loss or default by the borrower. However, the Company is usually required by these investors to make certain standard representations and warranties relating to credit information, loan documentation and collateral. To the extent that the Company does not comply with such representations, or there are early payment defaults, the Company may be required to repurchase the loans or indemnify these investors for any losses from borrower defaults, defects in the collateral or errors made in the credit decision.
The Company is also subject to counterparty credit risk in the event of contractual nonperformance by its trading counterparties to its various over-the-counter derivative financial instruments. The Company manages this credit risk by selecting only counterparties that it believes to be financially strong, spreading the credit risk among many such counterparties, placing contractual limits on the amount of unsecured credit extended to any single counterparty, and entering into netting agreements with the counterparties as appropriate. The master netting agreements contain a legal right to offset amounts due to and from the same counterparty. Derivative assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets represent derivative contracts in a gain position net of loss positions with the same counterparty and, therefore, also represent the Company’s maximum counterparty credit risk. The Company incurred no credit losses due to nonperformance of any of its counterparties during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Liquidity risk
The Company encounters liquidity risk as the business requires substantial cash to support its operating activities. As a result, the Company is dependent on its lines of credit, and other financing facilities in order to finance its continued operations. If the Company’s principal lenders decided to terminate or not to renew these credit facilities with the Company, the loss of borrowing capacity could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements unless the Company found a suitable alternative source. To mitigate this risk, the Company has multiple financing facilities with different lenders and varied maturity dates. Historically, the Company has not had a line of credit involuntarily terminated by a lender. The Company assesses market conditions and closely monitors and projects cash flows over multiple time periods to anticipate and mitigate liquidity risk.
Regulatory risk
The Company is subject to extensive and comprehensive regulation under federal, state and local laws in the United States. These laws and regulations significantly affect the way in which the Company does business and can restrict the scope of the Company’s existing business and limit the Company’s ability to expand product offerings or pursue acquisitions, or can make costs to service or originate loans higher, which could impact financial results. The Company continually monitors its regulatory environment for any changes that could have a significant impact on operations.
Recent Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. For public business entities the update will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the disclosure requirements related to the new standard.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure, on an annual and interim basis, of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), as well as the aggregate amount of other segment items included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss. ASU 2023-07 requires that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss. Public entities will be required to provide all annual disclosures currently required by Topic 280 in interim periods, and entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in the update and existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and requires retrospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the disclosure requirements related to the new standard.
In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations—Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement (“ASU 2023-05”). ASU 2023-05 applies to the formation of a “joint venture” or a “corporate joint venture” and requires a joint venture to initially measure all contributions received upon its formation at fair value. The guidance does not impact accounting by the venturers. The new guidance is applicable to joint venture entities with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025 on a prospective basis and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of the new guidance on its financial statements.
Adopted Accounting Standards
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. ASU 2020-04 generally considers contract modifications related to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date nor a reassessment of a previous accounting determination. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which clarifies that the practical expedients in ASU 2020-04 apply to derivatives impacted by changes in the interest rate used for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time, through December 31, 2022, as reference rate reform activities occur. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, to extend the temporary accounting rules from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. Once ASU 2020-04 is elected, the guidance must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications. For contracts to which ASC 470, Debt applies, the Company has applied the optional expedients available from ASU 2020-04 and accounted for the contract modifications related to reference rate reform prospectively. The Company transitioned its funding facilities and financing facilities that utilized LIBOR as the reference rate to alternative reference rates prior to the LIBOR cessation date of June 30, 2023 and there was no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
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