BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) |
9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2023 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation |
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to interim financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2022 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company follows the same accounting policies for preparing quarterly and annual reports.
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| Principles of Consolidation |
Principles of Consolidation
The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, Guild Mortgage Company LLC ("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 September 30, 2023.
All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
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| Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures |
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 Condensed 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
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.
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| Use of Estimates |
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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.
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| Escrow and Fiduciary Funds | Escrow and Fiduciary FundsAs 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
| Common Stock Cash Dividend |
Non-vested restricted stock units ("RSUs") under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan have rights to dividends, which entitle holders to the same dividend value per share as holders of common shares 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.
In conjunction with the payment of Guild's dividend, 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.
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| Reverse Mortgage Loans Held for Investment and HMBS-Related Borrowings, Net / Gain on Reverse Mortgage Loans Held for Investment and HMBS-Related Borrowings, Net |
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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company securitizes home equity conversion mortgages ("HECM") into Home Equity Conversion Mortgage-Backed Securities (“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 Accounting Standards Codification ("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, we are 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 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ("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, 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. 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 activity is included in the Company's origination segment.
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| Recent Accounting Standards |
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("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 in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the new guidance on its financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-4, 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 Topic 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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| Fair Value Measurements | Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized within a three-level fair value hierarchy. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The categorization of assets and liabilities measured at fair value within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
•Level One - Level One inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
•Level Two - Level Two inputs are observable for that asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, and include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, observable inputs for the asset or liability other than quoted prices and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. If the asset or liability has a specified contractual term, the inputs must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
•Level Three - Level Three inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that reflect the Company’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, and are developed based on the best information available.
The Company updates the valuation of each instrument recorded at fair value on a monthly or quarterly basis, evaluating all available observable information, which may include current market prices or bids, recent trade activity, changes in the levels of market activity and benchmarking of industry data. The assessment also includes consideration of identifying the valuation approach that would be used currently by market participants. If it is determined that a change in valuation technique or its application is appropriate, or if there are other changes in availability of observable data or market activity, the current methodology will be analyzed to determine if a transfer between levels of the valuation hierarchy is appropriate. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers into or out of a level as of the beginning of the quarter that the change occurs.
Fair value is based on quoted market prices, when available. If quoted prices are not available, fair value is estimated based upon other observable inputs. Unobservable inputs are used when observable inputs are not available and are based upon judgments and assumptions, which are the Company’s assessment of the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs may include assumptions about risk, counterparty credit quality, the Company’s creditworthiness and liquidity and are developed based on the best information available. When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement of the asset or liability. The fair value of assets and liabilities classified within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy also typically includes observable factors and the realized or unrealized gain or loss recorded from the valuation of these instruments would also include amounts determined by observable factors.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s fair value measurements are evaluated within the fair value hierarchy, based on the nature of the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had the following assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Trading Securities — Trading securities are classified within Level One of the valuation hierarchy. Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. Level One trading securities include securities traded on active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Trading securities are included within other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Notes Receivable — Notes receivable are classified within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy as the Company's valuation includes significant unobservable inputs, including consideration of estimates of future earn-out payments, discount rates and expectations about settlement.
Derivative Instruments — Derivative instruments are classified within Level Two and Level Three of the valuation hierarchy, and include the following:
Interest Rate Lock Commitments — "IRLCs" are classified within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy. IRLCs represent an agreement to extend credit to a mortgage loan applicant, or an agreement to purchase a loan from a third-party originator, whereby the interest rate on the loan is set (or "locked") prior to funding. The fair value of IRLCs recorded at lock inception is based upon the estimated fair value of the underlying mortgage loan, including the expected net future cash flows related to servicing the mortgage loan, net of estimated incentive compensation expenses, and adjusted for: (i) estimated costs to complete and originate the loan and (ii) an adjustment to reflect the estimated percentage of IRLCs that will result in a closed mortgage loan under the original terms of the agreement (pull-through rate). The pull-through rate is considered a significant unobservable input and is estimated based on changes in pricing and actual borrower behavior using a historical analysis of loan closing and fallout data. The average pull-through rate used to calculate the fair value of IRLCs as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was 84.3% and 93.4%, respectively. On a quarterly basis, actual loan pull-through rates are compared to the modeled estimates to confirm the assumptions are reflective of current trends. Generally, a change in interest rates is accompanied by a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for the pull-through percentage, and the impact to fair value of a change in pull-through would be partially offset by the related change in price. We regularly review our critical estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of our IRLCs.
Forward Delivery Commitments — Forward delivery commitments are classified within Level Two of the valuation hierarchy. Forward delivery commitments fix the forward sales price that will be realized upon the sale of mortgage loans into the secondary market. The fair value of forward delivery commitments is primarily based upon the current agency mortgage-backed security market to-be-announced pricing specific to the loan program, delivery coupon and delivery date of the trade. Best efforts sales commitments are also entered into for certain loans at the time the borrower commitment is made. These best-efforts sales commitments are valued using the committed price to the counterparty against the current market price of the IRLC or mortgage loan held for sale.
Option contracts are a type of forward commitment that represents the rights to buy or sell mortgage-backed securities at specified prices in the future. Their value is based upon the underlying current to-be-announced pricing of the agency mortgage-backed security market, and market-based volatility. See Note 6 for additional information on the derivative instruments.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale — "MLHS" are carried at fair value. The fair value of MLHS is based on secondary market pricing for loans with similar characteristics, and as such, is classified as a Level Two measurement. Fair value is estimated through a market approach by using either: (i) the fair value of securities backed by similar mortgage loans, adjusted for certain factors to approximate the fair value of a whole mortgage loan, including the value attributable to servicing rights and credit risk, (ii) current commitments to purchase loans or (iii) recent observable market trades for similar loans, adjusted for credit risk and other individual loan characteristics. The agency mortgage-backed security market is a highly liquid and active secondary market for conforming conventional loans whereby quoted prices exist for securities at the pass-through level and are published on a regular basis. The Company has the ability to access this market and it is the market into which conforming mortgage loans are typically sold. We regularly review our critical estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of our MLHS.
Reverse Mortgage Loans Held for Investment — Reverse mortgage loans held for investment are carried at fair value and classified within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy. Fair value is estimated using a present value methodology that discounts estimated projected cash flows over the life of the loan using unobservable inputs which include conditional prepayment rates and discount rates. The conditional prepayment rate assumption is inclusive of voluntary (repayment or payoff) and involuntary (inactive/delinquent status and default) prepayments. The discount rate assumption used is primarily based on an assessment of current market yields on reverse mortgage loan and tail securitizations, expected duration of the asset and current market interest rates. The Company engages a third-party valuation
expert to assist in estimating the fair value. See Note 9 for additional information on the Company's reverse mortgage loans held for investment.
Mortgage Servicing Rights — "MSRs" are classified within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy due to the use of significant unobservable inputs and the lack of an active market for such assets. The fair value of MSRs is estimated based upon projections of expected future cash flows considering prepayment estimates, the Company’s historical prepayment rates, portfolio characteristics, interest rates based on interest rate yield curves, implied volatility, costs to service and other economic factors. The Company obtains valuations from an independent third party on a monthly basis, and records an adjustment based on this third-party valuation. See Note 7 for additional information on the Company's MSRs.
Investment in Warrants — The Company was a party to a joint marketing agreement with a private independent insurance carrier whereby the Company marketed their products and submitted leads for borrowers needing insurance. In connection with satisfying the conditions set forth under such agreement, the Company received warrants that may be exercised to purchase shares of common stock of the private company. The Company’s equity investment in the warrants is carried at its estimated fair value, which was determined using the price per share paid by an investor in an equity sale transaction completed by the private company, resulting in a Level Three classification. The warrants are exercisable until June 2025. The warrants are initially and subsequently measured at fair value until they are exercised or expire, with material changes in the fair value reported in other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income each reporting period. The Company's investment in warrants is included within other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contingent Liabilities Due to Acquisitions — Contingent liabilities represent future obligations of the Company to make payments to the former owners of its acquired companies. The Company determines the fair value of its contingent liabilities using a discounted cash flow approach whereby the Company forecasts the cash outflows related to the future payments, 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 present value, or 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.
The Company uses a risk-adjusted discount rate to value the contingent liabilities, which is considered a significant unobservable input, and as such, the liabilities are classified as a Level Three measurement. Management’s underlying projections adjust for market penetration and other economic expectations, and 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 the contingent liabilities. Conversely, a decrease in the discount rate will result in an increase in the fair value of the contingent liabilities. At September 30, 2023 the risk adjusted discount rate was 25.0% and at December 31, 2022 the range of the risk adjusted discount rate was 14.5% - 25.0%, with a median of 15.0%. Adjustments to the fair value of the contingent liabilities (other than payments) are recorded as a gain or loss and are included within general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. HMBS-Related Borrowings — HMBS-related borrowings are carried at fair value and classified within Level Three of the valuation hierarchy. These borrowings are not actively traded; therefore, quoted market prices are not available. The Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow model, by discounting the projected payment of principal and interest over the estimated life of the borrowing at a market rate, due to significant unobservable inputs, including conditional prepayment rates and discount rates. The discount rate assumption used is primarily based on an assessment of current market yields for newly issued HMBS, expected duration and current market interest rates. The Company engages a third-party valuation expert to assist in estimating the fair value.
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