Alesco Financial Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results

Tue. August 05, 2008; Posted: 04:55 PM

AFN reported GAAP net loss for the three-months ended June 30, 2008 of ($81.2) million, or ($1.36) per diluted common share, as compared to a net loss of ($47.2) million, or ($0.86) per diluted common share, for the three-months ended June 30, 2007. AFN's net loss for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 included charges to earnings of ($44.7) million relating to changes in the fair value of financial instruments and ($40.6) million due to the reclassification into the income statement of MBS related cash-flow hedging losses that were previously included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

AFN reported GAAP net income for the six-months ended June 30, 2008 of $3.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share, as compared to a net loss of ($35.4) million, or ($0.65) per diluted common share, for the six-months ended June 30, 2007. AFN's net income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 included a gain of $28.0 million relating to changes in the fair value of financial instruments and the charge of ($40.6) million due to the MBS portfolio hedging matter described previously.

Book Value and Investment Portfolio Summary

The following table summarizes our allocation of capital and book value as of June 30, 2008 (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):

Net Investment Income Capital for the Allocation GAAP Three-Month as of % of Book Value Period Ended June 30, 2008 Capital as of June 30, ( A ) June 30, 2008 ( B ) 2008 TruPS investments $239,249 35% $106,040 $24,078 Leveraged loan investments 88,171 13% 79,069 4,711 Kleros Real Estate MBS investments 90,000 13% - 7,713 Residential mortgages 86,401 13% 68,037 (5,114) Other investments 54,026 8% 17,616 567 Total uninvested cash ( C ) 120,733 18% 120,733 - Total investible capital 678,580 100% 391,495 31,955 Recourse indebtedness (188,125) (188,125) (3,914) Total $490,455 $203,370 $28,041 Common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2008 59,592,131 Book Value per share $3.41

( A ) Represents net cash invested through June 30, 2008.

( B ) Net investment income includes amounts earned by the minority interest holders in certain consolidated VIEs. Net investment income for the leveraged loans asset class and the residential mortgage loans asset class is presented net of $2.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively, for provisions for loan losses recorded during the three-months ended June 30, 2008. Net investment income does not include interest income of $0.6 million on uninvested cash, or $0.4 million of interest earnings on the restricted cash at our consolidated CDO entities. Additionally, net investment income excludes $11.6 million of net periodic interest payments that relate to interest rate swap contracts that are no longer accounted for as cash flow hedges upon the adoption of FAS 159 The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The $11.6 million relates to the following asset classes: $6.9 million decrease to TruPS investments, $5.5 million decrease to Kleros Real Estate MBS investments, and a $0.8 million increase to Residential Mortgages.

( C ) Reduced for dividend payable of $15.2 million at June 30, 2008.

Investments in Debt Securities

The following table summarizes our investments in debt securities as of June 30, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

Weighted- Cumulative Weighted- Average Investment Amortized Change in Estimated Average Years to Description Cost Fair Value Fair Value Coupon Maturity Investments in TruPS and subordinated debentures $5,535,368 $(2,290,109) $3,245,259 5.5% 27.8 MBS 2,063,532 (1,138,309) 925,223 3.7% 6.4 Other investments 1,654 - 1,654 - 7.1 Total $7,600,554 $(3,428,418) $4,172,136 5.0% 22.0

The estimated fair values of our investments are based primarily on quoted market prices from independent pricing sources, or when quoted market prices are not available because certain securities do not actively trade in the public markets, from internal pricing models. These internal pricing models include discounted cash flow analyses developed by management using current interest rates, specific issuer information and other market data for securities without an active market. Management's estimates of fair value require significant management judgment and are subject to a high degree of variability based upon market conditions, the availability of specific issuer information and management's assumptions.

As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate principal amount of investments in the eleven TruPS investments that are defaulted or are currently deferring interest payments is $282.3 million, representing approximately 5.5% of our combined TruPS portfolio. As of June 30, 2008, the $145 million of defaulted securities, which includes securities issued by IndyMac Bancorp, have been completely written off in our consolidated financial statements. For the three-months ended June 30, 2008, investment interest income is net of a $4.4 million reserve for interest income related to $245.5 million of the currently deferring or defaulted securities.

The TruPS deferrals and defaults described above have resulted in the over-collateralization tests being triggered in seven of the eight CDOs in which we hold equity interests. One of the CDO over-collateralization failures has since been cured, bringing the total number of TruPS CDOs in over-collateralization failure status to six as of the date of this release. The trigger of an over-collateralization test in a TruPS CDO means that we, as a holder of equity securities, will no longer receive current distributions of cash in respect of our equity interests until sufficient cash or collateral is retained in the CDOs to cure the over-collateralization tests. We currently project that three of the six affected CDOs may cure the over-collateralization failures and recommence making equity distributions within 3 to 6 quarters and the other three may do so within 20 to 35 quarters. These cash flow projections assume zero recovery of principal or interest on any of the currently deferring or defaulted securities and no additional deferrals. There can be no assurance that we will not experience additional deferrals or defaults that will result in further over-collateralization test failures or extend the expected cure periods of the deals currently failing over-collateralization tests.

As previously disclosed, the Kleros Real Estate CDOs have all failed over-collateralization tests as a result of significant ratings agency downgrade activity and are no longer making cash distributions to us. The net cash flows of the Kleros Real Estate CDOs are currently being used to pay down the controlling class debtholders in each of the Kleros Real Estate CDOs. Despite the fact that each Kleros Real Estate CDO has failed over-collateralization tests, the net interest earnings of these CDOs continues to be reflected in our net investment income and taxable income. In addition, we received written notice from the trustees of Kleros Real Estate I, II, and III that each CDO has experienced an event of default. These events of default resulted from the failure of certain additional over-collateralization tests primarily due to credit rating agency downgrades. The events of default provide the controlling class debtholder in each CDO with the option to liquidate all of the MBS assets collateralizing the particular CDO. The proceeds of any such liquidation would be used to repay the controlling class debtholder.

On May 1, 2008, we received written notice from the trustee of Kleros Real Estate III that the controlling class debtholder has submitted a notice of liquidation. The liquidation of Kleros Real Estate III occurred in June 2008 through a series of auctions of the underlying collateral and the final distribution of the liquidation proceeds was delivered to the controlling class debtholder in the same period. Upon the commencement of the liquidation process we determined that we were no longer the primary beneficiary of Kleros Real Estate III, and in accordance with FIN 46(R) deconsolidated the Kleros Real Estate III entity from our consolidated financial statements in June 2008.

As of the current date, the controlling class debtholders of Kleros Real Estate I and II have not exercised their rights to liquidate either CDO. Since we are not receiving any cash flow from our investments in any of the Kleros Real Estate CDOs, the events of default and liquidation described above do not have any further impact on our cash flows. However, the assets of the Kleros Real Estate I and II CDOs and the income they generate for tax purposes are a component of our REIT qualifying assets and income. If more than one of the three remaining Kleros Real Estate CDOs is liquidated, we may have to deploy additional capital into REIT qualifying assets in order to continue to qualify as a REIT. If we are not able to invest in sufficient other REIT qualifying assets, our ability to qualify as a REIT could be materially adversely affected.

Credit Default Swaps (CDS)

During the second quarter of 2007, we began to purchase CDS contracts referenced to certain MBS and CDOs that trade in the public markets. In June 2008, we sold the subsidiary that owned the remaining $87.5 million notional of CDS positions for $70.4 million in proceeds (inclusive of the $69.3 million of counterparty margin held as of March 31, 2008). During the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, we recorded a net loss upon disposition of the consolidated subsidiary of $5.6 million, which was offset by approximately $6.2 million of unrealized gains on CDS recorded during the same period. We record both realized and unrealized changes in fair value on the CDS contracts within net change in fair value of derivative contracts in the consolidated statements of income (loss). Following the June 2008 sale, we no longer hold any investments in CDS.

Investments in Loans

Our investments in loans are accounted for at amortized cost. The following table summarizes our investments in loans as of June 30, 2008 (dollars in thousands): Weighted- Weighted- Average Unpaid Unamortized Number Average Contractual Principal Premium/ Amortized of Interest Maturity Balance (Discount) Cost Loans Rate Date 5/1 Adjustable rate residential mortgages $648,471 $5,885 $654,356 1,570 6.3% July 2036 7/1 Adjustable rate residential mortgages 229,332 3,199 232,531 525 6.6% Dec 2036 10/1 Adjustable rate residential mortgages 74,018 1,237 75,255 195 6.8% Sept 2036 Commercial loan 7,464 - 7,464 1 21.0% - Leveraged loans 857,522 (4,487) 853,035 410 6.7% Apr 2013 Total $1,816,807 $5,834 $1,822,641 2,701 6.5% (1)

(1) Weighted-average interest rate excludes non-interest accruing commercial loan.

Indebtedness

The following table summarizes our total indebtedness (including recourse and non-recourse indebtedness) as of June 30, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

Amortized Cumulative Change Carrying Description Cost in Fair Value Amount Non-recourse indebtedness: Trust preferred obligations (1) $382,600 $(160,257) $222,343 Securitized mortgage debt 888,920 - 888,920 CDO notes payable(2) 8,471,370 (4,080,294) 4,391,076 Warehouse credit facilities 130,687 - 130,687 Total non-recourse indebtedness $9,873,577 $(4,240,551) $5,633,026 Recourse indebtedness: Junior subordinated debentures $49,614 - $49,614 Contingent convertible debt 140,000 - 140,000 Total recourse indebtedness $189,614 - $189,614 Total indebtedness $10,063,191 $(4,240,551) $5,822,640 Current Weighted- Interest Weighted- Average Rate Average Contractual Terms Interest Rate Maturity Description Non-recourse indebtedness: Trust preferred obligations (1) 4.3% to 8.7% 5.7% Oct 2036 Securitized mortgage debt 5.0% to 6.0% 5.7% Mar 2017 CDO notes payable(2) 2.6% to 7.9% 3.2% Apr 2039 Warehouse credit facilities 3.9% 3.9% May 2009 Total non-recourse indebtedness Recourse indebtedness: Junior subordinated debentures 7.0% to 9.5% 8.4% Sept 2038 Contingent convertible debt 7.6% 7.6% May 2027 Total recourse indebtedness Total indebtedness (1) Carried at fair value.

(2) Excludes CDO notes payable purchased by AFN which are eliminated in consolidation. Carrying amount includes $3,710,746 of liabilities at fair value.

Recourse indebtedness refers to indebtedness that is recourse to our general assets. As indicated in the table above, our consolidated financial statements include recourse indebtedness of $189.6 million as of June 30, 2008. Non-recourse indebtedness consists of indebtedness of consolidated VIEs (i.e. CDOs, CLOs and other securitization vehicles) which is recourse only to specific assets pledged as collateral to the lenders. The creditors of each consolidated VIE have no recourse to our general credit. Our maximum exposure to economic loss as a result of our involvement with each VIE is the $461.8 million of capital that we invested in warehouse first-loss deposits and the preference shares or debt of the CDO, CLO or other types of securitization structures. None of the indebtedness shown in the table above subjects us to potential margin calls for additional pledges of cash or other assets.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2008, our consolidated financial statements include $136.0 million of available, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. This amount includes $15.2 million of cash dividends that were paid to our shareholders on July 10, 2008. Management has evaluated our current and forecasted liquidity and continues to monitor evolving market conditions. Future investment alternatives and operating activities will continue to be evaluated against anticipated current and longer term liquidity demands. As previously disclosed, the realized tax losses that we have experienced during 2008, including those resulting from the failure of IndyMac Bancorp and losses on MBS in our KRE portfolio, are expected to significantly offset or eliminate our expected taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2008. Decisions regarding future dividends will continue to consider projections regarding our taxable income and are subject to the review and approval of our board of directors.

As of June 30, 2008, our consolidated financial statements include $87.0 million of restricted cash. The $87.0 million is primarily restricted for the following purposes: $42.0 million at consolidated CDO entities to be used to acquire additional assets and $45.0 million of undistributed cash flows from operations at consolidated CDO entities.

Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Book Value

We have not reported Adjusted Earnings this quarter because it would include significant positive non-cash net interest income from the 6 CDOs that have failed over-collateralization tests and would not include realized tax losses on defaulted securities; therefore, it is not a meaningful measure of performance for the quarter. In addition, since the adoption of SFAS 159, book value determined in accordance with GAAP reflects changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities associated with our TruPS and MBS related instruments; therefore, we no longer believe that adjusted book value is a useful alternative measure for investors to consider.

Dividend Summary

On June 10, 2008, we announced a cash dividend for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $0.25 per common share. The dividend was paid on July 10, 2008 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 20, 2008.

Conference Call

As previously announced, a conference call to discuss these financial results with investors and analysts will be held on August 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM ET. Interested parties can listen to the live webcast of our earnings conference call by clicking on the webcast link on our homepage at www.alescofinancial.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 866-831-6272 or, for those calling from overseas, 617-213-8859 a few minutes in advance of the scheduled time. A replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks at 888-286-8010, passcode 55802183.

About Alesco Financial Inc.

Alesco Financial Inc. is a specialty finance REIT headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AFN." Alesco Financial Inc. is externally managed by Cohen & Company Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Cohen Brothers, LLC (which does business as Cohen & Company), an alternative investment management firm, which, since 2001, has provided financing to small and mid-sized companies in financial services, real estate and other sectors. For more information, please visit www.alescofinancial.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this release contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Alesco Financial Inc. cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking information.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the failure of Alesco Financial Inc. to successfully execute its business plans or gain access to additional financing, continued disruption in the U.S. credit markets generally and the mortgage loan and CDO markets particularly, the limited availability of additional investment portfolios for future acquisition, performance of existing investments, continued qualification as a REIT and the cost of capital. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in our filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's web site www.sec.gov and Alesco Financial Inc.'s web site, www.alescofinancial.com. Alesco Financial Inc. disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in these materials based on new information or otherwise.

Alesco Financial Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share information) For the For the For the For the Three-Month Three-Month Six-Month Six-Month Period Period Period Period Ended Ended Ended Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Net investment income: Investment interest income $137,520 $173,333 $311,415 $334,651 Investment interest expense (101,588) (151,133) (241,372) (293,437) Provision for loan losses (7,891) (3,285) (15,455) (5,459) Net investment income 28,041 18,915 54,588 35,755 Expenses: Related party management compensation 4,197 4,344 8,942 7,727 General and administrative 3,545 2,982 7,160 5,396 Total expenses 7,742 7,326 16,102 13,123 Income before interest and other income, minority interest and taxes 20,299 11,589 38,486 22,632 Interest and other income 1,131 5,646 2,625 11,654 Net change in fair value of investments in debt securities and non-recourse indebtedness (132,651) - 70,208 - Net change in fair value of derivative contracts 37,055 17,239 (45,808) 19,592 Credit default swap premiums (1,536) (185) (2,872) (185) Impairments on investments and intangible assets (4,286) (74,443) (12,844) (74,428) Loss on disposition of consolidated entities (5,558) - (5,558) - Net realized loss on sale of assets (1,742) (723) (3,191) (4,397) Income(loss) before minority interest and benefit (provision) for income taxes (87,288) (40,877) 41,046 (25,132) Minority interest 3,109 (6,127) (40,765) (9,697) Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes (84,179) (47,004) 281 (34,829) Benefit (provision) for income taxes 2,975 (213) 3,402 (610) Net income (loss) $(81,204) $(47,217) $3,683 $(35,439) Earnings (loss) per share- basic: Basic earnings (loss) per share $(1.36) $(0.86) $0.06 $(0.65) Weighted-average shares outstanding-Basic 59,512,594 54,902,323 59,422,581 54,800,726 Earnings (loss) per share- diluted: Diluted earnings (loss) per share $(1.36) $(0.86) $0.06 $(0.65) Weighted-average shares outstanding-Diluted 59,512,594 54,902,323 59,635,405 54,800,726 Distributions declared per common share $0.25 $0.31 $0.50 $0.61 Alesco Financial Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share information) As of As of June 30, December 31, 2008 2007 Assets Investments in debt securities and security-related receivables (including amounts at fair value of $4,172,136 and $5,888,650, respectively) $4,172,136 $6,628,991 Investments in loans Residential mortgages 962,142 1,047,195 Commercial mortgages 7,464 7,332 Leveraged loans 853,035 836,953 Loan loss reserve (33,535) (18,080) Total investments in loans, net 1,789,106 1,873,400 Cash and cash equivalents 135,971 80,176 Restricted cash and warehouse deposits 86,955 95,476 Accrued interest receivable 35,058 49,806 Other assets 46,834 207,527 Total assets $6,266,060 $8,935,376 Liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) Indebtedness Trust preferred obligations (including amounts at fair value of $222,343 and $0, respectively) $222,343 $382,600 Securitized mortgage debt 888,920 959,558 CDO notes payable (including amounts at fair value of $3,710,746 and $0, respectively) 4,391,076 9,409,027 Warehouse credit facilities 130,687 155,984 Recourse indebtedness 189,614 189,614 Total indebtedness 5,822,640 11,096,783 Accrued interest payable 30,794 54,380 Related party payable 2,956 2,800 Other liabilities 131,511 161,408 Total liabilities 5,987,901 11,315,371 Minority interests 74,789 19,543 Stockholders' equity (deficit) Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 60,953,473 and 60,548,032 issued and outstanding, including 1,361,342 and 1,228,234 unvested restricted share awards, respectively 60 59 Additional paid-in-capital 482,809 481,850 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (24,028) (1,545,464) Accumulated deficit (255,471) (1,335,983) Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 203,370 (2,399,538) Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) $6,266,060 $8,935,376 Investors: Media: John Longino Joseph Kuo Chief Financial Officer Kekst and Company 215-701-8952 212-521-4863 info@alescofinancial.com

SOURCE Alesco Financial Inc.

http://www.alescofinancial.com

For full details for AFN click here.

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